
"Ah... See, thou hast been very attentive and made thyself equipped and ready for adventure."
Takes a sip from his ale.
"Ye plan an adventure to the South? There was but not a few days ago that some young folk journeyed there perhaps you wait for them to return and then make their adventures thine?"
Looks around the tavern.
"So meh lady, do tell... Where thus thou hailest from and what has thy youth been like?"
Egica takes a heartier sip of the ale and begins her tale:
"I don't remember where I was born. My father was an apothecary who traveled from village to village, plying his trade. On the road, he would teach my brother and I about herbalism. My mother often nagged him about settling down, but she liked travel in her own way. She was a master trapper, and the journeys allowed her to keep up her skill. In fact, she was the one who taught this skill to us children.
"Mine was a happy childhood...until my tenth winter. That year, my father went on a journey to a far off land to collect rare and valuable herbs. But...he never returned."
The painful memory makes her pause for a moment. She takes a few more sips of the ale before continuing
"My mother was terribly grieved, but this did not affect her beauty. A wealthy man noticed this beautiful widow and proposed to her. She did not love him, but she could not support a family on her own, so she married him.
"My brother and I soon found ourselves the elder siblings to their offspring. We loved our new family, but we still missed our father. We swore to each other that as soon as we were of age that we would seek him out.
"That time came about a month ago. My brother and I set out from home, but were separated on the way. Now I seek both him and my father, but I hope that we will be united in this life."
Scouts looks on with some pity but maintains a serious composure.
"Never mind that las, seeking out thy father should be a future mission when ye have gained some experience and can venture out into distant lands."
He then pauses, takes another sip..
"And what of thy mother, she is still married? When last have ye met with her?"
"Yes, she's still married and still beautiful," replies Egica. "I last saw her a month ago. Before my brother and I departed, we said farewell to her and our three little half-siblings."
She thinks for a moment, trying to recall the details of the memory. "Mother seemed content in her new life, but, I think she wants closure concerning Father all the same."
He nods his head and continues with his statements,
"Las ye will soon accomplish your destiny, but before that ye must learn of the arts of battle.'
He takes the hand Egica and looks at the palm,
"Ye have palms of a baby, work is still absent from thy experience."
Letting go he continues,
"Ye will soon learn the difficulties of life and wielding tools of thy trade will make it so."
"No meh lady, ye should be well endowed already but maybe ye lack the actual tools of thy trade?"
Looking around her keenly,
"Where be the tools which ye use to pick locks and open chests in dark dungeons?"