Chapter VI: Journey to Adenow

The journey had been fairly uneventful since our departure from the village. There was still heavy snowfall blanketing the country, and the layer of snow that buried the paths was so thick it reached all the way to our ankles. I suppose that's a country far up in the northern hemisphere for you, so damned cold it might as well be a cold wasteland.

Even with my fur cloak on and whatever heat-producing enchantments were placed on the armour I wore, I could feel the brutal cold stinging my face, my breaths turning into frosty white mist each time I exhaled. Though compared with the cold I endured up the mountain, this was more bearable.

And regarding Belarion, he had a hood attached to his cloak, since his Elven ears could easily attract unwanted attention, so the hood acted as a temporary measure in concealing his ears.

"By the grace of Melandir, this cold weather is brutal," Belarion said, "Is this what they call the winter season in other lands? How is it possible these Humans can live in such an inhospitable land as this?"

Wilhelm smirked at that, saying, "We're a hardy people, Belarion. We Orsi have lived in this land fer o'er a millennium, and our forebears have long ago learned how t'adapt t'the harsh climate o' our country, and it's through their determination t'live and thrive that our people flourished and established t'Kingdom of Orso."

"If that is so, then I must commend your ancestors for their tenacity in the face of adversity," Said the Elf, "Our home never had anything like a winter season, or any of the four seasons I have heard from the other villagers from your home. In Ulthuar, it was perpetual summer all year round."

"I take it this your first time ever seeing winter?" I asked the Elf.

"Indeed it is, and this is most certainly an experience I will never forget," Said Belarion, "I pray the other lands around the world do not have so brutal a winter season were I to visit them, one day."

"That depends on the location," I said, "Some places, it can be a scorching desert with little rain. Other places, it could be a cold tundra, possibly colder than even here."

Belarion groaned at that, lamenting, "By Melandir, all of a sudden I now crave the perpetual summer of my homeland; it is far more preferable than this blistering cold we have to suffer.

"Ain't gonna happen anytime soon, Belarion," Said Wilhelm, "It'll be another two months 'fore t'snow starts t'thaw, so you'll hafta bear wit'it 'till then."

"Gah..." Belarion muttered, clutching tightly onto the folds of his cloak in an effort to minimise his exposure to the cold winds, "I hope this Adenow is not much further."

"Well, then stop complainin' and get movin'! We ain't gonna make it there sooner i'we dilly dally 'ere 'n there!" Wilhelm prompted.

I smiled in good humour, saying, "He's right, Belarion. We'd better move our asses before we freeze them off!"

IIOII

Little happened over the course of a week, save the times we temporarily stopped to warm ourselves, rest, and eat our meals before we continued on our journey. I'll admit, though, the winter in Sapporo didn't even come close to this cold I was feeling here in Orso, and I felt the need to eat more just to keep warm. Our rations mostly consisted of dried bread stuffed with meat, and the occasional wafer of fatty meat somehow preserved with a mixture of herbs.

Granted, the oily, fatty wafer tasted damned awful, like I was taking a lump of condensed oil into my mouth, but it was bearable, and it'd be a while before we could taste real food, so none of us could afford to be picky eaters.

One night, though, as we were just starting to pitch camp, Belarion suddenly halted in his actions and said to me, "Kiryu, we have company."

I could sense some people approaching, and when they stepped within sight, I determined they weren't going to talk nicely with us.

Each of them wore cheap-looking leather armour and roughspun fur cloaks of their own, and they wielded all manner of weaponry, ranging from axes to knives, spears and so on, but their weapons didn't look that well made, perhaps forged from cheap, low-quality steel. These men and women all bore faces with wicked expressions, and it seems we won't be leaving without a fight.

"Well, well, look what have we 'ere; two handsome boys and pretty lady," Said a man, "What brings you out 'ere, might I wonder? 'Cause ye're wanderin' into our territory without our permission, and we don't take kindly to that."

Said man was a burly one, decked in somewhat decent-looking iron armour of sorts. He wielded a large warhammer with one hand - a feat only a few could do - and bore a wicked smile like the others who accosted us. I knew he was the bandits' leader the moment I heard the others defer to him as their boss.

