For now though, he was building better relations with the people in the city, and what better way to do so than to set up a stall for his pub: the Swineherd. He had done it once before, long ago in Orchidia, and it had been a huge success, even if he had worn a mask to avoid customers seeing his face. Here, there was no such need. The customers who came to visit his stall, purchasing refreshing lemonades and alcoholic beverages galore, all knew the Lich. He did not have to hide here. Some of them were scared of him of course, but Astera was under his protection. He wasn't about to ruin that, especially not with the income they provided as tribute.
Setting up Shop [Lil B]
Fri Aug 06, 2021 10:32 am
For now though, he was building better relations with the people in the city, and what better way to do so than to set up a stall for his pub: the Swineherd. He had done it once before, long ago in Orchidia, and it had been a huge success, even if he had worn a mask to avoid customers seeing his face. Here, there was no such need. The customers who came to visit his stall, purchasing refreshing lemonades and alcoholic beverages galore, all knew the Lich. He did not have to hide here. Some of them were scared of him of course, but Astera was under his protection. He wasn't about to ruin that, especially not with the income they provided as tribute.
Sun Aug 08, 2021 8:02 pm
The bounty hunters were on Lil Bs ass, and they wouldn't let up. There had to have been a hefty price on this kids head. Bryson wouldn't dare look back. Instead they flipped over tables and food stalls until they saw the opportunity to take a sharp left. Quickly Bryson slid behind a stall where some person was selling drinks, but Bryson didn't have time to catch a glimpse of who it may have been. The bounty hunters stopped around the area, searching for their target who was sitting with their back against the stall, beside the legs of the merchant selling the lemonade. The brown skinned fugitive dropped their head as they struggled to breathe. They ignored the bruises on the bottom of their feet which could have been prevented if they hadn't lost their shoes a few days ago. "Dammit." Lil B whispered- not yet paying attention to the being behind the stall.
"Attention! If you saw a little black boy runnin' through here I suggest ya speak up!" one of the bounty hunters demanded. He stood around 4 other bounty hunters all heavily armed, eager to get the job done.
Mon Aug 09, 2021 12:09 pm
There was a brief pause from the Lich as he tried to decide what to do about the kid, up until the point when he was interrupted by a group of four well-armed people. He surmised that they were probably bounty hunters: their garbs betrayed no allegiance to any guild and they seemed particularly rowdy, and the confirmation came when the demanded the release of their target.
Dressed in an open, yellow shirt and floral-patterned beach shorts, mostly for appearances rather than to combat the high temperature, Odin raised a hand to get the attention of the group, all of whom's eyes widened as they realised who they were addressing, "Firstly, no one in this city has to say anything to you, so stop embarrassing yourselves. Secondly", Odin reached up to a compartment above his stall and produced his cleaver, the mere existence of the weapon like dissuading the bounty hunters from trying anything rash, "There's no need for that kind of tone in my city. So why don't you tell me who you're looking for, why you want them, and how much you're willing to pay for the information. And then maybe, if I'm feeling generous, I might help you out." As he waited for their reply, he lightly tapped the child to his side with his skeletal foot, indicating that he knew they were there and, given the fact Odin hadn't instantly betrayed them, was an ally for the moment.
Tue Aug 10, 2021 3:27 am
"Ra be with me..." he whispered. Then one of the bounty hunters spoke. The first to respond was the Lich who pulled out a cleaver then proceeded to talk. Not only did the Lich boldly declare defend the people of this city, but for a price he was also willing to give the boy up it seemed- so Bryson began thinking of his next move. To be fair; between the Lich selling drinks and speaking up for the people, B wasn't sure if this Lich was like the others he heard about. Still, he'd rather not have taken any chances. "Wait a miinute, I know you... you're that wizard lord. Loki, Freya or somethin'. Well, we don't want any problems and we aren't gonna pay you for anything. Our job is to catch a fugitive and return him to where he belongs. We have rights to be here thanks to the King of this country himself. So... it'd be wise of you to speak if you know anything, lich. Otherwise, don't intervene."
Bryson bit his lip and clenched his fists. Running was tiresome. He didn't know how long he'd have to run. Quickly he would lightly place his hand on the liches thigh and whisper to him. "Please...don't." He begged.
