Post by Zealote on May 10, 2009 20:46:45 GMT -5
For the record: This biography was deleted, Ujio was dead, but since he has returned, best to post this again. 
Please note that it was divided in several posts, so, if its weird...just ignore it.
The old lady made a disgusted look after the bump the little smelly dirty kid gave on her. “Watch it little beggar!”. “Oi! Sorry ther’ ol’ lady”. The boy gave her a warm smile and ran away. The crowd was big at the market and the boy was having a busy afternoon. Bump after bump, he was passing through the crowd of ladies and gentlemen, all rich folk of Waterdeep.
His warm smile and small size always got him away from the victims before they could notice the missing coin, rings or anything else he could reach with his small hands. And so he continued with that, taking advantage of his resemblance with the other beggars and little street kids running about. “Rich folks never see the difference between us boy”. He remembered Kaito’s words every day. “Take what you can, they don’t need it. We do”. He was good at it. Fast and smart, when things began to look dangerous, there was always a small hole or barrel where he could sneak and hide. Or if he was lucky the sewer’s entrance was always a better choice. No rich nice smelling folk would dare follow. Or even less call the guards to track down a kid.
That afternoon, he had to use the sewers. Old Gomerus saw him snatch three apples at his store and run. The old man hated Ujio with all his being. “Come ‘ere you little maggot!”. With a club on his hands, Gomerus followed Ujio, until he went down into the sewers. “I’ll get ya laters you puny bastard!”. He was not supposed to steal food. Kaito would teach him a lesson for that. But his stomach was burning and the sound it was making could be heard in the echoes of the sewer’s walls. He ate it like they were made of gold. Precious. Slowly and calmly, every bite was like heaven. Like meeting his mother, and his father at each new bite. But he could not delay. The Sun was going down and Kaito wanted him back before nightfall. With his bare feet, he ran through the smelly water, rat infested sewers to the hideout.
The small crack in the wall was barely big enough for a grown man. But Ujio could pass easily and so he did. Fadant, Himmos and Toldan were already there with their loot. Kaito was sitting in the dark corner. Ujio did not see him, but the reflex of the candles on his sword made him jump. He was sharpening his old katana. “Back are ye boy? What took you long enough?”. Ujio did not speak. Instead he threw the small bag filled with his loot at him and ran to a corner. He made himself even smaller than he was, and hugged his legs as he sat down. “That be all I got”. Ujio spoke quickly, but the sound of his voice was barely audible. Kaito emptied the bag on the old table right next to him. A few copper coins and three rings. Kaito threw the sharpener at Ujio. “Whats this boy?! How ar’ we s’pposed to live roun’ ere with that?! Get ye skinny arse back outside and don’t come back ‘till we have enough! And if ya come back empty handed ya will get som’! And ya know what I talk abou’!”. Ujio ran outside like an arrow, tripped and fell in the rot smelling dark water.
The foul taste and smell of the sewer water made Ujio vomit his so cherished apple meal. Between the floating pieces of human droppings and semi-digested apples, he could see his reflection. But it was distorted by his tears disturbing the calm dirty water. He had to go out at night. His competitors would be out there as well. If you can call a bandit competitor. He was just a kid. What chance did he had? They could easily take anything he could earn and even kill him just for the fun of it. They didn’t like competition. Specially with a kid working for Kaito.
Slowly and without hope, he walked to the nearest surface exit to try his best not to die. The streets were still crowded. Even with no moon, the city was illuminated well enough for some people. Usually not the rich people, but likely the common people of Waterdeep, looking for the leftovers of the rich folk. From shadow to shadow, he moved fast, trying to stay out of sight and avoid the mean looking beggars and muggers. On the corner of the street, the usual bump followed. But this time it was unintentional. And then he heard the most unexpected thing of his life. “Be careful little one. These streets are dangerous for a boy your age. Are you lost son?”.
The sweet voice filled his heart with a strange feeling. He had never heard that sound before. Not the voice. It was an ordinary voice. But it was like a melody, like honey, but instead of a taste on his mouth, it left a feeling on his heart. She spoke like she cared. He lost his words. Instead he just stood there. Looking at the woman, his eyes filled with tears he didn’t know why. “Its alright”. She knelt. And with one hand on his shoulder she said the line he never forgot. “Come with me my little friend. Let me take care of you. You look too hungry. Don’t cry, im not going to hurt you!”. She smiled, cleaned his tears and the dirt of his face with her dress and took him by the hand. “C’mon, tell me your name and I will take you to eat something!”. He was still frozen. He mumbled something between his lips. She gave him another smile. “She is so beautiful” he thought. His mind was lost in her eyes and her smile and he tried again. “U…Ujio, m’lady”. “Well Ujio, what do you think about some bread and soup?”. He nodded as she drove him down the street holding his hand to the nearby Inn. He forgot all about Kaito. All about gold, silver and copper. He ate like he had never eaten before. All she did was smile at him while he was eating. “C’mon now, don’t eat too fast or you will be ill!”. She laughed. He couldn’t understand why. What was…laugh? He could have laughed before but he couldn’t remember. Not the feeling or the why. He couldn’t eat no more. After three breads and two bowls of soup he was full. “Now, every time you feel hungry, just come here. I work here. Just look for me okay? Im Leena.” Once again the smile. She removed the necklace she was wearing and gave it to him. “Take this Ujio. Will help you remember me and the way back. Don’t forget eh?”. He left the Inn walking, but he felt like floating. His bare feet couldn’t feel the cold stone ground. Like something was burning inside of him that he didn’t know he had.
