Chapter six

In the hands of an angel

Gordon awoke in a white room to the tune of a soft hum. He looked to his right to find the source. It was the red haired woman. Her back was turned, but he knew it was her. Is she a nurse? I think I'm in an infirmary. Well now's my chance to talk to her, though I wish we could meet under better circumstances.

Gordon faked a groan and got her attention. She turned around and he looked at her with half closed eyes.

"Darn. Douglas must have done me in. I'm looking at an angel." Gordon said this as sincerely as he could.

"You two are lucky you didn't kill each other" She told him while trying to suppress a smile.

"Ah I'm still alive!" Gordon said with a grin. "My name's Gordon. May I have the pleasure of knowing my angel's name?"

"My name's Natalie and I'm no angel. I am however a doctor and if it weren't for Egan and I you might not still be alive."

"What happened?" Gordon asked.

"After you and Douglas knocked each other out the crowd went nuts. I'd say half the town was there and half of that crowd was taking bets on who would come out on top and when you both lost they all started to argue over who won. A riot broke out and Egan enlisted a few people to help drag you and Douglas to my place before the crowd could take their anger out on you."

"Hmm…" Gordon thought about what she had said before asking " Where's Douglas?"

"He's in the next room. I need to check on him actually." Natalie responded before walking through a door to the next room.

Gordon got up and scanned the room and there in the corner was his armor. He began to put it on when he realized he could hear Douglas talking to Natalie.

"Wow I must be dead I'm seeing an angel."

Natalie started to laugh.

I need to think up better pick up lines Gordon thought to himself as he finished putting on his armor.

Natalie came back in the room. "Well he's in no worse condition than you that's for sure." Then she noticed he was ready to leave. "Oh… you're getting ready to leave?" She sounded a little disappointed.

"Yes I have a job to do. Why were you hoping for a date?" Gordon asked with a smile.

Her face turned a shade of pink, but her voice was stern as she responded "No, but I do have a favor to ask."

"Oh, well what is it?"

"I need an escort to the next town. The roads haven't been safe lately and I don't think anyone will mess with you." Natalie told him.

"I'm headed south" Gordon responded not really wanting to escort her.

"I know. When Egan told me he was going with you I decided this was the time."

Gordon rubbed his chin as he thought about it Damn Douglas popped me good I won't be able to eat anything hard for a while. Then he started to think about what she said. Gordon usually worked alone, but her and Egan should be out of his way before he gets too close to the border plus maybe he'd get that date after all.

"OK I'll do it. Now what was that about the roads not being safe?" he asked thinking it could be related to his mission.

"There have been rumors of raids by monsters and soldiers lately." Natalie told him.

"Did you say monsters and soldiers?"

"Yes, but they're just rumors."

"Well let's hope their not true…" Gordon said truly. "Anyway gather your stuff and get ready after I go back to the Driftwood Inn and get my stuff I'll be ready."

"No need. Egan brought all your belongings and your buffamoo; they're in the stable next door with my mare."

"Well that's convenient. Now about those raids. How close are they getting to here and aren't you afraid to be heading towards them?" Gordon asked her.

"Reports say they're heading west close to the border, on our side of course, and the next town isn't far. There's still a good distance between us and the raids especially if they're headed west."

" Well alright, but I'm not paying your clinic bill than."

"It's a deal" She said.

"Oh I almost forgot. I'm gonna visit the town church before I leave. Tell Egan I'll meet you two outside the town." Gordon told her.

"Alright" she said surprised.

Gordon walked out of the city gates with Buffus and all his gear. He thought he was gonna get out without any trouble, but he was confronted by the guard at the gate who had vouched for him.

"Damn Gordon I told my apprentice you wouldn't start any trouble." The guard told him in an annoyed tone.

"Sorry. In my defense I didn't really start it…" Gordon responded slightly embarrassed.

"Oh well." A smile crept onto the guard's face. "That was the most excitement this town has seen in awhile; they'll be talking about it for seasons to come."

"The town folks did not look too happy towards me…" Gordon said.

"They'll get over it just wait a while before you come back." The guard told him.

"I will thanks." Gordon gave the guard his farewell and walked back under the wooden sign he had walked under on his way into town. I wish I could remember his name, oh well.

There outside of town was Natalie and Egan waiting with their horses and to his surprise Douglas was there with a horse too.

"Are ya'll two ready?" Gordon asked them while ignoring Douglas.

"Yes we are" Natalie anwsered then said "and Douglas is coming with."

"What!?" Gordon and Douglas said in unison. The two men glared at each other.

"I got you both to agree to escort me and if one of you backs out now… Well I guess we'll know who's the bigger man" she said smugly.

"Fine!" They said together. The two men continued to glare at each other.

Natalie frowned this trip wasn't gonna be as fun as she thought if they were going to act like this the whole way.

"Why don't you two just apologize to each other? You're both big and strong and probably have a lot in common."

The two men just stared at each other with despise.

Egan whispered something into Natalie's ear. "Ah good deal" she whispered back.

"Well I thought we were gonna find out who was truly the bigger man, but it turns out that neither of you are that big at all."

This caught their attention. Both the men began to apologize to each other profusely.

"I'm sorry Douglas. I never should have told you I was taller."

"No. I'm sorry I that I insisted I was the strongest."

"No no. It's my fault. I shouldn't have made you compete against Buffus." Gordon said.

"Oh no. I'm to blame for picking the fight." Douglas told him.

Buffus grunted.

"Oh. I'm sorry I called you a stupid animal." Douglas told Buffus.

Buffus let out a moo.

"Huh. I think he just apologized back." Gordon told Douglas.

Douglas patted Buffus between his horns.

"Well I'm apologizing for not letting you continue your ridiculous chicken dance." Gordon joked.

"No no. It's my fault for… Hey!" Douglas caught on to his jest. "I pride myself on my cockadoodle impression."

They all shared a laugh at that statement.

"Do you use a weapon?" Gordon asked Douglas.

"Ya I got a giant hammer; it must weight a megaton." Douglas pointed over to a rather large black stallion that had a hammer hanging from its side.

"Ooo." Gordon's eyes opened wide with delight. " I wield a broadsword and a short shaft axe."

"Why the shortened shaft?" Douglas asked.

"Makes it easier to use one handed, so I can leave my left hand open for my broadsword or a shield if needed." Gordon answered.

"You dual wield with an axe?" This time Douglas's eyes went wide.

The two began to talk of battles and strategies. Natalie and Egan were astonished at the sudden change in demeanor between the two men.

"Well I think we should get going" Egan said interrupting their male bonding.

"You're right let's get going" Gordon agreed.

Natalie, Egan, and Douglas got on their horses. Gordon looked at Buffus.

Buffus snorted.

Gordon sighed. It's gonna be a long journey.