Since the guards lead the way we soon arrived to a bar in the lower parts of the city, I am no good with directions but if last time me and Millie went to the west side of the city then this was the East side. Along the way we spotted several people who were up to no good and scurried away after taking a single look at the guards I had with me. The guards didn’t speak the entire way, and since I didn’t know what to say I kept quiet as well. I had no idea of what that guard had told them but they sure took their job seriously.

When they finally stopped and opened a seemingly random door, a voice shouted out inside of the supposed bar.

“Ah finally! I told sent for you guys ages ago what took you so long? Ah never mind that just please get her out of here quickly before she starts going berserk again!” As I got inside I saw that the man who was speaking was the bartender, leaning over his bar and gesturing towards a familiar person who was swiftly emptying a giant tankard of what I could only guess was ale.

“Commander Millie!” My guards shout out and snap to attention. “We have come to find you on the request of this person.” They gesture towards me.

“…glug…glug.. Tah!” with a loud bang Millie slams the now empty tankard in to the table so hard she loses the grip of it and it sail through the bar and smashes into a collections of bottles holding various liquids. The bar man groans loudly and once more demands us to get her out of here, while not taking a single step to try and force her outside himself.

Taking another look around me see a few big muscled men lying in uncomfortable positions around the bar. Thinking back to the night before I can guess what had happened here and gives out a long sigh.

I knew it, there is way in hell she could be some genius commander.

“Eh? Who’sh dat? Ohoo do’t dell me u wanna foght too? Cmere th’n. Shve me wh’t u got.” Millie blurs out in a drunken stupor. I highly doubt that she can even stand up in her condition, not to mention fighting. I look at the guards and nod towards her, expecting them to drag her out of here for me. After all the young guard told me to use them how I wished. Unexpectedly though they both look at each other and hesitates. A slight shudder could be seen going through their bodies.

“What?” I ask when I see them hesitate.

“Commander Millie is not someone who can be… taken outside easily… ehm” The guards take a step back behind me.

“Really? Look, isn’t she so drunk she can hardly stand? Are you telling me you can’t even get her outside even though she is like this?”

“I-I’m sorry my lord but… ehm, the commander is known for being… troublesome when she is like this.”

I make a deep sigh as I realize that they will not be of any help. Some guards you are. I think as I walk up to Millie who is wobbling on her chair. She is so drunk she can’t see straight, sit straight or speak properly. In other words she is completely hammered.

Because I have spent some time with her I am not afraid and walk up to her table and sit down.

“Huh… whossat? Ohwats u doi’n ere? The shun gone, you an me shlud go an… whatsu doi’n ere...?” She slurs at me.

“What am I doing here? What the fuck are YOU doing here? The sun went down hours ago Millie… why didn’t you come meet me?”

“I wash ere mmting a flen- ‘Burp’ flend to ge u a… u no a… wat’u’ca’it?”

“How should I know?” I ask her and she just stares at me while making a face as if she is trying to hold back vomiting. “Okay Millie, you are just rambling now. Come on; let’s get you to a bed or something.” Saying this I stand up and grab her arm to help her on her feet… Or at least that is what I intended to do.

I didn’t even get my hand under her arm before I found myself upside-down flying across the bar. The loud crash accompanied with the ripping feeling of broken shards of glass cut against my back and the heavy thud of my body hitting the wooden wall made me think: “Oh so that’s what the guard meant…” before I thankfully dove down into unconsciousness.

The wind was warm and playfully blew in her hair. Watching her I knew I was in love. Her blond hair covered her face as she twirled towards me. Her laughter made my heart ache with longing. I grabbed her hands with mine and she pulled me with her down the grassy hill. I knew I wanted to live with her forever. I wanted to have a beautiful child with her. I held him in my arms as he laughed with glee, just like his mother. His blue eyes shone as he ran towards me. He held my hand and hers as we walked down the street, the sun warming our backs. I was so happy I felt like flying. I soared in the sky, above the clouds, through them. I looked down and remembered my family down there, watching up at me. I flew down. I could not fly…

With a jump I awoke. Cold sweat broke out and I breathed hard. A sharp pain spread from my back and I cursed quietly to myself. It had been such a good dream, I think and try to sleep some more. But the pain stopped me from doing so and sighing in regret I try to get up. The pain is greater than anything I have ever felt before. I start to get scared.

