>>5823309>>5823316>>5823364>>5823380>>5823383[+1 to cunning]
"Well said, boy!" the stranger replies, smiling fully for the first time, "In that case, let's not waste any time." His bony hands spin you around by your shoulders and begin pushing you right back to the subject of your daydreams that caused you to meet in the first place.
The warmth felt in the streets rises to a familiar swelter as you step under the awning and enter the shop. A few workers recognize you and nod or wave their greetings which you return enthusiastically. You've known a couple of these men for most of your life as they've been apprenticed to your father, with the loyalty to move their whole lives south to continue learning their trade from him. Your favorite of the bunch, Cedric, flags you down as you finish your approach and looks quizzically at your new employer whose hands still rest on your shoulders. Cedric struck an imposing figure, standing a head taller than most men with bulky, muscular features and uneven patches of singed hair. His looks did nothing to betray his personality however, as you're suddenly whisked into the air by his big meaty hand.
"Sorry 'bout this 'un milord." He bellows, roaring with laughter, his stained teeth completing his appearance, "I'll melt 'im down right away and make a boy that don' bother nobody!"
"That's quite alright, it would actually hinder me." replied the thin man, setting a hand lightly on your shoulder, "I've hired this young man to carry my things for the day."
"That so? Ought to give 'is old man the good news when he gets in. If yer needin somethin crafted let me know, otherwise everythin'll be inside."
Cedric drops you onto the ground and offers a hand that your new employer accepts. Grumbling and dusting off your clothes you manage to catch the name "Invictus" as they exchange pleasantries and go their separate ways.
Entering the shop you get excited in spite of yourself, for what boy wouldn't when beholding the shimmering blades and coats of mail. The shop was small but full of wares from everyday things like nails and fasteners to coats of mail and a large variety of bladed weapons. The clerk standing in for your father has a brief conversation with Invictus, who purchases a few lengths of rope and some pitons. With the coils of rope over your shoulders and the smaller items bagged and in your hands you set out for the next destination, waving goodbye to Cedric and the other workers. You speak with your strange employer more as you walk, general small talk leads to proper introductions. He tells you he is Ludwig Invictus and he works as the castle alchemist in service to the Baron. He makes a few more mundane trips to buy groceries and alchemical supplies, and you find your arms soon straining against the weight of this haul. He guides you to various areas pointing out the particularly poor and dirty.
