An Odd Discussion

(Wilhelm Dragonsong)

Spoiler :

Well today is my birthday! Happy birthday to me!!

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Anyway I decided to celebrate by doing the Hobit tradition of giving people presents! So here is a chapter

(hopefully I will be able to do another one by the end of December making this at least a two chapter release month, but no promises unfortunately)

As part of the party I am even including a bonus illustration!! (OOOOH!)

Done by me (Sarcastic yay)

I know I suck. (please have mercy)

I had better ones, and even one of will without the robage but unfortunately I couldn't find them...

So to conclude hope the gift is acceptable or in other words that you enjoy this chapter.

“YOU! I THOUGHT THAT I COULD TRUST YOU!”

He yelled in my face, I said in a quiet but calm voice, a bit puzzled.

“But I think that you can trust me…”

“Then why did you do that!” He interrupted me.

“Why did you take my daughter as your mistress?!”

Well it was because I…wait a moment say what? !

“At the very least you could have married her!”

Recovering from my shock I quickly stopped him before he could go further.

“Hold on! Wait just a second there.” I said. “I took Vanessa as my apprentice! NOT my mistress. What are you talking about?! Are you insane?! This is not like the olden days, where the apprenticeship of this kind of paring was equivalent to an engagement.

What’s more only in the worst most dismal kinds of places was apprentice of a female student considered equivalent to prostitution. MORE IMPORTANTLY! I am not that kind of man! WHO NO WHAT DO YO TAKE ME FOR?!!”

As I so rarely raise my voice, I tend to be a bit shocking when I do so, even for people who have known me for a short time usually are surprised, Master was no exception, he immediately froze and shut up.

Seeing that he was more open to listening to me I continued with my argument in my usual normal tone.

“Besides, even if I wanted to that sort of despicable thing, I wouldn’t be able to get away with it because in this country as well as in most of its allies it’s illegal.”

I could see from his expression that my logic had thrown him for a loop and somewhat calmed him down. Good, only I and one other person needed to know that the truth was that I could probably get away with things worse than illegal, and in style too, but he definitely doesn’t need to know that, especially not now. Besides this wasn’t a matter of capability but rather one of honor and justice.

I paused in my thinking, wait a second. Honor should actually be more important to him then it is to me…something wasn’t right. His reaction was a bit disproportionate and overblown and for all the wrong reasons. It couldn’t possibly be just because of such a stupid misunderstanding could it?

I decided to test him a bit.

“Master Ben didn’t you listen to the reading of the contract part of the ceremony?”

He shuddered in remembrance but nodded so I continued.

“With contracts, specifically my contracts, the side effects are never of permanent effect and it can never force a person to truly go against their will. And I assure you I did my best that things will be arranged mostly as Vanessa chooses to make it.

And so if she ever decides to stop it, or return to you it can easily be arranged. You know just because “some people” find great fulfillment in life by carrying out their duties and adhering to tradition doesn’t mean that everyone finds happiness in doing so, and it doesn’t mean your daughter would.

And personally, right now I don’t have any intention to marry your daughter, or even make her a lover let alone a mistress.”

He seemed to struggle to speak and eventually got the words out, and despite his attempt it was obvious that there was no true anger in his voice.

“Wats wrong with my daughter?”

“Nothing.” I immediately replied.

“They are very talented, and in many ways more than just the sword, and their talent in just the sword already nears to surpassing yours. Their potential for magic is not bad, and they have so much pure physical beauty that even this jaded me who has lived awhile is a bit affected. Plus from what I have learned about them so far they seem like a genuinely nice person that I feel that I will soon be proud to call my apprentice. “

“Then why didn’t you just marry her?” He asked wearily in a resigned voice.

“For at least three reasons” I held up three of my fingers in front of me in demonstration.

“First of all your daughter wants to become a wizard and she has already agreed to continue to strive in her swordsmanship, with a little hard work she will probably become someone extraordinary. While I am not one of those bachelors that believes marriage is a fate worse than death, and at least equivalent to imprisonment.

I do think that marriage tends to tie a person down and removes many of their options and possibilities. I took her has my apprentice to give her opportunity. Why in the world would I suddenly take it away?

Second of all I myself don’t want to get married right now, to anyone there are various reasons but I don’t think I need to tell you as they aren’t that relevant to the situation now anyway.”

The fact that, I was a little different in my shall we say ‘romantic’ preferences, and the fact that physical appearances had nothing to do with what ignited my desires, was the simplest and most innocent of my hidden reasons, but not only was it a bit too much to get into especially in a situation like now. It was also none of his business.

“Thirdly and not finally though I am not going into more right now, is your daughter’s wishes. I currently have seen no sign that she is interested in me that way, so much so that I think right now marriage has never even entered her head. She seems to be at the age where chasing your dreams is the only thing you can think about, and I see nothing wrong with that.”

My suspicions increased when he didn’t say anything immediately in argument and instead just stood there not saying a word. He slowly turned his back to face me and I saw him clench his fists. Feeling a bit uneasy at his reaction I tried to test him again by saying.

“Besides In the future who knows what will happen? Maybe even one or both of us will change our minds. Who knows maybe one day she is the woman I will end up marrying. It isn’t good to rush or put time limits, with these sorts of things isn’t it best to keep things natural?”

I heard him snort.

“Says the man who is taking my daughter away so quickly, without even the promise of grandchildren to keep me company in my old age.”

“Not so quickly.” I comforted him. “I don’t plan to leave for a while as my presence is not yet required anywhere, and I even if it is I don’t plan to leave unless it is for a major reason or an emergency.

Besides while you have not yet stepped on the path of immortality, I can sense you are quite close and even if you never break through, it seems you are far enough along that you will live for quite some time. You will probably most definitely see your grandchildren, even if I am not their father.”

When he remained silent, I paused suspicious and curiosity increasing. While I sensed he was telling the through I knew it couldn’t possibly be the whole reason, When I realized he wasn’t going to speak I concluded.

“I am really not taking your daughter away from you, she is leaving the nest and by her own will.”

He turned to face me again and I noticed with a bit of apprehension that his eyes looked a bit red.

“Well…take care of her.” He said in a most normal tone of voice.

I firmly nodded my head. “I swear by my soul that I will.”

Now, that we got the basics over with, it was time to wheedle the real and complete truth out of him. But in order to do that, I felt that I could use some extra support, actually we both did. A little liquid encouragement would do nicely I thought and summoned, a bottle of what I believed to be some of my finest rice wine as well as two small cups.

I handed him one and then poured us both a generous serving, before setting the bottle on the desk next to the sword.

I took a small sip and sighed in contentment, he proceeded to do the same and then looking down at his drink he laughed and turned to me.

“All is forgiven now” he said.