"We are merely travelling to the small city of Adenow," I said to the bandit leader, "Our business is our own."

"Really? Well, if y'want t'go there, I won't stop you, if y'do one thing for me," The bandit leader said, "Leave all yer gold and valuables 'ere, and we won't 'arm you."

He was lying straight to my face with those words; they had no intention of sparing us at all. Rather, they want to rob us and leave us for dead in the cold, and we didn't come this far only to surrender our belongings to some two-bit thugs.

"My answer is no," I said, cracking my knuckles, "And I shall say this you all of you: leave us be, or you'll regret it."

The bandits laughed at me for that threat; no surprise, since with them outnumbering us three to one - at least as far as I can tell, they have the advantage in numbers. Bastards like them often forget that numbers alone don't win battles every time, and this time's no different. Before long, the three of us will kick their asses and be on our merry way.

"So, a tough girl, eh?" Said the bandit leader in mockery, "Well, if that's yer answer, then prepare to die!"

And my fist stretched out, punching the first bandit to attack me squarely in the face. Stunned by my sudden display of strength, the bandits did not react until more of their number began to die by Wilhelm's axe, Belarion's sword, and both of their magics. Their bloodcurdling screams were enough to force the bandits to focus on the fight, and sent shivers down my spine each time they reached my ears.

Limbs were flying, heads were rolling, blood was being spilled, and bodies began to pile around us. The bandits, most of them inexperienced and green, were easily taken care of with precise and deadly attacks from us, and at our hands, they suffered all manner of injury. I, on one hand, made use of my hands and legs and surroundings to their fullest effect; punching their teeth out, slamming them into nearby trees, snapping their necks, they certainly weren't getting up anytime soon.

Wilhelm and Belarion, on the other hand, had done far worse to their victims than I did; the smell of charred flesh reached my nostrils from their side, and I kept my eyes averted as best as possible to not look.

Still, despite the bandits being outclassed by us, they refused to surrender or retreat, but this was because their leader and a few of his die-hard loyalists killed any who tried to flee, and this incensed me greatly.

"Don't ya dare run 'way from t'fight!" The leader bellowed, "If ya can't fight, I'll kill ya meself!"

I turned to face with a deathly glare, saying, "You killed your own men, just because they tried to run?"

"Heh! If they can't fight, they're worthless garbage, unfit t'be part o'my gang!" The leader said, his tone that of belittlement, "They know that, 'n they still did it! Therefore, their punishment's death!"

I gritted my teeth at this, and I said to him, "If you treat your men like disposable pawns, then you're nothing but a shitty, worthless excuse of a leader."

I felt some satisfaction at the livid expression on the bandit leader's face, and he shouted, "What did you call me?! I'll make sure I cut up that tongue o' yours!"

He swung his hammer at me in a vertical arc, which I easily dodged with a sidestep. He may have packed quite a bit of power in his swing, but he was quite slow, and I easily outclassed him in terms of agility and flexibility. But I wasn't one to drag out fights; I quickly rushed in for the kill, and with great force behind my swing, I punched him in the neck, and I heard the sound of bones snapping.

He fell to the ground and did not come back up, but I soon saw blood flowing out of his mouth. I then heard footsteps behind me, and I twisted my waist to avoid being cut by an axe that was aimed for my head. I took out my own, and swung back, and my opponent raised his axe to block my attack.

Yet where I expected the blade of my axe to be caught in the haft, it cut clean through like butter, as if the axe wasn't even there, and to my horror, it bisected him cleanly into two, and I could see his organs spilling out, decorating the snow-covered ground in a macabre display of bloodshed.

A few drops of blood entered my mouth, and its coppery taste filled my mouth. I had to resist the urge to gag and regurgitate, but shouts from around me forced me to ignore the body, and I focused back on the other bandits who tried to surprise me from behind. I swung my axe again, and it cut them to pieces, slicing through armour, flesh and bone like they were wet paper.

Seriously, Gabriel, what the hell is with your weapon? Even katanas don't cut so cleanly through the spine or through leather armour without some form of resistance.

