With No Other Alternatives.

"Cornelia." Ulcan called out, as he knocked on the bedroom door. "Get up, or you shall be late for classes. Certainly you will not want that, will you?" The boy asked, proceeding to kick on the door. However, there was no response, much to the latter's vexation. He later proceeded to rattle on the door handle. "Would you open up already and stop being so impossible?! I know you are already dressed!" The lad called out, his voice reverberating through the hallways. "What are you doing?" A voice rang into his ears, causing him to flinch, involuntarily. "What else?" Ulcan asked, as he gave ehis older brother a frown. "A certain someone is acting like a rabbit in the burrow at the moment. She refuses to come out,.despite my persuasions!" Ulcan exclaimed, and as though to prove his point, began to kick the door. "Well, if she is a rabbit, then you must be a rabid dog." Jamien replied, in a monotonous voice. "That explains why she is so terrified of you." He further elaborated. Ulcan gave the door one more desperate kick, before giving a helpless sigh. He began to ponder as to why the door was yet to give way, despite all his previous attempts. "Unless you so desire to pay for the house expenses, I would kindly advice you to Desist from your actions." Jamien told him, with the most hospitable grin on his face, causing Ulcan to Take a few steps backward. Jamien, upon noticing that his threat had fulfilled its purpose, proceeded to knock on the door as well. "Cornelia." He called out, in a soft voice. "You have not taken ill, have you?" He asked. A slightly muffled, indistinct 'No' came from the other end of the door. "So what is the matter with you? Why have you been not been attending classes? I can even hear your school bells miles from here." Jamien pressed. "Well, that is.." Cornelia began to stutter incomprehensibly. "I have had just about enough of your excuses, Cornelia." Jamien stated, in a strict tone. "I have already paid your tuition fees for this session. If your mentality about education had undergone a drastic change, then you ought to let me use the funds to get some foodstuff instead." Jamien felt a sharp tap on his shoulders. "Brother, do you not think you are being a little harsh?" Ulcan inquired, whispering into the latter's ears. But the young man just gave him an unsightly glare. "Stay silent, if you have an ounce of compassion towards your own self." Jamien simply told him. 'What Is the issue with him? Ever since the incident that occurred that night, he has been acting rather strangely.' Ulcan observed, whilst compelling himself to break eye contact with his older brother. 'And whatever is that strange sound?' He thought inwardly to himself, his eyes staring at the door before him. Prior to Jamien's arrival, Cornelia's room had been silent, but ever since her conversation with Jamien, they had been a ruckus In its interior- which could be associated with the noise of grating. "Ought we to check up on her?" Ulcan inquired, reaching out for the door handle once more, but Jamien placed his hand before him. "Be patient." He simply stated, In a calm tone. A clicking sound could be heard, accompanied by the door swinging slowly. A small head revealed itself, her light brown eyes staring at both boys in a cautious manner. "What is it you conceal?" Jamien asked, pushing the door ajar. The little child attempted to stop him; but her strength paled greatly in comparison to that of her brother's- and hence failed in her attempts. "What.. is all this?" Ulcan called out In wide eyed surprised, while Jamien simply stared in Cornelia's direction. All manner of furniture and items- from the girl's reading table to various set of luggage, was stacked all about the room. "Well?" Ulcan asked once more, turning towards the child, who had a slight blush to her cheeks. "Whatever do you mean 'Well?' It Is all your doing, afterall!" Cornelia exclaimed, as she stamped her foot in Agitation. "How so?" Ulcan asked. Jamien had already gotten the issue of the discourse at that moment- The girl had probably placed all those items behind the door, in order to ensure that Ulcan did not break through. "Will you two be silent?" He asked, in an irritated tone. The two children who were intent on waging a war against each other immediately fell silent at once, staring at him with innocent eyes. "You are already dressed for school as it appears to me, so why did you change your mind?" Jamien asked, eyeing the child who stood before him. His analysis was not wrong- Cornelia had indeed put on the green and white uniform, her black, long hair ardoned in white ribbons. Her school bag laid on her bed, a few books bringing themselves into display from therein. All was in place- save for the disorganized room, and the fact that what was upon her feet were not shoes, but a pair of bedroom slippers instead. "Put on your shoes, lest you wish to be whipped for your impunctuality." Jamien relayed to her, when he noticed that she chose to remain silent. "I will, but only if.." She turned her head away, glancing into another direction. "Will you accompany me once the school closes?" She asked, in a low tone. Jamien clenched his fist, or rather, the axe which was in his right hand. Cornelia glanced upwards, after feeling a weight against her skull. "Of course." Jamien stated. "All you ever needed to do, was to ask." He added, causing a smile to appear on the girl's face.

