Chapter 6

Abandon

I am tired. I…couldn’t sleep at all last night. Everything that Jack said kept repeating in my head, making it impossible for me to sleep. And this cold weather is making me even sleepier. Even though the sun is shiny brightly, it provided no warmth. *Sigh* I can already tell this going to be a bad day. I turn to check on Jack and it seem he was in worse shape than me. Is eyes were glue to the ground and kept rubbing his head in pain.

We’ve been sitting in this court yard for fifteen minutes now, and we’ve yet to say a world to each other. It seems like we’re just going to pretend last night didn’t happen. I guess its better this way, we both spilled our past to each other, even though we met yesterday. But even so, this silence is killing me.

I turn towards Jack, to see what he was doing. He was still holding his head in pain. “Hangover huh?” I said hoping to start conversation.

“Yeah.” He quietly mumble.

Well that didn’t work. I went back to thinking how to start a conversation with him.

“So.” Jack pause. I sat up, patiently waiting for him to finish his sentence. “Why do you think Alexander wanted us to meet him here?

“I have no idea.”

Today Jack and I started our job as bodyguards for the noble named Alexander. You would think a body guard job would be to protect and escort the client, instead we been ask to wait for him in this court yard.

“I brought you here because I wanted to test you.” Hearing Alexander voice behind us, we both jump out of our seat.

“What happen to you two? You both look rough.”

“It’s nothing just had a long night.” Jeez, I was so caught up in my thoughts I didn’t even notice him approaching.

“You said you had a test for us?” Jack said.

“Actually it’s more for James.”

“Huh, me?” What with the sudden interest in me? And whatever “test” he wants me to take I doubt I’m going to like it, that small smile on his face confirms it.

“Yes, I want to see the strength that defeated a blood wolf.”

“I already told you that I didn’t do it alone.”

“I remember, but I heard other rumors of your strength. And I would like to see it for myself.”

“So you just what see my strength? What do want me to do?” After saying that the smile on his widen. Now I kind of regret asking that question.

“I want a duel.” Pulling his sword out, he points it at me. “Draw your sword.”

“Wait, if we’re just having a duel, shouldn’t we use wooden swords instead?”

“If we were use wooden sword than you wouldn’t take this fight seriously. Besides, if you’re as tough as they said then my attacks shouldn’t be able to touch you. Now, draw your sword.”

*Sigh* Drawing my sword, I calmly observe Alexander. The sword he wiled was really thin, it definitely wasn’t made for slashing, and the way his leg position gave away his fighting style. He’s a fencer. Now that I know his fighting style, I can easily predict his first move, I’ll end this fight before it begins.

I slowly approach Alexander. Each step I took the tension grew. Soon we’ll both be in striking range. Alexander’s sword is longer than mines, which means he’ll be able strike first. I stop advancing, the next step I take will be in Alexander’s range. This guy is good, even though we’re about to engage in combat he haven’t lost his composure. He’s patiently waiting for me to get into his range I can sense that he’s going to put everything in this attack. Even though I know what his next attack going to be I can’t half-assed block or dodge it. I might lose a limb if I do.

I finally take the last step in. As soon I got into range he quickly thrust his sword at me. Instead of blocking or dodging, I simply place my sword underneath his and guided his attack away from me, causing him to lose balance. Before he could process what’s going on I quickly place my sword to his head.

“I win.”

His confuse face slowly form into a smile. “Excellent, you really are good.” He place his sword back into his sheathe. “You guys saw everything right?” He shouted. Soon a bunch of knights appear from the shadow, it seem they were watching our fight.

“What’s going on?” Jack said

“I just wanted to raise moral. And nothing raise moral better than knowing you have reliable person on your team.

Thanks to you James, I think these man are ready for their next mission.”

“What mission are you sending them off to?” It’s must be something dangerous if he set all this up just to give them confident to do it.

“The mission is to reclaim the trade route.”

“So you’re sending them into the forest, that’s suicide.”

The smile on his face is replace with a more serious expression. “I know that, but this is the best plan I could come up with.”  

“Instead of sending people to their death, we should wait and think of something better.”

Alexander, let out a small chuckle “I bet you think of me as an idiot who’s been spoon fed his entire life right?”

“No I didn’t think that at all.”

“Heh, no need to lie, that’s exactly what I am. I was an ignorant man who never understood the word suffering. That is until I came to this hell hole. It made me realizes how oblivious I was to everyone else pain. Now more than anything I want to make sure this knights gets home safe, but that won’t happen if we just sit around doing nothing. I know my plan will get people kill, but at the same time simply doing nothing will also get people killed.

I was speechless, I honestly didn’t think any noble was capable thinking like this. I thought they all were greedy fools who care about nobody lives except their own, but Alexander prove me wrong.

