Master Of None

Herder stopped eating. He did not expect this question to arise or that Walker would have an appraisal skill. ”Well, that is a less exciting story than you might expect.” Herder looked around the fire and found that all the attention was on him. Even the small black serpent had raised its head off the dragon’s back to look at him. Herder realized that he had become the designated story teller for the moment.

”When I was half my age I was herding a group of salt lizards to the coast line. I went along the mountains then south to avoid the swamp lands. It is safer that way for myself and the salt lizards. My client wanted the salt lizards so he could train them to consider the salt that came from the ocean breeze. To be honest I thought it was strange that someone would specifically train salt lizards for this reason but I did it anyways.” 

Herder remembered the request fondly. He had not herded lizards before and found that the dog sized salt lizards were extremely docile. Their only focus was to find salt in the earth and roll about in it while eating. They had lived a very relaxed lifestyle and were not considered a dangerous monsters in the least. 

”Once I have made it to the coast I visited an ocean side village. Many of the people had close ties to the merfolk and survived on the waters by hunting fish and other natural resources. The old man that had put in the request greeted me and took me around to show off their village.” Herder paused while taking a sip of water and glancing around the area quickly to make sure nothing sketchy was going on while they rested. 

”I saw one of the largest ships in my life. It was taller than any monster I had met and I swore one could get lost underneath the deck if they were not careful. The old man that hired me said that he had struck a deal with the captain who was taking half the salt lizards I herded for him.” Herer remembered that at this moment he had let himself get frustrated because he didn’t like the dual payment method. 

”I was escorted on to the ship and the old man pointed out many things I could take as payment. However, when I saw the small white calf I had a feeling that he would one day be a ferocious partner. I couldn’t even take my eyes from him. Now I may still curse not being paid in gold, but gaining my partner has made me a much better herder.” Herder was very happy to share this part of the tale. 

”So you two have been together since the fury tainted bull was a calf,” Walker mumbled this under his breath while thinking about the story.

”Fury tainted bull? I was told this is known as a fur changing bull. Maybe that is more of its natural name than the official name.” Herder was pondering this because it would make sense. The bull calf had come from a different continent all together and would never be known as the same thing to every single race in the world. 

”That is pretty amazing that you were able to raise it and keep herding. I bet that is why it is able to work so well together. Every time you whipped out we saw the bull change footing. The two styles you both used were perfectly combined.” Remey let them have a little insight in to the way she saw things with her new skill. She had not only recorded Herders’ style of battle but also the supporting style the bull used. 

”We do feel like we are one in a fight. But sometimes he lets his emotions run wild and he takes things a little far. I once got cornered by a group of frost imps while herding some young icicle elk. Before I realized it, he had bucked me off and started to crush the imps by himself. I had not realized his horns had such strength. His fur was totally red and I thought he would never calm down. Luckily all it took was for me to mention a few sweet words…” Herder trailed off looking at the bull. 

”So he packs a decent punch too. I bet his attacks style is similar to his supporting style.” Remey started to mumble herself while she tried to add to her alchemical brawlers field guide. For her, this was a constant aspect of her new skill. She would always need to add more and more to complete the battle styles and improve her own battle style while also being on the look out for herbs to add to the guide as well. 

”That is a pretty great story. I have only met two other herders before since I grew up in the fields outside of the kingdom. I thought that I might be lucky and met one of them but you’re sheep are white and theirs black. And the other definitely does not ride a white bull.” Gil laughed while changing the subject slightly. 

”Black sheep?” Herder turned his head in acknowledgment. ”I have met a shepherd with black sheep. They were some interesting monsters for use. They looked like normal sheep with black wool. But, when I got too close to the herd I found that they could actually use fire element attacks. It was pretty strange. Lucky for me the shepherd saw me and stopped them.” Herder laughed himself as he recalled the blunder. 

”Wait, they weren’t black sheep, but monsters?” Gil was taken aback by this realization. If the black sheep were actually monsters then it would make way more sense how they would end up lost and abandoned in comparison to normal black sheep. ”Who would have thought that someone I knew was actually herding a rare sheep like monster.” 

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