Suddenly, he remembered Kaito again. The cold stones beneath his feet gave him a chill and he ran to the sewer. With his belly full and the necklace on his hands, he got inside the hideout fast and silently. But not silent enough for Kaito. He was waiting for him. And with someone he didn’t know. Another boy. But not a street boy. He smelled like roses and sugar. He was crying, but you could only see the tears. He was not making any sound. He was bound and gagged laying there by the dark corner Ujio used to sleep. Kaito had something on his hands. Not the old katana. The sword was by the table with the candles. He saw the blood on the sword. He looked back at the boy. He didn’t look hurt. But beneath him you could see a blood stain. The boy rolled over to try and hide. Ujio could now see the source of all the blood. Kaito had cut the boy’s finger. That’s what he was holding when Ujio walked in. “Came back eh boy? Empty handed aye? I had to do somethin’ different. I knew yer’d let me down yer little bastard.” He threw the finger at Ujio. “Take it! And go to the docks near the Lackpurse Lane. Give this to the man in blue robes”. Ujio grabbed the finger, still warm. He couldn’t feel the floor anymore. That warm feeling of the finger on his hand was lost to the burn he felt on his chest. It was burning so hard he couldn’t bare it. He looked at Kaito, then the table. “Want the sword boy?”.
He ran, faster than an arrow to pick up the sword. It was heavier than he thought. He dropped the finger to hold it properly. “Are ye crazy ye maggot?!”. “Let the boy go”. The words came out strangely loud for him. He was not afraid. “NOW”. Kaito looked directly into Ujio’s eyes. “Come on then! Kill me! Kill me, ye sorry lil’ ingrate!”. He ran towards Kaito with his eyes closed. He heard someone familiar screaming. Not Kaito though. He opened his eye and saw the sword plunged into Himmos chest. Kaito was laughing and threw the dead body on the floor. He opened his arms. “Cmon boy! Kill me!”. The sword was so deep in Himmos chest Ujio had to drop it while the body fell on the ground. Kaito’s laughs were so high Ujio couldn’t hear his thoughts. They were like blades piercing his brain. He felt the burn on his chest harder. So hard he thought he was going to explode. He looked at Kaito and his eyes were closed, so hard he was laughing. The heat on Ujio’s chest passed to his right hand. He didn’t know how, but was like his hand was suddenly made of hot iron and he could melt anything. He punched Kaito in the stomach. His hands got so deep in his belly he thought he had pierced right through him. Ujio felt something warm on his head. He looked up and like a river of blood was coming out of Kaito’s mouth and dripping on his head. His face got covered with blood. Warm and tasting like iron. Like his hand felt to him. The little boy on the corner was still crying in silence. But he wasn’t blinking. He just stood there, motionless watching while Ujio removed his hand from Kaito’s stomach and as he fell on the ground, dead. Ujio got to his knees to untie the boy. He was quiet. A quick look around the room and he saw Fadant and Toldan, frozen in fear. One look down at Himmos and he walked out through the crack in the wall.
The moonless night in Waterdeep could not conceal the dry blood on Ujio’s face as he walked down the street. Catching the eyes of the few people that had the courage or the need to walk at that hour, he slowly made his way to the Inn where Leena took him. His empty eyes gazed at the closed door and with the necklace she gave him in his bloody hand, he knowcked on the door. No response. He knocked again, this time a tear rolled down his face making part of the blood wet again. No response. The tears and the previous fight were draining his strength and he began to feel dizzy. The crates near the door looked like a good place to rest. He tucked himself in between two of them and held the necklace tight. The cold night was almost over. Maybe she would be there in the morning. He passed out.
Loud laughs and calling screams woke him up. The Sun was almost in the middle of the sky and no one had noticed him sleeping there. No one cared. But the door was open again. He walked in and looked for her. The noise of the place and the lack of interest made people ignore Ujio’s questions. “Hey sir, ye know Leena?”. “Hey lady, Leena is here?”. They were all too busy eating and drinking to pay attention to Ujio. If only one of them had taken the time to look at him they would see his face and hand covered in dry blood. “Hey, you boy!”. The harsh voice came from behind the bar. “Stop bothering my costumers you begg---“. The silence of the man came from his surprise. He saw Ujio’s face and the necklace in his hand. And the blood. “What in the name of…”. The man jumped of the balcony and ran towards Ujio, grabbing the necklace by the cord. “Gimme that, you thief! What happened to Leena?! Have your thief mates killed her!?”. He nodded to the man by the door. The man ran outside screaming for the guards. Ujio pulled the necklace by the pendant and the gem fell off the necklace as he fell on the floor. The man stood there, holding the cord looking at Ujio’s face and with the usual speed he ran.
The usual bumps happened again. But this time no one lost any rings, coins or anything. He was running, but with his eyes almost closed by the tears. He saw the city gates. Te guards were talking about some noble boy that got kidnapped and didn’t stop to look at the boy running past them. He was outside the city. He looked at the road. Caravans, coming and going. Busy people, strange people. Rich and poor, all of them careless. Soldiers, peasants, merchants, mercenaries, priests, and some other folk that were a bit of each. Ujio opened his hand and looked at the gem. He tried to clean the blood of it. One final look back at the city. He knew that was the South Gate. But what lies to the South? Slowly his feet started to move and the the cloud of dirt of the caravans began to fade. Endless road. A vast land as he could never had imagined. The noise of the road faded and all he could hear was the sound of his stomach asking for food. He walked South.
With a dry mouth and a noisy stomach, the little boy continued his walk heading South. Nothing ahead and after a few hours, nothing behind as well. The dust of the road left a taste of copper on his mouth. Like the coins he used to bite or hide where people wouldn’t look. They usually go for pockets, not mouth. A small rock made him trip and fall down. He wasn’t a boy that used to fall all the time. But his legs were begging to feel the lack of food, water and sleep. He rolled on the ground to face up and looked at the sky. The Sun was high up and made him close his eyes. So tiered. The heat was almost relaxing. He was past discomfort and pain. He couldn’t feel it anymore. He just passed out, right there, in the middle of the road.
