I awoke the next day lying on the cold floor next to the fireplace. I guess all those months of sleeping outside really changes a person. I can't even get comfortable on the bed anymore. I slowly sat up to feel the extra weight on my chest try to pull me back down. The bindings must have loosened during my sleep. Still a bit groggy from sleeping, I struggle to get the bindings back into place. I felt something cold touch my foot as I started to stand up. I must've used my sword as a body pillow again as well. I pick it up and placed it next to my armor by the window and looked out to see clear skies and grazing cows. It kinda reminded me of The Valley; my home.
I walked downstairs, fully dressed in armor, the metal clinked together with each step I took. The tavern wasn't as full as it was last night. The Barkeeper was at the booth setting up plates and glasses as I approach.
"Good morning, I hope u had a good rest." He cheerfully called out. I sat down for a second before answering.
"It was ok. It was better than sleeping outside that's for sure." I gave a small yawn as I stretched out the last few of my tired bones. As I stretched, i noticed the bounty board to my left. It was overrun with filers; most of them yellowed of age and a few new ones on top.
Still looking at the board, I asked the Barkeeper: "what's your most highest bounty on that board?"
He gave me a conflicted look as he glanced at the board. He looked back down to his glasses as he mumbled a few words.
"Can you repeat that?" I leaned forward. He glanced at me then cleared his throat
"I said there is a 10 gold coin bounty somewhere hidden underneath the newer filers."
"That's your highest one?"
"Last time I checked."
"What's the bounty on?"
"No one knows for sure. Only that it uses trees to move around at high speed and is has hurt a lot of people."
"Any deaths?"
"A few but usually from wound infections after the encounter."
"Nocturnal or daytime?"
"Hmm, nocturnal I believe. It's been happening for a few months now in fact, they raised the bounty last week after the mayor son was attack."
I walked over to the board and started moving filers around to find that paper.
"Does anyone know where the creature dwells at during the day?" I asked as I continue leafing through bounties.
"I believe... someone mention it might be residing in Terrerose Forest but it's hard to say since no one has actually seen it."
"Found it." I yanked the piece of paper off the board. I notice the words: 3 gold, had been crossed out and the words: 10 gold, were written below it. The picture above it was a pair of cat like eyes, probably the only thing the victims remember after the attack.
"It doesn't say what town this is from" I showed him the paper.
"Well it used to have it on there but after the mayor's son incident, they decided to remain anonymous."
"But how am I supposed to find it."
"Well you know where Terrerose Forest is at don't you?"
"Yes." I sighed.
"Well, find that then you should find the town." He gave me a huge grin.
"Thanks." I forced a smile.
Back on the road again with my luggage and a new destination in mind: Coombe Town, Terrarose Forest. I managed to bribe the towns name from the old geezer for 5 silver pieces. Of course though all I got was the name; finding it was my job. I talk to any traveler on my journey for the location of this town. So far they've been helpful; it wasn't till sundown I finally arrived to Coombe town. The streetlights have all ready been lit and it's people were no where in sight. The slams of doors and windows greeted me as I walk down the Main Street. I started to feel unease so I quickly walked into the towns inn. Only a middle aged woman and a few old geezers occupy the space. I felt the suspicious glare of the woman as I walked up to the bar booth.
"Hi I like to.."
"You like to see the mayor and discuss about the bounty." She finished.
"Yeah, how did you know?" I couldn't help but ask.
"Anyone who walks through those doors and I don't recognize always asked about it. Yet every time they go and attempt to catch and kill it, it ends up outsmarting them and badly wounds them." She keeps her eyes down to the booth as she says this.
"Not kill them?" I wondered.
"What's that?"
"You mention that it hurts people, I heard a few people were killed?" I questioned her.
"They died from the wound infections made by the monster." Behind us, I can hear the doors open along with a deep sigh. "Hey doc." The lady called out.
"Good evening miss Dana." The doc sat down a couple chairs from me at the booth. I noticed how drained of energy he was. He slouched over the booth cradling his head in his hands as the smell of medicine and spices filled my nose.
"How's the kid?" Dana asked.
"Not good. His injury keeps getting worse. I'm afraid if this continues down hill we are going to have to amputate his leg." The doc laid back into his chair as he stared at the ceiling.
"That poor boy..."
"Mind me asking but can you tell me exactly what happen?" I kindly asked her.
"There's not much too tell," Doc answered, "just a bunch of boys trying to be men."
"Are you saying that a group kids went out and tried to hunt this thing? A thing that no one has yet seen?" Concern filled my voice as I spoke. The doc glanced at me with a hint of irritation in his tired eyes.
"Yes that's right but how does that concern you, bounty knight" Agitation filled his voice. I can tell he wasn't very happy to see me. I bet he thinks that I'm only here for the money and judging by his appearance he hasn't slept in days. Now that his newest patient is the mayor's son, it's not only his head but also his reputation that's on the line.
"It concerns me because I care about others a little too much then I need too and the fact the only deaths here are caused by wound infections and not from the encounters with the creature concerns me even more."
Dana lowered her eyes as if she herself doesn't now the answer. I peeked over at the Doctor expecting him to answer instead he didn't. Before I could ask another question another visitor came bursting through the doors. His plump face red from exhaustion.
"Doctor there you are! I've been looking all over town for you." He paced over to the Doctor completely ignoring me and Dana, "At first I thought you'd be at my house attending to my poor son, my only son, instead I find you here at the bar doing the exact opposite. Now tell me my good friend, is my son doing well enough for you to take a break at the bar?" The doctor began to appear nervous; he rubbed his hands together as he took a deep breath.
"I am here and not there because of the news I carry about him."
"And what news will that be?" The man asked.
"Possible amputation."
"Possible what!!!! You are not taking my son's leg off!!" He grabs the Doctor by his shirt. Doc kept his composure as the man began to tear up.
"I'm sorry Mayor Brad but Tim's leg keeps getting worse by the day and if we can't find anything to help it then the leg has to go otherwise your son's life will be at risk."
Brad slump to his knees. His shoulder began to shake as he started to weep.
"What am I suppose to do?" He mumbled through his tears. I felt pity for him as I watch him cry on the floor. The Doctor and Dana looked away as the mayor wept.
"Maybe I can help?" I asked. They turn to look at me. Mayor Brad's face is all puffy and red from crying.
"What can a knight do to help a dying boy when all you know is how to kill." The mayor's voice is filled with spite.
"Believe it or not, I was taught a little bit of medicine during my years of training." I said trying to persuade him. I can tell he didn't believe what I said so another idea was needed, "how about this, if I were to find the beast that has caused harm to your son tonight, you allow me to try to help your son."
"Tonight you say?" The mayor said entering into deep thought.
"Don't be stupid kid. Bounty hunters older than you couldn't even last an hour let alone a night in that forest." Dana pleaded.
"She right, if you're smart then you'll leave at the crack of dawn." Encouraged the Doctor.
"All right," Mayor Brad decided, "I'll take your offer and pray to the heavens you stay true to your word." I shakes his outreached hand.
"Don't worry, I always do."