Eventually, there was only one survivor left, and the lone woman quickly tried to crawl away from us, her eyes a dead giveaway of just how scared shitless she was of us. Too bad Wilhelm and Belarion were there to stop her, their weapons aimed at her in a threatening gesture.

"Enough," I told them, "We've already killed the rest of her gang, and she's scared shitless of us. She'll be no threat."

"Respectfully, I must disagree with you," Said Belarion, "If we do allow her to live, there's no guarantee she would not pose any danger to us in the future, and for all we know, this may not be the full extent of their strength."

"Elf's got a point, Kiryu," Said Wilhelm, "Out 'ere, we got all sorts o'dangers lurking in every corner o'these wilds, and wit' how dangerous t'roads 'ave become, we can't afford ta take chances. If we kill 'er, at least we ain't gonna 'ave some bandit scum lookin' ta hunt us in revenge."

I could not believe what I was hearing; kill this lone survivor so that we don't have to deal with any pursuers? Damn it, we've already killed so many, no need to go the extra mile and kill her, just because of this distinct possibility of danger in the future...

"P-Please, don't kill me!" Shouted the woman, "I-I won't tell anyone about this, I swear!"

I knelt down and looked her in the eye, and she was quivering where she sat. I then asked her, "Do you truly mean that?"

She nodded fast, too fast for my liking, and I then said, "I will warn you just this once; leave us alone, and do not come after us. And if you dare attempt to kill us again, I will end you. Am I clear?"

Again she nodded, her fear preventing her from speaking coherently.

"If you get it, then get the hell out of here!"

The woman shrieked, and she was quick to turn on her heels and run, screaming to the heavens as she ran.

Belarion stood at my side, and he said, "There is a good possibility she will not honour her word, Kiryu. You play a dangerous gamble."

I sighed, saying, "I'm just hate killing, and quite frankly there was no need to be so ruthless to her, even if she may rat us out."

"And that naievity may cost you greatly, one day," Said the Elf, "The real world is cruel, and such people may be ill-inclined to honour their word and leave you be."

"That will be my concern," I retorted.

Wilhelm merely sighed, saying, "Fine, fine, let's not talk 'bout this anymore. By the way, we oughta loot their bodies fer any coin they're carryin', along wit' as much junk as we can carry to sell later; can never be too careful with money nowadays."

We looted quite a decent sum of money - or what I'd call decent, since I've never done much trading with the local currency; about ninety silvers and nearly sixty coppers were pocketed by us, and we carried whatever equipment - the pieces in decent condition, at least - in our rucksacks. We don't have much space, though, so only a few weapons could be carried by us. The rest, we had to leave behind.

"I swear, whoever crafted these weapons has no sense of quality," Commented Belarion, who looked absolutely abhorred, "They ought to learn a lesson or two from Elven craftsmanship, or from the better of their peers."

"Oh, quit complainin'!" Said Wilhelm, "These bandits ain't got t'coin fer the kinda weapons 'n armour we got, so they gotta settle fer shoddy work due t'financial restraints, ya get me?"

"Does money have to be the deciding factor?" Asked Belarion.

"At times, yes," I said, "Besides, bandits having terrible equipment means they are easier to deal with, yes?"

"Hah! Can't argue with that, that's for sure," Said Wilhelm as he laughed, and soon we joined in as well. I'll admit, the relaxed attitude we have now was refreshing, a nice change from the earlier fight we had with the bandits, and also helps distract my mind from the bloodshed I had to witness.

I can't help but wonder, though, what can we really expect from Adenow once we reach the city? Will it be a place of thriving business and prosperity, possibly a haven for crime and all manner of illegal things, like Kamurocho? Or will it be a quiet and sleepy town, like Onomichi? Suppose I'll just have to wait and see.

IIOII

It took us yet another day, but after a day's worth of walking, we finally reached civilisation, having followed a few signposts that pointed us in the direction of Adenow. The map we had was fairly accurate, and without it we would've been lost on our way. It was late in the night when we reached Adenow, the night sky filled with glittering stars and a full moon that illuminated the night.

When we reached the town gates, we were stopped by one of the guards posted there, and he seemed to be outfitted with better armour than what those bandits wore. He approached us and said, "First time in Adenow, travellers?"

