Chapter 02 - part 02

Stranger walked out to find Adam waiting for him by the entrance to the pottery shop.

"Are you all done?" He said when Stranger arrived, hugging his coat tighter against the cold.

"We are. And where has Michael gone again?"

"He went to see off Oliver. The merchant is going off on a little supply run and Michael wanted to make sure he had everything he needed. Shall we get going then?"

"Where to next?"

"The day is almost over so I was thinking we go to the tarven for a drink before we part ways?"

"Sounds good to me."

"Before we leave...erm... Evelyn is alright right? I do not have to worry?"

"She's okay under the circumstances. She will be alright." Stranger reassured.

"Good. Thats good." Adam seemed to relaxa little. "Let us carry on then."

They had walked a while before Adam started again. "I asked you if you have had time to think about our proposal. I did not want you to answer until you had seen that place. I do not like seeing people hurting but I learnt a long time ago there is no such thing as a bloodless war. I wanted you to see the ugly side of this before you made your decision. We may all end up in that place or worse... So what do you choose?"

They walked in silence for a moment. "I choose to fight with you."

Adam let out a breath, "Good. It is easy to agree under the right circumstances but now that you know where you might end up I trust your decision is in good judgment. This war we will start with the Klovos is not something you can agree to once and be done with though. You have to choose it... to believe that what we are doing is right every single day. More so when things go bad. That family that confronted us lost that belief. They lost their belief in the revolution that will save their child in the end and give her freedom. Michael said they were just looking for someone to blame and place their pain on but even so they abandoned the fight when things got ugly. No... I am not heartless Stranger." Adam took in a long breath. "Alan, Andrew, Matilda, Donald, Duncan, Alice, Kenneth, Wallacs, Ross, Emma, Ian, Beatrice, Clyde and John." He said slowly. "Those are the names of everyone who was in that room. They are not just pawns. I am close to all of them and everyone else who is injured in there or who has fallen because of this. I am just as hurt as anyone else. I will not abandon them though but there is a bigger fight out there and I cannot stop just because my nose has been bloodied. We are so close to freedom Stranger. I am not that naive though. Complete freedom brings destruction. I know people only chase their desires and that puts them in the path to destruction. Leave people alone and the wrong path is always taken. Choke them in the neck and they will rebel against you. People need guidance not dictation. Its not easy. Fighting for change is never easy. I know the path we are on is the right one and the right way is often the hardest. It is not enough to just remove the king... more like him will just rise and take his place. We have to change the whole system of this land. From the king, the knights and the nobles themselves. I want everyone to be equal yet there is a certain order that must be kept. Guidance is needed and for that we need leaders... people who know their place."

"It's going to be hard to find people who are that way. People are corrupt and even if they are not they will be in the end. Power corrupts people and if given enough they will do whatever they can to consolidate it."

"That is most likely.... but I choose to believe in these people. Change often brings out what we never expected... both good and bad. We are not perfect and I do not expect anyone to be. Just look around. This world as it is is suffocating. Everything is broken and even if we succeed do not expect immediate change. It will take time for us to evolve and to create a better world. Every failure is a chance for us to assess ourselves, to ask for help and decide what needs to be done. We are stronger together Stranger."

"I agree with you there."

"I cannot do this alone. I learnt at a young age that asking for help is not a weakness and now that you have agreed to join us I need your help with an urgent matter."

"Try me."

"You have come at a crucial point in time Stranger. Every piece is almost in place but I fear there is a traitor amongst us. Those people you saw in there... what happened to John and the others... I do not believe it happened by accident. The enemy knew we were coming and were prepared for us. We were ambushed. A series of setbacks and ambushes have been happening recently... growing bolder with each attempt and the last one resulted in our latest casualties. Only a handful of people knew about the missions and I believe one of us has been turned. If not then it is someone close to us. I figure we start at the top and work our way down. No... I do not believe in coincidences. I took a risk on you that night you came to us... a big one but one I think that is necessary. We had met that night hoping someone would come eavesdrop and we could capture them but instead you came into our lives. I was drawn to you. You looked like a survivor amongst other things from the moment I saw you so I need your help figuring out who the traitor is. As someone who doesn't know anyone and not much about this... you are perfect for the part. You said we helped you because we wanted something from you..."

They stopped at the entrance of the tarven.

"I don't know if I can help with your problem... if I'm being honest with you."

