Because I couldn't use magic in public without care I ran. This decision was filled with immediate regret as I reached the adventurer's district huffing. Curse my lack of physical prowess. Next time I'd float while pretending to run.
"Why'd you just run off?" Alicia and Sayuri caught up to me easily. Alicia looked at my state with a smirk, "Wow you really need to work out more."
I frowned and kept moving. There was a large crowd gathered in front of the adventurer's guild. It was the largest building in town and where all work relating to adventurers passed through. I tried to ask my way through to no avail when Alicia came forward and forced a path, much to the disapproval of those around us. Sayuri and I just sighed and followed her. The sight that welcomed us was about what I expected.
A big man with a very large axe on his back was yelling at a smaller but more recognisable figure, Carl. Behind the man was a cart with a broken wheel, behind Carl was a small girl crying while clinging to his pants. Gary was nowhere to be seen.
"I said let me have that girl!" the man yelled getting angry.
"No," Carl refused adamantly.
"Look here brat, she's the one that caused this accident. Now give me the girl and scram."
"I said I'd pay for the damages, can't you just let it go. Besides it was you that was driving so recklessly."
"Are you saying this is my fault?"
"Partially yes."
The man drew his axe and stamped it beside him, "I'm getting angry kid."
I analysed the situation. The cart itself wasn't laden with that many goods and its broken wheel looked old. Given enough time it would have crumbled eventually anyway. The man looked strong but he had a rough look to him and a nasty glint to his eyes. My analysis, this was a set-up. It happened now and again. It was the, ah you broke my cart and ruined my stuff, pay the damages, type of thing. The victim just happened to be a little girl. With a Hero like personality it would be odder for Carl to not interfere. Why the man refused his money was probably because he knew he could extort more money from the girl's parents.
Carl didn't back down. The man looked around uncomfortably. He didn't anticipate such a large crowd to gather. If he took too long the town's guard would get here. I felt Alicia push forward to help but I pulled her back.
"I want to see what Carl does," I explained so she wouldn't anger.
The man reached for the girl forcefully but Carl knocked his hand away.
"No matter what happens here, I won't let you have her." He was actually looking pretty cool and the crowd was siding with him.
"F-fine I'll take your money instead," the man began to back down but then another familiar face ran forward.
"Here I bought you a new wheel," Gary said carrying the wooden structure.
"Like that could pay off all the damage," the man snapped. "It'll cost ten times that much to cover everything."
"Eh? But your broken one is old and splintered," Gary leapt over to the cart before the man could stop him. "Hey isn't this cart just filled with boxes."
"Get away from there," the man snapped.
"Hang on," Gary niftily lifted the cart with magic and replaced the wheel and stamped it in place. The cart was now in a better condition than before. "Your products are fine. Or should we inspect them more closely?"
The man backed down, "No it's fine." With a cold glare towards Carl and Gary he quickly left with the cart.
"Gary's pretty good," I said wistfully.
"Yeah, we used to con people- I mean deal with con-men all the time," Alicia replied. As curious as I was I decided to ignore her statement for now.
The crowd dispersed, some disappointed that a fight didn't break out. We approached them as Carl was speaking kindly to the little girl.
"Everything is okay now. Can you find your parents or do you need me to take you?"
The girl shook her head and sniffled, "Thank you." She let go of Carl and waved while quickly making her way home.
"Be careful, don't run into traffic!"
I barged in with Alicia and Sayuri, "That was quite a performance."
"Geh, you were watching?" his lips pulled back in surprise.
"Of course," I laughed. "You certainly act like a Hero."
His face reddened in embarrassment, "She was in trouble, what else was I meant to do?"
Alicia moved towards Gary and poked him in the side, "Good job, it's a lot easier now isn't it?"
Gary laughed insecurely, "Yeah, now I can just fry them with magic if they get violent."
"What are you talking about?" Sayuri asked saving me the effort.
The twins however simply smiled, "It's nothing important.
Everyone had their circumstances and although I really wanted to know, I also knew when people weren't ready to speak. Instead I changed the topic, "Since we're all here together now, why don't we get something to eat?"
