Walking down the street, I took a deep breath of fresh market air. The end-of-week market was always a welcome smell to my nose. The fresh vegetables, recently oiled weapons and gear, and mixed smells of trinket stores all blended to form a wall of scents that told you exactly where you were.

Today I wasn’t here to shop, but that didn’t mean I couldn’t enjoy the sight of the market as I headed towards my destination. The bustling crowds exploring the stalls, the sounds of haggling with merchants, and the occasional guard patrolling the area. The vibrant market was thriving, as always.

Letting my eyes take everything in, I let out a deep sigh. Soon I’d be leaving all of this behind, which is why I came here: I need to start saying my goodbyes to the people I might never see again. The people who had helped take care of me, my friends from growing up on the streets, and my former employers who couldn’t rely on me to pick up extra work anymore.

Really, despite having lived here my entire life my list of people to say goodbye to wasn’t even that long. Two childhood friends, three family friends who were my mentors growing up, and one former employer were left. I had already given my notice of quitting to my current boss and a few other former employers, so here I was to tell the last one — and hopefully, I’d catch one or both of my friends in the process if they still worked for the old man.

Navigating through the stalls, I looked for the iconic red awning with half an owl’s face embroidered on it. This was one of the specialty shops, a merchant company that specialized in elixirs and common-use magical gear created by enchanters and alchemists.

I had worked for them for a few years as a shop boy until I got old enough I could work for a larger merchant company as a proper shop assistant. Despite the job sounding like a good one, they weren’t very well-paying until you could get promoted and I often picked up work here at the markets to make extra income when I needed it.

The jobs were also highly competitive and unless you wanted to become a merchant, they weren’t the best for long-term options. I mostly kept doing it because it’s what I knew, but a decision had been coming in my future around what I’d do for my career. Or, well, was. My path was chosen by the gods now, for better or worse.

Spotting the awning I was looking for, I pushed away the thoughts about my future and made a beeline toward their stall. Once their shop was in sight, I smiled to myself — I got lucky, both my friends were there today standing right under the sign reading “Owlish Good Gifts.”

Rolling my eyes at the silly-looking owl on the sign above the name, I cracked a smile and started waving at my friends as I walked over. A moment later, I caught one of their eyes and he grabbed the coat of the gal next to him to point at me. It was nice to see them, hopefully, they wouldn’t get in trouble for me interrupting their work.

“Jas! Sam! Been awhile, looks like you’re keeping busy.” I shouted, finally in the home stretch of approaching their stall.

Looking at me, the guy Jas, cracked a grin. “Roik, the great betrayer! What brings you over to our stall on today of all days, you fiend?”

“Oh, scoping out my next target for destruction as usual. I’ll have to steal Sam from your ugly mug before that though, just to rub salt in the wound.” I joked back.

“You will do no such thing!” She said, pouting and hugging Jas’s arm. These two had been dating for the past 3 years, and would’ve likely already been married had they made a proper salary and moved out. Whenever one of them got promoted or got a better job, they’d probably tie the knot. Who knows if they’d ever leave the old man though?

“Fine, fine. You’ve defeated my ill intentions!” I said, faking my death as I pretend-fell to the floor. Standing back up straight, I looked them both in the eyes and scratched the back of my head. “Alright, guys. I have some good and bad news. This is important enough to interrupt your work for a few minutes, I’ll explain it to the old man if he complains.”

“Alright, alright. Why are you being so serious, Roik?” Jas said, looking me in the eyes as if trying to read my intentions. Knowing him, if it wasn't this absurd he just might.

“The bad news first… I’m leaving town. I don’t know if or when I’ll return, I’ve been conscripted into the army. The good news? I’ve been scouted as a leadership candidate, so this will be a major pay increase and I have much better career prospects.” With that bombshell, both of their jaws dropped slightly and they looked at each other and back at me a few times as if unsure if I was serious.

“Yes, I’m not joking. You’re looking at an army man now.” With that, I rolled up my sleeves and flexed a few times while winking at both of them. Coping with humor was about the best I could do to prevent this from being an awkward and sad conversation.

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“When do you leave? And when did you put on so much muscle?” Jas asked, Sam’s eyes fully fixed on my arms.

“Trade secret, my friend. I leave in 4 days, I’ll be leaving from the east gate one hour after dawn. If you want to see me off, you’re welcome. Not sure how you two will survive without me looking over your shoulders.”