I nodded and said, "We're here to find some places to rest and sell some unwanted junk. Do you know where is the nearest inn?"

"If you want some warm food and comfortable beds, the Stout Mountaineer Tavern is the place for you. It's just down the street behind me, on your left side," He said, pointing behind him, "Peter's Trinkets is the place to sell off your junk and is just a stone's throw away from the Stout Mountaineer, but you'll have to wait until tomorrow for the store to open before you can do business."

"I see. Thanks for the information," I said to the guard.

"Just be sure to keep your nose clean here, and you should have a fairly pleasant stay," The guard said to me.

I nodded, and I said to the others, "Come on, guys. There's a tavern nor far from here."

"Finally, a place to eat and rest," Said Belarion, "I dread having to camp out in the cold wilderness for even a day more."

"Hopefully they'll 'ave some nice, hot stew, and good mead t'drink," Said Wilhelm, "Been a long while since I last had a sip o'mead. Wonder what city mead tastes like?"

The tavern was a rather well-maintained building, for a medieval-era place. Granted, it wasn't too fancy-looking or a very high-end place, but the facade was rather clean; the stone was free of moss, the thatched roofing looked like it was in decent condition, and the plaster seemed relatively new. The tavern's sign depicted a large mountain with its name engraved beneath, also relatively clean and well-maintained.

I pushed open the door, and as we entered, I found that the inside was quite clean and tidy as the outside, though neither was it particularly busy. Only about a handful of patrons were up drinking at this hour, and most seemed rugged and intimidating, though a few seemed to be decent folk as well. I could hear a young girl singing, and the soft strumming of a harp as her melodious voice filled the confines of the tavern, lifting our spirits.

The decor of the place seemed rather plain and spartan, with fur pelts and weapons decorating the walls, and the support beams and pillars decorated with wood carvings. The whole place was rather well-lit as well, but instead of torches and candlelights, the whole place seemed to be illuminated with some form of crystals of sorts, which glowed with a bright, iridescent light.

These crystals were as bright as those LED lights back home, yet when I squinted at them, I was surprised to find the light did not hurt my eyes at all. If anything, the light seemed easy on my eyes instead. Just how did this place come to possess these crystals, though? The village I lived in never had such things, as far as I'm aware, though perhaps it was an exclusion to the norm.

Almost everyone took notice of us when we entered, though they were quick to ignore us for the most part. We ignored them in return and approached a young man wiping his counter with a single cloth, who then took notice of us and said, "Welcome to the Stout Mountaineer. Name's Godric. We got food and drink, and warm beds. Ain't much else to tell."

"Some hot food and drink, please," I said to him, "And beds for the three of us."

He grunted, and shouted to the back, "Angela! Food for three! Make it snappy!"

"Coming!" Shouted a feminine voice from behind the slightly portly man.

"And what kinda drinks you'll be having?" Asked Godric, "We got honey mead, spiced mead, some ale, maybe even some simple wine. Take your pick."

"Honey mead f'me," Said Wilhelm.

"Wine, please," Said Belarion.

"And you?" The bartender asked me.

"...Some ale," I said.

A few moments later, we each had our drinks, and quickly helped ourselves to hot vegetable stew and roasted meat, wolfing down our meals. God, it feels good to have real food in your belly, especially after having to survive on nothing but hard bread, jerky and wafers of fatty meat for over a week. I swear, if I had to live with such rations for a week more, I'd go crazy for anything other than those things.

The ale tasted rather good as well, and went smoothly down my throat. Wilhelm seemed to be content with his meal, and Belarion wasn't complaining at all, so I'd say we're set for the time being.

"You lot ain't not from around here, are you?" Godric asked.

"No, we're not," I said.

"Why're you here, then? Business? Looking for work?" He asked, "You don't look dressed like ordinary people, that's fairly obvious, and neither do you strike me as mercenaries."

"To do a favour for a friend," I said, "After that, I guess it's just looking for odd-jobs and such."

"What about you two?" Godric asked the guys, "You don't look like you're here for work, what's your reason for being here?"

"We're really jus' accompanyin' her," Said Wilhelm, "Though y'could say we're travellin' folk."

