Arthur walked for a while before deciding to stop by a tree at the edge of the road. The shade was calm, the breeze gentle, and his legs were starting to feel heavy. He sat down, unwrapped the bread Mara had given him, took slow bites, and savored it.
By the time he was halfway through the last piece, the soft rhythm of approaching footsteps caught his ear.
Arthur glanced up.
A knight was walking down the path, his armor polished but bearing the marks of long travel. His cloak trailed behind him in the wind, and near its center was a sigil, a single crimson rose.
Arthur narrowed his eyes slightly. The man wasn't wearing his helmet, he looked to be in his forties, with light brown hair that brushed just above his shoulders and a lean, sharp-featured face. Despite the weariness in his eyes, he carried a warm smile
'That's… a captain's cape,' Arthur thought, chewing slowly. 'What's someone like that doing out here alone?'
He leaned back against the tree, still watching the knight pass. 'Maybe he's just on patrol,' Arthur thought dryly, breaking off another piece of bread.
The knight's steps slowed as he noticed Arthur under the shade. He studied him for a moment, then smiled and walked over to him.
"Didn't mean to intrude," the knight said, his tone friendly. "Mind if I rest here for a moment?"
Arthur glanced up at him, then shrugged. "Go ahead. Plenty of tree for the both of us."
The knight chuckled and sat down a few feet away, removing one gauntlet to rub the back of his neck. "My name's Halric," he said after a short pause. "A captain of the Rosendahl Knights. Stationed here in Lornwick"
Arthur raised a brow. "Arthur" replied casually, "A captain, huh? Didn't expect to see one walking around out here alone."
Halric let out a laugh. "Yeah, well, from time to time I like going on walks, this is my hometown afterall" and adding "I heard the dreadbane problem has been taken care of by two adventurers"
He turned to Arthur with a nod of quiet respect. "You were one of the men who took it down, weren't you?"
Arthur blinked, caught off guard. "Yeah. I was. How'd you know"
Halric smiled faintly. "I thought so. The townsfolk mentioned a blonde stranger carrying a beautiful sword. It didn't take much to piece it together."
Before Arthur could reply, Halric continued, his tone soft but sincere."I wasn't here when it attacked. I was dealing with a band of thieves nearby called the Ledesma Gang. They'd taken refuge close to town." He let out a quiet sigh. "I wasn't able to help in taking down that beast,So thank you for that"
Arthur gave a small shrug, looking away. "Don't worry about it. I also needed the money"
Halric grinned. "Either way, I'm glad you were here," he said as he stood, slipping his gauntlet back on. "If you're staying in Lornwick, stop by the garrison sometime. I could use a man like you around. Anyway, I'll stop bothering you now Arthur. I got things to do"
Arthur gave a small nod. "Alright. See you around, Captain."
Halric smiled, gave a short wave, and continued down the path.
Arthur watched him go, then glanced at the last piece of bread in his hand. 'Should've offered him this', he thought with a small shrug. 'Oh well'. He took a bite and leaned back against the tree for a moment before standing, grabbing Lacrimosa, and heading off toward town.
As Arthur walked down the road, a voice called out to him.
"Excuse me," a woman said, standing beside a cart with a broken wheel. "Would you mind helping me carry these? My cart gave out on me."
She looked to be in her early forties with long brown hair tied loosely behind her neck, eyes steady but kind. She has a quiet, gentle motherly allure, and there was grace in how she spoke.
Arthur glanced at the sacks by her feet, there were two heavy sacks filled with fruit bundles. "Sure. I've got it."
"Thank you," she said with a faint smile, brushing her hands on her apron. "My store is just near the market entrance"
Arthur nodded as he hoisted up both sacks with ease and fell into step beside her.
After a moment of quiet walking, she glanced at him again. "I'm Velma, by the way. As you can see, I'm a merchant from the market."
"Im Arthur," he replied simply.
"Well, Arthur," she said with a small smile, "I owe you one. Not many stop to help these days."
He gave a light shrug. "No, no its fine i didnt have much to do anyway."
Velma let out a soft laugh. "Well, that's still more than most would offer." She glanced at him briefly. "I don't think I've seen you before. Are you new to town?"
"Yeah," Arthur said. "I got here a few days ago."
"Ah, that explains it," she said. "Lornwick's not a big place, so new faces don't go unnoticed."
Velma glanced at him again, curious. "So, what brings you here? Work? Family?"
Arthur paused for a moment, adjusting the sacks on his shoulder. "Not really sure," he said with a short laugh. "But no, I don't have work or family, I guess I just ended up here somehow. I'm thinking of staying here for a while, this place seems great."
Velma smiled at that. "Then you chose well. Lornwick's quiet, but it has its charm once you settle in."
He nodded, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "Yeah. I've noticed."
She chuckled softly. "Give it a week and you'll know everyone by name."
Arthur let out a quiet laugh. "That sounds like a threat."
Velma grinned. "Maybe. Depends who you meet first."
They shared a light laugh. After a few more minutes of walking, they reached a small wooden stall by the side of the road. A few baskets were already lined up neatly, filled with apples and pears, their colors warm under the afternoon light.
Velma set her hands on her hips and sighed in relief. "Finally made it," she said. "Thank you, Arthur. I don't know what I would've done if you hadn't come by."
Arthur set the sacks down beside the stall. "It wasn't much trouble," he said, brushing his hands off. "Im glad to help."
Velma smiled, picking through one of the baskets. "You should take some. Go on, pick a few and bring them home."
He blinked. "Ah, that's not necessary."
"It's not a reward," she said, smirking a little. "Just take some Arthur, the least I can do is feed you for the effort."
Arthur hesitated, then rubbed the back of his neck and reached for a couple of apples. "Alright, if you insist. Thank you, Velma."
"You're welcome," she said warmly. "And if you ever need anything, you'll know where to find me."
He gave a small nod, tucking the fruits under his arm. "I'll remember that."
Velma waved as he turned to leave. "Take care, Arthur."
"You too," he called back over his shoulder, offering a brief wave before heading down the road again, the sound of her light humming fading behind him.
As Arthur walked away, he took a bite of one of the apples. It was crisp and sweet, better than what he expected.
He glanced back, catching a glimpse of Velma arranging the baskets at her stall, sunlight catching in her brown hair.
A small, amused thought crossed his mind. 'She was kinda hot,' he admitted to himself with a faint smirk before turning back to the road.