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 Jamien swung the doors open, and was not the least bit surprised as to how packed the place was. Not only that, but it was also noisy as well. "They sure speak a whole lot of nonsense." The boy sighed, as he unwillingly overhead the conversation of the adults. His crimson eyes swiftly scanned through the vicinity; as though he was searching for someone. "Child, you are not allowed to bring That weapon in here, I am afraid." A voice stated, and he felt a hand being placed on his shoulder. He turned around, only to witness a pair of black eyes staring down at him- he was the owner of this Palour. A slight smile came to Jamien's face. "Why not? Are you perhaps afraid that I may kill someone with it?" He asked, with a slight tilt of his head. The eyes of the speaker widened momentarily, before the grip on his shoulder intensified; slight cracking sounds resounding from the region. 'He is strong.' Jamien thought, as he glanced at the man with gritted teeth. 'I guess all those striations- were not for naught afterall.' He added, forcefully maintaining his smile. "You do not understand, child- There are a lot of guilds present at the moment, and even I did not permit them to bring their weaponry. Do you want them to rave my tavernto th ground, once that Comes into their line of sight?" The man asked, gazing petulanty at the item in Jamien's right hand. "Why do you not just admit that you are not willing to permit the activity of your business to dwindle?" Jamien was determined to engage the man, ignoring the fact that he could no longer feel the sensationof his shoulder being squeezed. "Let the child be, Faruk." A voice called out, causing Jamien turn his head in its direction. The addressed waved his hand lazily; an insidious grin on his lips. Before him, laid several bottles of beer; it was a wonder as to how the man drank it all, given the fact that he was the only one seated at the table. "Is he a spawn of yours?" Faruk asked, a slight frown coming to his face. "Ah, how many sons do you believe I have birthed, Faruk?" The man hiccuped, all the while leaning his back against the seat. "Alright." The man exhaled in defeat, as he released the arm of the young man. "Take care to not start a fight." He added, glaring at Jamien.

 The young man walked to the table with a smile; the one who had redeemed him from a perilous circumstance was no stranger. "Is it Not considered too early to be in a stupor, Edvagar?" He asked, before heaving a sigh. "The least you could do is to wait for the sun to hang above the horizon." "Do not just stand there lad; Be entitled to seat." Edvagar quipped, setting some empty bottles down to the floor, making a little bit of space to be available. "I wonder how your wife would react to this, If she were to find out." Jamien stated, gently ensuring to conceal his axe underneath the table, without attracting to himself, any attention. "Mind that lid of yours lad; it seems that you take my hospital for granted." Edvagar stated, with a low growl. Jamien looked around the tavern; not only were there a lot of unfamiliar faces at the tavern today, but there were a few aristocrats as well. "You have become so handsome, child." The wasted Edvagar Called from the table, his head lowered. "Perhaps I should give you one of my daughters." He stated, with aow groan. Jamien gazed at him in disgust. "My appearance is still the same as my initial one; perharps you just speak under the influence." Jamien stated, with a low scoff. "Whatever do you mean? Do you not see that people continously mistake you to be your son of mine?" Edvagar stated, making a fuitile attempt to scowl. "Because they constantly find me in your presence." Jamien explained, before glancing at the man who had initially apprehended him earlier, who was currently behind the counter. "Do you think he would accept me If I offer to become his apprentice?" Jamien asked, a resting his head to his chin. "After your initial show of disrespect to him? Ha! I wish you good luck!" Edvagar scoffed, restraining the urge to laugh out loud. Jamien secretly clenched his fist, he had to fight against the intuition to slash the man's head in half with his axe. But on a more contrary note- he was desperate needed to seek for a stable job soon. The monsoons were bound to start soon, which meant that his occupation as a lumberjack was going to be left, for a while. This was the one season when the forest was left to fallow, and recuperate from its initial losses, bringing forth new birth from the soil. Besides, there was another reason why he had decided to leave his current vocation as well- the women found it difficult to kindle flames in the rainy period, especially for those who preferred to cook outside the kitchen, due to all the smoke and sooth. Dealers of stoves had it easy off during this period as well- and he could not bare to seat at home like a retrenched worker. Unlike: "Alcoholic beverages seem to sell all year round, though." Jamien accidentally voiced out his thoughts. "Edvagar raised his head "Of course it does! You have no idea how it benefits us men!" He yelled, drawing half the attention towards him. "Edvagar, please just go to sleep now." Jamien stated, as he placed a finger on the bridge of his nose. "You! You don't think I forgot what it is you did to old Jon, do you? You.." "Have some more beer, Edvagar." Jamien stated, pouring some more alcohol into the glass of the old man. Edvagar's eyes glittered at that, and he quickly swallowed down the offering in one gulp. Jamien sighed- he began to regret the reason he revealed that information to him a few days prior. Sure, everyone thought the old man was insane- but that did not justify the fact that he indeed kill someone. He stated at the table- he was obviously not in control of himself, as he did that. It seemed as though as time progressed, he had begun to forget about his identity- and forget about his sense of self. And as for Cornelia- he frowned lightly. It seems as though the incident had left behind an indelible mark on her being- to the extent that even her grades had began to dwindle slightly.

