It was a quiet, a silent cooling breeze that blows over the land, a brief time of serenity that seems to last for just a quick moment in time that people often wanted to last for an eternity.

The caravan had stopped and rested nearby the off road, within close quarters near a forest. The people set up the some camps for the people eager to get some shut eye, the sweet savory smell of cooked meal spread through the caravan, and as well enjoying the scenery of the land.

To this much rest of relief to the boring travel they endured. From continuing sights of green lands of forest trees and grass, they all finally had some rest though not all.

Reading a book from his bag, Rowlan was, near a wagon. He doesn’t seem in the mood to eat, drink, rest. He was all ready for the caravan to continue but he had to wait though he his book to enthrall him during the time, he needed a bit of something else.

Maybe I hadn’t brought enough books to keep me company. There is the others but I’d prefer to just find some solitude then I’ll join.

Quiet solitude lasted Rowlan for a couple of minutes, getting lost in his own thoughts. Till he heard someone spoke to him.

“Aren’t yah getting hungry there?”

He looked to see it was Agnes with a bowl in his hand and a spoon in his mouth.

“You gotta eat some, it’s still a long trip to the capital.” Agnes said while continuing to eat.

“I’ll eat some time, maybe in a few minutes I suppose.” Just after this one sentence, he said as he read again.

“Well you gotta eat before it runs out”

“I have some of my own”

“What that few pieces of fruit you got there in yer bag”

“Don’t worry, I shall eat” one more sentence.

“Ehm, just don’t do it with one more sentence of that book yer holding.”

I can see why people hailed him as “Sightseer”

Not long after his short conversation with Agnes, he was growing bored. Then he went off where the smell of good meal was. He got a bowl and sat by a wooden bench. The taste of the food was unusual to him but he managed to eat almost of it. He got a fruit from his satchel and ate that to end his hunger.

He was all by himself when he was joined with Beon companied him was the girl and Cillian.

“You seem to be the lonely type of person, aren’t yah” Beon jested at Rowlan followed by a laugh from the girl.

“It gives me time to think” replied Rowlan.

“Time to think!” Cillian said laughing loudly “You best invest your time on more reasonable things.”

“Like talking to merchants hoping to get their favors?”

“Yes exactly like that, I ought to be a master merchant.”

“Best get started a merchant who has nothing to sell or barter, can’t be master merchant.” Beon and the girl laughed at that insult while Cillian was agitated by that.

“Then what are you? Some librarian that’s what. I came from a wealthy family, I have rights”

“Your getting too prideful Cillian..” Beon said but was cut off

“Please I don’t want to start trouble, but if the circumstances were different I’m willing” Rowlan replied.

Cillian was about to talk till Beon stared at him as well as the girl, and then he sat in silence.

“So where are you oft to headed Beon? As well you Cillian?” Rowlan said in a calm tone not shuttered by Cillian’s burst of anger.

“Off to live in Bridgestow and make a living working either in laboring or working for a ship captain, and hopes of travelling to Averigo and settle there.” Beon said

“Beginning my merchant empire in Pathford in Union’s Rising.” Cillain said sourly. Still infuriated? Oh please try to be a different gold seeking merchant.

“And you? Wait I know your name but I think the first letter or the last is wrong? Starts with a letter F or C?” Rowlan said to the girl. I really don’t know the girl’s name but here’s a little trick I’ve learned, I hope it works. ‘Ask a question so wrong they will want to disprove it’.

“All wrong, the name is Adaline Layne. I’m travelling with a group, though I may end up settling near towns or any place near the capital, for my fortune.”

Beon’s face showed some expression when Adaline had plans of settling near Union’s Rising. Rowlan had the idea of Beon convincing Adaline to came and settle with him in Bridgestow or if faith with would have it she decides to settle in Bridgestow without Beon convincing her.

“A merchant seeking gold and recognition. A north boy wanting to leave to travel to the Averigo, and how about you Adaline? Is there nothing else besides settling in some town?” Rowlan asked and at the same time Beon showed great interest in the question. Control yourself Beon.

