A few days after settling into their new home, Isaac was called to begin working so as to become a contributing member of the Kingdom. The work of a blacksmith is always in demand. Isaac walked out of the boarding house, fastening his cloak. He walked towards the marketplace, where he was informed the smithies would be located. While not even noon, the marketplace was already filled to the brim with people purchasing goods and products from the merchants. Isaac was even able to recognize some of the pelts he had traded days prior being on display for sale. Isaac honed his hearing, focusing on the sounds of a hammer hitting an anvil. He walked through the crowds, deftly weaving through. He came upon the shop, seeing sparks light up the shop window. Isaac walked into the open shop, seeing the blacksmith hard at work. The blacksmith, a large gorilla, was working on a ceremonial sword, his hammer shaping the profile of the weapon. A drop of sweat dripped from his nose and fell towards the blade, becoming steam before it could hit the metal. The blacksmith held up the sword and plunged it into a trough of salt water, quenching it. He pulled it out of the water, steam enveloping the blade. After studying the spine of the blade, he placed it onto a weapons rack, located next to a grindstone.
"Thank you for waiting, sir. Now, how can I help you today?" The smith asked Isaac.
"I am here for the job. I was told you had an opening." Isaac answered.
The smith wiped his face with a towel, sweat still dripping from his forehead.
"That I do! Now, I'm obliged to ask how much experience you have with forging metal. If you don't have much experience, I can always have you be an apprentice. The pay is not the best, but it leaves opportunity to advance." The smith explained.
"I have been working metal since I was seven. My mother taught me." Isaac answered.
"Well, that's a surprise! I have a few weapons that need a go with the grindstone. If you polish them up and sharpen them, the job is yours." The smith said.
Isaac took off his cloak, revealing his own weapons underneath. Isaac walked to the grindstone and sat down, grabbing one of the swords from the weapon rack. Isaac began pumping the pedal with his foot, spinning the grindstone. He began by polishing the flat edge of the blade, gently removing the scale. After doing so, he began working on the edge, sharpening the blade to as sharp as the metal could provide, to the point where the edge could not reflect light. Plucking a quill from his head, Isaac put it to the blade, where it was cut effortlessly. Isaac stood up, satisfied with his work. He walked to the smith and presented to him the refined blade.
"By the forge of Hephaestus… I've never seen a blade so sharp in so little time! And the polish… it's immaculate! Forget the rest of the blades, you're hired!" The smith exclaimed, quickly shaking Isaac's hand.
For the next few hours, Isaac polished and sharpened all the blades that the Blacksmith could forge, keeping pace. When the sun was at its highest, the Blacksmith stopped, wiping the sweat from his brow. Isaac stretched out his arms, getting up from the grindstone.
"I've never had anyone be able to keep up with me before. Well, we are well ahead of schedule. I'm going to need you to help me with delivering these blades. The Royal Guard are not known for their patience." The smith said, grabbing blades from the rack and sheathing them into scabbards.
He tied them into a bundle and handed them to Isaac, who slung it over his shoulder.
"All of these go to the armory at the Castle of Acorn. Make sure no one gets these except the Quartermaster. He will hand you the payment. If he does not, do not give him the blades. I'm running a business, not a charity. I'm expecting 6,000 rings for these blades, and not a penny less. Do this and we can call it a good day." He said, pointing towards the castle through the open door.
Isaac ran out the door, taking the shortest path to the castle. After passing multiple guards and jogging through the main gate, he finally stopped at the main door of the castle. Hesitant, he grabbed the handle and pushed the door, hearing it creak as it opened. As he walked through, a guard stepped out and stopped him.
"Hold it! Why are you here?" He asked, his hand on the hilt of his sword.
"I have a delivery of blades for the Quartermaster. Only he can receive them." Isaac explained.
The guard nodded, letting his guard down.
"Down the hall on the right. Three doors down, take a left. Go down the first staircase you see, go straight, and then a right. He's not in a good mood right now, so expect some resistance." The guard said.
"Thank you, sir." Isaac said, walking to the hall.
Isaac followed the guard's instruction, navigating the lower levels of the castle. As soon as he walked down the last hallway, he was greeted by an armory packed to the brink with swords, crossbows, daggers, and even a few firearms. In the middle of the room was a guard at a desk, going through requisition forms for weapons. Isaac cleared his throat, making his presence known.
"What?" The guard sternly asked, his annoyance evident.
"I have a weapons delivery. Your hands only." Isaac informed.
"Finally! I have been waiting on those blades for weeks! Tell your boss he needs to improve his working speed!" The Quartermaster said, getting up from his desk.
He made to grab the bundle of blades, but Isaac stepped back, creating distance between the Quartermaster and the bundle.
"Payment first. 6,000 rings." Isaac said.
The Quartermaster rolled his eyes, reaching behind the desk and pulling out a burlap sack full of rings. He handed them to Isaac, who in turn handed the bundle of blades to the Quartermaster. With payment in full, Isaac walked back where he came, eventually finding himself back outside of the castle. Isaac walked back to the Smithies, concealing the sack of rings so as to not make himself a target. He discreetly entered the shop, placing the bag of rings on the counter.