 "Whatever do you mean by that?!" A man exclaimed, slamming his hand on the table. The sound attracted most of the people, of whom turned their heads towards their direction. The confrontation turned out to be- between two Men. One of the men had a black bandanna strapped against his head, apparently bowing low to the other man, who was exquisitely clothed. "But the sum you mentioned is too little, I am afraid." He began, but the older man grabbed the other by the throat. "Three hundred gold coins? Is that wha you classify as a small sum?" The man asked. "Is that not the leader of the tiger guild?" Jamien could not Help but mumbled absent mindedly. The child was not at all familiar with guilds, but at least, he was familiar with this one- due to its notorious nature. The offending man glanced downwards, unable to speak. For a brief moment, tension reigned Supreme in the tavern. "If he is not up for the task, then may I perform It in his place?" A voice rang out. "Jamien?" Edvagar raised his head, only to notice an empty chair opposite him. "This child.." Edvagar mumbled angrily to himself, feeling the pressure of his blood rise.

 The two men glanced at the child who stood before them, wielding an axe. "You.." The leader of the tiger guild was infuriated to notice someone attempt to steal his opportunity from underneath his nose. His main Goal was to negotiate with the Viscount, manipulating him in the process to donate some more funds. But he had never anticipated for this!

 "You.." He began, turning towards the direction of Faruk. "I believed you said that weaponry was not allowed?" He asked, shooting a deadly gaze at the bartender, who in turn just gazed at the child before him. The Viscount was perplexed as well. "Child, do you even know what It is that we adults discuss amongst ourselves?" The viscount Asked, gazing intently at the child, who stood before him. Jamien simply shrugged his shoulder. "I heard the sound of money. Which Is the reason I bothered myself to come forth." Jamien explained. "Do you even realize what the true nature of the task at hand is?" The leader of the Tigers guild vociferated, His bandana nearly slipping from his forehead, impairing his vision as he did so. "What if it is to kill someone?" He asked, with a smile. 'The mere sound of that word is sure to make him back out- he appears no Older than fourteen, afteall.' The leader of the red guild had the utmost confidence in his thoughts. Little did he know, that the entity who stood before him could no less be considered an actual human. "Kill?" Jamien repeated, with a tilted head. That was sure to be simple enough- he had already done it before, afterall. "There is bound to be, no much more of an issue over that. "I will do it." Jamien declared, much to the surprise of all who were present. "What do you mean by that?" The red guild leader stated, while grabbing Jamien by the arm. "You heard me clearly. And, don't touch me." Jamien stated, shrugging his arm out of the man's grasp. "Why does the issue seem to affect you? You were the one that turned down the offer. If I had that particular amount at hand.." It would be more than sufficient to pay for the outstanding house dues, and perhaps restock on their supplies. And yet, there would still be a couple of pennies left to spare. "You." The man called, making Jamien to turn at his direction. "Are you really capable of what you just said?" The man asked. Jamien glanced at him for a moment- although the man that stood before him seemed to be a noble, he could not give the slight damn about polishing his mannerisms. "And If I could?" Jamien asked. "You mannerless brute.." one of the men from the Viscount's side came up to him, but his movements got impeded by the Viscount himself. "Are you certain of what you say, child?" The man asked, even crouching down, close to him. "You are still rather young, I am afraid- It would be such a shame if you end up dying untimely." The man persisted, a pitiful look on his face. "Viscount, are you seriously going to assign the task to this child?!" The red guild leader exclaimed in surprise. "Why, he does not even have a decent crew!" "I do." Jamien interrupted him, holding his axe gingerly. "This one" He added, obviously referring to the axe. The leader of the red guild sighed; if only such a spectacle was not present, then perhaps he could..

