Matt was wondering why the table went so quiet. The Inn was almost empty aside from the staff and a few patrons that seem to be staying longer.
"I've prepared my supplies and personal effects. I also purchased some rations from the owner here to ensure a smooth journey back. After looking at the map it should take me 6 weeks on foot back home, perhaps 4 if I take a few shortcuts."
Beth spoke up first "I don't like it…",
Her tears were absent instead a solemn expression was affixed on her usually cheerful face.
"We just started our journey, also you are the one that has been plotting what routes we take to steadily challenge ourselves in preparation for our infiltration of the Rewera Alliance."
"Lady Beth is correct, while you may be on the weaker side, your contributions have been immeasurable. Also, your defense and durability are certainly impressive. Everyone serves a role. You have kept a good grasp on beasts' habitats, and the demon's movements, as well as coordinating our supplies. The loss of your leadership will slow our progress."
While no one was looking a scowl appeared and vanished just as quickly on Calen's face, then in a cold and domineering voice Calen stated the obvious.
"While it will certainly be a loss to the party could you take responsibility for the Jaguar tribe should Matt fall in battle?" Everyone except Matt was shocked at Calen's question.
"Matt is the sole heir to the chieftain, groomed since birth to lead, to be a royal. Let us not be naive, we all know the risks, in fact, we may consider Matt to already be dead, seeing as how his heart stopped briefly. Who would like to see us bury him, that is the only future I see for…"
*Slap*
"DO NOT SAY … ANOTHER… WORD!" Calen's face was red from the slap, as Beth demanded his silence.
"BETH!" She shook as a low growl came from the unassuming cub seated across the table.
"How dare you strike Calen." Matt clenched his fist in frustration "Do any of you truly not know what is at stake here? We may all die, and I don't mean eventually, I mean SOON."
Everyone shivered as they heard Matt's indignant voice for the first time.
"Never lie, never cheat or steal; abide by an uncompromising code of integrity; respect, dignity, and respect for life. These are tenets we try to live by, but we are all fallible. If you all develop bad blood… well the Champion party is over before they started. If you feel you cannot at least respect each other enough to settle arguments through dialogue leave now. The party will consider it a dishonorable discharge."
Beth bit her lip in vexation, however, she knows she crossed a line. She took her seat and looked into Calen's eyes.
"I am really sorry I let my feeling get the best of me. It will not happen again…"
She looked down as shame permeated her body.
"No, I apologize as well, perhaps I spoke harshly considering Matt only recently recovered."
Kyle jabbed Matt's side "You really have to go huh? Looks like someone is missing the chance to become… closer."
A perverted grin plastered on his face when he finished whispering to Matt. Matt sighed again.
"Anyways, any of us may die at any point, you must all be prepared for the unthinkable. Carry potions and medicine for when Beth is unable to provide medical assistance, Ava, prepare some backup enchanted arrows should you run out of mana and are no longer able to fire magic arrows. Emily as a well-trained knight from the Heilig Empire I entrust you to lead the group. Kyle and Calen… try not to be too… distracted."
Kyle and Calen briefly looked at each other in puzzlement as they were not sure what Matt meant.
"Either way, you should prepare for your journey, I expect you all to stay here and be prepared before moving forward."
Emily took a seated bow toward Matt "I understand Sir Matthew, I swear upon the Astley name I will do what I must to lead this party to victory. If I may? Let us have a discussion before you leave. Perhaps we could order some fare and eat in my room, I have questions."
Matt nodded his head, "Roger, let's meet in your room in an hour. Anything else before we start preparing for our journey?"
Emily was confused as to who Roger was, meanwhile, Beth looked up at Matt but found her words stuck in her throat.
"I.. If you could spare some time before you meet with Emily, could we meet briefly before you leave?"
Matt looked at Beth and hesitated 'Ugh, it's so awkward what does she want to talk about?' Beth was anxious about Matt's answer.
"Ok, let's walk out to the covered porch." With that most of the group busily started their preparations, Calen and Kyle went to their room with a somber look.
…
Matt pulled out a new cigarette and lit up a match, the bitter taste titillated his tongue, and the bliss of smoke entered his lungs, he and Beth sat on the lounge chairs the man from last night was on.
"Matt, since when did you smoke and on that note when did you learn the guitar?"
He froze for a second, but you could not tell from his expression. He let out the smoke in his lungs and replied.
"I was stressed with this whole missing crest and picked up smoking last night. They say it calms your nerves, as for the guitar, let's just say you can know someone your whole life and still find things you never knew they were capable of. Whether it be for good or bad reasons."
"I see, is that why you are also speaking that way? You sound like your father, is this you when you are 'off duty'?"
Beth let out a cute laugh as she once again pushed Matt's buttons. Hearing this talk of fathers resurfaced emotions he was trying to subdue.
"Who knows, all I know is that I am alive, and my life is changing paths."