“I can’t think of everything, I originally did have a goal of…..being different maybe be something different, like in charge of something and helping people though, I was only a young girl when I hope of trying it but that changed.”

“C’mon Adaline, I’m sure you can get yourself up. It’ll happen just wait and in due time and work for it.” Beon said in a supporting tone to which Adaline was thankful for.

There’s the beginning of a love story.

“Have you tried to do something about it?” Cillian said coldly

“No I haven’t, that childish dream died.”

“If you haven’t tried accomplishing the said idea, then you failed and gave up, You gave up on the first strike of being insulted.” Cillian added.

Now you’ve done it, Cillian should have kept your words to yourself.

The cold words of Cillian wounded Adaline, her face showed partially that she was hurt or even more so devastated by it. Rowlan however was observing at Beon, on the obvious that he was angry and wanted to shout and maybe even punch and pummel Cillian to the ground till his face was full of blood and scarred.

“Well it’s not if…” Adaline continued but she couldn’t think of what to speak till “I was weak that time”

“If you’re saying that you’re not weak now, then do it.”

Don’t tempt it.

Beon was already growing more and angrier at Cillian. The only thing keeping him from unleashing his anger was Adaline near to him, the other lucky thing he’s got is that Adaline isn’t seeing Beon right now.

Rowlan took a quick glance at Cillian then Beon then to Adaline.

“Beon would kindly not please not have a face that would want to smash Cillian’s face into the ground, I know your affections to the lady Layne but I wouldn’t recommend it. You would risk destroying Adaline view of you.” Rowlan said plainly.

Beon stayed silent yet still Rowlan knew that Beon would still take a chance of attacking Cillian at this point. Rowlan didn’t care for Cillian but he knew a fight would be just be embarrassing for Beon and Cillian, and just cause trouble along the way.

“You don’t know her as I do, She’s wounded I won’t allow her to get hurt” Beon replied angrily.

I’m hoping the next thing I'll say, won’t get me punched.

“And attacking anyone who dares insult her protects her how? Do that and you’ll be just a monster like Mikhael” Rowlan whispered to him..

Instead of replying Beon stayed silent.

Adaline left hearing enough of Cillian as well as Beon who followed, then Cillian left as well leaving Rowlan alone. He decided to go around a bit the caravan while all of them were resting.

As he was roaming about the place, he decided to go the woods nearby just to take a stroll. The place had a balance of light coming from the sky as well as the trees blocking some of the light. He continued to take a stroll around the woods. He then stopped and take a near a tree, relaxing of the quiet atmosphere of the woods. He let his mind relax, thoughts passing and going. Just taking everything in and be at peace.

His mind was always been busy for last couple of days, not a moment in his head wasn’t full of ideas or just plain thinking about random things. Sometimes it would be his friends; reliving the past, other times it would go to things he read mostly about mythology, legends, and parts of history which he found interesting.

Then he heard the sound of people walking. He didn’t mind probably just people also taking a stroll but then he heard them speak and his ears were listening every closely.

“I’m assuring that it’s simple. We steal the cargo along with the wagon.”

“While everybody is sleeping small chances someone is always bound to stay guard or someone is awake.”

“Worry not, we’ll be fast enough before they could catch us. And your being such a spineless coward are you scared of a bunch of travelling people, granted some of them are armed but still were experienced.”

“An armed mob, nah. You know you and I could easily fool em. But that Gawain person, dangerous, is what I could describe him.”

“You’re afraid of one man? You’re piss poor.”

“I’m meaning it, he just seems to have that stare. You know”

“The stare that makes you a coward”

“I’ll right I’ll stop, we’ll steal it sometime later when everybody is asleep.”

What to do?

Tell everybody about two men stealing a wagon. They wouldn’t believe me and put myself in danger. There still is another option.

Rowlan now got up silent as possible and took a peak at the two people talking about stealing a wagon.

The first person he saw wore leggings, a white but dirty, carried around him a satchel. The second person he saw also wore the same outfit but was bigger than his other companion.

