George/Geo

The armor, the sword and the dagger

It's been a year since Geo met the man who gave him the pouch. Geo had learned to use the bow well. He could aim and shoot a stationary object such as a tree or a rock. Meanwhile his father had bought  a new expensive furnace which cost him 20 silver coins, a pile of the finest steel in Hayarth  to make armor and swords.

Kai meets John at the new workplace which he build .It did cost him 10 silver coins to build the small hut and further 10 to move the furnace and the other inside.

"So you haven't told Rhea yet. And the Silver doesn't run out yet" asks Kai.

"I counted before I spent  and you won't believe how many are there "says John.

"I know why you didn't told her. I understand." says Kai.

John looks at Kai and tries to tell him something but he doesn't. He tells him there were 359 silver coins .He had spent 120 of them already in these 6 months.

"So you build the workplace to hide the silver" asks Kai.

"Maybe. I don't want to tell her. Geo would get in trouble. Look these 9 months  he has become more wise ,he taught me about the language the Zartan people speak yesterday. He put a hole in the bark of the old tree. He is becoming wise and he is learning to hunt. If Rhea will know she will lock him in the house. And I want him to learn until 14 and maybe teach him to make a sword after that" says John.

"He is a quick learner. He knows the myths and histories of the whole .He can't kill a rabbit but he knows how to shoot an arrow. He shouldn't be confined to your house" says Kai.

"You want me to make him a sells-sword or a mercenary then" says John.

"No mercenary's are illiterate .And sells-swords have no honor. They only kill for coins. But your son isn't a warrior. I only taught him to use a bow not to kill someone. Who knows if he learns fast he might get a chance to be inside a holdfast oneday" says Kai.

"Getting a pouch was a sign of luck. But that doesn't mean he will be a nobleman. He is a blacksmith by birth. Only blood and bravery gives you castles and I intend to take him far away from this" says John.

Geo enters his fathers new workplace to see the big furnace. He sees at-least 30 swords scattered behind the furnace each of them shining as they show the finest steel with which they were made of. Out of the 30 he sees one slightly bigger than the others but thin. It was lighter than the others.

"You like the sword "says John as he enters the workplace.

"Yes father. Did you make it for me.?" asks Geo.

"I did. I even made this for you" says John as he pulls a cloth .As the cloth is pulled, Geo sees an a full body armor similar that of a knight.

"I saw you sword  sparring with your friend 6 months ago  so ordered one from my brother from Perseus. It took him 4 months to make this armor and two months to make this" says John as he pulls a dagger .

"You made a sword ,an armor and a dagger for me father. Did you finish the pouch" says Geo as he hugs his father.

"I wish it were but may be I'll buy a castle then it will finish" laughs John.

"A Castle will take gold coins and that too thousands" says Geo.

"You have become more smart haven't you young man" says John.

"Well you bought the books remember the finance books ."says Geo.

"Well it's your money not mine "says John as he kisses his sons forehead as he tells him to go to his sister .

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 It's been nearly a year and a half ,and Geo had even learnt to wield a sword. His father sees him growing taller as he towers over his father even at the age of 14.

Kai comes running into Johns workplace. He whispers something in John's ear. John becomes frightened after that.

When Rhea is away to fetch water. John calls Geo and says "Son I need to tell you something. You are a responsible person now. You need to know the truth" says John as he tells the truth to Geo.

"So I am not your son. Father is that why my mother hates me because I am a bastard" says Geo.

"Yes and you have to go now. I will pack your belongings .Your mother and I myself want you to go .I will tell what to do in the morning" says John.

Tears flow through George's eyes but seeing his mother come back he wipes as he prepares for the journey tomorrow.

Kai meets John at the forest.

"So you told him to go. Idleton will be safe for him." says Kai.

"Yes I did. I have arranged the Journey. He will travel by the King sea to Idleton. He will be safe there" says John.

"What did you tell him that he said yes so quickly." asks Kai.

"Well I told him it's time to become a man" says John as he wipes his tears .

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Geo travels through the King sea. It has been already a week since he started his journey. His father asked him to get a canoe a single one so that he could take his weapons also. But Geo doesn't buy one, he pays a young man named Kulos ,a canoe-boy of 18,two silver coins ,to take him to Idleton. His father left him 200 silver coins in a bag so that he would need it. He told Geo to give 5 to the old Blacksmith so that he would lease him a room for a year.

Kulos has already been a friend for him in his one week long voyage through the Kingsea.

Kulos did ask him why he didn't travel by a carriage as 2 silver coins would take him there. Geo did answer that it would take him a month to reach there by land. It would take only 2 weeks by boat.

He knew his geography very well. He had studied mythology, history, finance and geography over six and a half  years from Kai. He had also practiced wielding a sword and shooting an arrow for 1 and a half year. He could defend himself from normal thugs.

"You know the wind of the mother(King Sea) is very confusing. Sometimes it's down sometimes upwards. Do you know why it's called the mother "asks Kulos.

"Well I heard the myth but pray tell me" says Geo.

"Well this sea was the first sea to be created and the other sea like the Eagan sea, the eastern sea ,the edge sea are all its branches or its children. So that is why it's called the mother" says The young man.

"How much you make Kulos in a year?" asks Geo.

"I don't know sometimes 60 coppers and sometimes 60 bronzes. Well it depends on the tourists. They are few nowadays because of the war. All are hiding in their homes .I heard most of the citizens have travelled to Forsberry to hide already. Is that why you are going to Idleton?"asks Kulos.

"Well not actually. I have to meet the Old Blacksmith. He is one of my relatives" says Geo.

"You talk very wisely. Yet your hands have scars as if you were a soldier but not deep cuts. You must be practicing with a sparring sword it seems. Are you looking to be recruited as a soldier" asks Kulos.