บท 5: The Send Off, Part Three

The next couple weeks were near bliss. He had always wondered what life was like outside of the army and fighting. He had only scratched the surface with his imagination.

He spent every night studying the menu and practicing his writing. Though his writing had not improved he did manage to get a good understanding of the menu and rarely missed an order. After sometime Grace had even begun teaching him to cook, and besides rats and chickens, he had little experience in such things.

He had trouble in the kitchen at first, remembering the recipes were the biggest challenge for him. After a week in the kitchen he was able to cook pretty well. Grace even praised him saying he was one of the few she has taught to retain any knowledge. He was even able to recreate her pie to a certain degree but it didn't taste the same.

He had also purchased himself some new clothes. With winter approaching he focused on warm clothes buying a leather jacket with fur insides and other warm clothing. It was one of his first purchases with his money other than a fishing pole and tackle. He and Flint also fished as much as they could. It was fair to say he was no angler, but Flint seemed unnaturally good at it.

The attacks also stopped after a while subsiding into minor headaches rather than breath stopping panic attacks. He enjoyed working at the inn, finding it to be a simple and enjoyable existence. Compared to war, it was better than being a guest of the king.

One night, nearly a month since he came back they were all talking about sales. He himself had sent most of his funds to Baret's mother. She sat them down at the bar, "Have I got some news for y'all. Sales are up the highest they've been in a long time, all thanks to you." Grace pointed to Alex and Flint slapped his shoulder, "Me?"

Flint nodded, "You brought in a lot of customers, trust me. You are a little lucky charm." He smiled, "Glad to be of help." Turner downed his drink, "You do some fine work on the floor, so we invested in a little gift for you." Alex frowned, "N-no, that will be fine, I'm perfectly fine with the room. I-"

Grace shushed him, "We already had it made, so suck it up." Grace laid a small box on the bar in front of him. Reluctant to take it he picked up the box and opened it carefully. Inside was an object wrapped in paper. The three of them were eyeing it anxiously as Alex took it out and started unwrapping it.

It was a necklace showing a sword with a dragon wrapped around it hung from the hilt on a chain. It was all gold and about the size of a pendant. He studied the necklace finding it… familiar. Then it hit him, this was the first gift he had received since… Beret.

"Is it alright. For some reason the idea just hit me, do you like it. Alex slid the chain around his neck, "Thanks, I will treasure it." Turner smiled, "You deserve it kid. I can't think of anyone who's survived Grace's orders other than Flint." Grace looked at him, "Oh and what's that supposed to mean?"

Turner jumped back before she could slap him moving gracefully on his peg leg, "Good night everybody." He walked out as Grace pouted. She turned to Alex, "Go ahead and get some sleep, tomorrow we go out of town." He looked confused and Grace explained, "We restock our ail

Every couple of months and this time I got two men to help me."

He had never really been outside the city other than for training. He felt like a trip wouldn't be so bad for him. "Alright, what do I need?"

A horse neighed as Alex walked by. He was a chestnut horse and a big one at that. Alex calmed it down and the horse eyed him. Flint walked to the back of the wagon and threw some bags in, "That there is Walker, our pack horse. He's a sturdy beast but more stubborn than a tax collector."

Alex touched the horse's side and rubbed him, "Good boy." When Flint wasn't looking Alex gave the horse an Apple which it munched on gladly. He always liked horses, they seemed much smarter than other animals and had a sense of duty to them. They reminded him much of himself. Flint climbed onto the riders seat and Alex checked the straps before grace came out with a bag of money, "Everything ready?"

Flint nodded and Alex helped Grace into the front seat. After that Alex hopped into the back of the cart and found a good place to sit. Flint snapped the reins and Walker pulled the wagon down the empty morning road. The smooth marble roads made riding pleasant and no traffic meant they were at the east entrance of the city quickly. There were a few carts already in line so Flint stopped.

"I thought they stopped the out of city tax?" Grace shrugged, "Me too? Good thing I brought the extra coin." The wagons moved quickly and soon it was their turn. A guard stopped them, "Hail, I need the tax payment." Flint eyed him, "Why is a guard taking the money." The guard looked sketchy and the moment he put his hand on his sword they knew why, "You are welcome to leave. Your payment!" Flint reluctantly agreed, being a civilian now, he has little say in things.

The man eyed the coin greedily and counted it. He stopped counting and grinned, "It seems you are a little short. Do you not plan on paying the entire sum?" Flint was quiet angry now, "The tax is five gold as its always been." The guard took his sword and unsheathed half of it, "Sir, I suggest not arguing with a guard, you are short 2 gold." Alex acted quickly by popping his head out, "Sir, could I ask you to state your name." The guard frowned, "I don't have to answer to a kid."

Alex jumped off the cart, "My name is Alexander Mooring, First class commando. I have the right to speak to your captain." The guard looked at him for a second before laughing. "Ha ha ha, you. You claim to be a first class commando. I ought to put you in your place." Flint had a grin, "Alex don't hurt him too much." Grace looked over, "What are you-"

Alex punched the guard in the face swiftly and knocked him off his feet. He threw the coins in the air and Alex caught all with ease as they flew. Two other guards ran up to him. Flint leaned back and watched but Grace didn't like the fighting one bit. "Get down there and help!" Flint looked over and smiled, "He doesn't need my help, if anything I need to join the other two and make it a fair fight."