A loud noise woke him up. The ground was shaking a bit. Wheels and horses. Iron against iron. He kept his eyes closed. Suddenly, a shadow covered the Sun and he could feel and hear the caravan passing right beside him. “Hey. Hey, hey! What do we have here?! Little lazy are ya boy?”. He knew that was directed to him. Opening just one eye, he looked up. He couldn’t see the man’s face with the Sun behind him. “Get up now boy! Cmon! Take me hand will ya?”. The large man offered a hand and he took it. With a quick pull he was up like a puppet. And he saw him. A large man, shirtless, showing his scar filled chest and face. The man tried to clean the dust out of Ujio’s face and arms. “Cmon now lad, stand up straight! Are you lost or sum’?”. The man gave him a wide smile and laughed. “Cmon then, you don’t want to be around here at night. Follow me”. Ujio wasn’t paying attention. Instead he was looking at the giant caravan, the soldiers, the swords and all those wagons filled with crates. He looked back at the man and thought how strange he was. He wasn’t carrying a sword, or armor. Shirtless and he could swear he was a soldier too. Scared, Ujio backed up a little. “Hey, hey, hey, now, don’t be scared! Alright, I guess im not that pretty…”. He laughed again and offered Ujio his hand to shake. “Bentan! Fighter extraordinaire! Pleasure to meet ya boy!”. Ujio looked at him and slowly reached for the giant hand. It was so big that Ujio’s hand vanished. The grip was tight and Bentan shook the little boy’s hand so hard that his entire body was shaking too. “U-Ujio sir. Ujio is me name”. “Hahahahah! Come Ujio! Lets get a drink back at Daggerford! Just one more day! Have some water will ya? And I guess I have some dry meat somewhere in here…”. Ujio ate and drank. But who was that man? He followed the caravan behind Bentan, as the large man kept both eyes on the road and the surroundings. Ujio looked up and the Sun was going down…
“Watch out!”. The scream came too late for the soldier leading the caravan. The arrow pierced his head through the eye. He fell on the ground dead, to the despair of some folks driving the wagon. They hid quickly inside of it as the soldiers were forming a circle around the first wagon. Bentan wasn’t moving. His eyes fixed at the shadows running through the trees by the road. Ujio hid beneath the wagon. The moon was rising in the sky and the night was almost clear as day. He tried to look at the same direction as Bentan, but all he could see was the tree line. Bentan had no shield, no sword and no armor. Was he crazy? Ujio remembered Leena. Yet another one he met was about to die.
From the darkness of the trees an arrow flew towards Bentan. To Ujio’s surprise, the large man gave a quick slap with his right hand and the arrow hit the wagon. Impossible! Ujio thought. The arrow was going straight for his chest! The boy looked at the trees again and saw it. More than twenty lizard looking creatures came out running and branding swords, axes and shooting arrows at the caravan. Monstrosities like coming out of nightmares, but strangely, the soldiers didn’t run. They closed their shields together forming a perfect circle and stood their ground, waiting. But Bentan was not with them. He ran towards the creatures. Ujio couldn’t believe what he was seeing. One man, against twenty monsters. No fear, no hesitation. He just ran to meet them. Ujio rubbed his eyes and tried not to blink. He wanted to see the outcome of that. He heard one soldier mutter something. “Damn crazy Bentan, how can we get something done when the lunatic is around?”. Another soldier made a silence sign to him and nodded to look at the fight.
The first lizardman came with a sword. An up-down movement to hit Bentan in the head. Bentan accelerates and with a spin he dodges the blow coming down, and using the spin he lets out a kick that hits the lizard on the right arm. A breaking sound is heard and the lizard screams, falling down several steps away. The second lizard was right behind. The creature didn’t have time to prepare a swing. Bentan’s right hand was plunged into his chest. The lizard fell dead. Ujio remembered his fight with Kaito. The battle goes on with Bentan tumbling between the lizards and striking them faster than Ujio could see. On top of that, seems like he was laughing during the fight. Quickly, all of them were dead or injured and ran back to the cover of the trees. Bentan came walking back to the soldiers. He looked at one of them. “So little fella, im crazy eh?”. He put the palm of the hand on the chest of the man’s plate armor. The man looked up and fell down, several feet away. “Hey Bentan, cool down man, we’re here to protect the caravan, not fight each other. Alright?”. The other soldier tried to calm him down. “Look, you have an arrow on your arm. Go see to it. We need you for the rest of the journey.” Bentan removed the arrow, as he walked back to Ujio. “Come out now lad, its safe.” He gave Ujio a warm smile, but Ujio was only looking at the blood dripping down his arm. “Don’t mind the arm lad, its alright. Its just a flesh wound. Look.” Bentan made a serious face looking at the wound. Like he was concentrating or something. Again, Ujio couldn’t believe. Slowly, the bleeding stopped and the wound was closed. Ujio came out from beneath the wagon and kept looking at Bentan, while he grabbed a bottle of wine and drank it all in one huge gulp.
The caravan began to move again. The dead soldier was quickly placed in one of the wagons to be taken to Daggerford. The rest of the soldiers continued the journey in silence. Maybe in respect, maybe thinking about how that could have been one of them. Not Bentan. He was too busy drinking and talking with the lady inside the wagon. Through the barred window she was almost hypnotized by his voice. But he was rude and loud, like a drunk. But Ujio was paying attention enough to see that while he was drinking and talking, his eyes never stopped looking around. It was like he was always alert. Ujio pulled him by the pants. ‘’Sir? Err…can you teach me to fight like you?’’. Bentan looked down while he was taking a sip. Some of the wine spilled on the ground. He cleaned his mouth with his dirty hands while the skinny boy was trying to walk faster to keep up with him and the caravan. “So, ye wanna learn how to fight eh boy? Alright, I can teach you. But first we need to get to Daggerford.Try to keep up will ya?”. He gave him a smile and took another sip. The lady in the wagon looked at Bentan. “You are so benevolent sir. So powerful and you still look after the beggars. The little boy is lucky to have you as master.” She nodded. “The name is Bentan lass, and im nobody’s master ya hear?.” He said with a unusual rudeness, even for him. “And you boy, nobody is your master. Understand?”. Ujio looked up and nodded. “Okay…”. “I will teach you, but first you need to learn how to drink! And eat because you look like you don’t eat much…”. He laughed and continued to drink while walking beside the wagon moving South.
