Chapter 3. Part 3.

On the Road to Midvill.

They load up Lewen's wagon and they are off early the next morning.

Fenra who had hardly said two words yesterday is a lot more talkative once they are on the road. She asks about what battles Mark and Gwen had been in and what creatures they have killed. She seems a bit disappointed that the pair dont have any wild stories of outrageous battles. What they do tell her about, she is dismissive of as beginner stuff.

When asked about her own big battles she talks about crazy over the top fights against giants and dragons. The sort of things you hear in legends. Mark is rather skeptical. Gwen is too, but she keeps a polite and friendly flow to the conversation, as if she believes every word of it.

The truth of Fenra's fighting abilities come up later that day, as the group is making camp. They are attacked by a pack of monsters. She gleeful jumps right into the fight and rips apart the attackers. Without a weapon or any obvious magic, she fights with speed and brute strength. It is a rather frightening thing to watch.

Also that day, the pair discover Lewen's singing voice is amazing. Although he claims it is nothing. The quality of his voice is on par with any of the bards Mark has heard in this world. Including one who performed at Royal palace. Fenra says with pride “That is my man's true talent.”

The Merchant of Midvill.

They arrive at the city near noon and get rooms at the Inn next to the Adventurers Guild. Lewen makes sure the wagon is secure in a shed behind the Inn's stables. He has his own lock for this sort of thing.

Everyone eats lunch before going off to do their business of the day.

Mark and Lewen go to talk with the merchant. As always Fenra stays near her man.

Gwen and Timmy go looking for a teacher.

The Midvill Merchant in question is Mervy Gambol. A short middle aged man with an impressive moustache. He was gruff and even insulting at times, but always honest. He was quite happy to see Mark again. He invites him to sit down for some tea. Then asks if he has any more exotic goods. Gambol hardly pays any attention to Lewen.

Mark explains the business venture he is aiming to start and what part the Merchant of Midvill can play in it. The man is not thrilled with the terms, as the first transaction had been a 50/50 split, and this one would be less. But Mark bluntly says, I dont have time to deliver cargo myself, so I will need a capable, trustable partner, who needs to get a percent. That would be Mr Croff.

The short merchant counters with “While Im sure he is a competent worker, he really does not have much experience. Iv got a nephew who would be much better for the job.”
But Mark immediately shoots down the idea. “If you are not agreeable to my terms, I can find another shop owner who will be.”

Seeing that a deal was better than no deal, Gambol changed his tune and agreed.

As they left the office Lewen commented, “Im not surprised by his actions. Every merchant knows the saying, Risk as little as possible to gain as much as you can.”

A Tail of Two Murdocks.

Gwen needed to hire a teacher, but where to find one? There was no guild of teachers, was there?

Just like in every game, she decided to start by asking the Inn keeper. Who didnt know a thing about teachers, but did know there were a few shops the adventurers often visited to consult with sages.

A quick trip next door to the guild hall, got her the locations of said shops, on Headshog street.

“Stay near me at all times.” She told Timmy “The big city can be a difficult place. If we get separated, you return to the Inn. Dont worry about trying to find me.” The boy nodded. Although he would have preferred to have gone with lord Crane, he had no say in the matter. Anyhow lady Crane was always kind and her orders reasonable, if sometimes complicated.

The sage mentioned by the guild master was exactly as expected. An old man in fancy but faded robes, nose in a book. His shop was small and stuffed full of odds and ends. Much of it loot that adventurers had seen little value in, so they had sold to him for cheep. “Hello sir, Im looking for a teacher.” Gwen said after introducing herself.

“Take you on as a student, no no, Im past all that now, much to busy for teaching.” He said casually. Then he took a good look at her and at the boy. “But you do have my attention, now.” The aura of their mana was quite odd, not something he had seen in many years.

Gwen tried again, “I was hoping you could recommend a teacher, we could take back to our village. Even if they are not as wise as you. Id much appreciate you pointing me in the right direction.”

“You might try Murdock, good lad, I trained him about 20 years ago. He still lives around here. He stopped in for tea just a few days ago, or was it a few weeks ago. Anyway he said his job was almost done teaching the Wernecker boy. The sage explained in his rambling way.

When she asked for directions to Murdock's place, she got a family history lesson on the Werneckers, including their address. But the old sage had no clue where his former student actually lived. Some place around here, was the best he could manage.

After departing the sage's shop, Gwen decides that the next step would be to pay the Werneckers a visit.

