The Light Brigade (5)

"Okay." Her expression cools to a cold determination, and she jogs toward the tail end of the class. They're almost out of sight, so we all run to catch up with them. We trudge noisily along the path we cut on the way here but don't encounter any more monsters, fortunately. The rays of light designating the edge of the forest flow into view. One huge weight is lifted off my chest, only to be replaced by another. An endless stream of possible calamities clouds my mind. We burst out into the clearing to see the silhouette of the town. Nothing seems out of place, but a pit of unease grows heavy in my stomach. I pick up the pace and run to the gate.

"Halt!" A pair of unfamiliar guards are standing at the palisade. "Who goes there?"

"I'm Nick. I'm an Adventurer."

"I don't care who you are; you're not getting through these gates."

"Then, why did you ask you I am?"

"Are you being smart with me, boy?"

"I'm not being smart. You're just dumb."

"That's it. I'm taking you in for questioning."

"So, you are letting me through the gate." The guard's face grows bright red, and he unsheathes the sword at his waist.

"You must think you're real funny. Let's see how funny you are after I kick your ass." I take a step back and peek through the gap between the doors of the gate.

"What's going on here?" Travis runs up to find me ignoring the man with a drawn sword.

"I'm arresting this troublemaker here, and I'll arrest you too if you try to interfere." His stance is clumsy. At a glance, I can tell he doesn't have much training. After fighting that pair of Equuivores, he looks more like a rabbit than a guard.

"We are with the Adventurer's Guild, and we're just returning from an expedition. I'm the leader of Ironhead, Travis. I have my guild identification right here."

"I don't care if you're the Guild Master. I'm under direct orders from the Duke to not let anyone in."

"The Duke?" My fears have been confirmed. The Duke, who wasn't supposed to be here for another couple of weeks, has arrived early.

[I see what Inari meant about the changing tide.]

The plans I built up over the last month are all torn to pieces. Fortunately, I'm not on my own.

"I'm sure this is just a big misunderstanding. If you could just contact the Guild Master of the branch in town, I'm sure–"

"The only one misunderstanding anything is you!" the guard shoots back. As the class trickles in, he and his partner are becoming increasingly outnumbered. The hurt pride in his voice is quickly devolving into an anxious tension. "I told you, none of you is allowed through these gates!"

"Oh really." An amused voice climbs over the palisade. One of the doors of the gate swings open, and Jezabel can be seen standing on the other side with her arms crossed. "It's been a while since anyone has started an international incident with the Adventurer's Guild. I'm curious how the Duke would react if I pulled out your spine."

She drops her arms to her sides and approaches the nervous guard. An eerie smile appears on her face. His knees buckle as immense pressure emanates from her.

"Do you think he would risk ruining his plans to avenge your life? Do you think he would even blink if he found out you were dead?" The guard's entire body is shaking like a leaf. The sword in his hand is pointed at Jezabel but it looks like it would fall to the ground with even the slightest breeze. Jezabel pushes the sword down with one finger. The whole area is silent. At this point, I'm positive I'm about to see a man torn in half. "We'll be leaving now, okay?"

"…" He doesn't respond. This doesn't seem to sit well with the Guild Master. She places one hand on his shoulder and squeezes. The sword falls from his hands, and he opens his mouth to scream. Before he can even make a noise, Jezabel covers his mouth with her hand.

"You must not have heard me; we'll be leaving now, okay?" The guard nods his head with tears in his eyes.

"Great. And if I find out you're hassling my adventurers again, you won't get off with only a shoulder massage, got it?" Again, he nods. Not wanting to be her next target, we all scurry through the gate. The town is buzzing. Citizens and soldiers alike bustle along the streets. This once quiet town now feels like a growing city. Jezabel walks up beside me.

"'I'm not being smart. You're just dumb, huh?"

"Oh, you heard that?"

"I don't know where you come up with this stuff."

"Sorry, I didn't mean to cause you any problems."

"Are you kidding me? It was all I could do not to burst out laughing. That was great." She smiles at me in a way I haven't seen before.

"You're excited about this, aren't you?"

"You got me. Things are about to get a lot more interesting around here." Jezabel hums to herself as she walks off. "Rest up tonight; I'll work you like a mule come tomorrow."

"Okay, I guess." I'm too stunned to respond properly. Everything is happening so fast that I can barely wrap my head around it.

"Nick!" Sakura trots up to me with Josh, still unconscious on her shoulder. "Shinobu and I are going to stay at our new place tonight. Do you want to come?"

"No, I really should head home first. I haven't seen my parents in a few weeks."

"Okay, I'll see you tomorrow." Seemingly unconcerned with the swiftly deteriorating situation in town, Sakura makes for our new hideout with a big smile on her face. I weave my way through the streets toward my house. As I move, I watch all the changes happening around me. Several patrols pass by me wearing unfamiliar uniforms. Several carts roll along the streets filled with some strange-looking equipment. The town square is particularly busy with several orators passing new laws, policies, and stipulations. It feels more like a hostile takeover than a peaceful occupation. Eventually, I find the door to my house and rap on the wooden frame. It bursts open as if someone was waiting for me on the other side of the door, and I meet Carroll's eyes.

"I'm home," I say weakly. Without any words, she envelops me in her embrace.

"I'm so glad to see you're safe." We stand silently in the doorway for a few minutes, just enjoying each other's presence. "Please don't disappear like that again."

"I think you know as well as I do that I can't make a promise like that."

"Can't you just lie to me?"

"What's the point? You would catch on immediately." Carroll chuckles and holds me at arm's length.

"Why don't you sit down, and I'll make you something to eat?"

"Thanks, mom." The words almost catch in my throat, and my eyes water up. Saying the words, I thought I'd never speak again.

"I'm sure you have a lot you want to talk about, but we have plenty of time for that later. Get changed, and I'll have something ready for you in a few minutes."

"Okay," I take one last look out the door before separating myself from the chaos brewing in town. War may be marching towards us, but for now, I can still find refuge in my house. As I've done so many times before, I make my way up to my room. The only thing on my mind is the comfort of my mattress. I fall, flop down on my bed, and close my eyes. War can wait till tomorrow.