Aftershock Part 2

At the bustling inn, amidst the clinking of tankards and lively chatter, two men sat at a corner table, engaged in a conversation about the recent developments in the kingdom.

"Did you hear about these new laws?" inquired the first man, a merchant with weathered hands and a weary expression."Seems like they're tightening the screws even tighter, if you ask me."

The second man, a farmer with dirt-stained clothes and a rugged demeanor, nodded solemnly. "Aye, I heard. Closing the gates early, enhancing patrols... It's all because of that blasted attack."

The merchant scoffed, dismissing the severity of the situation. "Bah! They're making a mountain out of a molehill, if you ask me. One attack and suddenly we're living in a fortress. It's just a bunch of overreaction, if you ask."

The farmer's expression darkened as he leaned forward, his voice carrying a hint of urgency. "You might think so, but I've seen things, friend. I've seen the bodies coming into the city after that attack, and let me tell you, it wasn't pretty. The wounds, the... the way they looked... It was unlike anything I've ever seen."

The merchant leaned back in his chair, his skepticism waning slightly. "What do you mean, 'unlike anything you've ever seen'? Bodies are bodies, aren't they?"

The farmer leaned in, his voice lowering to a whisper. "These weren't just bodies,They were... twisted. Deformed. Like they'd been torn apart by something... unnatural. It chilled me to the bone, it did."

The merchant frowned, his ale suddenly tasting bitter. "That does sound troubling, I'll admit. But still, does it warrant all this fuss? Closing the gates early, enforcing curfews... It's like they're preparing for war."

The farmer nodded solemnly. "Perhaps they know something we don't, perhaps there's more to this attack than meets the eye. Whatever it is, I'd rather err on the side of caution than risk another tragedy like that one."

Silence fell between them, punctuated only by the murmurs of other patrons and the crackling of the hearth. In the uncertainty of the times, their conversation served as a reminder that vigilance and prudence were virtues not to be taken lightly.

As the conversation between the two men came to a pause, the innkeeper emerged from behind the bar, a weary look etched upon his face.

"Alright, folks, listen up," he announced, his voice strained with fatigue. "The inn will be closing in five minutes. Finish your drinks and make your way out."

A chorus of disgruntled murmurs filled the air as patrons exchanged frustrated glances. Some had only just begun their drinks, while others had hoped to linger a while longer in the warmth of the inn's embrace.

"What do you mean, closing already?" protested one patron, his voice tinged with annoyance. "We ain't even had a chance to properly wet our throats!"

Another, more inebriated than the rest, slammed his tankard down on the table with a drunken laugh. "Aye, innkeeper, we're just getting started! I demand another round!"

The innkeeper's patience wore thin as he glared at the unruly patrons before him. "I've had enough of your complaints!" he barked, his voice rising in frustration. "We're closing early tonight because of the city patrols. I won't risk my inn being caught in the middle of any trouble."

The patrons grumbled amongst themselves, but the innkeeper's tone brooked no argument. With a resigned sigh, they begrudgingly began to gather their belongings and shuffle towards the door.

"I don't like it any more than you do," the innkeeper muttered under his breath as he watched them leave. "But until these patrols ease up, we'll have to abide by their rules."

As the sun began its descent, casting long shadows across the stables, Talon found himself engrossed in his chores. The rhythmic sound of brushing and the soft nickers of horses provided a soothing backdrop to his thoughts. Lost in his own world, he meticulously tended to each task, finding solace in the familiar routine.

Suddenly, the stable door creaked open, and Bardmin hurried in, his expression a mixture of urgency and concern. "Talon," he called out, his voice breaking the tranquil atmosphere.

Talon looked up from his work, a furrow forming between his brows at Bardmin's unexpected arrival. "What's the matter?" he asked, noting the gravity in Bardmin's demeanor.

"We've been summoned by the captain. He wants to see us immediately," Bardmin replied, his tone laden with apprehension.

Talon's mind raced, a whirlwind of thoughts swirling within him. The summons was unusual, especially at this hour. He couldn't shake the feeling that something was amiss, a foreboding sense of unease settling over him like a heavy shroud.

"Did he say why?" Talon inquired, his voice tinged with concern.

Bardmin shook his head, his expression mirroring Talon's apprehension. "No, he didn't. But the urgency in his message was palpable."

