The Fatal Offer

Morroc, the Frontier, city of sand dunes and khamsin. Home to Midgards Thieves Guild and Assassin Guild. It was the only friendly city in the heart of the great Sograt Desert, a comfort to those who have strayed and shelter for the wanderers. Morroc was second to Geffen in terms of strictness in admitting Novices from Prontera. But, unlike the Mages and Wizards, Morrocans train their students to attack in blinding speed. Anyone with weak knees could go home.

Years ago Morroc was host to a flourishing slave trade under the great Caliph Osiris, but Prontera and the other city-states agreed to stomp out this inhuman trade and put a stop to abuse and cruelty. The kings of Prontera might have succeeded, but the Slave Trade still flourishes on in the background, concealed from prying eyes.

This city, ruled by the caliphate and Islam, was famous for the Sphinx and Morroc Pyramid, the graveyards of the Osiris dynasty. Undead thrived in the aforementioned places, thus making Morroc the number one in an Acolyte and Priests list of good level-up places.

Morroc was teeming with people from all sides. Wizards, Mages, Swordsmen, Knights, Archers, Hunters, Acolytes, Priests, Merchants, Blacksmiths and Novices could be seen walking around in the great bazaars and city squares.

But apart from being a tourist spot, Morroc could be the most dangerous place in Midgard

The Harassed Hornet was just one of Morrocs many pubs. It was situated between the armory dealer and the Oridecon, a well-known katar forge. The restaurant had three floors, the first two reserved for dining and drinking, while the third was home to the owners. It had a certain Swiss-like ambience with its dim lamps, antique wooden furniture and finely crafted woodwork.

Harassed Hornet was also famous for its Hode Steak, a rare delicacy valued not only by the natives but the Geffenese as well. They also served cool ale, mulled mead and delicious beer, and apart from that you had a wider selection of drinks from Holy Water to Picky Milk.

Muhammad and other Thief friends were regular patrons of the Harassed Hornet. Their favorite orders were Hode Steak, Peco-peco stew, Anacondaq soup and the highly intoxicating Zombie beer (this is NOT made from Zombie extracts, okay.).

 Muhammad and his friends were the center of attention for the girls until a certain Wizard hiding his face underneath the shade of a sakkat entered the pub. Every single head turned to the direction of the stranger, who strode silently toward the counter and took a seat there. The Wizard did not appear to have noticed the stony silence that greeted him.

"I would like to have lemonade, please." The Wizard told the bartender.  "Make that ice-studded."

The bartender nodded and moved to get the Wizards drink. One of the girls, a really pretty Thief, seemed to be attracted to the Wizards mysterious aura. She slapped off Muhammads hand and went off to the stranger.

"Howdy, handsome." The girl greeted as she sat beside the Wizard.  "Im Lorelei. You wanna chat? I have lots of time."

The Wizard flashed her a seductive smile.  "It seems to me, my beautiful darling, that you still have company. It would be impolite of me to entertain you when you are still amusing them."

Lorelei licked her lips.  "Ah, them? Theyre not my companions. And most certainly Muhammad is not my boyfriend."

The Wizard smiled yet again and took a sip from his lemonade. Muhammad was badly offended by Loreleis brash remark. He felt his temper rise when he saw the Wizard hook his right arm around Loreleis waist. He was also annoyed at her coy laughs and teases. He was, after all, her boyfriend.

Muhammad stood up and walked over to them, staggering. He was drunk.

"You windbag from Geffen!" Muhammad screamed, bringing out his Damascus.  "Leggo of my girl and face me like a man, why dont you?!?"

"You are drunk, my dear man." Nerva replied.  "I have no intention of stealing away your woman. We are just talking."

"Lorelei, come here!" Muhammad ordered.

But she would not obey. She stuck out her tongue at him and said,  "I am tired of you, you great barrel! I am no longer your woman! Get out and get a life!"

Muhammad went for Lorelei. Nerva stood up and grabbed the Thiefs hand.

"Letgo!" Muhammad grunted as he struggled with Nervas strong grip. His Damascus fell to the floor with a clatter.  "Letgoithurts!"

Nerva frowned and punched the Thief straight in the face. Some of Muhammads friends went to help him while the others went for Nerva.

"Youre gonna get it!"

"You suck, you wretched spellcaster!"

"Yaaah!"

Nerva rolled his eyes impatiently.  "Oh, for Petes sakeNapalm Beat!"

Needless to say, a riot followed next. Customers were fleeing hysterically from the Harassed Hornet. There were great thumps, yells, crashes and shouts from the inside. People gathered outside to see what was happening. When a Knight was just about to go in to stop the fuss, a bloody Muhammad flew out of the door and smashed into him. They both landed on the sandy street.