"Is there really no way for you to continue going with us?" Beth looked at him sadly but expectantly.
"If this is what you wanted to talk about you are wasting your breath, at the very least the Alliance needs to be updated on my status, and at worst there may be something wrong with my body. It's crucial I report back, clear and frequent communication wins wars. Also…I lost my blessing, you all may disagree with me but sooner or later I WILL become a liability."
Beth smiles softly "There you go again putting your duty above all else. It seems like you weren't yourself ever since you woke up, but I am glad that is not the case. I wanted to tell you I admire you…"
Beth looked off at the forest across the road as she paused "Ever since we were kids your dedication to helping others has inspired me to be the best I could be. My father is your father's right hand, it's regrettable I had to leave his side, but I want to support the man who supports everyone but himself, it's silly… I know" Beth blushed.
Matt pulled another breath from the lit cigarette as he began "There is nothing to laugh at when it comes to people's goals, they simply are. Some may be silly, some incomprehensible, some villainous, and some just. In the end, goals are framed from within a person's perspective. If there is one thing, I know for sure is that the hardest thing to change is a person's point of view. Villainy, justice, right, and wrong, they are for us to interpret. Nothing is definitive…"
Matt sighed, for some reason, it seems his feelings for Beth were ingrained into this body. It sought her out, it yearned to be with her, but Matt and Adel's psyche was constantly in flux, while it was Adel who was conscious. It seems leaving was the best thing Matt could do to get himself stabilized.
"Take care of yourself, Beth, the fight has just begun so make your people proud."
Beth leaned in and kissed him; her flushed face was apparent as Matt looked at her in surprise. When he tried to speak and push her away, she slipped her tongue in and caressed his for a moment before he lightly pushed her away. Her eyes were again expectant and nervous. Matt felt his body engulfed in a fire he hadn't felt in some time.
"It's not just the people I fight for, I told you. I fight for the man I truly ... care for." Beth seemed to stop at the word care as if to protect herself from saying something too careless. Her body was leaning on him, but Matt stood up and started to walk off as he puffed on his cigarette.
"Beth, you should have married Matt when the proposal came through. Perhaps our futures would have been different…" Matt looked at the forest in melancholy while he spoke and walked back into the inn. Leaving Beth crying softly, she didn't seem to notice how strange it was for him to refer to himself in such a way.
"I guess it's too late…" she muttered as she held back her tears.
…
Emily sat on her bed with a sandwich and a pear on the nightstand while Matt was sitting in a chair.
"So what's up?" Matt asked as he bit into the sandwich.
Emily took a sip from her canteen as she made strong eye contact with Matt. "Why me?"
"Hmm, why you what?"
"Why did you pick me over Kyle or Ava? You know Ava grew up under a commander in the Dragonkin forces and Kyle is a known mercenary. They both could lead us, but why me?"
Matt placed his sandwich down. "I see, this is what you were curious about. Simply put, you are the best person for the job."
Matt put his hand up with his finger quieting Emily before she spoke.
"Let me explain why, Kyle was a mercenary and Ava does have a strong military background BUT, that is just it… They are soldiers, they know how to take orders and do what they must to complete their missions. They definitely show signs of leadership but you were trained to lead the same as I. They are important and no less vital to the operation, but I wouldn't trust them blindly to run it. You on the other hand are more than just a knight, you are a noble. You know procedures, etiquette, and most importantly humanity."
Emily tilted her head "Humanity?"
"Precisely, from what I remember (from the game at least) the Heilig kingdom has a pretty good doctrine for what basic human rights are. Freedom of religion, freedom of racial persecution, access to due process by law, the only complaint I have is that your kingdom allows slavery, but your kingdom is not alone in this atrocity. In short, your leadership will not only lead to progress in your mission, but most importantly it will keep you all from committing crimes under the justification of the power you wield. A soldier's main purpose is to complete their mission and keep their squad safe. They don't always think of the implication, of the power they wield."
Adel has seen the barbarity of war, the massive deaths served by him and his comrades, ordered from above as if god's edict. The only thing he could impart to the group is a small hope that they come back with their humanity intact. It is something he wishes on every soldier.
Emily looked at the cub's face as he described why he chose her. The confidence and charisma of his explanation left her with bated breath, when he was finished, she saw his stern look and the melancholy hidden behind it. All at once she felt a heat in her chest as her ears turned pink. This wasn't the first time she had been struck by his dignity and way with words. Emily cleared her throat.
"I see, thank you for thinking so highly of me. I will do everything I can to move forward and hopefully, it will not come at a great cost."
Matt nodded as he shoved the last bit of the sandwich in his mouth.
"With that, I will get on my way I would like to make good progress before dusk."
Emily stood up with her canteen in hand as she gestured for a toast "Take care of yourself, Matt, to new beginnings, may we meet again soon."
Matt smiled and clinked his canteen to hers and took a swig before he left her room and the Inn.