"If you could not gain a reward in monetary form, but in the physical, which one would you prefer?" The man continued his interrogation. "Well.." Jamien pondered for a while, before glancing at Faruk briefly. "Is it alright for me to claim ownership of this tavern? And in name as well- it should be equivalent to three hundred gold coins, is it not?" Jamien asked once more. The viscount only glanced at Faruk for a brief moment, before a slight smile came to his face. "Come with me, child."

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 Jamien could only sigh, as he pulled the hood on front of him Lower, trailing the man before him. It was night currently; and the torch held up by the adult which he followed did not necessarily illuminate the path of which they followed. If the night time silhouette was up at least; it would have graciously blessed the environs and everything around it with a sliver light. But since the night fell, the clouds had continously hovered around the moon. "Do not tell me that the monsoon is going to start early this year." Jamien muttered to himself, and for a brief moment, his leader turned around, the hostility very much clear In his eyes. "Desisit from your noise making, Lad." The man said, his voice literally in a growl. 'Ah, such delightful companions I have acquired for myself.' Jamien thought, a twitching smile on his face. "Do you see that road, Lad?" The man asked, pointing a torchlight over at a particular path. "That is the path that the Viscount's brother is bound to follow. You already know what it is you have to do." The man stated, before passing the torch towards him. Jamien frowned. 'Is that all? He thought, as he watched as the darkness gradually enveloped the man. "Well, first things first.."

 The man that had pre-occupied him with this mission was indeed an aristocrat, as he had thought. Commonly identify as Viscount Heratck. "Aristocrats are even more diabolical than I had expected." Jamien thought, while fiddling with his shovel. For the first impressions, Jamien had already speculated that he was a scheming and conniving villian, who was willing to go through any means to get what he wanted. And so far, the red guild had been his instrument of corecion; until the sudden fall out with the guild master, of course. And the person he wanted to teach a lesson this time was- his own blood brother. The Viscount was of the inclination that his brother was a threat to his position as the family head. Jamien chuckled to himself- nothing would ever make him possibly cause harm to his siblings. "Alright. I believe this would be deep enough." Jamien stated as he wiped the sweat from his forehead. He estimated that he should have roughly spent half of an hour digging into the soil. As he went to conceal himself in the bushes, the rays of the moon began to slowly piece through the melancholic sky. 'Fortunately, I was able to fulfill my promise to Cornelia..'