I remember what happened yesterday and I fear that I have actually broken my back against the wall. Since I can’t get up I look around the room. Apparently I was not the only one who got his ass handed to him. In the room there are three other beds holding three soldiers who was groaning in their sleep. Not knowing where I was and unable to move at all I did the only thing I could.

“Uhm, hello!? Anyone there?” I said out loud. Not noticing any response I tried again but louder. “Hello!? Anyone!?” The sound of someone knocking something over and then thudding steps running to my room answered my call. I couldn’t see the door but I could hear it open and then finally I heard her voice.

“Ah thank god you’re awake!” Millie said with relief in her voice.

“Millie is that you?” As I say this she come to the side of the bed I can see. She has deep rings under her eyes.

“Where am I Millie?” I ask her.

“You are at the bar still.”

“Okay, why am I at the bar still?”

“Do you… remember yesterday?” She asks carefully.

“I remember flying upside-down through the air after trying to help you on your feet… Let’s get back to the main issue here. Millie why and I still at the bar?”

Millie blushes and looks away at the mention of what had happened. “Uhm, well… After that… eh… I can’t say I remember too much of it but… you know…”

“Why are you not answering my question? I was hurt really badly and I am in great need of healing, so why is it that I have yet to receive such healing?”

“You see, after you… After I… after that the guards got flustered and I uhm… kind of… and they uhm… well after that they got a healer and then… and the guard came, I mean the other guards not the ones you brought since they were… already… and then I… uhm… until I fell asleep and then I don’t know anymore.”

“So let’s see if I got this right, after you threw me in to a wall…” She twitches a little when she hears me mention what actually happened. “You attacked the guards…” More twitching. “When the healer came you attacked him to” She starts to fidget with her hands. “And more guards came around and you fought until you eventually passed out. Have I gotten all this right?” She hangs her head. It is a little bizarre to see this woman, who almost personifies a robber, act like a little girl getting scolded.

“So how long have I been out?”

“…a few days.”

“And I take it the healer is still out?”

“Mhm…”

“Why didn’t you just get another healer?”

“Well t-they are… also…”

I let out a long, long groan.

“This is the second time you have me knocked out in a bar, is this really how you thought to train me?”

“No, I wasn’t! I was here to meet a friend and he didn’t show so I drank a bit and then he showed up and was rude and I drank some more and then some assholes tried to throw me out and so I knocked them around a bit and… eh… I’m sorry.”

“..Sorry my ass” I mutter to myself. “How bad does it look?”

“I’m no healer but the glass look painful.”

Glass?

“Wait I still have glass in my back!?”

“Uh huh” She nods.

“Why the hell do I still have glass in my back!? Didn’t anyone think to take it out?”

“Well we don’t know what to do so we just thought to wait until the healers wake up…”

“God damn, you idiot! Think for yourself a bit! If I have glass in my back then I am probably bleeding. If I lose too much blood then I will die. Not to mention things like deadly infections, bacteria and god only knows what was in those bottles.”

“But won’t it hurt a lot if I remove the glass?”

“Well yea it will hurt now! I wasn’t awake before so then it wouldn’t hurt, now would it!? Urgh…”

“So what should I do? Should I just grab it and pull it out or something?”

“No, now it’s too late. What you should do right now is wake up one of the healers. Do it gently but make sure they wake up. After they have awoken you apologies and then ask them to heal themselves and me, thereafter they can take care of the rest. Oh and I am not doing the same shit as with that priest guy! Make sure you tell them that.”

“Okay I’ll go right now.”

“Good hurry up please.”

With that she runs out of the room. I can’t believe how messed up of a situation this is. Not only did I get knocked out but all they did after that was somehow getting me to a bed and lay me down on my stomach. I still have my blood covered shirt. It’s shredded and stinks and the dried blood have glued it to my skin. I wouldn’t be surprised if my entire back was covered in flies. Well I say that but to be honest I haven’t seen a single fly after arriving here. Either they don’t exist in this world or they just don’t exist here.

Millie didn’t take long and soon came stomping back into the room carrying one of the healers over her shoulder like a sack of potatoes. Setting him down in front of me I could see that he was still unconscious.

“Millie, I need him to be awake in order to heal me…” I say with a tired voice. More and more I am starting to think that Millie is a very simple person.

