It was the year 1510, and I had just turned eighteen the year before, in December. I had been born to a middle class family who dealt in shoemaking, but we fell on hard times when I was six. My father wanted me to become a shoemaker like him. Of course, I was more interested in playing the lute he had bought me before our financial situation. Anyway, as I was saying, I was barely eighteen. I always wanted to buy another lute since the one father had given me was made for children, but I had no money whatsoever. I tried getting a job, but to no avail. Begging didn't help, either. I contemplated stealing, but I could never bring myself to doing that. Just when I thought I'd ran out of solutions, I saw some men playing dice in the plaza. I knew next to nothing about playing dice, but this was my chance to make some cash. I cautiously approached the group. They all gave me a glare. It made me nervous.

"Uh... hello, gentlemen. I-I was wondering if I-I could, um... j-join this game?" I stammered. The oldest man in the group gave me the most horrifying look.

"You know how to play, kid?" he asked. He had a growl to his voice.

"Well, I... y-yes?" I lied. It was obvious to the oldest man that I was lying, but he decided to play along.

"Very well, boy. Place your bets."

I gulped. "Um... seven."

Needless to say, I was wrong. The dice landed on two.

"Pay up, kid. Rules are rules."

I sweated. "Um, yes, I would but... well, I have no money."

The old man's sneer quickly shifted into a glare. "I see. Tell me, do you know what happens to those who don't have any money in this group, boy?"

"N-n-no, s-s-sir," I stammered. He pulled out a dagger from a satchel. I was sweating profusely, now. The old man put the dagger against my ear. Just as he was about to cut it off, the youngest man in the group spoke out.

"I'll pay for him," he said. The old man laughed.

"Are you serious? You're going to give up your money for this runt?"

The young man glared at him with dark blue eyes. "Yeah, I am. Now let him go."

The old man snickered and put away the dagger. The young man paid him and walked off. I was shaking, but got up. I knew I had to thank the man. I ran towards the stranger. He had curly black hair that was somewhat long, but not as long as mine, and slightly tanned skin. I ran in front of him.

"Wait! Please, stop right there," I pleaded. He rolled his eyes.

"What do you want?" He asked.

"I wanted to thank you for what you did. If you hadn't been there, I would've lost my ear. If there's anything I can do to repay you-"

"You can repay me by going away," he growled.

"But I'm in your debt, sir. You practically saved my life."

"I told you, go away. That's all you need to do to repay me."

"There's so much more I can do for you, though..."

He finally gave in. "Fine! The first thing I order you to do is to shut up! At least for now. And after I let you talk again, my second order will be for you to stop calling me 'sir'! Finally, you will only speak when you are spoken to! Do you understand?"

I nodded.

"Good. Now, you're going to do everything I tell you to do. Oh, and by the way, never play dice again. You'll just cause more hassle."

Of course, that last part never happened.