Drifting on the river like a piece of wood, Bob had this lifeless expression all over his face. Being carried at the edge while his head hit the wood that serves as the barrier holding the water up. The river still flows despite being blocked like a dam. A small hole is made to make sure of that. Using the dam as a pool to clean himself. Bob is groaning and mumbling the words ‘it’s been a month’ again and again.

Jack stood right next to the river looking down on the farmer.

“Sire.” He said softly

“Did they come?” Bob got up quickly and put on his shirt. His entire body still drenched from the river.

“Not yet sire.” Jack said abruptly

Bob groaned as he slowly let go of his axe and machete.

“What then?”

“Would it be safe to assume that they are not going to come?”

Bob’s vexed face faded as he sat down by the river while his feet dips on the flowing water.

“I don’t know” He replied softly. “But I’m sure that they will come”

“Perhaps they simply forgot or they’re not there.” Jack counseled.

“That’s it!” Bob got up again and grabs his things.

The confused Jack followed him back to the farm. Opening the doors and not closing them, Bob immediately heads to his room and rummage through his closet. He then went downstairs where Jack is waiting for him, still unaware of what he’s planning.

Bob then placed a map on the table.

“We’re here in Rover’s end.” Bob pointing on the map

A Peninsula that looks fairly small in comparison to where it is connected.

“Nesbitt said that the adventurer’s guild is in the city. The same city where Bara lives.”

Jack is still bewildered as he glances at the map with various labels for features such as mountain ranges and bodies of water. The most notable one that he easily distinguished is Mt. Maga.

“Is this Mt. Maga?” Jack asks.

“Yeah. It’s very far from here yet we can still see it very clearly.”

“Fascinating.” Jack softly said under his breath.

Bob then continued to observe the map. It already has markings on it from when he traveled to Rover’s End. The circles are for the stops he made and the dotted lines for the route he took. Placing the tip of his index finger and pointing tracing the lines. He then slams the table in excitement then went to his room and pack an extra pair of clothes inside a burlap sack.

“Forgive me my lord, but I’m still unsure of what it is you’re planning.”

“I’m going to the city and see for myself.”

The room fell silent for Jack, as Bob rummage in his room looking for things to bring. He couldn’t comprehend Bob’s line of thinking.

“Sire, I think you’re being hasty.”

They then began to have a heated argument about the matter. Jack informs him that it isn’t necessary to travel to the city while Bob argues that he knows the path and must see it for himself. The argument went on for the entire morning, while the ladle wielding scarecrow mind its business cooking food and setting it up on the table.

“Let me.” Jack said in a gentle manner. “Teach me where to go and what to do and I will do it, my lord.”

Bob looks at the scarecrow bowing in front of him.

“Without you, Rover’s End is vulnerable.” Jack added.

Bob went silent and reconsiders. In his mind he recounts what would unfold if he really did leave the farm.

‘If anyone dies it’s on me.’

He shudders at the thought of seeing anyone else dies. He glances at Jack still waiting at his response. Finally, he accepts that he shouldn’t be the one to go. But he still has his doubts that Jack would be able to accomplish it.

“Okay” Bob sighs.

Jack felt relieved, this is the first time he had this emotion. The thought of leaving the farm makes him excited, but he is not oblivious to the thought that there are dangers waiting for him in his journey.

Bob did tries to make sure that he doesn’t fall short in preparing Jack. They spent the entire day on which route he would take and what to do if someone sees him.

“Always wear this coat no matter what. Even if people point out that it doesn’t match with the weather.” Bob took out a coat from his closet and shows it to Jack.

“Wear this as well.” He added, before pulling a cloak from one of the drawers.

The coat and cloak look already worn out but can serve as a covering. The dark colors make it seemingly out of place unless worn by a traveler. There are holes of different sizes across the cloak, some are even scorched in fire.

Bob reiterated as well his route on the map.

“Knowing you, you have already memorized this.”

Jack nods at him

“I just want you to be safe.” Bob said wearing a bitter smile across his face.

The next day and as early as ever Bob prepared everything that Jack would need. A bag filled with different sizes of parchment as well as coal for writing. The sun hasn’t risen yet and Jack had just come from the cliff, walking steadily towards the house.

On the porch where Bob had everything ready, as he waits for Jack, he continued his morning routine of strengthening his body by constantly swinging his axe and machete.

Jack then walks over to the porch hesitantly. In his mind he doesn’t want to show that he is excited mainly because of the farmer’s feelings.

‘He cares deeply for each of us and would die protecting us.’ Jack mused.

“There you are.” Bob glances at Jack. “I have prepared everything you might need as well as another one.”

Bob then whistles, Agta then appeared from the shadows and walks closer to them.

“I want you to protect each other. Agta will hide in your shadows and will deliver the parchments at the entrance to the peninsula where Atga will be waiting to deliver them to me.” Bob said.

Then from a distance they could see an ashen colored wolf running towards them as the sun begins to light up the entire place, emerging from the tip of Mt. Maga.

“Remember, a letter every day. Any more than 3 days and I will come to get you.” Bob smiled at Jack.

Jack bowed before Bob and said

“I will return my liege.”

Wearing the coat and cloak, as well as the burlap sack filled with parchment. He rides to the distance towards Cinder City.