“Huh? Oh he fell asleep again! HEY WAKE UP!” She screams out and starts to shake the clearly wounded healer. I can even see where his bones are poking out of his left leg.

“Jesus Millie calm down. Can’t you see his leg is broken? He probably fainted of the pain as you threw him over your shoulders or something. This is why I told you to let him heal himself first.”

“…Alright. I’m sorry okay?” She tells me and bows her head down before turning back to the healer who lies slumped on the floor next to my bed.

“Ok sleepy head… wake up, wake up, wake up…” She tries to coerce the man to regain his consciousness.

“Sun is up, rise and shine.” She says and starts to poke him on his cheek. I could see her getting agitated again but I kind of wanted to see how it would play out so I kept quiet.

“Open your eyes, if you don’t you will never be able too again…” She turns to threats…

“Oh well you asked for it!” She finally snaps and a loud slap echoes in the room.

“Huuaaa!” The priest wakes up in great pain. Millie does a small fist pump to herself before turning to me with a smile as if waiting for praise.

“Remind me to never ask you to wake me up… no matter the circumstances.” I grumble towards her.

“What, I woke him up didn’t I?”

“Yea yea, good work I guess. Now can you get him to stop screaming and start healing without passing out once more?”

She turns to the healer who was loudly announcing to the world that his face hurt after she slapped him, only to then realize that his leg looked like a pack of dogs had used it as a chew toy.

What did she do to him to get his leg messed up like that? Vivid images of her somehow swinging him around by his leg with her teeth float through my mind for a moment.

“Hey, healer why ain’t you healing yourself already?” Millie asks him while bending down and glaring at him to shut up.

“Argh, ugh, my leg! Ahg… sniff idt hurts sho much…” He sniffles.

“Oh for crying out loud shut up and heal yourself then! You are a healer right!? Millie you sure you woke up the right guy?”

“Yea it’s him. I’ve seen him heal the soldiers before.”

“Well then get on with it already damn it. I can’t just lie here all day!”

I was getting angry. It was just one thing after another and my neck was really starting to hurt, not mentioning my back.

Seeing me getting fed up, Millie once again slaps the man.

“Pull yourself together! If you are a healer then heal! It’s not like the pain will go away just because you cry about it.”

At first the healer glares at her as if to say ‘how dare you lay your hands on me’, but he soon comes to his senses and starts to chant a prayer to some god. I really didn’t care about it at the time and just wanted the man to hurry up.

Soon the light in the room got a little brighter and as he continued his prayer it started to gather on him, making it look a little like he had a spotlight on him.

Meanwhile his leg started to reverse its damage. And contrary to popular belief it didn’t look like a holy blessing, nor was it a pretty sight that would have you gasp in awe. No it was a really disgusting sight to see the bone get pulled back inside the skin, making the noise of bone against bone and then have the leg start to place the bones right and clicking together and the wound start to fill up with nerves reconnecting and the blood flowing in reverse after which the skin seemed to crawl around the wound slowly reversing the damage. Watching it made me feel like throwing up. I have seen doctor shows on TV before and even those that showed knee transplants and stuff like that where they open up the entire knee, was nothing compared to watching this.

Eventually the guy healed himself back up; the whole process took about 20 minutes. For being magic it sure took it’s time but maybe it was just because the healer’s skill was low or something like that.

“Good now that you healed yourself, do you mind doing the same to me?” I ask him impatiently.

The healer takes a quick look at Millie who glares at him and then quickly gets to work on my back. Throughout the whole process I feel warm and fuzzy, kind of like when you wake up in the morning in a warm, clean bed and you know that you have no reason to get up early, so you can just lay there and enjoy yourself all day long. If it wasn’t for the fact that I had been in pain for almost an hour while waiting for him to get his shit together then I would have been full of gratitude. As it was I was only mildly thankful.

I give out a sigh of relief and slowly sit up as the pain and discomfort disappear.

“Much better, thank you.” I thank the healer who only grumbles in response before turning to tend to the other wounded in the room.

Not wanting to get into an argument with the more than likely pissed soldiers when they wake up I drag Millie down to the bar.

“So, are you going to tell me who you were meeting or is it a secret or something?”

“Oh right, him. Well I told you before that I knew some people who could help teach you, he is one of them. To be honest he is a bit of an asshole, but he knows his stuff. I thought I would need to hand you off to someone like him in case I got too busy, and it just so happens that I’m getting really busy soon. Ain’t nobody fucking with him unless they want to stay in bed for the coming year, and that is if he is in a good mood. The problem is getting him to actually give a shit about teaching you.”