The morning came swiftly and the look of relief the soldiers had was somehow contrasting with the sense of boredom Bentan was showing. His breathing was heavy and he was all out of ale. “Ujio my lad, you don’t happen to have a bottle of ale in your pocket do you now?”. Ujio looked up at the man and nodded no. “I have no ale sir. Don’t have gold too…”. “Cmon lad, coin is the easiest thing to get! Just stick with me and I’ll teach ya!”. He gave Ujio another wide smile.
The caravan was moving slower than before. Maybe because the horses and the soldiers were tiered, maybe because they were feeling safer now during the day. But from a distance, Ujio could see smoke rising from the horizon. “Fast pace now men! We’re close!”. The soldier spoke, almost grunting, and the woman driving the wagon gave the horse a strong whip. Ujio had to walk a bit faster to keep up with Bentan. Large steps against quick feet. Slowly, the remnants of a settlement began to appear in the road. People coming and going. Some armed, some unarmed following armed. Some strange. Large and small groups. One of them, Ujio could swear, had horns. Some soldiers gave him a strange look as he passed by, a bit distant. But none of that was compared to the sight of Daggerford. For the first time, Ujio felt like new.
He could see the river already, the bridge and beyond, the walls, protecting the keep, rising above the walls. A new place. New start.
The bridge was old and noisy. With the weight of the caravan and the marching steps of the soldiers, it almost seemed like it was going to break in half. Ujio walked looking down at the river, the crystal clear water flowing, so clear he could see the fishes swimming against the stream.
The large plantation stretched as far as Ujio could see. Corn, wheat, potatoes, and some other things he could not identify. The farmer saluted the first soldier and gave Bentan a grin. The skinny boy looked up and saw Bentan smile back at the farmer, and then throw him a small bag, possibly with coin, although Ujio could not tell.'’Hey lad, have you seen Daggerford before?’’. Ujio nodded no as he looked at the gates of the small town, approaching from the left. ''Now lets get something to drink. And eat of course!’’. With a loud laugh Bentan began to clean the dirt of his pants and arms, before entering the town. ''Now, I cant be seen this dirty can I? How am I supposed to teach you some skills if no lass looks at me eh?’’
''Alright men, we`re here! Report to the barracks and come back to me so we can unload this wagons! And get some help will ya? Im tiered enough’’. The soldier leading the caravan looked at Bentan and nodded. ''You to Bentan. Your payment is there. Go fetch it and you’re free to go do…whatever is that you plan for today’’. He muttered something after that, but Ujio could not listen, but Bentan did, and with that, he let out a chuckle and went to the barracks to get his payment.’’Stay here boy, I’ll be right back’’. ‘’Okay”.
Watching the large man walking to the barracks, Ujio remembered his broken necklace. It was still there, in his pocket. He grabbed a looked at it, once again. The muddy ground was cold and his feet was deep in it. The mix of hay , wet mud and horse droppings was stinky, but no more than the sewers of Waterdeep. It was actually comfortable. The feeling of freedom, right beneath his feet. The brown mix, coming between his fingers made him smile. Even with the sad memory of the lady he left behind.
The wooden constructions in nothing reminded him of Waterdeep. No strange, shadowy or overly rich folks around. Just simple people, some dirty, as much or even more than him. Lost in thought, Ujio woke up with a big hand resting on his shoulder. ''Ready lad? Lets have some fun eh?’’. Bentan got down and rested his left arm on the boy’s shoulder. The weight of the giant arm made Ujio crouch for a moment. While the left arm was resting on his shoulder, the right arm was pointing ahead. ’’See lad? This is the real deal. Life as it should be. Now lets get some alcohol and broads! Then we can start the training!’’.
The tavern was as loud as the one in Waterdeep, but this time, the costumers saw him. ''Morning’’ and nods from all directions. He felt like someone. Maybe because he was with Bentan, maybe because people were actually polite to others. The reason was not important. He was there, and he mattered. ''Sit down lad, I’ll get us some ale!’’. Bentan walked to the barkeeper and asked for two pints. He winked at one of the barmaids and she gave him a giggle in return. Ujio felt his belly moaning again.
“One for me, and one for you lad. Dive in!”. Bentan sat down in front of Ujio, as the little skinny boy reached for the pint, slowly. “I guess this is your first ale eh? Bottoms up then!”. The large man drank all in one huge gulp. One of the barmaids came close and examined Ujio. “Is this your bastard son Bentan? I knew you had some poor kid out there in the world!”. Bentan laughed and pulled the barmaid closer. “Now take a good look Jenna, this will be the best fighter around. My boy! Pretty soon you’ll have to hide from him too! Hahahahaha, and that reminds me…”. With a strong pull, he made the woman sit on his lap. “You still own me eh?”. She laughed and gave him a slap. “Not today Ben, now behave yourself”. She got up, fixed her dirty dress and walked to the other tables, collecting the empty pints and bottles.
“Now lad, drink your ale so we can start your training”. Ujio looked at the huge pint in front of him and took a sip. It was bitter and warm, but he was so hungry it almost felt like a bad soup. “Chop, chop boy! I wanna take a nap too!”. Ujio drank it all. With his empty stomach, the dizziness was fast to hit him. He felt a sudden urge to laugh. His laughter was loud, almost like crazy. But made Bentan laugh too. “Cmon lad, lets take a nap! Its good for the muscles! Hah!” . The boy followed Bentan to the second floor. He almost fell down the stairs, and for some reason, that was funny to him. He was laughing so hard he couldn’t walk anymore. Bentan grabbed him by the waist and carried him up to the room.
“Take the bed kid, I`ll sleep on the couch”. He threw the laughing boy on the bed and went to light the fire. “Ah! Nothing like a nap before lunch! And another right after!”. He laughed loudly again, but Ujio was already sleeping. Bentan looked down at him and smiled. “You`ll be alright kid. You`ll be alright”. With his mouth open, Ujio was sleeping so heavily he was drooling.
