Garren's Quest, Chapter 3

May is only about half over, and it's been a fairly busy month already - mostly because of school-related items: graduations, banquets, etc. As a result, I haven't advanced the ball as much as I'd hoped on the writing front. That said, here's Chapter 3 of Garren's Quest, part of which I believe posted previously but this is the full chapter. (And, as is customary, the usual caveats apply):

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A quarter-hour later, Garren left his room and headed to the stable. He had been moderately surprised that Captain Hynal had agreed to his request; he had been in similar situations before, and seldom had his antagonists (for lack of a better term) been willing to give him the benefit of any doubt.

Even more, the good captain had not bothered to station a guard outside his door or the first floor of the inn where the main dining hall was located. In fact, the only people he encountered before leaving were the innkeep and the tavern maid (whom he favored with a surreptitious wink).

Unbeknownst to the soldiers, the innkeep – a man by the name of Orga – was actually a friend. Because of several favors in the past, he never charged Garren for quarters or meals. That said, Garren always provided payment to him anyway – usually some gold or silver left in his room.

As he prepared to leave, Orga handed him several items, wrapped in a kerchief.

“Apologies, Garren,“ Orga said, “We had no time to make a proper breakfast for you. All I could manage were leftovers from last night, although it will be better than the slop soldiers boldly call rations.”

“No worries, my friend,” Garren assured him, snickering at the man’s comment as he took the kerchief. “The soldiers paid you?”

“Aye, and well” Orga confirmed with the smile.

“Good,” Garren noted with a smile. “As always, thanks for your hospitality.”

“As usual, you are most welcome, my friend,” Orga told him. Then, looking a little concerned, he added, “Are you certain all is well? That you need no assistance?”

His question obviously alluded to the soldiers. More to the point, it bespoke of Orga’s willingness to aid a comrade, regardless of odds – something Garren sincerely appreciated. 

Rather than respond immediately, however, he glanced at the tavern maid, who lowered her eyes. Presumably, she had roused  the innkeep as Garren had requested, and also informed him about the soldiers. (He wasn’t certain she had mentioned to Orga the coin she had taken, but that was neither here nor there in Garren’s opinion.)

“I’m fine,” Garren answered after a moment.

“If you say so,” Orga stated. “Until next time.”

“Until next time,” Garren uttered in return.

With that, the two men then shook hands and Garren left.

Once outside, he headed to the stable, which was located next to the inn. In general, innkeepers don’t want such a building in close proximity because the odors that emanate from it often offend guests (not to mention the fact that such facilities also attract flies, other insects and various pests). However, Orga had a charm in place that kept such miasmas and vermin away.

As expected, Captain Hynal and his soldiers were waiting at the stable. More to the point, they had saddled their horses, as well as his own. (In truth, however, they had probably awakened the stableboy and paid him to do the saddling, especially since he would know which saddle was Garren’s.)

“Thanks for your patience,” Garren said to Hynal as he approached. “Shall we get underway?”

“Certainly,” the captain said in reply. “You have all your belongings?”

“I believe so,” Garren stated, giving himself a once-over just to be sure. Other than his clothes, the only things he’d had in his room had been his purse, scabbard-and-sword, and a knapsack. He had brought those things with him, and actually spent a moment attaching the knapsack to his saddle.

Giving Captain Hynal a nod, he then climbed into the saddle. The soldiers quickly followed suit, and moments later, they were headed down the road.

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They initially rode in silence, in a formation that consisted of two soldiers riding in the vanguard and two more in the rearguard. Garren rode between them, with Hynal on his right and the final soldier on his left. Ostensibly, this configuration was for Garren’s protection, but in a practical sense it prevented him from trying to abruptly ride off. On the other hand, it also made him vulnerable if, via some surreptitious signal, the soldiers decided to simultaneously attack him.

With that thought in mind, he absentmindedly placed his hand on his sword, currently in its scabbard. In truth, however, he felt attack from his current companions was unlikely. If that was their aim, it would have been better to do so when they had first burst into his room. Likewise, it would have been better to take him by surprise – perhaps when he left his quarters, or exited the inn. None of that had happened, which made him curious.

Turning to Hynal, he said, “So tell me again, why does your king wish to speak with me?”

“As I said,” the captain replied, “it involves a magic sword that you sold to Prince Nebal.”

“And as I previously said, that’s not what happened.”

“You and the prince obviously have a different view of the facts.”

“I’d argued that your prince has a misunderstanding of the facts. For instance, it wasn’t a magic sword. It was an enchanted sword.”

Hynal gave him a curious look. “I’m not sure there’s a practical distinction between those.”

“Well, there is, and it sounds like prince Nebal discovered that the hard way.”

“You could say that.”

“What exactly happened?”

“He tried to use the sword to slay a dragon.”

Garren shook his head in nigh-disbelief. “I take it that didn’t go so well.”

“The healers were able to save his arm,” the captain replied. “But most of his skin turned to crackling, he’ll never grow hair again, and without regular draughts of rare elixirs, he spends much of his days in great pain.”

“And all of that is somehow my fault?”

“You’re the one he got the magic sword from.”

“Again, it wasn’t a magic sword.”

“On that point,” Hynal declared solemnly, “the facts are not in dispute.”