I Spy

Hey there again readers!

First off... Happy New Year! I hope everyone had a great holiday season!

So I apologise again for my long delay! I promise to be better. Although in my defence I have had this chapter ready about a week after I posted my last chapter, it's just college and other things got in the way of me posting. Also I'm going to make it up to you by posting not one, but two, that's right, two chapters. You lucky people ;)

So because I have already delayed this posting enough already, I will stop my ramblings and let you continue with the story!

"I spy with my little eye, something beginning with… T"

"Fredy I swear if its tree again, I will stop humouring you and this silly game and I will tie you to one" Lukas stated. Mildly irritated by his travel companions antics.

Lukas had preferred to travel in silence and for the first day Fredy had been relatively quiet. But when they had stopped overnight at a small village, where Lukas was able to get himself cleaned up, shaved and re-clothed – thankfully – they decided to have one good night's sleep in a tavern before they started their journey to Weselton. Unfortunately for Lukas, Fredy seemed to have received endless amounts of energy from this one rest.

Lukas hadn't minded at first, thinking Fredy would eventually tire out. But oh how wrong he was.

That was three days ago.

Fredy had since started many pastimes, or at least attempted to. Starting with his knock knock jokes, then moving onto singing. A few games of race you to the next crossroad and then finally, I Spy, which had been continuous for the past day. There was only so many times Lukas could guess either, horse, sky or tree.

"Damn you are good." Fredy beamed. "Hmm what next…"

"No!" Lukas exclaimed. "No more I spy." He pinched the bridge of his nose exhaling and taking calming breathes.

"Well you're no fun" Fredy muttered, whilst fiddling with the reins.

"It's just such a childish game Fredy I would prefer to travel, you know, quietly. Maybe there is a quiet game we can play?" Lukas queried, praying that there was.

"It's not childish, it's family friendly." Fredy stated adamantly "Oh I know, we could play the silent game. First to speak is the loser."

Lukas tilted his head to the sky mouthing a thank-you, before turning his head back to the track ahead and steering his horse.

"Ok that sounds good mate. How much further is it to Weselton anyway?" Lukas enquired curiously.

"Winner, winner, chicken dinner! Wow you are really bad at that game!" Fredy exclaimed, thrusting his right fist in the air. "And who's the childish one now? Asking 'Are we there yet?' Not something I expected to hear from you." Fredy winked over to the blonde.

Lukas rolled his eyes before replying. "How do you win? We haven't even… never mind" Lukas shook his head. "Anyways I asked how much further, not 'Are we there yet?'"

"Because you spoke so I win. And it doesn't matter how you change up the words, it means the same thing." Fredy smirked, still proud of his victory.

Lukas just nodded his head, knowing he was not going to win the argument. "Okay whatever you say. But seriously Fredy, how much further?"

"Another couple of hours." Fredy shrugged.

Lukas sighed. Fredy had said that when they had packed up camp that morning, and they had already been on the road five hours.

Resigning to the fact that they will get there when they get there, Lukas continued following, deciding not to question the younger man on it anymore.

"Fine. Well I'm getting hungry. Let's stop for a bit" Lukas suggested, knowing full well Fredy wouldn't say no to food.

They stopped at a Lake, just off the beaten track they were travelling on. The view instantly catching Lukas' eye. The beauty and tranquillity completely mesmerizing. Most of the Lake was surrounded by tall trees, with wildlife poking out of the edges, drinking the crystal clear waters. The rest of the Lake high with cliffs that rolled into mountains. It all seemed so familiar to Lukas, like he had been here in the past. Maybe he had? He only wished he could remember why he recognized it so clearly.

Before he could ponder on it further though, he was pulled from his thoughts by a vigilant Fredy.

"Fredy what's wrong?" He asked cautiously, as Fredy whipped his head from Lukas to the right side of the Lake.

"Listen. I think someone is in trouble." Fredy replied quietly, straining to listen closer.

Sure enough, when Lukas concentrated, he could hear the faint cries for help.

In a blink of an eye he was up and sprinting in the way the cries could be heard from. Hoping that the echo from the trees and cliffs were not distorting the direction.

Fredy was close on his heels as they weaved through the forest towards the cliff on the right side of the Lake.

"Up there!" Fredy shouted, pointing up to a figure dangling on the side of the cliff facem, holding on tight to a protruding tree root.

Lukas pushed harder in his run. He had no idea how he was going to reach the person, he just knew he had to get up there. His body moved on its own, as if on reflex and the next thing the blonde registered, was jumping through the air from tree to tree, gaining height as he moved. When he looked down he noticed that Fredy was rather small, stuck to the spot below, looking up in awe.

