Book 3: Chapter 2

Book 3: Chapter 2

“Ten silver for each way I’m a bad dad. Go,” said Hogg.

“The first thing is that you’re never around,” said Zilly. “Other kids have parents that go to town, talk to the other adults and do the shopping. But you never come to town. We don’t even see you if we come to your house. Brin does all the shopping and the cooking, or he goes hungry.”

Hogg smiled and stroked his chin. “Hmm, that’s two things. Twenty silver. Keep going.”

Brin groaned, but Zilly had stars in her eyes.

“You didn’t try to stop Tawna from saying bad things about him. Anyone else would’ve been hopping mad from day one, but you just let it sit. You’re a [Ro– a sneaky person, so you could’ve followed Brin whenever he met with Tawna, at the very least you could’ve watched the lesson, but you didn’t. Myra told me what her mom said to you about what happened that day, and it wasn’t the true story at all.”

Hogg nodded. “Good point. You’re up to thirty.”

Zilly said, “Um... and... that’s all I got.”

“What about you Brin? If you can think of anything, I’ll add it to Zilly’s pool.”

Zilly immediately turned to him, with pleading in her eyes.

“That is foul manipulation,” said Brin.

“It sure is, but that one doesn’t count,” said Hogg.

Brin sighed. “Fine. You never listen to me. I’ve told you all this before. Well, some of it. And I shouldn’t have had to tell you any of it! Oh, gross, now I sound like my– like her. See why I didn’t want to do this?”

“I’m counting all that as one,” said Hogg.

“You treat me like a kid,” said Brin. “You said when I moved here that I’m already mostly grown so you’d treat me like an adult, but in every conversation I’m just ‘kid’. You won’t tell me what you’re up to all day. That’s adult stuff, and I’m just a kid.”

“Fair,” said Hogg.

The complete acceptance to all these accusations just made Brin more angry, but he found that he was tapped out.

“That’s all I got,” said Brin.

“Really? You haven’t even touched my personality,” said Hogg. “You want to talk about how I hide behind a wall of sarcasm?”

“Nah, I don’t mind that. Overly sincere people make me uncomfortable,” said Brin.

“Well, if you think of one more Zilly will be at a gold,” said Hogg.

“The way you dress!” said Zilly. “You don’t dress like a dad, you dress like an adventurer.”

“I’ll allow it, but only because I’m not carrying any change,” said Hogg. He flipped a gold coin towards her and she snatched it out of the air. “Now get lost!”

“Later Brin!” said Zilly, and took off down the road.

They listened to her footsteps retreat behind them. Then they listened to the rustling of the breeze in the trees, the buzzing of the insects and the ever present calling of the birds, until Hogg finally spoke. “It’s not like I never cook.”

“Right? It’s weird she just assumed that. You make a decent stew,” said Brin.

“Bite your tongue. I make a great stew.”

The conversation dwindled again. They walked. The weather, the scenery, the birds in the tree, they were all absolutely normal and Brin couldn’t find a single thing to remark upon to break up the stiflingly awkward silence.

“That last one, I don’t think it was completely true,” said Brin.

“Damn right. There’s nothing wrong with the way I dress!” said the black-clad man.

Brin didn’t match his smile. “I meant the one before that.”

“Oh,” said Hogg, and looked solemn.

“You don’t treat me like an adult or a child. If I was a child you’d care for me and if I was an adult you’d befriend me. But you haven’t done either. You haven’t done anything because you don’t know which one I am. I don’t even know if I’m a child or an adult. I have the power of a child, the body of a child, and the social status of a child. I have the memories of an adult, sure, but they don’t help at all. None of those memories are useful; they don’t do anything for me, they’re just an anchor tied to my back. For all intents and purposes, I’m even younger than I look, because I have no idea how to act in this world. When I look at Zilly and Davi, I don’t see children any more. I see the big kids. Because they have fourteen years of experience living in this world and I don’t even have one. I have no idea how to live. I don’t... I just don’t know how to live.”

