Fighter in Love

Chapter 3 - The first step

A quick note from me, thank you to all of you who are reading this and another thanks for those who have tapped on the star icon ill try to keep the chapters coming!

Adrian was a few yards away from Kezule's castle when he took a break to check his horses and goods, going over his inventory. He had been trying to get everything on the list that Tabatha had given him. Most of the items were easy to get a hold of but there were a few that took some time to gather. The whole month had seemed to go much faster to him than usual. His mind was busy with keeping track of items and money. But once all of that was taken care of he thought about his late friend Kezule and his new wife. She was quite a sight to behold and Kezule must have known that. She was not like other women though that was not always a bad thing. He thought of the way she managed the castle then to her ability to shoot an arrow. She was well accustomed to giving orders and staying organized. She was also smart and healthy was another a plus he acknowledged. Finally he thought about the day that they learned of Kezule's death. She had fought so skillfully and fast that it amazed him she had won the fight against the giant of a man Junta. Now that was a big man, tall and muscular. Adrian shook his head back and forth as he got back up on the carriage.
"There should be a law against men like that." Adrian joked as he headed down the hill towards the castle. When the castle came into view he noticed that a maid had pointed out in his direction from outside the castle before running inside. The stablemen were a few feet to the right of the entrance practicing archery with Junta supervising. When the maid ran inside after pointing out that Adrian was coming, he had turned towards him, arms crossed.
" Nice to see you, Adrian." Junta said approvingly as Adrian led the cart towards the side of the castle to park.
Adrian nodded unsure as to how to respond. The man was intimidating just by standing a few feet away.
"Just how far do you travel with that wagon of yours?" Junta asked in a straight forward question as he gestured to the carriage.
"I get far but not as much as I used to with my traveling here every month. I used to travel a much longer trade route."Adrian told him with hesitation. Just then Toril burst out of the castle doors with Tabatha on her heels telling her to slow down and act like a lady.
"Adrian! I am so glad you're here!" Toril exclaimed as she took his hands in her own. Adrian, who had been startled by her appearance and confused by her holding his hands stared blankly at her. " I have something that I would like to ask you." When all that he did was blink, Toril continued." Would you mind taking Junta and I with your on your travels?"
Adrian looked around after hearing what he thought was the strangest question he had ever heard. Junta, Tabatha and Toril were all watching him, awaiting his response as if their lives depended on it.
"I am sorry but why would you want to go with me?" He finally said, pulling his hands from hers nervously. " My work is long and difficult. There are lots of dangers and I don't think I could afford it anyway." The idea baffled him after all and this was all rather sudden.
Toril beamed at his response," So if all of that is taken care of you will let us? We want to go with you so that we can conduct a search for the ones that killed Kezule. As for the traveling Junta and I are built for such things. Money is of no concern as long as we can stop by my homeland and for anything else, I just know you can teach us."
"You're kidding, right? You are going after killers? And how do you think that a lady and a barbaric man like Junta, no offense," Adrian said gesturing towards Junta," Will be able to stay unnoticed from the killers?"
This time Junta smiled saying," We have that figured out too. Toril will be your apprentice, which should be easy since she'll be learning from you anyway and I will be a hired bodyguard that you got due to the increase in thievery on the roads."
"Tabatha," Adrian looked to the old maid for help, "Please help me get them to see reason." But she only smiled with her arms crossed and shrugged as though to say there was nothing she could do. He looked back at a now wide-eyed Toril with her hands up to her chest waiting for his reply. After taking a moment to go over the gist of what was said, Adrian conceived that it was a good plan." How much will I be getting in coin?" He finally asked.
Toril's face lit up with joy as she said," Would five hundred gold coins work? I added all of the expenses that we might come across while traveling. I also think that you should hold most of the money while I carry none since I'm to be an apprentice."
"I will have my own amount of coin as well," Junta added with a serious face.
"Five hundred gold coins?! Are you sure you wish to give me that much?" Adrian gasped. He couldn't believe how much they were willing to give him for this strange trip.
"Of course, add all of the expenses and it leaves you with three hundred gold coin for yourself. Which is reasonable since we are putting you in danger."Toril explained nodding to Junta to show that they had thought it through quite thoroughly. I have also been trying very hard to act like a lady lately to see how much I can take before my breaking point and Junta says that I am quite good. So acting like an apprentice should be a piece of cake." She added happily then looked back at Adrian who nodded approvingly.
"Alright but you need different clothing Toril, not Junta since he fits the bill wearing his usual clothing," Adrian said looking at the dress Toril was wearing. Toril nodded then said something to Tabatha before running inside the castle. Within a few minutes, Adrian had unloaded the entire carriage of its' goods to sell to Tabatha and the men that were practicing their archery were bringing it all inside. Toril came out dressed in a pair of loose tan pants and a loose tan t-shirt. Her long brown hair was tied back with a small piece of twine at the base of her neck. The deerskin loafers she wore completed the outfit making her look every bit of an apprentice as they needed her to be. She carried out a brown sack over her shoulder and put it in the carriage.
"These are just a few other pieces of clothing, a bar of soap and a brush for my hair," Toril said as she stood in front of Adrian.
"Would you consider taking the longer traders route instead of the short one?"Junta asked stepping next to Toril. " Tabatha has enough for her to last at least two months and it would be better if we cover as much ground as possible."
"Alright but that route has a lot more ruffians then the smaller one," Adrian said as he got up onto the carriage. "We better go then if we are to stop by your homeland before the trade route." Junta and Toril nodded in agreement.
"We will be back as soon as possible, I will miss you," Toril said as she hugged Tabatha who remained silent with misted eyes. She then got up on the carriage next to Adrian while Junta went to get his own horse and belongings. All of the maids and servants lined up outside of the castle to bid farewell to their lady.

