Guard Duty. It was a job many a huntsman regarded as dull, boring or tedious. Some asked why they should be put on such a menial task when there were other duties to accomplish. No matter the threat be it one of human/faunus origin, or the threat of the Grimm guard duty had always been regarded as one of the most tedious of duties one could be stuck with as a huntsman or huntress. Long hours of watching nothing happen, whilst also trying to stay alert for the moment when the action begins, Grimm could easily attack out of nowhere, and similarly bandits and other criminals were more than intelligent enough to use a guard’s distraction to their advantage.
The issue was often seen as worse to some of the more experience huntsmen, as many saw such a duty as an insult to their skill, being sidelined to do the tedious work as others were sent on seemingly more important or exciting work. Few experienced hunters could truly find themselves enjoying such a tedious job, though they at least would be more capable or retaining attention during such a tedious duty as guarding a building from the creatures of Grimm.
Yoren Ragnvaldr was not just any huntsman, nor was he too displeased at the prospect of such things as guard duty. While he wasn’t immune to boredom himself, The Northern Wolf had a much different opinion of guard duty as many of his colleagues had. For one it was a method of training one’s discipline, allowing them the time to learn the necessary patience that any hunter worth their salt required and honing that patience. In addition, the Wolf liked to use this duty as an opportunity, a chance to get out of his normal routine and organize his thoughts without worry of his typical duties or distractions.
The Northerner had found the prospect quite nostalgic in a strange why when he saw the major mission board had such a duty listed and decided to take on the quest to get some time to think, as well as plan his future lessons in the meantime. The client of the mission was one of the many farmers on the island, with a rather sizable amount of land, an older man who had apparently had his family in the business for generations. The man was too old for some of the more strenuous work farming required, as such the man found himself with free time.
Yoren was more than to speak with the old farmer, after halting his patrol and moving to an area wherein he could retain an overview of the premises. After all it wouldn’t do to truly neglect his duty, as experience had taught him what could happen were one to allow themselves to fail in such a task. Regardless the farmer was a rather interesting fellow, while not having his aura unlocked, the man still did seem like a tough sort for one of his age.
“So, you say your chickens have truly been disappearing? This could simply be the fault of the local wildlife.” Though the idea was likely far less true than he would like. Yoren had spent some time looking into the type of wildlife present within the area, and non-Grimm predators seemed to be rather rare. The islands wolf and bear population being negligent to nonexistent as far as he could tell. Were it Grimm there would have been far more than simply a few chickens missing he knew.
That left a much more apparent possibility as to what was happening, though he did wonder at what type of poachers these were, as the number of animals taken was negligible, and limited to smaller creatures rather than those would fetch a higher price. “Yep, three chickens in as many days, disrespectful youngsters-already gotta deal with lip from my own’s kid, wantin’ to go out and join you guys he says.”
“Young men often seek valor.” Yoren responded, not too surprised. It had been what had drawn many huntsmen and huntresses into his profession, himself included. The call to adventure was naught but filled with peril however, and he could understand the old man’s reservations regarding it. “Few truly appreciate the honor in a quiet life, and he appears to be at that age.” He’d seen the teenage boy briefly, but he’d recalled himself at that age as well.
“Can’t afford to lose anymore hands, mosta the farmhands been hiding in the city lately, with attack happened couple days ago thinking it’ll be safer I reckon.” The old farmer snorted at that before he frowned. “City at Vale didn’t do them no good, don’t see how we’d do better.”
Yoren frowned at that. The thought was not wrong, recent events had proved such, both months ago in Vale, as well as an attack from a large Grimm he’d heard about occurring recently within Bellmuse itself. The loss of one of the major hunting academies was a great blow, and a true indicator of more interesting times to come. Things could easily come to Bellmuse, though nothing near as major as the other kingdoms. Still he would need to be ready.
Some rustling in the foliage near the chicken coop caught both of their attention and he gave the farmer a look, proceeding after signaling he wished for the older man remain back. Should this turn to combat the old farmer would be naught but a liability in the long run. His approach of the bush met no opposition. The bushes began rustling again and two small shapes tried to run from it, only to find themselves caught by The Wolf before they could escape his reach. The two shapes being revealed to be a pair of children of all things.
they appeared to be a boy and girl, the boy being the older of the pair. The northerner estimated him to be roughly 14 or 15, with his partner appearing to be younger, perhaps 12 or 11. He would guess the two to be siblings, and not quite well-off if the large man had to guess, based on the state of their clothing and the dirt clinging to them. It gave the pair a rather ragged look, and he had to wonder what fate could have befallen the parents. Regardless, that was no excuse for these acts of theft, the crime even more obvious by the sack between them, a shape inside fluttering around in a panic. The large man glared down at the two children, before picking both up with either hand. His sword having returned to its sheath.
