Use of Honarary Medal

"Uncle Andrew, are you feeling alright?"

Andrew shook his head in disbelief once and then sighed. "I am alright, Williams, all thanks to you two. We owe our lives to you." He wiped the sweat from his forehead and smiled gratefully, the two guards bowed respectfully.

"Don't be so formal, you two. We respect the loyalty you showed today. It's hard to face certain death and still stand against evil." Alan and Williams both bowed their heads slightly. Andrew smiled and agreed with their assessment.

"One more thing, Uncle Andrew. We want to keep a low profile for now. Can we make up a story for these killings?"

"It's hard to create a story, but we can pile up and burn these bodies and leave the place as soon as possible." Andrew concluded. Everyone agreed and started piling up the bodies to burn them.

Meanwhile, Alan instructed a guard to free all the hostages taken by the bandits. Provide them with the bandits' horses and carriages and send them away. Without revealing his identity.

The guard came back after almost an hour. He was seething with anger. He kicked and punched couple of dead bandits before calming himself down, Andrew patted his shoulder.

I am sorry sir, but the things these lot have done are simply unforgivable. They got a swift death, bastards. They deserve painful deaths. He kicked the bodies again, the boys were curious to know the reason for his anger, but the guard refused to speak about it. "Master's Alan and Williams, I am sorry but, let that matter be with me forever, I don't want to defile an innocent mind." Both respected his decision and didn't questioned him further.

After another hour, they burned the bodies of the bandits, collected their guards bodies and left the place trying to cover their tracks as much as possible. Both boys rode the horses beside the carriage. After pushing the horses to their limits, they reached Swan Lake Town within a day and a half.

Upon reaching the town, they promptly reported the bandit attack to the city guards, deliberately providing false information about the timing and numbers involved. The bodies of four guards and the middle-aged carriage driver were respectfully buried. Subsequently, they approached the merchant's guild seeking accommodation for a brief period.

The guild's front desk was abuzz with activity as merchants clamored to extend their stays, fueled by the news of the recent bandit attack. Despite numerous attempts and an hour of discussions, securing a place within the guild proved futile.

"The chaos and confusion here are overwhelming. Let's explore nearby inns for accommodation," Andrew suggested wearily. " let us give it a try uncle Andrew," Alan and Williams proposed, walking toward the desk. Intrigued, both Elena and Andrew trailed behind, curious about the methods the two would employ, given their background in the Merchant's Guild as a former Apprentices.

They presented something to the man behind the desk, causing him to stand up so abruptly that his chair toppled. He asked them to wait, hurriedly ran to a room behind the registration area, and brought the incharge of the Swan Lake Town Merchant's Guild with him.

"My name is Jeffrey, I am the incharge of the Merchant's Guild here. How can I help you, masters?"

"Master Jeffrey, it's an honor to meet you. Can we discuss privately if you don't mind?" Alan requested. Jeffrey nodded and escorted them to the office, with Andrew, Elena, and their daughters following curiously.

Once the door was closed, Alan greeted, "Hello, Mister Andrew. It's been a long time since we met. How is your father doing?" Andrew replied, slightly bowing his head, "Greetings, Master Jeffrey. Everyone is in good health."

Jeffrey nodded and then looked at the two boys. "Tell me, masters, how can I help you?" Alan, feeling embarrassed, took out his honorary medal and presented it. "Can we get accommodation for 5 days?"

Jeffrey's eyes widened. "How did you get this, kid?" he asked in shock. Not only him, Williams took out his medal and showed it. Jeffrey was stunned for a moment. Even Andrew and Elena looked stupefied. "How...?" was all that came out of his mouth.

There was a knock on the door at that moment. Both tucked the medals inside. "Enter," Jeffrey informed. Two middle-aged people entered—one a veteran adventurer and the other a member of the Merchant's Guild. "Welcome, Master Kirin. Hello, Mister Zain," Jeffrey stood up and wished. Alan and Williams turned around to find familiar faces and smiled. "Hello, Alan and Williams. What a pleasant surprise. Hello, Andrew," Kirin greeted them.

"Do you know these boys?" Jeffrey asked him. "Of course, they are the 'Deadly Duo' of our Merchant's Guild," Kirin declared proudly. "These... these kids are..." Jeffrey was lost for words. Zain laughed, "Of course, they are, Master Jeffrey. I can vouch for that."

Jeffrey was silent for a moment, then called his assistant. "Bring these guests to the guest house." He handed over the keys and bowed to the two. They, in turn, bowed back. "Thank you, Master Jeffrey. Let's keep this matter between us," Williams said, smiling.

Once they went out, Jeffrey sighed and looked at Kirin and Zain, they are so young, I could never have believed it was them if not for you two.

Zain smiled in understanding, don't worry master Jeffrey, I was in you position when we started our first Journey. By the end of it I was doubting my own abilities.

Everyone sighed again....