The Righteous Way

Chapter 5

“Well, a rose is soft and fickle for a season, so it seemed a good match,” she replied. "No, I’m good for a rose, just odd of you to praise me as such."

The huntress gave a snicker while James' face went red with inconvenience. "As Alex turned to leave, he said, "We should be on our way; it is getting dark." The woman said, "Hold," "Why not make camp with me?"

“Oh?” "And why would we do that?" James asked.

Alex said as he took off his gear and started putting his bedding in the leaves. "We'd love to," he said.

“What?” asked James, "This woman has asked us to be her guests; it would be impolite to turn her down, and I for one would welcome an extra hand in these perilous woods." James grunted audibly, "Ugh," but he soon also was putting his bed up for the night.

Alex replied, "Scarlett, yours?" "I'm sorry, I do not know your name."

James responded, "Alex," "Sir Alex and his companion the fool," "The fool has a name," "I would prefer you use it," and "James, is it?I prefer fool more," "Tell me once more why we're camping with her?"

Alex laughed only. What is so amusing? James and Scarlett both asked at the same time. He just shook his head and smiled as he sat down on his mat. James attempted to sleep while lying on his side away from the two. While covering her body with her substantial fur cloak, Scarlett did the same.

Alex was uneasy after talking to Scarlett.She had only praised him for his efforts to forget his past with the Nine.His agony returned as his thoughts turned to the faces of his former friends. He rolled and went attempting to shake the recollections while tears came to his eyes.

The one thing that always brought him peace occupied his thoughts as he attempted to overcome his despair. a stunning tavern girl from the king's castle's face.Naturally, when he was younger, he tried to court her, but she always turned him down. Brytt was her name, and when he was knighted, he thought it would make her feel special.

He laughed out of dread as he thought of her smile as she refused to extend her hand to him in front of all his friends.As he was laughed out of the room, he felt ashamed and enraged. He had been with many women during his knighthood, but she was the untarnished jewel of his memories, and he was relieved that she didn't waver in her resolve. Now, however, it was a pleasant memory.He quickly fell asleep.

When he awoke, Scarlett had vanished, and the sun had just begun to rise over the mountains. James awoke when he began to gather his bedding. He also organized his belongings. After that, Scarlett showed up with three dead rabbits.She started a fire and began skinning the small animals.

James covered his nose and yelled, "Ugh, that smells horrid." "Don't worry, the smell will pass once I cook them," he said, "Let's just hope you're a good cook."

As she cut open the gut of one of the rabbits, Scarlett glared at him. James turned away as he cringed at the scene. The three of them silently consumed the cooked food as the fire roared and popped. Alex then took his food away without warning and looked around. Scarlett said, "I hear it as well." James got up and drew his sword.

They were surrounded by five men riding armored horses. The province's crest was emblazoned on their breastplates, and they were covered in heavy armor. Alex looked at James, who was concealing his weapon, and said, "Knights."

Scarlett grabbed her lance and held it in a battle-stance as the largest of the men pointed at her and said, "You're under arrest." Hold, Alex, who stood between them, asked, "What is her crime?"

What are you?"I am Alex of Clan Tolbert, and I ask again:" asked the knight.What crimes does she have?

“No peasant may hunt the beasts of the land without paying taxes for doing so, she has paid nothing,” "Explain the laws pertaining to poaching," "Poaching on the land of the king," and "How much does she owe?"

Surprised, Scarlett looked at Alex.He appeared to be siding with the knights, and she hoped he would help her.

Alex turned to her and said, "She owes forty coins; otherwise, she will spend a day in prison per coin."Allow them to take you, I'll work off your obligation and you'll be liberated inside two or three days,"

"You must be joking, it is out of line for the ruler to charge for nature's gift!And there's no need for you to shoulder the blame for me. "So long as you live in the land, you must obey the laws." "I thought you were different; you were a Knight of Omega, but I guess you're just another stuck up noble."James yelled, "You keep your mouth shut!“This man deserves your respect--” “James,” Alex shook his head at him. “But, what you did for me...” “Was to save you a hand, she must pay for her crimes and forty days imprisonment is the law, should she want my help it is offered.” “Do as you will,” Scarlett said. “I’ll be going now.” Alex blocked her path. “You need to either pay the coin or go to the dungeon, I cannot support you in yourHe said, "He saved my life, let us try to help you," so listen to him.

