Chapter 72: Ch72 – Gods be Good

Gregory stood, his massive frame unfolding from the too-small seat.

“Ryan, Eleanor.” He waved his hand for them to follow. “Come on.”

Ryan blinked, then stood quickly. Eleanor followed.

Jared frowned, glancing at the massive stranger. “Why are you following this man?” He stepped forward protectively. “I knew it! Is this guy the real reason you two have so much money? Not Principal Helena? Do you owe him money?” His hand moved to his belt instinctively where he had a dagger hidden.

James moved in closer, “We’ve got your backs. Don’t worry.” James raised his fists.

The poor civilians that were sitting beside Gregory sank in their chairs, trying to seem invisible.

Gregory sighed heavily, “No they don’t owe me any money.”

Maybe a quick fight with these two buffoons would be a bit fun… No, they are clearly friends of the heroes. I can only pray some commoner is as brazen as these two… it would be nice to release some of this stress. Gregory thought to himself. He took a moment to shake the smile off of his face.

This is beneath me, “I need to have a confidential conversation between a member of the military,” He pointed at himself, and then pointed to Ryan and Eleanor “and two exemplary military-sponsored students at the Lithara academy.”

Jared blinked. “Exemplary military—what?”

Ryan opened his mouth, but Gregory was already moving, threading through the crowd with surprising ease for someone of his size. People stepped aside instinctively, creating a path. “Come on then.”

Ryan and Eleanor hurried after him.

Ryan breached the distance between him and Gregory and leaned in to his ear, his voice dropping to a whisper. “Hey, they can come along, they already know we’re heroes.”

Gregory stopped so abruptly that Ryan nearly walked into his back.

He turned slowly, his face dropped its cheerfulness and was instantly replaced by frustration. “Seriously? Ryan? Eleanor?” His voice was quiet but sharp. “That’s meant to be a secret, even the damn King doesn’t know about… ’that’. Why would you tell the first two random students you meet?”

Eleanor shrugged. “Well, they both seemed very trustworthy!”

Gregory stared at her for a long moment, then looked skyward. “Gods be good, the human race is doomed.”

Ryan tried to stop himself from chuckling, but failed miserably. “She’s just making a joke. We met them before you, it was on the other side of the Rupes Mountains. Before we knew any of… ’it’ should be kept secret.”

Gregory exhaled through his nose. “Okay. Okay.” He glanced around at the crowd flowing past them. “Be quiet and follow me.” He raised his voice and pointed at the brothers, “You two as well, come with. We’ll talk elsewhere.”

He turned and continued walking, his pace faster now.

Behind them, Ryan could hear Jared’s confused voice. “What just happened?”

These two monkeys still haven’t realised who they are talking to… Oh well, I’ll let them continue to embarrass themselves.

Gregory led them through the streets, weaving between festival-goers and horse led carts. The noise of the colosseum faded behind them as they moved deeper into the city.

Then they turned a corner and dead ahead of them was a squat stone building, fortified and practical. Two soldiers stood guard outside, dressed in dark leather armour bearing the Rupes Kingdom sigil. Their postures were rigid, eyes scanning the street.

It seemed to be some kind of military barracks or guard station.

Ryan assumed they were heading inside.

But Gregory walked straight past it.

Ryan frowned. “Why aren’t we going in there? It looks like an army building.”

Gregory didn’t slow. “Because I’d rather not have low-level soldiers see either of you with me.”

“Why?” Eleanor asked.

“Any soldier could be a spy,” Gregory said quietly. “The elves have been trying to infiltrate our military for decades, and although we catch most, a few will slip through. If a spy saw me with you two, the elves might have you murdered within the day.”

Ryan felt his pulse quicken. So we can’t even trust most of the military.

Gregory’s tone didn’t change. “We’ll go somewhere quiet instead.”

James and Jared exchanged nervous glances but said nothing. They didn’t like the idea of following a random muscley stranger.

Three streets later, they finally found a quiet tavern tucked between a bakery and a blacksmith’s forge. The sign above the door read The Copper Mug, and the interior was dim, warm, and blessedly quiet.

Gregory led them to a corner table, far from the few other patrons scattered about.

They’d barely sat down when a waitress appeared, cheerful and efficient.

