Robbie "Jin" Seipatsu

Chapter 1
It all began in a small village in the Blackstone Hills. Robbie, at the age of 6 at the time, was peacefully living alone with his Myrish mother amongst other farmers. Robbie's dad left shortly after birth and the only thing he left was Robbie's name, but mother also wanted to name him, so she named him Jin, after her dad, a samurai hero. They always despised her because of her samurai roots, but she didn't really mind that, caring only about her son. But, one day, the ordinary everyday life was interrupted by a viking raiding party. Among the chaos, Robbie's mother ordered him to run away to the nearest forest, and wait there for her. Because he always was a smart kid, he did just as she said. Since his mother was a daughter of an samurai hero, she picked up some fighting skills from him. So she took her old nodachi and rushed to help the farmers that were trying to defend against the vikings. Jin waited until the next day, scared and hungry, then he decided he is going back to the village. He ran there, speeding up when he saw smoke on the horizon. When he arrived, all he saw was a lone lawbringer, standing among the massacre. Robbie walked up to him and, almost crying, asked if he saw his mom. The confused lawbringer answered:

- No i did not, i did not see anyone alive here when i arrived.

Jin bursted into tears, and lawbringer quickly understood his mistake, and started to comfort him:

- It's okay, everything is going to be fine, im gonna take you to a safe place and look for your mom. What's your name?

The kid calmed down a little and answered: - I'm Robbie, Robbie Seipatsu, but mom calls me Jin.

The lawbringer took off his helmet, which looked like a weeping face, showing his face that looked somewhere around his 50' and grayish short hair, and said: - I'm Agnus, lawbringer from the fortress Eitrivatnen, i came here because of the reports that said that the viking raids were getting more intense. I'm sorry i was late.

Jin, already cheered up from looking at the cool armor and weapon Agnus had, saddened again. The lawbringer took him to the place where he left his horse and told the kid to stay there until he comes. Robbie bursted into tears again and sobbed:

- Mom said the same thing, but she didn't came.

- But i will, i promise - Lawbringer answered. - And remember, ''Anima libera, sempre mi illumina, nel buio dei pensieri miei. ''That means "Free soul always enlightens me in the darkness of my thoughts."

Jin was amazed by Agnus and thought that he want to be just like him in the future. The lawbringer gave him something to eat, left him with the horse and went to look for his mother inbetween the dead.

- This name... Could it be... No, impossible - Agnus whispered to himself on the way.

From the last name and face he guessed that the kid's mother is from Myre, and looked around. He found her lying down on the ground among five viking bodies, seemingly killed by her. She had several deep axe and spear wounds and died from the loss of bleed.

<span style="color: rgb(220, 221, 222); font-family: Whitney, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: pre-wrap; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; display: inline !important; float: none;">Truly, a brave woman - Agnus said. - She deserves a proper burial.

Then he procedeed to bury her on the side of the road. The memorial on the grave said:'' Grave of a brave Myrish woman who died protecting the Ashfeldian village, a sign that all nations can live among themselves peacefully. May the gods bless her soul.''<span style="color: rgb(220, 221, 222); font-family: Whitney, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: pre-wrap; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; display: inline !important; float: none;">

- So it really was you... - Agnus said, as two tears rolled across his cheeks. - I was late, I'm sorry, I'm so sorry. But i promise, i will take care of our child.

Chapter 2
Agnus, after burying the kid's mother, and at the same time, his wife came back to Jin whom he left at village outskirts with his horse. When he arrived, the kid ran up to him and asked:

- Have you found my mom?

- I'm sorry, but i didn't - He replied.

Jin bursted into tears, but this time Agnus was prepared. He took out some candy out of his luggage and handed it to the kid:

- Don't worry, everything will be okay, I'm going to take care of you. Now eat this, you'll feel better in no time.

Jin took and ate it, his eyes widened and he let out a loud sigh, because he has never eaten any sweets in his life.

