Valeria

Though I had not joined the Golden Tree mercenary band. As soon as Percival spotted me in the morning he took me to their quartermaster before starting the daily exercises and training session where I was provided with a dark green studded gambeson, a fine well-kept Longsword, a steel helmet, and black leather boots. I was even given a horse to use for the remainder of the trip to the Port Town of Rigel. It was obvious I was being courted, but I didn’t mind.

Dennis who was riding next to me on my right side sighed amusedly. “I thought you didn’t want to deprive my band of their resources?”

I held my head up high atop my horse observing the Port Town in the distance. “They were gifts from your Commander I couldn’t in good conscience refuse.”

Lucille who was riding next to me on my left with Pascal laughed. “You cut an impressive figure, Valeria.” She gestured behind us where the mercenaries without horses were marching on foot. “Just imagine it, your blood-red hair flowing in the wind as you lead a charge atop your horse hundreds of men and women behind you. Does that not excite you!?”

I don’t know if excitement is the right word but at the very least it would be interesting,

I turned my head and gave her a half-smile. “No need to keep trying to convince me to join I will most likely accept the offer.”

Lucille and Pascal grinned at each other and brought their horse closer to me. “I knew you would! What adventures we will have! Valeria and Lucille the “Jewels” of the Golden Tree mercenary band!” Lucille exaggerated.

Pascal snorted but before he could say anything Lucille reared her horse forcing him to grab her waist tighter lest he fell.

I chuckled amused by their antics, and Dennis brought his horse closer to me as well. “What made you accept?” He asked looking at me curiously.

I stroked my horse’s mane since he was startled by Lucille’s sudden rearing before answering. “A few reasons. First, I might be able to find more about where I’m from in the lands beyond the sea. Second, like Pascal, I might find what I want to do with the Golden Tree.” I grinned and looked ahead where Lucille had taken off having a friendly argument with Pascal. “Finally, I don’t dislike being here. I can even say that I’ve grown fond of some people like Lucille, Pascal, and Duncan. Even you’re starting to grow on me.”

He blushed and scratched at his black beard. “Well, glad to hear you say that. We’ve only sparred twice but you’ve become one of my favorite sparring partners.” He hesitated. “It doesn’t hurt that you’re easy on the eyes.”

I laughed lightly. “So long as looking is all you’re doing there won’t be any trouble between us.”

Dennis lightly rubbed his nose and grumbled. “I told you there’s no need to worry about that.”

I turned my attention to the Port Town of Rigel, I wanted to see it better, so I tried something I was experimenting with and enhanced my vision. The sound was drowned out and I was hardly able to pick up on any noise, but I was able to see further and more clearly.

That makes vision, hearing, and mental capacities that I can enhance about myself. I’ll try to enhance other things later, but for now, I’ll take a look at the Port Town of Rigel. Rather large with tall stone walls. There are what I think other mercenaries camping just outside the gate perhaps they weren’t allowed in for some reason. Beyond the gate at the edge of the Port Town, the sea, and numerous large ships in a harbor.

Having seen enough I pulled back my vision causing my hearing to return to normal as well. At the pace we were going we would reach the Port Town within the hour well before sunset. I allowed myself to relax and passed the remaining time just enjoying the ride.

Finally arriving at the gate of the Port Town, Percival who was at the front of the column turned his horse to address us speaking loudly. “There are bound to be more mercenary bands inside, and we are weak and low in number at the moment so don’t cause any trouble. I and a few others will take our supplies, and wagons and look for Jacques and the rest of our band at Mercenaries Last Stop where we promised to meet. Everyone else can join us as well though I know most of you will want to enjoy yourselves inside and you are free to do so as long as you remember to join us by the end of the day.”

Percival, The Bookkeeper, Max, and a few others at the head of the column took off and the guards allowed them in without any trouble. Lucille and Pascal trotted back to me and grinned.

“Most of the men will be going to brothels and gambling dens before heading to Mercenaries Last Stop you should join us for some drinks at a tavern that’s quite popular here,” Lucille said.

I was going to join Percival to sign the contract, but I suppose it can wait. Though I know what a tavern is I want to see one for myself.

“I will accept your offer I’m curious about this tavern.”

I followed them as they trotted away when suddenly Pascal called out Dennis who was trotting a little ahead of us. “Dennis! Care to join us for some drinks? We can drink in memory of your fallen friends.” Lucille looked back looking irritated with Pascal but said nothing.

Dennis turned back to look at him as well and some emotion that I couldn’t pin down passed through his face. “Aye, that sounds like a fine idea.”

The other mercenaries broke off into small groups when we got inside and took off. Following Lucille, I took notice of all the different armed men and women in the streets, I don’t think I saw anyone who wasn’t armed with anything less than a dagger. Some looked to be mercenaries and though they looked our way and their eyes lingered on me they didn’t try anything.

Perhaps noticing that I was observing the people in the streets Dennis trotted next to me. “Since the Port Town of Rigel is next to the sea and a popular location for mercenaries, most people that choose to live here have become tough bastards to deal with any unruly mercenaries and pirates that are stupid enough to try anything here.”

That makes sense in a town where mercenaries frequent being weak is not an option.

I nodded my head in understanding then Pascal looked back at me and gave me some more information. “Port Town is also unique in that there is not much interference from the Orion Kingdom here. There is a local lord sure, but he knows that the town has its own rules and laws that he can’t change. The people that rule Port Town are the merchants and mercenaries who live here.”