Tue Aug 10, 2021 7:13 pm
The whisper from the child solidified it in a way. As much as Odin was a cruel person, he likely would've sold the kid out if he had been offered enough money, he was a pretty narcissistic one, not to mention a lover of dramatic flair. Stepping out from his stall, he would approach the one who had spoken to him, cleaver in one hand slung over his shoulder as he looked down at the man, ignoring his brave attempts to look intimidating, "First, you get my name wrong." A flash of steel and the man's arm was removed. Blood spurted out of the dismembered body part as the agonised scream silenced the bustle of the city. The rest of the group were too stunned to actually move, as Odin casually continued speaking, "Secondly, you refuse to offer me payment when I have information you want." Another flash and the other arm flew to the side, leaving the man devoid of half of his limbs. The screams continued and the other bounty hunters began to draw their own weapons, finally coming to their senses.
"And then finally, after all of that", Odin paused for a moment as his voice went low, "you actually think I care about something the king said? After you knew I was a wizard lord?" A final slash removed the man's head from his shoulders as Odin looked way for a moment, "Idiot." With the leader dispatched, it seemed the other three didn't actually know what to do with themselves. Their weapons were drawn, but no one wanted to attack first, as they knew they would soon follow their leader. Many inhabitants of Astera had retreated into their homes, although some watched from the sidelines. They knew Odin would never treat any of them with such barbarity, but that didn't stop them from fearing the sights and sounds that the port were about to witness.
Tue Aug 10, 2021 7:48 pm
The headless body fell and its blood began to soak the concrete underneath it. All of this not to protect the fugitive boy, but because the Lich was insulted by a number of things. Lil B's attention quickly shifted towards the frozen bounty hunters. They seemed to be thinking about what to do next. One of them even glanced towards the stall and saw Bryson, but in the end they decided to run towards the direction they came. Slowly Bryson stood up. So this person is a Wizard Lord and also holds no loyalty to the king... the twelve year old noted. With a gulp, Bryson faced the creature of darkness who had successfully repelled his enemies like the bugs they were. Quickly as if nothing happened, the people continued to do what they were doing before they were interrupted.
"Are you gonna kill me?" Bryson nonchalantly asked the Wizard Lord from behind the stall. The aroma of all the fruit flavored drinks filled his nose and suddenly his stomach growled like an angry wolf. He didn't think that a thank you was in order silence it was less likely that the Lich intentionally protected him, though he could have been wrong. Brysons hooded cloak was torn and bruised, without shoes his feet were exposed to the ground, and he really needed a shower. At this point he wasn't going to keep running.
Mon Aug 16, 2021 9:58 am
Realising it was all over, the people of Astera slowly went about their own businesses. With a snap of his fingers, three random civilians would approach the body of the man and start collecting him up. They were cultists under Odin's command, as were many people in the West of Fiore, and they quickly got to work cleaning up the mess. Odin wanted to keep the severed remains of the man, who knew when it might come in handy.
A voice broke the hubbub of the day, as Odin remembered there was a child behind his stall. In all the fun, he had completely forgotten why the bounty hunters had even been in Astera. The voice was a lot calmer than the words they uttered would suggest. It made sense, Odin had already shown he was a murderer, why would he not just keep going and kill the child that had interrupted his day. With a chuckle, the Lich would reply, "So long as you don't get my name wrong, I'm sure we'll be fine. Would you care for a glass?" The rumbling stomach answered the question for Odin as he walked back towards his stall and poured a glass of lemonade. He signalled for two more cultists to begin preparations for a meal. Odin didn't need to eat, but whatever the child desired would be brought forward for them.
A few minutes later, thank goodness for magic, the food would appear at one of the nearby tables, where Odin would sit and gesture for the child to do the same. With a glass of wine in hand, the Lich would begin to ask them some questions. It was only fair after all, "If you don't mind me asking, and you shouldn't, why were those hunters after you?"
