" do you have anything you want to take with you? Asked Leo as he looked at the tarp before glancing at Rebecca who shook her head and spoke
" what about the potatoes "
" will the guards search us? " asked Leo before he looked at her strangely " Speaking of, how did you take me out of the village? "
He didn't pay it any mind before but now that he knows that the villages are surrounded by a wall and there's only 1 entrance to each village which has 2 guards at all times
So how did she take him out?
" I put you on my back and climbed over the wall " replied Rebecca calmly as she gave Leo a a strange look. Seeing this Leo asked
" what? "
" those guards were just the stronger ones picked from normal serfs, given weapons to keep peace. They have no training, nothing more than sheep controlling sheep " replied Rebecca coldly before she noticed his gaze and looked away awkwardly
Hearing her words Leo was speechless, not knowing if it was because he expected to much of the guards or because of how nonchalant she was about it.
He was also surprised as he had never thought he'd hear words like that from a child but when he remembered what had happened to her, it made sense
' which means we should be fine safety wise at least for the time being '
" though I think we should leave the potatoes and come back when we get settled " said Leo after thinking about it for a while
***
After making their way out of the forest. Leo finally got to see the village for himself and was instantly underwhelmed
He didn't want to underestimate anyone, especially in this world where a 10 year old girl can compete with grown men in strength and outrun bolt
Only thing missing would be magic but so far he found that it's hardly different from medieval Europe
' so much for 100m enchanted walls with dragon hunting crossbows ' thought Leo, before shaking away his childish thought focusing on the scene infront of him
Several emaciated men, women and children, all stood in a group outside of the gate. 5 guards with long swords, in worn leather armor stood around a hunched over old man
What caught Leo's attention was his clothes, which were better quality than those of the guards protecting him. His attention then turned to a massize box which was covered with a tarp behind them. His thoughts were interrupted by one of the guards
" shut up, and make one group. The mayor is going to speak to you then you'll be allowed entry into the village after registering your information " shouted the guard, drawing his sword causing the people in the front to step back in fear
Hearing his words Leo pulled Rebecca and joined the group ignoring the girls reaction as he waited for the Mayor's words
The mayor slowly walked forward from behind the guards before he spoke. His voice surprisingly loud, not matching his figure whatsoever
'' an apprentice Knight? " muttered Leo drawing the attention of those around him. Causing Rebecca to look at the mayor in surprise while the other people moved away from Leo not wanting to be associated with him incase he got in trouble
" our gracious Lord, Baron Abraham, has decided to give you disgusting strays a chance " said the Mayor not hiding his contempt as he looked at the crowd
Leo noticed that everyone's face darkened after he said ' strays ' . He couldn't see Rebecca's face as her hood was on but from how she started squeezing his hand tighter, he could see that she was also affected by the word
' a slur? ' thought Leo as he suddenly understood the reaction of Jason and the older man , even though he was just returning the words
" a chance to become serfs on this land " continued the mayor not caring about their reaction " a chance to find a Lord to serve and to have a home of your own, no longer running from place to place "
Hearing his words, the expression of everyone in the crowd brightened, hope appearing in their eyes
" the price? " asked the mayor " each and every one of you strays must hand in 100kg of fish every week. Those of you who can, will stay in our Lords territory and have a home. Eat any extra fish you catch. Of course, any extra fish can be traded for tools and supplies to make your life better " said the Mayor, his eyes passing over everyone in the crowd taking in their expressions before a sarcastic smile appeared on his fake
" those of you who cannot.....Will continue to be nothing more than a stray, no longer able to stay within the house. Nor can you eat any of the Lords food, which means you'll starve to death unless you decide to leave. " said the Mayor with a joking smile insighting chuckles from the guards ignoring the faces of the people in the crowd which grew paler after his words
" many of you might think of living in the forest, hunting and foraging after leaving " said the mayor as if he knew their thoughts " Our Lord is gracious enough to allow this, as long as you can survive a fight with this beast "
At his words, one of the guards pulled the tarp off of what looked like a box, exposing a metal cage, in it, a huge black and gray wolf laying on his stomach, seemingly asleep
" wake up mutt " said one of the guards as he poked the wolf in the side with his sword. It's eyes opening as it shot towards him hitting into the cage. Growling in anger as it looked at the guard outside the cage.
Most of the people in the crowd stepped back in horror as they looked at the wolf
The mayor watched this with a bright smile, seemingly enjoying their fear before his eyes focused on Leo and Rebecca. He noticed that they were the only people who didn't step back in fear. Seeing this an intrigued expression appeared on his face
Unaware of the gaze on him and Rebecca, Leo focused his gaze on the wolf. Taking in it's massize size
' it's the size of a bull ' thought Leo in awe, surprisingly not feeling much fear
' it's not much stronger than Rebecca and I. If she had a bow, she could probably kill it on her own ' thought Leo, his expression growing hesitant
He was tempted to take the chance to fight the wolf. So he could gain the opportunity to develop in the forest under his own terms
As he was thinking he finally felt the gaze on him and glanced towards its source, finding the mayor staring at him and Rebecca with a smile
Seeing this, Leo glanced around and found that he and Rebecca were not at the forefront of the crowd since they all took a step back
' shit ' thought Leo, his grip on Rebecca's hand tightening as he prepared for the worse.....