"Did he give you any trouble?" The Blacksmith asked.
"No." Isaac answered.
"Well, that was all I had to do today. I'll be staying for the rest of the day in case someone comes by with an order, but you are dismissed for the day." The Blacksmith said.
Isaac bowed, donning his cloak, and heading towards the door.
"If you stop by the bakery on your way home, tell them 'Boris' sent you. They'll set you up with something nice." The Blacksmith said.
"Is that your name?" Isaac asked.
"One of them. I've gone by many names in my lifetime. Oh, and be back here same time tomorrow for work. I'll have more projects to do tomorrow." Boris said.
Isaac nodded, walking out of the shop. He walked through the marketplace, feeling it to be very crowded. As he walked, he heard a loud shriek from an alleyway. Isaac, with no concern for himself, ran into the alleyway. Isaac stopped, looking around.
"Hello. Anyone here?" Isaac asked.
Suddenly, he felt a sharp point against his side, barely scratching him.
"Yeah, there is. Now, hand over your rings and you walk away alive." A feminine voice said.
Isaac sighed, knowing where this was headed.
"Instead, I give you a choice. Walk away now, and I won't have your death on my conscience." Isaac offered.
The mugger scoffed, digging the tip of her knife a little deeper into his side.
"Last time someone said that he was found in a ditch! Now, I'm giving you one last chance. Hand over the rings and I'll be merciful." She offered.
"Fine." Isaac said, reaching into his cloak.
Without hesitation, Isaac spun around and struck the assailant with his dagger, the blade slitting her neck. She made to stop the bleeding, but arterial bleeding overcame her and she collapsed to the ground. Isaac looked down, knowing he had killed her. Isaac calmly walked out of the alleyway and flagged down a guard. The guard walked into the alleyway, seeing the carnage.
"By Chaos… you killed this woman?!" He asked.
Isaac nodded.
The guard turned her over, seeing her face. His look of horror and confusion became one of understanding and acknowledgement.
"You killed her in self-defense, correct?" The guard asked.
"That is correct." Isaac said.
The guard nodded, standing up.
"We've been looking for her for months. She's been connected to a few murders and at least a dozen muggings. Granted, we would have preferred her to be taken in alive… but we're glad, nonetheless." The guard explained.
He reached into his cloak, pulling out a small bag of rings. He handed it to Isaac.
"What is this for?" Isaac asked.
"Her bounty. She had a price on her head. It's yours, now." The guard explained.
Isaac shook his head, handing the bag of rings back.
"I do not want money for killing this woman. I do not deserve to rewarded for my actions." Isaac explained.
The guard nodded, tucking the bag back into his cloak. He bent down and hoisted the Mobian woman onto his shoulders, walking out of the alleyway.
Isaac walked through the marketplace, hanging his head. Isaac took no cherish in killing. In fact, every kill he was forced to commit put him into a silent state of despair. While he knew he killed in self-defense, he still felt he could've done something different. He was afraid that it could put his sister into danger. He was afraid that it could set a terrible example for his sister to follow. As Isaac walked, oblivious while in his state of despair, he bumped into someone. He fell onto his side, landing on his elbows. Isaac slowly got up, shaking his head. He looked to whom he bumped into, seeing a female Mobian getting up. She was a chipmunk/squirrel hybrid, standing at about 3' 8". She had brown fur and dark auburn hair. She was wearing a pair of boots and a vest. She was rubbing her forehead, which what connected with Isaac in their collision.
"Oh, many apologies. I was not looking where I was going." Isaac apologized, helping her off of the ground.
"No, it was mine. I should've been looking where I was going." She said, taking responsibility.
She looked up at Isaac, her eyes meeting his. Isaac didn't know what it was, but something about her eyes… it caught him off-guard. Almost as if he knew her.
"I apologize for staring, but… do I know you from somewhere?" He asked.
She shook her head.
"Can't say I remember you from anywhere. My name's Sally." She said, introducing herself.
"Isaac." He said, identifying himself.
Suddenly, a large guard approached, his hand on the hilt of his sword.
"Princess, is this one bothering you?" He asked.
"No, Reginald. Just someone I bumped into." Sally explained.
"Princess?! Oh, I am truly sorry!" Isaac exclaimed, bowing.
Sally smiled and giggled.
"Please, you don't have to do that. I'd rather just be greeted, like a friend." She responded.
Isaac stood up straight. But a strange figure caught his eye. A Mobian, wearing the same armor as his attackers from the week prior. He noticed Isaac staring at him, and slowly reached for his sword.
"Get down." Isaac said, almost a whisper.
"What?" Sally asked.
"Get down!" Isaac shouted, pushing Sally away from him.
The Mobian charged at Isaac, his sword coming down on him. Isaac reacted swiftly, grabbing his dagger, and using both hands to block the blade! The attacker jumped back, giving some breathing room.
"I have come to avenge my brother, demon-spawn! I do not know how you survived our attack, but the end shall be swift for you!" He exclaimed, readying another attack.
