Chapter 2 - Rested and... where is everyone?

“Tired, Why…”, I groaned out tiredly laying in a small cot with only rags on. I lifted up my limbs, but each one fell after a few seconds. It's not that I couldn’t move, rather that I didn’t want to. After every battle, once I make camp, find a place to sleep, or am knocked out in any way, all of my dedication and hard work slaps me back into bed. All that pushing forward and reaching new lengths and strength eventually pushes back on me into bed and tucks me in tightly. I look around the room, Musty wood boards, splintering furniture, dusty window sills with sunlight barely reaching through. How did I even end up laying in this cot, this room? I gaze to the right of the bed, seeing my sword, my shield, my armor, my satchel, and a glass of water with a note on it.

"You fainted, I brought you to your room. - Trella"

I was grateful, but slightly disturbed. I am no longer in any armor, only my undergarments. My body still tired, I stayed in the cot for a bit longer. One last mission after all. Laying there, I thought about the adventures I have been on. From the west to the east, south to north. Not all of it explored, but racism minimized for the orcs, giants, elves, gnomes, dwarves, and such. Now my final mission is to wait outside the city and prepare, but before that, more rest. I pull up the thin blankets over myself and turn to my side.

I envy the commoners' lives for their repetitive lives and homes. However, I feel many envy mine. Yes I explore the world, have great strength, and learn so much… but at the same time, I run from death at a constant. My knowledge is often a burden, where people hunt me down for it or because of my role as a hero. 

I reach into my satchel and grab out my small book. I feel bumpy leather, crooked spine, and the papers loose n old, but the book was mine nonetheless, not tampered or important to anyone but me. Its the only thing I feel that truly is mine, the only thing I want to keep after my journeys end. It may be the only thing I own, not stained with blood. My master had disproved it, as I had “No time for such pleasures”. I grab the cup of water and place it back empty. Now it is like him… empty. No dreams, no hope, no wishes, only a void, a harsh endless whirlpool, taking in any joy and taking it into the hollow lights, where the only lights left are a barren path to whatever your forged in, nothing ever glowing again. That's what my master, my mentor, wants for me.

The morning passes and I get up, put on my armor and place my satchel on the side. My armor is light compared to my headaches, but nonetheless, I gather my things and place them on my person or in my satchel. I clean up the room and open the door as I walk through to the brightly lighted room. I wince my eyes as I slowly adapt to the sun’s onslaught of unconditional warmth, and am met with more warmth from the lady before me. The smell of wood and warm baked goods is in the vacant  room. The expected bustle of Drunks or travelers was absent, not another soul in sight except for what I assume is an innkeeper. A bright warm smile, not forced like most shopkeepers, as she stands tall behind a counter. She wears her dress and apron proudly despite being covered in flour and muck. 

She spoke warmly but it seemed like there was urgency or fear in her voice “Hello Dearie, How was your rest, Did you enjoy your stay?” 

“Yes I did, Thank you for asking, but…” I looked around and addressed an absence of people in the inn. “... Where did everyone go? And is something wrong?” I asked as I got closer to the counter and looked into her eyes, as I sensed something anxious in her. 

She spoke with vigor, urgency, and worry “Well as you were asleep, Scouts have noticed Mountains moving close to the village, followed by monsters and what seems to be a smog made of shadows and souls.” She places her hand on her chest feeling her own heart beat as she worries more. I can see the fear in her eyes and her shaking figure as she looks down at the counter. 

I placed my hands on the counter with concern “Why are you still here? If everyone left to avoid this catastrophe, why did you stay?” She looked up at me with tearful eyes, and clearly, a pure soul pleading out “I can’t leave my inn like this, its been in my family for generations and I cant just go!” she grabs my hands and looks into my soul. “Please leave without me, tell trilla Im sorry but I have to stay.” 

