The wayfarer - Part 3

Early the next morning Iris is awoken by a rooster greeting the sun. In mere minutes the town starts buzzing with sound of people getting to work. It’s soon time for harvest and much needs to be done. It’s been a good year with a lot of fine crop but the unknown danger in the air makes even the finest day an intimidating one. The men and women are hard at work preparing the city and themself for battle. Hard at work they run around town and the inner city. A man nearly knocks down Iris who is walking around town trying to see if someone knows anything about her beloved.
“Sorry miss” he bows nearly knocking himself in the face with the box he is carrying.
“No harm done, sir” She smiles and carries on. Trying not to be in the way of people she ask the ones who are not doing anything in particularly. She holds up a drawing that she made in her notebook. One after another they say they do not know. Discouraged she starts walking back when a man stops her.
“I heard you are looking for someone. I might be able to help.”
He is dressed in a brown shirt with black pants. His eyes look rather suspicious but his voice sounds honest. A spark of hope filles Iris’s body with a warm feeling. She shows him the drawing. The man takes the drawing and studies it for a moment but shakes his head.
“Sorry little lady. I do not know this person.”
Iris sighs. The feeling of hope is as cold as the lakes in winter. In her head she wants to scream out in sorrow.
“Thank you anyway.”
She passes the man and starts walking back to the inn. For too long she have been looking for her beloved and the constant failure in finding him is starting to wear her out.
She enters the inn and is almost knocked back by the loud noise of men drinking, singing and trying to impress the women of the town. Erik is busy behind the bar serving drinks. He sees Iris as she sits down at the other end of the bar.
“Welcome back miss. Did you find what you were looking for?”
She stares into the wall.
“Whisky... please.”
He wrinkles his nose.
“That bad, huh?”
He pours her half a glass of whisky and is then called back to the other end. A man sits down next to Iris.
“Bad day?”
She grabs her glass and places it on her lips.
“Like everyday.”
She looks up and sees it’s the messenger that was recruiting people in the inn. Iris takes a sip of her whisky. It’s a fine whisky with a smoky flavor and a hint of the oak barrel it was stored in. It warms her belly.
“But I’m starting to get used to it.”
She smiles with an uncertainty and tries to change the topic.
“So hows the recruitment going mister knight?”
The man almost chokes on his ale holding back laughter. Iris looks confused.
“What’s so funny?”
The man calms down after a few coughs.
“The fact that you think I am a knight.”
Iris look up and down at the man’s clothes.
“Well you do have the right attire for the job.”
“That may be but I am no knight. I am just a simple messenger.” He let’s out a deep sad sigh. “But I do wish I was one.”
He looks at Iris and smiles.
“I guess you have to start somewhere right?”
Iris holds out her glass at him.
“I’ll drink to that.”
Their glasses meet with a soft clink. They drink their glasses dry and puts down their glasses unto the counter. Iris asks Erik for two more. He quickly comes by and pours them two glasses of whisky.
“I can’t call you mister knight and mister messenger sounds dumb. What shall I call you then?”
The man flinches at the thought of how rude he has been not introducing himself.
“I’m deeply sorry miss.”
He stands up and then bows.
“My name is Vidar Herdeman, at your service my lady.”
Iris giggles at being called a lady. She stands up and courtesies.
“Well met Vidar Herdeman, my name is Iris Telrunia.”
They both exchange smiles and sit back down. Vidar raises his glass.
“For a new friendship!”
Once again they toast and drink. The bitter taste of whisky fills Vidars mouth but he do not couch nor frown for he is a true gentleman. For the next couple of hours they talk about anything that comes to mind. Iris tells Vidar about the forest of Lindwëlian, one of the most beautiful forests she have ever traveled through and how it’s trees, at some places, block out the sun, their streams who are filled with delicious fish. But she tell him that it’s not always a friendly place to be. If you are not careful or mistreat it the forest will kill you. She tells him about a legend, told where she where born, about a young girl sitting by a pond. She is said to look no older than ten years old, have long blond hair and have a beautiful face. Her voice will be the last thing you hear before she lures you into the pond and drown you. All this talk about spirits haunting the forest and killing without warning makes Vidar very uneasy. The thought of death have not really ever been on his mind. He was born in the capital of Ilmaril, Aldaríon, and comes from a rich family who always had food on the table. He did not dislike what he had but seeing the poor people wandering the streets he always tried to help but they spat in his face for being rich. When he was old enough he joined the army so he could pay back to the people of Ilmaril by protecting them. His mother did not like it one bit, even though Ilmaril have seen peace for the last 50 years. She did not want her son to die on the battlefield. Vidar did not care what his mother thought and for that he was disowned by his family. That is 5 years ago and it still makes Vidars eyes become watery.
Once he joined the army his training began. Not before long he showed he had a loyal heart to the land where he grew up and was put on guard duty protecting the gate. He even stood guard for the queen, Luanel, once and for that he is very proud. He leaves out the fact that he almost fainted for being so nervous. This is his first mission where he have left the capital. Most of the guards of the capitol were appointed new duties as messengers. They were appointed by the queen, Luanel, to travel in packs of three to eight different cities and recruit for the upcoming war.
Vidar drinks the last of his whisky.
“Now I have told you about why I am here...” He looks at Iris with a serious face. “Why did you leave home?”