Isaac reached for his belt, drawing out the reclaimed sword. The attacker charged again, this time aiming for his side. Isaac blocked it, sparks emanating from the strike! Isaac spun around, ready to counter.
"Stop this foolishness! You and your bandits will not take me down! Not as long as I have someone to protect!" Isaac said, readying his sword.
Looking around, the attacker noticed Princess Sally picking herself up from the ground. He quickly ran to her and grabbed her, placing his blade under her chin. Isaac backed up, making sure he wasn't too close.
"Protecting someone, huh? Well, keep your distance and I won't have to drain her lifeblood from her neck!" He shouted, tightening his grip.
The guard from earlier ran towards Isaac, placing himself besides him.
"Do you have a plan?" He asked Isaac.
Isaac nodded.
"I need him to be irrational. Make him let go of the Princess so I can attack him effectively. Mention his brother a few times. That might do it." Isaac said.
"While on the subject, what did you do to his brother?" The guard asked.
"I… I killed him. He attacked me and my sister. I killed him to protect her." Isaac answered.
The guard nodded, understanding the predicament.
"If you help me save the Princess successfully, I'll make sure you don't spend the rest of your life in a cell." The guard offered.
"Agreed." Isaac said, accepting the offer.
The guard calmly walked to the side, gaining the attacker's attention.
"So… that brother of yours… he must've been a real screw-up to get killed by an amateur swordsman." The guard said.
Isaac could practically hear him gritting his teeth.
"If you only knew what he truly is… you would be on my side." The attacker said, focusing his attention on the guard.
"Your side? Attacking innocent people is supposed to be good? A young man and his little sister? You know what, I wasn't going to say it, but I'm actually glad someone like your brother doesn't draw breathe anymore." The guard said, backing away from the attacker.
Suddenly, the hand that was on Sally was released and went to his mouth. A stream of blood was leaking from his fingers. His anger at such an insult caused him to grit his teeth so hard as to shatter one of his molars. Princess Sally ran to the guard, escaping a last-attempt slash from the attacker. Isaac grabbed a throwing knife from his belt and unleashed at the attacker, hitting his left shoulder. He ran towards Isaac, blood pouring from his mouth. The attacker leaped above Isaac; his sword drawn to slice downward. Isaac, seeing the opening, aimed the blade and thrusted, the tip of the sword piercing through his attacker! Isaac swung the blade down, practically splitting his attacker down the middle. His corpse bled into the ground, saturating the ground with fresh crimson. Isaac, momentarily studying the sword he used to kill his attacker, threw it to the ground, sickened by his ability to kill. As he stared at the corpse of the attacker, Sally walked towards him, stopping a few feet away.
"Isaac, I… thank you." She said.
"I do not want praise… not when I have taken a life." Isaac responded.
With the word of the guard defending Isaac, he was taken to the castle to speak to King Nigel Acorn, the father of Princess Sally. Isaac approached the throne of the King, bowing. The Mobian Squirrel King rose from his throne, bowing to Isaac. Suddenly, the King began shaking and fell back to his throne, as if injured. The Royal Advisor quickly ran to him, seeing if he was hurt.
"Your Highness! You mustn't rise so fast from your throne, let alone bowing!" He quickly scolded.
"I did not mean to startle you, Gregory. But I wanted to give the proper respects to the one that ensured my daughter wouldn't be killed by the assailant." Nigel said.
"Sir, I do not request praise for my actions. I did not wish to kill him. But opportunity seems to evade me to spare my attackers." Isaac responded.
"While I sympathize with your pain of not being able to do more, I cannot allow such a deed to go unrewarded. And I wish to reward you with a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity." Nigel explained.
"Which would be?" Isaac asked.
"I was told that you were waiting for approval to be a citizen in my kingdom. I offer you immediate citizenship… and an occupation that compliments your skillset." Nigel offered.
Isaac couldn't help but grin.
"And the job?" Isaac asked.
"Seeing as how skilled you were with your weapon in protecting my daughter, I wish for you to become part of the Elite Guard, whose main duty is to protect the members of the Royal Family. And I want you to be sole protector of my daughter." Nigel explained.
"Did Princess Sally approve of this?" Isaac asked.
"She was the one that suggested it." Nigel responded.
Isaac slowly walked towards the King, ensuring he didn't represent a threat to the King. Isaac stopped at the foot of his throne and offered his hand. King Nigel took it, shaking it.
"I promise to you that I will do everything in my power to protect your daughter, implementing less-than-lethal means to ensure her attackers will meet justice." Isaac said.
"I wouldn't have it any other way. Guards, retrieve young Lily from housing so as to be relocated to the children's quarters." Nigel ordered.
"Wait, what are you doing to my sister?" Isaac asked.
"She will be relocated to the children's quarters. She will be socializing with the other children of the guards during the day and will be sent to her quarters to sleep. This is a special privilege, Isaac. She will be educated, given three meals a day, and will have plenty of children like herself to play with. And you will be able to visit her and be with her as often as you like, as long as it is permitted by Princess Sally. After all, she is your 'boss', now." King Nigel explained.
Isaac felt in the pit of his stomach that this may be an offer he would've been better refusing.