Chapter 4 - The Group

Chapter 4: The Group

At a border entrance between two kingdoms, there was a carriage carrying Arthur inside.

—--------

Adrian:

I said as I got down from the carriage, carrying all my weight and fat:

– "The time has come."

With confident steps, I advanced toward the guard, who was wearing dazzling white armor lined with fine golden edges and a helmet that ended with a long white ribbon dangling like a horse's tail. His eyes hid behind a narrow slit, but his stern voice filled the place.

"What is the reason for your visit to our kingdom?" he spoke to my personal guard Zeik in a firm tone.

Zeik answered with a fake smile:

"My lord wishes to buy some goods, and perhaps enjoy the beautiful scenery of your kingdom."

The guard raised his eyebrow:

– "Beautiful scenery? I advise your lord not to wander now. We are living in a miserable state. Haven't you heard? One of the neighboring kingdoms has declared war on us. Don't you read the news?"

Zeik laughed, trying to lighten the mood, and brushed his brown hair back with his hand:

– "Sorry… I don't like the news. In truth, my lord is just a merchant, he came to purchase some goods and later resell them in our land."

The guard's tone changed:

– "That is difficult… the economic situation is dire, and we cannot allow foreign merchants to drain it further. And from the look of your fancy carriage, I think your lord is no small merchant."

He motioned with his hand for one of the guards to send the carriage back. But his movement suddenly froze when he noticed me approaching.

The guard stood still for seconds, then removed his helmet and stepped forward quickly. With features sparked by recognition, he shouted:

"My old friend! I haven't seen you in so long!"

He opened his arms and embraced me warmly.

We stepped back a little after the embrace, and I said to him with a smile:

"I didn't expect you to be the guard here."

He replied with a sad smile:

"The situation has changed. Because of the war, the stronger guards were sent to the fronts, and only people like me were left to guard the gates."

I said angrily:

"But how can a higher–ranked kingdom declare war on a middle one? Isn't that bullying?"

The guard sighed:

"What can we do… we're stuck between two kingdoms with an old enmity. One of them decided to cross through our land to attack the other. We became the human wall in the conflict. They consider us weak, yet maybe we'll endure thanks to the help of your kingdom."

"I wish you luck… but I heard you don't allow us to pass."

The guard laughed lightly:

"How can I stop an old friend like you? Enter your lord's carriage and let it through. Sorry, I don't have more time, my work is heavy."

I hesitated a little, then asked:

"Won't you search the carriage?"

The guard widened his eyes in astonishment:

"Are you crazy? How could I search my friend's belongings? Besides… I don't think you carry anything that harms my kingdom. Just please, don't buy large amounts of food supplies."

I smiled: "Thank you."

My plan had succeeded. I had been told this friend was on guard duty today… easier than I expected. I didn't even need to bribe. Let's push this danger away from me.

After hours, staring at the scenery through the window, tension and boredom killing me, I finally reached my destination.

Through the window I could see a small village with wooden houses scattered with thatched roofs, narrow roads covered in dust.

The carriage stopped. I got down first with Zeik, while the driver remained in his seat.

I turned toward the driver and said sternly: "Stay here. We won't be long."

The driver nodded silently.

Then I turned to Zeik, who carried a sack of wheat on his shoulder, and said: "Bring Arthur, and follow me. The time has come to end this disaster. Why did Commander Carlos burden me with such an annoying task."

I walked with Zeik until we reached an old building with a sign hanging over its door that read: The Tavern.

I opened the door and stepped inside. Immediately my nose was invaded by the heavy smell of alcohol, and my ears rose with a mix of loud laughter and the sound of wooden cups clashing on tables.

But as soon as the door closed behind me, a strange silence prevailed. All eyes turned toward me and Zeik.

I swallowed my nerves and walked with an indifferent expression. I approached a long table where the tavern worker stood — a man with a scarred, deformed face stretching across his mouth, his hands clasped over his belly. He looked coldly at me, then at Zeik, and finally swept his gaze across the place before nodding.

"What do you want? Drink? Food?"

At his words the silence broke, and the noise returned.

But I placed my hand firmly on the table and said with a serious face: "I want to meet your leader."

Suddenly silence fell again, and faces stiffened.

The worker frowned. "Do you mean the tavern manager?"

I answered confidently:

"No. I mean your gang's leader. I have important business with him. Don't think I'm easy prey."

Around me, some men rose from their seats threateningly. But the worker raised his hand and said: "Stop."

Then he looked directly at me: "You have the guts to ask for the leader… who are you?"

I smiled slyly and tossed a bag full of coins onto the table: "Just an ordinary merchant. But I pay well for a meeting."

The worker grabbed the bag and smirked mockingly: "You know how things work, then. Follow me."

He opened a back door that led us down a narrow stone stairway beneath the tavern.

As I descended, I saw a dense gray cloud blocking the way.

The worker, Scott, raised his hand to stop us.

He turned to the smoky cloud and spoke in a low tone as if addressing someone unseen:

"Boss, someone wishes to see you. Please open the way."

I waited tensely until a rough, deep voice pierced my ears, making my heart tremble:

"Oh… oh… it's you, Scott… wait, I'll let you through."

As soon as the voice ended, the smoky cloud slowly retreated, revealing more steps leading down.

Scott said firmly: "Come."

He continued down until we reached a wide wooden door. Scott stopped, knocked three times, until an authoritative voice from inside ordered: "Enter."

Scott opened the door, motioning for Zeik and me to step inside.

