"So what, You expect me to follow you to some unknown cave in some unknown location?"
"Well why not, it's not like you've ever turned me down for an adventure before!"
"Ha! That's because the reward is always worth the risk with everything you've thrown at me" Jack laughs to himself. He drops heavily onto the stump. The man now sat in front of me is huge. His belly visibly round which makes no sense if you've seen his arms and legs which are as toned as the strongest warrior in the realm. Hair at mid length down to his shoulders of a dark blond which subtly reflects the light coming from the lake behind me. He wears leather armour covering his torso and his legs. His arms are bare. Eyes as stern and dangerous as the look of a rampaging bear. Taller then me at 6'5'' he is the greatest form of protection I have ever experienced in during my time away from home.
He keeps his great-axe near him at all possible times. It was gift from his mentor. His only father figure in his life. Jack told me he 'earned' the privilege of the axe at the end of his training. He put in the time and the effort of man with nothing to lose and everything to gain. All I can for say for certain is that time and time again this hulk of a man has saved my life more times then I could possible imagine. The skill and finesse he shows in combat is nothing like you've ever seen.
"Well exactly, so what do you say? This is the big haul, I've given you a plethora of rewards so far and this is bound to be the hardest trial of our journey yet." I say the excitement growing from deep within me.
"Stop ya yapping you had me at rewards, of course I'm in you stupid fool regardless of the rewards I'm always looking for a challenge! Better then that I'm looking to show you up the best I can!" He chortles.
"I knew I could count on you." Looking into my cup, looking at those brown eyes staring back at me. I've been gone for a long time, I can see the wear across my face. The bags under my eyes, the wrinkles in my face. The only thing I have from home right now is my memories. The sweet memories of my family at home. My siblings running around the house and my parents trying their hardest to fill their lives with happiness. My mum sat down, hands tired, after a day at the fletchers and my dad putting dinner together after spending all day in the smeltery. I couldn't be more thankful for the loving and hard working family have.
My friends all trying to make their way through live. Some succeeding far quicker than others. Some staying at home taking up jobs that are much needed and others, like myself, setting away from home to try and find their own place in the world. Her, the memories come flooding every day. Spending the days parading our town, doing things we shouldn't have done at that age. Spending time playing games, all sorts of different games from physical to games similar to chess, with each other and our friends.
Slurping the most refreshing mouthful from the cup, I take in the full scenery around us. "It's getting late now the sun will be up before we know it! It's time we rest we have a big day ahead of us.".
"Aye lets get the rest we need. I need to recover so I can carry you to the rewards you owe me. Ha ha ha, goodnight friend!"
We both find a comfortable place to lie for the night and begin to doze off. The route for tomorrow is arduous with a long way to go. We have to make sure we stop off in the next town to refill on our necessities.
I wake up with the feeling of wetness on my face. Drip. The horse, I open my eyes and I see our horse with it's face straight over my face. "Alright, Harry are you hungry, you want some hay?". Clearly reacting to the sound of hay, he whinnies. I head over to the cart to collect a bundle of decaying hay. "Definitely need to stop soon, this is not a good sign."
"It has been some time since we last stopped. Even out food is starting to look worst for wear." He's pulling out a very bruised banana, eyes it suspiciously but continues to eat it as if nothing is wrong with it.