The first guard ran at him with a spear which Alex swiped away with a twirl and chopped the back of the man's neck. He fell passed out cold to the marble ground. The other guard had a sword and slashed at him. He skillfully evaded the strike and brought his fist down on the guards hand. His sword clattered on the ground and Alex gave the man one good punch to his chin sending him toppling over. The first guard got up holding a bloody nose, "You bastard. You've attacked the guard you'll pay for your crimes." He took out his sword and slashed at Alex. "STOP." Alex caught the sword with one hand as he looked for the person who just yelled.

Alex watched as a young man wearing captain's armor rushed forward through a small crowd of people. He was young, about Alex's age, with blond hair. The armor seemed slightly big on him.

The guard seemed to jump, "C-Captain." He rushed forward, "Sir, this man started an all out brawl." The captain looked at him, "You...Utter fool." He tore the sword out of his hand and stripped the man of his helmet revealing his face, "Go to the barracks, you will be severely reprimanded for this."

The man looked at him in disbelief, "B-but sir, he-" The captain stopped him by raising his hand, "Do not try and get out of this. I've already had to deal with ten complaints this morning. You will be lucky if you still retain your innocence by the end of today." The guard looked down and started walking holding his nose.

The captain looked at the others who were kneeling on the ground "Pick yourselves up and follow, before I dish out your punishment right here." The other guards followed his orders and ran away with their tails between their legs. The captain looked at Alex and fell to his knees, "I am so sorry, sir. I will make sure they are dealt the just beatings they deserve." Alex looked at the man quietly, "..." Flint hopped out of the wagon, "Stand up son, you can't change fools."

The captain looked up, "G-General…" He lowered his head closer to the ground, "I take full responsibility for this." Flint felt awkward with the man groveling at his knees. "Stand Up." The captain obeyed. "Make sure they get their punishments, carry on." The young captain nodded, "Yes sir. I will make sure of it."

He rushed down the street and ordered two patrolling guardsmen to man the gate. Flint patted Alex's shoulder, "Good job holding back." "..." Flint looked at him, "You alright?" Alex walked back to the carriage, "Yeah, lets just go."

They exited the gate and began their journey. The outskirts of the city were relatively barren, consisting of fields and farms. On the horizon you could just make out one of the great pine forests that fill the north. Alex spent his time staring at the scenery calming down. Even if it was an easy fight his nerves were still on edge. But the idea of the guards breaking the law like that was bothering him.

"Have the guards always been like that?" Flint looked back and sighed, "With most of our good men still in the east, were not left many options. Don't get me wrong, not all of them are bad. You saw that young captain, he may have already been on his way to deal with them when we arrived." Alex nodded and stared off into the scenery lost in thought..

The day was long and boring and before soon fields turned into forest. The great white pines of the north were huge trees and grew in great forest spanning hundreds of miles in length. The north has perfected a way of farming the branches for wood, because the branches were the size of small trees themselves. The roads leading to and from the capital were well taken care of and made for smooth rides back and forth.

The sun bled through the treetops just enough for a nice shade. Alex had stood up and stretched before looking into the shaded forest. Out of the corner of his eye he could make out dark shapes in the underbrush. Then he saw a glints of red in pairs.. Before Alex knew what they were there were extra sets popping up all around them. "Wolves?"

Flint shook his head, "Don't worry, these are just Red wolves. These are far more docile then their Eastern cousins. They stick to deer, fowl, and rabbits mostly. I have never heard of any attacks on the roads." Grace looked up, "I heard there actually being pushed out of the north by the northern wolf packs." Flint seemed to shiver, "I'd sooner take on a whole pack of these Red wolves then I would a pair of those. The white wolves of the north are mean, some even say they torture there pray before killing it."

The ride through the forest was long and watchful now that they were on edge. Before long though the forest ended and a town came into view. Grace sighed, "The town of Williamsburrow, nice place really. Home to the best ale in the north, Harrison Liquor"

The town didn't have the hustle and bustle of the city, but it was rather busy. Shops lined the main road and carts drove up and down topped with goods and supplies. Fruit and vegetable stands were tucked into allies with lines of buyers. The building with the most traffic was the Harrison building in the center of town. Flint stopped the cart in front of the shop and the three piled off.

Grace walked up to them, "Alright you two, stay here. I'll go and get the paperwork and pay for the Ale. After that it will be brought to our cart." They both nodded and she walked in. Flint leaned against the side of the wagon, "So, Alex, what's your plan?" "What do you mean?"

He grinned, "You can't work as a waiter forever. What do you want to do?" Alex had never given it much thought, " I don't really know." Flint shrugged, "You could be a city guard?" Alex looked at him, "Me, I don't know. It all depends on… my situation." Flint understood, "Do you think he'll-"

Grace walked out the door with about four men in tow. Two were carrying multiple boxes of glass bottles and the other two carried a large barrel. Seeing the convoy Alex hopped on the cart and started stacking the boxes. They struggled to get the barrel on the cart but succeeded nonetheless.

The four men walked back in and came out with two more barrels. There were a total of five barrels and half a dozen of boxes filling the back of the cart. Alex found it hard to find a good place to sit so settled on sitting on one of the barrels. It wasn't comfortable, but it was better than walking.

As they began to set off one of the men stopped them. "I need to warn you before you go, there's a group of bandits robbing our customers on the road." "Are the guards looking into it?" "They are, but they have been hiding in the forest and any attempts to catch them have failed. We have hired some mercenaries, but we haven't heard back from them yet." He urged them to be careful and they set off on their uneasy journey back.