After some time, I reach my family's barn. If I don't bring him that stupid axe in time, he is going to have the perfect excuse to pay me even less.
And I can't just "persuade" him. And he knows it, if I do, his father will not hear the end of it. Besides, they could rat me out and tell everyone that I was hiding the axe of a rogue warden.
I leave my horse and enter the barn. Looking around, I find a truly depressing sight. My father, with the axe in hand, was waiting for me.
Yep, it looks like I'm screwed. I tell myself.
Trying to act calm, I approach him. But his gaze doesn't give me a break.
A scary-looking guy my father is. He is past his 30s but somehow he maintains some of his youth. All muscles, almost zero brain. He is a simple minded fool by the name of Jacek.
"What is this?"
The question I expected to hear but also didn't wanted to hear. Yep, I'm screwed.
Simple minded person as my father is, he values hard work and discipline above almost everything. That's why he never values things like adventuring.
"I asked you a question." My father continues to say as he approaches.
Should I lie? I could just tell him that I just found it. Nah, he won't buy it.
I think it's best if I tell a half-truth.
"A warden gave it to me. A long time ago. I didn't knew why, he just gave it to me and left."
"I see, and you took it without questioning anything?" He looks at me inquisitively.
"I was a child, and it looked amazing." I shrug.
"Are you telling me that this axe was hidden here all this time?" He frowns. "I would have found it already."
"It was hidden in another place, but I happened to be in need of that axe lately. So I putted it in there. That way, I could have it more at hand."
I tried to act calm but I really needed that axe. And I didn't wanted to waste much time here. The magic steel of that axe is expensive, if I get to sell it, I could easily buy the equipment necessary to get to the capital.
"You once told me that wardens are like heroes. Like incredible warriors that punish the wicked." He takes a moment to continue. "The face you have right now is not the face of a hero."
I know, but what am I supposed to do? I need that money, and besides, look at him: he is wielding the axe like a child. Like it burns, he doesn't know how to use it. He probably doesn't even know that it's made of magic steel.
As if reading my thoughts, he starts to wield the axe like a woodcutter axe. It wouldn't normally look impressive, but given his strong constitution, it does.
I try to think my way out of this. I need that axe. But then, Astrid comes. She positions herself alongside me.
You have to be kidding me! Not her as well!Now, she is going to tell Jacek that I was talking with a suspicious looking guy.
"Ailan, was actually..." Here it comes, what is she even doing here?
"...going to give that axe back to its owner."
What?
"What do you mean?" My father looks extremely confused.
"Like I said, he wants to give this axe back to the warden who owns it."
"You told me that he talked to someone suspicious this morning. And that I should look around to see if I can find something that will gave him up. And now, you are telling me that I should just forget about this whole ordeal?"
"Yes. Even though Ailan is reckless sometimes; he doesn't do anything for the sake of it. He must have his reasons for wanting that axe."
"Didn't you said that he wanted to give the axe back to it's owner?"
"Yes. I, I..." She looks around shyly.
"Enough." I wasn't going to say anything but I couldn't bear seeing my sister trying to have my back.
"I'll tell the truth." They looked at me seriously.
I told them everything I knew about that axe and the past owner. Including the type of axe it is and the fact it's made of magic steel. I also told them about the badge.
"So you have been hiding an axe of a wanted criminal all this time? A wanted criminal whose penalty is execution no less?"
I closed my eyes, not wanting to see his disappointed face.
"That's a little impressive." He admits. "Why did you do it? Please tell me that you had a good reason."
"I thought I might be able to use it in the future. And I wasn't wrong." I quickly added. "There is someone interested in buying it."
"I see." He squints his eyes. "Now. Tell me this: Should I worry?" He looks extremely serious.
"No, I have this under control." I tried to gather every amount of confidence I had in those words.
"Good." He nods. "I'll trust your judgement then."
He left without another word. He handed me the axe as he leaves.
Astrid then approached me. "I'm sorry, brother. I shouldn't have said anything."
"It's ok." I reassure her. "I have to leave now, let's talk later if you want."
I patted her head once before leaving. And after putting quickly the axe in my belt, I steadily walk towards my horse.
I ride to the abandoned church. And after some time, I reach it.
An impressive structure as old as Nutaarvik stands before me. When Nutaarvik was still a colony, people gathered here to pray. But, when the empire left the colonists on their own; there were some who set the church on fire.
Apparently, the church was created using exclusively the resources of the capital.
Not even the church seats remained unscatched. Everything was burn to ashes.
People don't go here, and it's away from the village. Making it a perfect place to make a deal.
I enter the church. Gerber is already here, as expected. However there are three more guys besides him. They are standing alongside him, acting like bodyguards.
"Ailanthus, you are finally here. You made me wait, again." Gerber says dramatically.
"Sorry about that, I came as soon as possible. Do you have the money?" I try to act polite.
"First, show me the axe."
I do as he asks.
"Bah, it's full of dust and dirt. If it weren't for the fact that it's made of magic steel..." He looks at me with an unerving look.
"Do you have the money or not?" His bodyguards were also making me nervous.
"Yes, I do."
He throws a pouch full of coins to the ground.
Clink. Clink. Clink.
The dirt and dust of the ground mingles with the coins.
"Dirt for dirt, dust for dust. Do you have a problem with that?" He points at his bodyguards. They simply stare.
I try not to react. That's what people on his position usually want.
"It's a shame that our ancestors haven't lived long enough to see: a merchant throwing money disdainfully at the church's grounds." I smirk.
"Are you stupid? You were the one who wanted to make this deal here."
"I know, I was joking."
"Your humour is as odd as your dream."
"What do you know about dreams?"
"I know that they are just that. Dreams. The only "dream" anyone should have is; to live comfortably. Peacefully. Away from harm." He says as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.
"I'm not in the mood for your mundane philosophy."
"Of course you are. A commoner couldn't possibly understand philosophy or art. Commoners only need to understand how to work under the blazing sun."
"Is talking shit an art? Besides, you are just the son of a merchant."
"Meh. You are all bark, no bite."
He tells his bodyguards to take my axe. They walk carelessly. Apparently, they don't think that I'm much of a threat as well.
Seeing the coins covered in dust in the ground, the smirk of his bodyguards and our conversation earlier made me angry. But I knew that I couldn't show it.
I offered the axe to one of the bodyguards. He looked at me impassively.
"You know." He starts saying. "A while ago, I was about to do a bodyguard job. You know, the usual stuff." He smirks. "When my client told me that he changed his mind. That he was going to hire a weak ass teenager to do the job. Because, I was even weaker than him or something. Yeah, those were his exact same words." He dramatically slumps his shoulders.
"Let me guess, you grow envious of me or something."
I position myself for a fight.
"Hey, boss." He points at me while looking at Gerber. "Can I have a little bit of fun with this bastard? Just for a bit? Pretty please?"
"All commoners are the same. Violent and dull. You guys can do whatever you want, just don't take too long." He crosses his arms.
"Yeah, yeah." The bodyguard mocks Gerber.
Gerber tries to look unaffected by his mocking.
I step back, the bodyguards approach menacingly. Seems like I'll have to fight my way out of this situation.