Join My Retinue, Reckless Boy!

 It’d be a lot more impressive if the sword were unsheathed. Instead, the water kind of just… well, would the word ‘wept’ be acceptable? It was a sad cry, water dripping from the sides after it permeated from the wet stains across the sheath.

It’d probably be even more impressive if it didn’t knock me out, too.

The weightless feeling wasn’t some one-off feeling either. This time, I woke up in time to witness more magic.

The teenager from before swung a short staff around. Roughly the size of a cane, she skipped happily, swaying it continuously like she had some musical number stuck in her head. Her brother was the first to notice I was coming to, pointing harshly and gasping aloud. “Father, he’s awake!” The father in question’s eyes glimmered at the fact.

“Sir! Sir, what is your name?” He grabbed my hands, holding them tightly within his.

“Karlo, apparently,” I groggily answer as I come to.

“Oh god, I gave the innkeeper’s son amnesia.” The big, intimidating character said. He wept into his hands as the other patted his back.

“I guess your mind is just whacked out today, man.” The other said, a frown clearly implying the two actually care for my character. A character that apparently has magic powers.

“Never mind your friends, dear boy!” The grip became tighter, the older man turning out to resemble his children greatly. “Sir Karlo, you must become my family’s knight!”

My expression must’ve conveyed something to the teenage boy as he frowned. “You’re confusing him, father.” The boy pulled out a conveniently pocket-shaped notepad and a piece of charcoal and swiftly began scribbling on it.

As he furiously and quickly wrote, his sister let me down slowly, her cane-wand lowering as it swayed as well, as if she were also writing. A strong sense of curiosity washed over me- what kind of magic can be used in this world, and is it dependent on the user? All the questions that flooded through the mind with energy I only prayed for during my school career.

“Karlo, you should hold onto Manson’s sword again,” The skinnier of the men whispered, finally revealing their character profile in my head, a made-up window of stats coming to mind- if I had the imagination for game UI.

“Think that’s a good idea, Rudy?” The other replied, earning me the answer to an unasked question regarding the skinnier man.

“I got a better question: why were you two hassling this family? You knew they were nobles, right?” I asked, raising an eyebrow at the duo. The two ah-and-ermed and, after a quick pinch to their sides, they replied.

“Well, rumors about their caravan, y’know?” Rudy whispered over to me, hanging over me in height.

“Rumors?”

“Yeah, how they lost all their luggage on the road… just sounded like they needed the help.” Manson also seemed to tower over me in height as he whispered back.

“And you two were trying to get some money out of them while you were at it? Why not just help them out of your own goodwill?” Crossing my arms, I scowled at the two.

“Because we’d need money to sneak out of town! Everyone knows we, the younger townsfolk, can’t leave because of the rumors with your da-” Manson was caught off guard by a ruthless smack to the mouth by Rudy.

Rumors about my character’s dad? Well, not the first time there was some sour tension with a father figure in my life, who can say I can’t have more in my second life?

The teenage boy glanced back at me, curiosity marking his face. His sister seemed to be a little closer on the uptake and changed the subject.

“Actually, you guys were real big brutes to my brother and father!” She put her hands on her hips, stopping and turning around to face the two young men, heads taller than her.

“You’re right,” Rudy lowered his head, Manson following shortly after.

“We’re sorry, ma’am.”

“Ahh, no worries. It’s no problem if you want to use us as an excuse to get away. So what’s up with your dad, man?” Copying my character’s childhood friends’ mannerisms, it seemed like the young lady did not, in fact, take the hint.

“Ah, you know, it might not be a great idea to talk about it, Missy,” Rudy said apologetically.

“It might be easier to just explain it.” I shrug, thinking no less of the topic.

“Really, dude?” Manson looked over concerningly. “You hate talking about your dad.”

“Yeah, don’t worry about it. It might answer some questions.” I walk a bit ahead as the village idiots begin to think.

“Oh yeah, to answer the noble’s questions.” Rudy figured.

Well, not really. I'm more concerned about answering my questions, but sure. Go ahead with the random nobles and set the scene.