To be continued...
Please note that it was divided in several posts, so, if its weird...just ignore it.
The old lady made a disgusted look after the bump the little smelly dirty kid gave on her. “Watch it little beggar!”. “Oi! Sorry ther’ ol’ lady”. The boy gave her a warm smile and ran away. The crowd was big at the market and the boy was having a busy afternoon. Bump after bump, he was passing through the crowd of ladies and gentlemen, all rich folk of Waterdeep.
His warm smile and small size always got him away from the victims before they could notice the missing coin, rings or anything else he could reach with his small hands. And so he continued with that, taking advantage of his resemblance with the other beggars and little street kids running about. “Rich folks never see the difference between us boy”. He remembered Kaito’s words every day. “Take what you can, they don’t need it. We do”. He was good at it. Fast and smart, when things began to look dangerous, there was always a small hole or barrel where he could sneak and hide. Or if he was lucky the sewer’s entrance was always a better choice. No rich nice smelling folk would dare follow. Or even less call the guards to track down a kid.
That afternoon, he had to use the sewers. Old Gomerus saw him snatch three apples at his store and run. The old man hated Ujio with all his being. “Come ‘ere you little maggot!”. With a club on his hands, Gomerus followed Ujio, until he went down into the sewers. “I’ll get ya laters you puny bastard!”. He was not supposed to steal food. Kaito would teach him a lesson for that. But his stomach was burning and the sound it was making could be heard in the echoes of the sewer’s walls. He ate it like they were made of gold. Precious. Slowly and calmly, every bite was like heaven. Like meeting his mother, and his father at each new bite. But he could not delay. The Sun was going down and Kaito wanted him back before nightfall. With his bare feet, he ran through the smelly water, rat infested sewers to the hideout.
The small crack in the wall was barely big enough for a grown man. But Ujio could pass easily and so he did. Fadant, Himmos and Toldan were already there with their loot. Kaito was sitting in the dark corner. Ujio did not see him, but the reflex of the candles on his sword made him jump. He was sharpening his old katana. “Back are ye boy? What took you long enough?”. Ujio did not speak. Instead he threw the small bag filled with his loot at him and ran to a corner. He made himself even smaller than he was, and hugged his legs as he sat down. “That be all I got”. Ujio spoke quickly, but the sound of his voice was barely audible. Kaito emptied the bag on the old table right next to him. A few copper coins and three rings. Kaito threw the sharpener at Ujio. “Whats this boy?! How ar’ we s’pposed to live roun’ ere with that?! Get ye skinny arse back outside and don’t come back ‘till we have enough! And if ya come back empty handed ya will get som’! And ya know what I talk abou’!”. Ujio ran outside like an arrow, tripped and fell in the rot smelling dark water.
The foul taste and smell of the sewer water made Ujio vomit his so cherished apple meal. Between the floating pieces of human droppings and semi-digested apples, he could see his reflection. But it was distorted by his tears disturbing the calm dirty water. He had to go out at night. His competitors would be out there as well. If you can call a bandit competitor. He was just a kid. What chance did he had? They could easily take anything he could earn and even kill him just for the fun of it. They didn’t like competition. Specially with a kid working for Kaito.
Slowly and without hope, he walked to the nearest surface exit to try his best not to die. The streets were still crowded. Even with no moon, the city was illuminated well enough for some people. Usually not the rich people, but likely the common people of Waterdeep, looking for the leftovers of the rich folk. From shadow to shadow, he moved fast, trying to stay out of sight and avoid the mean looking beggars and muggers. On the corner of the street, the usual bump followed. But this time it was unintentional. And then he heard the most unexpected thing of his life. “Be careful little one. These streets are dangerous for a boy your age. Are you lost son?”.
The sweet voice filled his heart with a strange feeling. He had never heard that sound before. Not the voice. It was an ordinary voice. But it was like a melody, like honey, but instead of a taste on his mouth, it left a feeling on his heart. She spoke like she cared. He lost his words. Instead he just stood there. Looking at the woman, his eyes filled with tears he didn’t know why. “Its alright”. She knelt. And with one hand on his shoulder she said the line he never forgot. “Come with me my little friend. Let me take care of you. You look too hungry. Don’t cry, im not going to hurt you!”. She smiled, cleaned his tears and the dirt of his face with her dress and took him by the hand. “C’mon, tell me your name and I will take you to eat something!”. He was still frozen. He mumbled something between his lips. She gave him another smile. “She is so beautiful” he thought. His mind was lost in her eyes and her smile and he tried again. “U…Ujio, m’lady”. “Well Ujio, what do you think about some bread and soup?”. He nodded as she drove him down the street holding his hand to the nearby Inn. He forgot all about Kaito. All about gold, silver and copper. He ate like he had never eaten before. All she did was smile at him while he was eating. “C’mon now, don’t eat too fast or you will be ill!”. She laughed. He couldn’t understand why. What was…laugh? He could have laughed before but he couldn’t remember. Not the feeling or the why. He couldn’t eat no more. After three breads and two bowls of soup he was full. “Now, every time you feel hungry, just come here. I work here. Just look for me okay? Im Leena.” Once again the smile. She removed the necklace she was wearing and gave it to him. “Take this Ujio. Will help you remember me and the way back. Don’t forget eh?”. He left the Inn walking, but he felt like floating. His bare feet couldn’t feel the cold stone ground. Like something was burning inside of him that he didn’t know he had.