“Was he the one that taught you?”

“Heh, no I learned the old fashioned way. Through a harsh and fucked up past.”

“Okay… So who is he exactly?”

“Oh he is some drunken dwarf named Bryn. He lives of doing protection and bouncer jobs at taverns and bars around here in the lower city. While he is an asshole and a drunk, he is dependable and a hell of a fighter. That’s why he is loved down here, that and the fact that he is cheap. All he wants in return is cheap beer or ale and a place to sleep. He don’t even care if it’s watered down ale and a bit of straw in the stables, he will still do his work, and do it well. If only he could keep his bloody thoughts to himself then maybe he could have been in the army like me. Hell I would have hired him if I could convince the knight commander that he is actually worth it. Just… do me a favor and don’t judge the horse by its stink.”

“I’m starting to understand why you were so hammered after speaking to him…”

“Not my fault the bartender actually brought some good stuff to the table. I told you he is a big drinker and normally we would have been drinking watered down ale for hours and I would be just fine…”

“Yea, right. Blame the bartender.” I grumble.

“Anyway… he will be helping you out from sunset, in return for… well you will find out eventually…”

“…No, I want to find out now. What is he getting in return?”

“Ehm… Well since he doesn’t really have any money and you don’t have any money we agreed on you making some money for the both of you. You can ask Bryn for the details in the evening.”

“What is with you and your friends love of doing things in the night anyway? Isn’t daytime so much more convenient?”

“Well the things you want to learn are not really daytime things, if you know what I mean. Should the guards find out the things you will be doing then you would be in trouble, hero or not.”

“But… aren’t you a guard?”

“Me? Hell no! I’m more of a… a… advisor! I don’t have any real power I just tell the knight commander what I think and make some general plans that he can go through and do with what he will. It sounds easy but it takes a ton of time really. Lots of things to wright and lots of people to talk to and such, it wears you out. But in general, as long as I do what they ask of me then I have free reign to do what I wish. And since I don’t care about reporting your activities, because you’re interesting, you have nothing to worry about.” She reassures me with a smile.

“You still haven’t told me anything about what we will be doing…”

“Well, fine. I don’t… remember. I was drunk and then there was this whole thing and well… I forgot. Sorry. But I am sure Bryn knows, so just talk to him about it.”

“…” I think for a moment about the possible contents of this deal. First what I get out of it. Training, skill and money. What type of training and what type of skill I don’t know yet? But since what I requested was to learn how to fight honorless or unsavory, I could sort of guess. Secondly what will the drunk (Bryn was it?) get out of it is just money. Suffice to say I will probably have to do something like a death match or a fight club type deal. Probably some underground establishment where I will fight for money.

Will this suit my goals? If it’s a death match then I will be able to learn how to fight with my life on the line which is good. However I still have to learn how to fight before I am thrown into a life or death fight. Not to mention the fact that there is a high probability of me dying before I learn anything. And since they don’t want me to die before the calamity comes, I can rule that out. So a fight club then? More or less like street fighting or underground boxing without gloves. There will be rules in place so that you don’t kill each other. Things like eye gouging and neck breaking will definitely be outlawed. However it will be a good place to start. Better than learning how to stay your blade in sparring matches and how to go easy on a downed opponent.

“Okay, I guess all I need to do is to talk to him then. What are you going to do meanwhile?”

“Oh I’m going to work my ass off, read a ton of reports, have some meetings with far too many people who’s got a stick up their asses, wright a fair share of reports and explain to the knight commander why he can’t just ride out with his full command every time there is a problem.”

“Sounds like we will both be a bit busy then.”

“Yea, you could say that.”

“Well, see you later then.”

“Wow, you’re just going to leave just like that?”

“Yes, why did you have anything else to talk about?”

“No but… I thought we could, you know, chat a bit more.”

“Need I remind you that I have been having forced bed rest after the last time I tried to have a chat with you?”

“You’re still going on with that? I said I was sorry.”

“Besides… if you are going to be as busy as you say you are then you will need to get some rest.” I say and look her up and down in a meaningful way.

Deep rings under her eyes, clothes dirty and stinking of dried in beer, hair in a mess. She probably hasn’t slept at all for some time.

