Chapter 5: Missing King, and the Thief.

Its Sunrise. John woke up feeling refreshed and full of strength, his bones are back in place, he must give Solomon credit that guy sure know how to heal broken bones, John need to make sure to pay him in gold.

John got dressed and got some breakfast on bread and goat milk, after eating he collected his bag and sword from the bedside.

Looking around the hut, he couldn't see Solomon anywhere, until he heard hooves of horses. He went outside and saw Solomon standing on the hill and one more person who gave him some kind of scroll, before Solomon turned to him and started to walk towards him.

John saw Solomon throw him a scroll, he caught it with his left hand.

''This is for you. I would read it before going.'' Solomon pat him on the back as he went back inside the hut. John opened the scroll and read the message. He was surprised that Roxy wrote to him, the more he read it, the more confused he got. He was glad that someone else survived the raid, he was not alone, and perhaps Adgar could give him some light on what happened to him. The rumors that he heard from travellers and merchants trouble him. The king went missing? He clearly was missing something. The only thing he could do is find more information on the disappearance of the king.

John went back inside the hut, and sat down to reply to Roxy, he took out the empty scroll that Roxy gave him, and started to write.

Greetings Roxy.

I received your scroll, and I must say that I am thankful for it.

As well as I am thankful for helping Adgar, it is true, he was one of our scouts, I am glad that he is alive, and I'm sorry that he tried to attack you. I can imagine in what state he was in. And I can understand his reasons to be afraid of going in. This is true that people will not expect him back, by law the deserters are meant to be captured, and executed by law even more so if it was one of kings guards. He will not be welcomed back, alas it is sad but it is a fact. The better choice for him would be to leave the Capital, and never come back. Alas there is a good news, since no one survived the raid except Me, and only one who knew him in the face were the guards of the kings and me, He is in no danger as of yet. What shall happen in future is up to him.

The task that you had given me, I had fulfilled it. The bandits will trouble the village no more.

There is one thing that troubles me, while I was bedridden I heard the rumors of the kings disappearance, some say that he had never reached the Kingdom, there is a little information that I alas can give you, I shall join you at the Capital and we can discuss it.

It's better for me to join you. After all its easier to travel in smaller group.

Regards

-J

After finishing writing, He send his letter, He paused to test his blade against his thumb. The blacksmith has done well; the edge is keen and draws a narrow line of blood. Time to go, putting a pouch of fifty gold on the table, before he lift back the flap of the hut and step into the morning sun. He saw the Solomon standing with his warhorse, who was ready for travel, he could see the bag of supplies, Solomon looked towards him as he walked up to him.

Solomon hold out his hand, ''Thank you for everything my friend.'' He shook his hand in a strong grip.

Solomon smile, kindly. ''It's my job, try not to get killed out there. I take it your going to join Roxy?''

John got up onto his horse, ''Yes. There are some things that I need to discuss with her.''

Solomon nodded his head, ''Good luck to you my friend. And safe journey.''

John nodded his head as he took his reins and galloped towards the Capital.

Roxy went towards the Capital jail, to look for the Guard Capitan, to deliver the scroll to him. Adgar stayed behind in the tavern, since it was dangerous for him to walk around town. As she walked along the path towards the jail, one man stood in front of her, blocking her path. He is five feet tall. He has thick-set arms and tights and is half-clothed in tatters breaches. His eyes are wild and his long red hair and bread stand out from his face in wiry tangle.

''Halt, stranger!'' he commands, ''What business do you have in Zach's?''

For some reason everyone always want to know what she is up to those days. ''I am looking for the Guard Capitan, I have a message for him.'' She say, casually. The man looks her up and down, his eyes feeling with lust at what he sees before he noticed the sword by her side. His eyes narrows. He point In a direction of south plaza, where the big statue of Woman on Pegasus located. ''He is by the Statue of the Iron Lady.''

Roxy nod her head in gratitude, as she walks away. After five minutes walk, she saw a the Guard Capitan looking up at the statue as if in trance, his feature are hard and the scars on his face tell the tale of a hard life. His silver armour shining in the sun, his sword by his side.

''Guard Capitan?'' She ask, softly.

The Guard looks towards her, looking her up and down, his eyes narrow. ''Yes?''

Roxy could see him getting tense and his hand on the handle of his sword tighter, ''I have a message for you.'' She slowly showing him the scroll in her hand, trying not to make him more tense. The Guard Capitan hesitated for a moment before swiftly taking the scroll, his eyes never leaving hers.

Roxy bows before taking her leave. She could feel his eyes on her as she walks away, his gaze burning into her back. Even she become tense, and on guard, just being in his presence made her want to look over her shoulder. Adgar was right, the Capitan was a paranoiac.

Suddenly a runner stop at her side, delivering her a massage. Roxy pay him in one Gold piece. The runner smiles shyly at her before bowing and running off. Roxy open the scroll and read the letter, her eyes narrow as she reads it, the rumors about the king interest her, perhaps it is something to do with the orcs? No matter, John is right, they have a little information, and they need more. She knows some people who can keep an ear out, some might have some information. She closes the scroll and burns it, before departing to tavern, if she was right John will be here tomorrow or today evening. Its better for her to wait for him and write some letter while she waits. At least she has some good news for Adgar, he probably would be happy to hear that he is in no danger.

Roxy walked towards the Plaza, she took a left corner of the small street, it was dark and the smelled of wet dog and was dirty with thrash, it was a good place to kill someone or ambush them. As she walked she heard sound of fighting up ahead, Roxy tensed and put out her sword, before slowly and carefully walking ahead.

Up ahead she saw a group of thugs fighting and elf who was moving to fast for them as he dodged theirs attacks, his lightweight armour cling to his muscles rippled body, his jet black hair showing as his hood fall down, his long ears narrowed and straight, his deep blue eyes sparkle in amusement as he danced attack round the thugs and not only he was fighting them, he was stealing their stuff.

Roxy watched the fight carefully, she would back him up if needed, so far he was doing well on his own, she was sure that he could take them. She just wondered why is Galdion doing here. Last time she saw him, he was at Elmsted Forest with the guild.

Roxy tensed as she heard footsteps coming behind her, she felt air shift behind her and hot air on her neck, she acted swiftly, using her sword, she stuck someone behind her as she felt soft grunt and ripping of flesh as she took out her sword before turning around and swiping the head of a thug clean off his body, the red blood pooled onto her face and her Azure armoured growth. She made a disgusted face as she wiped her face clean, before turning around once again to look again the fight, but she saw only Him standing over the thugs bodies and searching them.

Roxy slowly walked closer to him, her sword still bloody and in her hand, she was no fool, it been two years since the last time they saw each other, being careful was against always her forte.

"Some say that taking from dead people is a sin. But It never is to you is it?" Roxy said, her voice calm and sweet. Her long soft dark brown hair , looked a bit more red than brown because of the blood, her dark brown eyes sharp as she looked at the elf.