"What do you think about our current arrangements, Erik? We were never given this much number of men for our work?" Karl asked Erick curiously.
"How should I know? But I heard a rumor. You know John, the guy who works under the butler in the mansion. He told me some days ago that he heard about a mage joining our group. Ridiculous. Absolutely ridiculous. Just think about it. We have collected tax for years and suddenly if someone tells you that a fucking mage will join our small group, is it believable?" Erik said in a mocking tone.
"But our group is not small anymore. The number of new guys assigned is more than forty and with our old seven members and captain, it is more than just small. And for the rumor, just ignore his words. He has a thing for gossip."
"But he even heard who was going to join us. The seventh son of the Lizdas family, He didn't hear his name but just thought for a moment, if by any chance, a noble, not only that but also a mage join us, measly tax collectors, maybe we can witness that power." Erik was getting excited just thinking of the scenario. As a hot-blooded youth, he had many dreams in his heart. He was born in the capital city of WhiteWind, the city of stones, Stoneheart. He had been working as a guard in the city and then three years ago promoted and joined under the north-eastern publicans. His work was to mainly accompany the tax collectors and guard them against any harm from wild animals at night. Although WhiteWind was a small country, there were many places still uninhabited. The roads were long and arduous in the cold environment and uneven terrain. So without any human settlement nearby, the paths could certainly become a nest of wild animals like wolves and some other beasts. The main problem of fending wolves was that they normally don't attack alone. They stay in packs and wait in the dark waiting to catch their prey. But it was not that Erik often had to endanger his life. He along with his fellow guards and a fire campfire would normally suffice to scare them away. And even if they did attack, it was not too hard to settle the matter but in the wild keeping your ear and eyes sharp and open was the most important thing.
The inn's door suddenly opened with a loud sound and a man entered. Upon seeing Karl and Erick drinking together, he loudly acclaimed, "You shitheads, drinking without big brother, have you got no shame?
"Is it our fault that you are always running behind a young girl ?" Karl mocked Aemes Who just entered the inn. Aemes was also their colleague and a good friend of theirs. They knew each other for not so long but their friendship had grown drastically in the last few years.
"How can you understand my state? Erik, Who has a fiance, and you, you are worse than him. Sometimes I even doubt whether you are into women or men."
Karl's face got red from anger and started shouting at Aemes. Meanwhile, Erick concentrated on his drink while laughing. He felt very happy. Life was good. He had a good job and after this job which would only last about six or seven months, he would marry his love of life. He called the old bartender and ordered three more servings of beer. He was just waiting for tomorrow. The start of his next journey hoping for the best.
.....
A boy with a tinge of golden color mixed with his brown short hair and blue eyes was sitting on a big rock holding a stick in his hand. Staring at the man in front of him, he was lost in daydreaming. While never stopping sound of an iron axe cutting the mountain wood continued on, the boy named Saver kept lost in his thought about fighting like a saint warrior with a sword in his hand just like he was holding a stick right now with a valiant pose standing on a not so valiant rock. But imagination had no bound as in his dream he was slaying giant monster after monster while his family who were afraid and hiding behind him were astonished after seeing his hidden power. He was grinning inwardly thinking what would the reaction of his father and uncle after seeing him much stronger than them. One day he would surely know that but now he have to just work with this stick. His father had not allowed him to wield a sword yet. But to be strong and valiant he needs a sword. He have to make sure that this time after returning from the trip, his father would allow him to use the sword. Thinking about that, His father hadn't returned yet.
The boy asked, "Uncle Rekan, when will be father returning?"
The continuous sound of cutting and splintering wood stopped. His uncle who was ignoring his talks about teaching him swordsmanship finally noticed his words and after thinking for a while said, "I don't know."
"Huh!", Saver was disappointed as the answer to his question was still unanswered. Losing all interest in the conversation just as he was about to leave the place to find another thing of his interest, A hand grabbed his shirt and a sudden dread washed over him.
" My little Saver, I think I told someone to feed the cows this morning. It is noon and that job hasn't been done yet. WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN ALL DAY?", a cold shiver ran down his spine as Haley's slow voice sipped into his soul.
He just forgot about it. How could a future hero of this world remember a simple chorus? But this situation had turned for worse and if no sudden miracle happened in a few minutes, He have to endure hell. He turned towards his uncle for salvation. Although his uncle could be a jerk who doesn't talk too much sometimes, only and only his uncle could free him from his situation. But he only saw Rekan staring at the north fully ignoring him.
" They have returned.", Rekan said with a hint of surprise.
' 'They' ??? Father should be alone returning', thought the boy. But not a second after, gaining the chance to escape from the hands of his mother, he ran towards the north where the village gate was situated. He inwardly thanked his uncle and then ran passed the small fields, one of his friend's houses, and Uncle Ramsey's herb shop, and when he finally reached the gate he saw, in some distance two people were coming towards the village. One of them was his father holding the reign of his horse and on the top of the horse, a stranger with black hair was sitting. his eyes glistened, observing the surroundings with fascination.