CANSTVER 10TH YEAR 458 ASMERIAN CALENDAR
Fritz Barker woke up from his slumber nude, he got up and got himself dressed for the day. Sir Miller had been very busy recently and was forcing him to take on more and more runs to Concord and back. He hated this, he'd rather stay at home and focus on his farm than the whims of a Ritter. Suddenly he heard someone knocking on his front door. "I'll be with ya in a moment!" Fritz yelled as he fastened his sword to his hip.
He walked to the front room where Audrey was just now waking up as the knocking continued. "I said I'll be right fuckin with ya, ya bastard." Fritz barked as he opened the door. "What do ya want?" It took a second for Fritz to realize what was going on as two Asmerian Knights stood in front of his home with several guards.
"Mister Barker of Gregoria I presume?" Said the knight on the left.
"Aye, can I help you, sir?" Fritz said as he stepped out onto the porch.
"Yes, you see, there's been a number of complaints from your neighbors saying that you've been constantly acting suspiciously and riding north almost every other day to Gregoria and back."
"Well, the business has been going poorly so I've had no choice but to ride north for coin and aid," Fritz said as he leaned against the railing. "Is that all sir?"
"No, we'll be searching your property and belongings as well. Any resistance you give us will be an arrestable offense." The knight said as he dismounted his horse. "I'm sure that there's no need to worry about that though. After all, I wouldn't want anything to happen to that pretty little thing inside."
Fritz turned and saw Audrey standing next to the window, watching everything going on outside. "Don't you dare threaten my niece." He said with a serious tone of voice.
"Are you trying to intimidate me, Mister Barker."
"I'm telling you to fuck off if you want to hurt an innocent little girl."
The knight stepped onto the porch and drew his sword, Fritz drew his as well and readied himself to fight. "Are you hiding something, Mister Barker?" The knight asked.
"No, but you are a fool to think I'll let you near my niece."
"Haha, Mister Barker, I was merely jesting, however, I wouldn't mind crossing swords with a suspected criminal." The knight said as he stepped closer. "Now, two things are going to happen here. First, I will enter your home and search your property and belongings until I find what I'm looking for, and secondly, you will be tried for any and all of your crimes."
"What makes you think that I'm a criminal? I've done nothing wrong in the past or given cause for you to search my property?"
"That may be the case but I think someone you know has given us cause to think otherwise." Fritz's mind flashed as he thought of all of the people who could've told the Asmerians. His mind locked on to two men, Sir Miller and Sir Hughes. Both of whom could gain from Fritz being hung as they could then replace him.
"I would like to know who brought these allegations against me," Fritz asked as the end of his sword started to shake as his hands trembled with fear.
"You're shaking, how about you and I make a deal of sorts, to avoid any undue harm to you or your niece."
"What kind of deal are you proposing?" Fritz asked, keeping his guard up.
"You confess to your crimes and lead us to the men who are conspiring against his majesty the king, and I'll tell my master, Lord Daniels that you redeemed yourself and that you have been banished from Asmeria for the rest of your meaningless and honorless life. At least you'll have your life and you may return to your country."
"How can anyone in my position trust such words?"
"I'm a knight of Asmeria, I would lose my knighthood if I broke such a promise. Besides, I know that you are not the main culprit and that you are nothing more than just a messenger. Unfortunately, my contact gave only your name before he was killed by defectors."
"Very well, but I will have you know that my niece had no part of this," Fritz said as he slid his sword back into its scabbard.
"Smart choice, now, where are any items that would help in the arrest of these men?" The knight said as he lowered his sword. Fritz led him inside and showed him all of the documents that he had acquired from Miller that was laying on his table. Audrey dared not speak for fear of being harmed. "You indeed made the smart choice. Now, who gave you these papers and letters?"
"Sir Frederic Miller, he lives just down the road."
"Shall we go pay him a visit, Mister Barker?"
Jackson was in his family's shop and working behind the counter. His father had gone out to make a few business deals for the castle that Lord Daniels had started construction on. He waited for his father to return as Mister Miller had requested to meet with him the day prior.
Suddenly, Connor burst through the door with a large sack in his arms. "Son, a little help would be nice!" He barked.
Jackson ran over and took the heavy sack from his father and carried it to the counter. "Easy with that, it's very expensive," Connor said as he caught his breath. "What is it, father?" Jackson asked as he set the hefty sack on the counter.
"It my son is Fren dust. It's used in all sorts of medicines and also as fertilizer for crops."
"Wow, so how much did you get father?"
"I have about seven more sacks in the cart waiting to be taken inside." Connor said as he turned back towards the door. "I'll carry them in but I'll need you to stack them up on the counter."
