Chapter 18: Our way forward. (Part 3)

"Umm Rain?" the voice whispered into my ear as if afraid to wake me.

"Yeah?" I turned over tiredly and came face to face with Lara. Thankfully my mind was still half asleep and didn't quite process her being so close. Her head was peeking over the side of the carriage and right above mine.

"What are you doing here?" she asked innocently.

"I 'was' sleeping," I said. "What are 'you' doing here?"

"I was just going for a walk and noticed something weird on top the carriage."

"Sorry for being weird," I yawned and pushed myself up. As I did so, Lara backed away.

"No I didn't mean it like that," she said a little panicked. "You're not weird… at least mostly. I mean you're fine. Yeah just fine." I'll choose to ignore that one.

Judging from the light and the sun's position it was still the early morning. I packed away my bedding and cleaned myself up. The entire time Lara stood silently nearby.

"Did you need something?" I asked as I finished.

"No," she laughed.

"Okay then…." I admit I was a little confused. "Did Ronalt want to hold another meeting?"

She shook her head, "No. He left quite early but I'm not sure where."

"Hmmm." I made my choice, "I think I'll go talk with him for a bit."

"Please do," she smiled. "I know Ronalt and you didn't quite get along but he's a good guy."

"I know he is," I returned the smile reassuringly.

Lara didn't follow me and after walking for a few minutes I easily found Ronalt near the centre of Axel. The children were giggling happily as they clung on to his muscular arms. He swung them around and roared playfully. The way he looked without his armour wasn't much different from the other adults of Axel, though he was ripped.

"Again, again!" one of the smaller boys screamed in delight.

"Okay, ready?" Ronalt picked him up.

"Yep!" he nodded.

"Go!" he threw him straight into the sky. My eyes widened in shock. The child's name was Peters. He was enthusiastic and dreamt of being an adventurer discovering new worlds. He passed the roofs around him. At this rate he'd never achieve his dream. Of course as he came down Ronalt caught him with perfect ease.

"Again!" Peters yelled.

"And I'll stop you there," I quickly walked in.

"Oh Rain," Ronalt put Peters down looking at me guiltily. "I was just playing with the children."

"I could see that," I shook my head disapprovingly and looked at the children. "Don't you all have morning lessons to go to?" They giggled letting go of Ronalt and ran off. I turned back to Ronalt, "So care to explain yourself?"

"My apologies Rain, I got carried away," he bowed his head. He was being so serious that it was hard to keep teasing him.

"It's fine, just keep it in moderation," I smiled. "Though you're much better with children than I thought you'd be."

"Yes… they tend to be intimidated on my arrival. The children here however greeted me quite openly."

"That's because they're all a bit odd." Really it was their parents. "Would you like me to show you around?"

He looked at me surprised and slowly nodded, "Please do."

"We're pretty small so don't expect much." I lead Ronalt around the town showing him the key locations of Axel. I took it in turn pointing out the fields, blacksmith, apothecary, general store and kept going. It was similar to when I had shown Ardent and Taylor around but now I didn't have an extra motive. There was no need to keep watch of our surroundings. We passed by the school house where Ardent was joining in with a small lecture, Earnest was in the field nearby swinging his sword, Marley was still in the inn eating an extended breakfast and Lara and Taylor were walking together peacefully.

We ended up at the bakery. Ronalt stood inside the kitchen admiring the layout. Being partial royalty and a knight he probably didn't see much like it.

"Oh if I was just twenty years younger I'd pounce him without a second thought," Marcy looked at Ronalt with thirsty eyes. "You just don't see muscles like that here."

"Please don't," I said with distaste.

Marcy laughed and walked off to deliver the mornings bread.

Ronalt came out of the kitchen to where I was standing in the store front, "This town as small as it is, is amazing. Perhaps when I eventually retire I will live someplace like this."

"You really like it?" I asked dubiously.

"Of course I do," he nodded with a strange determination. "The air permeates peace and I feel no sense of discord with its people."

"Glad to hear it," I smiled at the town being praised.

