The Send Off, Part Seven

The ride back was long and quiet. It seemed all of them were tired and ready for the little sleep they would be getting that night. After arriving back at the Inn Alex stabled Walker. There was a small walled off area behind the inn that Grace used for personal animales. Walker was breathing heavy, "Sorry for pushing you too hard today. Thanks." The horse whined and laid down clearly exhausted, "Me too." Flint stood behind the Cart and huffed, "Well do this tomorrow, I am in no mood to move these out tonite." He and Flint walked back inside to the bar with plates already at the ready. 

Even if the food was cold the two of them dug in as if it were there last. After they were done Alex walked upstairs and fell on the bed passing out instantly. Wene he woke up he yawned, he was too tired to dream, but there was still something uneasy in his mind. He brushed it off and walked to the bathroom. As he looked in the mirror he saw his patch was no longer on his face. He sighed as he got in the shower, he must have dropped it last night. 

After dressing for his day at work he looked around for the patch in his room but found it was nowhere to be seen. He checked under his bed, under the sheets, even in his bag but found it was laying nowhere. He huffed as he thought about where it was dreading the idea he lost it back in the forest. He couldn't waste anymore time in here and just headed downstairs without it as the words from his dream rang in his head, but he brushed them away.

Below, and much to his surprise there were few morning Patrons in the bar. Grace was washing counters, "Morning, breakfast is ready. Where's your patch." "Thank you, and I have no idea. I must have lost it last night. Anyhow, it's really slow this morning isn't it?" She sighed, "Yeah, I was wondering the same, the weirdest part is that even Turner hasn't showed up yet." As Alex ate he realized Turners has been in the store every morning and night at the same times, it was weird he wouldn't show up today. "She smiled, "His wife probably needed help this morning." 

"So, are you ok." Alex rubbed his shoulder, "Yeah, I'm just sore." She took his plate and laid it in the sink before turning around, "Hey, promise me you won't do anything like that again." He looked down, "I'll try, Grace." She took his hand, "Promise me!" Before he could answer someone came into the Inn. She looked at him and turned to the customer, "Welcome- Oh, Ellington." 

Alex turned to see John walk in accompanied by Roswald. "Morning, do you know what's going down in the Church square?" She frowned, "No. Why, what's happening?" He sat down at a table, "There's a crowd of people gathered in the square. There was a speaker in the middle, but I couldn't hear anything being said so far in the back so we just headed here." Alex nodded, whatever it was didn't concern him in the slightest.

John looked at Alex and let slip a small laugh, "What's so funny." "Well, nothing, just I'm wondering why you're wearing waiters attire?" Alex sighed, "I work here." He looked at him, "Really, I thought your family was pretty wealthy.?" He looked down, "I would rather not deal with my family." John nodded seemingly understanding, "Where's that old man from last night?" "RIght here, sonny," Flint walked into the room, "Names Flint." 

John's eyes grew a little, "Flint… wait are you?" He looked at him up and down, "No, you can't be that General." Flint eyed Alex and sighed. Roswald leaned down and whispered something and John looked at him again. "I am sorry, I meant no disrespect. I just would have never thought to see a general of your caliber working in an Inn." Flint smiled, "Well, the worlds full of surprises." 

John looked at all of them, "I believe so." Grace went to fill up some cups but the barrel was empty, "Flint?" He sighed, "Yeah, yeah I know. Alex, come on. Work comes first." John stood up, "Is there anything I can help with?" FLint turned, "I don't think youll-" "Yes, you can," Grace interrupted with a smile, "But you'll need to get dressed first." Alex smiled as his demeanor changed, "Actually, I-" Roswald grabbed him by the shoulder, "He would love to help, madam. I will also offer my assistance." 

John seemed unamused by his uniform as he carried in a box from the cart, "I should have stayed quiet." Alex carried in another box behind him, "You get used to it." Roswald carried a barrel in by himself and sat it down in its place on the wall, "Young master, you aren't thinking of going back on your word now are you." He shook his head, "No," he smiled, "Good." 

John sighed and walked back out. Alex picked up another box, "You alright?" John was looking at the cart rubbing his chin. He looked around the yard until he found a broken piece of wood. He made some signs and threw it down. As the wood shifted it turned into a human like golem, with a particular woman's maid appearance. "Could you please grab some boxes," the maid bowed and walked to the cart and grabbed a box. 

Alex nodded, "Good thinking." John smiled, "Thanks, I'm not much good at the rest of the magic groups, but I enjoy Golem creating." He looked at Alex, "By the way, I'm sorry for roughing you up last night." "Don't worry about it, I've had worse." He nodded and picked up another box understanding Alex didn't want to talk much about it. 

After unpacking all the liquor Grace handed the three of them list's and ran the menu down for Roswald and John. Roswald picked up nearly immediately, but John wasn't getting it. John instead made his golem do the work instead. Throughout the day the few patrons who came in found the golem weird, but it didn't get an order wrong. Alex still made a few mistakes here and there, but he was getting better. After a short day of work John sat down exhausted, "You do this every day, huh huh, this is some pretty grueling work." 

Grace laid a plate of food down for him, "All you did was sit down all day." Alex sat at the bar drinking, "Grace do you have a map?" Grace nodded and scrumadged underneath the bar and pulled out an old map covered in dust, "I always keep one around for travelers, but I haven't used it in awhile." Alex splayed it on the table John was sitting at. 

"Do you know where the bandit's hideout is. He nodded and pointed to a place deep in the middle of the woods, "Their camp is somewhere here. They have scout's hidden in the trees who signal the camp if anyone gets near though." Alex studied the map more, "Do you know of any rout's?" He looked at the map, "There is a single road heading that way they use for carts, but it's guarded heavily." Alex looked around the map and Roswald looked at him, "I hope you do not plan to go alone."

Alex looked at him surprised, he was. He crossed his arms, "No, I plan to get the guards in on this. They will listen to me." A second later and something burst through the doors of the Inn and everyone but Roswald Jumped. "Master, news." It was a small golem made of wood. It looked like a small doll made of twigs. "Oh, it's just you Velcan." It ran up to him, "And this is?" John took the golem and sat him on the table, "This is Velcan, a golem I made to spy on the bandits. What news do you bring?" 

"People, People into camp, not barrels." John looked at him, "Are you sure." The puppet nodded, "New man, make example, danger, nearly find me." John nodded, "Thank you, you can rest." He tapped the golem on the head and it reverted into a ball of wood. "Roswald, " "Of course, Master." John got up and walked to the door, "Alex, we have to move quickly. They have taken hostages." Alex understood, "Give me five minutes to get ready." 

Grace stopped them, "Wait, what about the guard, you can't do it alone." Alex and John looked at eachother, "Well talk to them before we leave but we have very little time." John stopped Alex, "Wait." He stopped and he made hand signs. Instantly both of their clothes changed into leather armour. "You're handy to have around." Flint walked in carrying the sword from last night but it was already sheathed, "Be careful, don't do anything rash." 

Alex took it and belted it up quickly, "We won't, I promise." He looked at Grace wene he said that and she nodded. The three men hurried out of the inn but Roswald stopped in front of the door and turned to the pair, "I will keep him safe, do not worry." He quickly walked out and left them alone in the Inn. Grace looked over, "Are you sure." Flint smiled, "If it's anything I have learned about the boy, is that he keeps his word."