Unexpected Meetings

"A man matching Phillip's description hired a group of adventurers to escort him and his wife to the Northern Territories."

"Do you know the name of the party he hired?"

"Yeah, it's a small group that's been saving up to leave the region. They call themselves Counter Arrow."

I couldn't hide the surprise on my face when he said that. Counter Arrow... I have a lot of fond memories with them.

"You know of them?", Sawyer asked.

"Yeah. I know them pretty well actually."

"Perfect! You should have no problem finding them if that's the case. I'll take my gold coin now.'

"I'll leave the payment with the Guild. When we find Phillip and Hilda we will send word that the quest has been completed so you can collect your reward."

"Pssh! Fine. Rules are rules I guess. If that's the case, you'd best get moving then. They left town by carriage two days ago. You've got two full day's travel to catch up on."

"We'll do that. Thank you for your help!"

Seeing as the only information we had to act on was that Phillip and Hilda had left on carriage towards the Northern Territories, father and I decided to travel there on horseback in hopes to catch up to them on the way there.

We went to the stables and purchased two horses. We should be able to travel faster without a carriage to pull.

"Hey, stop! You there! Hold on a minute!"

As we rode our horses out of town, a man sitting just outside the gate on his own horse called out to us. I recognized the man. He was incredibly thin and had a pale, gaunt face with dark bags under his eyes. He was well dressed like someone with a noble background, had long gray hair, and wore an eyepatch over his right eye.

"What is it?", Paul asked, confused.

"You're the one who asked for seconds on the Dragon Meat, yes?"

"Me? Oh, at the restaurant. Yeah, that was great. Best meal I've had in months. Don't tell my wives though, haha!"

The man gave a creepy smile in return. Actually, perhaps it was a genuine smile. Any expression on a face like that will look creepy.

"You're the first customer I've ever had to order seconds. I just wanted to thank you for your compliments. As a chef, it means more to me than you know."

"I'm the one that should be thanking you for preparing such a delicious meal", Paul smiled. "People nowadays have just gotten spoiled by all these domestic farm animals and baked goods, but nothing beats the taste of well prepared wild game! Don't take their criticism to heart."

A lone tear began rolling down the man's cheek as his lips quivered before he put his hand to his chest and introduced himself.

"The name's Randolph. Randolph Marianne."

"Paul. Paul Greyrat; and this here is my boy Rudy."

"Rudeus Greyrat", I politely introduced myself despite my slight annoyance.

I saw Randolph's eyebrow raise and he stared directly at me after we introduced ourselves. It was kind of unsettling.

"I hate to leave so soon after meeting you, but we really are in a hurry", I said to break the tension.

"Where are you headed?"

"We're headed north. We're looking for some family and heard they are headed that way", Paul answered.

"Really? What an incredible coincidence. I'm also traveling North to look for family."

"You don't say!", Paul laughed. "That really is a coincidence."

"Yeah. My uncle's gone and gotten himself into some trouble", Randolph sighed. "He wrote me and asked me to come help him with the matter. I've been working as a part time cook at that restaurant to drum up some traveling money but it seems they've had enough of my cooking."

"Same with me, basically. My cousin's gone and gotten himself into trouble. That's why we're out here looking for him and his wife."

"In that case, why don't we travel together", Randolph suggested. "As long as we're headed in the same direction, I wouldn't mind the company of some new friends."

"Why not? The more the merrier. Are you ready to leave now though? We really are in a hurry."

I was about to raise my objection but Paul answered for the both of us before I got the chance.

"Of course", Randolph said as he smacked his horse and set off in front of us. Paul and I followed suit and the three of us began our ride northward.

Meanwhile, just outside Capital City Ars

***** Phillip's POV *****

We had our carriage hidden in the treeline off the main road while our horses drank at a small stream. The adventurer's we hired are on lookout while Hilda and I rest.

I still can't believe there is nothing left of the Fittoa Region. Not only that, but that bastard Darius used father as a scapegoat and had him executed. Our only hope to regain the Boreas' former glory was to gain favor with the royals, but Grabell and Halfaus wanted nothing to do with us. That only left Ariel.

Thankfully Ariel was glad to have our support and kind enough to promise aid in restoring the Fittoa Region to its former glory. Even that hope was extinguished, however, when we heard that several assassination attempts had been made on her life and she was forced to flee the capital.

