Larian's Experiment

Larian smiled politely to the boy sitting across from him despite his companions' scowl of mistrust or the fact that he'd yet to take his hand off his weapon. "As I was saying my next mission is to take place at the Second Gelian Academy. For the last two semesters, there have been a number of unsettling events. The headmaster refuses to call them attacks but I gather it is as such. During the most recent semester, the entire campus was placed on lockdown. Then enchantments were put in place to strictly regulate the comings and goings of even those who entered the campus or their dorm. Still, it seemed to have only made the attacks more frequent. Luckily no one has died yet so they have managed to keep things quiet. But now they suspect one of the students is behind the attacks."

Larian took a platinum flask from within his jacket and took a deep swig noticing how the boy's eyes lit up with greed seeing it. "I've been hired to pose as an instructor. I had a helper who was to pose as a new student in order to serve as my eyes and ears where a teacher couldn't be. Sadly, he is no longer with us. I was resigned to doing the job alone not expecting to find anyone able to pass as a student when the fates presented me with you."

Larian gave his most charming smile hoping to elicit a response from the boy but instead only got a raspy question. "How much does it pay?"

"Ahh, well the pay is a bit… unique as expected of such an unique job. The headmaster would prefer to keep things as quiet as possible so has agreed to not only enroll my associate but to waive not only the tuition and dorm fees for the duration of the mission but to give them a full ride. The value of such a reward can not be measured in just coin, though I will say it is worth far more than your average job."

"So ya be just needing me to spy on people? Or are ya want'n to use me for bait?" Larian was debating on denying both despite how close to the truth it was when the boy continued. "Not that it matters to me either way. But I don't see the value of no school'n. I'd rather coin, school'n don't put food on your table." As if the mention of food awakened it, his stomach growled loudly.

"Well, I wouldn't underestimate the value of a diploma from the academy. At the very least you would learn to read, it would make things easier wouldn't it?" Larian prodded the young man eager to see his reaction.

He'd bet on the boy bristling up at being called on his inability to read. Perhaps embarrassment? Surprise or shock that Larian had noticed his inability to read. Instead, Larian received nothing, as in the boy showed no real response but simply responded. "Fair 'nuff. But I still want paid coin. I'll need food n things while I'm at this school spyin for ya."

"Well, the academy will take care of all your food needs I assure you. A uniform will be provided as well. In fact, all your daily needs will be met." Seeing that his words had no impact on the boy he decided to sweeten the deal. "How about twenty-five bronze knots a week as pocket money?"

For the first time since sitting down with the boy, he got an honest reaction. The flash of hunger in his eyes gave away his greed. 'Ahh to be so young and inexperienced. I was starting to think I was dealing with a master negotiator. But it seems the boy truly cares about little but money. I have a feeling the entertainment from this child will be worth far more than what I am to pay. What is money compared to the boredom of life? I haven't had a good experiment in ages.'

He expected the boy to accept his offer right away but he seemed to sink back as if debating. Finally, after a long while, the boy spat on his hand and held it out. "Alright, you got yourself a Hunter."

Larian stared at the grimy hand for a bit before starting to shake it. "Naw, ya got to spit on it to seal the deal."

An amused smile parted his lips as he choked down a chuckle. 'Finally, I think I've really found something to stave off my boredom.' Spitting on his hand, something no one in the grand courts would believe any arch mage let alone The Arch Mage Larian Skyfall would do, he shook the boy's hand, wincing slightly at the surprisingly strong grip. "Deal… but next time please don't try and break my hand." He cradled the offended hand. "You have a monstrous group there boy!"

D just shrugged as his stomach growled loudly.

**********

Laughing Larian offered to take his new business partner to one of the local taverns to get a bite to eat and was surprised when the boy rasped out that he would rather get on the road immediately. After stopping by with Nip to have an official job writ created and to stock up on supplies, the two started out of Pentok. Larian studied the boy from the corner of his eye wondering if he would look back perhaps in relief or disgust at the tiny outpost but his new partner did neither. Eyes only forward.

For the rest of the day, Larian set their pace to be a grueling one. He was even forced to use magic to replenish his stamina, all in the hopes of eliciting a response from the boy. But despite that the boy trudged along seeming unburdened by his large pack nor did he complain about the pace. Though his stomach did plenty of complaining on his behalf. When he realized their pace was neither tiring to the boy nor going to elicit any sort of response he tried engaging the lad in conversation.

"So how did you end up a Hunter?"

"Was bought and made one."

"Bought? Slavery is illegal in Galian isn't it?"

"From an orphanage, not a slaver."

"Do you like being a hunter?"

"No"

"What about your parents?"

"Dead,"

"What happened to the hunters you were with before?"

"Dead"

Larian wasn't put off by the boy's short answers expecting as much from him. He truly didn't expect much but was starting to treat him like one of his experiments, slowly probing away from different angles. Moving from the past to his present and then the future.

"What do you like to do in your free time?"

"Dunno."

"Do you have plans for your future?"

"Get rich."

"What's your favorite food?"

Larian had finally struck gold. The raspy-voiced boy started telling him about the meal he'd had the night before. Things he liked about it. Things he was disappointed about, such as the ale. He freely moved on to other things he'd seen people eat he wanted to try. What he thought various things would taste like. Which he thought would be better than others and why. For hours the boy talked of nothing but food.

When he finally started to peter out on the topic of food he drifted back into silence. On every other topic from girls to weapons his answers were short, often a single word. Larian also pushed through lunch never stopping despite the grumblings of his own stomach. Again, he simply wanted to see how the obviously hungry boy would act. Most children his age would have complained about their hunger. Asked for food or even taken some of the rations he carried in his pack and simply started eating as he walked. But D did none of them and instead kept walking forward always looking ahead as if marching on an empty stomach was common.

'Perhaps it is for him.' Larian considered as he looked askew at the skinny boy. Thanks to the forced march they made it to the next small outpost instead of having to camp out as Larian had originally planned.

As they walked into the tiny outpost D's stomach grumbled so loud several people gave him disapproving looks. Which got them a look just as angry in return with bared teeth as if the scrawny boy was likely to take a bite out of them.

"We better get something to eat. If not it looks like you might eat the next person who looks your way." Larian chuckled not knowing how close to the truth his statement was.