“Well, Missus Kam, Karlo’s mom came to our town a long time ago with just her baby, little Karlo, when he was…” Manson trailed off as I stared at him. “Little-er.”

“It seemed like she was on the run,” Rudy continued, far more enthralled with the role of narrator. “It was raining, and some stranger from the capital came with a baby. Clearly enough money to travel the distance- but for what reason?”

“Well, yeah. So, turns out, Miss Kam ran away from the baby’s dad. He must’ve been some bad guy because she told all the older folks in the town to keep a secret of who they were.” Manson oh-so eloquently put.

“Later, Miss Kam’s brother found them in the village, bringing money and buying them the property for the inn- probably the most successful business in town. If it wasn’t going to be us youngsters traveling, it was bound to be the booming business that caught the family.”

“Guess Miss Kam and uncle weren’t really thinking, huh?” The teenage girl said easily.

Her twin finally seemed satisfied with his writing, opting to show us. “Hierarchies in knighthood can get you some pretty high places. Whether it’s a noble title, land, or just straight up tons of money.” I took the notepad, the pyramid of the rankings flooding my vision. Oh man, this is really a fantasy setting, how cool.

“My father is asking for you to join our family as a knight under our house- if you get stronger, you’ll be able to help support your mom, who’s clearly had it rough raising you.”

Okay, ow. But the situation tugged at me harder than the casual insult.

My mom back home struggled so hard just to help me get better. Even when she was afraid of me, she knew she had to be there for me- something no doubt, this mother of my character would do for him.

While my logic may not be sound regarding my stay in this world, I feared that if I didn’t at least try to make an effort for this mother, I wouldn’t deserve to go back home scot-free. Ah, but I guess going home wasn’t exactly a given either. I suppose that’ll just serve as another reason to learn magic.

When I eventually get back home, what will be the first thing I do? Hug my mother? Nah, she’s still probably too scared of me for any kind of closeness like that- the same likely goes for my dad and sister. First, though, I’ll have to worry about what to do when we get back to Karlo’s.

The brick path really showcased just how big a deal the family’s inn was. Serving as a landmark, it overlooked a port as it sat atop a hill, marking the town’s borders. The streets seemed to converge at its doorway, shops lining the streets surrounding it, and a fountain just in front of it. If it were any nicer, it would resemble a guild like that in fantasy manga and anime.

Just before I could remember the name of one in particular, the swinging doors of the inn startled me, the creaking of the wood startling me out of my thoughts. Uncle Jerk bowed his head at the sight of the nobles first, the kiss ass, then his eyes widened when he noticed me at the front of the group. “Nobles don’t walk behind their guides, dimwit.” He whacked the back of my head, reminding me of what brought me to running through the streets in the first place.

“Nobles do tend to follow behind their guards should they be protecting them, though.” Mister Noble said proudly, correcting my uncle promptly. It wasn’t rude at all, but my uncle had an incredibly offended expression. Just as we stepped through the threshold, guests nodded and bowed toward the incoming nobles as though they were royalty.

“My son and brother didn’t offend you, did they, sir?” Miss Kam asked. She had just gotten done wiping her hands with the cloth tied to her apron. She bowed politely, a curtsy coming into motion until she seemed to realize something, freezing before meeting with mister noble’s gaze again.

Noble boy seemed to pick up on it, astute as he seemed to be opposite to his sister, it seemed as she loudly said, “Nah, but your boy’s friends certainly did! At least at the beginning, before your son made a fool of himself.”

My face palm echoed in the entrance, another slap echoing soon after as Miss Kam slapped the back of my head as well. “I’m so sorry, my lady,” she bowed deeply.

“Oh, please, Miss Kam, no bowing! We’re practically family, or rather will be!” the Noble lady said quickly. Glares from my character’s mother and uncle came quickly.

“A little old for her, aren’t you, boy?” The two said in unison.

“Ah, no, she means he’ll be joining our retinue.” The noble father said, his grin matching that of his daughter’s.

“Pardon?” My family once again said in unison.