-Four-
I listened closely through the crack on Raville Town Hall to hear precisely what Falpaine and Relt were talking about. I heard my name in the conversation, but I didn't know why my name had come up in the first place. One thing was for sure, though. It was either something good, or something bad. I tried not to look through the crack. I would be at risk in revealing myself, if I did. The only time when I take risks is when I absolutely have to. I started listening in closely as the chat became more clear.
“I see potential in the boy.” Falpaine stated. “Calvarr seems more like an assassin than a robber.”
“Calvarr's fighting skills are very sub-par, Falpaine.” Relt replied. “I've seen Cal do his daily fighting practices everyday, and it just doesn't look good. In fact, they are rather weak. The boy needs to toughen up and gain some brawn. All he is getting is the brains, and those brains are coming from you.”
“Why not tutor the boy? It is vital that he thinks before he strikes.” Remarked Falpaine.
“What difference does it make?” Asked Relt. “You spot the target and kill the target. It is the simple art of striking. To do the rest in fighting, you must not only know the skills of battle, but you must use them properly.”
“It is more than just that, Relt. You must keep your mind in the right place when in combat. If a killer simply attacks his prey with reckless blows, it won't work. They may be strong, but they are simply not prepared. Yulup is a prime example. He is strong and tough like a hard, stone wall. But his attacks are merely unprepared and idiotic. I've always tried to remind him about thinking, but his mind is just too dinky to even grasp that type of knowledge. I want Calvarr to be wise about his battles, but I still want him to know the arts of combat. That is where you come in. If you would just take these lessons and break them down into smaller steps, perhaps he can actually get something more out of your teachings.”
There was a slight pause after Falpaine had said that. I heard a long, tired sigh from Relt. “Cal knows his poisons better than he knows his knives and daggers.” He said.
“It is true.” Falpaine replied. “I've been teaching him about the art of poison and its uses. If I were to show him a herb, he could name it within seconds. The same thing would happen if I showed him a vial full of a mysterious poison. Calvarr would even tell me the ingredients. Let's face it, he has a lot of time on his hands so that he can study poisons.”
Relt had sighed once again. “Perhaps there have been some flaws in my teachings. I taught everybody in the gang how to fight, including you. Silent Bone is the only one who fights his own mysterious way. But teaching Calvarr has been a challenge. He is only so young, after all. But to me, I think it makes absolutely no difference. I learned to use my fists and my blade when I six, and I drew my first blood when I nine. Calvarr is twelve and he has hardly conquered both.”
“I think it is time we try something different.” Falpaine remarked.
“What do you have in mind?” Relt asked.
“It may sound strange at first, but I think I know somebody that can help the boy. I know a trainer outside of town who goes by the name of Harlow. I knew him when I was in my younger years. He's a very superb teacher. He'll teach Calvarr about stealth, fighting, and much more. He's distant though. Harlow is way outside of Raville, but I think it is worth a try. Believe me, Relt. I'm not saying you're a bad teacher, but I think Harlow can help the boy improve. Harlow was once a famous assassin, by the way.”
“I like your idea, Falpaine.” Relt replied. “After all, it would nice to have that rascal out of here for a while.”
“Plans must be made, though. I'll have to talk to him and set up a date or two. Once we can get this whole thing figured out, Calvarr should be ready. It'll be hard for me to tell the boy about this, though. I assume that it shall be hard for him to be away from Gutless at his age. But who knows? Maybe Harlow will say no, and he can stay here. I'll make preparations to leave for his lair in about a week. I'll be gone for a few days, so I'll count on you to keep Gutless in shape. Do I make myself clear?”
“Yes, master.” Relt replied royally.
“Very good.” Falpaine remarked. “Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a poison test will Calvarr. Go get him for me, please.”
I heard Relt say yes, and then I heard footsteps signifying that both Falpaine and Relt had left the room.
From what I heard, things we're going to get really strange around Raville for a while. To be honest, I wasn't really surprised about this. Falpaine wants to send me to a trainer far from Raville. I could be away from Gutless, which is something I've been wanting for a long, long time. Falpaine said that this Harlow guy can help me. Heck, I'd prefer him over Relt any day of the week. This guy is also an ex-assassin. It was more of the assassin's life for me. I didn't want to bust into a bank and start threatening people and demanding moolah out of the bank. It was just too aggressive. For some odd reason, I had the urge to kill silently and secretly. Also, once the deed is done, I can collect my pay from the people that hired me. It was a nice and clean way to earn moolah, despite the killings. There is also a good chance that I won't end up on a wanted poster. From what I hear, most assassins live a double life. The clean, casual, and normal life and the killing life. That would be my ultimate paradise.
I ran into Relt when he came out of Raville Town Hall. He told me to report to Falpaine for my poison test. This was gonna be easy. Just as Relt said, I know my poisons better than I know my daggers. But after this test, I was going to have a very serious talk with Falpaine. He is going to have a lot of explaining to do about the conversation that I overheard.
(Sorry if this one is a little shorter than the other chapters.)
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