The Last Favor

Chapter 3

Walking out of the cave, Tristan plucked a plant and tore its leaves to place them on the scratches on his neck.

“What’s that?” came the expected question.

“Mint.” An unexpected answer followed.

“And what does it do?” pestered Bryce excited.  

“Heal.”

“And…” more hyped than ever before, the kid had every intention of keeping the conversation going.

“Shut up” but Tristan had a different idea.

The kid nodded compliantly, not wanting to ruin a perfectly good conversation or whatever one may call their exchange.

Tristan, who had previously gathered all belongings the Taem was guarding, reached a hand to his sack to check that all objects were still present and safe.

The journey back to the village was a tad more peaceful. Well as peaceful as it can be with Bryce around.

If there’s one thing Tristan has learnt, it’s that the kid is not one to quit. All the contrary, he’s annoyingly stubborn. Despite his many many failed attempts at striking a conversation, the child has not lost hope yet and to our hunter, it seemed like a long way left until the kid’s spirits are broken.

Tristan hated to admit he envied the little lad. He can barely remember a time where he was so young and innocent, a time where he could still be optimistic about the days to come, a time where life had not broken him yet. But sadly, he has seen too many tragedies, witnessed too many wars and suffered the consequences of too many mistakes that it’s slowly suffocating him. And there’s no magic that can reverse any of that. It was too late for him. There was no undoing the melancholy that drowns his spirit.

With a deep sigh, he reached for his pocket and pulled out a coin. He stopped in his tracks for a second which surprised the kid as he flipped it. “Cursed”.

Seven.

“What’s that? What does it do?” the kid asked as the coin vanished.

Tristan glanced his way shortly then kept walking. But for the first time, he felt that the kid was truly disappointed by the silence. Was he that curious about these coins?

Unfortunately, the Lezterp was not one to care.

He was still hoping for some more peace and quiet for the rest of the journey but with the kid going around picking fruits and berries and mint leaves at every chance, it was getting a bit harder to tolerate.

“Do you have room in your satchel, Tristan?” he innocently asked. “We might not have any later.”

Though Tristan was surprised by his thoughtfulness -not many kids think that far ahead- he had no intention whatsoever of carrying his junk that will rot in a couple of hours. So, he did as he always does, he ignored the kid and kept going leaving the poor thing struggling with the plants that kept falling out of his small hands.

Eventually, they did eat them together before they reached the village and Bryce was left with the mint leaves to hold.

By the time they made it back to the village, the last rays of sunshine were greeting our adventurers with a warm welcome as the moon slowly rose to the sky.

Their first destination was the market place which they found empty. It was a reasonable expectation at this hour but Tristan had no idea where else he could find the man who needed the job done. That is until an idea popped into his head: he may just be in the tavern near the board where the quest was posted.

And so, he headed towards the inn as the kid followed loyally while questioning their destination and as always, he received no answer.

Once inside “The Garland” tavern, Tristan’s eyes scanned the room for Luther while Bryce who was disturbed by the noise, the alcohol and the variety of people that filled the room whom all seem brutal, held on to Tristan’s leg like a safety blanket.

The owner who initially came to greet the new guests, did a double take as soon as he met eyes with the Lezterp.

“Th' likes o' ye aren't welcomed 'ere lad.” He declared with a raucous voice as he crossed his arms. “You 'n' yer son hae tae gang.”

“I just need to talk to that Resetlam over there” Tristan replied as he pushed the chap aside by the shoulder and walked in anyway.

“Come back 'ere, ye!” He shouted angrily while simultaneously reaching for the intruder.

“No worries there my dear friend, I know this kind fellow with the charming eyes. Do calm down,” intervened Luther of Levria.

“I wilnae receive sic savages under mah roof, Luther!” the bloke stated as he scowled at the brute who tried to force his way in.

“Very well then, we’ll take this outside.” Luther announced as he established eye contact with Tristan who nodded with clenched teeth and balled fists as the kid, still holding on to Tristan’s leg with tears of fear threatening to spill, glared daggers at the stranger who offended the very being that saved his life earlier that day.

“Yeah ye better lea 'n' ne'er come back, ye barbarian.” The furious man spat at his unwanted visitor while he walked out, “I pity th' wee laddie stuck wi' ye.”

Tristan expected such a greeting on a cursed day. What he did not anticipate was Luther’s eager willingness to get involved with him. A weird fella indeed.

“I must apologize for my friend’s behavior, darling.” Luther began. “I doubt you are greeted with much kindness these days since you… you know” he gestured.

“I have your things.” Tristan declared eager to change subjects.

“Ah! Wonderful! I hope it wasn’t much trouble.” He extended his hand in hopes of receiving his lost belongings.

“Payment first.”

“Why yes of course.” he reached to his pocket and pulled a gold-filled pouch which he offered Tristan who in return gave him his belongings back.

“You’ve found them all! How amazing!” His cheerfulness was starting to get on Tristan’s nerves. “And you, little fellow, were you of any help to your father? I must state that I do not encourage such young souls to accompany anyone on such dangerous adventures but the little lad will have to learn to be strong fast considering the… well… the circumstances” He hesitated as his eyes went from Bryce to Tristan.

“He’s not my son.” The latter specified while the kid eagerly nodded.

“I found the monster, sir. I did.” The boy proudly declared.

“Oh, did you, now? Well your courage must be rewarded then.” Luther kindly said as he dropped ten gold into the boy’s hands.

“Thank you, sir. Thank you.” The kid expressed his gratitude as he excitedly eyed his reward.

Tristan, ever so patient, was already walking away into the night. The kid quickly followed waving goodbye to his new friend.