‘I should try one last time to talk to Kai about joining him on his quest. I mightn’t see him again now, this is my last shift.’ Kit sat down across from Kai.

“My answer is still no.”

Before Kit could even ask, Kai had answered his question.

“That’s not what I was going to ask tonight,” Kit lied.

Kai tilted his head and waited for Kit to continue. ‘Ahh stinky cheese! What can I ask instead?’

“Have you heard of an adventurer called Monak?”

Kai straightened up and stared straight into Kit’s eyes.

“How did you hear about Monak?”

‘Ahh, was this a bad choice of topic. Kai looks more alert since I mentioned Monak. Fish cakes! I’m so bad at making up lies on the spot. Where is Mars when I need him?’ As if on cue Mars sat down next to Kit.

“We heard in town today a story about a great adventurer, but for some reason he turned thief. We have been curious ever since.” replied Mars.

‘He really is good at saving my bacon,’ thought Kit.

“Hmm, well it won’t hurt to tell you what I know, plus you can find the information in any library, although it’s all just speculation. The only people that know what really happened are the ones that were involved. Unfortunately, they are all long gone now.”

Kai tried to make himself more comfortable on the hard wooden bench. It looked like he was settling in for a long tale. He was lost in thought for a moment as if pondering where to start. Kit wondered if the abrupt man would be good at story telling. He was amazed he was even going to try.

“To start this story, I will have to tell you about three people. Monak’s story and the supposed theft involved a trio of friends. But of course, the tale begins with Monak.”

“Monak was one of the greatest adventurers of his time. He explored the six contents for treasure, exotic monsters, and rare herbs. He built himself up from poverty into a legend. He was what others aspired to become.” Kai paused and cleared his throat. Kit could tell he was not used to speaking so much. He wondered if Kai would even be able to finish the tale.

“He started from humble beginnings. He was orphaned at a young age and was homeless. Not much is known about his younger years, or how he even survived. My guess is he had a tough start to life. It all changed when he was 16 years old and started his adventures. He worked hard to make himself successful at his chosen career.”

Kai paused. Kit could tell by the thoughtful look on his face that he was formulating his next words. The story was clunky so far. Kit hoped it would improve.

“By the time he was 18 years old he had already made waves in the adventuring community. He was fortunate enough to uncover a new dungeon in the forsaken state of Fornax. Because of the lack of towns, wild terrain and the difficulty of the monsters surrounding the area, it didn’t become a popular dungeon.”

“Even now the nearest town to the dungeon has a spawn point of a 20 day ride. The dungeon became his starting point in his rise to fame.”

“Monak continued to find rare treasure and hunt exotic animals, amassing a large fortune. He was a lone adventurer until he met Keton. This is where his life changed from being a loner to having a partner by his side. Keton was the son of the chief of the Bonzart shifter tribe in the Golden Opuntia state of the Fornax continent. He was next in line to take over the tribe as chief.”

“He was smart, strong and his fighting skills were the best amongst the tribe. The Bonzart tribe was well known for their shifting ability. Not much is known about the shifting process, this was a closely guarded secret by the Bonzart tribe.”

Kits ears pricked up at when he heard about a shifter. He wondered if part of the treasure would be the ability to shift. He had not thought about the possibility of turning into an animal. He wondered if he would accept a change like that if it was possible. Kai didn’t give him time to ponder further.

“Keton saved Monak’s life. He found him unconscious in the desert at deaths door. He nursed him back to health and the two formed a deep bond after his recovery. Monak stayed with the tribe for a year which was out of character for him. He was well known for moving around all the time. Monak had never settled down to call a place home.”

“After he left the tribe, Keton joined him on his adventures. The two became inseparable between Monak’s skill at finding treasures and Keton’s fighting skills the two made their names well known all over the Fornax continent.”

Kai paused once again. Kit was eager for him to continue, he couldn’t wait to hear more about where the map had come from. He was squirming in his seat in his excitement. Kai cleared his throat and continued.

“Two years after the two started to adventure together another name was associated with the pair. Credula joined the pair, and they became known as the Famous Searchers Three in the adventuring community.”

