CHAPTER THREE
1015 Words
Captain Chayn and his men searched and seeked for the vagabond, asking about his where abouts where ever they could. For days stretching into weeks, moving about on relentless feets till they found someone fitting his descriptions in a local tarvern drinking strong wine and cuddling with whores.
"Are you the vagabond?" Captain Chayn tapped his feet.
He quickly brought down his feet from the table and looked at the men with a forbidden expression "And who are you? Assassins?"
"No" Captain Chayn shoke his head "We are the king's men, we come in the king's name"
"Who's name is the king?" The vagabond asked maintaining his forbidden look.
"Come on the ruler of Cagaresia" Captain Chayn scoffed while his men suppressed their laughter.
"So why are you here?" The vagabond demanded.
"The king requests your presence" Captain Chayn informed him.
The vagabond stood up and stretched himself "My presence? Is any good going to come out from that? When has that outlaw started thinking of bystanders like me?"
Captain Chayn shuddered at the vagabond's statement "It will be very much appreciated if you don't speak of his majesty like that, he is your ruler"
"I perceive why you came to see me is not really important so before you leave please tell anyone one who cares to know that I am my own ruler"
"Hey don't take offense at that, just a friendly reminder. The king really needs to see you, please" Captain Chayn apologized.
"Why does he want to see me?" The vagabond demanded roughly "You ran into me suddenly and starting the king wants to see me"
"Something special I heard him say"
"What kind of thing is that? Be plain and specific"
"Well I think he wants you to do something for him" Captain Chayn stated plainly "And there is a reward"
The vagabond stared at all of them and turned his face to the other side "How do I know this not some kind of trick to lure me into a trap?"
"I assure friend that you are not been tricked or trapped for his majesty is desperately in need of you and that is why we have been looking for you for as long as weeks"
The vagabond looked into Captain Chayn's eyes and saw truth and sincerity "I might give it a trial"
"Great" Captain Chayn cheered "So when do you wish to go"
"Anytime is best" The vagabond shrugged.
"How about now"
"Fine by me"
The king was already waiting for them as he paced about in anxiety with his hands folded, and claded in deep thoughts of there where about and the approach of his doom.
Captain Chayn walked with his group into the Hall and greeted the king.
"Yeah, have you found the said man?"
"Yes your majesty" Captain Chayn smiled and stepped out of the way for the king to see the vagabond "Right here"
The king stared at the vagabond. Not the type of creature he had expected to see, rough and full of scars, snarling with a terrifying look. Instead here was a very handsome young man with a fine amour suit, looking back at him with serious and determined eyes. It was doubtful "Are the one called the vagabond?"
"Why else did your men disturbed me in the middle of my fine drinking" The vagabond replied.
The king took the rude answer for a yes and proceeded to the next question "How familiar are you with the forest of Pain"
"Familiar enough to call it my palace"
"What is your name and what family do you belong to?"
The vagabond sneered "My name and family doesn't basically concern you. All we have to focus on is why you called me down here"
"I don't like you" The King decided "You are too arrogant"
"Thank you"
"Wasn't a compliment"
"More awesome"
"Well I am not going to have any misunderstanding with you right now. I need you to go into the forest of Pain for me, a vicious witch stole the royal seal from me and escaped into that forest. My men don't know there at all so we decided to call upon someone who knows. You will lead my men into the place" The King threw a confident glance at Captain Chayn who slightly shoke his head no.
"What are you going to offer me?" The vagabond affirmed.
The king laughed a little "I thought you should consider doing it voluntarily for your king and your nation"
"I stopped having a king the day King Fredinand died" The vagabond pointed out "And ever since I have ruled my own kingdom by my own laws and customs"
The king became silently infuriated. For someone to dennouce him as his king so easily is an offense against him, he will get this vagabond after he has gotten back his seal. "Hundred thousand gold coins, what do you think?"
"Hundred and fifty thousand"
"Deal!"
Captain Chayn was not comfortable with the negotiation, way too high in his opinions "Your majesty isn't that too much?"
"My life and that amount which is more expensive?" The king asked and walked over to him and whispered in his ear "You are getting that money back from him the moment you get the seal, understood?"
"Very well my Lord" Captain Chayn whispered back.
The king called in a servant and had him brought him two bags filled with gold coins. He opened the bigger one and poured the contents of the small one into it and then tossed it at the vagabond "That is it, hundred and fifty thousand gold coins, now go get your mission accomplished"
"Fair deal my friend" The vagabond said as he strapped the bag to his waist.
"You find the girl and kill her, get my seal and come back to me at once" The king commanded his men "Follow his lead, do whatever he tells you to do, is that understood?"
"Yes your majesty" They all replied in unison.
"Now go! Get prepared and ready"
They all turned and left the hall.
- Writer
