William woke up anxiously. He looked around and found himself on a bunk bed in a long corridor filled with rows of similar beds.
"Where am I?" William muttered while gripping his head.
"The last thing I remember... I was fighting, and I got kicked. Ugh, my head still hurts," he exclaimed in pain. "Did someone help me? Hmm, I don't know. I just can't remember anything. It's all blurry," he spoke to himself, puzzled.
"I mean, I think I was winning the fight, right? That's a win in my books," William said, having faith in himself.
Suddenly, someone entered the corridor.
"I know you may be confused, but trust me, I'm here to help," the man said to William in a serious tone.
The man looked to be middle-aged. He was dark-skinned, tall—about 6 feet 2 inches—and had long, curly hair. He wore a black tunic and woolen leggings.
The man sat on a bunk bed beside William's and turned towards him. "I guess I forgot to properly introduce myself, huh?" the man said with a smile.
"My name is Gray Rutherford, a lieutenant of the Sovereign Mercenary Guild, at your service," Gray said proudly.
"Well, that's fine, Mr. Rutherford, but where the hell am I?" William asked with concern.
"Oh, my bad! I should have started with that. You're at one of our guild's premises," the man said happily.
"And?" William spoke, still confused.
Gray asked, "I don't think I understand what you mean."
"Why am I here?" William asked, perturbed.
"I don't know," Gray replied with a straight face. "The captain brought you in."
"Oh, okay. I guess so," William said with a confused look.
"Then I'll be leaving—"
"Wait, what?" William exclaimed
Gray suddenly ran out of the corridor. "I have a mission!"
"How long will I be here for?" William asked, perplexed.
"Two weeks," Gray replied as he disappeared. The door closed with a thud.
"So, I am in a mercenary guild, huh?" William thought to himself. "At least I have a bed to myself. That's a good thing, right?"
William continued to sleep for the next six hours.
When he woke up, it was the most relaxing sleep of his life. "Ahhh, that's what I call a good sleep," William said, stretching his arms.
Suddenly, a maid entered the room. "Your food, sir," she said.
"Ah, thank you," William replied.
William finally had a proper meal after a long time. He picked up his spoon and devoured the food in seconds; it was that tasty.
As William's health improved, he started thinking about the memories of the fight. He finally recalled a picture of his parents in his mind—they looked so alike. William felt happy.
He also thought about how he fought Jason. "What did I exactly do? I felt like everything slowed down," William said, looking at his hands.
---
One Week Later
"Zzzzzz…"
"William, wake up! William!"
It was Gray.
"Oh, Gray! How are you?"
"Good. How about you? Wake up."
William proceeded to wake up.
"So, William, are you feeling better?" Gray asked with concern.
"I am. Again, thank you for providing for me—"
"You're indebted to us, right?" Gray interrupted.
"I guess I kind of am," William replied, puzzled.
"Well, I am sorry in advance, Will. Don't take it to heart," Gray said, looking at the door with a serious gaze.
Suddenly, a man kicked the door open.
He was Cassian D'Averon, or most commonly known as "Captain" by the Sovereign.
He wore leather boots, a brown leather coat, and had a sword sheathed at his waist. Smoking a cigar, he approached Gray, the lieutenant.
"Good morning, Captain," Gray said, standing at attention with his feet closed and his left hand behind his back.
Seeing Gray show such respect, William also tried to bow, though he was still on his bed.
The man nodded at Gray and then turned to William. "What's your name, kid?"
"William," William said with respect.
"Alright, Will. You've got promising talent, kid. Get ready—we'll be leaving two days from now."
"Wait! What? Where? Why?" William asked, confused.
The man proceeded to walk away and leave the room.
"Gray, is there something you forgot to tell me?" William asked, turning towards Gray.
Gray sat on a nearby bunk bed. "So, William, let me explain what's going on. That guy who just came in is Cassian D'Averon, a renowned swordsman, an excellent leader, and the master of the Sovereign Mercenary Guild. There's been a commission we need to tackle, and we'll need your help. Well, it's not like you have any choice, since we've given you the utmost hospitality, right?" Gray said, chuckling.
"There's this noble near the countryside—Count Karl. He's been receiving many death threats. We've been commissioned to protect him," Gray explained.
"So, what does that have to do with me?" William asked.
"That's where you come in. You'll be working as an undercover valet who admires Count Karl's generosity and wants to work under him," Gray said, pacing the room.
"But how will I be of any help?"
"You'll be lots of help. The captain already saw your talent and potential. If all of us grown men hang around the count, the assassin will never be caught. You just have to stay a bit vigilant and let us know if anything goes wrong. We'll probably be around the house, hiding somewhere. Got it? Any questions, kid?"
"I don't really have a choice now, but I do have a small condition," William said, closing one eye.
"What is it, kid?" Gray asked curiously.
"Would it be alright if I get a little compensation?" William asked hopefully.
"Don't worry, kid. We aren't monsters," Gray said.
They both burst into laughter.
"Get yourself ready, kid. We're leaving in two days. If everything goes according to plan, you'll be back in one piece, and you won't even have to lift a finger. That is—if everything goes as planned, which it never does," Gray said, tilting his head upwards before leaving .