The sun is high in the sky, the forest is quiet and only a small caravan on the road is disturbing the area. The moving caravan slowly came to a halt as they arrived by the side of the river. The mercenaries outside secured the area from monsters while the caravaneers take a rest, eat, and drink from the river. Gregor hurriedly got off the wagon and opened the door of the carriage. There are a few merchants that came out from the front carriage but only one of them stands out, a middle-aged man with a mustache full of vigor and wears a high-quality clothing with his necklace standing out the most, his hair is black but there are strands of white hair showing off. His name is Alcardo Leon Verillia, a high ranking noble and a rich merchant. The wagon behind the carriage is where the goods and merchandises of the merchants are, as well as the private "goods" of Alcardo is kept. The second wagon behind is where the supplies are and also where Aidan, Stephanie, and Lucy are.
Alcaro stepped outside and inhaled the fresh air of the forest, he looked at Gregor who's bowing his head and greeted him. "Greetings Gregor, It's nice to come out of the carriage every now and then, it gets boring inside after a while."
"Greetings master. Agreed, getting a fresh air can relax a stressed body from a long journey. Also, master, the man we found by the side of the road is awake now and is ready to meet you. I asked my daughter to accompany him in meeting you." Said while still bowing to his master.
"Good, I can assume he's no threat to us then? Did you use your magic to make sure he's telling the truth?"
"Yes master, although there's a problem when I'm trying to use 'Interrogate' on him. The spell wouldn't work normally as it should, there's something interfering with the spell but it got through and validated his story."
"Intriguing... What did he tell you then?"
"He said that his name is Aidan Bluford, and he was drunk when we found him. That would explain why he reeks of alcohol and why he's there in the first place. The town we passed by isn't that far from where we found him as well so he should be telling the truth."
"So he's just another drunkard? Did you ask him why he's drunk?"
"No master, I believe it's none of my business at the time so I didn't ask him, but perhaps master can ask him instead."
"Interesting, alright. You can bring him to be but be on your guard just in case."
"Yes master, I'll summon him right away."
Gregor went the wagon where Aidan is, but still on his guard against him. Lucy's face is still blushing but it's not as worse as her face earlier.
"Lucy, bring Aidan to the lord. He wants to meet Aidan, don't worry I'll be by the master."
"Ye-yes father.."
"Let's go, Lucy, wouldn't want to make the lord wait." Aidan hurriedly told Lucy.
Aidan and Lucy got off the wagon while Gregor hurriedly went back to Alcardo's side. The trees outside are towering while the river is clean and very clear, the road looks like it's getting used regularly. The merchants outside are taking eating some bread and drinking some water to relax during the journey. The mercenaries are doing their job diligently, there are about twenty of them fully equipped with high-quality gear and weapons, they look strong and experienced. Aidan and Lucy walked calmly towards Alcardo's position, there are two guards and Gregor with him. When both Lucy and Aidan arrived, Lucy stepped forward and bowed to introduce themselves.
"Gre-eetings master, I've brought with me the stranger we found by the road."
"Ah! It's you. You're the one I've been hearing from Gregor about, nice to finally meet you, my name is Alcardo Leon Verilla, but people call me lord Alcardo."
Aidan stepped forward and bowed down as well. His movements are like a young noble, with discipline and elegance. Of course, Aidan knew these etiquettes from studying the medieval era in his world, but now he can finally use what he has learned.
"Hello, my name is Aidan Bluford, but you can call me Aidan. Thank you for bringing me with you, I could have been dead by now if not for you."
Alcardo was shocked when he saw Aidan move, but he quickly regained his composure. He didn't expect Aidan to be a well-educated person.
"It's nothing, anyone would have done the same. We humans have to stick together, right?"
"Y-yes, that's right."
Aidan's wondering what Alcardo meant by that, why do we need to stick together? Could there be dangerous beings that could harm us real bad? Aidan's thoughts were interrupted by a sound of a man clearing his throat.
"Ahem, by the way, Aidan, where are you from? Gregor explained everything from me, you said you were from a distant land correct?"
It would be bad if I just make things up, especially that I know nothing about this world. I should make my answers vague and let them think whatever they make out of it, I need to answer their questions carefully or else they might think I'm an enemy.
"Yes that's right, I came from a country far from here, very far. It's located on the east."
Gregor looked at Alcardo with an affirmed eyes and nodded. Aidan can't help but be curious on what's happening but he didn't let it show on his face.
"From the east, hmmm.. I see, can you tell me why you're traveling all alone by yourself? Perhaps we could help you in your journey?"
"I left my home to pursue my passion, then I traveled alone to fulfill my dream. But now I don't know what to do next, I can't fulfill my dreams anymore."
Alcardo looked at Aidan with a sophisticated look, he realized that he's asking a personal matter from Aidan and decided not to dig in anymore.
"It could have something to do why Aidan's drunk when we first so saw him."Alcardo thought. Gregor looked at Alcardo and nodded again like he confirmed something.
"That's too bad. Well, for now, you should relax. As long as you're with us, you're safe. If you need anything, just talk to Gregor here. We're heading off to the next city, you're welcome to join us. Unless you have to go somewhere else?"
"Oh no, I don't have a destination. For now, I'll gladly accept your hospitality and would join you to the next city. And thank you for helping me!"
"You're welcome. It's nice talking to you Aidan but we have to continue our journey, the other merchants just finished relaxing and eating their lunch. We'll talk later when we arrived at the city."
Aidan bowed to Alcardo as a sign of respect. "It's nice talking to you too lord Alcardo."
Alcardo left and went inside their carriages with the merchants. After every merchant has gone inside, Gregor hurriedly went to Aidan and his daughter.
"Sorry about the sudden question but we never know who we can trust. But don't worry, we have confirmed that you can be trusted. Let's head inside the wagon so we can leave."
Confirm how? Aidan thought but he can't think of any explanation.
"It's fine, you people saved me so it's alright with me."
Everything happened while Lucy's still nervously standing but now that it's all over they can finally get back to the wagon and head straight to the city. Aidan, Gregor, and Lucy walked back to the wagon and the caravan went moving again.
"By the way Gregor, where are we heading again?"
"Oh, we haven't told you yet? We're heading to the city of Eschuchon. We'll arrive there tomorrow morning so rest up a bit."
Eschuchon City huh...