Mastery Is Earned

After comforting the bereaved families, Mayor Baines approached Raymond with Marcus and the others. Raymond, Henk, Dario, and several others were still gathered together after the burial.

Walter stopped before them, looked around, and turned to Dario. “Captain Dario.”

“Mayor!” Dario straightened and saluted him.

“Good. You look sharp!” Walter seemed pleased with him. “You’ve rendered distinguished service on several occasions recently. The bandit gang was wiped out under your command, as was the goblin tribe...”

Walter glanced at Marcus, whose expression had turned slightly strange, then added, “Of course, these accomplishments were also achieved under Sheriff Marcus’s leadership. Both of you have served the town well. The Town Council has approved the proposal. From this day forward, you will be Blackstone’s Deputy Sheriff and commander of the town guard!”

Delight appeared on Dario’s face, but he did not immediately accept. He looked toward Raymond and Henk and happened to meet Raymond’s eyes. The joy vanished from his face at once. He sighed, then spoke slowly. “Mayor, I am honored, but I must tell the truth. This young man and this half-orc were responsible for destroying both the bandit gang and the goblin tribe. They are the ones who truly deserve the credit. This young man killed the goblin leader. He also killed the leader of the bandits.”

“Oh? These two?” Walter followed Dario’s gaze toward Raymond and Henk, visibly surprised.

The corner of Marcus’s mouth twitched. He almost smiled, but quickly suppressed it and gave Dario a faintly reproachful look.

Dario appeared embarrassed. It was obvious how badly he wanted the promotion, but he was even less willing to take Raymond and Henk’s achievements as his own so openly.

Walter moved closer to Marcus, who whispered into his ear for quite some time. After a while, Walter slowly nodded.

He then approached Raymond and Henk with a warm smile. “What are your names?”

“Raymond.”

“Henk.”

“Very good.” Walter nodded, then returned to Dario. “Your honesty is remarkable, Captain Dario. A fine commander must be willing to report the facts as they are. That is a rare quality. Our vote was the right one. You deserve the position of Deputy Sheriff and commander of the town guard.”

Dario’s face flushed with emotion as he saluted again. “Yes, Mayor!” Perhaps he had become too excited. His expression suddenly twisted, as if the movement had pulled at his wounds.

Walter smiled sympathetically. Without dwelling on it, he returned to Raymond and Henk. “As for the two of you, it seems you’re not members of the town guard. Are you mercenaries? From the north?”

Raymond shook his head. “No, Mayor. I’m a local. I’ve lived in Blackstone since childhood. Henk is the one from the north.” He pointed toward Henk.

“I see. A half-orc from the north.” Walter smiled. “You make an unusual pair. Tell me, what reward would you like?”

A reward?

They could choose it themselves?

Raymond and Henk exchanged a glance, each seeing the other’s delight.

Raymond considered the question and was just about to answer when Walter continued. “Here’s what we’ll do. Every bounty and reward connected with this expedition will be doubled. As for the goblin leader you killed... Blackstone will set aside an additional sum as a special reward for the two of you.”

The delight vanished from Raymond’s face, leaving him momentarily stunned. Thinking it over, he realized that Dario had already promised to double the bounties. As for the additional sum, Walter had not even stated how much it would be. How could the Mayor announce it before so many people as though he had just bestowed some magnificent reward upon them?

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Walter gave Raymond no chance to respond. He turned to the others and continued in a stirring voice. “Blackstone needs young men with courage like yours! You are a remarkable young man, and your great deeds deserve to be remembered by every resident of this town. I will have the Town Council formally record the deeds the two of you accomplished on both occasions for all to see. Your names will be remembered by everyone in Blackstone. Newborn children will be named after you! I will also issue a formal commendation. From this day forward, you will be heroes of Blackstone! Blackstone never forgets!”

“Heroes of Blackstone!”

“Heroes of Blackstone!”

“Raymond!”

“Henk!”

Deafening cheers and applause erupted around them.

Henk’s breathing quickened under the flood of praise. He was clearly excited.