“Yeah, yeah. Thanks, Dad. I’ll do my best to take care of the house in your absence while you’re proving your worth in battle.” Jas threw a half-hearted salute, and Sam rolled her eyes at him.

“Roik… be careful, okay? I know you’re always responsible but this is not a merchant shop anymore. Don’t take unnecessary risks if you can avoid it, you’re basically my older brother and I don’t want to lose any more family.” Sam said, with a dejected look on her face.

“Hey, don’t give me that Samrelda! I’m always careful, and I’m not abandoning you two. I need to do my duty, and then I’ll make sure I at least find time to come visit you two. I can’t leave my best friends alone to their own devices for too long!”

“Heh. Best friends, huh? More like only friends, you loner!” Jas snickered. It looked like I had broken the tension, things should be okay now.

“Alright, alright. Loner it is. Where’s the old man? I want to let him know too.”

“Ah, Grant is not here right now. He’ll be back later, would you like to wait or should we just tell him? You know how he is, waiting might not be worth it.”

I’ll wait, let’s chat in between your customers visiting. I’ll even help you out if you slip on your sales pitch!” I said, wrapping my arms around both of their shoulders and hugging them both. Things would be okay with these two, I could feel it.

bloody divider [https://i.imgur.com/yTIGwtI.png]

As I strolled down the main road, I found I could help find myself lost in thought. Seeing my friends had been nice, but the old man was as tough as ever. He made it seem like he didn’t care whether I stayed or went, but I knew deep inside he cared… probably.

Focusing back on the road a bit as I headed towards the edge of the slums, I thought about the last few days. Now that I had quit my job, seen my friends, and said my goodbyes to a few family friends I had time to kill.

There just wasn’t much left I hadn’t done, and with still having 6 days left… maybe I should get ready for what was coming next? I planned to stop by the orphanage today, but should I put that off and talk the guards into doing some basic training with me instead?

Most of them weren’t bad people and they usually had time on their hands, a few days of getting a grip on a sword might be just what I need to be a little more prepared for what would come next.

Who knows what the training would hold for me? I didn’t really want to find out without some experience holding a blade. Nodding slowly, I took the next right and headed towards the nearest gate. It wouldn’t hurt to ask someone for advice.

Keeping an eye on my surroundings, I kept in the direction of the gate while keeping an eye on everyone passing me. Most were in a similar social group as me, but you never know when someone might turn to pickpocketing.

Nearing 20 minutes later, I arrived at the gate and looked around to see if I could spot any guards on break. The large wooden gate was raised, considering it still early afternoon, and there were two guards standing at the entrance. They were facing toward each to let people through the gate from either side, and briefly glanced at me before going back to standing there alert.

Waiting for a minute, I didn’t see anyone who would be good to talk to and started making my way towards the guards. A minute later, someone in armor exited through a side door and I made a beeline for him instead.

As I got closer, he noticed me and gave me a funny look. “Here t’ rob me, lad? You know we’re at the gate... Right?”

Shaking my head, I stopped in front of him and gave an attempted salute. “I wanted to ask a favor. I don’t think we know each other, but I’ve been conscripted for the upcoming wars on the border and I was hoping the guards could start showing me how to use a sword. I only have 5 full days before I leave.”

With those words, the guards wary look flipped to one of pity. “Ah, conscription. A noble duty, if nothing else. Have you any fightin’ experience, lad?”

Shaking my head, he nodded slowly and turned around. “Come with me. I’ll ask the lieutenant to consider your request.”

Feeling a bit wary, I followed after the man as we entered the guard station built into the wall. It seemed like I might have a shot at what I wanted after all.

As we explored deeper into the building, I started second-guessing myself. Would 5 days really be enough to really get a grip on any fundamentals? Maybe I’d be better off just waiting until we got to the training grounds after all.

Finally after dodging past a few guards and walking down multiple halls, we reached a door in the inner quarters with a seal on the door. Knocking once, the guard I had stopped spoke up. “It’s Groff, I have a peculiar lad with a request for you.”

A deep female voice shouted through the door. “Peculiar, huh? Come in and show me this peculiar lad, this better not be a waste of my time.”

Opening the door for me, I took a deep breath and entered through the door. At this point it was too late to turn back, all I could do is face this head-on and see what fate was in store for me.

Letting my eyes wander around the room, they settled on the large woman behind the desk. This would potentially be my judge, jury, and executioner. But, hey! The worst she could say was no, right?