Mon Aug 16, 2021 11:56 am
When the Desiertan finally arrived, he sat down and looked directly at the food. Without hesitation he began to dive into the plate. With his bare hands, Bryson stuffed his face at inhumane speeds. It was no secret that he was a slum kid, he wasn't even wearing shoes. Each bite was deeply appreciated. He could taste the rough edges of the chicken skin, brush his tongue. In the middle of all that, the Lich started the conversation. This was the social part of interactions that Bryson wasn't really good at. "They wanted to kill me...for killing my masters." He swallowed and looked away. "You don't gotta worry about it, I'll be out of your hair soon enough." He quickly glanced at Odin before finding the plate in his line of vision again. "If you're this big supervillain guy and stuff, why aren't you dead or in prison yet?" Lil B asked before picking up a piece of bread. "And what's with the henchmen? You some sort of Cult leader or somethin'?" he asked coldly. The curiousness in his voice, carried over to his facial expressions. He was good at acting older than he was, but if you had a good eye you could still see how childish he still was.
Tue Aug 17, 2021 10:40 am
Odin also wasn't a monster, as he watched both the child and his own cultists dig in at a separate table. As much as he didn't eat himself, no longer having any need to, he knew how delicious the food looked, and he wasn't going to deny the cooks their own meal. Were they expendable? Only if required but absolutely yes, but that didn't mean he didn't care about them. They all wanted the same goal after all.
He let Bryson speak his mind for most of the conversation, not wishing to interrupt as he heard of how the boy had killed his masters. A slave child then, and who was already offering his exit. Not used to kindness, and not knowing how to react. However, what came out of his house next was where Odin had to interrupt. He didn't mean to by any means, but a deep, hearty laugh came out from him as Bryson asked why he wasn't dead or in jail yet. It was strangely refreshing meeting someone who had no idea how he was, "Technically speaking I am dead, and I've already been in jail. I just broke out. I'm just not the kind of person to let either of those things stop me." At the next question, the deep orbs of Odin's eye sockets lit up briefly, as he was asked about the cult. This kid was smart.
"Right again, I am the leader of a cult dedicated to releasing someone of incredible power from HER own imprisonment. I think everyone should have the chance to be free, no matter who they are or what they've done. SHE is more powerful than many gods, and gave me new purpose when I thought I had none. I owe HER my life, and so I strive to give HER freedom." Odin spoke with a love and reverence that very few had ever heard from him as he spoke about Midnight Cult and its goals. He then raised a hand as he referenced something the child had said previously, "You are welcome here for as long as you wish. The West of Fiore is a safe place for you...?" Realising his manners for a moment, the Wizard Lord continued, "My apologies, it seems I never introduced myself. I am Odin Morningstar, Wizard Lord, Guildmaster and Lich. It's a pleasure to meet you."
Tue Aug 17, 2021 8:22 pm
"Oh..." Bryson responded with a pile of different foods in his mouth. He was soaking all of this in like sponge. Though all of this was interesting, the food on his plate was far more spellbinding. It was hard for the Desiertan to keep his focus off of it. This is what happens when children are neglected. Then, Odin said something that Bryson did not expect. Odin said that he could stay for as long as he wished and reassured that the West was safe for him. Immediately, Bryson dropped his food, his eyes slowly moving up to find Odin's eyes. They weren't glowing anymore but now his own eyes were as water began to form in them. As B dropped his head, Odin formally introduced himself- not only as a Wizard Lord, but as a guild master too. This was an emotional moment for the young child, who had been lost and neglected for all of his 12 years of living. How Ironic that the most welcoming person he'd ever met was one of this country's biggest Villains.
For a moment there was silence. Then, Bryson lifted his head as two drops of water fell from his eyes. "I am Bryson... Lord of nothing..." He began with a sniffle."W-why are you being so nice to me? Is this a game to you? Are you trynna get me to join your guild or your cult thingie?! 'cause I can't. You can't just say things like that to someone like me. I have been running from hunters all my life, nowhere is safe for me.. So you have to mean it!" he glared into Odin's eyes with bags under his own. What this person in front of the young Desiertan was offering was a safe haven, comfort, freedom. That's all Bryson was looking for.