I pause as I look into her pleading eyes, her blue eyes swirling with rain and no thunder, no anger, only a world preparing to flood and be gone. I take a deep breath and look around then back at her apron. My voice gently speaks to her “Trilla? Are you her boss?" She nodded. I reached in my satchel and gave 10 gold coins to the innkeep. "Marie, right? Here, my payment for my stay"

"No I cant, You saved Trilla, you deserve a free stay, especially in these times" She said stubbornly.

Do I smell Biscuits?” She looks up, surprised by the sudden turn around in question. 

“Um… Yes actually, I bake when I'm fearful, but you should be evacuating now”

“Then how about I use the coins for the biggest Breakfast you can give me, please before we leave” I asked insistently.

She stares at me confused as if I was hit in the head with a brick and about to fall. “Sir… Are you okay? You understand that a Dark Army is coming to raid this city very soon…” She reluctantly takes the coins, examines them,  places them down as she goes to the kitchen still speaking loudly. “I don't exactly know who you are, but I guess I might as well serve you before you leave, but as I said, I am staying. Don't think I didn't hear your wordplay, I have met sneaky young men like you” she stated sassily as she returned with a delicious plate of Eggs, biscuits, several seasoned meats, and mead. The comforting smell assured my rumbling stomach as I drooled at the plate. I bowed my head and said thanks for the meal and began scarfing everything down. I talked as I ate

“Im… Taking you (I said nearly choking on a biscuit) *COUGH*... I will *COUGH* Because… You gave me this… Delicious food, A.. and you gave me a… free… stay… at your... Inn“ I finished the food in seconds and pushed it forward wanting seconds, only leaving the mead untouched. “More please, its really great food, just no more mead, I would prefer juice, water, or milk” I said, cleaning myself with a napkin as she handed one to me. She looked at me surprised by how quickly I ate, grabbed the plate, left to the kitchen silently, came back with a large pot filled with all the food she had made.

“Please Leave me sir, I wont be leaving my family’s tavern”

I look straight into her eyes, her determination and loyalty to her home, it was like a fire, like a crashing wave that only grew and would take down anything with it if it could. The room grew with her silence, a void in  her heart to be to filled. Filled with hope, my job as a hero. I took a breath, and filled her with hope,

“Im taking you to a safe space, and you will return here. The big battle is coming, however I will defend not just your tavern, but the whole city. I Will repay you more than this meal, more than my stay. I will…”  She stopped me suddenly and stared confused at me

“Wait, wait, wait, your the `hero` that the King has mentioned? A frail boy like you?” She looked at me up and down and examined my wares “I thought you were just a really young soldier, I didn't realize you were the ‘hero’ destined to fight the evils of the west” 

“Ma’am, please, I may be small but I am fighting . I promise to protect this tavern, for as long as I live” I clasp my hands around her, looking up at her. She took a breath and nodded. I was annoyed that the king spoke of me, but at least he didn't say too much. After I finished eating, I got Migh'en, then we left the city towards the back of the capital, where safe houses were poorly made. I stopped at an alleyway, the safe houses within reach. 

“Marie, I must leave now, the time for battle is soon.” I pointed down the alleyway. “Go down there and turn right, you will see guards who will take you and they could reunite you with Trilla.” I turn to leave quickly but I feel her warm hand on my shoulder. She quietly spoke.

“Be safe, young man, thank you.”

“Do me a favor and forget that you met me, no one needs to know about me at the end of this” I spoke coldly. I ran out, only hearing an echo filled with concern

“Wait, please tell me, why? … is something going to…” 

Nothing but the steps of Migh'en could be heard on the cobbled path. No humans, elves, or other beings in sight as I headed the opposite way of the safe houses.

Reviews

[Lauren]

Hi!
I just read your story, and I’m obsessed! Your writing is incredible, and I kept imagining how cool it would be as a comic.
I’m a professional commissioned artist, and I’d love to work with you to turn it into one, if you’re into the idea, of course! I think it would look absolutely stunning.
Feel free to message me on Discord (laurendoesitall) if you’re interested. Can’t wait to hear from you!
Best,
Lauren