Ricardo travels for hours into the night. Walking up hill, over the mountain, to The town of Sur Lana. It will be a two day trip and he wanted as much distance between him and Pueblo. It won't take long for his family to realize he'd gone and go looking for him. Once the warrior reaches the trade town he can hitch a ride on a caravan or join up with a traveling party of adventurers.

The thought of meeting new and strange people who chose the life of danger and adventure excites the young Kastali. Though he will have to look for more suitable weapons, as much as he loves Tiger Fang. The Kukri is a very deadly weapon and Ricardo has trained with it for years, but on it's own the knife won't ill suited for a front line fighter like Ricardo. He will have to find a smith and purchase a shield or maybe another blade, Ricardo remembers the hunting knife in his pack and know if he has to he can fight dual wielding the two blades. Then a sudden relaxation slams into Ricardo's mind. "Damn it all the gold!"

The runaway grunts to himself realizing he left the gold his father won back at the house. Feeling the coin purse looped on his belt remembering he has at least 10 gold pieces to his name. The plan of buying weapons will have to wait till after his first payment, if someone will hire a boy who looks greener than an Orc.

The boy walks throughout the night as the sun rises. Relieved he turns off his lantern, placing it on the side of his pack. He treks along at a higher pace only stopping for short breaks to eat and rest his tired legs. When the sun reaches the center in the sky Ricky stands from his lunch break and continues, not taking another break till the sun begins setting. When twilight comes to the sky Ricardo spots a an old log in a tiny clearing just off the road. the lot have a curve leaving a little nook large enough to accommodate someone his size. He prepares his camp by unrolling his bedroll under the log and placing the tent fabric over the log and nailing it in place. If one were to look from the road you would not notice the small camp, especially at night.

Seeing as night has not fallen yet Ricardo climbs up the tallest tree near his camp, he looks around as he pulls out his map to get his bearings. The young man looks around and is happy to see Pueblo is no longer in sight from the way he came. The pang of guilt returning to his heart when he thinks of the parents back home. His mother crying, wishing she said something differently if only to keep her son home a little longer. His father a very practical man, knowing exactly whats going through his sons mind that caused him to make this decision. As much as it killed the runaway he tells himself he had to do it and will make it up to them when he has enough gold to buy them ten farms.

He stops looking where he has been and looks to where he's going. The other way the road leads to he sees very distant lights and knows its the trade town of Sur Lana. If he wakes at dawn and treks for the rest of the day Ricardo will reach the town at dusk. Excited, he leaps down the last five feet from the tree and rolls into his bedroll under the log and covers himself with the tarp.

Having camped before Ricardo is used to sleeping on the ground but saddens when he realizes that he won't be sleeping in his room anymore. The wilderness will become his home and the tent his room. Ricardo shakes his head to get the thoughts of home out of his mind. This is what he wanted, the life he chose. It isn't perfect but what life is? He will just have to man up and get used to, he was a Vargas and a Vargas adapts. With his mind calmed he finally lets his weary eyes close and the grateful warriors body relaxes into a well earned sleep.


The sun is setting as Ricardo enters the loudest building in Sur Lana and sure enough it's the town's tavern/inn. The front read "The Saucy Wench" which told the boy exactly what he was getting into. As soon as he enters the main room his eardrums are assaulted by the noise of happy patrons.

These patrons however are very different from the farmers back home. Many of the guests are dressed in armor of all kinds from leather all the way to full plate. Brandishing weapons of different makes and styles. Some with a Longsword at their hip and a shield slung on there back, others leaning on a Great Ax while they flex there arm trying to impress one the bar maids. Ricardo sees a few men with bows and realizes he will need a ranged weapon of some kind in the near future. The languages being spoken are either Common or Kastali and even a little Elven can be heard though a look around proved pointless as he can not see any pointy eared patrons much to the boys disappointment.

The young and tired Kastali makes his way to an open seat at the bar and an attractive bar wench walks over to him with a wicked smile on her face. "Ain't it a little past your bedtime sweety?"

Ricardo surprised a girl who about the same age asked him the question but still gives an awkward smile and shows her his family Kukri. "Not anymore darlin'."

the girl giggles a little. "I see someones all grown up. What'll it be?"