One last jump from the final tree and he was clinging to the side of the cliff. Hoisting himself up, he peered round the corner, noticing it wasn't too much further until he reached the figure.

Sprinting up the steep incline and staying along the cliff face he eventually found the source of the cries.

"Here, give me your hand!" He exclaimed frantically, as he lay himself down hanging his upper body over the edge and stretching his arm out for the other person to take.

"I…I can't reach" They replied sobbing.

Lukas pushed himself further off the ledge, leaving just his waist and legs on the cliff, digging the toes of his boots deep into the ground to keep him secure.

He couldn't help noticing the flash of strawberry hair whipping ferociously side to side, as their head shook left to right, a terrified expression gracing their delicate features.

"Ok Miss, I need you to trust me. Can you do that?" He asked as calmly as he could.

"Y… Yes. Please just help me." She cried

"Right." Digging his feet further into the ground, he stretched his arm as far as he could. "I need you to reach for me."

"I can't, I will fall."

"Look at me. Reach with one hand and keep the other around that branch. You will be ok, Trust me." Lukas soothed, looking directly into her eyes.

She looked at him, fear resonating from her. Lukas could practically hear her heart pounding.

He gave her one more reassuring smile before repeating "Trust me" slowly and deliberately.

Nodding in agreement she thrust her arm up letting out a frightened yelp as she reached for Lukas' outstretched hand, her finger tips grazing his open palm.

Quickly closing his hand around hers, he felt the new weight instantly, as she instinctively let go of the root she had been clinging to for dear life. He could feel his toes slowly dragging closer to the edge and pushed his knees down to help support them both. She was swinging side to side as he held onto her, her free hand clawing at his arm, trying to get some more grip and a feeling of safety, but it was making it difficult for him to pull her up. So using his other hand to grab a hold of the ground above them, and with a low growl and one final pull of all his might, he hoisted her to the safety of the edge where she was finally able to scramble up the rest of the way.

Lukas rolled onto his back breathing heavily, the adrenaline finally wearing off.

"Thank-you. Thank you so much" The girl breathlessly praised, whilst on her hands and knees, also trying to catch her breath.

"No thanks needed. I'm just glad you are ok" Lukas replied, whilst dusting the dirt from his trousers and pushing himself up into a sitting position "You are ok right?" He added concerned.

"I'm alive, I think that definitely counts as being ok." She beamed, straightening herself.

Lukas chuckled, she was a chirpy damsel, unlike the others he had come across before. Wait had he come across any before?

"A…Joan" She stuck her hand out and smiled sweetly at him.

He stared at it a few moments wondering if it was a good idea to be introducing himself to people when he had no idea who he was. Finally assuming that this will be quickly forgotten about and there was no harm, he answered.

"Lukas" he said placing his hand in hers and shaking up and down a couple of times, before releasing.

"Nice to meet you Lukas. Even if it wasn't in the best circumstances"

A recurring them with people I meet lately he thought to himself.

"Nice to meet you too, A Joan" Lukas replied and winked.

"Just Joan is fine" She laughed.

"Ok. So what brings you out here Just Joan?" Lukas smirked when she chuckled. Wow I've been spending too much time with Fredy. "How did you end up hanging off the side of the ridge? If you don't mind me asking?" Lukas continued

She quickly avoided his gaze before replying "Visiting someone."

Her eyes flashed and darted away and he knew that was a lie. Deciding not to push further he nodded his head in understanding.

"And my horse got spooked and bolted from the road, just over there. When he saw the edge he suddenly stopped and I was thrown off" she explained, shivering as she recalled the event "I'm not sure where he went"

"Where are you headed?" Lukas asked curiously.

Joan looked to the floor, her turquoise eyes glistening. Lukas was sure he could see tears threatening to escape.

"You don't have to tell. I just thought we might be able to help you if we were headed in the same direction." Lukas pressed.

Joan sighed before looking back up. "I'm headed West" She stated, not giving an exact location.

"We are also heading west, so you can travel with us if you want?" Lukas suggested.

"Us?" Joan queried.

"Oh right. I am travelling with someone." Remembering Fredy was still at the bottom of the cliff, Lukas turned to shout down. There Fredy stood in the same spot Lukas had last seen him in, still staring up in amazement. "Damsel saved Fredy!" Lukas shouted down. "Pack up and pull the horses round to where ever the roads join. I'll meet you there." Not waiting to hear the reply he turned back to face Joan. "So?" Lukas pushed.

"Ok" She smiled. Following Lukas when he started back toward the road.

The walk back down was much slower than his climb up. If he was honest with himself though, the speed in which he got up there was pretty incredible.

Joan tried making small talk whilst walking. Although Lukas wasn't that good at small talk he happily complied. They joined the road on which Joan was traveling and followed it to a crossroads where they were met by a still stunned Fredy.

