Quantum Rip: Welcome to Ethos

Kirkwall (Part 1 - Bribe)

After two days of traveling, Edvard finally managed to find a walled settlement.

While the journey had been easier due to the forest becoming less dense, it was still a forest. Beasts were almost everywhere, and while Edvard wasn't scared. Having come to learn that they are just normal beasts, he was still wary.

Not having any ideas of where the next village or hamlet might be, Edvard had kept to the river. Assuming that villages should be founded near to a water source. It was also the only way he could see the knight having managed to find the hamlet of Zaselak.

There were no roads, heck there weren't even clear paths between the villages. The locals might know how to get from hamlet to hamlet, but anyone else would quickly become lost.

'I hope no bullshit happens.' Edvard thought as he looked at the shabby wooden walls. They would not withstand much, but they should give the citizens a place to hide should a fight happen. Though Edvard doubted it would really stop monsters like orcs.

The gate was guarded by two dozing guards, farmers came to and fro without being bothered by them. Heck, they didn't even look up at the farmers.

There weren't many crops outside the walls, only a few fields around the size of sports fields. There was also a few grazing animals, their appearance similar to goats.

There was also no proper road, even now. The only things that could be considered roads were the trodden paths between the fields.

Following along one such a path, Edvard was not stopped by any of those working in the fields. They simply gave him a curious look before returning to their work.

Taking in that they were curious but not cautious, Edvard felt relieved. So he headed straight for the gate. A simple hinged structure of wood, swung inward when opened. Upon approaching it one of the guards, a lady, noticed him and quickly woke her sleeping friend.

"Halt, what business do you have?" The lady guard, with a terrible scar on her face, asked. Neither of them had proper armor, rather they were wearing some old reused chainmail with a few holes visible where their uniform did not cover it.

The uniform was an ugly orange color with a bleeding red rose on their chests. Edvard had no idea who could have chosen such a bad color combination, yet for someone to actually go and make the clothes was even more baffling.

"I wish to stay for a while, I was ambushed in the forest along with a few friends of mine. I-I fear I am the only one who escaped." Edvard replied, trying to keep his excuse as simple as possible.

"Five coppers." Said the other guard, a man who clearly did not bathe often. His rank stench traveled to Edvard and caused him to nearly lose his composure.

"Can you make an exception? I lost everything in the raid." Edvard pleaded, doing his best to appear miserable. His clothing certainly did not look great, naturally, he hadn't bothered to try and clean himself. It was better to stay covered in dirt and plants to keep his scent weak.

Still, he somehow managed to appear cleaner than both the guards in front of him.

"No fee, no entrance." The female guard replied, her appearance would likely have intimidated most but did not even phase Edvard.

"Is there no other way?" Edvard asked.

"Maybe... If you bring us a nice catch from the woods, we will consider." She said, pointing to the bow on Edvard's shoulder.

Edvard paused for a while, considering if it was worth the hassle. He could always just leave, however, he felt he needed to learn more about the kingdom.

He felt confident he would be able to escape from these guards should something happen. He did not know if he would be able to do the same in a larger town with proper guards.

Naturally, he planned to settle in a city and form a network there. A city's guards had to be much better than what was before him. Hence he didn't want to still appear like a foreigner in such a place and call trouble to himself.

More than anything, he wanted to learn what the knight called Josip had used to increase his speed and strength. While it appeared to be very draining, Edvard felt confident Josip was not a good indication of the power's ability.

In the end, he agreed.

So he set back out into the forest, this time searching for tracks of some game. He had no idea what five coppers would be worth, the previous village never used coins to bargain.

Just a few hours in, Edvard found a group of deer. Sneaking closer, he aimed at one of the smaller does. With her death the rest of the herd scattered and Edvard had no wish to claim any more of their lives. Moving forward he quickly started the basic cleaning needed to ensure the meat would not spoil.

Half an hour later he sighed as he placed the doe down before the guards. "I hope this will do." He said, wiping the sweat from his brow.

The next moment he knew something was wrong. Upon seeing the doe, the two smirked and looked at Edvard gloatingly.

"How dare you steal from the lord of Kirkwall? Surrender or we will make you!" The female guard shouted loud enough to ensure everyone heard her. The locals all quickly dropped what they were doing and moved closer to watch the spectacle.

"You told me to go into the woods and bring back something to exchange for entrance!" Edvard shouted back, causing the guards to falter as they did not expect him to try and fight back.

"How dare you slander us!? There is no going back now!" The other guard shouted, picking up his spear as he did. The other pulled out her sword. Both moved towards Edvard ready to arrest him.

"I did not wish to do this, but you insisted!" Edvard shouted back, quickly pulling out his shortsword.

Upon seeing the blade both guards' eyes flew open and greed overtook them. They charged without much coordination; their simple attacks were far too simple for Edvard.

Sidestepping around the spear thrust, he grabbed it with his left hand while his right hand flew and blocked the attack from the other with his sword. Pulling the spear he caused the guard to lose his footing. As he tried to recover Edvard moved under the other's sword and cut into her side.

Stepping around the now wounded female guard, Edvard thrust his shortsword into her back. As she fell, the other started recovering his stance, but it was too late. Edvard moved quickly, stepping on the spear he tried to pick up and bringing his sword to the man's neck.

"Should I kill you too? I think it would be for the best." Edvard said, causing the guard to piss herself.

"Stay your hand!" Shouted someone from behind the crowd.

"Why should I?" Edvard shouted back, kicking the guard between his legs, causing him to double over in pain.

AN: Remember to show your support for the story by adding it to your library, voting, and commenting.