Drawn Blades

Chapter 10

The seat on the carriage is oddly cold today, considering the burning hot heat and the fact that it's wood. The hottish morning air blows against my face, but I still choose to take in the relaxing memory of it all. Today is the day that I leave, and I most likely won't return for a few months. Daniel and Jackson are sitting silently in the back, Jeffrey brought them because he thought that I'd be bringing some more stuff with me and he was going to make them help me carry it all. Instead it's just my little purple backpack, full of clothes and weapons, as well as a notebook and some potion supplies. Jeffrey already dropped off a few sacks and barrels of crops at the ship, though there still are a few more in the back. Though I do understand it is suspicious that I'm going to Vakmite with the shipment, with the amount that we're delivering it's obvious that we'll be making a lot of money from this job. So I'll accept it and stay on guard.

"Are you sure you brought everything you need?" Jeffrey asks me again for about the twentieth time since I climbed onto the carriage.

"I'm positive," I respond with a soft smile. "After all, it is just clothes."

"That's understandable, but I'm sure you must've had some other stuff you could've brought," He speaks solemnly, like a grandfather preparing to say goodbye to his grandkid. Only he isn't my grandfather, I never met my grandfather and I wouldn't be surprised if he was dead.

"Well, I did bring a notebook," I mention, trying to add something that will make Jeffrey relax about how little I'm bringing.

"Just a notebook? Not like an actual book to read or anything like that?" He asks, giving me an odd side glance.

I nod.

He then reaches under his seat, fishing around for a few seconds and sits back up with a book in his hands. It's red all around and worn from all of the weather and traveling whilst being left under the seat of a carriage. I can't quite understand what the words written on the spine say, it's a mixture of faded and gibberish. He tosses me the book and I examine it, trying to decipher what the hell it could possibly say.

"It's an amazing read," He finally speaks, focusing more on the road than on me. Like all he's saying out loud is more meant as a mental thought, but it manages to break out, forming as speech into the air. "I've been rereading it for years and not once have I gotten bored of it."

"What's it about?" I ask, not really knowing what else to ask. Perhaps him describing it can help me figure out what the hell these words say. Sure, I could just open the book and find the title and author name in there, but it's not the same, I want to use my brain and figure it out on my own.

"Eh," He mutters for a few moments like he's reeling his brain to remember or think of a good way to explain it. "I can't think of any good ways to describe it without spoiling it for you. You'll just have to read it."

"Okay, well thank you," I smile, pushing the book into my bag next to the notebook, choosing to figure out what the title says later.

"Oh and uh, hey," He continues and I give him my complete, undivided attention. "When you get back, tell me what you think of it, okay?"

I don't get why he's being all serious and sad-like all of a sudden. It's possible that he's just going to miss me. Though I'm not very good with sentimental shit, especially since now is the time for me to respond. Sometimes I manage to respond perfectly, but I don't know how to go about this situation.

Forcing an appreciative smile and trying my best to not appear uncomfortable, I nod, "Of course."

We reach the docks not much later, though the majority of the ride was pretty silent, Jackson occasionally spoke up and ended up having debates with Jeffrey and Daniel. One of which being the ideal breakfast. Jeffrey said it would be a hearty breakfast of bacon, eggs, and toast with some coffee, Jackson denied that and said it would be a bowl of the most sugary and nostalgic cereal in chocolate milk, and Daniel finished, saying it would be a platter of fresh fruits and veggies with some water.