"You do not have to do much... I just need your unbiased view on the matter. I will be with you... if you want me that is. Now I told you only a handful knew or know about our plans... seven in total including myself. You have met most of us already. Michael, Kevin, Oliver and now you know John. I am sure you have already formed an opinion on them but the traitor should be on guard since the attacks. Noone is above suspicion. Only two left that you have not met. You will in time. We have to be smart about this.... get inside their heads. It is going to be tricky figuring it out and also moving forward with out plans with out alerting the traitor..."

"One step at a time... it's the accumulation of it that will be your success." Stranger could feel his father as he repeated the words he used to say.

"That is true...is that Kevin coming over? Quickly now before he arrives. You will do the task?"

Stranger sighed. "I will do my best."

"Excellent... I'll look forward to hearing what you find... Ah Kevin, How have you been old friend."

Kevin crossed the street to where the two men waited for him. "How have you been Adam, Stranger." The large man said with a nod. "Where are you two coming from at this hour.... The sick house eh?... Of course I heard what happened. It is a real shame what happened to Johnny and the others... how are they?"

"They are alive and on their way to recovery."

"At least we did not lose anyone. That is a proper reason to celebrate. Ha!"

Adam cleared his throat at that. "And where have you been for the last few days?" He asked.

"Here and there. Working on a little side project." Kevin winked. "It involves Stranger here in fact. I was just coming to talk to him."

"Well out with it then."

"It was brilliant if I do say so myself. You will lose your coats when you hear this one."

"Just tell us Kevin." Stranger insisted, curious.

"I got your attention now have I?... shall we go in and talk about it over a tankard of ale?"

The other men reluctantly agreed and went into the hornless unicorn. They sat at their usual table and it was not before the ale had been brought to them that Kevin resumed.

"Well Stranger I took care of your problem." Kevin said with a grin.

"What problem would that be exactly?"Stranger asked, confused.

"You know, from the night we met... the people chasing you. Well they are nolonger after you." Kevin was clearly proud of himself.

"What did you do exactly?" Adam asked concerned for the poor men who had walked into Kevin's path.

"Why do you assume I did anything to them." He grinned again. "I just scared them off that is all. Three of them may be an inch closer to death but the darkness has not taken them yet. I left the third guy in better condition to carry the rest... I doubt they will come back here anytime soon." Adam just shook his head in response as he drank down his cup. "My apologies it took this long to find them, they were a slippery bunch." Stranger could not believe what he was hearing. The men that had relentlessly chased him through three village towns to here had been dealt with in less than a week. "I just felt bad for beating the crap out of you when we first met. Not a very good impression. At least now you can go to your proper lodgings." Stranger suddenly stood up. He could finally go get his things without worry of being caught. He finished his cup in quick, deep gulps. "See I knew he would be excited."

"Thank you Kevin... you have no idea what this means to me." Stranger exclaimed. He turned to Adam. "Sorry to have to cut this short but I have to go."

"Completely understandable. Run along." Adam replied.

Stranger quickly walked out. The men waited a couple of minutes more in silence, nursing their drinks.

"So I am correct in assuming they gave you information on our dear Stranger before they went away?"

"That they did... they sang like birds."

"So tell me..."

Stranger could not contain his excitement. The cold had disappeared for him. He practically ran back to the crummy inn he stayed at when he first arrived. He hoped he would find everything still in place the way he had left it. The inn keeper was surprised to see him enter the residence.

"I thought you had left us... any longer and I would have searched your room and sold your stuff. I left it just the way you did."

The man said but stranger paid him no mind as he moved past him and up the stairs to his room. Everything was just as he had left it. Not that there was a lot to begin with. A knapsack with his set of extra clothes, the last of his money and essential tools for his survival. Dust had collected over the days as he had instructed that Noone come into the room in his absence. Not even to clean. The perks that came with paying two weeks worth up for the room. Stranger couldn't be happier seeing the dust. It meant Noone had gone through his things and found it. He knelt on the floor and pried open a section of the wooden floor where he had hidden his most valuable item. It was till there, enveloped in its leather casing. The one thing his father had gave him that he was proud of. Stranger carefully took the item out and laid it on the bed. He undid the pieces of rope that held the case together and unraveled a bow beautifully made and expertly put together. The wood was still glistening from the oil used to maintain it. The quiver still held all of his arrows, black as the night and a pouch beside it containing nine throwing knives. As the night approached, Stranger held his weapon of choice and he felt safe once again.