- Hey, do you have any more of these? - Robbie asked. - They are amazing!

- I'm glad you like them, you will get more when we get to Eitrivatnen - replied Agnus.

- Where?

- The fortress i came from. I told you im going to take care of you. Now lets get some rest.

Suddenly Jin started to feel really sleepy, probably because of all he experienced this day. Agnus took a blanket out of his luggage, gathered some hay and made a makeshift bed.

- Here, go sleep and i will stay up, there still might be some vikings around - said Agnus. Jin immediately fell asleep.

Next morning the lawbringer woke Robbie up and started preparing to set off.

- I'm hungry - said Jin.

- Sorry but i ran out of supplies, i hoped i will stay in your village. But there is an inn nearby, so you need to bear with it for a bit - Agnus replied. - Say, who would you want to be in the future? - He asked.

- I want to be just like you! - Said Jin enthusiastically.

- You know, it's a hard work, and a dangerous one too - the lawbringer warned him. - You will need to learn a lot of things, and train hard.

- Ganbarimasu - replied Jin, with a smug look on his face.

- Hmm? What does that mean? - Asked Agnus.

- It means " I will do my best" - Jin explained.

- Oh, i guess it's in myrish?

- Yep, my mom always said that when i asked for something.

- Let's get moving, youre hungry after all, right? - Agnus said, trying to talk him out of sad feelings.

The lawbringer put the blanket back into his luggage, and then picked up Jin and put him on the horse.

- Have you ever ridden a horse? - asked Agnus.

- Nope - replied Jin.

- Well then prepare for a sore butt after the ride - he said with a smile, then got on the horse too. After riding for some time, Agnus said:

- Anyways if you want to be a lawbringer why don't we start learning right now?

- Sure! - Jin was still enthusiastic.

- Well then let's start from the basics. We are the lawbringers, we bring law to the lawless, as the name says - Agnus explained. - And by the way, we have the best looks - He chuckled.

At this time Jin and Agnus noticed two men standing on the road. One of them wielded a large axe, while the second had twin hand axes.

- Damned vikings - lawbringer whispered, smile instantly disappearing from his face. Agnus put on his helmet, took the poleaxe and dismounted the horse.

- Stay here Jin, i will deal with these heathens - with these words he started approaching the two vikings.

- I'm going to leave him to you, Svan - The viking with a large axe said.

- Sure Bjorn - he replied.

Agnus was already standing a few meters away from them, his hands free, poleaxe thrusted into the ground. Svan seeing it, smiled and rushed straight for the lawbringer. Viking jumped into the air, doing an overhead strike with both his axes. Agnus, not even flinching, grabbed both of the axe handles, stopping the viking, set them aside and headbutted Svan. The berserker flinched, stunned. Meanwhile the lawbringer took his poleaxe and thrusted it straight into viking's stomach and pulled the weapon upright. With the berserker dead, looking like a grim flag and blood all over his helmet, he looked to the other viking. With one fluid move Agnus kicked the end of his poleaxe, bringing it into a spin, taking Svan off the weapon to the ground. Bjorn, seeing his friend dead, went straight for the lawbringer, trying to quickly close up to him and grabbing his waist.

- Typical - Agnus moved to the side just before getting grabbed, and hit the viking's stomach with the blunt side of his poleaxe, sending Bjorn to his fours. Then the lawbringer walked to the side of the viking, took a large swing and decapitated Bjorn.

-I'm not the sheep i used to be - He said. After dragging the viking bodies to the side of the road he took out a handkerchief out of his pocket and cleaned his armor and weapon and returned to Jin, whose jaw dropped, amazed with the fight Agnus won. The lawbringer mounted the horse without a word and continued the journey.

- How did you do that? - Jin asked, his mouth still open.

