The Last Favor

Chapter 4

When Bryce followed Tristan into the night, he had assumed the grown up was looking for a peaceful corner on the street to sleep as he usually does. So, you can only imagine his surprise when they stop at the doors of an inn that looks all too familiar. As Tristan knocked on the door to meet with the innkeeper at such a late hour, Bryce was giggling at all his mischiefs a few days ago.

“I believe you owe me a room.” Tristan stated as the Alletune woman stood on the door eying the kid.

“You have weird ways, Lezterp.” She shook her head as she showed the both of them to their room. “You stay for one night and one night only.”

The next day, Tristan woke up to the kid sleeping next to him hugging him with as much strength as he could muster. This was becoming an unpleasant morning ritual. A part of Tristan knew that Bryce was only holding on like that to make sure that if… when Tristan woke up first, he wouldn’t leave without him. It was Bryce’s way of making sure that Tristan wouldn’t abandon him.

This morning was a bit different though. Because instead of Tristan brutally waking the kid up, while the Lezterp was deep in thoughts, Bryce had woken up by himself.

Despite the horrid way they were welcomed last night, this was one of the most peaceful morning they both had in a really long time.

Before leaving, the companions had a decent breakfast courtesy of the innkeeper. As they walked away, Bryce reached his pocket and started counting the gold he was given a day earlier by Luther, not because he thought Tristan would steal it but because he thought himself clumsy enough to have lost them. But if he were being honest with himself it was mainly to make sure that last night happened and it wasn’t some weird dream. But something was bothering him. Why was that guy with the odd accent so angry? Is it because Tristan can use magic? Or is it something else?

Before he even noticed, they were at the market place again, near the docks. As the sea breeze gently blew his brown hair back, the kid felt a weird sense of power, being in the market place and having his own well-earnt gold to spend. He felt a strong sense of individuality no 7-year-old should feel.

While Tristan went around to many different merchants exchanging Taem claws for different kinds of gems and stones, the kid looked around carefully not wanting to spend all of his gold at once until he laid eyes on exactly what he wants, nay needs. He ran to the merchant and grabbed it studying it carefully wondering whether it’s truly worth his money or if he’s simply wasting his time despite him being already convinced.

“Hey boy, don’t touch this. Where is your mother? You can’t go around taking things.” The merchant glared at the boy who was clearly not welcomed.

“How much is this sack?” Bryce ignored the rude man’s comments all the while looking him in the eye awaiting an answer.

“This thing is strong and big. Perfect for travels. A young lad like you has no use for it. I do have a wooden sword you can play with if you want. Just ask your mommy for one gold and it’s all yours, boy.”

“I’ll give you 5 gold for this satchel.” If there’s one thing Bryce has learnt from Tristan, it’s to ignore the conversations that don’t interest him.

“This haversack is worth at least 20 gold. It would be robbery to sell it for less. But you seem like a nice boy so for you I’ll make it 15 gold.”

“10 gold last offer,” Bryce proudly challenged.

“TEN! Are you mad, boy?! Never. What would you even know of its value? You might as well leave. I’d never be so foolish, boy.” The merchant, too full of himself, puffed his chest.

“Fine.” Bryce turned to walk away thinking of better ways to spend his earnings like a good meal or a coat. After all, the seasons are changing and he is not immune to the cold.

“Wait,” yelled the merchant, “10 coins it is. I’ve been carrying it for too long and I need to get rid of it. But I’d never sell at such loss for anyone, boy. Consider yourself lucky.”

Bryce gladly gave him all his gold as he walked away to regain the side of his companion.

Tristan stared at the kid’s new sack for a long time in silence then shook his head and started walking.

“Hey Tristan,” the kid tried to get his attention hopelessly, “why was that weird guy so mean to you, yesterday? And why was Luther talking in secrets? What circumstances was he talking about?”

“People are mean to me for a reason kid.”

“Why?”

“Because I’m a bad guy.”

“No, you’re not,” replied Bryce all confused, “you’re a hero. you saved my life.”

Tristan looked at him disapprovingly for two seconds shaking his head then kept going. Bryce seemed to be a very peculiar kid, Tristan thought. On times, he seems to be strong, brave and mature for his age, and on others, he seems so ridiculously stupid, it’s uncanny. The kid isn’t even familiar with magic on the smallest scales. It’s a wonder how he made it this far all by himself.

Bryce, on the other hand, couldn’t see Tristan for anything less than the hero who saved his life a day earlier. Something about this man, or Lezterp as they seem to call him, stands out. Bryce stared at his idol while following like the loyal companion he swore -to himself- he’ll be. He has so much to learn from Tristan.

Passersby could hear Fate chuckle as the two odd fellows walk side by side for no being in his right mind would ever consider such two different people accompanying each other the way those two do. Even a blind man could see they were not meant to be.