Any Kastali knows that when a traveler has a Kukri they have passed into adulthood. Hopefully no one will know how the boy really got the blade. "How much for a room and a hot meal?"

"A gold piece will get you a decent room and some decent food. Trust me you want the good stuff. Anything else might kill you before you leave the door."

Ricardo has a laugh as he opens his coin purse for a piece. "Thanks for the heads up." He flips the coin toward the maid who catches it and walks off smiling.

Ricky looks around the tavern for any group that he thinks would consider letting him join them. He spots one group who's members are twice his size and are smashing their heads together and chuckle to themselves. Nope. Then he eyes a group of glaring and snarling men who could not have given themselves away anymore that they were bandits. Nu-uh. "looking for someone?" Ricardo turns around and sees the girl has returned with a plate of steaming food and placed it on the bar in front of him. "If you are I know almost everyone here."

"Why you wanna help me out?" Questioned Ricardo.

"Bar maids are supposed to be courteous to our guests. Besides most of the guys here are ugly pigs and your kinda cute." The bar maid eyes Ricardo and gives a sexy grin.

The farm boy gives one of his half smiles that's served him well with other girls his age back home. "Your making me blush miss..."

"Corina." Answered the smiling maid.

Ricardo relaxes his posture and leans on one his elbows. The warrior has hit on girls before, most went well for the boy but he didn't expect to "hunt" out here. Least not yet anyway. "Well then Corina. I'm hunting for work and I'm looking for an adventuring party needing some extra hands."

She leans onto the bar giving Ricardo a great view of her assets. "In that case you should go talk to Caesar, the guy over there at the table in the corner. He's the one with the Greatsword with a red bandanna."

Ricardo turns and sure enough there was a man leaning the chair he's sitting on against a wall with his hands behind his head and feet on the table, laughing with a group of two other humans. A great sword with a red bandanna tied to the hilt resting against the wall near him.

Ricardo looks back at Corina using all his will to look at her eyes and not lower his gaze. "He any good?"

"He's been here a month already, been doing jobs for a lot of the folks around here. Simple things like guarding shipments on bandit heavy routes, tracking down said bandits or killing monsters that come near town."

Ricardo lifts an eyebrow. "Monsters? Like what?"

"Nothing to dangerous but last week, a caravan was attacked and his team investigated. Turns out it was a Owlbearl. First time one of those got near here." Answered Corina.

"What's an Owlbear?" Ricardo questioned.

Corina giggled at the query. "Exactly what it sounds like. Half bear, half owl, all dangerous. Caesar's team managed to kill it but one of his guys didn't make it." The thought of it makes Corina frown.

"That's to bad, but I guess that means they'll need new blood."

Corina smiles again. "I guess, but eat before you head over its getting cold and I worked hard on this meal."

Ricardo chuckles. "As you wish milady."

"And if you get in we could celebrate later. I get off in twenty minutes."

Ricardo puts on his shameless grin. "I bet you will."

Corina bursts out laughing. "Ok eat and go talk to him before I change my mind."

"Yes ma'am." The young warrior begins eating as the bar maiden sashays off to tend to her other guests, Ricardo enjoying the view as she goes. "Saucy Wench indeed." When his plate is emptied he stands and takes a deep breath and walks over to Caesar's table.

When Ricardo reaches the table the three adventurers look over at the boy. "Can I help you kid?" Caesar asks Ricardo. Caesar looks to be in his late twenties with a medium build dark skin and brown eyes like any Kastali. His long black hair reaching his shoulders.

Ricardo gulps his nervousness before speaking. "Hi...are you Caesar perhaps?"

Caesar gives an amused look at his comrades than looks back at the boy in front of him. "Yeah I'm Caesar how may I be of service?"

"Well you see I'm looking for a party that I can join up with and I've been told you are in need of an extra blade."

The man gives a studying look at Ricardo giving the young man a once over before standing. "'In need of an extra blade eh? You've been trained?"

"Yes."

"Trained well?"

"Yes."

"Ever been in a fight?"

"Yes many."

"How many were to the death?"

"Uhm..."

"That's what I thought look kid I can't take you on while you still got your training wheels on. When you've been in a real scrap let me know." Caesar turns, sits and joins his companions like Ricardo isn't there.