- It was easy to be honest, they were rookies, so i could easily predict their moves and effectively counter them - explained Agnus. - Now back to the basics. The poleaxe. It's said to be the most versatile weapon ever made and, in most cases, it is. It can slash, stab and crush. But not always. In some tight situations, when you can't use your poleaxe, when you and your enemy fall to the ground for example, you should always keep a dagger or a shortsword close. It saved my life many times. - Agnus showed his shortsword. - Oh look, we are almost there. - He points his finger at the inn which just popped on the horizon. Anyways, one the important things about the poleaxe and, by the way, armor: Their crafting technique is a secret. You will get to know it when you become a lawbringer, but shouldn't let anybody else than another lawbringer know it.

At the same time they arrived at the inn and dismounted the horse. Their arrival caused a stir among the guests. You don't see a lawbringer with a tiny kid very often! They walked up to the counter:

- Do you have a free room? With two beds preferably - Agnus asked.

- Sure, we do - the innkeeper answered. - 30 silver coins.

- And how much for a bath?

- Additional 5 silver coins.

Agnus handed the coins to the owner.

- Your room is on second floor, first door on the right. The bath is already there - the innkeeper said.

- And food? - Jin asked.

- After the bath - Agnus answered. - Come, i have to take off that damned armor, it's getting heavy.

They went to their room, Agnus took off his armor, helped Jin with the bath and cleaned himself. Then they went to get a meal downstairs.

- Back already? That was quick - The innkeeper smirked.

- No point in wasting time, especially when you have a hungry kid around - Agnus answered. - Give us some meat, type doesn't matter, beer for me and milk for the kid.

They ate in silence, with Agnus trying to think what he should teach him later, then went upstairs.

- Back there, what did you mean by the "Im not the sheep i used to be"? - Jin asked.

- Well... Ummm... It's a pretty... Embarrasing topic. - Agnus stuttered. - Basically, in my younger days, i was a coward. Also my name means "sheep", so i thought it would sound cool. - Agnus smiled.

Jin smiled too, and yawned.

- I see that you're tired, let's go to sleep - Agnus said.

The next day they packed their belongings, dressed up, ate breakfast and continued their travel to Eitrivatnen.

Chapter 3: Eitrivatnen
- Look, we're almost there, you can see Eiritvatnen already - Agnus said.

A large fortress placed on a hill appeared on the horizon. Near the hill a village was placed. Jin was amazed by the sheer size of the place. They approached the gates:

- Hey Agnus, we didn't expect you so soon - One of the guards said. - How did the visit go? And who is that kid?

Agnus dismounted the horse and walked up to the guard:

- When i arrived, village was burned and everyone dead - Agnus whispered, so Jin couldn't hear him. - The kid is my son and the only survivor.

- Oh... I-i'm sorry. - The guard frowned.

- You should send a patrol there, i left everyone unburied. Now I'm going to report to commander Vilicus. See you later.

- Bye.

Agnus went back to the horse and lead it inside the fortress courtyard, and into the stables. He took Jin off the horse and let the stable master take care of it. They went inside the fortress. Agnus navigated through the corridors with ease, in which Jin would get lost almost immediately. After arriving before big, ornamented doors, Agnus told Jin to stay there and don't move anywhere, then knocked on the door.

- Come inside - A loud, deep voice could be heard from the inside.

-Lawbringer Agnus, i came to give my report - Agnus went inside.

- Ah, it's you Agnus, no need to be so formal, sit down and tell me how did the visit go.

Agnus frowned. - When i arrived the whole village was razed and everyone slaughtered. The only survivor was my son, who is outside.

- Who could've done that? - Commander asked.

- Vikings, presumably. I saw a few viking bodies.

- Fucking vikings. Anyway, what did you do?

- Buried my wife and took the kid here.

- You think it's a good idea? - He wants to become a Lawbringer, so this is the perfect place.

- How old is he?

- 6 years old.

- Damn, that's a young age for lawbringer training. Get him inside.

Agnus went outside, only to find him talking with someone.

