Chapter 12: Road Trip (2/2)
Mike smiled to himself before heading into his room. [No matter the world, kids will be kids.]
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The next morning, Mike was saying his goodbyes to the few people in the Order he had grown close to over the month. After talking briefly to the commander and waving to a casually observing Albert, he mounted his new horse, a pleasant-tempered mare named Barley.
He adjusted his new sword into a more comfortable position on his back, since it was too long for him to wear at his waist. He was dressed in a suit of leather armor in the pattern of the Order footmen. A simple grey traveling cloak rested around his shoulders. He checked the mare's saddle bags one last time, mentally going over the supplies stored within, before he felt himself fully ready.
He looked over at Morris who had some trouble getting into the saddle. The older man was finally able to pull himself up by using the short stump that was the remainder of his left arm as a lever. Mike felt a pang of pity while watching. It had not been his fault, and indeed he had even saved Morris's life that night, but he nevertheless felt some responsibility.
”You alright over there?”
”I'm fine!” Morris grunted a little too aggressively, before sighing. ”I'm just ready to get this trip started.”
”Fair enough, if you've finished your goodbye we can head out.”
”I have said all that needs to be said.” Morris replied while staring up at the fort's battlements.
Mike followed his gaze as saw a depressed looking Kaya watching them forlornly. He could guess what must have happened, but couldn't see any good way to solve the issue. Besides, as an outsider, it wasn't his place to interfere.
”Alright, let's go.”
Despite the gloom cast by their departure, Mike couldn't help but feel some excitement. It felt like he was finally starting his other world adventure. This time he thought himself prepared for what was coming.
After waving goodbye to the surrounding Order members, the two headed out the gate. Mike couldn't wait for what was ahead.
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”Argh! I'm so bored!” Mike yelled while collapsing onto the neck of his horse, who placidly continued to walk along. She had already gotten used to her new owner's personality.
Mike and Morris had already been traveling for close to a week, and while the weather had been pleasant, they had barely seen anything of interest in the vast plain they were traveling across. Besides increasing his Basic Riding skill to Rank 3, nothing of interest had happened.
”There is not much to see around here. If it were not for the mining communities of the Ash Mountains to the North, the Order wouldn't even bother setting up a fort near here.” Morris replied.
He had been sullen and quiet for much of the last week, but seemed to brighten while teaching Mike new things about the world. He continued after a brief pause. ”In another couple of days we should be getting closer to civilization. If I recall there is a small town along the way we can stop at. They have a decent tavern there where we can rest.”
He gave a conspiratorial grin to Mike, looking more like his old self. ”Besides, they also have some of the 'friendliest' barmaids around, if you catch my drift.”
”Morris my good man, I like the way you think. We have a long journey still ahead of us, and we should take the opportunity to rest and recover.” Mike said with a similarly lascivious grin.
The road didn't seem quite so tedious now that he had something to look forward to in a couple of days. [I'm a little surprised that nothing has happened to me yet. If I were to use novels as a reference, this trip would have been the perfect time to run into bandits attacking the carriage of a princess or something.]
Just then, Morris chimed in ”Hey, do you see that dust cloud ahead of us?”
Cursing his flag raising self, Mike looked in the direction of the cloud. Now that he was paying attention he could barely hear the sounds of combat on the wind.
Morris kicked his horse into a gallop. ”Let's go! They might need our help.”
Sighing, Mike followed suit.