“So you’re the one Smokester told me about.” I replied.

“Yes yes! That’s me!” He said. He continues to dance, as I rush over and grab his gi-normis shoulders.

“You! Stop being so happy! From what I understand, you are in need of my help!” I cough. “What can I do yah for!?” with a clown face, I smile.

“Dear friend… My resting place has been haunted. Not by demons, but by men. The worth of gold has grown strength and the poor have turned to the dark and shallow path.” his eyes grew dark and lonely.

“You speak so doubtful, as I doubt to ask why I am the only one that is needed!” I gave him this. His eyes followed suit and looked into mine.

“Squash these rats. Show me what I taught you once upon a time. Make haste, I have no time left.” – and with that he was gone. As if he was a spirit, a memory I had not yet remembered.

I took in a deep sigh, I fell again to the ground I had so closely made friends with before. Of course I was to assist, but for what reason I was still unclear of. I felt it in my bones, as a Tradesman disciple, I was to help in any way I could. This sounded of need to the Merchants, and who was I to deny?

I shaked off the weight which I had been carrying and head my way home. This was not a quest I could take in one night, though my muscles yearned for action. My heart guided my brain in thoughts which thumb-arump-dumped my heart into submission to my ego, and my ego not pleased.

Why, why do this to a noble man? I had not known of the past I somehow held with this being called “BigAll” yet I knew somehow I was linked to in, regardless if I approved or not.

How was I to deal with the guilt I somehow felt, yet not had any prior knowledge of?

I learned the location.

I traveled suit.

Upon arrival, I took to the bar. Saucy, I began talking with a local merchant who was too eager to tell his story.

“I eat and sleep my market. The way things are brother, and I DO see you as that, you’re better off falling back into old habits!”

He scuffed his glass, almost spilt.

“Why holds grudges, you know?!” He leaned on me. I see now, the men of Han, and surrounding counties, are quite eager to submit their feelings to any who ask. I patted the old dog on the back and returned to my drink.

This was not over.

All’s “grave site” was really a port. The channel housed many means of transport, both commerce and living beings. The local government ran uniform, and, of course, profitted as such.

How was I, I mere babe of The Merchants, to prove ground upon this corruption? I saw many faults, many ways of trickery that was held by this giagantic system of trade. The rulers held no respect, thus the system failed and only bred discruction.

I the sought guidance of Kubera,

“How am I to spread the word?!”

and that was my answer.

I rushed to the front auction, a blade no bigger than my thumb.

I raised my hands, my eyes grazed the side of the air itself.

“Listen to me! There is no good upon this or any you find upon the path walked upon! Listen and make haste! You are only being scammed, these are not the respectful citizens you see them as!”
I screamed at the top of my lungs.

The crowd became restless, talking amongst themselves as “the help” clenched their fists in rage.

“May you not be swayed by the fake smiles and empty promises these merchants make to you! May you think for yourselves and realize that the dirt you have on your own boot is worth more than the thought of a single tenant here!” I rushed around a stall and disappeared. If that hadn’t started something, I don’t know what could!

As I assumed, a riot started. The people took to the streets, only upon a sentance. Stalls were crashed, flags were raised. I did not interfere, the soul of the village was to fuel this fire further, I’m glad I was the one who sparked it.

With a laugh, I thought to myself – “That’s it? Was that all I had to do?!”

I blacked out.

My mouth was dry. I sat up and had a look around.

Atsidi, in his corner, was the first thing my dazed eyes made out. “I’m in my room, atleast!” I thought to myself. I smacked my lips and pulled myself out of bed.

“What the hell!? I was in another country the prior night!” I whispered, yet grew into a yell.

“BEAR!” my mother yelled.

“Ahem! Yes mawma!” I laughed. The smell of her signature breakfast assured me that all that had passed was a dream.

What was this? I sat down at the table before my father in astonishment. My father was buried in ambers, eyeing each one as if it were one my siblings…. I had none.

“So what’s with the yelling?” Jasna grunted, flipping over the eggs upon the skillet.

“Just a bad dream, I guess?” I scratched my head.

After breakfast I returned to my room, Atsidi was off somewhere. I plopped upon my bed, but with a wretched groan!

Upon the plop, my back was barraded with a sharp bump wedged under my bed, it seamed. I quickly threw off the matress, the sheets followed.

There, on the floor under my bed, was a magnificent piece of armor. It gleamed with the rays of the sun, it’s shine matched no other. Upon the breast plate was a parchment, it read –

“bear, you crafty dog. I was to expect more bloodshed from that little test I gave you, but you seam to have fulfilled my expectation to the fullest! Not only did you learn the trade as I instructed you so many years ago, but you learned the voice and the strength of heart. The catalist to which gets the heart of the populus stiring. You have achieved what I had never, and with this, you have passed my test. I give you the armor in which I achieved so much more, yet not enough. Tears come to my eyes, Bilbo. I hope you grow so much more in your craft, OHbear. Two names, I know, confusing. Yet, I think you understand where I’m coming from. I taught you in one life, yet you understood in another.

-BigAll”

I couldn’t belive my eyes.

I knew… I knew him! I knew I hadn’t no idea. I only knew now, there was much more to discover.

Who was this Bilbo, as if “he” was I? I, assume – it was a past life, but why the connection? Why was this “BigAll”‘s quest finally complete, or so it sounds?

I sighed to myself, I pulled off my mask and, again!, plopped upon my bed.

Atsidi burst into the room, followed by my mother. Atsidi curled up by my side, I pulled his ears upon arrival.

My mother smiled, “Ready for dinner?”

“Sure mom!” I replied, yet my head was full already. I only knew that time could tell what this “all” was. I felt it was cut short, as if this was only the first chapter.

One things for sure, I’m going to bug my brother, McDuck, and follow him to the library tomorrow, study upon this “BilboBaggins” as something I see as keeping me from sleep.

In the end, I’m glad I helped another, even though it was a “test” of sorts. I can’t stop smiling.

Dinner was amazing, I could hardly open my journal afterwards. –

“Hyul 47, Summer – The spirit/memory of this “BigAll” still haunts me. Not in a bad way, I feel somewhat connected to him, as if I knew him in a past life. It’s in astonishment that I even had I past life! It makes me laugh, yet I feel these feelings, they somehow validate my path as a Merchant… As if I had completed something I hadn’t done in the past. In retrospect, I’ll probably see this as nonsense, yet I can’t help to smile.

Only time will tell, I assume…