The Butcher

They've been riding for two days now, sleeping in the woods and feeding on nothing but plants and meat from animals. They finally arrived at a nearby village. "Great, we can finally buy some real food",said Grim. "I dunno, I actually liked the ones nature provided",said El. The village was home to low-borns, scavangers, thieves etc, all the bad names you can think of. "I don't think we're supposed to be here, Grim". "We're not sticking around m We're just buying food , and then we're on our way". They bought some fruits, veggies and ale then they came to a butcher's place. "How much for them legs?", asked Grim. "Aye, a hundred gold pieces for each", replied the Butcher. "A hundred?", exclaimed El. "That's too much!"."You'd best quiet down yer girlfriend here or head's gonna be up for sale at a higher price", the butcher said, sharpening his knife. "She ain't me girlfriend, we're travellers.We just need some food supplies", said Grim. "Travellers eh?,and where would ye lads be off too?",asked the butcher. "Widow's Garden",said Grim. The butcher paused for what seemed like an eternity, then continued cutting the meats. "What're ye lads looking for up there?". "What else would a person be looking for in Widow's Garden?",asked Grim. "You wouldn't by chance happen to know how we'd get there, would ye?",asked Grim. The Butcher burst out laughing and many started looking in their direction. "Bollocks!!Ya goin' on an adventure and you got no map?are ye mad?", exclaimed the butcher. "Will ye tell us or not?",said Grim. "I might know a thing or two, but it'll cost ya", replied the butcher, gesturing with his hands for coin. "How much?". "Two hundred ". "Two hundred?with the meat too?", asked El. "Aye",said the butcher. Grim reluctantly gave him the coins.

The butcher cutting and roasting the meat then he said,"The path to Widow's Garden, not many know of it cos the map that it was on was drawn long before many of ye were born. Lucky for you, unlike that pea-sized brain 'o' yours I still remember". He said, laughing. Grim and Ellana said nothing. "Ride North from here, cross the Manhattan bridge. Careful, that Bridge is a hundred years old, could snap at any moment, then ride West towards the Kamalyan Lake, there you'll find a cave that leads to the garden. All done", the butcher said as he gave them the meat. "Thanks", said Grim. "We'll need a place to sleep tonight. It's late.",said El. "We might not have enough money for a room, El",said Grim "Let's find out. Excuse me sir", said El as they arrived at a local hotel. "How much for a night?". "fifties pieces", said the clerk. "We're ten pieces short",said Grim. "Well then I guess you'll have to find somewhere else to sleep". "Please sir, it's been a long day and we haven't slept for days. Our parents were attacked and killed and we've been fleeing for our lives. Please take forty pieces. We have no money",El said, looking hopefully at the clerk. Grim just stared at him. "Fine. forty pieces",said the clerk. "Thank you",El said,smiling. He gave them a key and a room number and they made their way.

"Hey um.., I'm sorry for what happened back at the temple", said Grim. "It's not your fault, Pyre was just trying to help", said El. "I could see you both really loved each other, in such a short time I might add", Grim said, sounding a bit surprised. "Yh we did, I'm more surprised than you actually but I guess I kinda grew on him and he grew on me too",replied El. "What's more surprising is Ethan's greed, I mean who would've thought?". "He did warn me one of us would try to take it for themselves but I never knew it would be him. I mean we've been friends for like what?Ten years?". "I'm so sorry about that ",said El. "Yh, thanks ". There was a loud thud at the end of the room. They both reached for their weapons as three guys in black clothing broke through the windows. They charged at them both facing them off. "They're after the gem",said Grim. El left her opponent to stop the guy heading for the bag. Grim was having a difficulties facing two of them. El drove a spear through the thug's back as reached for the bag. The other guys injured Grim before El came back to help but they killed them both. "We need to leave. They must have followed us from the market. Go ready the horses. I'll pack",said Grim. While El went to ready the horses, more of them were coming from the rooftops. Grim was done packing, he grabbed his bow and arrow and was shooting them down. El arrived with the horses and they both raced out of the village at midnight under the full moon.