Ricardo irritation is building. He doesn't like being called "Kid". "I don't see how I can 'lose the training wheels' if i don't get a chance."

Not even turning around to look at the boy. "Not my problem kid, if someone else takes you that's great. Me, I'm not gonna risk my crew on some new blood who just got daddy's Kukri."

The boy's tolerance nearing it's limit. If he says "Kid" on more time. "Listen I understand there is a risk but I'm the best fighter aside from my parents back home I even beat Panthera in a match by myself."

Caesar shows more interested in the empty mug in front of him then Ricardo before reluctantly stands and faces him again. "That's good for you. I'm assuming this was a wrestling match." Ricardo nods. "That's what I thought. In a wrestling match it ends when your pinned or when you tap out. In our line of work if someones got you in a armlock they don't let go till it breaks. They won't stop after pinning they will not stop till all that's left of you is smeared on the walls. I'm sorry kid but y-"

"STOP CALLING ME KID!" Ricardo livid now. "I'm a grown ass man just like you! At least call me by my damned name!"

Caesar smiles as he crosses his arms. Clearly enjoying the reaction. "Ok you little scamp what's your name?"

Ricardo glares into the larger man's eyes. "Ricardo Vargas." The name forces the grin on the older man to disappear and as he begins to look at Ricardo's face with much more interest.

"Ricardo Vargas?"

Ricardo who's face is just as confused as Caesar's answers. "Yeah?"

"Your old man wouldn't happen to be named Romeo would he?"

"How do you know my dad's name?"

Caesar eyes widen like saucers. "Let me see your Kukri."

Ricardo thinks it over not wanting to relinquish his only real weapon but realizes this is his best chance pulls the large knife from his sheath and hands it to Caesar.

The man eyes the blade thoroughly, looks at both sides, the handle and runs his finger on the blade then smiles to himself. He takes multiple glances at Tiger Fang and Ricardo. "What's your mother's name?"

"Why should I tell you?"

He points the Kukri at the boy. "You want to join my party answer the question kid."

Ricky keeps his glare as he speaks. "Cassie."

Caesar drops any seriousness that was on his face as he throws his hands in the air and screams. "Son of a bitch actually made an honest woman out that ice queen. Unbelievable!"

Confusion returns to Ricardo's face. "You know my mom and dad?"

"Know them? Your old man trained me and I introduced him to your mom." Caesar lowers his hands and offers Tiger Fang back to Ricardo.

The boy takes the blade and re-sheathes it. "Really?"

"We'll more like she tried to kill me and Romeo pulled her ass off me but semantics! I can't believe those two actually had a son." He looks back at his party who were all holding back laughter at the whole scene as they nod their heads in approval.

Caesar looks back at the boy with a wide smile. "Alright kid we are going on a job tomorrow to clear out and map a cave shouldn't be anything serious so I'm gonna take a risk and invite you along if you want."

Ricardo shocked at the sudden turn around. "Uhm, yes. Hell yeah I'll go. Thank you."

"Don't thank me sport thank your folks next time you see them. Your coming cause I owe both of them at least a chance for you to prove your worth a damn.

That fact sends a pang of guilt into Ricardo's gut. 'If only he knew the half of it.'

Caesar notices the change in his expression but didn't think much of it. "We leave at sun rise if your not outside first thing in the morning your own. got it?"

"Yeah sure, got it. See you then." Caesar turns and sits with his party leaving Ricardo to smile and heads toward the stairs to his room. On his way he see's a certain bar maid waiting for him.

Corina spots him and throws a smile his way. "Are we celebrating or you need a shoulder to cry on?"

Ricardo brings out his half smile again. "Celebrating, I'm going with them on a job first thing in the morning.

Corina's smile widens as she sashays toward Ricardo. "That's great but will you have time to play tonight.?"

Corina wraps her arms around Ricky. "How could I say no to an offer like that darlin'."

Ricardo picks her up and causing her to give a small yelp as he makes his way upstairs to his room. As he unlocks the door, with Corina in his arms, he knows he's gonna have a long day tomorrow with Caesars group and his first adventure. Hopefully they won't find out the truth about him but as he walks through the doorway he sends that in the back of his mind because right now he is gonna enjoy his first night away from home consequences be damned.

Corina gives one more giggle as the door closes behind them.