"When I was young, a man I admired retired to a place like this. He was a Knight Captain like I am now. As I grew older I honestly began to despise his decision, to let go of his responsibilities as a noble, however being here, I understand. It's a quiet life but one of purpose."

A flush of heat spread through my body in recognition, "And what was this Knight's name?"

"Matarus. Though I never met the man myself, even now the Queen speaks highly of his talent."

Yep. He was definitely talking about Mattias. Though my father had told me the story of his past himself, to hear it from another really pushed the point at just how prominent he used to be. I couldn't help but be proud.

Ronalt suddenly sighed downhearted. His eyes stared out into the street as if saying goodbye.

"Is something wrong?" I asked a little concerned.

"I do not want to worry you but when I feel that we might fail and places like this will be gone… I cannot help but become melancholic."

"But we haven't failed yet," I said with purposeful bluntness.

I expected Ronalt to face me the same but instead he sighed, "Rain I truly do love this town even form the brief time I've been here. I love the Capital, Wester, Greytree, Stonewall, all the places we've passed through and more. In the Capital however, to some nobles, a place like this is no more than a number in a sea of hundreds. If that number is of no use, it is forgotten or removed."

I scowled, "If that's how they think then I want nothing to do with them."

"Perhaps…," he smiled at me. "I just want to keep our home safe." There was a lull in his speech but then as if determining himself he nodded. "Rain I owe you an apology."

I stared back at him knowing what he wanted to say. It was very much the same as he had spoken to me in Greytree, though his thoughts were more thought out having had more time to himself. While I could have ushered it faster I felt that he needed to say it more than I needed to hear it.

"Finally there is the vision you had," he spoke. "Not just the Queen, but I believe there may be a greater force guiding you. With you, our chance for a more peaceful resolution is possible."

For a moment I said nothing, then slowly I stepped away, closed the door and folded my arms, "Ronalt what do you think of the Demons?"

"That is quite the sudden question Rain," his back straightened once more.

"Humour me."

"If you are asking about hate or love, I have neither. They are their own people as are we and I am sure they have their own wishes to protect."

"And the Demon Lord?"

"He is something that must be removed to uphold the peace," Ronalt replied firmly. "With each passing day he incites more demons to join his cause to assault our Kingdom. War will only destroy us all."

"But to his people isn't he a godsend? He's united the demons under one banner and spread peace in their lands."

"His accomplishments do not matter if he bares his teeth at us in the end. I truly wish he never appeared. While there was no true peace between our people, there was no war. It is our mission to make sure it stays that way."

"Then the Demons themselves?"

"If they mean no harm I am the same." He sighed, "The true enemy lies on the East regardless."

"You mean the Empire?" I said with raised brows.

"Yes the Empire. The greedy lot are always searching for a way to increase their borders. When the Demon Lord first proclaimed himself they wanted to send their army to stop him."

"That doesn't sound so bad."

Ronalt shook his head, "Rain I believe you a smart man. Would you like a foreign force in your lands knowing they could turn on you at any moment?"

"Sorry," I apologised. "You're right."

"Most our forces watch our eastern border, the rest keep the peace. A single moment of weakness could spell a new war and through all this the Demon Lord rises to run amok." He scowled, "They slandered the Queen's name for not allowing their army to pass, inciting our own people against her. Had we sent our own army they would exploit the hole in our defence. So we made a choice to settle it ourselves quietly."

"So you summoned Lara," the words left my mouth painfully.

"Yes," he nodded. "Under agreement we would summon a Hero to strike down the Demon Lord and thus they would have no need to send their army."

"Lara isn't a pawn in your game," I hadn't meant to sound so harsh as Ronalt flinched.

"I know that," he grimaced. "She doesn't deserve any of this but without her we would be doomed to fail and now… now more than ever we need a miracle like her."

"Right… a miracle," I couldn't look him in the eye.

Ronalt straightened himself, "I seem to have said more than I should have." He frowned, "You are quite easy to speak with but nonetheless I ask you to keep this information to yourself. I shared it with you in good faith."

I nodded sombrely and sighed, "Let's get some fresh air." There was a lot on my mind now.