"I can carry them in as well father."
"No, I don't need you hurting yourself son. Trust me, if you don't take care of your body when you're young you'll pay for it when you get older." Connor said as he headed out the door. It only took five minutes to unload Connor's cart and put the Fren dust away. Jackson finished with his chores and headed off to meet with Mister Miller at the plaza.
Miller was waiting with Ruby at the fountain and he was being harassed by two Luccian merchants trying to sell cheap crafts and clothing. "Please sir, this fine garment only costs eleven Asmerian Coppers. You'll not find a better deal in all of Alta." The woman pleaded.
"Look ya bastard, I've fuckin told ya once and I've told ya twice. I'm not buying your cheap shite, I wouldn't even pay half that for those shitty rags nor would anyone else with and sense about them!" Miller snapped.
"Sir, are such harsh words necessary? We're only trying to assist you in a purchase." She said insulted.
"Look ya bitch, what in the fuck made ya think that I wanted to buy anything from ya? You must be insane ya fat bastard and for the last time, leave me alone!" Miller said as he stood up and got in the woman's face."
"Guards, guards, help this man's gone mad!" The man shouted.
"Shut up ya bastard, the only ones whose gone mad are you two imbeciles!" Miller barked but two guardsmen heard the man's cries and rushed to the scene.
"What's going on here?" The guardsman in the front barked.
"This man threatened us, sir, please arrest him!" The woman screamed and pleaded.
"I never ya dumb bitch. It would be a waste of time to kill a Luccian." Miller said as he threw a shirt back at her.
"Sir, ma'am, please just calm down!" The guards barked.
Jackson was finally able to step in as the guards moved the woman away. "Excuse me sir," Jackson asked the nearest guardsman. "Yes lad, what is it?" He asked.
"I was witness to this entire controversy and I can tell you that the Luccian Merchants are lying to you, sir. My friend never once threatened them, they simply wouldn't leave him alone."
"I figured, it's been going around that there was a man and woman causing trouble around here so we're just going to escort them out of the town and seize their property for Lord Daniels." The guardsman said with a sigh.
"Thank you, sir."
The guardsman grabbed the woman and pulled her aside and after a minute of rash and brasen yelling and shouting from both the man and woman, the guards dragged them away towards the gate and pulled their belongings away to the great hall. Where Lord Daniels would claim their belongings as a charge for their disturbance. Jackson almost pitied them as he was the son of a merchant but at the same time felt relief that they were taken away and no longer able to harass Mister Miller and Ruby.
Over the last month, Jackson had met with Ruby and watched her while Miller was gathering supplies for his trip to Gregoria. He had grown close to her as he was allured by her being a Varin and having been a slave for her entire life. She was a kind girl and her aspirations as a freed slave were too numerous to count.
Miller was finally let go by the guards and he approached Jackson with Ruby fast in tow. "That was too bothersome for being so late in the day," Miller said.
"I thought it was quite amusing Mister Miller."
"Oh, and how's that?"
"Well for one, I knew exactly what they were trying to do, and secondly, the irate whimperings of those two Luccian's was rather funny."
"Those are some mighty impressive words ya got there lad."
"Thanks, I don't like speaking like that but my mother is demanding that my sister and I expand our knowledge of words and use as much of our vocabulary as possible."
"That must be annoying huh?"
"II couldn't have said it better even with my impressive words." Jackson quipped back with a laugh.
"Ha, you're a very smart kid, maybe too smart for your own good!" Miller burst out laughing.
"So tell me, why did you want to meet today? Do you need me to watch Ruby again for you?"
"No kid, I just wanted to say goodbye," Miller said as he took a seat back down on the fountain. "I plan on leaving very early in the morning and I won't have time to say goodbye then."
"Thank you for that, I would be upset if you had left without saying goodbye," Jackson said as he took a seat next to Miller. Ruby, who was still standing, decided to sit down next to Jackson.
"I'm going to miss you, Jackson," Ruby said. "You've been a great friend and I want to thank you for that."
"You're welcome Ruby, it was fun to be with you and I enjoyed it."
"We're coming back in Delver and I'll look to see you then."
"Delver is two months away, it'll be strange without you both being here."
"You'll be fine kid, we've got plenty of years left in us and we've just met," Miller said as he lightly punched him in the shoulder. "So don't get soft alright. It just makes it harder in the end."
"I understand Mister Miller. I will miss you all the same."
"Likewise kid, anyways, we Gregorians have a tradition of sorts for leaving when we make a promise to return."
"Oh?"
