Innkeeper: ...And this explains why we now have a united Torrs Kingdom with each former kingdom become a county in the case of Jappon, or like Aura and Branshaldo, have been integrated between Jappon and Torrs. Sure there is peace but we all still feel like we're in a state of constant threat due to King Baron Corrvinn. He feels that he must ensure that he will remain on the Throne at all costs.

The innkeeper had said this long tale as if he had been there on that fateful night. He only had one guest, a wandering knight with an unfamiliar insignia and a necklace who had listened to the innkeeper's tale. The wandering knight had asked the innkeeper,

Wandering Knight?: I see, why are you telling me all this then kind sir?

The innkeeper, surprised that this wandering knight did not dismiss the tale as some tall tale said,

Inkeeper: To be honest, I see that you stayed on with your ears and heard me out, something that is rare from my usual clientele. Given that my clientele are usually ruffians who stay in but don't have the base decency of compensation or the obligatory verbal threat. I used to own a large hostel that even some envoys have stayed in. Now due to the overthrowing, I have been left to ply my business at the outskirts... say, I see you're a knight, care to tell me whom you serve under?

Wandering Knight?: My apologies, I have not said my name. I am Pattou Blade. This armor and insignia was placed on me by a random generous benefactor. I serve under no one but somehow and for some reason, this necklace had been causing me trouble wherever I went. I thank you kind sir for not sending me out to fend for myself or send me to the royal guard. My apologies these pieces of gold are not enough to compensate my stay....

The innkeeper stopped Pattou

Innkeeper: Blade? No way, the necklace...hmm... I doubt anyone of that name survived that night, there was no word as to what happened to Patriarch Blade. But given your sympathetic ear, no need to compensate me. But as soon as you finish your meal, you must leave. Corrvin's men frequent this area in search of possible insurgents. May you be kept safe young Pattou!

Pattou would then thank him then leave the inn and head to wherever he will and can stay in. The innkeeper would then utter to someone in that same room,

Innkeeper: He has returned.

Pattou journeyed from the outskirts of Torrs to a nearby border forest to rest again under the shade of a tree. This has been life for him. A life of a wandering knight that serves under no one, but with a shrouded past and a magnet for trouble. Such magnet must be on as while resting, he opened his eyes to see a sniper, with black hair and a mustache beard combo, standing above him and aiming his arrow between his eyes. The sniper questioned him,

Sniper?: Just who do you think you are trying to invade our territory? Hasn't it been enough that you pillaged the rival kingdoms and round up innocents as scapegoats for that coward? Answer me!

Pattou would be quick enough to draw his blade from his back to use the broad side to slap the arm of the sniper and respond,

Pattou: What are you talking about? I do not serve Baron Corrvin! I serve under no one!

The sniper rejects his plea then says, "

Sniper?: then tell me dear sir Knight, what your business is here in my side of the woods? Are you letting me rob you? Because I don't see anything of value except that necklace...

Pattou furiously snapped back,

Pattou: Not this necklace! It means a lot to me.

The furious sniper then saw that they were not alone, a few imperial guards, with their raven insignia showed up and saw the commotion. One of the guards was delighted at the spectacle and said,

Corrvin Guard: Oh how lucky we are, we see the rebel sniper of the forests and this pretender masquerading as one of us, we will be promoted by King Corrvin once these two are brought to him.

The sniper fired arrows at the two guards, with one hitting their mark and the other bouncing off their armor. The sniper would then be overwhelmed and bound by imperial guards with their pikes surrounding his neck. Pattou acted fast and slashed away at the guard who were surrounding the sniper and was able to disarm them, but not mortally wound them. Upon seeing this sight, the leader of the contingent along with some of his men would leave, swearing vengeance over this failed capture attempt.

Those disarmed by Pattou were left behind and were fearing reprisal in the hands of Pattou and the sniper, they pleaded for their lives as they were driven to join the imperial guard under the promise of money for their families at the price of making orphans of others as part of the Corrvin insurgency purge plan. The sniper would understand and told Pattou not to kill them but to spare their lives. The sniper then thanks Pattou for saving him from capture,

Sniper?: Apologies for earlier but you accepting my plea to spare their lives. It's something we learned from the Torren orphanage. What is your name, kind knight?

Pattou would then say with a tinge of hesitation,

Pattou: Pattou Blade. What would be yours?

The sniper, after hearing that familiar name, is surprised and reacts,

Sniper?: Pattou? Pattou! Glad to see you back. Is that really you? You look different all armored up but that necklace from the orphanage days should have given it away. My bad my man.

Pattou upon mention of the Torren orphanage is shocked and asks the sniper,

Pattou: It has been a long time. May I know your name sniper?

Sniper?: Long time indeed. You may not recognize me but I'm Liger Chance. You and I go way back when you defended me from the other kids in that forsaken orphanage.

attou and Liger would then agree to bring in the newly defected soldiers and would re-connect after those years. Liger then upon reaching their base would say to his guest,

Liger: Since we go way back, you can stay here with us. I know you can fight with us given how the current regime just loves to flex its power by shedding unnecessary blood on a whim.

Pattou then said,

Pattou: For the night I can indulge you on that. But come the next day, I cannot stay here. For one reason or another, people want to bring me to the authorities. I cannot endanger you and your people here for my sake.

Liger interrupts,

Liger: Let me stop you there, we are now on the same boat. Corrvin will strike anyone he dares as I have said earlier. Just like when we were kids in the orphanage, will you defend alongside me?

Pattou no longer felt hesitation

Pattou: That's a yes for me.

Liger and Pattou slaps palms and agrees with the arrangement.

Somewhere in Torrs,

???: I see he has returned. It is time to fulfill my mission and see it through.

And that was chapter 1. Hope you all enjoyed. More to come!