Silence

And then Nerva emerged from the door. He descended silently and gave fifty thousand zeny to the restaurant owner.

"This will be for my lemonade and the damage done to your store." Nerva told him.  "Thank you."

He left without so much of a second look. The thick crowd was left gaping after him like idiots. Lorelei came out, a dazed look on her face. When asked what happened, she answered,

"Wowthat Wizard sure kicks ass like hell!"

Lilian was watching her brother work on his sword. She mused if she wanted to be a Merchant so that she could become a Blacksmith like him. But she also idolized the Knights and Priests she met in Prontera. She couldnt decide what job class to take.

"UmmAltair?" she asked.

Altair looked up. "Yeah?"

"Is it hard being a Blacksmith?"

Altair paused before answering.  "Not reallywhy do you ask?"

Lilian twirled a lock of her hair.  "I just wanted to ask. Im having a hard time choosing what job Id like to take up. You see, I just graduated and Im now free to choose any job I wantbut I cant decide. Its hard."

"What did the adviser recommend to you?" Altair inquired.

"They said I was fit to be an Archer." Lilian winced.  "But I dont want to be an Archer, what with money-spending and all. I dont like the idea of buying arrows from time to timeits too much money."

"Well, if you cannot decide you should follow the recommendation." Altair explained.  "You wont have a hard time in PayonSigny is there and shell take good care of you. You should have a move on, little one. Time is precious. You wouldnt want to be a Novice forever, dont you?"

Lilian did not answer.

"Why didnt you become an Acolyte?" she inquired softly.

A different kind of emotion seized Altair. It was frustration, and it seldom visited him. But when it did, it tugged at his heart so bad it hurt. He ran a hand through his messy hair and chose his words carefully.

"I guessits not just my thing" he answered slowly.  "I guess I lack faithor maybe I was just too hyper to be locked up within the walls of a monastery"

"You would have made a fine Priest, dearest." Lilian said comfortingly as she went to hug him.  "But youre betterI like you the way you are."

"Ah, you never fail to fatten up my heart." Altair said fondly as he hugged Lilian close and kissed her tenderly.

"Im going to prepare our breakfast." Lilian said as she pulled away.

She went to the kitchen and left Altair to his forging. For some minutes all that could be heard was the clangor of the hammer and anvil and the sizzling of cooking oil from the kitchen. Then Altair had finally set the last Elemental Stone into Heavens Blade. He was just about to thrust in the final Oridecon when a knock sounded on the door.

He pocketed the final Oridecon and went to answer the call.

"I wonder who could this be?" Altair asked himself.  "Its too early"

He opened the door. Altairs shock could not be denied as he looked at his visitor. It was a Knight in full armor. The Knight was tall, with short brown hair and chestnut-colored eyes. His face was slightly oval with a perfect nose and thin lips. His ears were hidden beneath his Fin helm.

"Ah, Altair Thorne" the Knight greeted in a voice that Altair did not like.  "Good morning to you."

"Uhwho are you?" Altair demanded rather rudely.

The Knight extended his gloved and armored hand.  "My name is Sir Cedric Percival Brillouin Hawke. I am the guildmaster of the Red Roses. We have met beforeonly not in person, but in letters of invitation which youturned down."

A frown formed on Altairs equally handsome face.  "Well let me turn you down again today. I have no intention of leaving Firnheild. Good bye."

He made to slam the door shut but Cedric caught it.

"Please, honorable Altair Thorne, I have come here not to force you to join my guild." Cedric persisted, using up all his charm and eloquence.  "I would like to request a deal with you regarding some of your fine weaponry."

Altair relaxed his shoulders and stepped aside. Cedric entered with two more companions: his sister Lady Recia and a Magician known by the name of Pratchet.

"Interesting place you have here." Recia commended sincerely, taking on the simple but elegant furnishings of the house.  "I see you have combined both home and forge."

Altair inclined his head politely.  "Thank youplease have a seatmy sister is readying breakfast, if you dont mind"

Cedric, Recia and Pratchet sat down side by side on a comfortable couch. Pratchet the Magician was looking around interestedly as he absent-mindedly scratched his chin.

"What is the name of your sister?" Cedric inquired.

"Lilian." Altair answered.  "Lilian Marie, in full naming."

Recia stood up.  "I would like to help her with the food. You wouldnt mind, Altair?"

"Please," said Altair.

Recia left for the kitchen. There was a few minutes' silence until Altair spotted the emblem of The Children etched into Pratchets staff.

