The Border City Ord 2

The next morning comes. Win wakes up as the sun rises, and quickly moves to the lobby floor of the inn. The scrawny man seems somewhat sluggish, but surely awake.

“Good morning, sir.” The man smiles softly.

“Good morning. It appears that last night was so hectic that we hadn’t the chance to introduce ourselves. My name is Anterus. I am the proprietor of this inn. And though she’s not up yet, you might see my daughter around later in the day. Her name is Clara.”

“My name is Win. It’s a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Mr. Anterus. Do you happen to know of any places nearby where I might train?”

“There’s an empty lot a short walk away. Just turn left when you leave, and I’m sure you’ll find it.”

“Thank you, sir.”

Win walks out of the inn. He looks at the sky as he walks, only offering the streets and the people enough attention to not hit anyone by accident. He has a slight grimace as he begins to hear powerful grunts nearby. He’s irritated when he finds the source, and it is indeed in an open lot. The one grunting so loudly so early in the morning is the old man from the inn. Unfortunately for Win, he seems to notice him and stop his swings for a moment.

“Don’t let me scare you, boy. Feel free to swing your sword around.” Win decides that it would be more irritating in the long run to refuse the old man’s offer. He steps into the lot.

“It seems you’re not quite as sloppy as I thought.” The old man shows no sign of understanding.

“Do I know you from somewhere?”

“We weren’t introduced, but we are currently staying at the same inn.”

“Then an introduction is in order! My name is Rolant Guiscard, knight errant!”

“My name is Win.” Win looks away from the man, already bothered by him.

Win starts to swing his sword. Each slash is clean, smooth, and fluid. In every movement of his body he reaches out towards the image of Marcus seared into him. He feels him inching closer with each swing. Seeing another older swordsman after so long awakened something inside of Win that he finds to be an annoyance. He sheathes his sword soon after he began in a huff.

“Sir Guiscard, can you elaborate on what you said last night?”

“Last night?”

“About Pacaster Kingdom.”

“Ah, that it’s far too weak to dare do anything in Ord.”

“Yes, that’s it. I was wondering what led you to think that. Though the border situation is not very tense, I was under the impression that the Pacaster forces would still be a force to be reckoned with. And even in times of peace borders cause strife.”

“I have no idea if they’re strong or weak right now, but I was just in that kingdom and I met some nobles near the border, and they were all snivelling whelps! They practically live in fear of the margrave! It’s pathetic that men like that lead us!”

“But if there’s no threat of spies and saboteurs, then why is the cost of entry so high?”

“Do you really think the lord of the city wouldn’t bleed people dry just to whet his own greed?”

“When put that way, I suppose I have no doubt he may try. But I’m certain that Margrave Lufian would never allow such a thing to go on.”

“I suppose that I should expect children to think like fools. Believing in a noble so heavily is nothing but folly. No person is perfect, and even if he truly would never allow it, is it not possible for him not to even realize something is wrong? Nobles are either self-serving or impotent, no point in believing in them.”

“What a jaded and disloyal old man. No wonder you’re a knight errant doomed to wander to your dying breath.”

“We’re cut from the same cloth, brat. A beautiful adventurer who just happened to come to Ord? You abandoned your house and family, and now you intend to abandon your kingdom too. We’ll both wander alone until we die. Though I suppose I ought to applaud you for your courage! Nothing good would have come from staying!”

“You—!” Win grits his teeth and grips his sword.

“I’m done here. I need a drink to chase such a pointless conversation, boy.” Ignoring Win entirely, Rolant walks out of the lot. “And the next time you speak to me, you don’t need to show so much respect. Just Rolant will do, little lord.”

Win is furious at Rolant. Being found out so simply is one thing, but being mocked in such a way is too far. In a fit of anger, Win begins to cast his spells. Bolt of lightning after bolt of lightning strikes the ground right in front of him. When he finishes, there’s a blackened spot in the lot.

Win makes his way back to the inn. Partway through, however, he meets Calliope. She opens her notebook to reveal a new page, a message she had already decided to tell him.

“Mr. Anterus told me I might find you here. Shall we go to the guild?”

“Why would I need to come with you?” Win pictures Rolant in the inn and gets irritated once more. “Nevermind, I’ll come.”

They walk in silence, Calliope uneasy from Win’s intense anger bubbling beneath the surface. They reach the guild quickly. They get in line for the least busy desk together and wait. Calliope is first, and asks for registration papers. The woman at the desk hands them over without much fuss, but Win has a sense of foreboding at how much cheerier she seems compared to Melissa. Calliope steps away from the desk to fill out the papers and Win takes a step forward.

“Give me a subjugation job. I’m capable of casting advanced magic in succession.” The woman seems somewhat intimidated.

“Very well.”

She opens a drawer with a collection of free jobs, and quickly shuffles through them. She nervously hands him one sheet detailing a monster hunting request. Win reads the description, then walks away without a word. He sits near Calliope and waits for her to finish.