"Come on, get up sleepy head! Rise and shine!!" I shouted as I yanked the covers off Tim. Nenet jumped on the bed and began pawing him.
"Get up sleepy head!" She purred. (of course, only I hear this). I giggled lightly as Tim groan in what I assume in annoyance.
"Need more sleepy. Head.. hurts." He managed to say
"Sorry pal, but we need to get supplies today if we want to be able to get back on the road tomorrow so let's go." I grab hold of his foot, yanking him clean off the bed. Shock flashed across his face as well as confusion. "Awake yet?" he nods. "Well let's go!"
I waited for him in the cramped lobby with Nenet, ignoring the glances of the other residents just as I picked up Tim's scent coming down the stairs.
"Let's go." He called out as he rushed past us. I felt a smile crept across my face in amusement. Despite the festivities ending yesterday, the townfolks were still in high spirits. If only we got here a day earlier we might've seen the fight.
"Want to get something to eat first?" I asked cheerfully.
"Sure."
I ran over to the first vendor I see, coming back with two berry tarts still fresh from the oven.
"Here you go." I handed him a tart. He nodded in thanks as we sat at a small water fountain.
"You never answer my question." He suddenly asked.
"Excuse me?"
"About why you don't have a sword even though you're a knight."
"You remember that?" I'm honestly astonished. I thought he wouldn't remember any of it considering how much alcohol he drank.
"Bits of pieces here and there but you still didn't answer the question."
"Well technically, I'm not a knight, yet, I'm more of a bounty hunter right now if anything. I got to do something pretty significant if I want to be granted the title."
" But you did the training. Don't you get the title after completing the training?"
"If I were a noble then yes but as someone who grew up on a farm with no ranks or titles, I got a fight my way up." I swallow the last chunk of the tart as Tim finishes his. "As for the sword, I always thought my speed was enough and I have my knife in case of an emergency but I never thought about a sword."
"That thing supposed to be a knife!!"
"Yeah."
"That thing too big for a knife!"
"I supposed it is but then again my master always called it a knife."
"He must have been huge to call a short-sword a knife." He mumbled. "What was he like? Your master?"
"I would guess he was like any other trainer, strict and smart. Despite our size difference, he taught me everything I needed to know about being a knight. He would also warn me about the hardship it would bring for someone like me."
"How long did you trained under him."
"Um, about three years giver-take."
"Wow. what did your family think of this?"
"You sure are being nosey today? Any particular reason to why that is?" He quickly looked away as he began to fidget with the tart wrapper.
"I...I just figure since I'm traveling with you and all that I should get to know you more." His cheeks flushed pink in embarrassment.
"I see. Well, my folks weren't too keen on my career choice but they were supportive. I guess they were hoping it was a phase or something. They wanted me to become a farmer like them and start a family. That obliviously didn't happen." I joked a little expecting a laugh. I look over to see him staring at the ground, his eyes seem almost empty like he was somewhere else at the moment. "Enough talking let's go shopping!" I nudged him in the shoulder waking him from his trance. I grab hold of his wrist, tugging him behind me as Nenet gallop ahead.
****
"We should have enough coins for one more stop." I drop the remaining coins into the bag. We had stopped in the main square over in Dornwich, the town next to Porthcawl, separated by a river. Tim and Nenet sat by the fountain sitting in the middle of the square. Nenet had jumped into the water to cool down as Tim dip his feet in. Both of them groan at the mention of "one more stop".
"I can go by myself if you two want to rest for a minute?"
"Yes, thank you." He leaned back to relax as Nenet purred in agreement.
"Ok, I'll be right back. Watch our stuff." I pointed to the bags sitting behind him.
"Yeah yeah. Just go, will you?" He shooed me off.
Timothy's POV:
I watch as he walked off to whatever store he needed to go to next. I can't think of what else we could need. We got stuff for camping like tents and cooking equipment. I don't know why he didn't have this stuff before but we got them now. We got some other stuff too like some dry food, seasonings, a fire runestone along with a few other simple magical items. Again, why he didn't have any of this before our meeting is beyond me. I leaned back with my eyes closed as a large cooling shadow loomed over.
