The inn they had entered was decent enough, and as the Bloodwall guards stepped inside, many curious glances fell their way, only to quickly fall aside. The men and women recognised the sigil instantly, and one would even believe it was more recognisable than even their own King’s seal.

Anthony hiccuped as he glanced around, looking to find a particular table. He walked over to the occupants, who were beginning to sweat. The knight placed down a small bar, no bigger than his pinky, down on the table.

The silver glinted only for a moment as a man swiped it and quickly stood up. “I think we should retire early tonight,” he said, taking off his hat and gently bowing his head as he and his companions left the table. A servant quickly rushed up to the table.

Anthony reached out a hand to gesture to a stool. “Young sir, please take a seat.”

“Thank you kindly,” Jack replied, sitting down. Sir Anthony sat down opposite him and the other guards stood around them. One left to stand outside, and another stood beside the window nearby, and two remained beside the boy.

A servant quickly brought a wooden tablet with tonight’s menu. “Here you are, m’lord,” she said, offering the tablet to Jack. Jack reached for it, but a guard stepped forward to take it and held it for him.

“A roast chicken for myself,” Jack said. He had been given a few coins and could easily pay for their stay, though Anthony stopped his thoughts by placing down a gold coin.

“Seven roast chickens and a platter of vegetables,” Anthony said. “Six ales, and two clean glasses.” The knight reached down and then pulled out a bottle of wine from his small pouch. “We might as well open it up tonight.” His playful grin disarmed the servant nearby. She bowed and left quickly.

Seeing that Anthony was behaving like a buffoon, even speaking after the young sir without a thought, the others nearby relaxed. They returned to their conversations, some now hushed.

“Are you sure I should be drinking?” Jack asked.

“Young sir, if you don’t want to drink I won’t be able to either.” Anthony frowned. “I’ve already pulled it out so why don’t we pour some for one another?”

“If you say so.”

Once the glasses were brought, Anthony poured some for Jack, and Jack returned the favour. Anthony sipped it slowly, as though he was enjoying the wine slowly. His ears barely twitched as he sensed a small group of people leave, each of them well practised in keeping their steps light. The guard at the door didn’t react, keeping his eyes on the young sir, but even he realised the steps were a little too quiet.

The group which left continued their casual walk until they finally veered into an alley, letting the shadows turn them invisible.

“Did you see?”

“A little lordling.”

“Bloodwall guards, though…”

“He has a drunkard as a knight and he’s eating at an inn, this lordling probably isn’t too important. The guards might be an issue, but we can wait until it’s only the boy and the knight.”

“How many coins do you think we’ll get?”

“Coins? He’s probably the son of one of the lower ranked Eldermen. We’ll ask for gems and cores, you idiot. He’s a Bloodwall!”

“Cores? Damn! You’re a genius! You think they’ll hand over some Uncommon beast cores?”

“Of course I’m a genius! They’ll hand over a couple real easy for their lordling. They’re rich, a few Uncommon cores, maybe a couple of Uncommon weapons too. Now listen up, I’m only telling you the plan once.”

The food was eventually brought out to the young sir and the knight. Jack cut into the chicken and ate it slowly, whereas Anthony was inhaling the chicken and swallowing it down with the ale.

Anthony sighed with joy as he finished his meal. “I need to go and excuse myself,” he said, standing and then walking out.

Jack felt a little embarrassed at his inability to control the drunkard knight, but Anthony had always been cheeky for a knight. Since he was one of his father’s knights, he couldn’t doubt the man’s ability, so he continued to eat gracefully.

“I’ll retire for the knight as well,” Jack said. A guard from his side followed him as he walked up the stairs. He reached for the door and began to open it.

“Young sir,” the guard said, “perhaps you should acquire the key to the bathhouse? I’ll set up the room.”

Jack looked a little confused as he nodded and then left to get the key from the servant, who quickly bowed her head and frantically apologised. He returned to find the door had been shut, and he heard something crack from within the room. As he opened the door, he heard a heavy and light thud as the guard slammed the window shut.

“I apologise for the disturbance, young sir, it seems I’ve forgotten my own strength.” The guard bowed his head apologetically.

“It’s alright,” Jack said, glancing around. The bed sheets seemed to be ruffled, and he noticed that the dresser nearby was cracked slightly. “This inn is so rustic,” he said, smiling. “So this is the kind of inn an adventurer lives in.”

“That’s right, young sir.” The guard bowed his head and then stepped out, remaining on alert outside, and the guards started their shifts to protect their young sir. Jack was able to peacefully have his bath before he fell asleep.

The night had passed quietly, and they were on the road again. They met several travellers on the road, though all gave way to the carriage which had the sigil of a shield patterned with bricks. No one was stupid enough to bother the Bloodwalls.

This time they had taken a quick detour so Jack could camp outside. Though Little Lake was a few days away still, but Anthony had wanted to pop open a second bottle.

“Should we really drink so much? We already finished a bottle yesterday.” Jack couldn’t help but wonder how many bottles Anthony had brought along. Even one bottle was too much for this journey, they weren’t able to acquire many, and having a large supply was good for morale.

“This young sir is so generous to allow us all to partake in a bottle a day!” Anthony laughed as he started to pour the wine for Jack.

Jack smile awkwardly as he sipped on the sweet wine. Though the bottle was of the same make, this one had been aged for another ten years, so there was a subtle sweetness at the end of the sip. Jack was quickly turning flush with how much Anthony was letting him drink.

“I think I should stop here,” the boy said, hiccuping.

“Drinking fine wine under the stars is not something one gets to do often! Enjoy yourself, young sir. If you don’t drink all the bottles, I’ll have to return them. Sir Ozcar will tear my ear off for requisitioning so many drinks as a send off and then not using them all.”

“Why don’t you drink them all when you return?” Jack hiccuped.

“Young sir! Do you believe this knight is that shameless he’d open up a bottle without his master?” Sir Anthony frowned, shutting his eyes tight in shame.

“I didn’t mean that, Sir Anthony. I know you’re an honourable man, I don’t think you’d do shameless things like that!” Jack’s face turned redder, this time from embarrassment rather than his drunkenness.

Anthony laughed. “Honourable man? That’s right, I’m very honourable!” Anthony recalled the times he had pinched a wine bottle or ten from the cellars. He also recalled the punishments when he was inevitably caught. “Now let’s drink!”

Jack continued to drink under the guidance of Anthony, who was the best and worst person to guide him at this time. The young sir out not a half hour later, slumped forward as he snored gently.

Anthony chuckled. “It seems the young master is allowing us to drink this third bottle without his company! How gracious is our young sir!” He raised his cup.

“How gracious!” The guards laughed, raising their cups before sipping their wine.

“Mark, put him in the carriage.” Anthony hopped onto his feet and swayed. He almost tumbled over, but a practised drunk like him knew how to stay on his feet. “I need to go take a piss.” He hiccuped before he stumbled out into the woods.

Mark, the most experienced of the guard, picked up the young sir and carried him to the carriage. The other guards continued to share their own drinks as shadows rose all around them. As Mark placed down the young sir, he caught the sight of a glint of steel.

Anthony stumbled up against a tree, leaning against it with a tree as he relieved himself to its side. “One bottle, two bottles, three bottles, four. Why don’t I stop counting and drink some more!” He laughed to himself, giddy from the alcohol.

A shadow appeared over him, and the moonlight caught the edge of the blade before it plunged towards the knight’s neck.