“Yea, I guess so, huh?” She suddenly sounds exhausted as if she just remembered how tired she really was.

“Go home Millie, and get some sleep. I’ll see you around some other time.”

And just like that I leave the bar. The light outside stings my eyes as I have spent a long time inside. Come to think of it I never found out just how long I had been unconscious for.

I made my way back to the castle. My intention was to get a bath, some clean clothes and a ton of food. As I come closer to the castle I half expected the guards to once again stop me from entering, considering my trashed clothes and dirty appearance. However I was surprised to see that when I came closer the guards, after taking a second look at me, snapped into attention and saluted me.

“Welcome back, my lord!” They said in unison.

“Thanks…” I hesitantly said and hurried past them.

The guards of the castle sure are a strange lot.

On my way to my room I found that I was being watched by the staff. None of the nobles even gave me a second glance but the maids, servants and guards all stared at me and whispered among themselves. I guess seeing a hero return time and time again with dirty, trashed clothes and a strong odor of sweat and dried ale made people talk. I bet before long I will be called the “Drunk Hero” or maybe the “Trash Hero”. While not very flattering, it’s better than nothing I guess.

With the help of some maids I got myself bathed, clothed and fed in quick succession. Feeling like a new man I stepped out into the sunshine once more, thinking that it’s high time I got back to training my body. A little shame since I had just bathed but I could always ask for another bath when I return. In times like these I am happy of the fact that we were not made to become slaves after we were summoned.

When I walked into the barracks area I couldn’t help but notice the fact that the other heroes were nowhere to be seen. While I was expecting them to have been here at this time I don’t keep tabs on their activities at all. Instead a few of the regular soldiers and guards are having a training session. Among them I spot a familiar face.

“Hey, Hank. Got a moment?” I call out to him where he is stabbing a speak into a wooden manikin. Hearing my call some of the others glanced over towards me and motions towards me to their comrades, immediately stopping all activities. Every soldier and guard quietly stands at attention, their training weapons at their side.

Startled by their behavior I felt myself tense up. Contrary to what would normally happen if I was intimidated I found myself standing up straighter and looking down on those around me. Meanwhile in my mind…

What is going on? Why are they staring at me? Are they staring at me or someone behind me? Did they mistake me for someone else? What should I do?

Totally panic. I never was good at being the center of attention. Luckily I was saved by Hank.

“At ease gentlemen.” He spoke and instantly dispelled the awkward atmosphere. “How can I help you my lord?”

“Eh… Ah well…” I tried to collect myself before answering him. “I… was just wondering what the others are up to, if you have any idea.”

“Yes, the other heroes are currently visiting the major noble houses in the region.” He said without even a hint of wondering why I was not with them.

“I see, thank you… Ehm… that is all.” I feel like a moron saying it like that but Hank responded with a firm voice as if it was natural.

“Sir!” And he returned to his training.

I made my way out of there and to the secluded area to begin my own training. The way people have been acting towards me I feel like I have missed something while I was not here. It probably has something to do with the others. I try to push it out of my mind as I once more start to train my body. This time I focus on my stamina. Simple stretching, pushups and situps as a warm up, in to running in a circle for as long as I can. My body really has improved already; I could feel myself being able to run for longer than I ever have before. Granted it still not even an estimated hours’ worth. Merely around 30-40 minutes. But I was getting better; soon I would have a decent foundation to build on. Then it’s just a matter of finding out what to train.

I spent most of the day working on my stamina, until I got hungry once more, and then got ready for another night in the city. This time however I took my armor on. After all I was going to meet a drunk who was known for fighting, and a dwarf at that. I felt a need for at least some protection.

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In drunken whispers the words spread quickly. About how one of the heroes had been stopped from entering and at that time threatened to kill the guards who did so.

How one of the heroes had apparently beaten the cook half to death when he wasn't happy with the service.

How one of the heroes had a mage shiver in fear as he berated him his mistakes.

How one of the heroes had Commander Millie lower her head with shame and respect.

The accounts came from people who had witnessed it with their own eyes.

"Beware angering that hero. Show him respect and stay out of his way or you will regret it." The rumors went.

"Who was this hero?" People asked only to be answered. "You will know when you see him. He ain't nothing like the others. Stays by himself, trains alone, away from prying eyes."

"Beware the hero, who walks alone!"

"Beware the Lone Hero..."

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