His Story

After having prevented the nearly devastating events of the Crag of Holla and parting ways with his three new comrades, Aniero, Sayl and Argetlam, Kallo had been employed once again by his former boss and friend, Aldo of the Tenshodo in order to set up ties in Aht Urghan with the Sentinels of Salaheem.

Having just left the Neptune’s Spire, Kallo strolled through the streets of Jeuno toward the port where the agent of the east would be waiting for him. Aldo had told Kallo he was a mercenary, a Sellsword, but he didn’t tell him what his name was exactly.

Over his many years in his profession of choice Kallo was very well skilled in picking out whether or not people should be where they are, doing what they’re doing or even in some cases, thinking whatever it is they were thinking.

Unless you’re just as skilled at hiding your motives as Kallo is as being able to spot them, he was pretty sure he’d have no trouble finding an easterner looking for a westerner in the docks. He was right, in fact, as soon as he came within view of the airship bound for Kahzam, a Hume Samurai had approached him bowing deeply but not breaking eye contact.

“Mr. Kallo Landis, I presume?” the Samurai asked.

“You must be the Sellsword?” the Thief replied with a question of his own.

“That is my name, yes.” he smiled.

Kallo paused for a moment a bit confused, “That’s your name, or your profession?”

“Both.” he grinned as he came out of his bow, “Mercenary, Samurai, man of morals…whatever one must be, we all do things of which we’re not proud — nor of what others would be proud of. It’s a bit more difficult for people to bring justice to people of our…stature, when they have only a profession to go by and not a name.”

Kallo smiled, laughing a bit, “So we’re of the same stature, huh?”

Sellsword stepped to the side and extended his arm toward the airship, letting Kallo walk past him, “In some respects perhaps. We’re both men for hire — though, for what perhaps is where the difference lies.”

“I’m sure you’re right on that one.” he said back glancing over his shoulder, “So, you work for Naja Salaheem then?”

Sellsword smiled, “Not like most.” he said, “She doesn’t own me — but I do favors for her here and there. In fact, you’re the reason I was selected for this mission.”

Kallo turned to face Sellsword once they had reached the threshold from the boat and dock, his look very quizzical toward the Samurai.

“Relax, my friend.” the eastern walked past Kallo and onto the airship, “Naja can be very steamed and quick to temper — I’m quite the opposite. That’s the reason I was selected, so that your trip across the sea’s would be the opposite of…” he searched for his words.

“The opposite of what they’d be if Naja got her way, and Abquhbah didn’t get his two cents in?” Kallo grinned.

Sellsword returned the look, “Precisely.”

The Airship, which was heading for Kahzam departed shortly thereafter. The two adventurers where to rendezvous with another crew to take them to Aht Urghan, courtesy of the Tenshodo. Kallo was also to be briefed more on his mission and what it was to entail exactly. Once in the air, Sellsword went to the deck where he leaned against the outside rail, watching the scenery whip by down below them. Kallo joined him after a few moments and the two remained silent for quite some time, until Sellsword broke that silence.

“I’ve heard a lot of you.” Sellsword said leaning against the railing looking out over the harbor, “But not much about you. Why is that?”

“I’m not sure what you mean.”

“I think you do.” he replied without even looking back. “While I was waiting, you’re reputation was very clearly spelled out to me.”

Kallo turned his head toward the Samurai, “Meaning?” he asked.

The Samurai grinned himself, “Don’t get yourself worked up.” he said, “I wouldn’t call it a negative reputation…you are a Thief after all. For the most part you seem to have a very steal from the rich and give to yourself type philosophy…while helping the peasants out a bit on the way.”

Taking a moment, the Thief replied, “I don’t go out of my way to help people…”

“But if they’re on the way…”

“I don’t mind the praise.” he chuckled.

“But of all I hear…there isn’t much about you.” Sellsword said again, “Namely — you’re time previously in my country.” he looked at the Thief for the first time, Kallo didn’t reply or return the glance. “I’ve heard the stories of course — from many different people, nationalities, sources…perhaps reliable, but often then not…very un-so.”

“What does it matter to you, it’d just be another story.” Kallo returned.

Sellsword nodded, “Yes.” and then the two of them went quiet for a long while, finally Kallo broke the silent seemingly very uneasy and frustrated.

“Everyone whose heard part of the story thinks they know something, don’t they?” he turned to face Sellsword head on, “You think you’re going to impart on me some great wisdom that’ll suddenly make my entire past seem ok?”

“Your mistakes are your own to deal with.” the Samurai said. “I want nothing to do with them. I don’t have answers for you, no remedies or solutions — but no matter how big or small those mistakes are…” he paused, his eyes meeting Kallo’s, “Sometimes knowing that even one soul…other the yourself knows the truth behind said mistakes…might help a little.”

“Then again it might not.”

Sellsword grinned, “It might not.”

“Everywhere you go…everyone you ask…it’s always Kallo, Tara and Akeem.” Kallo said. “The story about two brothers feud that got one nations most beloved Summoner killed.”

“But there’s more to it then that.” Sellsword said.

Kallo nodded, “Faction 5.” he spoke, finally ready to tell his story.

~ by Kallo on May 26, 2008.