"Odin's Beard! Lukas that was crazy how you got up there like that!" Fred exclaimed as soon as he saw his ex-prisoner.

Lukas chuckled. He was still unsure how he had done it himself. "Fredy, this is Joan." he said, pointing to the recently rescued damsel "Joan. Fredy"

"Nice to meet you Fredy." Joan said, sticking her hand out for Fredy to shake.

Accepting her hand, Fredy beamed at her. "You too Joan. I'm just glad Captain Awesome here was able to get to you in time."

Lukas laughed at the new nickname.

"So where you headed Joan? Maybe we can assist you there?" Fredy asked.

"Joan's heading West." Lukas answered for her.

"Oh right, well you are welcome to tag along with us. We are more than happy to help." Fredy was still beaming at Joan, his toothy grin quite contagious, as the other two travellers found themselves smiling in return.

Lukas couldn't help but think to himself that Fredy looked quite smitten with the young woman. She was very pretty, even Lukas could admit that.

"That's very kind. Thank you."

"Well you are in luck today. Captain Awesome here loves helping a young beautiful damsel." Fredy commented winking at Lukas. A reminder of the tavern barmaid that Lukas had saved earlier in their travels from some drunken tools.

In return Lukas just punched his shoulder and sent a glare in Fredy's direction. One that made the redhead lad retreat two steps and whimper.

Joan giggled at the interaction between the two. "It would be a pleasure to accompany you. It has surely been a lonely journey until now."

"Good. Well that's settled." Lukas smiled at Joan. He held out his hand offering her a lift up on to his horse.

She shook her head. "Oh no I couldn't."

"I insist. I am a gentleman. So making a lady walk when I have a stead to carry her is against all my values. Especially when that said lady is injured" Lukas gestured toward her torn sleeves and grazed cheek.

Joan blushed. Knowing he was right, she accepted his hand.

"Ok, now that we are all sorted, shall we continue?" Lukas motioned forward and both Fredy and Joan nodded in agreement.

"Thank you. Both of you" Joan said, smiling warmly at them.

Whilst they travelled west, Lukas on foot, Joan beside him on his horse and Fredy leading the way up front on his stead. They continued to absentmindedly chat. They all found it very easy to talk to one another. Which Lukas thought odd, but comforting, considering he knew neither of them a week ago and he'd thought that he wasn't good at small talk.

"So where are you from?" Joan suddenly asked.

He winced, one subject he was not comfortable on. He had to answer her, not wanting to cause suspicion, but he just felt bad lying to the girl. She was so vibrant and honest, apart from the small lie she told him about visiting someone. He felt guilty that he would have to lie to her, but what other choice did he have, except not answering, which in its self, causes more suspicion.

"Westdown" Fredy answered.

"Both of you?" she queried, eyeing them both, unbelieving.

"Yes" Fredy simply replied.

Lukas wondered if that was actually where Fredy was from. He hadn't told him before, although Lukas hadn't asked.

"So are you a sailor or a fisher?" She quizzed curiously.

"Fisher" Fredy answered with ease.

"Sailor?" Lukas said, his voice raising into a question at the end.

Fredy shook his head vigorously mouthing the words, "Sailors are rich" when Joan turned to face Lukas.

It suddenly dawned on Lukas the hidden meaning behind the simple question, "is your background wealthy or poor". However Lukas hadn't known that answering Sailor would open a whole can of worms. If he had just answered Fisher it would have insinuated he was a lowly working class man, which no one would question.

"Fisher" he amended quickly

Joan's brows scrunched up in confusion. "But you just said Sailor."

Lukas had started to get flustered, damn why did you answer. "Ok fine I'm neither" he stared ahead hoping she wouldn't push it further. Hoping he could get away with his slip up.

"Oh come on. Everyone in Westdown is one or the other, you can't be neither" she retorted.

Lukas quickly made a back story up in his head, praying to the heavens it made sense to wherever this Westdown place was. This Joan was certainly a curious one and he could tell she wouldn't give up till she got a satisfying answer. "I'm originally from a fishing background." He started, and noticed the questioning look Fredy was giving him. He ignored it and continued. "My father, he's descendant from fishers all the way back, as much of the Westdown inhabitants are, everyone can fish back home you know." Thankfully he remembered Fredy talking about fishing at one point, mentioning that everyone he knew fished. So he took the gamble that Fredy was from Westdown and everyone fished. When he saw the confused but slightly impressed look Fredy was giving him, he grew a little more confident in his story, so he winked at Joan, to which she giggled in response. "Anyway, my mother is from a… shall we say, different background. My father saved her life once from a gang of thieves and they fell madly in love. Of course it was very much frowned upon, and after they were married, my mother's family disowned her. So you see my brining up was a little different. My parents wanted me to make something of myself and I think they wanted to prove that it doesn't matter about statuses." He shook his head. Where was this story coming from, it just seemed to flow, but it also felt so familiar to tell. Was this story true in some way? "So there you go, I'm neither, as I am both." Lukas smiled up at her, hoping she didn't see through his lie.