Their house was located in the wealthy district of town. On the way they noticed a small park, with a gathering of people. Children were sitting around an old man who was telling a story. Adults stood around, also captivated by the story teller. He spoke with drama, keeping the story flowing with style and the occasional pause to build tension. Naturally Timmy wanted to stop and listen. Gwen saw no reason to hurry, so she gave in to her own curiosity.

When the story was done, most people clapped in appreciation. A few parents passed coins to the kids, to give to the story teller. It was very similar to the street performances Gwen had seen many times in summer. As the crowd began to disperse, she walked up to the old man and said Hello.

He smiled and asked “Did you enjoy the show?”
Timmy answered right away “It was the best ever. Iv heard adventurers tell a lot of crazy stories, but none of them were as good as you.”

Naturally the old man liked to hear praise from an excited fan. Every entertainer liked honest excited appreciation. “Fine boy you have there.” he said to Gwen

“He's not mine.” she said by reflex. “He is my brother's squire.” she elaborated a moment later.

“Ah a real squire. Well it is an honor to meet you, young man. I am Alfe Temen Murdock, worlds greatest living library of legends.” the old man introduced himself.

Timmy said excitedly “You are who we came to fine.”

“Excellent good fortune for us all. What can I do for you?” Murdock asked.

Gwen explained how they needed a teacher for the village school.

The old man found the idea of a school for all children in a village to be strange and wonderful. “So you want me to come live there, you will provide a house and you will pay me to tell stories?” he said in amazement. “Id be a fool to say no. However I should point out one thing.” he paused for dramatic affect, “Many of my stories have valuable lessons, but Im not exactly a teacher. Could it be you are looking for the other Murdock? My brother the sage?”

“Is your brother working for the Wernecker family?” Gwen asked.

“Yes, or rather he recently was.” the old man confirmed.
“Well, lets go see him.” she said,

The old man looked ever so slightly depressed. “Yes of course. Im sure he will be interested by the opportunity.”

Timmy being rather perceptive, but not bothering to restrain himself said “We are still going to hire this Murdock, right? Everyone will love his stories.”

Gwen gave a simple nod. “Sure I think we can afford two Murdocks.”

The younger brother was indeed the sage. A serious man of learning, who had been inspired by the same stories as his brother. The difference between then being that Alfe simply loved the tails, while Brel wanted to learn all the truths behind them.

“Brother, Iv brought visitors!” The elder Murdock said as he opened the door to the apartment. The younger Murdock lived on the second floor of a nice building just outside the rich district of town. It was cluttered with books. More books than Timmy dreamed possible.

Once again Gwen explained how they needed a teacher for the village school.

Unlike his brother who had been simply delighted at the idea, Brel listened with a critical ear. He asked several questions about how the school would be run and what subjects would be taught, before turning to matters of his own housing and compensation. This time Gwen felt like she was actually having to pitch the notion of the school and the job.

Brel was interested but hesitant. It was a bold idea, to educate an entire population. It was also out in the far end of nowhere. A village next to the Frightful Forest. Unlike his brother, he was not quick to embrace the idea of leaving town. He was simply not an adventurous man by nature.

In the end Gwen used her trump card. “You may take you time to consider the offer, of course. But do keep in mind, my brother is Lord Crane, grandson of the legendary hero. Heir to his library. Im sure there are a few books we could lend you, that you would find worth reading.”

From the look on his face, she could tell she had him.

Later that evening.

Everyone meets at the Inn. Introductions are made and drinks are poured. Mark explains to the pair of Murdocks that the group as business at the capital. They will return to Midvill in a few days, so there is no rush to relocate. Alfe says he is happy to go anytime, as he has no real attachment to this town. Brel

is more cautious, wanting to visit the village and see the school before telling his land lord that he will be moving.

 

The next Day.

Seeing how the plan called for several days to find a teacher. They were well ahead of schedule. So the next day was considered vacation time. Mark took his squire on a tour of the city. Mostly he speculated about the town's defences and how it could be taken over. Timmy took this as a lesson in warfare, paying close attention. Lewen went to do some business, with Gwen tagging along. Mostly this turned into a shopping trip. As she visited several clothing shops, he ended up being the one tagging along. Fenra said she was going to guard the wagon, but spent most of her time sleeping in it.

The day after that, they were on the road again. A well maintained gravel road from Midvill to the capital city. Several farms and estates lay along the course of the road, as did a few villages. It was not densely populated, but it was clearly a civilized land. Unlike the area near Mark's village, which had dozens of miles of wilderness between settlements.