“If piss poor scared of that Gawain person…then let’s silence him. Dunno why your scared, it because of all those little gossips about him” said the bigger companion

“Look he just seems dangerous” said the smaller companion.

“More dangerous than our leader?”

The smaller man stuttered before he could speak “Look it’s the leader…..is more dangerous, I still can’t forget the time he let an entire group of rival bandits be hunted down by wolves and us. Most of them weren’t even cold bandits but just wanna bees. But Gawain he seems like an experienced killer.”

“You can always take down a person if he doesn’t see it coming. C’mon let’s go back” the bigger companion said as they both left.

Rowlan as well followed them back to the caravan. He first initial thought was to go and tell Agnes the Sightseer, surely the wisest and trusted member of the caravan would convinced that these two men were bandits. But instead followed the two men, wanting to know where the wagon they would want to steal is.

He had difficulty following but out being noticed as most of the people were now getting up and preparing to leave once again, still Rowlan kept following them.

Alright first step follow them to the wagon, and tell Agnes. That’s the first option.

Both of the men stopped at a wagon. There sitting on the driver’s seat was a young man sleeping. The bigger companion woke up the young man telling him it’s about time to start travelling once again. The young man smiled, said something, and laughed followed by the two men laughing as well.

Rowlan tried listening in on what they said but only heard this

“Oi do you mind taking my place. Getting tired of just sitting all day in this seat, wanna have some rest of own while travelling. That is if you know how.” The young man sarcastically said to the bigger companion.

Rowlan’s first thought about the conversation between the two is that the two men had deceived the young man, by acting all politely towards him. He knew now what wagon they were about to steal now all he was thinking now is what to do?

My first option is to tell Agnes about it…..yet there’s still another way but with more proof.

He was thinking of getting them caught by everybody.

As they were stealing the wagon, I’ll draw attention to them. But I can’t get caught.

That was his plan. He then went back to the wagon where he stayed. Into the cabin he went in, and there lay his satchel and his large travelling bag. Under all the things there lay a flintlock and two wooden sticks (with one stick’s wooden end seem to have a crook handle) with metal rings around the tip. The flintlock was the same one he looted off the dead militia officer from the night of the attack added with some ammunition he got from Thomas; Thomas as well did help make the two wooden sticks with metal locks at the tip which would then form a cane. Rowlan had suggested this to Thomas saying ‘You have your custom made flintlock now how about help me make my own custom made defensive cane’.

Rowlan wasn’t as good as Thomas and Paco were at handling firearms, but he had some knowledge in fighting in close range preferable with something at hand. Thomas and The Smith helped made the two strong wooden half parts of the cane, strong enough to block strikes from a man’s hand but also can attack a few hits from a sword, as well as being portable.

So he waited for the moment. He sat again in the spot before he left to eat and began reading again but at the same time being mindful of his surroundings for the two men could be near and talking. When everybody was travelling again, Rowlan reminded himself where the wagon with the two men were at.

As hours pass by till dusk was nearing but still the caravan continued on travelling. Hours of travelling continued, no towns were met during the continuous travelling, leaving them to continue on.

After the long travel they had done, Agnes signaled to camp nearby. They set up the camps and the food. Rowlan has his flintlock hidden under his coat but his cane, now assembled, was now in the open. Everybody was busy eating though some gotten already to take an early nap. He headed towards the wagon.

Rowlan only saw the young man in the driver’s seat taking a nap.

All I have to do is wait.

After a few minutes everybody was now sleeping save for a few lookouts, one of them being Beon as well as Adaline. Both of them were nearby posted in a wooden bench and a tent near Rowlan, so all he had to do was to draw Beon’s attention. He went towards both of greeting them a good evening.

Waiting was all Rowlan could do.

Then something was heard from the distance, a loud sound coming from the distance and the black clouds appearing covering the moon’s light.

Everybody was now awake and the lookouts were rushing towards the explosion. In the heat of the moment Rowlan didn’t had the chance to get Beon as he rushed with the others towards the explosion. He looked back at the wagon to see the bigger companion laying the young man on the ground, and ready to steal the wagon, while the smaller companion was now approaching the wagon.

