Finding the First Friends

I gravitated towards one of the stalls. Not just because of the delicious scent, but because the displayed bread was exposed and so stealable. My hands were starting to itch.

I looked around as I approached, wary that someone was observing me. The small stream of customers was minding their own business. There was a town guard posted, but he was several stalls away, and much of his vision was blocked.

My waist touched the edge of the stall, and with practiced swiftness, grabbed one of the bread. All that was left to do was run.

"Four bread for a coin sir." a female voice came from behind the stalls.

I prepared to dart away but spared a glance. Curios since I had yet to see a medieval woman up close. A grave mistake.

She was as beautiful as a flower. A withered flower that is. The girl was eye candy with her red hair and blue eyes, but she was pale and gaunt. Her smile did nothing to hide her frail appearance.

"Uhmm... yeah." I blurted out, guilt hit me like a Ford truck. Me being guilty about stealing was rare but I never stole from someone sickly or elderly. Most of my victims were high-calorie folks that were unhealthy for having too easy an access to food.

A coin appeared in my palms as I summoned it out of the inventory, out of her sight. "I'll take... just one." I managed my friendliest smile.

"Thank you sir." she said weakly, reaching out a clean palm to receive my coin.

[The vendor is thankful]

[You gain 1 Reputation]

[You obtained 1 Stat Point]

I idled in front of the stall, a little longer. Stealing glances, curious if she was sick, or if it was a trick of light, or if she just needed a wash. Her hair was scraggly, and smudges of dirt were on her freckled face.

When she grew visibly uncomfortable, I made my way back to the farmers.

What just happened? For the first time, I was decisively deterred from stealing, and during when I could have just easily taken off.

I rebuked myself. If not for the sight of the sickly girl, I would have stolen again, and my pledge to turn over a new leaf would have gone down the drain.

Not to mention, I would have done a misdeed and Bob would have taken a few stat points from me.

The bread was as tough as rubber and tasteless as paper which was a shock given the appetizing look and appearance. Whatever that was, it was not made of wheat flour.

To its credit, though, it was quick to fill the stomach. My hunger was gone when I caught sight of the merchant hall again.

The old man was still talking to the merchant. But their carts had been emptied, so they must have gotten a deal.

As I crossed the road, I saw the farmer point at me, while saying something. The merchant glanced at me and nodded. Their conversation ended.

[The merchant is impressed]

[You gain +2 Reputation]

[You gain +2 Stat Points]

"What was that?" I asked, intercepting the old man, as the farmers took to the road again.

"You are looking for a job, he could give you a job." he said, nudging his head towards the merchant, who was now talking to someone else.

"What about you? Without me, the looters might ambush you again." I noticed the pouch strapped to his waist. Now he had silver to be taken.

"I knew those kids. Aside from the one you killed, they're just wayward pups that must have been scared straight now that their leader's been killed before their very eyes." he assured, patting me on the back, before he walked to join the others.

Was that a smile? What a weird old man. After giving me the silent treatment the whole journey, he suddenly changes his attitude, puts in a good word for me, and finds me a job.

No matter.

I tried to fix my appearance, to no avail. My padded tunic was faded and torn in some places. The leggings had a gaping hole, just beside the knee, and smaller ones all over the place. My leather boots look ancient and weather-beaten.

I approached the merchant, hoping that medieval employers were more forgiving of appearances.

Nervous at first, I grew frustrated. He was talking with someone too long. A close friend because they were talking about family matters.

When he was finally left alone, much of the nervousness had faded away.

"So you are the one, old Lamar was talking about. The one who killed Agag, the aspiring bandit." his eyes lit up when he saw me. "Very good. Some might say that killing him was excessive but we should nip the bud, before they become real trouble, no?"

"Yes, you are right, Mister uhmm... Mr. Merchant."

He laughed, which I think was a good thing. "Mr. Merchant huh? I am Aldo, and you are?"

"Ross Paul."

"Nice to meet you, Rospol." he pronounced my first and last name like they were a single word. I was reminded that last names might have not yet been introduced into their world.

I did not dare correct him.

"Well, Rospol, I have a job for you. I have goods to be delivered to Whitefield and I won't refuse another caravan guard. Six-hour journey, ten silver awaits at the Whitefield Merchant hall, if all goods are delivered."

[Quest: Caravan Escort

Difficulty: Very Easy

Description: Deliver the Merchant's goods from the town of Pinecreek to the town of Whitefield. Pay will be deducted if goods are missing or damaged.

Reward: 50 XP]

[Accept]

[You have accepted Quest: Caravan Escort]

---

The quest was nothing more than a leisurely walk. The sun was not too hot, the breeze was gentle and cool, and the meadows made for a beautiful calming scene.

The caravan guards were sufficiently leveled. I was the weakest at level 2, two guards were at level 3, another two guards were at level 4 and the leader riding a horse in front was at level 5. Not that it mattered, since the route was known to be peaceful.

We guarded four large donkey-pulled carts containing grain. I was assigned to the second cart.

If there was anything that I did not like about the experience, was the noisy Irish-looking guy that got partnered with me.

Charlie, as he introduced himself, was drowning out the music of the birds, by his blubbering.

"... and I was like, no young lady, I did it free of charge. As someone capable, it is only right that I should protect the weak." he glanced at me, to see if I was still with him.

I was not, but I feigned interest by nodding. Which I immediately regretted when he continued.

"And she said, you act like a gentleman despite your lowly station. I hope there will come a day that you would not be able to refuse my help, sir, that I might be free of this indebtedness."

Of course, I knew he was lying. And I knew that he knew that I knew he was lying. Unfortunately, it was not my first time meeting those kind of people.

Usually harmless, but damn annoying.

After a while, when he showed no sign of stopping, I decided to make use of his 'informativeness' to satisfy my curiosities.

"How long have you been doing this? Escorting caravans, I mean" I asked, and he was surprised that I did, also glad.

"We've... we've been doing this for a year now." he replied, now with a significantly more believable tone.

'We'. So they must be a group instead of random mercenaries bunched together. I suspected as much by the way talked to each other.

"Can I join you?" I said, deliberately raising my voice to be heard by others and by the captain.

I would have preferred to be a lone wolf in an isekai story, but unfortunately, Bob had not given me the necessary OP skills for that. So while I learn more about the world and how to exploit the little power he gave me, being in a group would be helpful.

Furthermore, they sound like they get jobs regularly, which must mean a steady income.

Just as I planned, the rest of the caravan guards pivoted their heads at me. Some of them chuckled.

"That's not for me to decide." Charlie said.

I knew as much.

"I am not a greenhorn. I killed Agag. Aldo knows of this." I don't know how notorious Agag was, but he was the only card I have.

"Come on, now. It's Charlie's job to make outlandish stories like that." one of the guards in front of us, chided.

I shrugged. If I had to beg to get in, then no thank you. I could probably manage to get things done alone. After all, that's all what my life had been about.

"Why not?" said a deep voice that turned out to be the captain's. He slightly turned his head. "Welcome to the band."

[You have joined Osman's Company]