"I agree," Sayuri nodded tactfully understanding my choice to pull away. With that it was settled as everyone formed a group with me leading.
"Why are you all following me?"
"Because you're reliable," Alicia said with a blunt smile.
"Hearing you say that somehow doesn't make me happy. Also this is my first time here."
"Just go, we'll find something eventually," Carl pushed against my back.
It took longer than I expected to find somewhere to eat. Instead of being an early lunch it became a normal lunch. This was mostly because of the Heroes inability to deal with distractions. A small street performance and they were stuck, we walked past the market again and we're stuck, oh look it's a blacksmith let's go inside and we're stuck… I swear it wasn't me… well most of the time at least. What can I say, as a person who lived mostly in a castle and mansion seeing a new lively town is enjoyable wherever you are.
Finally we sat down in a two story restaurant with a nice rustic setting. It was one of the main hives for adventurers and was chosen because the Heroes thought the people inside looked interesting. They certainly did though. Because adventurers came from all over the human side, their clothes, equipment and looks differed greatly. There was a man with a green Mohawk covered in tattoos carrying a large claymore and a few steps away was a lady wearing a white and red robe, holding a staff with a blade on one end. From my eyes however, no one here had as much potential as the Heroes beside me. There were certainly some who could win against them now but in a few months, no few weeks, the Heroes would be far stronger.
"Dave what are you going to order? Should we all share?" Gary asked as he couldn't make up his mind.
"The serving sizes look pretty big so why not share," Carl commented.
"Then I'll get the roast set and Dave will have a pasta set."
"Don't just decide for him," Alicia snapped, "Dave order what you want. Hey Dave. Dave?"
"Ah sorry," I looked up from my menu. My attention had been focused elsewhere outside the building. "I'll order the pasta set."
"Awesome, how about you Sayuri?" Gary happily continued.
"Vegetables please," she answered.
I stood up. "I'm going to the bathroom."
"Ah sure. We'll order for you," Carl said.
I walked into the bathroom and sealed the door. Since we had entered the restaurant a suspicious group had been watching us from outside. It was time to see what they wanted. With a click of my fingers the bathroom disappeared replaced by a dark alley across from the restaurant. In front of me were the backs of eight men. They varied in age but none of them really looked like the most respectable sort.
"Yep I'm sure that's them. They're the two who got in my way before." It was the man with the axe who had tried to con the little girl.
"Are you sure it's worth it?" An even taller man asked. He seemed to be the leader.
"Anyone who would offer to pay for damages so quickly must be rich."
"Ah, he's with those two cuties from earlier," a younger one said. This group seemed to be also comprised of the men who tried pick up Alicia and Sayuri.
"You're right. The scary one isn't there either. Then we can have some fun with them."
I cleared my throat, "Now who's the scary one?" They all jumped and turned towards me. "Hello. It looks like you have business with my friends. May I help you?" My voice became dangerously polite and a foreboding glint entered my eyes.
"It's him. Boss do something!"
Their leader froze, "I-I…." he tried to run but suddenly all their bodies froze in place.
"Now I was going to let them deal with you but that seems like a pain," I sighed. "The question is what do I do with you now?"
"Please let us go," they began to beg.
"See that's a problem. If I let you simply leave, then you would probably soon forget about this and attack someone else and that troubles me." The glint in my eye strengthened as cold sweat began to pour from their skin.
"We swear we won't! Promise we'll be good."
"Hmmm I don't believe you." A wicked smile lit my face. "I know I'll put a curse on you."
"A curse?" they began to shake.
"Yep a curse," I continued to smile. A dark mist spread from my back and wrapped around them. "From now till the day you die I place this curse upon you. If ever you cheat, steal or hurt another against their will, may your heart burn where you stand and your body turn to dust."
They hit the ground freed from my hold. All of them looked at me with terrified expressions, shaking and pale as if they had faced the Demon Lord. Well they had, so it was actually a very understandable reaction.
