Aderyn Martin was the eldest of three to a Farfolk couple in the Holy Empire of Man. His parents had emigrated from their ancestral home in search of better opportunities, eventually settling in the outskirts of the Empire. They started an inn, and when they had children they knew their business could be passed on. So their family was content with their lot, as they raked in adequate pay from travelers and merchants entering the Empire’s borders. Aderyn was the exception, as from a young age he listened to guests’ stories of faraway places and riveting adventures, and it filled his head with aspirations that couldn't be fulfilled in the provincial town he lived in. He saw his opportunity to start a new chapter of his life at ten years old, when a hedge knight entered his family's inn one night. He overheard the knight regaling his many travels, and his stories about his squire especially piqued Aderyn’s interest. The next morning he pleaded with his parents to allow him to travel one day and find a knight to squire for. He promised that he would return and protect their town once he was knighted and skilled enough. With some time, and plenty of discussion between his parents, on the advent of his fifteenth birthday, he was finally allowed to travel on his own and indulge his curiosity of the places he’s heard about his entire life. He spent the next three years learning how to navigate the world, going from village to village as he sought employment wherever he could, all the while keeping an eye out for any knight who would accept him as a squire. It was during this time he managed to acquire himself a set of the cheapest armor he could afford after a few successful jobs guarding merchant caravans, and he became hopeful at this progress. Slowly but surely, he was approaching his goal of becoming the protector he promised his family he’d be.
The traveller has just arrived in a small town. As they look around, their gaze is met with run down houses and shops. They duck into one of the shacks, illuminated by a series of candles suspended in the air. At the back of the small room, an old hag raises her head, “What brings you to this dingy town?" She begins, then pauses to study their face—”Ah, it’s you. I’ve been expecting you. Sit,” she gestures at a chair, “Where do you come from? What do you hope to make of yourself?”
Aderyn's pace hesitates, watching the crone for a moment before speaking. "...I don't know you," He starts, before glancing around the room. He turns his head to be sure that his exit wasn't blocked before obliging the woman and sitting in the offered chair. "I'm from a small town in the Empire," he supplies as he settles down, before adding, "you wouldn't know it." He pauses and brings his hand absentmindedly to his chin for another moment, meanwhile never taking his gaze away from the old hag. "I want to be a knight strong enough to protect that town." He says. "Did you expect that too?"
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