 The sound of voices awoke the sleeping Jamien. The boy peeped above the bush, only to witness a carraige, with one of the wheels stuck in a ditch. Jamien smiled to himself- the purpose of which the ditch was dug did not go for naught. "My lord, the wheel seems to be really stuck in." The coachman said, even attempting to raise the wheel with his bare hands. The addressed sighed for a moment, while the moonlight shone down the carraige, as though announcing the target to his victims. "It turns out that there were not wrong, afterall." Jamien stated, as he gradually advanced from the bushes, while holding his axe. The viscount had indeed guaranteed that that would be the only person that would pass down this path. "Master, there Is a child." The coachman stated, when he observed Jamien walking slowly towards their direction. "Child, do you so happen to be lost?" The older Man called out. Jamien however did not respond, but continued to progress forward. "Is he perharps mute?" The older aristocrat muttered to himself. "Child, I was asking you something." The man asked with a frown, approaching the child. "My lord?" The coachman called out uncertaintll, but the man had already walked up to the Lad, placing his hands on Jamien's shoulder even. "Are you alright, child?" He asked once more. "I am alright." He Heard the boy say. "However, you won't be." "My lord!" The coachman called out in shock- everything so happened in a flash. Jamien opened his eyes in surprise- he had not expected someone to block his strike, suddenly. The person wore a mask- so Jamien was unable to view his face. "You used a lot of force, kid." The man stated, when he noticed the degree of how deep the axe had sunk into the shield. "My lord!" The coachman called out in haste, picking the fallen man from the ground. "To be honest, when these folks had approached me earlier, I had not expected for their words to come true." He stated, while the coach man pulled him away from the scenario where things were began to unfold. As though that was not enough, more indistinct shadows began to appear one after the other. 'This is.' Jamien could not Help but to take a few paces backwards. 'They did not inform me, that another guild was bound to be here.' He stated, feeling a sort of despondency rise in his heart. "Child, it is not too late for you to turn back. Perhaps we shall spare your life." The man who had a smile placed before him, said in a solemn tone. 'From the manner of which he speaks, could he possibly be the leader?' Jamien thought, as he strained his eyes. All in all, they were about five in number. 'What If they are more, but they concealed themselves?' Jamien thought, as he looked about him vigilantly. But all of a sudden, and without warning, He dashed forward. "Anessa, stop him!" The man called out in alarm. 'If I simply turn back now, all this would be for naught.' Jamien thought to himself, all the while drawing a small dagger from the pocket of his coat. But what was more was the fact that.. 'This weapon is laced with poison. It Is good that I had a back up plan.' He said, as he glanced at the man before him. The coachman had an agitated expression on his face, as though he was willing to abandon his master, if need be. 'Almost... Ack!' Something hard piece against his shoulder- he could feel it all the way to the bones. When he gazed toward his left- there was an arrow sticking out of it. It would not have been that bad, if that same shoulder had not been crushed by Faruk's grasp earlier that morning. He crudely removed the arrow from his shoulder, lightly wincing in pain. "Anessa? Why are you staring about for?" The damsel flinched, as her captain addressed her. She did not know why- but when she stared into the eyes of the teenager. They appeared to glow for some reason. "My arrows were laced with sedatives- why are they not working?" Anessa muttered to herself, nearly confused. But unknown to her- the arrows simply had a late effect. 'So close.' Jamien thought. As he slightly wavered on his feet. His thoughts were disoriented for some reason. A force collided with his back, causing him to loose his footing. Fortunately, the moon reflected the edge of theweapon,causing him to roll to the other side. "Do you not think that this is a bit shameless?" Jamien said, as he gazed at his aggressor. The man did not respond, but he rather raised the axe from the sand, revealing a huge cleft beneath. "Damn, my head." Jamien muttered, rising to His feet. But once more, he felt a strong force across his ribs, sending him flying. As he did, he struck his forehead against a rock, and laid there, motionless- while a river of his own blood seeped out from beneath him.

 "Sayal, we were not Meant to Kill him!" The shield bearer said, as soon as he noticed this. "Why not?" The man stated. As he glanced at the shield bearer in animosity. "He is such a troublesome Brat, he deserved to die!" The man stated, removing his garment he used to wrap his face. "Or do you dare to go against me?" He asked. "Of course not.." The man mumbled something incomprehension in a low tone

 Jamien could still Hear them, albeit faintly. He attempted to open his eyes, but his own blood interfered with the sight. His hands failed about lifelessly, as though seeking an affirmation from some source, that this was... not the end. "Ulcan, Cornelia." Those two names came into his head. 'I am so..' 'How pitiful. And here I was, thinking that I had finally attained a vessel." A voice rang In his head, causing Jamien to use what little strength he had to raise his head. "Who?" He began, but his head plopped once again to the ground. He heard the a tongue being clicked. "This shan't do. It would be too much of a waste." The voice said, before sighing. "Child, you owe me." Immediately that was said, Jamien could feel his power rise. He was getting up- but at the same time, he was not. "All I need is for you to be my vessel- unless, you don't want to ever see your siblings again." The voice stated, In a mocking tone. Jamien had a lot of questions In his head, that would probably never be answered. Only one thing was certain- "I oblige." He said weakly.

 "Did he escape safely?" Sayal asked, as one of the subordinates came running this. "I just sent them off- it is good that we made adequate preparations." The man replied, with a curt nod. "Sayal, can we depart now?" Anessa asked- she was the one who had struck Jamiem with the arrow earlier on. "Leave? Who said you could leave?" A voice asked. Sayal and his Gang turned towards the direction- only to witness the harrowing sight. Standing there, staring at them with blood shot eyes, with a fist size hole in his forehead, and a smile on his face was .. "This is going to be burdensome." The entity stated, as he ripped off the shirt, revealing a huge black Bruise on one of the shoulders. "This child, was really close to leaving this world." He muttered, feeling the scar in his forehead. He stretched forth his hand, catching the projectile. And snapping it in half. " A nice shot, Anessa." Jamien smiled, turning in her direction. "Is that not your name?" The damsel took a few steps backward- she had only acted on impulse, having seen a living dead before her. "I see." Jamien muttered, having sighted a black bandanna in the midst of the group. "So, may we proceed from whence we left off?"