"Aye, would you mind coming back to my place? I know it's getting late but I'd like to show ya this tradition of ours. It'll be useful if ya ever become a Gregorian noble or Ritter."
"I'd love to Mister Miller, are we leaving right now?" Jackson asked as he stood up.
"Aye, let's get going."
Jackson followed Ruby and Miller as they made their way to his home. It was a short walk and Jackson grew to like the scenery outside of the cold rock walls of Greendale. Even now, in the middle of summer, the city center felt cold and bleak. As they walked down the road out of Greendale they saw men chopping firewood for the winter and gathering hay and feed for their cattle and horses.
It was expected of men to go out throughout the year to gather for their homes and farms. Lord Daniels had passed a tax that made it so if you were underprepared the guard could fine you for a lack of contribution to the town and the territory. This was all for his castle that was in the process of being designed and laid out several miles north of Greendale.
Jackson had traveled to the castle site with his father. Connor had become the sole provider of goods to the castle. This made him the target of most of the merchants in the northern half of Asmeria. Lord Daniels himself had tried to restrict how much Connor could control the supply to the Castle. Only to be met with delays in materials and goods.
Connor had asserted himself as the wealthiest man in Greendale through less than proper means. The profits of the Scottkey family rivaled that of Lord Daniels himself and Connor was in a position to even overrule Lord Daniels in terms of trade in Greendale. Not only did Connor secure the right to be the sole seller of goods to the castle grounds he also managed to secure the right to claim the grounds for any goods coming out of the castle grounds. This also contributed to the Scottkey Family's rise in influence and wealth.
Jackson was fortunate enough to see some of the under workings of Connor's plan. He used tactics to make other merchants and landowners look like they were with Connor in the deal and also made verbal agreements but never a contract unless it was absolutely needed to succeed with profits. Connor also played several of the least trusted merchants with these agreements so that no matter what they said, unless there was a witness, no one would trust their claims of wrongdoing.
The Scottkey family was always good when it came to amassing large amounts of wealth. However, it took time for these schemes to hold up to scrutiny. Time was ever the most valuable asset to any merchant and Connor knew that better than anyone. Jackson watched as several carts with the Scottkey banner mounted next to the rider passed down the road to and from Greendale. They stopped as two carts passed by each other in front of Miller's property.
Jackson and Ruby raced towards Miller's home and barged through the door. As they entered Miller's house, Miller and Ruby took off their shoes and Ruby rushed to the fireplace which still was warm with embers of their previous fire. Jackson took his boots off and took a seat on the sofa.
"Go ahead and make yourself comfortable, I'll be moment," Miller said as he disappeared into the hallway that led to his room.
"You're going to like this tradition Jackson," Ruby said as she laid down on the floor with her tail wagging and beating against the table. She was clearly more joyful than usual and Jackson felt at ease because of it. He sank back into the sofa and waited for Miller to return.
Miller came back with a large object wrapped in a blanket. "Please stay seated lad," Miller said as he set the object down on the table. "Ya know, I've only ever done this but once before. But this is a Gregorian Ritter's crest." Miller said as he pulled that blanket away and there in front of Jackson was a beautiful sculpture of the Gregorian Ritter's crest which was made of stone and Peiron. There was a Verulam flower in the center made of Peiron and embroidered with gold.
"Whoa, that is the most impressive Mister Miller," Jackson said as he leaned forward to get a better look.
"My friend, this sculpture is that of my life, my will, my family, my country, my honor, and I wish to leave it in your safekeeping and close watch," Miller said as he sat in his armchair.
"Are you sure Mister Miller?" Jackson asked as his voice cracked.
"Aye, there's only one other man I would trust this to and he is in Gregoria. I can't simply take this with me so I have to leave it here. Should it be broken while under your watch, it falls upon you to build a new one or, face my sword. I hope that you will keep it safe."
"I will gladly watch your sculpture, is there a name for this?"
"Aye, it's known as a Delrock. It actually hails from Asmeria, King Zander Asmeria made the first Delrock and passed it to the Gregorian that bested him in a duel of honor." Miller said as he grabbed a cracker from the table next to his armchair. "It then fell out of tradition in Asmeria, yet it still stands strong in Gregoria. Almost every father or husband has one and keeps theirs in the best care.'
"Wow, and you want me to protect it?"
"Aye, these Delrocks are impossible to destroy, it'd take a few good hits from a pickaxe to break one. Even if the stonework around the Peiron broke the main part is the Verulam flower is the important part."
"I see, I will accept this and protect it until your return," Jackson said as he stood up. "Should I leave it here and make sure that it does not get stolen or should I take it home with me?"
