Sensing the life progressively slipping out of his body, Tolbar felt fear at the idea of eternal rest. However, with every drop of blood leaving his veins, this feeling subsided to change into a cold but comfortable stillness.
'It doesn't feel that bad after all.' he thought.
He had had his share of fun, money, fame, and love. Not romantic love, but closer to a parental one. In truth, only one thought kept him from totally giving up on life.
'My little spark....'
***
15 YEARS AGO.
Ex-sergeant Tolbar had 25 years old when he was standing in front of the city lord's mansion. He had just come back from his last mission during his mandatory military service. It had involved leading his squad to kill kindlings roaming around the Taro outpost.
It had been an arduous endeavor since a chreck had appeared. The hulky undead had had enough power to leave dents if not holes in steel plates.
Tolbar had sacrificed three-quarters of his men to take it down. The guilt of leading ten brave men to their doom left a wound in his heart that never truly healed.
Afterward, he had been awarded the 'Firestar', one of the most prestigious medals a soldier could hope to get, even with an entire life in the army; Tolbar had been envied by most because of it, but also respected.
Bards–in the few taverns still standing in Talmera–still sing songs to this day, of a mere sergeant in the army obliterating all kinds of undead in a berserk state. Of course, the stories were exaggerated, amplified, and distorted to please the audiences.
He had been offered a promotion to the rank of lieutenant but refused. The berserker couldn't stand the responsibilities and burden that came with the rank. Plus, most of the officers were stuck up the ass nobles, whom he despised. Only the city lord had his respect among those greedy pigs.
The military contract–he had signed 5 years ago–in hands, he noticed a letter carefully folded in.
'17th, Month of Aler, year 15 After the Fall.
To the ex-sergeant Tolbar Balmud, son of Talbar Balmud and Ysult Ifrit.
I would like to congratulate you on finishing your exemplary military service. Your deeds have made their way up to me, which I couldn't believe at first. Indeed, it is rare for a non-pyromancer to distinguish himself to this degree.
I know your people are still feared and suffer discrimination because of their origins and power. Nevertheless, however uncommon it may sound to my citizens, I would like to invite you into my service.
Further details can be discussed at a later date. Should you accept the offer, give this letter to the men guarding my mansion, and they will let you in after reading it. If they don't, you have my blessing to beat some sense into them.
Courage before death.
Kabolt von Cartela.'
"Courage before death." Tolbar had replied with the army's traditional salute: right fist on the left chest.
Now standing in front of the mansion, Tolbar still couldn't believe the content of the letter. He kept reading it along the way, where the men and beardy women of Cartela had kept stealing glances at the berserker, intently eyeing a piece of paper while walking.
Serving the city lord was a privilege, as non-pyromancer special units were all under his command.
"Halt! State your business, savage!" a man guarding the mansion entrance in full plated armor and pointy metal hat said, aiming his halberd at Tolbar.
He's seen the man from afar. Who wouldn't with their unique features: both men and women were bald and tall with bulging muscles.
Tolbar was used to such treatments and paid no heed to the guard's disrespectful manners.
"I've come under the order of Kabolt von Cartela. Here's an official letter sent to me by the city lord himself." Tolbar said while handing over the piece of paper.
The blonde-haired guard who talked previously took it and the one next to him tilted his balloon-like head to glimpse at the content. But before he could do so, his college tore apart the letter.
"As if I would believe that! You're just here to beg for money and rights like all the other savages!"
The guard, Toma, couldn't stand those people from the far east. He thought of them as a violent and uncultured bunch. Even though what he had just said was a lie, the small man truly thought it was the truth.
Sigh.
'Predictable,' Tolbar thought.
"Now get out of here before I..."
The guard tried to yell something, but the ex-sergeant grabbed his halberd and pulled, dragging him like an old rag towards the barbarian.
BAM.
The momentum empowered the vicious hook on the shin, dropping the guard head first on the ground, where Toma passed out, his brown eyes still opened from shock.
The barbarian gazed at Leo, Toma's college and best friend, who was ready to strike. The man's short legs were shaking just at the thought of facing the giant. It was truly a scene depicting 'David versus Goliath'.
"H, h, halt! In the name of K, K, Kabolt v, v, von Cartela, y..."
The stuttering man was so focused on trying to speak normally that he did not notice the ground replacing the sky in his vision.
Having dealt with both men, Tolbar pushed the metal gate open. Once inside, he was halted by a wondrous vision.
In front of him was a sumptuous mansion built in grey stones of the finest quality, which could easily fit a hundred people. The rooftops boasted impressive gargoyles, with rubies filling the eyes. Dozens of windows reflected the sunlight on their smooth surface, threatening to blind Tolbar if he watched any longer.
In between the gate and the mansion stood a fountain with statues carved with such precision that the past heroes it depicted–even after their passing–seemed ready to fight at the first sight of an enemy.
Tolbar had heard many rumors about the beauty of the city lord's dwelling, but he never thought it would fascinate him to the point overlooking his dropping saliva and the redheaded little girl standing next to him.
"Good morning drooling-mister." said the little girl.
Embarrassed, the barbarian quickly wiped his mouth.
"Good morning," Tolbar answered in his rock-like voice.
"Are you here to see lord father?"
'Lord father?' Tolbar wondered.
"Hum, I'm not sure who your father is, little girl, but I'm here to see Kabolt von Cartela."
She puffed up her chicks.
"That's what I just said, lord father."
'Don't tell me...'
"Oups, lord father warned me to never speak with strangers."
The little girl pondered about what to do if her father learned about it, fearing a punishment she already knew too well. Then an idea popped into her head.
"Let me introduce myself," she said, "I am Lena von Cartela, daughter of Kabolt von Cartela and Marie Delabroch."
Seeing the giant of a man standing like an idiot wondering what to do next, she coughed, hoping to catch his attention. It took Tolbar out of his reverie.
"I'm Tolbar."
"Are you not supposed to tell your parents' names too?"
"Not necessarily... I think."
Having never been taught proper manners, Tolbar couldn't know of the nobles' way of introducing themselves.
"Humm... okay! Now that we are not strangers anymore, I can talk to you!"
The little girl flashed a beaming smile at the giant, whose complexion softened immediately. Which surprised him since he had seen and talked to a fair number of children but always remained oblivious to them.
"Could you lead me to your lord father, little... Lena?" Tolbar asked.
The girl nodded joyfully and led the way to Kabolt's office. Before passing the mansion's doors, she couldn't keep her curiosity to herself and asked what has been buggering her.
"Hum, Tolbar, why are the misters at the gate sleeping?"
"That... they were tired."
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