I entered to find a spacious room, at its center a massive wooden desk. Behind it sat a hulking man in a sleeveless black shirt, exposing his thick, hairy arms.

He had his legs stretched on the desk, one crossed over the other, wearing black boots and trousers. In his mouth, a cigarette from which strange smoke spiraled out.

The man removed it from his lips and exhaled:

"Scott… Scott… didn't I tell you before to come in without knocking? Why these foolish manners?"

Smoke came from his mouth in a succession of circles, big then smaller. But the strangeness was not in the shape alone — the smoke didn't dissipate, it transformed into smoky snakes that slithered slowly around his head.

Scott bowed submissively: "Sorry, Boss… I'll remember next time."

The man laughed harshly: "Haha… you always say that… bring in the newcomer."

He took another drag from his cigarette and blew it out.

Since Scott didn't respond, the man turned his gaze toward us and pointed his cigarette:

"So, you're the ones who wanted to meet me… What do you want from me? You know I'm the boss of a large group… I don't have time for nonsense."

At that moment, his black eyes shifted to glowing gray, and the smoke around him moved like long serpents, slithering toward us, circling Zeik and me.

I swallowed hard and stammered:

"You… you are a strong slave trader… you don't need anyone to bring you goods. I didn't come to sell your slaves… rather the opposite, I want you to sell this slave yourself, as the letter instructed."

Sweat poured from my forehead as I continued in a trembling voice:

"You won't take any payment… on the contrary, I will pay you! Here is a bag of money… a reward for your service."

Then I shouted in panic: "Zeik, put down the wheat sack!"

I pulled out a letter and a bag of coins, trying to step forward to place them on the desk. But suddenly, the smoky snakes lunged and snatched them from my hands, carrying them straight to the hulking man.

The man smirked: "Haha… this is amusing. I do the selling, I take the slave, and I take the money too… quite the profitable deal indeed."

Then his eyes drifted to the sack of wheat on the ground: "I want to see why you're so concerned about this bargain."

As soon as he spoke, the smoky snakes lifted the sack, coiling around it to tear it open.

From inside emerged a young man in ragged clothes, his hands and feet bound with rope. It was Arthur.

The man growled in disappointment:

"Tch… I got excited for a moment, thought you were hiding a noble girl of stunning beauty… or perhaps a princess of some renowned kingdom. But just a miserable boy? That's disappointing."

The snakes lowered him harshly to the ground, and he groaned in pain: "Ugh—"

He writhed on the floor like a snake with its tail cut.

I quickly said, trying to retreat: "Well… my task here is done. I'll leave now."

I turned toward the door. But suddenly, a thunderous voice rang: "Dag!"

Then the man's terrifying tone followed: "Wait… you paid for the goods… but you haven't paid for your safety."

I trembled, then hastily threw another bag of money behind me without turning. But curiosity overpowered me — I looked back.

My blood froze: hundreds of smoky arrows, sharp like giant needles, were aimed at me.

At the same time, one smoky serpent snatched the bag of money and carried it to the man.

The man smiled coldly: "Good… now you may leave before I change my mind."

I rushed out of the room, my clothes drenched in sweat from terror, until I reached the carriage and fled.

—-------

Boss Grong:

Scott turned to me: "Boss Grong… isn't it time to move yet?"

I took a deep drag from my cigarette: "Yes… we've stayed here too long, waiting for people like them to come… all because the invasion was delayed. It's time to move."

I lifted the letter the fat one had brought and read it in a low voice:

"Hmm… they want this… simple enough, since it's on our way anyway. This Carlos… commander of knights of some strong family… I don't know him and I don't care."

I tossed it into the trash. "Come on, Scott, let's have some warm–up fun with the lads."

I rose from my chair, and on my way I noticed Arthur sprawled on the ground. Scratching my neck, I muttered in annoyance:

"Ah… carrying you will be a nuisance… so then…"

I moved the smoke of my cigarette to cut the ropes from his hands and feet.

I ordered: "Get up and follow us."

He stood with difficulty and raised his head to look into my glowing eyes.

"You—"

But before he could finish, a massive punch struck his face, slamming him against the wall.

Standing there was Scott, his fist steaming, his skin red and glowing.

I mocked in amusement:

"Oof… Scott, why didn't you wait a bit? The fun hasn't even begun."

Scott answered heatedly:

"Boss Grong… this insolent slave diminished your stature, daring to address you with just 'you.'"

I laughed mockingly:

"Haha… is that enough reason? Look at your grin, it's scary enough to frighten old women."

Scott's face turned serious again, the steam fading from his body:

"Sorry… I lost myself for a moment."

I replied indifferently: "Doesn't matter. Come on, brat, get up, or I'll skewer your head with this arrow just to see if your brain works."

I formed a smoky arrow in front of his face, forcing him to rise. His face swollen like a ripe tomato.

I moved ahead, Arthur behind me, the arrow threatening him, while Scott followed in silence.

—-----

Scott:

I walked with Boss Grong up the stairs until we reached above. Everyone was standing, and together they shouted:

"Long live the Boss!"

Grong raised his hand and said with an arrogant smile:

"What's with you, lads? We're not an army to do this."

I responded with disdain:

"But you were the one who ordered us earlier."

Boss Grong ignored me and turned to the crowd:

"Today, my friends… is the day we break free of our chains. It is time to leave this village."

Then he roared thunderously:

"Do whatever you want… riot as you please!"

He raised his hand high toward the ceiling.

The crowd screamed in unison:

"Haaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!"