“Credula was an unlikely companion for the two. He was well known as a famous fabricator. He was best known for his specialty in magic bags. He could create anything with a needle and cloth. He started working in a clothing store at the age of 6 and by 15 years old he had risen to fame. By the time he turned 18 years old, he was being sort out by nobility to create his signature bags.”

“They met when Keton commissioned Credula for a bag for his father as a gift. When the three met they hit it off at once. Credula soon joined them on their adventures. Credula enhanced the two with clothing and equipment. Surprisingly Credula complemented the two with his different views and capabilities.”

“After Credula joined them, it is rumoured that on one of their adventures they found an epic treasure map. For five years it is assumed they hunted together for the epic treasure together. Unfortunately, it all came to an end when, Keton’s father had an accident. Keton had to return home to take over the responsibilities of his tribe.”

Holy big bananas! Is this the map I currently have? It really does sound like it’s the same one. Kit felt his excitement build. He was squirming in his seat. His eyes felt like they were bulging out of his head from them being open so wide. He could feel fine tremors in his hands. He wanted to hear more but he needed to try to calm his racing nerves. Kai continued his story oblivious to Kit’s building excitement.

“Credula also stopped adventuring at this time and returned to open his shop and make his creations. Monak continued with his adventures. Two years after the trio split it is rumoured Monak finally found the Epic treasure. It was never confirmed because Monak always denied he had an epic treasure map. But hanging from his side was thought to be an epic sword.”

Kit felt his excitement intensify after hearing there was an epic sword involved in the story. He imagined himself with an epic sword dangling from his hip. Looking at Mars, Kit could tell he was doing the same.

Kit was starting to feel breathless. He was struggling to keep his visual symptoms of exhilaration under control. He tried to return his focus to Kai. He didn’t want to miss any of the story in case a clue was heard on the whereabouts of the cave.

“This is where it’s rumoured things started to fall apart for Monak and Keton. No one knows what happened, and there are numerous theories. As Monak was seen with his new sword, Keton’s tribe disappeared.”

“Just before the Bonzart tribe vanished. Monak was believed to have been at the Bonzart tribe and fought with Keton. It was alleged at the time that Monak stole something from Keton causing a curse to befall on all the Bonzart tribe. Making them vanish and their home to become overrun with fiercely destructive creatures.”

“New horrifying monsters appeared from where the Bonzart tribe resided. They were powerful monsters that caused catastrophic destruction wherever they went. They chased all the tribes out of the desert for a time.”

“The tribes soon set aside their differences and banded together to try to eradicate the threat to their homes. Unfortunately, they were unable to kill the monsters, they were only able to contain them. Together they were able to perform a large containment spell to imprison the monsters in what is now called Twisted Sands, the former home of the Bonzart tribe”

“Even now that part of Fornax is overrun with the beasts. Fortunately, due to the method used to contain them, one occasionally manages to escape. If one does manage to make it outside the containment field, it is hunted and killed before it can leave a trail of destruction.”

“Ahh! I have gone off track. Story telling is not my forte. Where was the main point again?” Kai stopped talking. Kit assumed it was to figure out where to start the tale once again. Kit decided to prompt him.

“Monak and Keton fought. A curse befell the Bonzart tribe. What happened after that Kai?”

“Ahh yes! Credula went into hiding not long after the Bonzart tribes’ disappearance. This also fuelled the rumours around Monak. Credula would only take commissions via letter from then on. He was never seen in person again. It is unknown what happened or even if everything is all connected. Some theorists think it was all just a coincidence.”

“A few years later Monak was never seen again. That is the story of Monak. People love to hear it because it is shrouded in so much mystery. Adventurers are always trying to find clues to find Monak’s rumoured epic sword. They believe he left a map to its whereabouts.”

Kit had an incredulous look on his face. ‘Does this mean the map really will lead to an epic sword?’ Kit heard a buzzing in his ears. His heart started to pound in his chest, he felt his emotions swirl. He could feel his face split with a huge grin.

Kit quickly ducked his head. He didn’t want anyone seeing his reaction to this story. Kit stared at his hands that were shaking from excitement. He needed to get himself together before anyone noticed his strange behaviour from hearing the story.

