As we'd made our way to ny father's stall, we came to the sight of a wealthier noble kicking and throwing our products to the side. Father looked distraught, pleading to the man to cease the attack on his stall.
"Ser, please, this is all the product I have!"
"Will you shut your filthy mouth? I will not allow the streets of my city to be plagued by such sickening poverty as these so called goods that you peddle. Now, remain silent and allow me to see just how far I may throw this garbage."
"Ser, that is my pottery! Please, you'll destroy it, how can I provide for my family if you destroy my products?"
"That is not my concern. If you insist on ignoring my orders to remain silent, then I'm sure the guards would be delighted to silence that trap of yours."
Father had then closed his eyes, almost whimpering as he'd clenched his fist in anger. He said nothing more to the man, instead looking to the sides, seeing only looks of satisfaction from the wealthier merchants and nobles, whilst the commoners gazed upon the scene with pity. Though, as of right now, even the commoners could do naught to end this terror, one they were all too familiar with based on their expressions.
Seeing the scene, I was overcome with anger, anger that I could not release, at least not until the revolution came to fruition. I'd taken care to memorize the man's face and voice, the piggish face of the blonde-haired noble, his prideful shouts, and I'd taken to imagine the face and sounds he'd make before a firing line. Such thoughts were only just able to keep me at ease from bursting out to attack the man now.
While I'd only just begun to get my emotions under control at the sight, Nelwynn was flinching with every pot hurled, the sound of it shattering against the cobbled road. Cordell, like Nelwynn had flinched at the initial sight, but upon seeing my anger swelling, opted to place his hand on my shoulder to aid in calming me.
"Landyn, that is the baron of Traer, Baron Wystan Theodore Ashe of Merino. He was appointed as baron of Traer by Oswin's father. I understand your anger, though there is nothing any of us can do, simply looking at him is crime enough to warrant being tossed in a cell."
"Prison cells do not frighten me Cordell, nor do the gallows, however, you're correct that nothing can be done to that pig, not yet at least."
"Landyn, please be more mindful of your words! Should he hear you he'll have not only you executed, but your family as well! Hell Nelwynn and I could be executed as your accomplices for you saying that!"
"I'm aware, that's why I said it beyond his ability to hear, and as one of my fathers pots began to crash against the road."
Cordell sighed before releasing my shoulder. Nelwynn still remaining silent knowing that no comfort could ease the sight I'd witnessed. After the pig noble had run out of my father's pots to destroy, finished venting out his frustrations on my father he'd finally decided to begin walking away.
"I will not tolerate such filth in my town, be mindful of that! The same goes for every merchant and commoner here! Should you taint my city with garbage such as the likes this fool brought in, then I will not be as merciful!"
With that declaration, Wystan walked away. As he did so, the three of us slowly made way to my father's stall. Father had begun to speak upon seeing our approach, wiping tears from his eyes, and trying to withhold the pain he'd felt.
"Landyn, forgive me but it appears we will not be making way for Saltbrook. Did you manage to secure loding for us?"
I'd waited a moment, collecting myself before I'd finally answered my father.
"...Yes, father. What of our products father? I'd arrived to find that man attacking our stall, did we lose much of our product?"
Father opted not to answer, instead he'd began to roll up the stall, instead beckoning me to help pack up the stall.
"Landyn, please help me disassemble the stall, there's no more business to be had today."
Father had a solemn look strewn about his face while doing so. Seeing it, we'd all begun to disassemble the stall, whilst some commoners came forwards to see us. Each offeringbout their hands filled with between 12 and 20 pieces of copper.
"I'm sorry for the Baron's behavior ser. Please, we've not much, but please accept some of our copper."
Father looked up in astonishment to see several other fairly young commoners coming to offer compense to him. He'd been befuddled by such a sight, he knew there were kind souls in the world, though never did he imagine so many would come forth to offer aid.
"I cannot accept your charity. You're of the commoner class are you not?"
"We are ser, though us being commoners does not mean we can't aid those who are suffering, right?"
