In action

Leo left the shop, outfitted in a new outfit, consisting of a olive colored pants, a waist long green shirt and a belt around his hip. He also bought a pair of boots. The old ones gifted to him from Thomas together with the other new clothes were stored in his new backpack.

Now seeing a proper made one, he was lucky his self made one kept up his stuff.

'I feel already far more self sufficient.'

He left his stuff back in the guild, only keeping his weapon, shield, money and the backpack.

When he walked to the ground floor, he looked around to find Mary, but she was nowhere found.

"Maybe she had a short shift or something came up" he thought.

He ordered a simple breakfast from the barman.

When delivered, he paid 4 copper, reducing the weight in his pocket again.

'I need to make food myself, this is too expensive in the long term' he mourned.

After eating, he walked around the roads, exploring the village.

He looked around some alleys and niches unknown to him.

At some point, he arrived at the south gate, the one he came in with Sam, Henry and Leah.

He got the feeling again, to just walk out and explore the wilderness.

'Maybe in the future, after I reach official adulthood.'

He left again. The memory of the accident with the Carnirus still vivid.

"Still some time to kill, what to do?", Leo spoke to himself.

As he doesn't want to risk to be late, he roamed around the Guild Street.

His sight flew over all the different shops.

Some caught his eyes, like a professional looking armorer and a traveling merchant who sold monster hide.

Leo saw some with interesting patterns and colors.

He explored another dark corner, unaware of the destination.

He suddenly heard oppressed noises. A high pitched voice was heard, but only for a moment.

Leo grew wary, slowing his steps and sneaking to a corner.

His breath got flat, his back to the wall. He heard more noises, only loud enough to be heard by him if he listened closely.

He mustered his courage, peaking around the corner. Inwardly, he began to curse at himself.

'Just go, you idiot! That smells like a freaking dumb idea! Nothing to do with you, no-'

As he saw the person being restrained, his thoughts stopped. Eyes widening and mouth gaping, shocked by the scene unfolding before him.

Mary was held against a wall, one scarred hand covering her mouth. Her eyes were filled with tears, tightly closed. Surrounding her were the three men from the Guild this morning. One of them held Mary, his face close to her ear. He whispered something, but Leo could not hear what.

The other two grinned evil, resting their hands on the hilts of their swords.

Leo noticed how one of them looked around, guarding against peepers.

Leo hid again, face ashen and a hand covered his mouth. His mind was in tumult, not managing a clear notion.

'Shit shit shit, what should I do? That is Mary, not a unknown person. I... no, someone needs to help.'

He had the idea to help, but quickly dismissed it.

No combat experience, no magic and alone against three adults. Seeking death would describe that better.

'I have to find someone to help! Who? Thomas? Too far. Sam? Not here, same with Henry and Leah. Who his available?' His mind spun.

'Just a random person maybe? Stupid, few would help, but the guys from the Guild should.',

he concluded.

He quietly left the alley, and ran back on the street towards the guild. But the way was somewhat far, too.

So he either hoped to meet a familiar face or that the thugs won't lay a finger on Mary.

'I need some help ASAP, for Mary, and Sam!'

He ran, already out of breath but pushing himself.

Around a corner, he nearly bumped into a duo. He stopped, about to past them and carry on.

"What a coincidence, Mr. Caesar. Already training, I see. Praiseworthy."

Leo knew the voice, even if he only heard it yesterday.

"Swift?" He looked up, the grey hair and beard affirm his guess.

He and Hound were in a more defense like attire, Thicker clothes with metal plates embed into it.

Leo wasted no more breaths.

"Follow me, I need your help.", he pleaded.

Swift turned to Hound. He showed a disapproving gaze, but was reminded of his friends words last time. He someone worth looking after.

Only a day and he is about to help out this kid.' He reluctantly nodded his head.

'Hope that is not the wrong choice. He owes us big time.'

"Lead the way!" Swift said.

Leo ran, despite the lack of oxygen and strength left in his legs.

Swift was impressed by the route.

'He ran all that full speed, and back? Knew my feeling was right, that child is special.'

Leo then slowed down, leading them into the alley.

He whispered:

"My friend is there, surrounded by three guys. Can you help her out? I'm... too weak. I-"

he collapsed, the constant running taking its toll.

Hound felt impressed. He knelt down and petted Leo's head, promising him:

"Don't worry, little one. We got this."

They both walked around the edge, seeing the three thugs and the victim.

Mary had some marks on her face and her arms, as if they fought and grabbed her with a lot of power.

Her clothes were torn at some parts, revealing her shoulder, stomach and legs. She was pinned down by two of them, holding her hands and feet. The broader of the two had a bloody nose, as if bitten off.

The third one was grabbing his weapon, but stopped and turned.

That guy noticed before some noise from that direction, preparing in case someone surprised them.

He was about to shout out to his colleagues, but the words came out slow.

Why? He had already a iron ball embed into his face, knocking him backwards. Blood flew, and with a dull sound his body hit the floor.

His friends were startled, looking backwards to the foreign man.