Adaline as well saw the sight of the man stealing the wagon and screamed “WAIT SOMEONE IS STEALING AWAY A WAGON!!”

“OVER HERE! SOMEONE IS STEALING A WAGON!” said the smaller companion, betraying his partner in this crime.

The shouts of both of them got the attention of the people and as well as some lookouts and rushed towards the wagon. The bigger man then drove not caring about now being caught, he was heading off into a forest nearby hoping to lose them.

A gush of wind suddenly passed by but it from a horse’s gallop. Rowlan only saw glance but it was enough for him to recognize it was Gawain riding the horse pursuing the wagon thief. Rowlan’s eagerness got the better of him as he followed both of them.

With him being on foot while the other two were on horses. It wasn’t long when he was now in the forest following the horse’s tracks. He continued following them with a flintlock ready and his cane. He continued following the tracks until he heard faint voices. He now then rushed towards in that direction.

It there signs on the trees that the wagon had bumped into them as well as a few supplies and clothing on the road tracks. The voices then got clearer and clearer.

“I would suggest not to fight back, thief” the voice of Gawain said.

“What you think giving me a bloody mouth means you beat me, well you got another thing coming.” Said the wagon thief.

There were a few grunts Rowlan heard as he getting nearer and nearer till he finally reached them. Gawain was beating on the wagon theft with such punches and kicks to him, he was superior in fighting against him even if the wagon theft was much bigger and stronger. He manage to put him down with powerful blows to the knee and then the head.

Rowlan was behind a tree watching the fight happen.

Gawain managed to put the wagon theft on the ground once again dealing heavy blows to his face and chest. Then drawing a sword from his scabbard from his back and pointing to his chest, threatening him to put even deeper unto him. The blade was finely crafted and looked sharp and strong but what made the blade unique was its design. Most swords used in this age were curved and light but Gawain’s design was more an Age of Plight sword, mostly used by knights.

“Stand down.” Gawain said coldly.

“Alright!” said the big man.

Gawain let the man up but the moved away from Gawain reaching from his clothing to pull out a flintlock pointing at Gawain.

“Now who’s going to win this battle? It’s over Gawain” the big man said laughing but never allowing his flintlock away from Gawain’s head.

“That neat sword of yours would make me look even more threatening, they’ll even call me ‘The Bandit Knight’” the big man said again mockingly.

“If you were to miss your shot, this blade would be going either deep into your chest or at your neck. Your choice.”

“I’ve got a gun pointed at your head, Gawain you’re not in the position to threaten me!”

“It only has one shot. Miss it and it would be your life” Gawain said coldly.

The man now stressed if he was going to shot or not. But Rowlan decided not wait on it. He jumped out behind the tree and shot his flintlock at the big man aiming at his legs. It missed but gave Gawain the opportunity to disarm the person and put the tip of his sword at his neck.

“Either leave now or die” Gawain threatened.

The man now humiliated, defenseless, and defeated ran unto the dark forest.

Gawain sheathed his sword and looked at Rowlan.

“You're stubborn you know that. You could have gotten yourself killed, why did you follow me?”

“I knew about the plans of that man stealing the wagon, so I decided to get them caught while doing the act”

“You could have told someone about it”

“It’s better off he is caught doing the act.”

“Then you can explain this to Agnes”

“What’s the matter I saved you from getting your head blown off”

“I can handle it all by myself. And you could have saved all this trouble instead of meddling in affairs.”

That I can’t stop.

Rowlan instead of replying stayed silent, he was always a type of person who meddle in things but in his mind it was integrity that made him meddle in things. Both of them returned to the caravan there Rowlan and Agnes talked about what happened.

“Why did you have to get in involved? It’s not your problem”

“My principles doesn’t have a border, if I see something that interest me and I could do something help it then I go” Rowlan said.

“Nothing wrong there, just need to be careful and know your limits.”

Afterwards they had a night’s sleep and went on their journey.