"Now leave before I decide to kill you now." With those cold words they sprang up and ran screaming. I had to wonder how long it would take them to realise I was just messing with them. Regardless, it was time for lunch.
The Heroes stretched as we exited the carriage. The walls of the palace surrounded us and servants came to take our belongings back to our rooms. The time we spent in Ardensmith had gone quickly but I was happy with their improvements and the whole trip seemed to have reinforced their resolve.
"I guess we're back to training," Alicia sighed.
"It was a nice break though," Carl said while flexing his arms.
"Didn't Dave almost die?"
"Aside from that, hopefully we can go again sometime."
Sayuri stepped forwards, "Next time we need to be stronger."
Gary pumped his fist, "Then back to learning magic it is!"
Alicia pulled his ear, "Work on your physique first. Unlike Dave you can at least use reinforcement."
"Fine, ow just let go."
"It wouldn't hurt if you had worked on it already."
Carl laughed, "No it would still hurt. Alicia you're too strong."
"Are you implying something?" Alicia glared.
"No, it was a compliment!" Carl quickly replied but still stepped back.
This would have continued longer but Heafest interjected,
"Rest for now, Knight Captain Rafhound will be waiting for you later. I will leave you here, the King expects my report."
"Yes Master," the Heroes replied.
Heafest walked away. It was also time for me to depart.
"I'm going to check some things. See you all later," I left following the same path Heafest took while the Heroes just nodded. Concealing my presence I easily followed Heafest to the King's office. He had his personal guard waiting outside like usual but Heafest just ignored them and passed through. Just like the first night I was here, I placed my ear on the wall and began to listen to them from afar.
"Your Highness we have returned," Heafest said.
"And you're report? Is there any reason for the Heroes to mourn?" the King asked.
"About that, I believe we have taken the wrong path."
"So he lives?"
"Yes."
"You said you would take care of him."
"As planned I had him fall into the rock toad's nest."
"And he made it out alive?" The King was in slight disbelief, "He must be stronger than we thought. I presume that you then didn't move forward with the plan."
"Unfortunately I have no recollection of doing so or not doing so."
"Speak clearly Heafest."
"By his words, Davios that is, I pulled him aside from the Heroes but from a trail of events I was struck by a Trelzar Mushroom and together we defeated a Molten toad. Of what he said I have no memory of but he supplied more than ample evidence. In addition I later analysed the usage of mana through my staff and the spells he says I used, I did indeed."
"Are you saying that you could not kill him?" The King's speech became incredibly direct.
There was a pause, "Whether I could succeed or not… I think not."
"Impossible. You are one of the few students of the Archmage and a contender for the most powerful magician in our country. Am I to believe that a young pup of a magician no matter how talented he may be, bested you?"
"Again your highness, I do not remember. However when I look at him, I cannot help but feel stunned. No, it is more than simply stunned, I feel fear."
The King was silent for a moment, "Then how else can we win over the Heroes?"
"As I said earlier, I believe we have taken the wrong path."
The King became angry, "Are you saying we let them go? The Klerical Kingdom is staring down at us already, they believe themselves stronger. Without the Heroes those religious nuts will no doubt push their ideals upon our lands."
"And if the Klerical Kingdom did attack your people, the Heroes would not allow it." There was a pause again before Heafest continued, "I served your father and I have watched you grow from a child. As your advisor and friend, we cannot hope to keep the Heroes tied down to Elsbeth. They are the humanity's Heroes not Elsbeth's."
"Your stance on the matter has changed quite significantly. Just what happened that you cannot remember?"
"Something that reminded me that if we do not stand as one then we shall all fall."
"I see…. In two weeks a conference between I and the ambassadors from the other Kingdom's will take place. Ensure the Heroes are prepared but after that…."
"We must let them go."
"So be it, but about Davios, what do you think of him."
"The other Heroes are still meek and far from their full potential, but Davios… he is different. In truth he may already be a fully realised Hero."
"I hope that bodes well for us...," the King sighed. "Keep an eye on him."
"I already planned to do so."