It was then that the sound of several horses approaching alarmed Miller who quickly rushed to the window. He saw twelve Greendale guardsmen on horseback and an Asmerian knight who was being trailed by a man in regular clothing. It took him a moment to realize who it was but once the man got closer he could plainly see that Fritz Barker was the one riding with him.
"Fuckin shite, Ruby grab your stuff, kid, you need to get out of here now!" Miller barked as the realization of what happened had crossed his mind.
"What's going on?" Jackson asked as he picked up the Delrock.
"I've been sold out, kid, I'm a spy for Gregoria and one of my couriers sold me out to the Asmerian's," Miller said as he grabbed his sword and pulled Ruby to the back door. Jackson followed and as he made it to the back door the Uliab horn sounded marking the start of an Asmerian hunt.
Jackson could begin to hear the men outside shouting and barking. "I'm sorry kid, but if those men catch you, they're going to make you an accomplice. Ruby, I may have to leave you in the care of the kid, listen to everything he says if we get separated, and if that should happen, I will return for you."
"Mister Miller, I don't want you to leave." Ruby cried as tears ran down her face.
"I don't want to leave you either lass, just stay by Jackson's side and he'll protect you."
"You'll be fine Ruby, none of these men can match me with the sword," Jackson said reassuringly as he pulled her close to him.
"Kid listen up, I'll head out first and lead them away, you need to run towards that treeline and wait there until everyone has followed me. There's no way they can catch me once I get off of my property. Ruby, I'm sorry but I can't see another way of keeping you safe. Stay with Jackson at all costs and kid, keep her safe." Miller said as the guards started knocking on the front door.
Miller, without warning, burst out of the back door and sprinted to his barn where his horse was ready to be mounted. "I'm over here ya lousy bastards!" Miller shouted. Jackson quickly shut the door and just in time as three men quickly rounded the corner on horseback. They were too late as Miller was already on his horse with his sword drawn. He charged the first man and expertly drove his sword through the man's throat, killing him. He then evaded the strikes of the other two men and killed them both by stabbing through their gambesons.
Then the rest of the guards came around the corner along with the knight. Jackson recognized the knight as Sir Fjord. Ruby tucked her head down into Jackson's side as she hated the sight of blood. Jackson wrapped his arm around her and tried to keep her from calling out to Miller as he fled from the guards. It took only a moment for him to ride to the road and the guards gave pursuit.
"Come on Ruby, let's leave now," Jackson said as he stood up.
"Oh no ya don't kid, you're under arrest for treason against Asmeria." A man said as he rounded the corner to the hallway. In all of the commotion, Jackson failed to hear the front door open.
"I know you," Ruby said. "Please, you're Audrey's uncle, help us." Ruby cried.
"I'll help ya lass, I'll see to it that you're back in your shackles like the good Varin slave you are."
"You son of a bitch, I don't care why you sold out Mister Miller but I'll have your head." Jackson snapped as he unsheathed his sword. Fritz drew his sword which was a short arming sword more suited to fighting indoors than Jackson's long sword. Jackson realized that he was at a disadvantage and opened the back door. "Ruby, get outside now!" Jackson barked. "And take the Delrock with you."
Ruby grabbed the Delrock and bolted out the door in a blur. "It's just you and me kid, do you think that such a young boy has a chance against an adult?"
"No, but if you're fighting me then you're not hurting my friend."
"You're a cheeky one kid. I'll be sure to cut your tongue from your mouth when I'm done with you."
Fritz charged Jackson but rather than fight him inside Miller's house Jackson ran outside and Fritz followed. Jackson stood outside the door as Fritz stepped into the doorway, Jackson jabbed towards him knocking him off his balance. He quickly jabbed back at Fritz again this time cutting his arm and causing a lot of blood loss. "You bastard of a whore, I'll skin ya alive for that!" Fritz lashed out. He swung his sword at Jackson but quickly found that he had lost most of the function of his right arm.
"Turn away Ruby, unless you'd like to see his guts spill out from his belly," Jackson said as he pointed his black sword at Fritz. "You're name's Fritz right?"
"You're acting like you've won kid, I won't go down that easily," Fritz said as he stood to his feet. Come at me ya little fucker!" Fritz charged Jackson for the second time and this time, Jackson who was calm and ready ducked under Fritz's wide overhead swing and stabbed him in the gut and took a step around Fritz spilling his guts on to the ground. Jackson stood over Fritz as he let out a groan before falling on his face, lifeless. Jackson made sure that he was dead by stabbing him in the back of the head.