Suddenly, he remembered Kaito again. The cold stones beneath his feet gave him a chill and he ran to the sewer. With his belly full and the necklace on his hands, he got inside the hideout fast and silently. But not silent enough for Kaito. He was waiting for him. And with someone he didn’t know. Another boy. But not a street boy. He smelled like roses and sugar. He was crying, but you could only see the tears. He was not making any sound. He was bound and gagged laying there by the dark corner Ujio used to sleep. Kaito had something on his hands. Not the old katana. The sword was by the table with the candles. He saw the blood on the sword. He looked back at the boy. He didn’t look hurt. But beneath him you could see a blood stain. The boy rolled over to try and hide. Ujio could now see the source of all the blood. Kaito had cut the boy’s finger. That’s what he was holding when Ujio walked in. “Came back eh boy? Empty handed aye? I had to do somethin’ different. I knew yer’d let me down yer little bastard.” He threw the finger at Ujio. “Take it! And go to the docks near the Lackpurse Lane. Give this to the man in blue robes”. Ujio grabbed the finger, still warm. He couldn’t feel the floor anymore. That warm feeling of the finger on his hand was lost to the burn he felt on his chest. It was burning so hard he couldn’t bare it. He looked at Kaito, then the table. “Want the sword boy?”.
He ran, faster than an arrow to pick up the sword. It was heavier than he thought. He dropped the finger to hold it properly. “Are ye crazy ye maggot?!”. “Let the boy go”. The words came out strangely loud for him. He was not afraid. “NOW”. Kaito looked directly into Ujio’s eyes. “Come on then! Kill me! Kill me, ye sorry lil’ ingrate!”. He ran towards Kaito with his eyes closed. He heard someone familiar screaming. Not Kaito though. He opened his eye and saw the sword plunged into Himmos chest. Kaito was laughing and threw the dead body on the floor. He opened his arms. “Cmon boy! Kill me!”. The sword was so deep in Himmos chest Ujio had to drop it while the body fell on the ground. Kaito’s laughs were so high Ujio couldn’t hear his thoughts. They were like blades piercing his brain. He felt the burn on his chest harder. So hard he thought he was going to explode. He looked at Kaito and his eyes were closed, so hard he was laughing. The heat on Ujio’s chest passed to his right hand. He didn’t know how, but was like his hand was suddenly made of hot iron and he could melt anything. He punched Kaito in the stomach. His hands got so deep in his belly he thought he had pierced right through him. Ujio felt something warm on his head. He looked up and like a river of blood was coming out of Kaito’s mouth and dripping on his head. His face got covered with blood. Warm and tasting like iron. Like his hand felt to him. The little boy on the corner was still crying in silence. But he wasn’t blinking. He just stood there, motionless watching while Ujio removed his hand from Kaito’s stomach and as he fell on the ground, dead. Ujio got to his knees to untie the boy. He was quiet. A quick look around the room and he saw Fadant and Toldan, frozen in fear. One look down at Himmos and he walked out through the crack in the wall.
The moonless night in Waterdeep could not conceal the dry blood on Ujio’s face as he walked down the street. Catching the eyes of the few people that had the courage or the need to walk at that hour, he slowly made his way to the Inn where Leena took him. His empty eyes gazed at the closed door and with the necklace she gave him in his bloody hand, he knowcked on the door. No response. He knocked again, this time a tear rolled down his face making part of the blood wet again. No response. The tears and the previous fight were draining his strength and he began to feel dizzy. The crates near the door looked like a good place to rest. He tucked himself in between two of them and held the necklace tight. The cold night was almost over. Maybe she would be there in the morning. He passed out.
Loud laughs and calling screams woke him up. The Sun was almost in the middle of the sky and no one had noticed him sleeping there. No one cared. But the door was open again. He walked in and looked for her. The noise of the place and the lack of interest made people ignore Ujio’s questions. “Hey sir, ye know Leena?”. “Hey lady, Leena is here?”. They were all too busy eating and drinking to pay attention to Ujio. If only one of them had taken the time to look at him they would see his face and hand covered in dry blood. “Hey, you boy!”. The harsh voice came from behind the bar. “Stop bothering my costumers you begg---“. The silence of the man came from his surprise. He saw Ujio’s face and the necklace in his hand. And the blood. “What in the name of…”. The man jumped of the balcony and ran towards Ujio, grabbing the necklace by the cord. “Gimme that, you thief! What happened to Leena?! Have your thief mates killed her!?”. He nodded to the man by the door. The man ran outside screaming for the guards. Ujio pulled the necklace by the pendant and the gem fell off the necklace as he fell on the floor. The man stood there, holding the cord looking at Ujio’s face and with the usual speed he ran.
The usual bumps happened again. But this time no one lost any rings, coins or anything. He was running, but with his eyes almost closed by the tears. He saw the city gates. Te guards were talking about some noble boy that got kidnapped and didn’t stop to look at the boy running past them. He was outside the city. He looked at the road. Caravans, coming and going. Busy people, strange people. Rich and poor, all of them careless. Soldiers, peasants, merchants, mercenaries, priests, and some other folk that were a bit of each. Ujio opened his hand and looked at the gem. He tried to clean the blood of it. One final look back at the city. He knew that was the South Gate. But what lies to the South? Slowly his feet started to move and the the cloud of dirt of the caravans began to fade. Endless road. A vast land as he could never had imagined. The noise of the road faded and all he could hear was the sound of his stomach asking for food. He walked South.
With a dry mouth and a noisy stomach, the little boy continued his walk heading South. Nothing ahead and after a few hours, nothing behind as well. The dust of the road left a taste of copper on his mouth. Like the coins he used to bite or hide where people wouldn’t look. They usually go for pockets, not mouth. A small rock made him trip and fall down. He wasn’t a boy that used to fall all the time. But his legs were begging to feel the lack of food, water and sleep. He rolled on the ground to face up and looked at the sky. The Sun was high up and made him close his eyes. So tiered. The heat was almost relaxing. He was past discomfort and pain. He couldn’t feel it anymore. He just passed out, right there, in the middle of the road.