"Then you are dismissed."
"Yes your highness."
I smiled and moved away from the wall. What an intriguing conversation. Everything was falling into place just as I wanted it.
Aside: The tale of eight men.
There once were eight men who turned a blind eye to those in need. They stood tall and haughty, taking what they could and leaving others bare. Then one day those eight men came to a town called Ardensmith and their lives were changed forever. On their first day in town they met an existence. An existence that to them felt like the devil himself. The devil played their lives with a curse and condemned them to death if they were to ever cheat, steal or harm another person against their will. The eight men were shocked beyond words and could do nothing as they ran in terror. Then as finally they believed themselves safe they froze once more. For all these eight men knew only how to cheat, steal and harm. From poor birth they were raised and together they travelled the world doing what they pleased. For these eight men who considered no others, their lives were forfeit. Their belongings were stolen from others, their money cheated from the innocent and their only other skill was the ability to harm.
The eight men considered to go against their curse but the fear they felt when they recalled his eyes was enough to chill them the bone. In their hearts that would burn, they believed the devil's words. With no escape the eight men decided to travel to the one place they knew could be their salvation. To the East a small land stood tall between three powers. This was no ordinary land but one strengthened by monks. The monks of the monastery. Men and women who upheld high morals and spread the words of peace. For these eight men, to live there meant that they could no longer cheat, steal or harm.
The eight men travelled far to reach them and begged to be taught the ways of the monastery. The monks who saw through their reasons simply smiled. They who knew the human heart knew that these men saw the monks as nothing but tools. With the monks beside them, they would be cared for like brothers but what these eight men did not know was, they would also be raised.
For four years the eight men were treated as brothers. Their pride was sanded down and the lessons of peace and inner strength were drilled into their heads. Day in and day out the eight men slowly but surely saw the error in their ways, till not one of them could ever think to steal, cheat or harm another.
The eight men finally left the monastery and the monks bid them farewell with a smile. They had entered as vagabonds but left as brothers. In their hearts a new mission was born to spread the words of peace and inner strength to those who were once unfortunate as themselves. So the eight men travelled the lands and for one year they saved many more lives than they had ever harmed. But as luck would have it they came upon bandits. The bandits would not listen to reason as they had once themselves. The bandits held a girl hostage and demanded the belongings of the eight men, but the eight men as monks travelled with little money or possessions. In rage the bandit proclaimed he would sell the girl and her family as slaves and murder the monks in cold blood.
The eight were frozen. They had been trained to be strong, to protect the weak but a fear arose and gripped their hearts. For the bandit was a man, a person, if they were to harm him their lives would be lost in a fate worse than simple death. A single man stepped forward, the man who had lead his brothers so far. He stood determined and proclaimed, 'We are the monks of the monastery and will no longer tolerate your actions'. As if a wave had come over them the remaining seven came to life. The bandits stood no chance against them and the girl and her family were saved. But just as the eight men thought it was resolved a shadow passed over them and from each one a dark mist formed. The mist collected into a solid form of the one they feared, but his eyes were calm and a smile on his lips. They could not tell if it was real or an illusion but the figure began to laugh, he laughed harder than the eight men thought possible. Finally he stopped and looked at the eight men, "Five years, for five years you didn't steal, cheat or harm. There was never a curse put on you. I just did it as a joke. In fact, this me was only set to come out and give you another scare. To think it took five years." The figure laughed once more and the eight men could only stare at him in astonishment. "What? Do you hate me? Do you want revenge? Are you going back to your old ways? Because honestly I'm not really watching you. This is all just a spell." The eight men knew the answer to his questions and all as one they bowed to him, "Thank you." The simple words surprised the figure as he laughed again, "The real me would have loved to meet you now, but I wonder if I'm even still alive? Ah well, enjoy yourselves and goodbye." With a flash of light the figure disappeared and the eight men were finally freed of their worries, but it was because of those worries that the eight had changed. Thus the eight men could only think of him fondly as they continued to travel the land and later the world, spreading the words of peace and inner strength.