I pulled Cooper and Wilder toward me, their chains rattled as I glared at them. They were complaining, too loudly.
My voice echoed through the helm, “Shut it.”
The city waited in the distance, perched atop a hill, its walls towering over the farmland before us.
I grumbled, “It’s going to be a long day.”
I turned to the guard behind the counter, his eyes twinkling with wonder.
Does he recognise the armour?
Good…
Now, how should I play this?
I nodded, “Good evening.”
The guard stood up and said, “S-sir, you’ve returned.”
I blurted out, “Yeah.”
No shit…
He wiped the tears from his eyes and said, “I knew you’d… I, I’m sorry, I can’t…”
He broke down into tears over the table, his cries carrying through the checkpoint.
“What the fuck?”
I glanced at the others and they both shrugged.
Well, fuck me. What now?
An older guard walked over and patted the young man on the shoulder.
He looked at me and said, “Apologies, sir, he’s new.”
I cleared my throat, “It’s alright, it can be rather overwhelming when you meet your first hero.”
He replied, “Indeed, sir, and forgive me if I’m mistaken, but did you just swear?”
I chuckled, “Oh that, heh. Guess the bandits have rubbed off on me.”
He nodded, “Don’t lose yourself, sir. It’d be a shame on His name.”
“Of course.”
The old guard said, “Excess is Waste.”
It’s a weird saying but I’ve heard it before, whispered in town alleys and shady deals.
It means… I should say it back, “Excess is Waste.”
He picked up the papers and studied them for a moment before saying, “Regarding these documents, they're far too damaged for me to approve. I’m afraid you’ll have to sign another form.”
I don’t know this fucking knight’s signature. That's not happening.
“With all due respect, sir, I can’t afford a delay.”
“Rules are rules, sir. Your papers are too torn and stained. There’s nothing I can do.”
I leaned against the counter, “Come on, pal, we aren’t in the city and it’s already hell out here. I just gotta get these bandits to the big man. I know the rules can’t be broken, but they can bend.”
He said, “Yes, life’s tough here and even worse out there, which is why I’d like to keep my ass firmly here.”
The younger guard wiped away his tears and said, “W-wait, I-I’ll take the fall, you don’t have to get involved.”
The older guard turned to him and muttered, “Kid…”
The young man looked at me and said, “You’ll be quick right? You swear on Edric the Holy?”
With my hand over my heart I said, “I swear.”
The older guard held his partner’s shoulder as he whispered something in his ear.
The young guard shook his head before giving me a smile.
He nodded, “Follow the Path.”
I’ve heard that saying before as well.
I had to say, “The Path is Followed.”
He handed me the papers and we walked past the checkpoint.
What a bloody idiot, and people wonder why they get scammed.
I pulled the other two by the chain as we walked under the gate and out into the field.
This job’s going to be a breeze.
Cooper quietly whined, “You didn't follow the plan.”
My voice echoed through the helm, “I did what was right.”
He glared at me as I glanced back at Wilder and whispered, “What do you think?”
He smirked and agreed with me.
I added, “See. That’s why I’m leader.”
Cooper mumbled, “We’re going to fucking die.”