“I sent a message a while ago asking for help. I finally receive a message back saying that they’re sending reinforcement and they’ll be here today. If goes well today we’ll be able to retake the trade route and get this city back up.” He places his hand on my shoulder. “I know I might get people killed and that's why I plan going myself and would appreciate if you tag along with me what do you say?”

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This plan of is very risky. He basically asking us to attack the forest itself, but if it goes well then we will be able to re-establish the trade route again and get builders working on the city again. The faster this city build than the faster I get to return home. “Alright I’m in”

“Thank you. What about you Jack?” He turn towards Jack. I forgot all about Jack he been sitting in silence this whole time.

“Sure, sound like a solid plan.” Jack said.

A smile spread on Alexander face. “Excellent, are plan begins now.”

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Getting closer to the city wall we each prepare ourselves for the outside. Even though we had a team of twenty men with us, we still could easily get wipe out if we’re not careful out there. The entire forest is enemy territory, losing your focus for a second can easily cause you your life.

Exiting the city wall  the group halted, without saying a word everyone spread out in form a small circle around Alexander, with me and jack in the middle just in case some monster manage to break through the circle.

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We spent about an hour traveling through the forest. The few monsters we encounter were quickly dealt with by the knights, none of them could break through our circle.  I’m glad I can relied on these knights, I rather Jack not engage in any form of combat at all. I have no idea why he even agree to come out here. Does he want to become famous that bad?

“Alright we’re stopping here.” Alexander said, as soon we came into a clearing.

“Why we stopping here?” I asked

“This is where we will meet our reinforcement everyone spread out and secure the area.”

“Yes sir!” (Everyone)

Jack and I follows Alexander as he sits down under a tree in the middle of the clearing.

“Cant’ we pick a better location?” I ask. “We are way to out in the open here.”

“That’s why I pick it, we can easily identify friendly or foes from here.”

That’s true, but I rather not engage in unnecessary combat. It’ll tired the team out. But he already made arrangement with the reinforcement. It no like we can change it now. “Fine.” I leave to scout the area.

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About two hours has pass. We have yet to make contact with the reinforcement. I hope they get here soon, staying out in the open like this is really nerve wrecking. Always wonder what’s spying on us, or what monster might pop out the forest next, has mentally exhausted me. But I refuse to let my guard down, I kept examining the area until I saw Jack sitting down in the middle of the clearing. This guy doesn’t look the lease bit nervous. His bow and arrows was laying in the grass while both his hands were busy picking the grass off the field, his guard is completely down. This guy is seriously not cut out to be a knight, but somehow watching him be carefree calm my nerve down a little.

Following Jack example I decided to take a break. I guess this a good chance to talk to him. He’s been pretty much quiet this whole day.

“What you doing?” Jack jump at my question. It seems like I snap him out of his world.

“Nothing, just thinking.” He said, while throwing the grass out of his hand.

“I see.” I take a seat next to Jack, we both quietly watch our surrounding. ….Damnit, I still don’t know what to say to him. I look over to see that’s now playing with one of his arrows.

“You know, I’m not mad at you.” I said, hoping to break the silence.

“I’m glad to hear that, but that’s not what I’m thinking about.” Placing the arrow down, he looks at me. “Don’t think what Alexander said was strange?”

“Is that what you been thinking about this whole time?”

“Yea, his words isn’t adding up for me but I might just be overthinking things.”

I see, Jack the kind of guy that analyze his surrounding. That’s problem how he survive this long as a knight. “What did he say that was strange to you?”

“Aren’t we currently on the only trade route to this city?”

“Yea, why you ask?”

“Alexander said that he sent and receive a message, but how did he receive message through this path? Last time I check the path was deem too dangerous for anyone to journey through.”

…He’s right, the main reason why this city construction halted because monster kept ambushing traders. This is path is currently the only way into and out this city, so how did Alexander receive a message? Did he lie about the reinforcement? Why would he do that?

“I don’t know maybe I’m just overthinking things.” Jack said while scratching his head.

“No, you are right, there’s no way a messenger made it to this city alive.”

Getting up, I head to the tree Alexander was sitting at, only find he wasn’t there. “Where is Alexander at?” I ask the guard station near the tree.

“I know, he was here just a moment ago.” The guard said.

“What do you mean you don’t know? You was supposed to be protecting him.”

*Boom* suddenly, a huge fireball engulf the sky. It brightness force me to close my eyes. Are we under attack? No, that was far too flashy to be an attack. That was more like a….signal. No….you didn’t

“Everyone in defense formation now!” I shouted. On my command every knight regroup around forming a circle, so we could see from every angle.”

“James, what going on? Are we getting attack by bandits?” Jack said in a concern voice.

“No, that attack just now was just to give our positions away. And everyone monster in the forest probably saw it. We’ve been set up.”