The wolf carried the both back to the farmer’s barn, a displeased expression on his face. The struggles to get free that either child engaged in not even acknowledged by the professor. The farmer seemed surprised to see the culprits, likely expecting it to be someone of a more sinister nature. Yoren entered the barn before he allowed the two children back onto solid ground, a serious expression on his face, the exit at his back, to make it they could not simply run off.
“Explain yourselves.” The Wolf demanded, he was not angry, but the serious expression on his face only seemed the boy was the first to speak, anger clear in his voice.
“How the hell else are we supposed to eat?!?” He yelled, only to receive a glare from Yoren that silenced him, his expression becoming once again more fearful than anything, likely wondering what the giant of a man would do to them. Yoren meanwhile had already put together the situation, the two were likely orphans, and most like had been scared at the prospect of separation or the like, and as such had avoided being taken into the care of an orphanage or the like. It was not unheard of, but Yoren would not simply show sympathy. “There are more honorable ways to do such.” He stated. “Thievery may seem the best option, tis true…. but it is not the only.” The Wolf’s glare was mostly focused on the older of the two, recognizing that the decision had likely been his to poach the farmer’s chickens.
Though that did not mean that the younger was not without her share of blame, it was clear which he would need to address already. He cut off the boy’s attempt to excuse his actions once again. “Silence, had you approached the man, I am sure the farmer would have been happy to allow you place at his table, in exchange for your assistance. The older man nodded at this, but apparently had decided it was best to leave the situation to the professor for the most part. “your actions are dishonorable, but not irredeemable, as such I shall give two options. The first, you stay here, the man over there shall give you food and board, in exchange for hard work, elsewise I shall be forced to allow the authorities to handle this matter.” He turned to the farmer, knowing that the man could easily reject the plan. “You were speaking earlier of a need for extra hands correct?”
The farmer himself seemed to be suppressing a smile under a more serious expression, but one that would indicate the man was thinking on the issue before he spoke up. “I guess, don’t think I’ll let’em slack off though.” The man answered.
“Nor should you.” Yoren responded, turning back to the children, both of whom seemed a bit less. “I take it this arrangement would be more acceptable for thee?” He asked the children, both of whom nodded, eyes wide. “good, survive with honor young ones.” He said, before turning back to the farmer once again. “May I trust you to treat them well?” He asked, though he already knew the answer, which came but a moment later.
“Of course, ye can, ain’t like they meant any harm by it, poor kids.” The farmer likely had pieced together the children’s situation as well it seemed, and Yoren nodded before continuing. Yoren looked at the children one more time before turning his attention back to the old farmer.
“I shall return to check on them shortly, I apologize for saddling you with this burden.” The huntsman finally said, deciding it was time to depart. His role here was done, and the problem was resolved.
The issue was often seen as worse to some of the more experience huntsmen, as many saw such a duty as an insult to their skill, being sidelined to do the tedious work as others were sent on seemingly more important or exciting work. Few experienced hunters could truly find themselves enjoying such a tedious job, though they at least would be more capable or retaining attention during such a tedious duty as guarding a building from the creatures of Grimm.
Yoren Ragnvaldr was not just any huntsman, nor was he too displeased at the prospect of such things as guard duty. While he wasn’t immune to boredom himself, The Northern Wolf had a much different opinion of guard duty as many of his colleagues had. For one it was a method of training one’s discipline, allowing them the time to learn the necessary patience that any hunter worth their salt required and honing that patience. In addition, the Wolf liked to use this duty as an opportunity, a chance to get out of his normal routine and organize his thoughts without worry of his typical duties or distractions.
The Northerner had found the prospect quite nostalgic in a strange why when he saw the major mission board had such a duty listed and decided to take on the quest to get some time to think, as well as plan his future lessons in the meantime. The client of the mission was one of the many farmers on the island, with a rather sizable amount of land, an older man who had apparently had his family in the business for generations. The man was too old for some of the more strenuous work farming required, as such the man found himself with free time.
Yoren was more than to speak with the old farmer, after halting his patrol and moving to an area wherein he could retain an overview of the premises. After all it wouldn’t do to truly neglect his duty, as experience had taught him what could happen were one to allow themselves to fail in such a task. Regardless the farmer was a rather interesting fellow, while not having his aura unlocked, the man still did seem like a tough sort for one of his age.
“So, you say your chickens have truly been disappearing? This could simply be the fault of the local wildlife.” Though the idea was likely far less true than he would like. Yoren had spent some time looking into the type of wildlife present within the area, and non-Grimm predators seemed to be rather rare. The islands wolf and bear population being negligent to nonexistent as far as he could tell. Were it Grimm there would have been far more than simply a few chickens missing he knew.
That left a much more apparent possibility as to what was happening, though he did wonder at what type of poachers these were, as the number of animals taken was negligible, and limited to smaller creatures rather than those would fetch a higher price. “Yep, three chickens in as many days, disrespectful youngsters-already gotta deal with lip from my own’s kid, wantin’ to go out and join you guys he says.”