"Wow. That is so lovely" She stated.

He inwardly sighed a huge sigh of relief. He'd somehow got away with it.

Fredy was completely dumbfounded by the story, not knowing how his new companion had come up with such a believable story right of the bat like that. If he hadn't known better, he would have believed it. So he made a mental note to ask Lukas later how he came up with it.

"So why did you leave?" she questioned again.

"There was nothing keeping us there" He replied.

"What about your parents"

Lukas stared ahead stone faced. As did Fredy.

As if drawing her own conclusions, Joan's expression turned solemn "I'm sorry" She whispered apologetically.

For the next hour of their journey all was quiet. Joan drifted in and out of sleep, which Lukas and Fredy found impressive seeing as she was on a horse. Although both were grateful for the ensuing silence, as they slipped into deep thought.

They had been travelling with each other for six days, and just in the last couple of hours even more had been revealed about Lukas. Although Lukas had been pretty much out of it the first couple of days, not much had transpired the remainder of the journey to trigger anything. Today though, Lukas had discovered his ability to free run impeccably and lie with ease, combine that with his fighting skills… Well Lukas worried and had second doubts about what his past would uncover.

I wonder if he was an assassin. I've never met an assassin before. Fredy thought, not at all fazed if it were true.

On and on Lukas' thoughts drifted, his face contorted in pain and confusion trying to regain even just one memory. So focused within himself, he had not realised that they had left the trail from the woods and entered into a clearing. So absorbed that he nor Fredy noticed that beyond the hill only half a mile down, was a wondrous sight. A city like no other, as locals would say. So elegantly tucked between the rolling hills, and the sparkling blue waters of the sea like lake and wide rivers. The Port bustling with activity, as tradesman delivered their wares, and fishers sold their catch. In the centre of the city, glistening in the last of the afternoon sun, the regal castle, many stories high, looking over the whole of its Kingdom.

It wasn't until Joan's voice broke through his trance that he noticed picturesque scenery ahead of him, Lukas's mouth going slightly agape in awe.

Fredy chuckled at the look on his blonde companions face.

"What?" Lukas asked, eyebrows furrowing in confusion.

Joan's reaction to the sight was much like Lukas' as she breathed out a "Wow"

"It really is something isn't it?" Fredy looked down at the view.

"I had been told once that it was just a small town with a mediocre palace. I hadn't expected this" Joan added truthfully.

Lukas scoffed. "What on earth were they looking at?"

"No idea" was the short reply.

"Well, let's get down there." Lukas stated, as he had noticed everyone had stopped moving, to stare at the scenery in front of them.

"Unfortunately this is where I must bid you farewell." Joan said hastily, whilst jumping down from Lukas' horse, handing him the reins. "I wish I could go down there with you it looks beautiful. But I'm headed that way now" She gestured to the small road that ran along the woods towards a small river boat. I can't thank you enough for all your help." She stated sincerely.

"Are you sure we can't help you get to where you need to go?" Fredy asked

"No you have done more than enough. It's not that much further." She said giving them a sweet smile.

"Only if you are sure. I'm at least glad we could help you to here Joan." Lukas held his hand out for Joan to shake. "It was a pleasure meeting you." He smiled at her as she accepted his hand.

"I think the pleasure was mine. Goodbye, and safe journey" Joan waved as she backed towards a smaller path.

"You too Joan." Fredy and Lukas replied simultaneously, heading down toward the gates of the city.

"Well that was interesting." Fredy mused, once they had travelled a little down the road.

Lukas hummed in agreement. "Hmm, Very"

"Ok so where were we... Oh yes. I spy wi..."

"No Fredy"

"Wait you'll like this one." Fredy promised

"Fredy!"

"Oh come on please?" he begged, turning to Lukas with his bright green eyes.

"Eurgh fine." Lukas grumbled, giving in.

"Ok, you ready? I spy with my little eye, something beginning with W!"

Lukas smirked. He needn't answer. But the beaming smile that Fredy was giving him, gave him a light heart as he humoured the game at last.

"Weselton."

I hope you all enjoy the chapter. If i'm honest its not my favourite one, but that's probably because I know what's coming and have a few chapters mostly written which I really enjoyed writing. This chapter is vital for later in the story though so keep an eye out!

Onto the next chapter!