- Oh, i didn't expect to meet you here, Fortis - Agnus said, surprised. - Already bothering your future student?

Fortis was a tall, muscular man with short hair.

- What's up Agnus? - Fortis asked. - And wait what? My future student?

- Probably yes, we're gonna see in a few minutes, i was about to take him in to the commander.

- What's taking so long? - Vilicus shouted.

- Well guess we should get going, maybe you can come too, let me ask.

Agnus peeked inside the room and asked:

- Is Fortis allowed to come too?

- He's here? Perfect! Sure, get him here. I have to talk to him about something.

All three of them went inside, Angus on the right, Fortis on the left and Jin in the middle.

The commander bursted into laughter. The three got dumbfounded.

- What's so funny? - Agnus asked.

- Just look at you. Two giants and a midget.

At this time Agnus noticed the big height difference between the two lawbringers and Jin, and chuckled too.

- Okay, let's get to the case. Jin, I'm Vilicus, the commander in charge here. I heard that you want to become a lawbringer, why is that? - Vilicus asked.

- Because i want to be strong like Agnus. And also because they have the best looks. - Jin answered, with a smug look.

- Best looks? I suppose that is your doing, Agnus - The commander stared at him. The lawbringer looked around with an innocent look on his face. - I hope you know that at your age you can't train yet. Just watch and learn - Vilicus stated.

- Awww - Jin was disappointed. - I still want to stay though.

- Okay then, Agnus will teach you the theory and ethics, and later Fortis will train your body. Now go, get Jin accustomed to the place. All three started to walk out of the room.

- And where do you think you're going, Fortis? - Vilicus said. - You stay here, we have some things to discuss.

Fortis looked at Agnus with sad eyes and whispered - Save me.

Agnus smiled and said - Be a man and face the consequences. By the way, what did Fortis do? - He asked. - Slacking off, mostly. And a brawl with a guard.

- The commander answered.

Agnus put his hand on Fortis's shoulder, looked him in the eyes and shook his head. Fortis's eyes widened in terror. The lawbringer took Jin and walked out of the room, leaving the second lawbringer terrified.

- All right then, lets get you accustomed - Agnus said.

- Will Fortis be alright? - Asked Jin, slightly worried about him.

- Yeah, he always gets in trouble, and somehow always gets out of it without much punishment. But it looked like he did too much today. Poor guy. Let's go.

Chapter 4: A friend
4 years later

Jin, now 10 years old, and Agnus were passing through the big village, a city almost, on the outskirts of Eiritvatnen fortress. They heard someone yelling:

- And don't ever come back, you damned brat!

They looked in the way of the yell and saw a little kid standing outside of a house.

- Hey Agnus, i think we should help him! - Said Jin, excited.

- Erm... I don't think we should get involved...

- But you always said that we should help people in need - He cut him off.

- ...Okay.

They walked up to the crying kid. Agnus squatted and asked:

- What happened?

- I'm hungry. And cold - The kid answered.

- And where are your parents?

- I don't know. People are saying I'm an orphan.

- Oh. Then how old are you?

- I'm 10. I think.

- You look a lot younger - Jin cut in. - We can help you. Right, Agnus?

- Ehhh... Yes - He sighed.

- R-really? - The kid asked

- Yeah, come with us - Said Jin, excited. - We'll get you warm and fed.

- Thanks! - The kid said with a smile.

The three walked back to the fortress. While walking Jin asked:

- By the way, what's your name?

- Veridicus Ira. And you? - He replied.

- I'm Robbie, but you can call me Jin too, and that big guy ahead is Agnus - Jin said. - Ummm. Say, do you want to be my friend? - He asked with a blush.

- What is a friend? - Veridicus asked. -

Erm, someone with who you spend a lot of time, and can give your secrets to, and overall someone who you like.

- Sure! - Veridicus said.

Jin smiled and asked:

- Can i call you Veri? Your name is a bit long.

