[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/hSbxgyH.png[/img] [sup][@Rune_Alchemist][/sup][/center] [hider=Inventory] [b]Coinage:[/b] 8 Silver, 5 Copper [list][*]The (shredded) clothing on his back. [*]A fur cloak. [*]Untanned boar skin. [*]Leather Belt [*]Knight's Shield [*]Knight's Dagger [*]Knight's Longsword [*]Dwarf's Polearm [*]Rope [*]Some preserved food Enough for two people to last a few days. [*]Roll of what seemed to be a mat of thick fur, likely for sleeping on Comfortable, but only one. [*]A heavy looking fur/cloth blanket. Cozy, warm and heavy. Good for sleeping in colder climates. [*]Communication horn Made from bone, hollow and likely used for communication. [*]A small pot and a ladle [*]Frozen canteen of water [*] Map of the Under roads. A map detailing some routes used by the Dwarves and Shadow Elves to travel in their subterranean homes. Its not entirely complete, but it at least shows the routes to the two most notable settlements and several other places of note. Unless you travel off the paths, you probably won’t get lost. [*]Seed of the Demon Flower [/list] [/hider] Isidore’s lips twitched, a momentary sign of bemusement. Medieval societies did have such brutal methods for punishing thievery, after all, and Raelzeth’s willingness to take this somewhat seriously was all that he could ask for. [b]“Harsh, but reasonable,”[/b] he replied. [b]“Your decisiveness is good, Raelzeth.”[/b] He raised his hand smoothly, allowing it to bend at the elbow in a natural, flowing manner, before snapping his fist out into a jab that could’ve broken any man’s nose. [b]“Presuming equal skill, martial arts always [i]begins[/i] faster than magic, and can be executed without any visual telegraph. What defenses can you bring up at a moment’s notice?”[/b] “E-eh?” She seemed momentarily stunned she was getting praised, but a small, confident grin would soon form as she’d reply to Isidore’s question. “Heh, well, I guess I am pretty good at decision making. Uh...” She’d falter a bit, though, as she’d quickly run through what she was capable of. “Something...in an instant? I could...uhm, h-how fast are we talking here? I can probably form a fireball in a few seconds...or paralyze or cause the ground to open under someone, but...uh...that doesn’t sound like what you’re asking for?” [b]“No, but I suppose I should ask.”[/b] Isidore paused. This really was the sort of question that made him feel old, that reminded him that he was an old man in a young body. [b]“What do you want to be when you grow up?”[/b] “Hey, I’m perfectly grown up!” Raezel would reply with a frown. “Rullphana took me as her apprentice since I could stone-sing...and I had a pretty high potential for magic.” The elf would say unsteadily, not sure where Isidore was going with this. “Course I enjoy it. Heheh, magic can do some pretty cool stuff, but all this study and practice stuff she wants me to do is just kinda boring ya know.” She’d shift in a mildly seeming embarrassed manner. “...uhm, don’t tell anyone I said this but uhm, there are some tales of the Sage traveling around the world and stuff...kinda childish and dumb I know but...traveling around and just...seeing all the world has to offer seems fun, doesn’t it? Better than living in this cave...” Wanderlust had been a rarity in his own era, and to see it now in more than a few people gave Isidore a feeling that he wasn’t so certain of. In a world filled with unknowns, with lands unmapped and dangers at every corner, one would certainly have to be more than just a bit irresponsible to encourage children, especially those not trained in anything so intense as wilderness survival, to strike it off on their own. If it was his own daughter he was talking to, this would certainly be the point where he would be coming to verbal blows with her. But the half-blood before him had a more impressive repertoire of spells than he had, and was dreaming about the world at an age where most others would’ve dreamed of Youtubing or drug money. He let out a breath. He shouldn’t pretend to be a ‘good’ influence anyhow. [b]“Then learn three things,”[/b] Isidore replied, raising three fingers. [b]“One, improve your awareness of your surroundings. If magic is the substance of creation, feel for that and utilize it to detect all of creation around you. Whether stalked by a predator or marked by a thief, this is how you prevent ambushes.”[/b] Bullshit, of course; he had no idea how that could work. [b]“Two, map a specific spell to a physical movement, until you don’t need to think about it to cast it. This spell should be instant, and should be something capable of knocking away an approaching threat.”[/b] He drew in a breath and breathed out flame, a burst of scarlet lighting up the blue glow of the mushrooms. [b]“Three, work on your footwork. Outside the mountain, ranged weaponry becomes more prevalent without tunnels offering constant cover, and when you meet something undaunted by your spells, it’ll be your only way out.”[/b] Another skill he didn’t particularly have, as his own work didn’t require much chasing or escaping through forests, but he knew someone who would though. [b]“If you can do those three, then you won’t run the risk of dying a violent death, at least.”[/b] A pause, then a grin. [b]“And if you can self-teach yourself this, then I’ll show you a little trick of mine that even Rullphana can’t do.”[/b] The young elf would listen, seeming a little irritated that he somehow seemed more knowledgeable then her. Perhaps a small blow to her pride, but by the end of it she was looking up at Isidore with a bit of a confused frown. “E-eh? Can you really do all those things?” Raelzeth would wonder aloud. “A-and what do you mean a trick Rullphana can’t do? She can do anything! C-can’t she?” She’d shake her head. “Wait, wait are you saying I can’t do that stuff?” She’d finally seem to organize her own thoughts a bit, taking what Isidore said a bit seriously. “That sounds like a bet old man! A bet I’ma win cuz I’ma make you show me whatever it is Rullphana can’t!” She’d say proudly, confidently. “It better not be something dumb either. Besides, heh, I should be able to do all that easily. I am her apprentice after all! Ah, I bet I could ask that scary looking lady about using a sword!” She seemed motivated, if nothing else. [b]“Let’s see how much progress you can make in the next seven days then,”[/b] Isidore replied. [b]“But for now, try to get back to the Tower without being robbed, yes?”[/b] “Guh.” Rael would wince at the mention of being robbed again. “That was a fluke. No one will rob me again! And I’ll improve enough to even beat you! You’ll see!” And then she’d run off, back towards the tower. The streets were clearing. It’d probably be a good idea to make his way back towards the palace, unless wished to head somewhere else during the night. Isidore smiled, massaging the back of his neck as he called out, [b]"And if you need me, I'll be back at the palace."[/b] With that, he strode off as well, humming a little tune under his breath as he counted the minutes until Raelzeth realized he hadn't actually handed off the Demon Seed to her yet and would have to backtrack to find him again. Her vigor was a good point, but that propensity for forgetting what was important while pursuing what was exciting...well, that was something to be temper with experience and experiences. As for himself? Well, a conversation with Sorcha and the collection of his 'payment' was to come.