"Don't sell yourself short! You surprised me with that Caspian and Heath switch! Your ending was a little weak, but overall it was a good plan! It would be a shame if I didn't let you win! Hahaha!" Jeff looks at my bitter expression and encourages me while slapping me on the back.
"Don't tell me that was your only reason to lose, I've had lots of good plans up to this point." I scrunch up my face and object to Jeff's explanation.
"No, that wasn't all..." Jeff's face becomes serious. "A month has passed, and you paid off the rest of your debt last session. I'd be a fool to not realize, you're a traveler, you won't stay in this little village. I want to encourage you as much as I can before you leave. You've made a lot of progress this month, you've gotten stronger."
'He completely saw through me. I don't want to go, but I know I have to. I've fulfilled my obligations, staying here and supervising the creation of the new "Credit Union," as they now call it. It has wasted too much time already. I have another obligation, to myself and my acquaintances. If I don't take advantage and research this world, I can't call myself an engineer. Magic, science, history, how I got here, I need to study it all. I've learned as much as I can in this village, but that isn't much. In addition, it's possible I'm related to some of the strange events last month, if so I don't want this village to get caught up in it. I need to leave...'
"Ahhhhh, you're right... I was planning on telling you after this session, I can't stay here any longer. I need to go to the capital to search for something, but I'll miss this place." I answer truthfully, the capital probably has the information I need.
"I see" Jeff grins and his serious attitude disappears. "If it's the capital, can you do me a favor?"
"Certainly! I'll help with anything I can! Do you need something delivered?" I hastily respond, Jeff and the others have been kind to me, I should repay the favor.
"Yes, I was hoping you could take... this nephew of mine with you!" Jeff's grin broadens into a wide smile and he gestures to Heath who is getting off the ground after being knocked down. "I've been planning to send him there, he needs to see more of this world. If he had you as a comrade it would be very reassuring for me."
My eyebrows raise and I open and shut my mouth several times.
"You want Heath to go with me?! Aren't you still teaching him? Why would you send him to the capital?" I ask in astonishment, I never considered this possibility.
'Dude! You ask a favor, and it turns out you want me to take your family with me?! What the hey?!'
"Yes, this world isn't as peaceful as it once was, it's better to travel in parties. You two trust each other and can fight together already, making you ideal travel companions. Ever since Heath's father died, I've taken care of him, but I don't want to force my lifestyle on him. I have connections in the capital, I was hoping you could bring Heath to them." Jeff explains his situation and regains his serious attitude.
'I didn't expect this, but I would prefer to have a traveling companion. The only people I'm close to in this world are Lily, Jeff, Caspian and Heath, so this is ideal for me.'
"I'd love it if Heath would accompany me, but that's up to him." I turn toward Heath, he slowly dusts off his pants.
**Silence**
"Uh huh" Upon finishing, Heath looks at Jeff and I and nods in agreement.
The three of us subconsciously turn our heads to Caspian. Caspian's face is blank, he's still trying to catch up with the rapid progression of events. Unlike Heath, Caspian isn't used to the fast thought process of inventors like Jeff and I.
"Wait me?!" Caspian recovers and realizes what our gazes mean. "Ummm, I wish I could go, but I have a duty. I was born and raised in this village, I owe all the people here. I'll stay and protect it, you two go without me." He waves his hands back and forth as he declines.
'Ahhh, typical Caspian, him and his duty. He reminds me of a brilliant and loyal knight, except not as cool. But it's true, his background is fundamentally different to Heath's and mine. Jeff brought Heath here as a child and I'm only a visitor. Caspian was born here, abused as a child, then abandoned. If it weren't for the kindness of the villagers, he wouldn't be alive today.'
"Thanks, I'll leave the safety of the village to you then. I'll come back to visit, but I'm not leaving just yet. I still have a few more things to wrap up." I thank Caspian and clarify my position.
'I need to check with the Credit Union to see if they plan to continue it and expand or abolish the project. Also, now that Heath is coming with me, I want to invite Lily too. I wouldn't typically ask a female to travel with me, but with Heath, and this being another world, I think it's fine.'
"Hahaha, I'll write a letter for my friend and give it to Heath. When are you planning to leave?" Jeff sticks his chest out and laughs, then asks about my schedule.
"I'm thinking a few days from now, I want to meet with Floyd and the others first though. Do you think you could arrange for a meeting within that timeframe?" I request for Jeff to make me an appointment, dumping my schedule on his shoulders.
"Wow, that soon? I'll contact the others and let you know. Anyway, I won't keep you here anymore. I'm sure you have many things to prepare, as does Heath." Jeff smiles and motions for me to move along.
I leave the smithy and go back to the inn. Upon arriving, I work up my courage and knock on Lily's door.
"Yes? Oh, it's you Adam! What is it?" Lily opens the door and tilts her head, asking why I'm here.
**Deep breath**
"I think you should know, I'll be leaving this village in several days." I break the news to Lily as directly as possible, so I can get it over with.
"What?! Why so suddenly?! Why didn't you say something before?!" Lily's head straightens and her eyes burn with anger and agitation.
"I didn't know how to bring it up! I've tried to tell you, but I couldn't finish... I'm sorry, I should have told you sooner, but I can't stay here much longer." I apologize to Lily and hang my head.
**Sigh**
"I knew you'd leave, but this is too sudden. I'll miss you." Lily responds with a deep frown on her depressed face.
"Ummm, about that, actually... I was hoping you'd come with me." I state my request, then hurriedly continue. "Of course, Heath will be there as well! It's safer with more people you know!"
Lily's eyes widen, as if she'd never consider leaving this village if I hadn't mentioned it.
"Hmmm, leaving this village, huh... I don't know..." Lily's eyes glaze over as she considers my suggestion.