Limits

I visited a few more stalls, but ultimately, I found nothing else of interest to me. 'I should visit the building, where I can get a job. Maybe I will be able to get some information as well' I though, and headed to the building, that my guide showed me.

Inside that building, I could see a few Lizards standing around talking with each other. There were some notes hang on the wall as well, and a few Lizards were there checking them out. In the middle of the building, was a counter, with two Lizards standing behind it.

'I think, that both of them are female… although I could be wrong' I though, and stood in front of the Lizard on the left. It was a female, and she said "Welcome to the House of Tasks. How may I help you?". I said "Someone called Lazar, told me to come here, if I would like to earn some money. I'm interested to find out, what type of work do you provide". She seemed a bit stunned, when she heard the name Lazar, but still answered with a smile "We provide all kinds of jobs. From information collection, to tools creation. We have easy but low paid jobs, and those very difficult with better pay. If I may ask, what sort of field, would you be interested in?".

I thought about it for a while, and said "What about smithing? Do you have something?". She was surprised again, and said "You know how to smith?". I just nodded my head. Although I was not a blacksmith, I wanted to learn a bit more, and I didn't lie either. She asked whenever "I could smith" not whenever "I was a blacksmith". Besides, this would allow me to gain access to a proper furnace. I would need that, if I wanted to create my daggers.

She said "What a coincidence. We just got a request for a smith, to work at the blacksmith's workshop. If you are interested, we can provide that job for you". I decided to accept that, and said "I will take it then". She nodded her head and took out a scroll, then said "You will have to pay a commission. Would you like to do it now, or when you received the payment for the job?". I was a bit confused and asked "Commission?"

She nodded her head and said "Yes. All the jobs come with commission, which are payable by the worker. It is a small percentage of what you are going to earn, and it's a one time payment only". I nodded my head and asked "How much is the commission?". She said "For this job, it is 3 Red Hals. Your daily pay will be 2 Red Hals, while the job is for a term of at least 10 days. This can be extended by the owner of the workshop, of course, you won't need to pay the commission a second time".

I nodded my head and said "I will pay right now". I passed her the money, and took the scroll containing my new employment details. She said "That is the full payment. Just show this scroll to a behind the counter at the workshop, they will tell you what to do next. Do you know where the workshop is?". I nodded my head, in conformation. She continued "In that case, Good luck in your new job".

I left the House of Tasks, and headed straight to the blacksmith's workshop. When I arrived, I saw a few Lizards, as well as some other creatures, working away. Some of them were creating weapons, some were creating ingots, while others made protective accessories. I came over to a counter and said "I came here to work. I have a scroll here", then showed my scroll to the Lizard behind the counter.

He opened it and read it. After a while, he said "Take the scroll with you, and go through that door. Someone will take care of your employment", while he pointed at the doors, in the corner of the workshop. I nodded my head and took the scroll, then headed towards the doors. I knocked lightly, but no one answered. I decided to just go in, as I was instructed anyway.

Behind the doors, was a room, and inside that room, an old Lizard was sitting behind a desk. He said "Close the doors behind you, and have a sit". I did just that, then sat in front of the Lizard. He extended his hand, but didn't say anything. I realised what he wanted, and I passed him the scroll. He read through it, then asked "How much do you know about smithing?".

I said honestly "I only created ingots in the past, and a few weapons. Other than that, I'm not a smith really". He seemed a bit surprised, but didn't get angry. He asked "Why did you want to take this job?". I answered "Because I want to learn more about smithing, while I'm here. I used to make purified steel ingots, in the past. I also made my own weapons". He shook his head and said "You are not that experienced then. We need someone with much more experience. Someone who handled other materials, than just iron and coal. We don't have time to teach you stuff either. It would take too long. This is not a job for you unfortunately. You may leave".

I was a bit displeased, to say the least. Sure, I wasn't a blacksmith, but this guy didn't even give me a chance. I thought for a while, then stood up and said "Can you follow me for a moment?". The old Lizard became confused and asked "Why should I follow you?". I said "Just outside, to the workshop. I want to show you something. You can do at least that much, can you?".

The old Lizard sighted, and said "Alright, I will have a look at what you want to show me". We went outside the room and into the workshop. I asked "Which of these ingots is the hardest to create?". The old Lizard was still confused, but answered immediately "It's the Azurite Ingot. The people responsible for creating them, are called Grondons. They have a lot of strength, but they are very dumb, so they are employed to make ingots only".

I nodded my head, and headed towards a Grondon, that was smashing away at a piece of metal, which was blue in colour. I stood in front of the creature and said "Stop for a moment", but the creature pounded away, without much of a care. I asked the old Lizard "Can he stop for a minute". The old Lizard asked "Why?". I replied "I told you, I want to show you something".

"Heh... Alright. Herim, stop for a moment!". The Grondon stopped hammering, and looked at the old Lizard. I said "Give me the hammer", but the Grondon again looked at the old Lizard, and awaited instructions. The old Lizard nodded his head, and the Grondon passed me the hammer. I said "Maybe this guy is bulky and large, but that doesn't mean I'm weak. Look".

I gripped the hammer in my hand, and used my full strength to strike down. "BOOOOM!" "Riiiiiing!". A shockwave of ringing spread throughout the workshop, as all Lizards and Grondons covered their ears. The old Lizard looked at me with shock, he didn't even know what to say. The piece of metal that the Grondon was working on, was almost separated into pieces, due to the impact.

I lifted the hammer, and said to the Grondon standing next to me "Catch", then threw it. "BOOOM!" the Grondon flew through the air, together with the hammer and landed a few metres back, unable to pick himself up. I then turned towards the old Lizard and said "This is what you've missed, by not employing me. Even though those Grondons are quite strong and might possess a lot of stamina, they are nothing in my eyes".

I turned around and walked away. When I was at the exit, the old Lizard finally snapped out of it and shouted "Wait. I will employ you". I turned around and said "Sure, but not on the terms from that scroll. You will also teach me about new things. But don't worry, apparently, I'm a very quick learner when it comes to smithing". He said "Let's talk in my office". I nodded my head, but walked towards the Grondon that "received" my throw first.

I said "Don't hold it against me, I was a bit frustrated. Here, drink this, and you will feel much better". I gave him some medicine to drink, then followed the old Lizard back to the room.