His voice cut off, and there were tears in his eyes. In front of Hogg of all people. So embarrassing. This is why he hadn’t wanted to do this. Why couldn’t people leave well enough alone? He was fine.

“That’s why I’m always trying to get achievements all day every day. I don’t know how to do anything else. I don’t have anyone.”

“I told you I don’t know how to do this,” said Hogg.

“Then try!” said Brin. “I don’t know how to do anything! But I try, don’t I? No one can tell me I didn’t try.”

“All right. Ok,” Hogg said quietly. “I’ll try. Burn me, I’ll try.”

“Good,” said Brin, snorting up a runny nose. “That’s all I ask.”

“Are we supposed to hug now or something?” asked Hogg.

“Please no,” said Brin.

“Damnit, I think we have to hug anyway,” said Hogg.

Hogg grabbed Brin’s shoulder to turn him around and pulled him into a hug, pressing Brin’s head against his chest. Hogg was still a lot taller than Brin, but not for very much longer at the rate he was going. Hogg held him there for a minute, and patted his back.

It was the most awkward, mortifying, and embarrassing thing Brin had ever experienced in either of his entire lives. Despite all possible rhyme or reason, it still made him feel a lot better. Brin hugged him back, tightly, and let it all fall away. It felt like a weight had been lifted. When Hogg finally let him go, he realized it was a beautiful day. Had the sun always been that bright?

“Can I say something in my defense?” asked Hogg.

“I suppose that’s fair,” said Brin.

“If I had a child, a real one, I would never treat him the way I’ve treated you,” said Hogg.

Brin snorted, then laughed. The laughter felt good after all those heavier emotions. “Oh, awesome, good to know.”

“No, listen. I would’ve tried to give him what you needed. What those parents in town give their kids. Stability, good influences, support, all that dumb crap. On the other hand, if I had the same opportunity that you had to go back and do things over, I would do everything exactly like you. I would forget everything else and get every single achievement I could. Friends, relationships, peace of mind, good food, relaxation, a good reputation? You can get all those things after your System Day. But if you don’t get those achievements now, then you lose your only chance.”

“Thank you! Why does everyone act like I’m crazy for going after them?”

“Think about it from their perspective. If you had a son your age, would you do all the things to him that you’re doing to yourself?” asked Hogg.

“Of course not. But it’s my choice. No one is forcing me into this.”

“They don’t know that. They don’t know what’s inside you. All they see is a sullen, angry boy named Scar the Mistaken who’s doing everything in his power to turn himself into a killing machine. I let you go at it, because from my perspective you were doing everything right. And because there are some achievements you can’t get if someone helps you, and there’s even some you can’t get if someone tells you to do it.”

“Oh. So is that why–?”

“We shouldn’t even talk about it, just in case. If you’re going to do something, then make sure I don’t know about it.”

“Huh,” said Brin. As excuses went, that was a fairly good one. But it had still hurt.

“But I still should’ve been there. As a person. I definitely shouldn’t have let that thing with Tawna get as far as it did. That’s on me. I’m sorry,” said Hogg.

He felt like he had mostly forgiven Hogg, assuming the guy really did follow through, but it was too early to say so. “Thank you for the apology. And for what it’s worth, thank you for helping me out in town. Are you sure what you did back there was smart? It’s not going to make us any more popular.”

“It’s going to make you a lot more sympathetic. And I’ve never been popular. I am feared and respected, and it’s about time some people remember why.”

“What about the thing with Tawna?” asked Brin. “Neither the Prefit nor Tawna like me. Putting their heads together is sure to end up with some new scheme.”

“I think you’ll be surprised how that turns out.”

“I’ll take your word for it for now, but I still think it’s going to backfire,” said Brin.

“If it does, I’ll deal with it when it comes,” said Hogg.