“Young men often seek valor.” Yoren responded, not too surprised. It had been what had drawn many huntsmen and huntresses into his profession, himself included. The call to adventure was naught but filled with peril however, and he could understand the old man’s reservations regarding it. “Few truly appreciate the honor in a quiet life, and he appears to be at that age.” He’d seen the teenage boy briefly, but he’d recalled himself at that age as well.
“Can’t afford to lose anymore hands, mosta the farmhands been hiding in the city lately, with attack happened couple days ago thinking it’ll be safer I reckon.” The old farmer snorted at that before he frowned. “City at Vale didn’t do them no good, don’t see how we’d do better.”
Yoren frowned at that. The thought was not wrong, recent events had proved such, both months ago in Vale, as well as an attack from a large Grimm he’d heard about occurring recently within Bellmuse itself. The loss of one of the major hunting academies was a great blow, and a true indicator of more interesting times to come. Things could easily come to Bellmuse, though nothing near as major as the other kingdoms. Still he would need to be ready.
Some rustling in the foliage near the chicken coop caught both of their attention and he gave the farmer a look, proceeding after signaling he wished for the older man remain back. Should this turn to combat the old farmer would be naught but a liability in the long run. His approach of the bush met no opposition. The bushes began rustling again and two small shapes tried to run from it, only to find themselves caught by The Wolf before they could escape his reach. The two shapes being revealed to be a pair of children of all things.
they appeared to be a boy and girl, the boy being the older of the pair. The northerner estimated him to be roughly 14 or 15, with his partner appearing to be younger, perhaps 12 or 11. He would guess the two to be siblings, and not quite well-off if the large man had to guess, based on the state of their clothing and the dirt clinging to them. It gave the pair a rather ragged look, and he had to wonder what fate could have befallen the parents. Regardless, that was no excuse for these acts of theft, the crime even more obvious by the sack between them, a shape inside fluttering around in a panic. The large man glared down at the two children, before picking both up with either hand. His sword having returned to its sheath.
The wolf carried the both back to the farmer’s barn, a displeased expression on his face. The struggles to get free that either child engaged in not even acknowledged by the professor. The farmer seemed surprised to see the culprits, likely expecting it to be someone of a more sinister nature. Yoren entered the barn before he allowed the two children back onto solid ground, a serious expression on his face, the exit at his back, to make it they could not simply run off.
“Explain yourselves.” The Wolf demanded, he was not angry, but the serious expression on his face only seemed the boy was the first to speak, anger clear in his voice.
“How the hell else are we supposed to eat?!?” He yelled, only to receive a glare from Yoren that silenced him, his expression becoming once again more fearful than anything, likely wondering what the giant of a man would do to them. Yoren meanwhile had already put together the situation, the two were likely orphans, and most like had been scared at the prospect of separation or the like, and as such had avoided being taken into the care of an orphanage or the like. It was not unheard of, but Yoren would not simply show sympathy. “There are more honorable ways to do such.” He stated. “Thievery may seem the best option, tis true…. but it is not the only.” The Wolf’s glare was mostly focused on the older of the two, recognizing that the decision had likely been his to poach the farmer’s chickens.
Though that did not mean that the younger was not without her share of blame, it was clear which he would need to address already. He cut off the boy’s attempt to excuse his actions once again. “Silence, had you approached the man, I am sure the farmer would have been happy to allow you place at his table, in exchange for your assistance. The older man nodded at this, but apparently had decided it was best to leave the situation to the professor for the most part. “your actions are dishonorable, but not irredeemable, as such I shall give two options. The first, you stay here, the man over there shall give you food and board, in exchange for hard work, elsewise I shall be forced to allow the authorities to handle this matter.” He turned to the farmer, knowing that the man could easily reject the plan. “You were speaking earlier of a need for extra hands correct?”
The farmer himself seemed to be suppressing a smile under a more serious expression, but one that would indicate the man was thinking on the issue before he spoke up. “I guess, don’t think I’ll let’em slack off though.” The man answered.
“Nor should you.” Yoren responded, turning back to the children, both of whom seemed a bit less. “I take it this arrangement would be more acceptable for thee?” He asked the children, both of whom nodded, eyes wide. “good, survive with honor young ones.” He said, before turning back to the farmer once again. “May I trust you to treat them well?” He asked, though he already knew the answer, which came but a moment later.
“Of course, ye can, ain’t like they meant any harm by it, poor kids.” The farmer likely had pieced together the children’s situation as well it seemed, and Yoren nodded before continuing. Yoren looked at the children one more time before turning his attention back to the old farmer.
“I shall return to check on them shortly, I apologize for saddling you with this burden.” The huntsman finally said, deciding it was time to depart. His role here was done, and the problem was resolved.