"Really, now?" Wondered Godric, "Because I could swear you lot sans the lad here look like foreigners."

"We are not from around here, good sir," Said Belarion, "That is all we can tell you."

Godric nodded gruffly, and went back to wiping the counter, and we went back to eating.

"Who the hell're you?"

I turned to face the source of the gruff voice, and came face-to-face with a gruff-looking woman dressed in what seemed to be the tackiest-looking yellow shirt of sorts - a tunic, I remember it being called - adorned with brown snakeskin-like patterns, black breeches, and steel-tipped leather boots. Over her tunic, she wore a brown unbuttoned leather vest.

Her sense of fashion was so tacky, I was instantly reminded of Majima and his snakeskin leather jacket. Of course, I'm not one to talk, since Nishiki also laughed at my sense of fashion.

"Just a customer looking to rest for the night," I told her, "I will not be a bother, if that is what you're worried about."

"Oh, shut yer trap," She said threateningly, "Now you listen 'ere, I don't know why Godric here's taken a likin' t'you, but if y'want t'enjoy yer stay 'ere, there's one rule y'gotta follow at all times: Hands offa him. Understand?"

"Olga, that's enough out of you," Said Godric firmly, "They're my customers, and I would appreciate you not ruining their night."

That seemed enough to persuade Olga to desist, and she quickly said to Godric, "But Godric-"

One look from Godric, and Olga relented, though she said to me, "We ain't done, ya bitch."

And she promptly stormed off and left, though not before saying to Godric with an apologetic expression, "See ya 'nother time, Godric."

"Sorry about that," Said Godric, "Usually she's not so hostile towards others, but for some reason she seems to take offense to your presence here."

"It's fine," I said, "It's not the first time I've dealt with such rowdy people."

"But you did almost have your night ruined by her," Said Godric, "Tell you what, as compensation, your meals are free for this night. They're on the house."

"Are you sure?" Belarion asked Godric, "I do not mean to sound cynical, but we have only just met each other. For you to suddenly extend to us this much graciousness..."

"Ah, shut yer trap," Godric waved off dismissively, "When I say it's on the house, I mean it. As for why... let's just say I've taken a shine to your pretty lady friend here, you get my meaning."

"I do!" Said Wilhelm, "It's a strange logic, but it makes sense t'us, don't it?"

And the guys all shared a laugh. Ah, good times. Always makes me feel glad to be alive.

IIOII

"...Right, these rooms are yours for a night. Give a holler if you need anything."

All the rooms only had two beds max, so we had to rent two for the three of us. Belarion and Wilhelm would take one, I would take the other. My room had a chest for valuables, a wardrobe for clothes, and a nice single bed. Perfectly functional with all the things a traveler needed when staying in a tavern. It wasn't anything like renting a room at a hotel, but as I slid out of my armour into my clothes and lay down on the bed, it instantly felt like heaven.

Sleeping in a cot could feel so uncomfortable, it was like lying down on a hard concrete floor instead. It was warm, and helped me stay alive in my sleep, but nothing beats a real bed.

I unconsciously let out a sigh as I stared up at the ceiling, unable to sleep as thoughts raced through my mind.

I wonder... after I do this favour for Gabriel, where else should I go, or should I stay here in Adenow? Try to find work for some payment?

I've never given much though to what I should do in my new life when I first came here; I thought only of living out my days in that remote village, but after hunting that bear, and my setting out to fulfil Gabriel's last wishes, I could not help but wonder now, if I should merely return to the village, or take the opportunity to explore the world I now live in; it seems such a waste to just stay confined in the village, now that I think of it, and I feel the desire to see more of this land.

Besides, Wilhelm wanted to explore the wider world, and if I were to go back after this, he'd be disappointed, and I'd rather not disappoint a boy I've come to regard as a good friend. Belarion, on the other hand... I'm not sure what I should do with him. I mean, he has nowhere else to go after being exiled from his home, and I'm not so heartless as to leave him to fend for himself.

Ah well, guess I'll have to decide that another time. For now, time to sleep.

A/N: I'm not going to be able to maintain this updating speed for a while longer, as I will have to resume studies soon, just so you know. Enjoy the chapters, regardless.