"Glad to see you got your sea legs back young man." A deep, husky voice called out above me, causing my heart to jump. I jump away from the stranger into the fountain thinking Nenet would follow. Instead, she now sat on the ledge with a cheesy grin on her face. I glanced back to the stranger. He towered over me like a giant with all of his muscles and arm-covering tattoos. His peppered beard was styled in a thick braid with a silver cuff at the end tieing it off. He carried a large brown sack over his shoulder as he carried a rather large harpoon that is as about as tall as me.
"Do I know you?" I managed to get out, keeping my distance. His smile turned into a frown, his eyes open to reveal two stunning grayish-blue orbs
"I supposed not. You were out cold. Did Mister Riley not mention me?"
"No, he didn't." It's not in his nature to tell me important stuff like this. A deep sigh escapes me as I leaned my hand out to him. "My name is Timothy Meyer." He drops the sack to shake my hand. His hand feels scratchy and rough.
"Ishmael Pequod. And who is this bundle of fur?" He bends down to pet Nenet who gladly lets. So she allows a stranger to pet her but not me. What the heck.
"This is Nenet," I answered as she began to purr. "How do you know Riley may I ask?"
"I ran into him last night. He was having some issues getting you home so I lent a helping hand."
"I see."
"Hey there! I thought I recognized you." Riley popped in out of nowhere. He was holding onto a short-sword and a standard-sized sword.
"Ah, Mister Riley! Glad to see you again."
"Please Riley is just fine."
"What's with the swords," I called out to get his attention.
"Well I thought about what you said and I went got a sword," He lifts the short sword. "But their selection here isn't quite good so I'm going to trade it for something better later. And this is for you." He hands the standard sword to me in which I grab.
"For me?"
"Yeah, I didn't know your preference so I just got a standard so you can trade for something better or whatever." I stare down at the well-made sword as my mouth began to feel dry. Despite today being hot, my blood began to run cold. My breathing quicken as my heart beats faster. My hands feel sweaty. I feel the sensations of myself shaking but I can't tell if I am or not instead the world looks like it's spinning. I can't hear anything anymore just my heartbeat beating faster and faster. I look to Riley and Ishmael to see them looking at me with concern. Their mouths are moving but no sounds come out. I look back to the sword to see it and my hands cover in blood. I shake even more as I see flashes of dead creatures lying around me and blood covering the ground. My vision began to become blurry as everything faded into black.
****
Soft humming filled my ears as I came too. I was back at the inn, my body felt even more exhausted than it did this morning. Riley sat on the floor going through today's findings; the melody he hummed was soft and delicate. My body felt at ease upon hearing it.
"How are you feeling?" He suddenly asks. He didn't turn around as he asked the question.
"Fine, I guess. What happen?"
"You blacked out. Ishmael had to carry you back to the inn, again. If we keep this up, we might own him dinner or something." He let out a small laugh. An awkward silence grew between us as Riley continued to group equipment. "Why are you traveling with me?" He suddenly called out, breaking the silence.
"Um, because my dad urged me to as an apology for something I don't even remember." I joking answered expecting him to return the laugh; instead, he turns his head with a cold expression on his face. I felt a nervous jolt went up my spine. What's with that look? "Why are you asking me that? You know why I came." I avoid eye contact as Riley continued to stare me down.
"I ask because I can't afford to worry about you having a panic attack on me in the middle of a fight simply because you see a sword!" His voice filled with anger catching me off guard.
"I didn't have a panic att-"
"YES, YOU DID!!" He shouted. He turns away quickly as he began taking deep breaths. He brushed his bangs out of his face as he snuck in an itch on that scar of his. "Do you want to hear a story?" He asked calmly.
"Do I have a choice?"
"No." He repositions himself so that he was facing me. His red eyes deepen in color as if he were recalling something tragic. "Long ago, there was a great warrior. This warrior was mighty and brave. Charging into battle using only his brute force and his mighty war-ax. With his ax, he was able to defeat the strongest of warriors. Nothing could stop him, until one fateful day he across the choice that no matter what route he choice he would have lost something of value to him. And that he did."
"What did he lose?" Riley looks at me for a second before answering.
