Chapter 12: Barracks
Outside night had fallen. Francis was leaning against the building, awaiting my return, when I exited with the excited guild master in tow.
"Sir!" Francis said, saluting the guild master, who glanced at him.
"Is there a reason a guardsman is standing outside my guild?" Guildmaster Gerald asked Francis.
"Ah, he is my guide and escort." I replied.
"Oh, of course good sir." Geralt said. "Well if you would tell me where your accommodations are, I would be happy to send you messengers with any new developments."
"I do not yet have anything planned for now, but I will inform the guards of my location when I do. I have another matter to attend to with them now."
"Of course, sir, of course. Well then, we will happily await your return." He said with a bow, causing Francis to straighten even more.
"Francis, if you would lead the way to the barracks now." I said, causing the guard to jump, bow awkwardly, salute, blush, and then start walking.
Since it was now night, the number of people in the streets dwindled significantly. When we were out of eyesight from the guild, Francis slowed down to walk beside me.
"What happened in there? Why was the guild master acting like that?" He whispered to me.
"Are you sure you want to know?" I asked conspiratorially.
He stiffened, thought about it, then shook his head.
"Never mind, I don't want to know."
I laughed and he led me towards the barracks, which was close to the southern gate.
As we approached the southern district, the street became lively again. The shops were all closed, but the inns were open with patrons getting food and drink. Music could be heard from every inn we passed, along with the joyous laughter of drunken people.
As we neared the wall, the foot traffic became sparse. In place of regular civilians, guard patrols flowed away and towards our destination. Eventually we left the inns and shops to a clearing filled with training grounds and small storage buildings.
I could see the wall now, and the massive stone structure built onto it. The barracks was attached to the wall and a tower, with men manning both as they patrolled. We made our way to the barracks, Francis receiving greetings and salutes as we passed by guardsmen.
"You must be fairly high ranked." I commented.
"Oh no sir. But as assistant to the Vice-Captain, my face is well known." He replied.
The barracks was still bustling with activity as we approached. Francis led me straight into the barracks and up a flight of stairs. The interior of the barracks was bare and functional. No ostentatious décor or arrangements could be seen, but the precise, minimalistic, military needs.
The building seemed to have three floors and a basement, if the stairs were any indication. Francis led me to a wooden door deep within the barracks and knocked.
"Come in." A voice responded.
We entered an office and found Marcus sitting behind a desk looking at paperwork.
"Sir, I have returned with Sir John." Francis said.
Marcus looked up at us and set down his work.
"Ah I see. Welcome Sir John." He said, while standing. "I hope that your finding went well."
"It did. There's no doubt now that I am blessed." I responded.
"The guild master even left the building to see him off." Francis added.
Marcus was surprised by Francis' comment. "It must be quite the blessing for the guild master to see you off." He replied.
Francis excused himself and I walked over to the desk and handed my finding to Marcus. Marcus looked over my paper, did a double take, and looked it over again.
"This is imposs… FRANCIS!" He yelled, giving me a jolt.
Francis swung the door open and looked at us.
"Get the captain! NOW!" Marcus ordered.
"Sir!" Francis replied, and he hurriedly ran off to fetch the captain.
"Sir John…" Marcus started again. "Is this legitimate?"
Marcus was looking at me in amazement.
"Uh, yes?" was all I could get out.
"These stats… 79! How in the hell?"
I just shrugged. "I'm blessed I guess."
Marcus stared at me, then started laughing. As he was having his laughing fit Chad walked through the door.
"Well Marcus, it's not often you ask me to come to you. Oh, Sir John. Did your finding go well?" Chad said, upon noticing me.
"Go WELL!" Marcus said hysterically as he laughed even harder.
Chad looked at Marcus with confusion, then turned to me for answers.
"He's taking my stats very well." I said.
"Hmm." Chad walked over to the laughing Marcus and picked up the parchment from the desk, glancing at it.
He stared at the form for a while, looked up at me, then back down again.
"I'm not the best at math," he said slowly, "but I think the total for these stats is above 70."
"79 is the total." I replied.
He went back to staring at the form and back to me again until suddenly he said. "That's more than mine."
That was the nail in coffin for Marcus, who was finally starting to calm down, and he doubled over in laughter.
"He… he… he doesn't even have SHOES!" Marcus laughed out.
I looked down at my bare feet, I forgot about that.
While Marcus was experiencing a laugh attack, Chad's expression also changed to that of extreme glee.
"More than me. That means… we can… really spar…" Chad said looking at me in awe.
This is all getting to be a bit much.
"Um, I know that the number is abnormal…" I started.
"ABNORMAL!" Marcus laughed out again.
"but I'm sure that it's not all that amazing. Also, I still have a lot to learn." I said.
Yeah, that didn't really calm them down.
Chad started talking about sparring constantly, growth, and training, while Marcus cried tears of laughter. It took several minutes but eventually, they were able to calm down enough to talk.
"My apologies, Sir John." Marcus said. "My response was… dramatic."
"It's no problem." I chuckled. "You should've seen the face of the guild master."
"HAH!" Chad exclaimed. "I'm sure that old coot almost died."
"Did he ask you what you wanted to do?" Marcus asked.
"What he wants to do? Obviously, he's going to join us, here!" Chad proclaimed.
"I told him I wanted time to consider matters." I replied.
Chad looked at me in disbelief.
"If you stay here, we could train and spar all the time. Imagine how much stronger you'll get." Chad protested. "What else is there to think about?"
"Once again Sir John, forgive the captain for his presumptuousness. Your path is your own. Choose whatever you'd like to do." Marcus said.
"It's no problem, also please just call me John. The 'Sir' part is a bit much." I said.
"Deal, so long as you call me Marcus."
"And me, Chad"
The conversation then turned to the price of the boar. I received a total of 1 gold coin for the boar. The boar's body was enough for 50 silvers coins, and the town guard was giving 50 silvers coins to anyone who slayed the boars and brought back a head as proof.
I asked about the currency of the country and received confused looks in return. I covered it up by saying I came from a very, very poor village and therefore wasn't aware of how it all worked.
Essentially, 1 gold coin was 100 silver coins; 1 silver coin was 100 copper coins. The currency was used throughout the world, as the God of Fortune only recognized this currency.
They offered me a private room at the barracks for the night, which I readily accepted.
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