He was now the owner of a famous map. He was going to have to be very, very careful in the future when trying to find information about where the map led.

Next to him Mars must have had the same thought. The next words out of his mouth would dispel anyone’s guess that they had a map.

“What kind of story is that? It just gave me more questions instead of answering them. I wonder when someone will be lucky enough to find the rumoured map. What I would give for a chance to go on an adventure like that. I can’t wait to become a famous adventurer. I will need a couple more years before I can get my skills to the point of being able to accomplish it though.”

Mars smiled brightly at Kai. Kit thought he would stop talking. But Mars opened his mouth once again.

“You should take me on your quest as compensation for telling me a story with so many gaps in information.” replied Mars.

Kai looked at Mars with a terrifying look. Kit felt a shiver of fear go down his spine at the look aimed at Mars. Kit was glad it wasn’t directed at himself. He was sure he would have died again if it was.

“Mars was just kidding, it was a great story, Kai. Thanks for telling us.” Kit quickly broke in before his friend got himself in more trouble.

“Sorry Kai. Kit was right, I was just kidding. Thank you very much for telling us that incredible story.”

Kai’s face returned to its normal indifferent appearance.

‘OMG, I thought he would kill Mars with that look on his face, so scary. I want to be able to scare people like that in the future. Muhaha!’ Kit cackled in his head but kept an apologetic smile on his face.

Kit was happy Kai shared the story. It gave him more hope that the map was real. He would find a treasure cache with an epic sword inside. Kit was still bubbling with excitement, he couldn’t believe their luck.

Kai finished his dinner and said his goodbyes before returning to his hunt for the adorable shrewd shifter.

Ding!

[CAL]

Quest complete: The Waddling Duck waiter, common.

Rewards: 100 EXP, 50 bronze crowns, 10 reputation points with Inn Keeper Iris.

Kit could feel himself start to droop with exhaustion. Even though he was excited, their days activities were catching up to him. Kit said goodnight to Iris and headed outside to the loft.

Mars came inside the loft not long after Kit had arrived. Kit had just gotten comfortable on his makeshift bed.

“Good, you’re still awake. I wanted to talk to you about tomorrow. I know we have discussed adventuring together. I just wanted to check if you were still ok with me joining you.”

Mars did not make eye contact with Kit as he spoke. Mars was picking at his nails in an anxious manner.

‘Is Mars nervous? I don’t think I gave him any reason to doubt coming with me. Maybe this is due to the insecurity he has from his interactions with his brothers. He is so happy go lucky most of the time, I forget he has issues too.’

Kit gave Mars what he felt was a reassuring look.

“Mars I’m super happy to have you come along with me. I like the plan we have that you will be my adventurer for the restaurant.”

Mars looked at Kit with glittering eyes.

‘Ahh big guy, don’t cry. I’m no good at comforting crying people.’ Mars turned his head and cleared his throat.

“Ok good, I liked that plan too. Kit, I’m glad you decided to talk to me that day. What made you come ask me, and not someone else?” Mars glanced at Kit again.

“Oh, it was the way you were dressed. I thought for sure you were an NPC and would give me a quest. I’m glad I made that mistake, I got to make an awesome friend instead.” Kit gave Mars a megawatt smile.

“I really do have excellent taste in clothes don’t I.”

‘Hold it in Kit, hold it in, the big pirate rooster thinks he looks good. If he doesn’t try to dress me it’s all good.’

“I could pick some clothes out for you too.”

‘No, no, no. I jinxed myself. Ahhh, I take all the comments back about him being a bad ass. Change the subject Kit.’

“Mars are you ok with leaving tomorrow? I intend to head to Flower Fields town. I want to look in the library for information about Monak, or the location of the area on the map. Iris told me it’s a three day walk from here. I should gather supplies then leave early tomorrow. What do you think?”

“It sounds good!” Mars had a thoughtful look on his face.

Kit thought he would talk more, but Mars stayed silent. Kit was too tired to continue talking anyway. They could discuss whatever Mars was thinking tomorrow.

“Let’s make the rest of the plans in the morning. I’m exhausted today. Goodnight, Mars.”

“Goodnight Kit.”

Kit rolled over to sleep.