The Old Man

(Starrk's POV)

"Hey man, why the hell are we doing this?" I heard Ricky complain as we walked

We were making our way through the forest and towards the town. I was in the middle of the group as Mick and Leo walked behind me, Ricky and Liam in front of me.

"You stole the man's sword and sold it, bruv." Liam say, "This the least we could do."

"Like I said, i found it on a chest!" He exclaimed, "And we finally got money, Liam! We can buy our way out of this island! Pay one of the sailors to take us out to sea! Forget this town, lets go to the port town on the other side of the island!"

Liam shook his head, "No." he said, "We must get his sword back. And his boots. You took his boots from his feet, Ricky."

"I thought he was dead!" He exclaimed

"It's still wrong, bruv." Liam replied

I didn't say anything as I walked. I felt the dirt beneath me as I walked. It didn't feel right to be walking barefooted. Not used to it one bit.

I would really like those boots right now…

"Starrk." Liam turned to me, "How valuable was this sword?"

I looked at him, "Well, apart from it being mine, i just know I can't lose it." I said, "So lets hope we find this old man and get it back from him."

"Oi, why the fuck are we helping this guy?" I heard Mick say, "We don't know him! And he could be a fucking Pirate for all we know!"

"Yea, Liam, this don't make any sense." Leo say

I didn't turn to look at them because I can feel their eyes burning at my back. I could tell they didn't like me one bit.

Not like it mattered. I have to get that sword back. Its the only weapon i have.

Who was this old man anyways? And what business does he have with my sword? Something felt off about this.

"We're here." Liam said

We walked through some bushes and reached a clearing. Suddenly, the forest was gone and there was a whole town in front of us. It wasn't as big as I thought since there was only around a dozen buildings.

I walked up next to Liam, "This is it, huh?"

He nodded, "Yea."

I sighed, "Time to look for this old man."

"Uh, no need." Ricky said, "He's over there."

I saw as he pointed to the end of the town. I followed his gaze and in the distance I saw a man sitting atop a white horse.

I squinted and managed to see it was an old guy with white hair and a large bushy grey beard. He was wearing a large fur coat. Then, behind him on the saddle of his horse, I saw a large greatsword resting.

"Ice…" i muttered

I then started to walk towards him.

"Hey wait up!" I heard Ricky call out as I made my way to the man

As I reached him, I noticed that he was a large and burly old man. I saw a massive scar run across his face diagonally too.

I then stopped a couple of feet away from him. He didn't look at me, but forward and to the forest. Something was off about this guy.

"Uhm." I said, "Hello?"

He then reached out for something.

I then took a step back, not knowing what to expect.

I watched as he tossed a pair of boots at me, landing in front of me. I looked closely and widened my eyes in surprise.

"My boots!?" I said crouching down and picking them, "What the hell!"

I then say down on my ass and started to wipe my feet as I put them on. Finally! I got my boots back! Even though it wasn't that long that I was without them.

I looked up at the old man, "Thank you!"

He still didn't look at me but forward, "Hm…" he said in a deep voice, "So you're the owner of Ice, huh?"

I raised my eyebrows, "How'd you know-"

"You fool!!" He bellowed as he gave me a glare, "Do you have any idea what this Greatsword is?!"

I looked at him taken aback. What in the hell was he talking about.

I heard as Liam and the others reached me.

I saw Liam walk past me and looked at the old man.

"Excuse me, sir." He said, "Is there any way we could buy that sword back?"

The old man looked at him with a glare, "What?!" He growled, "Why would you, a low-life, want such a prestigious blade such as this one!? I should cut off your tongue just for saying such blasphemy!"

I frowned. What is he getting so riled up for? What does the sword mean to him? He's exaggerating so much for a sword that's not even his.

"Hey, old man." I spoke up, "That sword is mine, so-"

"Quiet!" He cut me off, "If you truly wish to reclaim Ice, you must prove your worth."

Reclaim it? Man I just got it and I have to reclaim it?! This is some bullshit. And what the hell was this old man saying?

"Reclaim it how?" I asked

"Hmph!" He said, "I'll put you through a test."

"What kind of test?" I asked

He nodded towards the forest, "There's a massive bear on its way." He said, "I want you to subdue it if you can. Think you can handle that? I'd be careful,though. Its a powerful one."

A bear. A fucking bear. How does he expect me to fight and subdue a bear.

"Listen-" I started before I was cut off by the sound of a booming roar

I turned to see a massive brown bear break through the trees and charging towards us.

I sighed,

"Come on man…"