The Land Of Thorns
Unexpected meeting part 1
‘Shops and lodging bright moon’
When Edgar saw the writing board hanging at the entrance of the tavern, from the name alone this tavern seemed to be fun he felt the owner of this place seemed to be a friendly person.
Edgar saw the inside of the tavern look like a tavern in general and had 2 floors with 1 floor as a place for visitors to eat and drink, and had a 2-story building, while the 2nd floor became a place of lodging because it looks so many rooms on the 2nd floor.
He looked at the eyes of the tavern visitors who were instantly watching them, staring so quietly as they walked into the tavern. Men and women they all look strong, it is true that this area is visited by many mercenaries or hunters who are looking for work.
“Uncle! I ordered 2 of your best drinks! And give us food!”
Ludi's exuberant shout ordering their dinner menu at the time broke the strange silence in a crowded shop.
A tavern so quiet that it looked so strange, from time to time Edgar realized that it was impossible for visitors to the tavern not to be noisy full of laughter, nor chat with their colleagues, he said, even Edgar recalled in his memory when visiting the tavern at this hour, he had trouble hearing because of the noise.
There was something wrong in this tavern, which made Edgar notice the surrounding visitors looked suspicious, who were still looking towards them with still cold gazes.
“Don't worry about them Edgar.”
“Why did you say that?”
“They only look suspicious of new faces, because their subscription blacksmiths are burned out.”
“Do you not suspect me too Ludi?”
“Initial ... but judging your behavior, I don't think you're the one who burned the place down.”
Hearing Ludi suspecting him made Edgar feel slightly slashed to hear his friend in this life almost did not believe it, but the laughter made Edgar laugh considering that Ludi does have a character that he knows like this.
“It seems Liam is quite famous in the area here.”
“Yes that is, the old man was good enough for a man who had a terrible look!”
“What the old man bribed you with .. candy! until you have to praise him!”
“By with candy yes ... that's a good word, yes that's how it is!
The two of them were seen laughing so intimately discussing Liam who often helped the mercenaries and hunters who settled in the area by giving Liam jokes like a grandfather - a grandfather who always gave candy just - only to children.
“Many of them including me owe it to old man Liam. So do not be surprised if they seem so upset to see someone has done something bad to him.”
“Didn't he be unable to profit if you owe him a lot?”
“Yes, you're right .. I once thought it wasn't good to her. But he doesn't seem to care so much about profit and he once told me, ‘ don't force it if you don't have money. Just feed me because I still want to live longer seeing this kingdom!’ Like that.”
Those words sounded normal if someone else who heard Liam said that. But for Edgar to hear Liam say it made his fur of romance stand, not out of fear, but because of a feeling that came to Edgar's mind.
A stimulus that he felt because he understood how much Liam loved this kingdom and waited until now looking for an opportunity to make a change.
Brakk!
“This is your drink and food. Ludi make sure you pay this time, if not ..”
Egar was a little surprised to see the owner of this place looks not in accordance with the name of the store is quite friendly. Because the shop owner's uncle looks like a gorilla with a fierce face like a bandit especially when he gives a signal with his hand will kill the ludi if it does not pay.
“Who is this young man? Your friend?”
“You also have to pay. You have to remember this that I'm not Liam who's gonna give you just food, and clean your clothes. You look so dirty.”
Hearing the store owner's uncle say that to her made Edgar realize that the clothes he was wearing looked so dirty filled with dirt and traces of blood that made him understand why Liam said he did not have acquaintance in this city because he looks like a man who was robbed, although that is not entirely true.
“Wait Uncle! This place is quite close to the place, did Liam leave something in the form of a message or whatever it is if there are people looking for it?”
“Not ... no, he didn't leave anything.”
‘Already expected, I'm at a dead end at the moment!”
Edgar felt that he found a dead end because he felt it was impossible for him to linger - a long stay here waiting for Liam to return, not to mention seeing Liam's burning residence, makes him feel that there's no way Liam will come back if he finds out someone's after him.
Glek-glek!
“ahh, this honey wine is really good Uncle! … I guess old man Liam never left a message to anyone when he left ... You why Edgar? Headache?”
“I just feel today so bad.”
Ludi was seen enjoying the drink and made him swallow the drink but his face looks red after drinking it not to mention he looks so troubled to keep his head from falling.
‘What is he drunk?’
“Have not to be regretted .. I know that you are finished in the end when you come to this city right.”
“What looks clear like that?”
‘I think he was really drunk .. instead of the alcohol content of this drink is just a little.’
Seeing Ludi who looked like that made Edgar smell his drink and try to taste it out of curiosity. Makes him understand that Ludi at this time his alcohol tolerance is very low.
“Of course. This city is indeed a bad bandit even so we who are not residents feel sad to see this city looks rotten .. but if you can not protect yourself you should run away. Even we will run when we meet them.”
“Are you not strong enough against them?”
It sounded strange in Estar's ears which made him quite astonished why the mercenaries felt overwhelmed at the disturbing bandits like them.
“Ha! Wh-wh-what for? We are not paid to do that, after all there are soldiers who stand guard it's their duty and they are paid for it.”
“Not to mention I heard that the bandit was overrun by a noble from this kingdom .. Cih the trashy nobleman!”
“Listen to this Edgar! Although you practice swords you are not a knight, although I am good at archery but I am not a soldier.”
“Berpedang and archery it is just a way for us to get money .. so why should forget about the destination!”
What Ludi said had a point, making him remember something that made Edgar feel like he wasn't himself these days. Edgar trained his body not to be a knight but just a way to protect his weak-looking body.
The strength he had was only an experience and his body was still at the stage of being unable to keep up with his thoughts. Why would he rely on such an imperfect weapon. He who had been dealing for too long with Lilia and Celine who always smiled warmly made him forget how the cunning brains of humans work.
“...., I think you're right Ludi, why did I forget such a thing.”
“Wait .. although we are new but why do I feel comfortable like this talking to you .. is it because of your way of speaking like that that makes me consider us old friends.”
“Just your feeling alone, this is only because of Ludi.” drinks