“Where do you think the tower comes from?” asked Nicholas.

Martin looked unsure.

“No one really knows. There are folk-tales going around the split kingdoms that it may be a witch's curse and that a witch lives in the top of the tower.

Then there's the child's-tales saying that there lives a beautiful princess at the top of it and the only way to get to the top is to slay the dragon and the monsters before.

But as I have said and many others before me, No one really knows its history or what's on the top.”

Martin rolled up the map laying it to rest in his satchel again.

“It doesn't matter where the tower comes from. We have our mission from the king and we shall complete it no matter what happens.” said Kane.

His voice was strong and stern, always really serious. But his seriousness was necessary as the leader of the second royal regiment force.

Nicholas stuck his wooden smoking pipe between his lips, its wood came from an old tree not far from his current position, it looked ruff and well hand crafted with a thick base to it.

It was his way of calming the nerves.

“Do we have the support of the other regiments?” asked Nicholas.

A red glow warmed the pipe and he let out a puff of smoke into the air of different spices.

“As ordered from the king we do have all regiments from the fourth and up. The rest are needed in the kingdom and on the western front.

He said that if needed he will send them.” answered Kane.

“We should leave now or we will not make it to the base of the tower before nightfall." said Martin.

"Aye, I hear you. Let's go.” said Kane.

From above the enormous grand fields there flies a band of crows.

They watch eagerly as the men cross the green fields with their horses, winds sway the fields, from side to side they bend by the wills of mother nature.

A heavy tsunami of air bombed Nicholas' face as he and his friends passed through the land. Now the kingdom was truly behind them.

In the later hours of the day Nicholas, Kane and Martin arrived at a farm where its chimney weirdly enough worked its magic.

“Oh food, nice and warm food” said Martin. He caressed his long brown, gray beard as he smelled the warm broth cooking.

Kane thought it to be odd how there was still someone living out here in the fields.

“Smells real nice actually” said Nicholas. His stomach growled.

“There shouldn't be anybody out here. It's odd” said Kane.

He’d prior to their leave from the great kingdom been briefed on some of the land's history and in that bundle of information he'd learnt that these parts, even though beautiful, could be very dangerous and that there were still few people who lived out in Ripa.

“I suppose we need to be cautious then, but it would be nice to eat something” responded Martin.

“I agree with Martin, we have traveled for a bit, it would be nice to get some food in our stomachs before we reach the tower” said Nicholas.

This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

Kane looked between the both of them, ultimately deciding that they would give it a look.

The farm had newly made soil, an old wooden fence crooked in most places and broken in some others,

its house looked like it had been made a few centuries before their arrival because of the structure leaning forwards as if it's falling, but still it stands.

Nicholas bound his horse around the outer side of the fence while Kane opened the gate. Kane was always quick with his actions.

He approached the house slowly and carefully behind the other two. As Nicholas inspected the building someone passed its window.

All he could see was a dark figure. “Someone is in there, be ready the both of you.” commanded Kane.

Nicholas held his sword by its grip. Martin rested his palm on top of the pommel. He always looked at ease even in dire situations Nicholas couldn't imagine how Martin managed to be so cool, same goes for Kane.

The door looked beaten, there were scratches and it had been worn from age. After knocking on the door rustling sounded from inside.

Footsteps slowly approached as wood creaked from the inside. An old lady appeared, her face stern and cold. Kane explained their situation and she kindly invited the rest of them inside.

As they entered they were immediately greeted by warmth, spices blowing around, uneven flooring and a black cat.

Nicholas had heard stories of how black cats never brought anything good so he treaded carefully in. The old woman waved for them to sit down. It was a short table with space only for four people.

“Thank you for inviting us in, we really needed this. If there's anything we can help you with in return then just holler at us.” said Nicholas.

The old woman had a bent back. She looked like she'd been in pain for sometime now, her clothing was worn with stains and holes.

“Do you think maybe she doesn't understand us?” Nicholas whispered to Martin.

He peered over at the woman.

“No, I think she understands us. You see, people outside the kingdoms don't really like to get involved with the military.” Answered Martin quietly.

Kane had laid his scabbard across his lap readying himself. He could see how Kane sat there focusing on the room's details.

“He's always ready for anything, huh.” whispered Nicholas.

“He is indeed. All that he's been through must have carved a deep black hole within his mind, that's why he's so careful.” answered Martin.

The woman brought two bowls of stew , she put them down on Kane's side and Nicholas. It appeared to be some sort of meat stew, with potatoes, sliced carrots, cabbage and onions.

Nicholas reached for the spoon and took a sip of the broth, it was warm and kind of spicy. He remembered tasting something that was similar to the taste of the old woman's stew before, but he couldn't remember where, maybe it was from his early years or maybe from his later.

“May I taste your stew real quick” Whispered Martin. Kane had already been digging into the stew sipping away at the broth taking his time because of its heat.

“Why?” asked Nicholas.

“Because I need to check if it's poisoned,” he whispered.

“WHAT, couldn't you have said that before I tasted it?” whispered Nicholas.

“Yeah but i forgot, you know, i'm getting old” answered Martin.

“Okay then, go on,” said Nicholas. The woman was pouring more stew into the third bowl over her giant pot hanging over the house bonfire.

Nicholas gave over the spoon to Martin. He slowly put it in his mouth and wrestled with it for a bit and then he spat it out on the floor carefully so the woman wouldn't notice.

Quickly he stretched himself over the table blocking Kane from eating more of the stew with his right hand. “STOP right now okay.” he whispered. Kanes eyes widened.

“You too Nicholas don't eat more.” said Martin. “It's poisoned,” he said quietly to them both. “For Christ's sake, can there be no calm?” uttered Kane.

The old woman was done pouring the stew into the bowl and she turned around looking at them all around the table.

Kane grabbed his scabbard around its middle with the left hand, then he stood up in one fluid motion and proceeded to unsheathed his sword.

Pointing the sword's tip against the old woman's throat. It all went so quick that Nicholas didn't have time to react properly.

“You're really taking an attempt at murdering a royal soldier,” said Kane. His voice was this loud and harsh knife that cut through the tension in the room.

She nodded. Her features were menacingly dark, there lurked evil here thought Nicholas.

“You stupid bitch.” he said.

Then in one swing of the right hand he cut through her neck. launching her head into the stew pot.

Her body soon after dropped to the floor gushing out blood all over it.

A pool of it smeared its warm wooden features.