- Yeah! - He smiled.

- Then welcome to the family, Veri. Right, Agnus? - Jin, excited, started to jump around.

Agnus frowned from hearing the word "family", but smiled nonetheless. After getting to the fortress's gates, they're met with mockery from one of the guards:

- What, got yourself a girl this time?

- Oh shut up - Agnus said. - And you must be retarded for not noticing he is a boy.

- So you're a faggot huh?

- I was married you fucking virgin - Agnus was getting angrier with every second. - Jin, Veri, let's go before i break his nose.

- Oh, leaving already? So eager to fuck your new kid? - The guard was still mocking him.

Agnus stopped, turned around, came up to the guard and punched him straight in the face, breaking his nose.

- Ah fuck! - The guard yelled while falling on the ground. Agnus looked to the second guard, waiting for what he would do. The guard walked inside the guard post, then got out with another guard, leaving him on the post and taking the one with broken nose to the infirmary. Agnus calmed down and turned to the kids:

- Pretend that you never heard that, understood?

- Y-yes - The kids got scared by the appearance Agnus shown, the one that Jin never saw.

- Okay. Jin, go to your room and get changed, then go to Fortis. He'll give you some training. Veri, come with me, I'll get you some food, then we have to do something with your homelessness - Agnus ordered and took Veri to the mess hall. Jin went to the courtyard. He saw Fortis training new recruits, and came up to him.

- Hey Fortis. Agnus said you will give me some training.

- Recruits! You can rest, Jin will bring you some water, right?

- Sure! - Jin took two buckets and went to the well in the second, smaller courtyard. He filled them both and went back to Fortis.

-Hah! Looks like our little lawbringer is getting stronger - Fortis chuckled. - You can stay around and look at the training if you want.

- Not this time Fortis. I have a new friend!

- New friend? And who could he be?

- I have no idea - Jin answered with a smile - He's an orphan, we found him crying on the street and took him with us. I'm gonna check out on him. Agnus took him to the mess hall to get him some food. Bye! - Jin walked away.

He could hear Fortis going back to train the recruits. He got to the mess hall and saw Veri and Agnus talking. He waved to them and they waved back. He walked up to them and sat by Veri.

- So, how do you feel? - Jin asked.

- I feel... Full - Veri answered with a smile. - I don't know how can I thank you.

- Being my friend is enough.

They both chuckled. Agnus looked at them and smiled too. He was glad that Jin found a friend and is getting along with him so well.

- Looks like you're getting along pretty well. Since Veri doesn't have a home, he can stay here. We don't have any free rooms though.

- That won't be a problem - Jin said. - You can sleep in my room. We just have to bring another bed inside, we'll have enough room.

- Wait a second, we're forgetting about the most important thing - Agnus stopped them. - We have to report it to commander Vilicus. And my brawl too - He muttered.

- Let's go then! I'm sure that lawmaster will allow him to stay - Jin eagerly said.

- I told you not to call him like that - Agnus scolded him.

- But the commander doesn't have anything against it.

- But it does not mean it's not disrespectful. Let's go.

They walked out of the mess hall and went straight for the commander's quarters. Agnus knocked on the door and got inside.

- Can i take a moment, commander? - Agnus asked.

- Sure, I got some free time. - The commander aswered.

- What's up lawmaster? - Jin barged inside with Veri covering behind him.

- Argh... - Agnus covered his face with his hands. - I told you not to call him like that!

- But commander doesn't have anything against that, right?

- I don't - Vilicus said.

- You're not helping, commander - Agnus said angrily.

- Watch your tone, you're talking to a commander.

Agnus flinched, his face showed disbelief, and walked out of the room without a word.

Jin looked at the commander and they both started laughing.

- That was a great idea Jin - Vilicus said, still trying to hold back laughter. - Ekhm... Now, why did you come here?

Veri, still covering behind Jin, peeked out.