"Piss off if you know what's good for you!" the buffer one shouted. The knocked down one groaned at the floor, still conscious.´

"We could, but only with that girl. Scram!"

Hound shouted. He would like a more pacifistic solution, but the chances were nil.

"Hahahar, dream on. After that action, there is only one thing to do. Dreck, Dog, get 'em!"

The hit person stood up, unstable on his feet. The other also grabbed his sword, rushing forwards.

"You had to throw the ball, Swift. We could have negotiated." Hound scolded.

Despite the looks of these two, Swift appeared to be more active.

"No we couldn't, these shit heads are wanted a town away. They will fetch us a good amount."

He informed his friend, and Hound's eyes lit up.

"If it's like that, catch them all I guess. Dead or alive?" He asked.

Swift intercepted the first attacker, cleanly slicing his ankles and wrists with dreadful accuracy.

The sword not holding anymore, the guy fell to the floor, yelling and crying from pain.

"Alive, got it."

Hound followed, securing that the guy doesn't bleed out.

"You are Dreck, aren't you? Wanted for disobeying orders and responsible for the death of several soldiers, you and your colleagues are arrested.", Hound recited calmly while mending Dreck's wounds, as if done countless times.

Meanwhile, Swift grabbed the arm of the second guy, Dog. He dodged the swing, kicking away his foot and pulling his arm.

Dog fell, and to maximize the impact, Swift managed to grab the back of the head and slammed it with all his might into the ground.

Still hurt from the iron ball earlier, Dog fainted.

The Buff guy got nervous, realizing these two were bounty hunters.

He panicked as he saw Hound calmly packing up Dog, and the position Swift took, ready to take him down, too.

'I still have her...', he thought.

He looked down on Mary, and to his right were his axe laid.

He hold her by the throat, using the body as a shield.

Swift noticed the intention, and began to run. He took on speed, jumped in the narrow alley against a wall to another, gaining height.

Buff guy almost reached his axe. It escaped his hands once, as he was panic-stricken.

With the momentum Swift gained, he stretched out his leg, using it as a weapon.

It slammed down at the hand reaching for the axe.

"Not so fast, Snake. You are worth the most.", Swift said, a mad smile on his face.

Snake felt his wrist breaking, but ignored the numbing pain.

'I have to get outta here.' he thought.

He used Mary, who struggled futile in his hand, as a obstacle. Throwing her against Swift, he gained room the moment after.

Swift had to catch her, as she was weak at the moment, and he promised to save her for Leo.

"Bothersome."

He watched after Snake, who ran like a hurt pig down the alley.

He took out another iron ball from his leather bag, aiming and throwing it as hard and accurate as possible.

With a dull sound, the ball met its mark, hitting Snake at the back of the head.

He instantly fell down, and the sound of bones breaking implied that he died.

Blood began to seep out, covering the ground in a deep red.

"Ups, too much" Swift said.

"Maybe if you hadn't hit his head." lectured Hound.

They fished out the ID card of Snake, as it served as proof of a slain bandit or deserter.

"Really, killing your way out after disobeying an order, how stupid" mentioned Hound.

"Good for us, but what should we do with her and Gaius?"

Let's bring them back to the street first, some guards take care of them t-"

"I can bring her back."

Leo awoke, on time to see how snake died.

After recovering from the shock of seeing a person killing and dying, he mustered his courage.

"You have your hands full with these... criminal bastards." He hold back some vomit rising up in his stomach.

Bloody smell was filling the air, making him nauseous.

"You alright?" asked Swift.

"We have to thank you for bringing us to our job."

"It should be okay, I got better already."

"Then take her back to the Guild. They have the means to treat her."

Mary laid on the ground, totally exhausted. Leo walked over to her, past the bundle of bastards.

He laid his hands on her shoulder and said:

"It is okay now, they won't threaten you anymore. Sorry I could not bring help to you sooner."

Mary looked up, right into Leo's Brown-red eyes.

She immediately began to sob, hugging him and crying into his shoulder.

"You got this, right Caesar. We deliver these guys to the Village Head. See you around the Guild."

They left, leaving the corpse of the pig to rot there.

After a while Mary began to calm down. Together they left the alley, onwards to the guild. Leo gave her a cape he bought from the tailor as cover.

She had some time to recover, talking to Leo after a while.

"If it weren't for you bringing help, I might be.... I don't want to imagine. I am in your debt, a life debt."

"You owe me nothing. Swift and Hound saved you, I only laid unconscious by the side."

"No!" She shook her head vigorously.

"Without you no one would have come to aid. Just accept my gratitude."

They were silent on the last bit of the way. When arriving at the Guild, Mary was immediately taken to another room to get treated.

He was told to take a seat and to wait a moment.

After some minutes, a voice traveled over.

"Hello, Mr. Caesar. I heard of your deed, and please receive my thanks."

A thirty year old man with a proud black beard and full hair walked over.

He had a big axe on his back and a aura of intimidation.

"Let me introduce myself: I am this branches Guildmaster."