"You are a member of The Children?" the Blacksmith inquired softly.

Pratchet gave a start and looked at his emblem.  "Ah, yes, and proudly so. I bear great devotion for my lord and master, Nerva alThor. I was most sad when I heard his fate, and I was there to grieve for him when they set-up an empty grave for him in one of the islands off the coast of Izlude."

Altair felt tears rise.  "Yesan empty gravebut that is all we could give him."

"I have heard he diedin your arms." Pratchet chose his words carefully.

Altair nodded and brought his hands together.  "Yes, that is true."

"He taught me how to read Runes, Master Nerva." Pratchet continued.  "He was both an outstanding student and teacher. He was frequent in the Magic Academy, offering to help Novices with their Potion-making and giving us Mages free tutorials on different magical arts whenever he had the time. He was a great man, and Geffen shall take long to recover from such a loss."

Altair could not help but smile. It somehow eased the great grief he bore for Nerva to hear that someone like Pratchet still believed him.

Cedric cleared his throat, sending the conversation to an abrupt end.

"Pratchet, it would not do Altair good to have his spirits dampened." He said.  "Why dont we change the subject and get to business?"

"I have no objection, Sir Cedric." Pratchet yielded somewhat reluctantly.

Cedric clapped his hands together.  "I would like to purchase your finest sword, Altair. Any price, you name it, I shall pay it right now."

"All right" said Altair, standing up.

Altair went to obtain a rather thick carpet from one of the shelves across the lobby. He unrolled the precious Morrocan rug and revealed its contentsabout fifty different kinds of swords, all having the highest quality.

There were Slayers, Zweihanders, Katanas, Broadswords, Claymores, Sabers, Rapiers, Bastard swords, Tsurugisall sorts. There were even Gladiuses and Scimitars. Each one of these swords was worth 850 billion zeny both in the white and black markets. These were the most sought-after products of Altair, his pride and joy in fine weaponry.

"Thirty of those are Elemental." Altair explained.  "If you want I can Maximize Power and Power Thrust them for free. If you purchase five swords you get one free Brass Knuckle pair with five slots."

 Cedric looked at Altair intently. Did the Blacksmith somehow did not understand what he meant by "to purchase your finest sword"? Or did Altair pretend not to understand? Was this a trick?

"I do not want anything from this lot." Cedric spoke, still looking at Altair.

"Okay" said Altair, scratching his head. He rolled the rug and took it away. He returned with another one, this time a red silken mat from Geffen.  "These are my latestmaybe you can find something here that might interest you"

Sir Cedric stood up and spotted Heavens Blade lying not far from him on an anvil. He fell in love with it at once. A hungry thirst erupted in his body. He wanted that sword no matter what the cost.

"I want that one, Altair." He said, pointing.

Altair felt uneasy.  "Ohthat oneIm sorryit isnt for sale."

Cedric turned to the Blacksmith.  "900 billion zeny, Altair, just give me that sword."

"It isnt!"

"One trillion! And add Payon Field 8 and 7 to that!"

Altair clenched his hands into fists.  "Now look here, honorable sir, that sword is NOT FOR SALE."

Recia and Lilian entered the room, trays in their hands. They stopped dead upon sensing danger in the scene they came across. Recias eyes darted from Altair to Cedric and onto Heavens Blade. She gave a small gasp of horror.

"I will buy it, Altair." Cedric pressed on.  "For all my fortune! 50 trillion zeny, and half of my guild shall also be yours!"

"It isnt for sale." Altair replied, his voice turned icy cold.  "Can you not understand me?"

Cedric made to hold Heavens Blade, but in this he had gone too far. Before he could reach the anvil Altair had grabbed him and hit him straight in the face. Recia shrieked and dropped the tray she was holding, where bowls of steaming soup crashed to the floor. Lilian screamed for help, and Pratchet was quickly on his feet, unsure on what to do.

"GET OUT OF MY HOUSE, ALL OF YOU!" Altair shouted, pointing at the door.  "GET OUT AND NEVER SHOW YOUR FACES TO ME AGAIN! GET OUT! OUT!"

"You shall deeply regret this, you wretch!" Cedric spat.

"GET OUT!" Altair boomed, pushing Recia, Cedric and Pratchet violently from his home.  "I AM NOT GOING TO BE DISTRACTED BY YOUR MONEY! GET LOST AND TAKE ALL YOUR WEALTH WITH YOU! I HAVE NO NEED FOR IT!"

He slammed the door shut at their faces.

Little did he know that he made the most fatal error by doing that.