The guard yawned, pulling his hood down as the rain intensified. The night was young, the half moon barely in the sky. He overlooked the carriage in the distance, its figure only illuminated by the glow of a lantern. He immediately got his spear ready, walking in front of the gate. He let out a sigh, readying himself for the worst.

The carriage came to a halt right in front of the guard. The carriage master removed his hood, revealing his wrinkled visage.

“Where from you?” He asked the old man.

“We hail from Ortantis. We’re but humble travellers starting life anew. Can you let us kind soldier? These rains are weary for an old man.”

“No can do.” The guard said, “Never know when an enemy spy may come through.”

A second guard joined in, keeping an eye on the carriage master while the first went to back.

There were a total of six people in the back, two of which were women. There was a soldier among them, indicated by black mail armor he wore underneath his cloak.

“Good day soldier.” The guard said, “Where from you?”

“Ortantis.” He said with a sigh, “But I’m from Gridhigh.”

“That’s far from home.”

“I was sent to deliver a message to the King.”

“Ah. I need some identification then. Standard procedure, that sort of thing.”

The soldier revealed his bare wrist, revealing a black pattern of a sword. The guard check the others, getting a similar reaction from them all.

The guard nodded at his other, who allowed the carriage master to pass.

“I hope that this message of yours brings as good news.”

“Good news is scarce these days.” The soldier said, “But that is all we can pray for.”

The carriage came to a halt, the passengers alighting from the back, paying the wares to the carriage man. The soldier made his way through the rain, hurrying towards the 2nd level, not heeding two of his fellow passengers that walked towards an inn. They were greeted by the stares of those inside, scrutinizing them as they made their way to the counter. The bartender didn’t glance their way, only polishing his glasses.

“A drink for two.” The man said, removing his wet hood. He had long brown hair with grey hair growing on the sides, his beard quite unkempt, his dull brown eyes showing traces of tiredness. His companion did same, revealing her braid red hair.  She had a quite a pleasing face to look at, her brown eyes darting about the inn, like a snake looking for its prey.

“A drink for the two of us, please.” The man said, The bartender nodded, reaching out behind the counter for a bottle of ale. The man drank the poured ale. His companion, however, did not seem to pleased with it, so he drank her share as well.

“Where’ve you been?”

“Ortantis.”

“That far?” The bartender scoffed, “Didn’t figure you’d come back. What madness made you come back?”

“Thought you guys would miss me.”

This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

“Heh.” the bartender scoffed, “Who’s the lady.”

“Her?” The man glanced at her, “She was wandering about so I decided to adopt her.”.

“Another stray?”

“Ahem.” The woman cleared her throat. The two turned to her, and resumed their conversation.

“What’s new around here, Pilt? Any new gangs needing some common sense? Or perhaps some guards that are not acting the way they should.”

“Ever the vigilante, Ruel.” Pilt said, pouring himself a glass, “Well, you’re in luck. The streets aren’t safe anymore, ‘specially at night. The war’s breeding fresh new orphans who onl know how to steal and kill, some of them go missing, but who gives a damn.”

“My, oh my, I leave for a year and the streets go to shit.”

“I know.” Pilt sighed. The maid came out from the backroom, dishing out meals to some of the customers. “This has gotten bigger than just thugs and drunk soldiers. Nobles have began to think that they’ve won the war. Their lining their pockets with gold, stealing all that belongs to the people.”

“So the rumors are true.”

“That’s not even the worse part . News from the frontlines say that the Sleepless Knights have been deployed.

Ruel went silent, watching the bottom of his glass. He turned the cup upside down, watching as the last drops trickled down.

“What a sad state of affairs.” He said, placing two coins on the table. He got up and headed for the door, the red-haired woman following right after.

“Don’t go overboard Ruel.”

“I’ll try.”

Ruel watched the last drops of rain fall to the ground, the sky now astonishingly clear. He groaned as he made his way across the wet pavement, his weariness forcing him to drag his body.

“That man may have said it, but I will say it again,”

“Don’t even dare…”

“You cannot go around fighting on the streets, leave it to the guards.”

“Yes, the guards who are not here.”

“And would you take responsibility for every theft? Every murder? You’re not a hero, You have your responsibility, and it is not one you should take lightly.”

“Need I not remind you that is because of these responsibilities that we are here in the first place.”

Silence fell between the two as they walked through the streets. The lights from the lanterns burned brightly, the shadows being shone on the walls. The guards watched them through their visors, some stopping them, while others  merely ignored them.

The well organized streets slowly transformed into a rough and muddy terrain. The buildings were replaced by worn down shacks and rickety structures, There were no guards in sight, and while there seemed to be no one around, the eerie feeling of being watched constantly hang in the air.

“Samantha.” Ruel said, “Make sure my pillow is warm tonight. I intend to sleep until midday.”

Samantha looked at Ruel for a while, letting out sigh before walking off, tired of his antics for the day.

Ruel turned a corner, fading into the darkness around. He observed the buckets of water that had been filled up by the rain. He bent down, looking at his darkened reflection in water, and at the figure that stood on the roof.

“Don’t move.” A young voice spoke out from behind him. “Drop all your belongings.”

Ruel paid no heed to him, still observing the figure watching from the roof. Another boy emerged, looking a bit more muscular and quite taller, brandishing a rusty sword that could barely harm a fly.

The boy behind him itched closer, as the did the one in front. Ruel finally stood up, facing the one behind him.

“I must warn you, I won’t go easy.”

The boy showed no sign of hesitation, still stepping forward with his dagger. The bigger one was the first to charge forward, thrusting his sword at Ruel. Ruel dodged, grabbing the hand of the other boy and throwing him aside. The bigger boy charged again, carelessly swinging his sword while Ruel parried each blow effortlessly. He grabbed the boy by the shoulder, twisting his arm until he cried out, then kicking him to the muddy floor. The other boy charged in again, aiming for Ruel’s thigh. Ruel caught the blade, breaking the rusty dagger into pieces.

The figure on the roof finally attacked, lunging straight for Ruel’s purse. Unfortunately for him, Ruel span round, kicking him into the nearby wall.

Ruel sat down, watching the three boys groan as they struggled to stand. “Told you. You are no match for me.”

“Shut up,” one of the boys said.

Ruel ignored him, getting up and approaching the one who had been on the roof.

“One glance and anybody would think that you were just another stray,” Ruel began, “But that technique is only taught by the Arachnos family.” He bent down in front of the boy, holding a string in front of him.

“What’s a noble like you doing all the way here?”

“Back away from Cay!”

Ruel caught the fist of the boy, but the next thing that happened shocked him. The boy kicked his other knee, forcing him down. Just as he was about to raise his head, a bucket of water was poured right in his face.

Ruel felt his purse being pulled out of his pocket as the three boys escaped. He watched them go, a bit impressed by their teamwork.

“Have I grown old, to be bested by three children?” Ruel shook his head, “Samantha’s going to have a laugh about this,”