Since we didn’t run into or see any trouble they must be good at keeping the peace.

I wanted to learn more, but Lucille stopped us. “Stop boring Valeria with talk of the Port Town, we’re here. She brought her horse to a stop and got down Pascal coming down after her.

I took a look at the giant two stories building in front of us that had a wooden sign hanging from it with the words “Port Town Tavern” the name of the tavern I assumed written on it. I got off my horse and led it to a large stable where Lucille and Dennis were already leaving their horses in. The stable was already filled with horses but there was plenty of room for ours. I stroked my horse’s mane goodbye and left him.

Lucille, Pascal, and Dennis were waiting for me at the entrance of the tavern looking excited. Lucille patted my shoulder when I approached. “You’ll love it. They have the best ale in town.” She opened the door and we walked inside.

The tavern was quite spacious and housed long tables and smaller tables where people were already drinking and eating bread and cheese. In a corner, in the tavern two shirtless men were punching and grappling each other in a wooden fenced enclosure. The people outside the enclosure were watching them, cheering, and cursing. A young bard in the middle of the tavern was surrounded by people who looked enraptured by his singing. Tavern maids were bustling between tables carrying flagons of ale. A man and a woman were heading upstairs the man’s hand on her rear end urging her up faster.

This is not what I was excepting. Seems like taverns are more than just a place to have a drink.

I saw that people turned to look at us when we entered but after observing us for a while they went back to their activities. I followed everyone else to a small square table where I pulled a chair and sat next to Lucille, Pascal, and Dennis in the seats across from us. A tavern maid quickly approached us.

“What are your orders Patrons?”

“Four flagons of your finest ales and some bread,” Dennis responded looking at her lecherously.

The tavern maid nodded and made for the kitchen. Lucille nudged my elbow. “Well? How is it? More impressive than any tavern you’ve been in right?”

I don’t remember if I’ve ever been to a tavern so yes.

“It’s certainly not what I imagined it would be,” I responded.

Lucille grinned satisfied and Pascal shook his head smiling softly. “Lucille likes taverns. I think she misses the days when she was a tavern maid.”

Lucille snorted. “No. They’re just nostalgic and familiar to me that I can’t help liking them so much.”

Dennis nodded. “I like taverns as well, nothing like enjoying a good drink of ale while watching pretty maids.

I thought so before, but Dennis seems an honest fellow.

Lucille glared at him but didn’t have the chance to say anything as the tavern maid returned with our ale and a bowl of bread.

She placed them on the table and addressed us again. “If there is anything else you need just give me or another maid a shout.” She left to another table, and we took our ale.

I was about to take a drink, but Pascal interrupted me when he raised his flagon and cleared his throat. “To Lieutenant Ambrose and our fallen comrades in the heavy infantry squad.”

Lucille and Dennis nodded and then we drank. I found the ale to be a little too sweet, but it was better than the ale provided by the Golden Tree. I put my flagon down and saw that Dennis was the only one still drinking. He finally put his flagon down and sighed sadly.

Lieutenant Ambrose and the heavy infantry must have been the lieutenant and squad he was under. I’m curious about what happened to them, but I don’t think he wants to talk about it.

Pascal looked at Dennis sympathetically and patted him on his shoulder. Lucille next to me cleared her throat and raised her flagon of ale. “I propose a toast for our soon-to-be comrade in the Golden Tree, Valeria!”

Pascal and Dennis grinned and raised their flagons of ale they were looking at me expectingly and Lucille was looking at me gesturing with her eyes to raise my flagon. I did so and Lucille spoke again.

“Cheers!” We clinked our flagons together and drank.

Being with them here, drinking and talking it’s not a bad feeling.

“Valeria, I meant to ask you earlier.” Lucille placed her flagon down to looks at me curiously. “Did something happen between you and Max? I noticed that he was avoiding you and didn’t even ask you to spar with him in the morning.”

I saw no reason to hide it, so I shrugged my shoulders and told the truth. “Probably because I refused to have sex with him last night.”

Lucille looked surprised, Pascal held in a laugh, but Dennis didn’t and burst out laughing drawing attention from people nearby.

Dennis winced and held his nose but kept laughing softly. “That’s probably the first time that boy has been refused anything since joining the Golden Tree. I wish I could’ve seen his face when you refused him.”

I smirked remembering Max’s reaction. “I think you’re right. He was quite shocked and looked to be in disbelief when I told him I wasn’t interested.”

Dennis laughed again, and Pascal let out a soft laugh that he tried to cover with a cough. “Max is a good man, but he can be a bit… entitled at times.”

Lucille nodded. “It was obvious that he took a liking to you, but I’m surprised he moved so quickly, I didn’t think him the type. He’s just sulking, he’ll get over it.”

I nodded my head and took a drink from my ale. “I made it quite clear I wasn’t interested in him, so that should be the end of his infatuation.”

“So, what do you look for in a man Valeria? I assume you’re not with someone since you came to us alone.” Lucille asked excitedly.

Was I with someone I wonder? I don’t feel like I was, and I’m not attracted to anyone I’ve met so far, in terms of appearance Max is handsome enough and even Percival is dashing in a way, but I don’t feel anything for them.

Lucille was looking at me expectantly, and Pascal and Dennis were chatting pretending they weren’t interested but they kept sneaking glances at me. I took a piece of bread and chewed on it before answering.

“I don’t know what I’m looking for in a man, but I suppose I’ll know if I find someone I like.”