A loud noise woke him up. The ground was shaking a bit. Wheels and horses. Iron against iron. He kept his eyes closed. Suddenly, a shadow covered the Sun and he could feel and hear the caravan passing right beside him. “Hey. Hey, hey! What do we have here?! Little lazy are ya boy?”. He knew that was directed to him. Opening just one eye, he looked up. He couldn’t see the man’s face with the Sun behind him. “Get up now boy! Cmon! Take me hand will ya?”. The large man offered a hand and he took it. With a quick pull he was up like a puppet. And he saw him. A large man, shirtless, showing his scar filled chest and face. The man tried to clean the dust out of Ujio’s face and arms. “Cmon now lad, stand up straight! Are you lost or sum’?”. The man gave him a wide smile and laughed. “Cmon then, you don’t want to be around here at night. Follow me”. Ujio wasn’t paying attention. Instead he was looking at the giant caravan, the soldiers, the swords and all those wagons filled with crates. He looked back at the man and thought how strange he was. He wasn’t carrying a sword, or armor. Shirtless and he could swear he was a soldier too. Scared, Ujio backed up a little. “Hey, hey, hey, now, don’t be scared! Alright, I guess im not that pretty…”. He laughed again and offered Ujio his hand to shake. “Bentan! Fighter extraordinaire! Pleasure to meet ya boy!”. Ujio looked at him and slowly reached for the giant hand. It was so big that Ujio’s hand vanished. The grip was tight and Bentan shook the little boy’s hand so hard that his entire body was shaking too. “U-Ujio sir. Ujio is me name”. “Hahahahah! Come Ujio! Lets get a drink back at Daggerford! Just one more day! Have some water will ya? And I guess I have some dry meat somewhere in here…”. Ujio ate and drank. But who was that man? He followed the caravan behind Bentan, as the large man kept both eyes on the road and the surroundings. Ujio looked up and the Sun was going down…
“Watch out!”. The scream came too late for the soldier leading the caravan. The arrow pierced his head through the eye. He fell on the ground dead, to the despair of some folks driving the wagon. They hid quickly inside of it as the soldiers were forming a circle around the first wagon. Bentan wasn’t moving. His eyes fixed at the shadows running through the trees by the road. Ujio hid beneath the wagon. The moon was rising in the sky and the night was almost clear as day. He tried to look at the same direction as Bentan, but all he could see was the tree line. Bentan had no shield, no sword and no armor. Was he crazy? Ujio remembered Leena. Yet another one he met was about to die.
From the darkness of the trees an arrow flew towards Bentan. To Ujio’s surprise, the large man gave a quick slap with his right hand and the arrow hit the wagon. Impossible! Ujio thought. The arrow was going straight for his chest! The boy looked at the trees again and saw it. More than twenty lizard looking creatures came out running and branding swords, axes and shooting arrows at the caravan. Monstrosities like coming out of nightmares, but strangely, the soldiers didn’t run. They closed their shields together forming a perfect circle and stood their ground, waiting. But Bentan was not with them. He ran towards the creatures. Ujio couldn’t believe what he was seeing. One man, against twenty monsters. No fear, no hesitation. He just ran to meet them. Ujio rubbed his eyes and tried not to blink. He wanted to see the outcome of that. He heard one soldier mutter something. “Damn crazy Bentan, how can we get something done when the lunatic is around?”. Another soldier made a silence sign to him and nodded to look at the fight.
The first lizardman came with a sword. An up-down movement to hit Bentan in the head. Bentan accelerates and with a spin he dodges the blow coming down, and using the spin he lets out a kick that hits the lizard on the right arm. A breaking sound is heard and the lizard screams, falling down several steps away. The second lizard was right behind. The creature didn’t have time to prepare a swing. Bentan’s right hand was plunged into his chest. The lizard fell dead. Ujio remembered his fight with Kaito. The battle goes on with Bentan tumbling between the lizards and striking them faster than Ujio could see. On top of that, seems like he was laughing during the fight. Quickly, all of them were dead or injured and ran back to the cover of the trees. Bentan came walking back to the soldiers. He looked at one of them. “So little fella, im crazy eh?”. He put the palm of the hand on the chest of the man’s plate armor. The man looked up and fell down, several feet away. “Hey Bentan, cool down man, we’re here to protect the caravan, not fight each other. Alright?”. The other soldier tried to calm him down. “Look, you have an arrow on your arm. Go see to it. We need you for the rest of the journey.” Bentan removed the arrow, as he walked back to Ujio. “Come out now lad, its safe.” He gave Ujio a warm smile, but Ujio was only looking at the blood dripping down his arm. “Don’t mind the arm lad, its alright. Its just a flesh wound. Look.” Bentan made a serious face looking at the wound. Like he was concentrating or something. Again, Ujio couldn’t believe. Slowly, the bleeding stopped and the wound was closed. Ujio came out from beneath the wagon and kept looking at Bentan, while he grabbed a bottle of wine and drank it all in one huge gulp.
The caravan began to move again. The dead soldier was quickly placed in one of the wagons to be taken to Daggerford. The rest of the soldiers continued the journey in silence. Maybe in respect, maybe thinking about how that could have been one of them. Not Bentan. He was too busy drinking and talking with the lady inside the wagon. Through the barred window she was almost hypnotized by his voice. But he was rude and loud, like a drunk. But Ujio was paying attention enough to see that while he was drinking and talking, his eyes never stopped looking around. It was like he was always alert. Ujio pulled him by the pants. ‘’Sir? Err…can you teach me to fight like you?’’. Bentan looked down while he was taking a sip. Some of the wine spilled on the ground. He cleaned his mouth with his dirty hands while the skinny boy was trying to walk faster to keep up with him and the caravan. “So, ye wanna learn how to fight eh boy? Alright, I can teach you. But first we need to get to Daggerford.Try to keep up will ya?”. He gave him a smile and took another sip. The lady in the wagon looked at Bentan. “You are so benevolent sir. So powerful and you still look after the beggars. The little boy is lucky to have you as master.” She nodded. “The name is Bentan lass, and im nobody’s master ya hear?.” He said with a unusual rudeness, even for him. “And you boy, nobody is your master. Understand?”. Ujio looked up and nodded. “Okay…”. “I will teach you, but first you need to learn how to drink! And eat because you look like you don’t eat much…”. He laughed and continued to drink while walking beside the wagon moving South.
