140 Fogtown (2/2)

”It’s just been few months since we saw Roy last time…” Joanna lowered her head, and then explained to Lucien in a low voice, ”Roy is Mrs. Branka’s youngest son.”

Wise crossed himself on the chest, ”May he live an eternal life in heaven.”

After mourning the deceased boy, Joanna asked the woman carefully, ”Mrs. Branka, I don’t remember being asked to register our date of birth last time we were here.”

Lucien had never heard of such a requirement in any of the countries and cities he had been to.

”This is the command of the baron. I don’t know the reason…” Branka answered slowly.

While Lucien felt that this was pretty suspicious, the adventurers and Wise did not really care. All they wanted now was to have a good rest.

”You’re only twenty-nine, Simon,” Lucien joked. ”I thought you were thirty-four or thirty-five…”

Simon indeed looked elder than his age. He scratched his head and looked at Joanna, ”I know… When I got married with Joanna when I was twenty, some guests thought I was her father…”

Joanna was twenty-seven, Betty sixteen, and Wise was twenty-two.

Lucien was amused. Then, following Wise, he only left his surname on the booklet, ”Evans… June 26th, 798 of the Saint Calendar.” For a moment Lucien paused a bit. He was not sure if he should leave his true birthday, the one in his original world.

”Oh my…! Mr. Evans, you’re not even eighteen!” Betty was very surprised.

Both Simon and Joanna felt the same way as well.

”I’m almost there, two days to go,” Lucien answered casually.

”You’re my idol, Mr. Evans! I hope I can become as powerful as a high level knight squire like you before I turn eighteen!” Betty’s eyes were shining with excitement.

She just revealed Lucien’s strength carelessly in front of other people.

”So, you shall receive formal knight training.” Seizing the chance, Joanna educated Betty. Since their parents died, Joanna played a role both as elder sister and mom to Betty.

...

When it was dinner time, a blond lady entered the inn with two guards following behind her. She looked around, and soon noticed Lucien and other people in the not very busy lobby.

”Excuse me, may I ask if you are Mr. Evans?” She walked to Lucien and asked with a polite smile.

”Yes, I am. What can I do for you, madam?” Lucien could sort of guess who was this lady.

”Nice to meet you, Mr. Evans.” The lady nodded, ”I’m Lena’s cousin, Kaelyn. I’m here to thank you for taking Lena back.”

”You’re welcome, madam. It wasn’t a big deal,” Lucien answered politely, although he felt suspicious again–shouldn’t Lena be there as well? Lena’s cousin coming here on her own with her guards to thank him was sort of weird to Lucien.

Kaelyn looked at Lucien, then Betty, and then took a step closer to Wise, ”Baron Habearo asked Lena about her trip, and my cousin mentioned to the lord that there was a very talented young man who could play harp very well. I think it’s you, right? Mr. Wise?”

”I’m more than flattered, madam.” Wise slightly bowed to Kaelyn.

”Baron Habearo loves music very much, thus, he wanted to invite Mr. Wise to his castle to exchange ideas regarding music. And, of course, Lord Habearo is very interested in your traveling experience as well, Mr. Evans. I wonder if you two would like to visit the castle and be Baron Habearo’s guests?”

Before Lucien said anything, Wise smiled, ”Yes, for sure. Lord Habearo is my idol… He’s a hero.”

Kaelyn nodded and turned to Lucien, ”What about you, sir?”

”I just worry about my guards…” Lucien pointed at his three guards.

Since it seemed the baron was more interested in Wise’s music, Lucien felt he should be fine if he decided to go, and another important reason was that he might be able to get some information from the baron about the castle named Carendia.

”They can come with you. It’s not a problem at all.” Kaelyn’s smile was polite and sweet, ”The baron was an adventurer before, and he would like to listen to some amazing adventure stories from you.”

”We can go as well?” Both Betty and Joanna were very excited, and even Simon showed some emotion.

...

”Mrs. Kaelyn, will Lena be here tonight as well?” Betty asked when they were approaching the castle passing the stone bridge.

”She won’t. She needs rest,” answered Kaelyn shortly.

Betty was a bit disappointed, ”I’m kind of missing Lena’s cute baby.”

Kaelyn did not respond, leading Lucien and other people into the castle after crossing the suspension bridge.