"The love of his life. Ever since then, anytime he picked up his ax that person would flash before his eyes causing him to shake with guilt. He could no longer fight as he used to. Ashamed by this, he left his old life behind, hanging up his ax which is no more than a simple relic collecting dust. One day, however, a young child came to him eager to learn how to fight. He refused many times, hoping the child would give up and go home. But they never did. The child's stubbornness reminded the old warrior of his younger years when he was just as stubborn. But he notices the most was an unmistaken similarity between the child and his lover. He was once again at a crossroad. Either the old warrior forces this child to go home or get over his fear to teach them."
"What did he do?"
"Well I'm here aren't I?"
"Wait, the story was about…"
"Yes, my master. He has episodes similar to the one you had today whenever he even looks at that ax. But he was able to find a way to teach me despite his fear."
"Forgive me but why are you telling me this?"
"I'm giving you the same choice my master was given. Either find a way to get over your fear or some way around it or go home. You have till the morning to decide. I leave this here to help motivate you." He gets up and places the sword he given me earlier on the bed by my feet. He grabbed one of the now packed bags leaving the other one on the chair by the door as he leaves.
"You know it's kinda hard to get over a fear when you don't even know how you got it in the first place," I called out.
"Some things are better left unresolved and kept in the dark." He closes the door behind him leaving me alone with my thoughts.
"Unresolved uh?" I stared down the sword on my bed unsure of what to do. I try to grab hold of the sword but my hand started to shake uncontrollably. I pulled back quickly as my heart began to beat faster. Rileys right. I'm no good to him if I can't even use a sword. Maybe I should go back. I'll have plenty of time to think of an excuse for my dad. But…. do I want to go back? I want to keep traveling with Riley and Nenet. Maybe I can be the designated cook, no, I still need to protect myself somehow. As I got lost in thought the image of my dead best friend flashed before my eyes as an idea pop in my head. "I got it!!" I lunged out of bed, quickly throwing on my shoes and grabbing my stuff along with the sword, despite my shaking hands, and raced out the door.
*****
Riley's POV:
(A.N.:Sorry for jumping around POVs in this chapter, it's not on purpose I promise.)
I stand outside Tim's door, expecting him to answer or come out. But the faint scent of him has faded as if he left last night. I felt Nenet pawing my leg.
"Sorry girl looks like he made his choice." We checked out of the inn and began to make our way out of town.
"I was kinda hoping to see one of those fights everyone was talking about," Nenet whined.
"Same. Better luck next time I guess." As we exited the town, I notice a familiar muscular figure waiting for us.
"You weren't leaving without saying goodbye are you?" Ishmael called us over.
"Where's your friend?"
"He um…"
"Riley wait up!!" I turn around to see Tim running at high speed down the road to us. He skidded to a stop just as Nenet jumped into my arms to avoid getting run over.
"Tim! I thought you left."
"No…. I had I idea." He managed to get out as he continues to catch his breath. It was then I notice the bow and quiver strapped to his back.
"What's with the archery set?"
"It was something I use to do as a kid with my friend. Everyone use to tell me I had a killer shot."
"Well, let's see if you still are." Ishmael challenged as he tossed something into the air. With fast reflexes, Tim grabs hold of the bow, position the arrow, draw back the string, then released the arrow. I don't think he even aimed. A swift whistle pierced through the air as the arrow hit the object. It landed on the ground with a thunk as Ishmael went over to receive it. He brought it over to reveal it was a wooden carving of a fish with an arrow now pierced through it. "Nice one lad, you hit it square in the eye. You make a fine fisherman." Ishmael praised Tim. Pride filled his eyes as a big smile appeared on his face.
"Well I think that settles it, lets hit the road archer."
"If you young lads don't mind I would like to travel with you for a while?" I look over to Tim then to Nenet then back to Ishmael. I'm not too sure about this since I already have Tim to worry about along with Nenet but Ishmael seems to be able to handle himself but if I learned anything from my time spent with the sea-folk is that they are cable to pretty much anything and everything. This is going to make things harder for me but if it's for a little while then I think I can handle it.
"Sure why not. The more the merrier." I give him a reassuring smile. He grabs hold of a rather large sack and heavy-duty harpoon and begins marching forward singing a sea shanty in his native tongue as we trailed behind him humming along with the song.