Chapter 15: Hunting Trip

Adrian was standing in front of the bounty board pondering over what mission he would like to take. [honestly, I think I'm just going to go hunting instead, doing one at a time is insufficient] he thought.

After walking out the door of the guild hall, he witnessed Arthur barreling down the street.

"Adrian, you better have a good explanation as to why my brother came home crying with a swollen face." Arthur bellowed. "If not ..."

Adrian frowned,[that ass, I swear... I'm going to...., calm down Adrian. It's fine.. It's fine] Adrian, trying to calm himself down. "Arthur, I understand your feelings. Let's head into the guild and sit down, friend?"

"Alright," Arthur agreed nodding his head his head.

After, re-entering the guild, Adrian pulled out a seat for Arthur before sitting himself down opposite him at the table.

"Allow me to explain. Last night, after I went to the medical center to give Ferrum his share, I was headed back to the guild to get some sleep. However, your brother Raal showed up and demanded I give him my reward money." Adrian narrated last night's events, while sighing. "When I refused, he told me to slap myself 20 time, to which I also refused. I told him to leave before it escalated further, but instead he attacked me."

"So how does this explain what happened to his face?", Arthur questioned.

"After I avoided his attacks, I told him if he didn't slap himself 20 times, I'd take the matter to the city guards. His face is the result of his own decision" Adrian stated plainly.

"Is there anyone to corroborate, this story of yours?", Arthur questioned.

"There were people passing by, but other than that, no." Adrian revealed. "I'm sure by now you can make your own decision on the matter"

"Humph..." Arthur snorted, "I'm sorry for troubling you, but he is my brother and I have a responsibility to check the facts"

"I understand, but you should get a handle on him. The next time he attempts such things the person he tries it on may not be so forgiving. In fact, I only let him off as a favor to you." Adrian said with a nod. "Your brother has too many schemes, It will get him in a lot of trouble one day"

"You're right, I've let him, act a fool for too long." Arthur replied with and understanding nod. "Thank you for not alerting the guards of his actions."

"No problem, but there won't be a next time. I hope you understand my position? I will notify the town guards of his deeds the next time he attempts to rob me" Adrian informed.

"Yes, I understand," Arthur said, embarrassed by his brothers actions. "I'm going to teach him a lesson now, see you later."

"Alrighty then, good hunting my friend." Adrian joked as he watched Arthur saunter off in rage.

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In the courtyard of his home Arthur was repeatedly kicking his no good brother, "How dare you try to implement me in your schemes, you vile cretin!" Arthur yelled as he struck his brother again. "Will you not be happy until you drag my reputation into the mud with yours?!"

Raal was helpless against his brother, who was a ranked demon hunter. He had no choice but to take the beating.

"What do you think our ancestors would think if they knew the had such a disgrace as a descendant? They would surely turn over in their graves" Arthur bellowed, kicking him again. "If you weren't my only brother, I would abandon you in the forest."

Raal was feeling indignant, as he thought his brother would avenge him. He didn't think he would return to give him another beating. This whole incident would surely give him mental demons.

"Get up you useless fool, I want you to run 400 laps around this manor by night fall. If you don't, you'll be sleeping outside for the next year so help me!" Arthur bellowed.

Raal was dumbstruck. To be forced to run laps while injured. His hatred for Adrian boiled, he would not sleep well until Adrian was dead. [This is all his fault, that bastard will pay for all of this. I will not be happy until I feed his corpse to demons] Raal snapped. That night, he planned to disappear from Faldor, and set forth a plan to enact his vengeance.

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Adrian opened his map and looked at the surrounding portrayed by it. He had yet to travel to the nearby mountains, so he decided that this would be his destination for his hunt. He set a waypoint for a creak at the base of the mountain range.

Adrian informed Martin of his decision, in case someone came to look for him.

Heading off into the city, Adrian headed back to the medical center looking for Ferrum.

"If you're looking for your friend, you just missed him. Checked out first thing this morning" the doctor told him as she continued her work.

"Do you know where he went, if you do, could you please tell me?" Adrian requested.

"Towards the guild hall I assume" She told him.

"Okay, thank you for the information ma'am" he replied before spinning on the spot and walking back out the door.

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Ferrum was sitting at the bar in the guild hall with a pint in his hand. "umm... good stuff." He told the barkeep as he emptied his glass. "pour me another... would ya?"

He had only just arrived a moment ago and he had already downed his second pint. This left the bartender perturbed "Sir, I'm going to need to see some money first" the barkeep requested, keeping a serious tone.

"Calm down... calm down, I got yur.. hic... money, right here" Ferrum said, placing 50 pieces on the counter, "So you can pour me another one now, right?" looking at the bartender with a raised eye-brow.

Wordlessly the barkeep slid another pint of lager down the bar.

Ferrum caught the pint effortlessly, before slamming it down the back of his throat in one go, "Buurph..." Ferrum let out a belch as he laughed, he was in a good mood, the reward for the mission was more than enough for him to drink as much as he wanted.

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Adrian, strode into the guild and saw Ferrum passed out at the bar. He noticed the four empty pints in front of him and a half pint still clutched in his hands.

[well I guess he had himself a good time hah.] he thought while laughing.

Adrian walked up to Ferrum and shook his shoulder "Ferrum wake up, you've passed out at the bar my friend."

Groggily, Ferrum opened his eyes "Ah, Adrian you here for a drink too... hic", Ferrum said laughing.

"Is there some kind of detox, to get him sober quickly?" Adrian asked the bartender.

"You won't find anything like that, in a small town like this." the barkeep replied, with a laugh.

This frustrated Adrian as he had planned to ask Ferrum if he wanted to travel to the mountains with him. taking into account ferries current condition, this seemed unlikely to happen.

[I guess I'll go by myself, then] Adrian thought as he left the guild for the third time today heading for the town gate.

As he approached the gate he happened to see Elian leaving the apothecary. "Elian!" Adrian shouted as he ran up to her. "Do you have plans for the next few days?" he asked.

"Not really, why do you ask?" she questioned.

"I was about to leave on a hunting trip to the mountains. Would you like to accompany me?" he asked. "I could use the help if your interested?"

"Sure, I don't mind." she replied full of smiles. "Just let me inform my maid Jamie about the matter. In case my father asks for my were-about."

"Okay, I'll wait outside the gate for you", Adrian nodded in understanding.