Korv awoke early this day, for there was much to do! As always, he made his morning brew and enjoyed some quiet time reflecting.
He had very much relished the time he had to recover, but now, Korv found his hunger to reenter the fight was slowly coming back. Aye, writing and creating were indeed a pleasure, but a warrior needs more. A warrior craves battle! His spirit needs challenges with which to test his mettle!
Korv would continue to create, and he could see the day where it possibly became his vocation, but for now, he needed to wrap his hands around the handle of a hearty battleaxe and cleave his enemies in two. This, this was what made his heart beat. What gave him purpose. Aye, the day was coming soon when Korv must enter the arena once more.
But first, Korv must see one of the village healers. He had been tending to his nagging injuries with her help and his recovery was going along wonderfully. His visits were becoming less and less, and slowly his strength was returning. With that, it was time to go. He finished his morning brew and prepared himself to to head into the village.
Korv and the healer discussed his injuries and his progress. They had decided mutually that he could wait at least 30 days to visit again, lest his ailments nagged him again in the interim. Indeed this was progress!
As the healer worked on his joints, Korv marveled at how such a tiny woman could be so strong! She would be a fierce combatant on the field of battle should she choose to wield a sword. When she had finished her treatments, Korv bade her farewell and made his way to the next destination.
Korv had heard a local merchant may be looking for strong sword arms to join a mercenary group which could assist them in the protection of their goods. With his extensive experience on the fields of battle as both a soldier and commander, Korv thought he may be a good fit.
He was greeted by a red-haired woman who identified herself as the recruiter of the guard.Korv introduced himself and explained the purpose of his visit. the woman listened intently as he listed his many accolades and his desire to join the mercenary group.
“So, humbly, I ask,” Korv stated, “Could I be good fit for this team you are building?”
“In a word, no,” the woman replied in a rather flat tone.
Korv, while slightly taken aback, held his composure. Clearly, some charm would be needed here. And Korv, apelike tendencies aside, could be a charming devil when he wanted to.
“May I ask why, fine lady?” Korv queried.
“You are far too experienced a warrior, and we could never compensate you with the amount of gold you’d likely seek,” she replied honestly.
“Ah so it is coin which concerns her,” Korv noted to himself. Korv flashed his warmest smile and chuckled slightly.
“M’lady, there is always room for negotiation, is there not?”, Korv inquired rather sweetly. “I have not even named a price yet, so how can you know what is acceptable to me?”
Truthfully, while coin was indeed important to Korv, so too were new experiences. Since his exile, he had opened his mind to new possibilities and if the opportunity were right, he would consider them. Korv knew sometimes a step back was truly a step forward.
“You do make a fair point, barbarian,” the woman conceded.
Korv, sensing an chink in the armor, made his proposal. “Fine lady, you are having an open exhibition tomorrow, correct?”
“Aye, that we are,” she answered with a slight smile.
“Perhaps I could attend tomorrow, see the operation for myself, and if ye are amenable, we can speak further? Is this agreeable to you?” Korv asked.
“Why yes, I find that agreeable, barbarian,” the woman answered with a light laugh. If nothing else, she could admire Korv’s persistence.
“Until the morrow then!”, Korv said, bowing slightly as he made his exit.
When Korv arrived home, he sat down for his evening meal. He knew getting back into the battle would be a challenge, but it was one he was more than ready to accept. Perhaps the next day’s meeting would not be the opportunity Korv was looking for, but he had made progress, and in the process shown that even a barbarian, rough though they may be, had their charms too.
Indeed, tonight’s meal would be a bit of a victory feast.
The Beginning At Last 
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