16 Merrimen (1/2)

I take another longing look backward at the cramped room that I spent more than a month in, I resolved myself and took the first step, delivering my equipment at the gathering supply carts before I met up with the others at the post's tavern for our final good meal before traveling.

I can't help but be a little bit anxious, nervous too. My entire life has been leading up to this point, I've put in so much effort just for this moment. I find myself doubting if this is really what I want, I know that I've very capable of killing, but I just don't know if I'll be able too. This is one of the few moments of my life where I've been afraid of my future.

I want Sir Richard watching over me, making sure that nothing bad occurs. I just keep thinking ”What if I mess up? What If I fail? What if....”

As these thoughts shrowd my mind like a gathering tempest, someone clings to my arm and holds it to their chest.

”What's wrong? Why do you have such a troubled expression commander?” Rachel asks.

I look down into her emerald green eyes and my worries just kinda drift away, like they were thrown to the wind. Scattered far from my reach, and with it, came a calming lull. ”Everythings going to be fine.” I would make sure of it. I will protect them, they'll watch my back. So I don't have to worry anymore.

”Yeah, I was just thinking about how much money this meal is going to set me back.” Which isn't a lie, I barely have any money, to begin with. So I'm going to have to pray that the others can split the difference, which is disappointing because I really wanted to treat all of them for their hard work.

”I see.” She says unconvinced, ”Well Its time to go to the tavern, do you mind if I accompany you?”

I smile warmly at her gesture, ”It would be my pleasure.” I say, truly meaning it. She returned my smile in kind and walked with me all the way to the tavern.

When we entered into the weathered-looking building hidden away in the corner of the post's wall searching for our squadmates, A pair of burly arms connected to Joseph and Mathew respectively flagged us down from a booth nestled in the corner of the tavern away from all the other occupants.

As we sat down I addressed all of them collectively.

”Guys I know things didn't start out the best, but all of you have far exceeded my expectations. I want to thank all of you from the bottom of my heart for accepting me and working as hard as all of you have. We're going to be the best squad in the 12 battalion, soon everyone's going to hear the name ”Wisp Squad”.

All the members gave a great shout, quickly quieted by the other occupants of the tavern. We just laugh quietly, then waited for someone to come to take our orders.

We exchanged pleasantries until Jake slyly asked me, ”So where do you go off to at night commander, do you have a randevu with a sweetheart we don't know about? Or have you and Rachel just gone out to gaze into each other's eyes under the stars.”

His impertinence catches me slightly off guard, but Rachel glares at him, readying to jump over the table and choke him. I grin at their display, it's too good.

I laugh easing some of the tension. ”Actually I have trouble sleeping sometimes, so I outside the post to play my mandola. It's always helped me go to sleep and ever since she caught me one night.” I give Rachel a sidelong eyebrow making her look down and fidget.

”She's started to come to listen to it when she couldn't sleep.”

Jake and the other members express their surprise, He says. ”Commander, I didn't know you could play the mandola, you don't really look like the type to.”

Why does everyone think that? What's so surprising about that? then Dontae asks.

”Do you have any other surprising talents commander? You know, other than exceptional swordsmanship, Magecraft, and mandola playing. Do you also sculpt in your spare time perhaps?” He says laced slightly with sarcasm, but also with a hint of curiosity.

I crease my brow for a second thinking. ”I can speak 7 languages fluently, but that's about it.”

Everyone's jaw, except Rachel's, drops. Dontae springs up pointing an accusatory finger and said.

”You're lying, right? There's no way your that talented, you didn't even go to an academy or a school or anything!”

Rachel intercedes, ”No he's telling the truth, I thought the same thing at first, but he really can. Isn't he amazing?”

Everyone's attention shifts towards me, I suddenly become bashful under everyone's gaze. Thankfully the waitress saves me, she comes over.

”So what does everyone want to drink.” She asks uninterested, looking at some parchment to write down our orders.

Joseph and Mathew both order ales, while Jake and Dontae order a hard cider. Rachel orders wine and I order a regular cider.

Jake looks at me in surprise, before saying. ”Do you not drink commander? Even though its a special occasion.”

I just shake my head. ”I don't drink, I don't believe in it.”