The morning came swiftly and the look of relief the soldiers had was somehow contrasting with the sense of boredom Bentan was showing. His breathing was heavy and he was all out of ale. “Ujio my lad, you don’t happen to have a bottle of ale in your pocket do you now?”. Ujio looked up at the man and nodded no. “I have no ale sir. Don’t have gold too…”. “Cmon lad, coin is the easiest thing to get! Just stick with me and I’ll teach ya!”. He gave Ujio another wide smile.
The caravan was moving slower than before. Maybe because the horses and the soldiers were tiered, maybe because they were feeling safer now during the day. But from a distance, Ujio could see smoke rising from the horizon. “Fast pace now men! We’re close!”. The soldier spoke, almost grunting, and the woman driving the wagon gave the horse a strong whip. Ujio had to walk a bit faster to keep up with Bentan. Large steps against quick feet. Slowly, the remnants of a settlement began to appear in the road. People coming and going. Some armed, some unarmed following armed. Some strange. Large and small groups. One of them, Ujio could swear, had horns. Some soldiers gave him a strange look as he passed by, a bit distant. But none of that was compared to the sight of Daggerford. For the first time, Ujio felt like new.
He could see the river already, the bridge and beyond, the walls, protecting the keep, rising above the walls. A new place. New start.
The bridge was old and noisy. With the weight of the caravan and the marching steps of the soldiers, it almost seemed like it was going to break in half. Ujio walked looking down at the river, the crystal clear water flowing, so clear he could see the fishes swimming against the stream.
The large plantation stretched as far as Ujio could see. Corn, wheat, potatoes, and some other things he could not identify. The farmer saluted the first soldier and gave Bentan a grin. The skinny boy looked up and saw Bentan smile back at the farmer, and then throw him a small bag, possibly with coin, although Ujio could not tell.'’Hey lad, have you seen Daggerford before?’’. Ujio nodded no as he looked at the gates of the small town, approaching from the left. ''Now lets get something to drink. And eat of course!’’. With a loud laugh Bentan began to clean the dirt of his pants and arms, before entering the town. ''Now, I cant be seen this dirty can I? How am I supposed to teach you some skills if no lass looks at me eh?’’
''Alright men, we`re here! Report to the barracks and come back to me so we can unload this wagons! And get some help will ya? Im tiered enough’’. The soldier leading the caravan looked at Bentan and nodded. ''You to Bentan. Your payment is there. Go fetch it and you’re free to go do…whatever is that you plan for today’’. He muttered something after that, but Ujio could not listen, but Bentan did, and with that, he let out a chuckle and went to the barracks to get his payment.’’Stay here boy, I’ll be right back’’. ‘’Okay”.
Watching the large man walking to the barracks, Ujio remembered his broken necklace. It was still there, in his pocket. He grabbed a looked at it, once again. The muddy ground was cold and his feet was deep in it. The mix of hay , wet mud and horse droppings was stinky, but no more than the sewers of Waterdeep. It was actually comfortable. The feeling of freedom, right beneath his feet. The brown mix, coming between his fingers made him smile. Even with the sad memory of the lady he left behind.
The wooden constructions in nothing reminded him of Waterdeep. No strange, shadowy or overly rich folks around. Just simple people, some dirty, as much or even more than him. Lost in thought, Ujio woke up with a big hand resting on his shoulder. ''Ready lad? Lets have some fun eh?’’. Bentan got down and rested his left arm on the boy’s shoulder. The weight of the giant arm made Ujio crouch for a moment. While the left arm was resting on his shoulder, the right arm was pointing ahead. ’’See lad? This is the real deal. Life as it should be. Now lets get some alcohol and broads! Then we can start the training!’’.
The tavern was as loud as the one in Waterdeep, but this time, the costumers saw him. ''Morning’’ and nods from all directions. He felt like someone. Maybe because he was with Bentan, maybe because people were actually polite to others. The reason was not important. He was there, and he mattered. ''Sit down lad, I’ll get us some ale!’’. Bentan walked to the barkeeper and asked for two pints. He winked at one of the barmaids and she gave him a giggle in return. Ujio felt his belly moaning again.
“One for me, and one for you lad. Dive in!”. Bentan sat down in front of Ujio, as the little skinny boy reached for the pint, slowly. “I guess this is your first ale eh? Bottoms up then!”. The large man drank all in one huge gulp. One of the barmaids came close and examined Ujio. “Is this your bastard son Bentan? I knew you had some poor kid out there in the world!”. Bentan laughed and pulled the barmaid closer. “Now take a good look Jenna, this will be the best fighter around. My boy! Pretty soon you’ll have to hide from him too! Hahahahaha, and that reminds me…”. With a strong pull, he made the woman sit on his lap. “You still own me eh?”. She laughed and gave him a slap. “Not today Ben, now behave yourself”. She got up, fixed her dirty dress and walked to the other tables, collecting the empty pints and bottles.
“Now lad, drink your ale so we can start your training”. Ujio looked at the huge pint in front of him and took a sip. It was bitter and warm, but he was so hungry it almost felt like a bad soup. “Chop, chop boy! I wanna take a nap too!”. Ujio drank it all. With his empty stomach, the dizziness was fast to hit him. He felt a sudden urge to laugh. His laughter was loud, almost like crazy. But made Bentan laugh too. “Cmon lad, lets take a nap! Its good for the muscles! Hah!” . The boy followed Bentan to the second floor. He almost fell down the stairs, and for some reason, that was funny to him. He was laughing so hard he couldn’t walk anymore. Bentan grabbed him by the waist and carried him up to the room.
“Take the bed kid, I`ll sleep on the couch”. He threw the laughing boy on the bed and went to light the fire. “Ah! Nothing like a nap before lunch! And another right after!”. He laughed loudly again, but Ujio was already sleeping. Bentan looked down at him and smiled. “You`ll be alright kid. You`ll be alright”. With his mouth open, Ujio was sleeping so heavily he was drooling.
To be continued...