Raymond, on the other hand, looked uncomfortable. He forced a smile and turned to Walter. “You honor me too highly, Mayor. I only did what I should.”

“Look at that! What a modest young man!” Walter praised him without reserve. “Blackstone needs people like you. If every young person in town were like you, what could Blackstone possibly fail to accomplish?”

He continued, “The goblin leader may be dead, but the threat has not been completely eliminated. Stray goblins still roam Blackpine Forest and harass our people. But I believe that as long as we stand united, there is no threat we cannot sweep away!”

Walter continued proclaiming his slogans to the crowd. The townspeople shouted the Mayor’s name, swept up in the mood he had created.

Raymond and Henk quietly slipped away. Once no one was nearby, Raymond could no longer stop himself from muttering, “Damn it. I should’ve asked exactly how much money he meant.”

“Why? Weren’t you satisfied with what he gave you?” Henk asked.

Raymond stared at him in bewilderment. “What did he give me?”

“Applause and praise. Everyone called you a hero of Blackstone,” Henk replied solemnly.

Raymond scoffed. “You’re one of these so-called heroes too. Honestly, I’d rather have two silver coins. Fine words aren’t worth much.”

Henk considered this for a long moment before nodding firmly. “Mm. You’re right. Cash is more important.”

After they had walked a little farther, Raymond said, “I’m going to buy a weapon for protection. Do you want to come? Your hand-and-a-half sword needs some maintenance too, doesn’t it? And I think you need some proper protection.”

“No one’s managed to hurt me yet.” Henk grinned.

Raymond shook his head. “It’ll be too late once you’re hurt so badly you can’t get up. You should get some protection now. Though at your size, it’ll probably have to be custom-made.”

Henk looked down at his badly fitting linen shirt, then at Raymond’s well-tailored arming coat, which fit him closely. He nodded. “All right.”

Rather than heading straight to the smithy, they first returned to the Blackstone Inn. Raymond collected his coat of plates and shortsword, while Henk retrieved his hand-and-a-half sword. Only then did they set out.

The smithy owner greeted them warmly. He clearly remembered both Raymond and Henk. “Gentlemen, it’s good to see you again. What can I do for you today?”

Raymond placed the coat of plates on the counter. “This has seen some wear, and a few of the plates have come loose. I need you to secure them again.”

Henk drew his hand-and-a-half sword and passed it to the owner. Raymond added, “This sword needs repairs as well.”

The owner examined the weapon closely and gave an appreciative sigh. “This is a fine hand-and-a-half sword. The edge has several nicks, but there are no cracks in the blade. I can repair it. The blade will end up slightly narrower, but that won’t affect its use.”

Henk nodded without speaking.

Raymond placed the shortsword on the counter as well and asked the owner to inspect it and restore the edge.

“How much would a custom-made arming coat for him cost?” Raymond asked, pointing at Henk.

The owner looked Henk up and down. “An arming coat for him would cost around four silver coins.”

“Four?” Raymond raised an eyebrow and pointed at the one he was wearing. “Mine only cost two silver and twenty copper. Why such a large difference?”

“My apologies. I didn’t explain clearly,” the owner said quickly. “Your arming coat is a light version designed to be worn beneath a coat of plates. A light one for him wouldn’t cost nearly as much. But I believe a thicker arming coat with elbow-length or short sleeves would suit him better.”

Raymond’s expression eased. A difference in price was understandable if the construction differed. Henk was much larger as well and would require more fabric and padding. Four silver was not excessive.

“If your budget allows, I can also make him a pair of hardened leather bracers,” the owner added.

Henk appeared tempted, but he still cautiously asked, “How much?”

“Five silver in total. I can have everything ready within five days,” the owner replied.

Raymond glanced over the weapons displayed on the racks. “I also need a weapon that suits me.”

“Of course. The secondhand weapons are over here.” The owner smiled broadly.

“No, not secondhand.” Raymond shook his head and pointed toward the weapons on the racks. “I want a new one.”

“Certainly, sir. As you wish.” The owner’s tone became noticeably more courteous.

“In that case, can you give us a discount on the total price?” Raymond asked.