As I'd turned to see the commoners who were speaking, I was delighted to see that many of them were those I'd instructed and taught in my earlier trips with father. Some were even part of the war with Kotesh some many months back. They'd looked back at me and offered a kind smile in return, truly, I was grateful that I'd taught them all the importance of unity in the face of adversity.
Father saw their gaze shift to me momentarily, before asking me.
"Landyn, do you know them?"
"Yes father, some of them are those I'd taught to read, while some of the others are those who I'd fought alongside during the war. Though there are also some unfamiliar faces here as well."
One of the commoners proudly interjected, reminding me of one of the lessons I'd taught them.
"You said yourself that we can only overcome as one, in unity, did you not Mr. Landyn?"
I'd chuckled slightly before finishing the rest of that lesson to my older pupil.
"And the moment we lose that unity, is the moment we lose ourselves and those we care for."
The young man smiled radiated even more upon hearing my response. While father looked at me, tears still covering his face, as though he was looking on a great hero. He'd not said anything of the lesson, instead turning back to the commoners, accepting only half of what they'd given to us.
"The remaining half you should keep. Were I to take all of your offering, you'd be left with too little for your own families. Thank you again for your kindness young fellows."
Hearing my fathers thanks and seeing his gratitude, the commoners bowed their heads before leaving off. Cordell looked at me in awe. In awe of the commoners coming to aid us, of my father's acceptance, but more so of what was said between one of the commoners and myself.
He'd never heard such a lesson before, though it was one that Cordell had taken to heart. Upon its hearing, and only upon its hearing, did Cordell finally understand full well what my plan was. A plan not only to overthrow Oswin, but the nobles as well. A plan to elevate the commoners, and even the slaves, since he'd come to see how father and I looked upon the practice.
With this newfound knowledge, Cordell laid a soft smile on his face before voicing his thoughts.
"Come, we should finish clearing up your stall. The day is already nearing it's end."
Nelwynn's face appeared to be one filled with hope during our exchange with the commoners, hope that evolved into joy when the commoner and I spoke. After hearing Cordell, and seeing us working harder to pack away what remaining goods we had, Nelwynn had resolved further as well.
"Yes! There's still some goods that we can sell, right Mr. Raye?"
Nelwynn looked at my father with anticipation and excitement, awaiting his response, hoping her words would further bring hope to my father. Father's mouth fell slightly agape, gulping down his tears before delivering his response.
"...Yes, yes, some of the goods still have yet to sell. Though we'll still be unable to make for Saltbrook with what little is left, we can still sell what remains tomorrow."
Once we'd gather what few goods and supplies hadn't been destroyed by the rampaging noble, we'd made our way to the inn, surprising my father with it's relative cleanliness compared to the inns we'd lodged at in the past. He did not say anything, though upset by the events of the noble earlier, father was now more than content with the outcome of this day.
Cordell parted, stating that it would be rude not to stay with his family, and bid us a goodnight and farewell, all with a newfound joy on his face. Father made his way to his room, with Nelwynn and I carrying the goods and supplies to his room. After they were placed within his room, Nelwynn and I had left and made way for our room. Though seperate rooms would have been preferrable, I was still mindful of Nelwynn's fears of being alone, and opted for only two rooms, a decision which at the time brought tremendous pleasure to Nelwynn.
As Nelwynn and I had made our way into bed, Nelwynn embraced me, apologizing for what had happened to my father's stall.
"I'm sorry for what occurred today, Landyn."
I'd patted her head before gently embracing her.
"It is not your place to apologize for another's misdeeds, Nelwynn. Come now, we should rest for tomorrow."
Nelwynn let out a soft smile, holding onto my hand, intertwining her fingers with mine, as we'd made for the bed. Whether or not she was aware of her own charms, Nelwynn's actions and words had nearly caused my heart to burst. However, I was still aware that to defile such a beautiful maiden before achievance of our goals, before her freedom, would leave me in only a foul mood. Despite being treated more as equal, Nelwynn, still retained some of the mindset she'd held as a slave.
Were I to request or demand her chastity, regardless of whether or not she held feelings for me, she'd only do so due to her still regarding herself as a slave. Thus I'd decided that I will not make such lewd advances or requests, at least not until she was free, and of equal to me, not until the success of the revolution I would bring to this nation.