- Hmm? And who could she be? - The commander asked.

- He's a boy, commander. And i would like to keep him in the fortress - stated Jin - And where would he sleep?

- In my room, of course. He's my friend after all.

- Okay, does he have a name?

- I'm Veridicus, mister - Veri peeked out even more.

- Great, you can stay, but there's one condition. Jin, you will take care of him.

- Wooo! - Jin started to jump around the room because of happiness, then suddenly went and hugged the commander. Vilicus bursted out laughing again. Jin looked at Veri and noticed he's crying. He hugged him too and asked:

- What happened?

- I've never been so happy - Veri said, hugging Jin tighter.

- Go show your affection somewhere else. And don't forget to apologise to Agnus - Vilicus said to them.

- Yes, lawmaster! - Jin saluted with a smile and walked out with Veri.

- This brat is making me feel a lot younger than i am - The commander muttered.

Chapter 5: Graduation
8 years later

- Jin, from now on, you are a lawbringer. Keeper of the law, bane of criminals and horror of your enemies - Vilicus placed his sword on one of his shoulders, then on the other. - Veridicus, from now on, you are a peacekeeper. Keeper of the peace, a skilled assasin, trained both in combat and deception. May your enemies die before seeing you. - Vilicus did the same with Veridicus. - You can rise.

Jin stood up, towering over everyone, his height reaching 2 meters. He took off his helmet, revealing long hair tied into a ponytail and a handsome face. Veridicus stood by Jin. In contrast to the tall lawbringer, Veri was really small reaching almost 1.60 meters. He took of his mask and hood, revealing his feminine face and medium lenght hair.

- Long live Jin! Long live Veridicus! - Everyone cheered.

Jin and Veri got back into the line.

- Now, let us celebrate the graduation of our new recruits and Jin's 18th birthday! - The commander announced.

Everyone congratulated Jin and Veri, and went to the mess hall. Agnus came up to Jin with 2 cups full of beer.

- Now that you're adult, you can drink, son - Agnus said, a bit drunk already.

- Son? - Jin accepted the cup and took a sip. - Ugh, it's bitter.

- Yeah, can we go somewhere private? I have something to tell you.

- Uhm, sure. They went outside, where nobody was present.

- So? What is it? - Jin asked in anticipation.

- Well... How should i say this... I-I'm your father.

Jin's jaw dropped, and he looked at Agnus for at least 10 seconds without a word.

- Y-you are my dad? Why didn't you tell me earlier?

- I didn't feel... Ready. When i left your mom for my last war campaign, I thought I'm going to come back fast, retire and live normal life. But it was a complete disaster, half of our trooos were killed, the other half imprisoned. I was with the second half. I spent 4 damned years in warborn prison until another campaign freed us. When i came back to our village all i saw was... Massacre. I was devastated. But then you appeared, but still i was blaming myself for not saving your mother, and my wife. I'm sorry - He shook his head.

Jin noticed tears forming in Agnus's eyes.

- It's okay. I'm glad i have a dad - He hugged him. - Now let's get back inside.

They opened the door.

- Wait, do you hear that? - Jin asked. - It's the alarm bell! Someone is attacking the fortress! Quick, get yourselves armed! - He yelled to the people inside.

Jin, still wearing his armor, ran inside to get his poleaxe, then got on the walls with Agnus.

- Who's attacking? - Jin asked one of the guards there.

- Vikings. A lot of them.

Chapter 6: The Attack
- Everyone get ready! Here comes first wave! - Vilicus, who just got to the walls quickly assessed the situation. Jin, Veri, Agnus and Fortis were standing beside him.

- Archers, when they come in range, fire at will! You four go and get that oil boiling! - The commander shouted to guards standing behind him. - They brought ladders, huh. Prepare the poles!

A pole was just a long stick with split ending so it could grab the ladder and easily push it back, but because of it being so long it needed two average people to use. The warborn, under a shower of arrows

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