He was well received and would be more than fairly paid

　　the merchants hired the best so that they need not be afraid

　　they`d set off on their journey soon with wagons full of wares

　　to find a foreign market place and make its fortune theirs

　　The mercenary band initiated him with glee

　　something that he knew of from his time in piracy

　　they came at him with wooden swords to see what he could do

　　but one by one they questioned what they got themselves into

　　The merchants gathered round to see the reason for the noise

　　mercenaries shouting like excited little boys

　　starting with the weakest every member tried their hand

　　but in an hour he`d made it to the stronger of the band

　　The newest of the group was young but on a winning spree

　　then the merchants realized an opportunity

　　they started taking bets on who would win from passers by

　　and soon it was a tournament with tensions running high

　　By noon it was a festival and guests were pouring in

　　it didn`t take much longer for the profits to begin

　　the merchants didn`t even have to try to entertain

　　as long as the performance of the fighters didn`t wane

　　The new recruit was happy to oblige a challenger

　　whether mercenaries or a fellow traveler

　　many people came to spar with him just for the fun

　　but it was clear a healthy competition had begun

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　　"You`ve got some beginner`s luck, I`ll put you in your place

　　let me wipe the smug expression of your hairless face"

　　some men were suspicious that the fights were being thrown

　　they were soon convinced though, with a beating of their own

　　Even several mages came to see with their own eyes

　　and came to fight the champion while wearing a disguise

　　posing as a swordsman they would join the fighters` game

　　the cheating mages entered but the outcome was the same

　　With a spell they`d weaken him or break his wooden sword

　　but all their tricks and magic left the young man feeling bored

　　he felt like he was picking on a petty, desperate child

　　but still when he defeated them, the audience went wild

　　As the sun was setting on the mercenaries` game

　　finally the leader of the mercenaries came

　　"the way you swing your sword is crude and stinks of piracy

　　did you hone your skills on helpless victims out at sea"

　　Suddenly the air around the new recruit was cold

　　the audience grew tense and wondered what would soon unfold

　　the merchants took a break from taking bets and backed away

　　suddenly the hecklers in the crowd had nought to say

　　The leader of the mercenaries drew a sword of steel

　　his junior formed a fiery blade whose heat the crowd could feel

　　the flaming sword was swung and though the audience was scared

　　it was soon revealed that the old leader was prepared

　　He had no problem parrying the young boys sword of fire

　　but still it wasn`t long before the veteran would tire

　　as the young man lost control and anger filled his eyes

　　the leader laughed and put away his sword to his surprise

　　"Welcome to our humble band of mercenaries, friend

　　I hope to see you fight again before our journey`s end"

　　the leader praised the boy, who slowly overcame his shame

　　embarrassed that he`d been provoked by such a simple claim

　　"Sorry for offending you, but you`re too fun to tease

　　many of us here were pirates, fight the way you please

　　just don`t scare the ladies, and we`ll get along just fine

　　now let`s see if you`re as strong against our cheapest wine"

　　The tournament was over and the champion declared

　　and for the shining star no single compliment was spared

　　songs were sung and drinks were drunk until the break of dawn

　　the merchants revelled in the crowd the new recruit had drawn

　　Later they approached him with a bag of gold to say

　　"we`ve yet to even leave and you`ve already earned your pay

　　here`s a bit of what we made as thanks for all you`ve done

　　the gold is rolling in and still the journey`s just begun"

　　Confident that they had paid the man what he was owed

　　it was time to pack their things and hit the open road

　　they bid the town farewell and with their spirits ever high

　　they set off on a journey to the land where treasures lie