As the castle disappeared from sight Adrian looked at Toril for the tenth time trying to understand the woman. She was able to change herself so easily merely by changing her clothing. If anyone saw her there would be little doubt that she was an apprentice of trade. She even ruffled a bit of her hair at the top so that it looked less clean then it was.
"Adrian," Junta called him, pulling his attention from Toril. "we are going to need a story for any that ask about how we all met."
"Right, how about I met you at a tavern looking for some help in my travels, and you two volunteered to help me?" Adrian suggested.
"And how would a low end no account poor woman know a hired sword?" Junta asked tilting his head.
"We could say that you took me in as an orphan. And you wanted me to learn as much as possible and that this job would be killing two birds with one stone." Toril suggested. Junta nodded with a smile, then turned back to where they were going. Adrian smiled at her, she could work with anything given to her, couldn't she?
"Toril and Junta are back!" A man shouted as they neared the village. Adrian stared in disbelief at all of the giant men running toward them. They all looked like they would fit in a battlefield and just as Toril had explained weapons were laid up against houses stumps and other areas for easy access.
"Good to see you," Another man cheered as Junta dismounted and grabbed the man's forearm in greeting.
"And you." Junta greeted back.
To Adrian's amazement, most of the men went to Toril, helping her out of the carriage and patting her shoulders. The men stood taller than even his horses, so he could not help but feel overwhelmed by their presence. He had never been to this area and began thinking that it would be good to start. Just as he was about to get down from the carriage a large man both in muscle and size ran toward them. He had a large beard covering half of his face and long dark hair so that only his nose and eyes could be seen. Toril who had also noticed smiled at his presence. As if knowing exactly what to do, the crowd split in two leaving a way for him to run up to Toril directly.
"Toril! My daughter has returned to me!" The large man shouted as he lifted her up into his arms for a hug.
"Father," Toril smiled as she hugged him back."I have returned."
"Honey, you'll break her." A woman dressed in a simple green gown said as she neared. She walked over to the two of them with grace and beauty seen by many women in court. Her long black hair was tied in a braid that fell to her waist down her back.
"Hello mother." Toril said as she was released from her father's hug and was embraced by her mother.
"They are your parents? Wow, okay now I understand." Adrian said looking at the three of them together. Almost in unison, everyone turned towards him as if just now noticing his presence. An overbearing threat overwhelmed him instantly.
"Father, mother, this is Adrian. He is a traveling merchant and has agreed to take us with him on the journey of trade. He is a friend, Junta believes so as well." Toril explained to her parents and the crowd then looked to Junta for help.
" He is not our enemy, however, trust is earned not given," Junta said walking towards them.
Everyone turned towards Toril's father who looked directly at Adrian with the eyes of a seasoned warrior, studying more than his appearance.
"Very well, " His eyes softened a sliver and smiled at Adrian holding out his arm."My name is Krix."
Adrian hesitantly walked to him and took his arm the way that he had seen Junta do with other men."My name is Adrian, Nice to meet you." He tried to greet properly but his voice still shook with fear. Krix began laughing as he let go of Adrian's hand, scaring him even more.
"My daughter, how have they been treating you?"Krix asked as he turned back towards Toril."I can see that the men from that area are quite tiny. Have you been faring well? Junta has been sending reports every week on the castle and how you have been but I would rather hear from you." Krix said nodding towards Junta who had begun to walk off.
"I have missed you all so very much," Toril said tearily eyed.
Adrian was quickly forgotten once more as everyone herded into town. Toril, however, turned toward him and ushered him to follow her. After everyone went back to their tasks around the village Toril Junta and Adrian went to the dining hall. The building had a large long table with chairs on either side but nothing else.