When Scarlett realized that there was no way out, she released her lance. James took it, and she also gave him her bow. After that, she gave in to the knights and was taken to the castle through the woods.

James and Alex were next. They gave the knights Scarlett's weapons when they arrived at the castle. They both immediately began looking for employment. While Alex looked for any odd jobs he could, James took a table cleaning job at the nearby bar. He quickly came across a traveling merchant whose wagon's wheel was broken.

"Need help, sir? "The corpulent merchant asked Alex, "Yes, my fine fellow, I would appreciate a helping hand in such a circumstance," and Alex replied, "What is your price of service?"

"I will permit you to organize cost once my work is done,"

"Is it true or not that you are certain that is insightful? “I do know, but I care little for others' dishonesty, I only wish to help where I can,” “Very well,” “This world is filled with many unscrupulous characters.”

Alex examined the damaged wheel with his tools. He started working while the merchant sold his goods to the crowds of people in the nearby market. Using the materials that the merchant had given him, Alex made a new wheel. He finished with the new wheel securely fixed to the wagon after working for a few hours.

When the merchant returned with a bag full of coins from the previous day's sales, he commented, "That's a fine job," and "I'd say you've earned thirty coins for your labor." Alex took thirty from the merchant's bag and placed them in his satchel.

His royal crest was then missing when he looked in. He gave a quick survey of the area and wondered who might have taken it. Before heading toward the tavern, he shook his head and gathered his belongings. As Alex entered, James was collecting ale mugs while wearing an apron.

James, who was too busy to recognize him, replied, "Just grab a seat sir," "Very well wench, but make it quick," and waited for James's response. He smirked at Alex as he turned around. He dared his friend to call him "wench" once more.

“Oh I’m sorry James, I mistook you for a woman in that apron,” they both laughed, and James continued with his duties. "And I thought you were just another drooling drunkard, so I guess we’re even." He provided Alex with a water mug.Until he felt better, Alex watched him dash from table to table, bringing drinks and retrieving bottles.

He dropped a coin bag on the table and said, "Here."

"What is that?" “Did you steal these?” Alex inquired.

“What?No!" That's a lot of money for only a few hours work," "It's customary around her to leave a coin for the server, but needless to say I think we can help Scarlett now," "Funny, I thought you didn't like her," "What makes you think that?" I earned them fairly

Alex drank the last of his water and stood up, declaring, "Nothing." After that, the two of them left the pub and set out for the dungeons. The knight who had taken Scarlett was there to greet them. James gave him the coin bag. Before nodding, he counted them all thoroughly. Before they could enter, he took them to the cells and ordered them to take off their gear and weapons. The large steel door was unlocked by the knight, and they entered to find Scarlett and a few other prisoners chained to the wall.

As he unlocked her cuffs, the knight said, "Your debt has been paid in less than a day?" She inquired, to which Alex responded, "Yes," "This castle-town was ripe with opportunity," and "Well, how am I supposed to repay you?" She said, "There is no need, you do not owe us anything," and "I'm free to go?" even though I had done nothing to deserve it?

“You are, all we ask is that you adhere to the laws of the province, including tax laws,” James said as he and Alex turned to leave. “But—”

Scarlett stood there and observed their departure. As they rounded the corner, she felt her heart sink. After that, she looked at the knight.Where are my possessions?She inquired. She was led by the knight to a chest with her belongings in it. She carried her bow while donning her headdress and bracers. She then left with her lance from the wall rack.

James counted out the remaining coins as Alex and James moved through the town. James replied, "I should become a full-time tavern servant," "We still have forty coins left," and "What are you going to spend it on?"

“Not sure yet, I’ve thought about getting a second dagger,” "You should learn to wield a sword, a real weapon,” "There’s nothing wrong with daggers, they don't slow me down," "With the right amount of training, neither does a sword," and "Maybe I’ll have to show you that daggers can be just as deadly" are some of the responses that have been offered.