Ruby threw up from the sight of blood spilling out onto the ground. Jackson saw her bent over and quickly sheathed his sword and walked over to her. "You'll be fine now, let's go." He said as he patted her back.
"I'm sorry Jackson, but I don't want to leave, I need to stay here." She said, tears still streaking down her face.
"What for, Miller won't be back for a while. It's down to me to protect you and his Delrock now. So, if you want to stay here, I guess I'll have to make you come with me. Because here's what's going to happen. Once those guards realize that that man isn't with them they're going to come back and what are they going to find? A Varin with a dead man close by. What do you think will happen to you? Should I tell you?"
"No! I'll go with you, please don't leave me." Ruby cried.
"Then hurry, we must make it to the treeline before they return." He said as he picked up the Delrock and started running for the trees. Ruby ran just behind him, doing her best to keep up with him. Once they reached to trees two of the guards returned and saw the now dead Fritz Barker on the ground just outside of the back door.
"What are we going to do?" Ruby asked.
"Stay low, we need to make it back to my house and tell my father what happened."
"Then what?"
"We head north to Gregoria and meet Miller there, come on." Jackson started crawling on the ground and Ruby was careful to copy his every move. It took them until sundown to make it back to Greendalee's walls. The guard had been increased and there were two patrols in the surrounding fields. Thankfully there were no dogs with them or they might have been caught by then.
Jackson and Ruby made their way to a nearby shed that concealed them from the eyes of the guards at their posts. "How are we going to get past them?" Ruby asked as she peeked around the corner of the shed. "Well, I'll be honest, I have no clue. They'll be looking for you by now and it's pretty easy to tell who you are since you're the only free Varin in Greendale."
"What if I wasn't free?"
"What do you mean?"
"Well, they're looking for a free Varin, right? What if I was your slave?" She asked as she rolled up her sleeve and showed Jackson the slave brand that resembled iron bars in a cell window.
"That might work but you're in too nice of clothes for it to work. You'd have to take off your dress and shoes."
"I don't have anything on underneath my dress Jackson."
"Here, go behind that side of the shed and strip down, I can give you my underwear and my shirt. I'll be fine with just my jacket."
"Do I have to leave my shoes as well?"
"Yeah, I would just be safe Ruby. I'm sorry about this but I can't think of any other way than what you proposed." He said as he started to unbutton his jacket. Ruby quickly turned the corner and took off her clothes and shoes. "I'm ready," she said as she waved her hand out from around the corner.
"Sorry, I had a few more layers than you but here's my shirt." He said as he tossed the shirt around the corner.
"Thank you, Jackson." She said as she quickly threw it on. Jackson and Ruby quickly got dressed and headed back out to the road. Jackson gave the Delrock to Ruby and made her walk behind him. As they approached the gatehouse four guardsmen spotted Jackson and Ruby. They blocked their entry to the town and the highest-ranking of the guards stepped forward. Jackson could tell that he was a sergeant by the four chevron's pointing upwards on his breastplate. "Halt, state your name and purpose in Greendale." The guard said as he drew his sword.
This put Jackson on edge and Ruby started to panic. "I'm Jackson, son of Connor Scottkey and this is Ruby, our new slave." Jackson respectfully replied.
"Sorry Mister Scottkey, I did not know that it was you sir." The guardsman said as he put his sword away. "Be careful sir, there's been a murder just outside of town and a spy is on the loose."
"Should I be concerned, sir?" Jackson asked he started to shake not from fear of a spy or the murder that he had committed.
"Not at all Mister Scottkey, we, the King's guard of Greendale will have this entire situation sorted soon. Please be cautious and make your way home. It is very late and as it is late in the night, would you like an escort to your home?" The sergeant asked as he waved another guard up.
"No sir, that won't be necessary, I have my own sword and I know how to use it well."
"Very well Mister Scottkey, I just wanted to make sure that you were safe. I know how important your father is in town and what it would mean if anything were to happen to you."
"I understand sir, I just have more confidence in my own capabilities," Jackson said as he patted his sword. "May we pass into town, sir?"
"Yes, of course. Have a good night and stay safe Mister Scottkey." The sergeant said as he waved Jackson through the gatehouse. Once the two were out of sight from the guards they started running to Jackson's home as fast as their feet could take them. Connor was pacing outside in the front yard as he saw Jackson and Ruby sprinting down the street. "Son, you better have a good explanation for being so late!" Connor barked as Jackson and Ruby made it to the gate.
"Father, I'm sorry, but we need to talk inside." He said as he gasped for air, Ruby was also winded from the run.
"Jackson!" Veronica snapped. "Where in the hell were you, I was worried sick!"
"Sorry mother, a lot happened."