Chapter Five: A New Companion

Stare had come a long way since his late uncle's town. The journey had taken three weeks. Prontera was now in sight and it was still early morning. The gate was being opened and a few merchant caravans were heading out. The early morning light added to the color of the beautiful city.

Stare entered the gate staring at the numerous houses and buildings that could be seen even from the entrance. He walked with his head up (I mean he was staring at roofs). All the buildings here were taller than any of the ones he had ever seen aside from the swordsman academy. Suddenly he bumped into someone.

"Hey! Watch where you shove your arse you idiot!"

Stare looked at the person he had bumped. She was a merchant around his age. She had a light blue cart stockpiled with weapons and shields. She had an odd emblem on her shirt so Stare supposed she was with a guild.

"Hey," Stare said "are you from a merchant guild?"

"I see you have noticed the emblem on my shirt. No. It is not a merchant guild rather I am the cooperative merchant and supplier of the Allied Swords of Prontera guild. See these weapons they all bear the mark of my guild."

"Right. Would you happen to know anyone who is in need of a private guard? You see I'm a swordsman and I basically need a job. So if you know anyone-"

'Say no more! I know just the person!"

"Really?! So could you take me to this person?"

"No. You already see that person. You see, I need to bring these weapons to the smithy of our guild. They need a tune-up. I'll be passing territory controlled by the Thieves guild. Not that I can't handle a few thieves but I don't want any of the stock to get stolen. So, you up to it? And if you're concerned about payment don't worry I'll pay you a large amount if none of the gear is stolen. Now let's go."

"Hold on. I'll have to guard you even going back I suppose."

"Yep. Now get your arse in gear. We've got no time to lose."

They left the city and journeyed straight through the morning. They did nit talk except about the job. At noon they stopped to rest near a spring.

"So," Stare said, "If I'm going to be with you for quite a while I'd like top know more about you. Like what's your name and where are you from."

"Okay, well the first question first. I am Fiora Kafra. You probably know of the good work my family has done by establishing the Kafra Girls. I am by blood the direct heiress to the corporation. And as of where I come from I am from the town of Alberta. What about you? Where are you from?"

"I'm Stare. I come from Arrathlorien one of the unrecognised towns on the border of the kingdom of Volsung. As it is I have no chance of achieving fame, fortune, glory or anything the nobles in Prontera have. When I decided to become a swordsman the knights of Prontera hadn't been disbanded yet. I wanted to join them. Now my relatives are dead. I have to support myself so becoming a knight is out of the question."

Fiora leaned towards him. "Don't worry about that for now." She said, "I know someone who would gladly help you become a knight. For now just focus on guarding me."

"What else is there to focus on?"

"Shut up. Sarcasm is not accepted."

"Whatever…"

They left the spring and continued their journey. They stopped again when dusk came. They set up a crude camp. It had three tents: one for Fiora, one for Stare and one for the equipment.

"Here's how this night will pass." Fiora said to Stare, "I will sleep and you will take the first shift. If thieves attack you take care of them and then wake me. I'll take the shift after that. If we're not attacked then you stay up all night."

Stare had been up for at least twenty-two hours now. It would be daytime soon and he hoped they would not be attacked.

Suddenly, he heard a faint noise. He slipped his sword out of its scabbard quietly. He looked around. No one was there. He heard the noise again. It was clearer this time. He waited for a while. He heard the noise a few more times. Now it was brighter. Only a small bit brighter but it was enough to let Stare see what was causing the noise.

A mage was lying in the ground not far from where they were. An arrow protruded from his shoulder and another from his thigh. He was hitting two rocks together. Apparently he had been trying ti get Stares attention for some time now.

Stare went inside Fiora's tent. He started searching her bag for potions and herbs. Soon he became aware of a shadow above him. He turned his head backwards. Fiora stood above him with a gigantic Orcish axe in her hands.

"WHAT THE BLOODY HELL ARE YOU DOING?!" She shouted.

"Um, … I was looking for potions"

"Oh, let me guess. There's a mage outside cringing in pain who's been calling for help for an hour now because he has two arrows stuck in him."

"Yup. All that stuff"

"You must be crazy if you think I'll believe you. Besides, that was sarcasm."

"Well, I wasn't being sarcastic! There is someone outside who needs help!"

"Fine! I'll go check."

They exited the tent and approached the mage. He still had the arrows stuck in him and was losing blood.

'Okay, I'll go get the potions you wait here." Fiora said.

Fiora entered the tent. She searched her bag for potions and herbs. She had to go through a lot of stuff before she finally found them. There were three red potions and one blue potion. She exited the tent and saw quite a surprising scene.

The mage was gone and a thief stood where he was lying and was now pressing a knife to Stare's throat. Meanwhile an odd looking man in a suit was searching Stare's pockets. Stare seemed to be trying to negotiate.

"Oi! What the bloody hell do you two think you're doing?!" Fiora shouted to the thieves.

The two thieves looked towards Fiora. The one in a suit went towards her.

"Do you know that swordsman?" He said.

"Yeah, what difference does it make if I do?"

"All the difference…"

'Listen! If you know what's good for you, you will let him go! And will someone tell me WHAT THE BLOODY HELL HAPPENED TO THE FRIGGIN' MAGE?!"

"Miss merchant, please lower your voice. We are trying to conduct a robbery without attracting attention. If you attempt to foil us we will have to murder you, strip you of your clothes and molest your dead body."

Fiora proceeded to kick him in the groin.

She ran over to the next thief and took out her axe. She loosened the straps of her bag and shouted "Mammonite!"

A fat man appeared in the sky and suddenly the money in Fiora's bag lifted into the air and began to bombard the thief. He shielded his face and in the process let go of Stare. He ran off with the fat man still pelting him with coins.

End of chapter.

Thanks to those that reviewed.

Mabuhay!

I hope you know what that means.