At this point, it's too late for us to switch sides. We've thrown everything we had left in support of Ariel. All we can do now is continue to support her and pray that somehow she is able to claim the throne. Perhaps together we can rally support from the Northern Kingdoms.

"Your lordship!"

My thoughts were interrupted by the leader of the adventurer's I hired knocking at our carriage door.

"Come in! What's the matter?"

"The royal knights! They've found us!"

"What!? how?"

I ran out the carriage door to find a group of royal knights in combat with the adventurers.

"Raging spirit of flame, bastard of hell! Rise to the land of man and swing your fist!"

I recognize that voice!

"Strike down my sworn foe and consume them within darkness!", the voice continued their incantation. I could feel the heat from the fire magic beginning to take form.

"Wait! Stop! Everyone, stand down!", I ran out among the fighting knights waving my arms frantically. "This is a misunderstanding! Stand Down!"

"..."

The magician cut their incantation short and the spell dissipated.

"Knights! Stand down!"

The knights and adventurers both cautiously and slowly lowered their weapons.

"Derrick! It's us! Phillip and Hilda! These are adventurers we hired for protection. What are you doing out here?"

"Phillip!?"

At this point, everyone realized this was a misunderstanding and disengaged from combat. Thankfully nobody was killed. Mimir and Derrick were able to heal the wounded.

After everyone was healed and accounted for, I followed Derrick to meet with Ariel who was with them. I sat with Ariel, Derrick, and Luke while the other knights accompanying her were sent to mingle with the adventurers.

"My lord!", I bowed once I approached Ariel. "What are you doing here? I thought you were fleeing to the Northern Territories!"

"That was the plan. Unfortunately, it would seem Grabell caught wind of our plans. All of the exits to leave Ars to the North were under heavy guard. We had to flee the city to the east."

"What good fortune then that we ran into each other. Now we can travel north together! There's safety in numbers!"

Ariel put her hand to her chin and thought for a moment.

"I wanted to keep as small a group as possible to avoid attention, but you may have a point. Now we have two carriages and the adventurers you hired won't be recognized. If we and our knights remain hidden out of view within the carriages, we should be able to pass as traveling merchants."

"A brilliant proposal. I couldn't agree more", I said while I remained on one knee. "Unfortunately I could only afford to hire 'C' ranked adventurers, but that might be perfect for your plan. They are about the typical rank that would be hired by traveling merchants for protection."

"Then it is settled. We will travel northward together. I suggest we travel due north east towards the Fittoa Region and then follow the mountain line west until we reach the Red Dragon's Upper Jaw."

"An excellent plan, your majesty. Grabell will surely have men posted throughout the Donati territory looking for you."

Once we agreed upon our course of action, I walked back to our carriage to find the members of Counter Arrow having a meeting of their own.

"This isn't what we signed up for. I vote we abandon the mission! Our lives are worth more than money. I'd rather take the penalty for a failed quest!"

Their Vice-Leader, Suzanne, was trying to convince her group to abandon us.

"But we've been saving up for so long! This quest pays out as much as we'd normally make in a year! Who knows if we'll ever get another opportunity like this!", their youngest member, Sara, objected.

Timothy remained silent as he considered both their opinions.

"Then we'll put it up to a vote. Who wants to continue the mission knowing now that we'll be guarding royalty."

Sara and Mimir were the only two who raised their hands.

"If I may interject...", I said while I interrupted their meeting. " I didn't know that the Princess would be joining us. You have my word. On that account, however, I do believe that should you continue in escorting us, you are entitled to an increase in pay."

"Oh?", Timothy responded. "How much of an increase were you thinking?"

"Now that you have the added responsibility of guarding the Princess, I think one gold coin for each of you is in order once we reach the Northern Territories safely."

"A gold coin each! Do you even have that much money!?", Suzanne interrupted.

"Not on my person, but I have family living up north. Not to mention it is the princess herself you are protecting. I am certain that she would ensure you are compensated fairly."

"Come on Suzanne! Now we HAVE to go! There's no way we can pass up such a great offer", Sara yelled.

"Well...", Suzanne couldn't seem to make up her mind as she bit her thumb in nervousness.

"I vote we go", said Patris.

"I as well!", Mimir agreed.

"In that case it's decided", Timothy declared. "We will continue our mission and ensure the safety of not only our clients but Princess Ariel as well!"