Squire's Path: Part III

The sun was already high by the time Kylan came upon signs of civilization. The town ahead was little more than an inn, a shop, and a small “stable”, for lack of a more appropriate term. He was struck at once with how quiet it was. He saw horses tied up that indicated someone was about but after the morning's curious events he was definitely in a cautious state of mind.

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The morning had begun with another failed attempt to find fresh food. He resigned himself to dipping into his dry rations again, and found himself almost longing for his fathers cooking.

As he packed away his gear a feeling came over him… someone was watching him. He did not want to tip them off so he continued to ready for the ride ahead all the time his eyes scanning the tree line to the east of his location. “Well I can be patient if you can.”, he mumbled.

The next hour or so passed uneventfully but the road he followed grew closer to the tree line as he went so he held out little hope that it would remain so. Once or twice he thought he caught a glimpse of movement but nothing he could make out. He grew more uneasy as the road turned to go around another large stand of trees and both wooded areas were little more than a few feet from the road. He reined in his mount and studied things a moment. He took in a breath to steady himself and then called out, “You may as well come out. I know you have been following me all morning so come out and face me if you be true men.”

There was a long silence before the obvious rustling indicated he was indeed not alone.

“Well I am a man but I find it interesting that a mere boy would be so brash as to invite danger out here all alone. Tell me boy, does your daddy know where you are?”

Kylan growled a bit at that, “ I do not recall asking you to assess my situation. I do recall that I said show yourself, or are you afraid of a mere boy?”

The man laughed a bit at that but remained hidden, “Now is not yet the time. Your journey has only begun and I assure you that you will see my face at its end. How soon that is depends on you.”

“Nice… a mystery from a man so in doubt of his abilities he hides from me.” Kylan hoped to provoke the man into a fight in the open. He was feeling a bit to easy a target at the moment.

Another long silence then, “Good bye for now… son of Amber”

Then he was again left alone to ponder this new turn as he continued on.

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He now sat outside of the town and darkness had fallen. Activity seemed to have increased and he heard music and conversation from what must have been a tavern at the Inn. “Well I might as well have a look. And should there be a good meal and soft bed to be had I suppose I will have to endure it.”

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As he pushed open the door all eyes turned to him immediately and the room became a bit quieter. Kylan scanned the various groups of people hoping this was not a mistake but as the talking resumed its previous level his nerves were soothed a bit. He found his way to an open table, took a seat, and listened to some of the conversation hoping to catch some useful information.

“Can I get you something young stranger?” Kylan looked up to see a rather well endowed less than fully dressed bar maid smiling at him.

I umm… yes. Yes.. I would love something hot to eat and maybe a pint to wash it down. Please.” He looked at her a moment noting that she was fairly attractive. Having only seen a few of this sort of tavern, he had not seen any with this particular kind of appeal.

She seemed a bit surprised, “Handsome and polite as well… your not from around here are you? Well never mind that I'll get you something straight away.”

He ate quickly, his brain convinced this was the best food he had ever eaten even if his pallet didn't. Once done, he saw to a bed for the night and turned in, hoping to get an early start.

The tavern seemed to die down shortly allowing Kylan to drift off. It seemed no time had passed when a noise roused him. Someone was at the foot of his bed. His hand moved slowly to the dagger he had under his pillow. With a quick movement he lunged for them as they approached the side of the bed. After wrestling with the intruder for a few moments he noticed the contours were a bit off for a bloke. He muscled the person near the window where the moonlight revealed an extremely startled bar maid wearing a bit less clothing then earlier. Immediately he turned her loose and stepped back, “What were you doing in here and why on earth are you dressed that way.”

The woman looked confused and a bit irritated, “A gent came in and asked about you. He asked that I come up and see to your needs personally. Paid nicely for it too, not that he had to with a handsome lad like you.”

“A gent… paid you… who was he?”

“I don't know but sir but I did not expect to be manhandled in this manner. But if that is what you want..”

Kylan turned a shade of red that likely had never been seen in this place before and without another word gathered his things and headed out to his horse.

He looked up at the stars before remounting, “Well they do look a bit different after all.”

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The woman went into the hall and knocked on another door, which opened slightly. “You were right sir. He did not lay an improper hand on me, once he realized it was me. Took his items and left.”

“Good, well done. For your time.”, the man handed over a few coins before closing the door.