“So, three days, huh?” asked Brin.

“That’s right. You still want those achievements, or have you finally figured out that life is about more than–”

“The achievements, please.”

Hogg grinned. “Oh, thank the gods. I don’t know what a healthy, balanced lifestyle looks like but it sounds boring as all the hells. So walk me through it. What have you tried, and what have you got?”

Brin jumped at the chance. He’d been trying to get Hogg to help him with this since day one. If the old adventurer was willing to extend an olive branch and finally give more than tiny hints and really help, then he would be glad to accept it.

“Davi and I have been working out every day, and Zilly joins in sometimes. We were sort of stalled out for a while, only getting one natural Strength every two weeks, until we made a breakthrough by training muscle groups that weren’t getting worked in our regular routine. Zilly got Strong I, Davi shot up past Strong II in no time, and I’m at 36, so only three away from the second threshold. I don’t have any doubt that I’ll be able to get it,” said Brin.

Through training you have increased the following attribute: Dexterity +1

Congratulations! You have gained an achievement. Dexterous I (Common) You have reached 26 Dexterity. +10 speed with Dexterity-related activities. +10% Dexterity attribute growth.

Congratulations! You have upgraded an achievement. Workhorse (Rare) Now gives you: +1 Dexterity per level.

“Ta daaaa!” said Hogg, letting the sound hang in the air.

“Oh, come on!” Brin said, and slammed his open hand against the table. “I’ve been working my butt off this whole time, when three words from you could’ve gotten me miles ahead.”

“Oh come off it, it’s not that bad,” said Hogg. “The more attributes you get, the harder it is to get them. Even that ten percent boost doesn’t help the slow-down much. If I’d given you these tips right away, it would’ve made the other training you did less effective. Now that we’re up against your System Day, we can start plucking all that low-hanging fruit.”

“I still think it would’ve gone better if you’d trained me the whole time,” Brin griped.

“I had another reason, you remember? Whatever you are in your head, the gods still see you as a child. The world might punish me for doing this. Or it might not. I’ve decided to do it regardless,” said Hogg.

“What made you change your mind?” asked Brin.

“Lumina, mostly. But also... you know, if I ever had a son he’d probably be around your age. Your real age, not this teenage boy. Now buck up, next we’re going to learn the most important Dexterity ability of all. Something you’ve been woefully inadequate in.”

“Fighting? Are you going to teach me how to fight?” asked Brin.

“It’s time to learn how to steal stuff.”

Information

Name

Brin isu Yambul

Age

13

Race

Human

Class

Child of Travin's Bog

Level

1

Attributes

Strength

36

Dexterity

26

Vitality

30

Magic

15

Mental Control

18

Will

30

Titles

Survivor of Travin's Bog

Locked

Traveler

Locked

Otherworlder

Locked

Achievements

Warbound (Epic)

You are born for war. You defeated at least 10 enemy soldiers before unlocking your System.

+10% Strength. +10% Vitality. +10% Will. +50% experience from melee combat.

Blessing of the Hidden Guardian (Rare)

You have been seen and accepted by the one who lays beneath.

Strong I (Common)

You have reached 26 Strength.

+10% speed with Strength-intensive activities. +10% Strength attribute growth.

Dextrous I (Common)

You have reached 26 Dexterity.

+10% speed with Dexterity-intensive activities. +10% Dexterity attribute growth.

Lively I (Common)

You have reached 26 Vitality.

+10% recovery from wounds. +10% stamina. +10% Vitality attribute growth.

Disciplined I (Common)

You have reached 26 Will

+10% spell power. +10% skill power. +10% Will attribute growth.

Workhorse (Rare)

You work like a horse. You have earned many attribute achievements before unlocking your System.

+1 Strength per level, +1 Dexterity per level, +1 Will per level, +1 Vitality per level

Oaths

Oath of the Quest Survivor

You have sworn never to speak of how you became the beneficiary of a Quest