Thu Aug 19, 2021 7:47 pm
Of course Bryson couldn't believe it, that was natural. Trust was a weakness to him, he had made it this far on his own and saw no reason to change that. Allowing Bryson to have his outburst of emotion, Odin signalled for one of his men to bring him a glass of wine. Once the boy was done, the Wizard Lord would look directly into the tear-drenched red eyes of the child, and spoke in a tone few had ever heard from him. This wasn't the reverence from before, now he spoke as if a father consoling his child, "I play many games, this is not one of them. My offer is true. You do not need to join my guild, you do not need to join my cult, you just need to know that you are safe here. You're someone with potential, and I refuse to have that be wasted because of the hand you were dealt at birth." He took a sip of his glass as he finished by saying, "The world I aim to create is one where those who are willing to work hard get to the place they deserve. There will be kings, queens, rulers, but they will not be in that position because they were born into the right family, but because they are strong enough to inspire loyalty. I want you to be part of that world Bryson, Lord of Nothing."
Sat Aug 21, 2021 8:52 pm
For a moment he couldn't even muster the words to speak. His tongue was tied in a knot for a split moment, then the child nodded. His lips curled and he smiled. For the first time in a long time he was smiling. He felt safe and he found someone who could make him feel like he mattered. "Lord of Nothing..." he giggled. There it was; more of the childish nature he very rarely displayed. Quickly he caught himself, remembering he was in the presence of the Wizard Lord himself. "Thank you for this. The meal, showing me kindness... I've never felt this before." He twisted his lips trying to pretend like he wasn't bursting with joy on the inside. "For this world you wanna build, tell me how to help. There are other kids in the same position I was in and in this new world, if I'm a king then I could help them. I'm still learning how to control my magic, but I'm no pushover. Plus, I gotta start pulling my weight if I am to be your..." Bryson paused. He didn't exactly know what to call it, though he know what he wanted to call it.
Thu Aug 26, 2021 1:28 pm
He was hooked, that's what mattered. The food had been a kindness, the speech an indulgence, but this? Having Bryson accept the demands placed upon him was a big step towards achieving the goal Odin desired. He asked how he could help, prompting a unique idea from Odin. He had a large quantity of cultists: of villains and criminals that would do his bidding at a moment's notice and die for him should the need arise. But Bryson could be different, he could be so much more.
Odin would hear the boy's remaining words before replying, understanding what he wanted to say and giving it to him. After all, they were now family. "You remind me a lot of myself, Bryson. You have joined my family, and you will be my son. That is the amount of trust I will place upon you, as I give you a very dangerous task." Odin took a breath as he looked to phrase the next part as meticulously as possible, "I need you to provide me with information no one else can. You are unknown in Fiore, and thus have the opportunity to join the country's rune knights. Infiltrate their order, learn from them all you can, and together we will change this world forever. You wish to be King, I can make it happen. Are you in?"
Sun Aug 29, 2021 8:39 am
Then, he caught himself. After a big warm, tight, love-filled hug Bryson sat back. "I-I mean. Thanks, glad to be apart of your family I guess." He couldn't appear too too happy. Clearing his throat, he replied to the the presented task. "The Rune Knights, right. I'll do it." He spoke quickly, trying to speak before Odin again. His expression dimmed down and suddenly he was serious again. The boy began wiping the food off of his clothes. "Actually...I'll figure that out right now." He said as he stood up, slightly embarrassed over his burst of excitement.
Just like that he was inspired. If Odin needed something done, from here on out, he could depend on Bryson. Purpose... he finally had a purpose it felt like. The hunter turned away, putting his hands into his pocket trying to play it smooth. "Consider me your little spy. Double agent if you wanna. I'll report back to you in a day or two tops." He said as he began walking away. Before he left he turned to one of the cultists. For a moment he stood quietly. "Clean that mess I made would you..." He said to one of Odin's henchmen before leaving. It all happened so fast. Little did Odin know, he was probably creating a monster...or did he?
Mon Aug 30, 2021 12:01 pm
And with that Odin's influence grew. Now he wasn't simply the one in charge of the West, he had gained an informant in the Rune Knights. He was becoming more powerful from the shadows and, as he watched Bryson give orders to one of Odin's cultists, the Lich couldn't help but chuckle. No matter what happened, the boy was going to be someone to watch. A nod from the Lich would command the cultist to follow the direction given to him, as Odin's son went off to join the knights.
"This is starting to get very interesting."
-Exit-
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