The (Hi)story

Fortunately no ogre was lost during the fight with monsters. Rob took care of the wounds and then we said goodbye. I was pretty sure when I was gone that situations won't happen for a while.

“So what's the plan?” I asked. “We went where I needed to be, is there somewhere you want to go, before we start playing hero for real?”

Rob was thinking for a moment, sobbing tea, his absolute favourite, mine was still a good wine to dinner. He also got some mix from Ma’ena as a parting gift. He looked me in the eyes and said confidently and sad at the same time, that he has no place like to visit.

“Can I ask you a question?”

“That is a nice change.” Rob smiled the way that reminded me of how badly I treated him until I realized I could lose his company forever and that I should never take it for granted. “Go ahead.”

“Why do you admire Eric so much? I know he saved your village and family, but why do you get so amazed by him that it made you research and risk your life asking questions?”

“Because he could make being a hero look easy. You just have to be kind, fair, ready to help and know how to kill monsters.” Rob was looking at the sky, like immersing into memories. I was watching him, this time eager to know what he thinks about me, but also in need to remind myself who I was. Maybe I wanted to hear something which could be enough motivation for my next moves.

“Yeah, sounds easy, but it's just a theory.” I agreed, thinking what star stole all of his attention.

“Right. It's no fun taking that huge responsibility, but in my opinion whoever did that right was amazing. Also Eric was the example of this high-minded rule, that anyone could be a hero, while the truth is that no one other than nobility might spend their days preparing for this and had a privilege of already knowing how to fight and where to show up. No one would waste their time to look for a really pure hearted hero among poor villagers. These heroes coming from the lowest were such a rarity and I think Eric was just lucky enough.”

“Good for him, too bad this luck left him later.”

“You know what he said to king Albertus, when he asked him to learn and then became a king’s hero?” Rob was getting excited telling my story, just like anyone who could have a chance to brag about their favourite things.

“Fill me in.” I was wondering what version he would present.

“He said that he needed to ask his parents, and all of this happened because he rescued princess Madelaine from the seagulls, when they were having a picnic at the beach. I was always curious, if Eric knew who he was helping, I had never found out during my research.”

I heard a long sigh and I wanted to clarify some things, but bit my tongue. First of all I was fourteen years old then and I had no idea that the girl in trouble was Maddie, as she asked to call her later, when we became friends. What’s more these seagulls' bastards were huge and stupefied by the fact she was holding some food. As always they were just waiting for the occasion to steal, but when the food was in the reach, they just went crazy and aggressive. My experience with exercising these thieves was great at that time, so that’s another reason for me to just save her. Without these circumstances I would still do the same.

I have never been to the capital or seen king Albertus and his family, so for me she was a scared little girl, which I had to take to her parents, so when I found them, I just left her in the safe place, in her mother’s arms and got back to my chores. The very next day I was sitting at the beach repairing the fishnet, when suddenly the group of men surrounded me. That time I was bold, got a basic education and had no proper social skills, so I just didn’t even stop working, thinking they would get bored soon and leave me alone.

“Can’t you see, boy, that the king itself wants to talk to you?” Someone hit me lightly in the head.

“I don’t know how the king looks. How would I know if you are telling the truth?” I turned around just to answer and got back to work.

“How you cannot know who is your king, you rascal?!”

“Relax Maxwell. Listen boy.” One of them got to my level, he was not really old and had a nice smile, so I decided to listen to him. “I am king Albertus and I just wanted to ask if you were the one who helped my daughter, princess Madelaine, yesterday?”

“I helped a little girl, who was attacked by five seagulls. I escorted her to her mother. I don’t know if she was a princess or not, didn’t care, didn't ask.” My answer made someone angry and I got another hit in the head.

“Maxwell, ten steps back.” King’s voice was firm, which got me interested, how an authority he had to not have to raise it. “I just wanted to thank you boy, what’s your name?”

“Eric. My king.” I realised that I should probably add something like that, but had no idea if it was proper, however the king smiled, so maybe that wasn't such a bad choice of words.

“One of my men saw you fighting with these birds and told me that you may be a great swordsman, as you definitely have talent for it. So I want you to propose to join my court to learn and then join the king's heroes.”

He was looking at me, expecting a crazy and grateful reaction, but I didn't even want to consider it. I was fine where I was, I liked being a fisherman and I wanted to stay with my parents as I wanted to take care of them when they get old. And I wish to help people I would just do, without all of the hero part, also I didn't meet even one for my whole life, so I wasn't fond of the concept, because I didn't believe that they care about small villages and poor people.

“I am not interested, but you can talk to my parents if you want my king.” I shrugged my shoulders and focused on repairing, for me the conversation was over.

That's what I said that time and I wished to say it all to Rob, but rejecting the king's offer was probably too unthinkable, so it's not surprising that the real version got changed to a more appealing one. According to the healer my parents happily sent me away and after years of training and education I was registered as the king's hero and got a deer in a crown symbol on my clothes and shield.

The truth was that they were surprised and not so eager to give someone his only son, also seeing me not happy about that proposition made them reluctant. The king however was persistent and I finally agreed after sharing my opinion about heroes with my mother, she said the words, which motivated me through my journey.

“So maybe you should be the kind of hero you think this world needs?”