A pang of unease gnawed at Talon's insides as he contemplated the possible reasons for their sudden summons. His mind drifted back to the encounter with Raizer.

Without another word, Talon set aside his tools, his movements swift and decisive. He exchanged a meaningful glance with Bardmin, a silent understanding passing between them. Whatever the reason for their summons, they would face it together, as they always had.

As they made their way to meet the captain, Talon couldn't shake the nagging feeling that their lives were about to take an unexpected turn, and the repercussions of their encounter with Raizer loomed ominously over them.

In the dimly lit chamber of the castle, Captain Garrick stood at the head of the room, his stern gaze sweeping over the assembled knights. Talon and Bardmin stood among their peers, their expressions a mix of curiosity and apprehension as they awaited the captain's instructions.

"Listen up, everyone," Captain Garrick's voice boomed, commanding the attention of all present. "As you are all aware, recent events have necessitated heightened security measures throughout the kingdom. In light of this, a new task force has been established to ensure the safe transport of supplies between the city and the nearby camps."

A murmur of anticipation rippled through the room as the knights exchanged glances, speculation running rampant about the nature of their assignment.

"You," the captain continued, his gaze settling on Talon and Bardmin among the group. "You will be part of this task force, under the direct command of Prince Roderick himself."

Talon's brows furrowed in surprise, his mind racing to make sense of the unexpected turn of events. Bardmin's expression mirrored his own, a mix of confusion and determination flickering in his eyes as they absorbed the captain's words.

After the captain finished giving instructions and dismissed the knights, Talon approached him, a hint of bewilderment coloring his tone. "Captain, with all due respect, why are Bardmin and I included in this task force? We're only third-class knights."

Captain Garrick's expression softened slightly, though the gravity of his gaze remained. "I wish I had an answer for you, Talon," he replied, his voice tinged with uncertainty. "But Sir Raizer specifically requested your presence, by name."

Talon's eyes widened in surprise at the mention of Raizer's name, his mind reeling with questions. "Raizer?" he echoed, a note of disbelief creeping into his voice. "But why would he..."

The captain cut him off with a raised hand, his expression unreadable. "I don't have all the answers, Talon. All I know is that orders came directly from Sir Raizer himself. And when Sir Raizer asks for something, we don't question it."

Talon nodded, though his thoughts churned with unease at the implications of Raizer's involvement. "Understood, Captain," he replied, his tone subdued.

As he turned to leave, Captain Garrick's voice stopped him in his tracks. "One more thing, Talon," he said, his tone grave. "What the hell did you do?"

Talon regarded the captain with a furrowed brow, his confusion deepening at the captain's insinuation. "What do you mean?" he asked, his tone tinged with uncertainty.

The captain fixed him with a searching gaze, his expression unreadable. "To catch the eye of someone like Sir Raizer, you must have done something out of the ordinary," he explained, his voice low and serious.

Talon's mind raced as he processed the captain's words, a sense of unease settling in the pit of his stomach. "I-I don't know," he stammered, his thoughts a whirlwind of uncertainty. "I haven't done anything that I'm aware of."

The captain's gaze remained steady, though a flicker of concern flashed in his eyes. "Well, whatever it is, just be cautious," he cautioned, his tone laden with meaning. "We're entering uncertain times, and we can't afford any missteps."

Talon nodded, his mind still grappling with the implications of the captain's words. "I'll keep that in mind, Captain," he replied, his voice tinged with determination.

With a final nod, the captain turned away, leaving Talon to ponder the unsettling questions swirling in his mind.

After the captain's instruction, as Talon stood among the other knights, his mind began to wander, replaying the recent confrontation with Raizer in his thoughts. The weight of Raizer's words hung heavy on his mind, stirring a tempest of conflicting emotions within him.

"What did I do to deserve this?" Talon questioned inwardly, his brow furrowing in frustration. "That bastard Raizer... Did he orchestrate this summoning as payback for what happened between us in the arena? He must have seen it as an opportunity to assert his dominance, to remind me of my place. But I won't let him succeed. I won't allow his petty vendetta to dictate my actions."

As he mulled over the events, a surge of determination welled up within Talon. Despite the uncertainty and the underlying tension with Raizer, he resolved to face whatever challenges lay ahead with unwavering resolve. His encounter with Raizer served as a stark reminder of the intricate web of politics and power dynamics that permeated their world, a reality he could ill afford to ignore.