Sir Carrick led Luke to the barracks office, where he rummaged through what seemed like a safe box and produced a couple of silver shillings.
"Here's today's pay," he said, handing them to Luke.
As Luke pocketed the coins, he wondered about the value of a single gold shilling, especially since Gareth had gifted him one piece. With his work and job settled for the day, Luke decided it wouldn't hurt to visit Gareth and inform him about the new revelation—no parties were heading straight to Virencia, but there was one in three months heading for Balmoral.
After storing the shillings in his belt pouch, Luke made his way to Gareth's room. Upon arrival, he knocked on the door and heard Gareth's voice granting permission to enter. Luke opened the door and was surprised to find Gareth half-naked, wearing only his undergarments.
It seemed Gareth was inspecting his wound, as the bandage that was supposed to hold it together lay sprawled over his bed, under his thigh. Even from a distance, Luke could see that the wound was almost healed already, which explained Gareth's participation in the sparring match with Sir Carrick earlier.
Seeing Luke, Gareth looked equally surprised.
"I didn't realize you came to visit," he said, quickly covering himself with a blanket. "You witnessed my sparring just now?"
"I was there. You and Sir Carrick put on quite the show," Luke smiled, stepping further into the room.
"Just a bit of practice. What brings you here?" Gareth chuckled, wincing slightly as he adjusted his position.
Luke took a seat on the edge of the bed, careful not to disturb the scattered bandages.
"I wanted to update you on my search for a way to Virencia. There's no party heading straight there, but there is one leaving for Balmoral in three months. I thought you should know."
"Balmoral, huh? It's not Virencia, but it's a start. You'll need to be well-prepared for the journey," Gareth nodded, his expression thoughtful.
"That's what I figured," Luke replied. "I need to find a way to earn more money and gather supplies. I can't keep relying on the cathedral's kindness forever."
"You're right. It's good to see you're thinking ahead. If you need any help, don't hesitate to ask. We're all in this together, after all," Gareth gave him an approving look.
Seizing the moment, Luke asked.
"Gareth, could you explain the currency system here? I realized I don't know how much anything is worth."
Gareth nodded and began to explain.
"We use bronze, silver, and gold shillings. A hundred bronze shillings equal one silver shilling, and fifty silver shillings equal one gold shilling. For context, fifteen bronze shillings can buy you a loaf of bread or a simple meal. A silver shilling could get you a night at an inn or a decent pair of shoes. A gold shilling, though, that's worth quite a lot. Depending on how you bargain, it could buy you a fine tiger or cover a week's rent in a decent place."
"Wow, I didn't realize a gold shilling was worth that much. Gareth, you gave me one, and now that I know its value, I can't possibly keep it. It must have cost you a lot of time and effort to earn it," Luke's eyes widened as he processed this information.
"Luke, I gave it to you because I wanted to help you get started. I've already let go of the thought of missing one gold shilling. Just accept it and use it wisely," Gareth shook his head with a warm smile.
"Thank you, Gareth. I promise I won't squander it," Luke felt a surge of gratitude and a sense of responsibility.
"I know you won't. Now, go on and get ready for whatever comes next. You've got a journey ahead of you, and you need to be prepared," Gareth patted Luke on the shoulder.
With a final nod, Luke left Gareth's room, feeling a renewed sense of purpose and determination. He had much to learn and many challenges to face, but he was ready to take the next step on his path to the Empire of Virencia.
But just as Luke was about to leave, he hesitated and turned back to Gareth.
"Gareth, there's one more thing. Why haven't you just rested until you fully recovered? Shouldn't you take it easy for a bit longer?"
Gareth chuckled.
"If I sit still much longer, my skills are going to dull. Practice makes perfect, right? Staying sharp is crucial. A knight can't afford to get rusty."
Hearing that, a thought dawned upon Luke. He realized he couldn't remember the last time he practised his magic. Ever since coming to Purewood, he had left his magical identity behind. Rushing over to Gareth's crate, where he knew his briefcase was stored, he rummaged through it until he found what he was looking for.
"What are you doing, Luke?" Gareth watched with curiosity.
"You're right, Gareth. Practice does make perfect. Magic tricks are the only thing that truly resonates with my identity. I shouldn't let that go. Just like how you're always eager to practice, I can't believe I lost my eagerness for magic tricks," Luke smiled as he retrieved his briefcase.
"Thanks, Gareth. You've reminded me of something important," with his briefcase in hand, Luke felt a renewed sense of determination.
"Good to hear, Luke. Keep practising and honing your skills. It'll serve you well," Gareth nodded approvingly.
With a final farewell, Luke left Gareth's room, feeling reinvigorated and ready to embrace both his journey and his magic.
Luke made his way back to the cathedral, his briefcase clutched firmly hidden under his shirt, supported by the belt and his pants. When he arrived, he was greeted by Father Wingate and Sister Maria.
"Welcome back, Luke," Father Wingate said with a warm smile. "How was your day?"
"It was productive," Luke replied. "I helped clean some equipment at the barracks and earned a few shillings."
"That's wonderful to hear," Sister Maria said. "It's good to see you finding ways to contribute and support yourself."
After a brief conversation about the day's events, Luke excused himself and made his way to the boys' room. As he entered, he noticed the room was empty. The boys were likely occupied with some other activity. As such, Luke hid his briefcase first and foremost after he walked to his bed.
Then, Luke picked up the other belt with a pouch attached, and carefully stored the shillings he received earlier along with the other money in the pouch. He counted his coins and found he now had 7 silver shillings and 1 gold shilling. It seemed he had received 2 silver shillings for his work today.
Though it was a decent start, Luke knew it was far from enough to fund his journey to the Empire of Virencia. He would need to save diligently and find more work to gather sufficient funds. With a determined mindset, he resolved to seek out every opportunity available to him. The road ahead was long, but he was ready to face whatever challenges came his way.
As he pondered his next steps, the door creaked open, and the boys returned, chattering and laughing. They greeted Luke enthusiastically, and he smiled, feeling a sense of camaraderie and belonging. For now, he was part of this little family, but his dreams and goals would eventually lead him beyond these walls.
Luke spent some time with the boys, listening to their stories and joining in their playful banter. They talked about their day, their small adventures, and the fun they had. The boys were curious about Luke's day as well, and he shared some details of his work at the barracks. They listened intently, their eyes wide with admiration.
As the evening drew on, Luke felt a deep sense of contentment. He knew his journey was just beginning, but these moments of connection and community were precious. He was grateful for the support and friendship he had found at the cathedral, and he was determined to make the most of every opportunity to grow and learn.
Finally, as the boys began to settle down for the night, Luke took out his briefcase and practised a few simple magic tricks. The boys watched in awe, their faces lighting up with wonder. It felt good to reconnect with his passion for magic, and he promised himself to keep practising and honing his skills.
With the boys eventually drifting off to sleep, Luke lay in his bed, gazing at the ceiling. His mind was filled with plans and aspirations, but for now, he allowed himself to rest. Tomorrow was a new day, and he was ready to face it with renewed determination.
As he lay in bed, Luke's thoughts wandered to the road ahead. The journey to the Empire of Virencia was daunting, but he felt a renewed sense of purpose. He was determined to gather the necessary funds, hone his skills, and seek out the saint who could help him uncover the mysteries of his past and future.
The warmth and camaraderie of the cathedral gave him the strength to push forward, and as he drifted off to sleep, he knew that each new day brought him closer to his goal. The path might be long and filled with challenges, but Luke was ready to face it all with unwavering resolve.