Half A Hero

6

“Kiddo?” The stern lady squinted at the brawny man. “You called him a kiddo?! I can’t… I just can’t!” She shook her head while massaging the bridge of her nose.

“What did I say wrong this time?” The brawny man asked.

“Bjorn… let me remind you that WE couldn’t afford another discriminatory complaint from the Guild!” She said. “This man right here is a halfling. Not a child and definitely not a dwarf! Please, get your words sorted!” She raised an eyebrow at him.

“Oh, is he a halfling?” The man approached him and leaned over as he squinted his eyes. “He does look like a child… no offense, kiddo.” He smiled and patted his shoulder.

“By the gods! This is why we couldn’t have nice things!” The woman rolled her eyes. “What would you say the next time you see a halfling? A kiddo? A gal? A lad?! The last time I recalled, you call a dwarf a kid wearing a thick mustache!” She pointed at him.

The brawny man laughed. “It was a good joke.” He nodded at the other men behind him.

“It wasn’t Bjorn! Especially because, you just insulted an ambassador of the dwarven kingdom! Shame on you!” She spat.

“Hey, umm… Najurna, j-just relax…” Frejr interrupted. “We all know, the boss didn’t mean it.” She added.

“Bah! You keep on tolerating the man!” She spat at her as well.

While they argued, Ghwyr silently looked at them, engrossed at their banter. He knew that regardless of their loud and chaotic energies, they looked like they cared for one another. He stared at them, imagining himself as a part of their team. Their laughter and endless banters wouldn’t make him lonely plus, they had a beauty in their group which he could brag about back home when he writes his letters to his uncle.

“Hey!” The stern lady’s voice echoed. “Hey, you… hello?! Are you still there?! Are you still with us?!” She snapped her fingers in his face.

“Oh! S-sorry… Sorry…” Ghwyr shook his head and turned to the stern woman. “I was… ugh—” He fumbled for words.

“Are you sure the Mandragora’s poison was purged out of him?” The stern lady turned to Frejr.

“Narjuna, don’t doubt the lady’s abilities.” An elf answered from behind the brawny man.

“I am not doubting her, Tersextes!” Narjuna sighed. “I am just checking with her if she completed the healing spell.” She sighed.

“Of course, I did.” Frejr smiled. “He must be a little shock from what happened to him.” She explained.

“That might be true—” Narjuna shook her head.

“Excuse me…. Pardon my muteness.” Ghwyr interrupted. “I was just…. Anyway, my name is Ghwyr. Ghwyr Lightfoot. I am a copper-level adventurer of the Evalom Adventurer’s Guild. Ummm… nice to meet you all.” He smiled awkwardly.

Everyone stared at him. They never acknowledged his name nor his stature. They simply stared at him for a moment, until the golden-haired healer broke the ice.

“Ghwyr Lightfoot.” She smiled. “Such a jolly name! It is nice to meet you again.” She offered her hand to shake it.

He reached out his hand and shook hers. “Nice to meet you too… and you guys as well.” He smiled awkwardly.

“Well met!” She smiled. “These are my friends… This is…”

“Enough of the chitchat for now, Goldie.” Tersextes butted in. “We need to do a perimeter check just to check if we had this area cleared. I really don’t want the guild taking back our gold like what happened the last time… Oh, no offense, boss.” He sighed.

“You don’t have to remind me about that.” Bjorn sighed and scratched his head from annoyance. “Anyway, let us check the area. Tersextes, Narjuna…. take that passageway. Arenviel, Frejr you can go to the further tunnels. I will solo the waterway. I needed a dip after this gross monster’s blood all over me.” He smiled and pointed at the waterway.

“You’re gross, Bjorn!” Narjuna barked. “You know the water is filled with human—”

“Shit? I know.” He nodded. “In case one of those bastards might come out of the waterway, I want to personally welcome them into my strong arms. Hahaha! I just wanna hug them until they kick the bucket.” His laughter echoed throughout the tunnel.

“W-what about me?” Ghwyr stood up and stared at Bjorn.

“What about you?” Bjorn asked. “You can go to the surface now, kiddo. The passageway over there should be cleared.” He pointed at the path that Old Man Logue and his other companions were found dead.

“That wouldn’t be a good idea.” Ghwyr shook his head.

“And why is that little one?” Bjorn crossed his arms. “We can’t risk you down here. You better go back and let us do our job.” He said.

“I wouldn’t be a deadweight at all.” Ghwyr insisted. “Plus. Not one of you knows the way to the tunnels. I could at least help you find your way out of here.” He lied.

Honestly, Ghwyr had no idea of the path as well. However, he had a very good memory and was able to familiarize the pathways while they were heading their way inside the tunnels. He should be able to point out where to go and what not to step on. But more than that, he just wanted to experience how it feels becoming a real adventurer.

Bjorn caressed his chin as he stared at him. Ghwyr wasn’t sure what the big man was thinking. He stood there while the big man called out the rest of his party and held an impromptu meeting. Their backs were turned back as they spoke about each other. The halfling could only hear their mumbling whispers as they carried on with their conversation.

After a good couple of minutes of discussion, they scattered, and the big man turned back to him. He stared at him and cleared his throat.

“Well, my party has agreed to get you in…” He said. “…just for this one time. Please, don’t think that you’ll be part of our group after this. We are only doing this one time and we are not held responsible for any accidents and possibly your untimely death. However, in the event that it happens, where should we deliver your body to?” He said with a straight face.

Ghwyr was amazed at his thoroughness. Although he was a little disappointed to hear that the partnership was but a one-time thing, he still appreciated the fact that they accepted him without any prejudice of who he was. He nodded at the big man and answered.

“Gayaham. You can deliver my body to Gayaham. The town east of here.” He said.

“Gahayam…” Bjorn turned towards the other armored warrior who was silently observing them that entire time. “You know this place, Arenviel?” He asked.

The armored warrior nodded. “It would be a long journey for us, but I think he would live to see another day.” He said calmly.

“Huh… You think so?” The big man smiled. “Very well, Ghwyr Lightfoot of Gahayam, you have signed your death warrant with us. May you live to tell the tale.” He said.

Ghwyr bowed slightly, accepting the probable consequence of his foolish decision.

“Oh, by the way.” The big man took one of his axes holstered on his waist. “Here’s one of me axes. A beauty, isn’t it?” He smiled as he gave the axe to him.

“Thank you. Whoa!” Ghwyr took the axe and was shocked at its weight. It was one heavy weapon for a single-handed use. “It is… beautiful.” He held the sticky handle. It seemed like it was bathed in blood and haven’t been cleaned up until that time.

“Good that you like it! That should save your life.” He said. “Let’s go! Iron Bears!” His voice echoed once again.

“What? The Iron Bears?!” Ghwyr’s eyes widened as he realized who he was teaming up with.