“What’ll it be?”

Ryan glanced at the others. “Uh—”

“Meat pies for everyone,” Gregory said flatly. “And roasted poultry. Mead all around.”

“A glass of water as well,” Eleanor added.

The waitress nodded and disappeared.

Gregory took his hood off and leaned back in his chair, arms crossed, and fixed his gaze on James and Jared. . “Alright. Time for the first order of business. Who are you both, and why should I not have you executed to ensure that Ryan and Eleanor’s secret, stays secret?”

Jared’s mouth fell open in shock.

His hand slowly rose, trembling slightly, pointing at Gregory.

James frowned at his brother. “Jared, what—”

“Ja—James,” Jared stammered. “That’s— that’s Field Marshal Gregory Talon.”

James froze.

His eyes went wide. He looked at Gregory, then at Jared, then back at Gregory.

“The… the Field Marshal?” James’s voice cracked slightly.

Gregory didn’t react.

Ryan tried not to smile.

James stood abruptly, nearly knocking his chair over. “Sir, we—we didn’t mean any disrespect earlier, we were just trying to protect our friends, we had no idea—”

“Sit down man, there was no harm done,” Gregory said.

James sat.

Jared looked like he wanted to disappear into the floor.

“Now,” Gregory said. “Explain who you are. And quickly. I don’t have all week.”

James and Jared stumbled through their story—coming to the hideout, meeting Ryan and Eleanor, and discovering that Ryan was a hero. Toris being a spy, chasing Ryan off… for killing Toris.The journey across the mountains, arriving at the academy. Then meeting the hero again and finding out Eleanor was one too. Their words tumbled over each other, rushed and nervous.

Gregory listened without interruption.

When they finished, he nodded once. “Okay, okay. I’ve heard enough. The military will handle anyone else at the hideout who might believe Ryan is a hero. For now I believe that you two might be more useful alive than dead. Or maybe it’s my age making me more tolerant. Don’t let me regret this decision.”

“Yes, m’lord,” they both said in unison.

The food arrived.

The waitress set down steaming meat pies, golden and flaky, alongside platters of roasted poultry glazed with herbs. The smell was incredible, both fruity and spicy, the kind of aroma that made Ryan’s mouth water.

Eleanor held up her hands before touching anything, fingers forming a sign of praise. She bowed her head towards the cup of water and murmured something too quiet for Ryan to hear.

Weirdo back to doing weirdo things… Ryan shook his head.

Then she drank.

Ryan picked up his fork and cut into the poultry. The meat was tender, falling apart easily, the glaze sweet with a kick of heat that lingered pleasantly. He took a bite of the meat pie next. I might have to stay here for the rest of my life,

he thought. The pie was rich, savoury, perfectly seasoned.

Gregory didn’t eat a single bite. “How’s the academy treating you both?”

Ryan swallowed. “It’s good. Harsh but good.”

“We’re currently skipping our mage classes,” Eleanor added. “But our first mage lesson did have a pretty great teacher.”

“And what about your second element Ryan?” Gregory asked, eyes on Ryan. “Did you check for it?”

Ryan hesitated. “I only have one.”

A flicker of disappointment crossed Gregory’s face, then vanished. “That’s unfortunate. But it doesn’t matter. The element you already have is impressive enough.”

Ryan nodded.

Gregory took a drink of mead. “There’s something you both need to know. There have been rumours of a possible attack somewhere in the Rupes Kingdom.”

Ryan stopped mid-bite.

“Our spies couldn’t gather many specifics,” Gregory continued. “Just that something is being planned and it’s by the extremist elf group called the LRE. We don’t know where it will happen.”

“When?” Eleanor asked.

“Maybe days. Maybe weeks.” Gregory’s tone was flat. “From now on, two men will be following you at all times. Four when you leave academy grounds, but even so, try to avoid leaving the academy.”

Ryan frowned. “Won’t guards attract attention to us?”

“You won’t see them,” Gregory said. “No one will. But they’re there.”

James shifted uncomfortably in his seat. Jared stared at his plate, his hands still shaking.

Gregory leaned forward slightly. “And there is more bad new. The first fortress of the Rupes Pass, will fall within the next few days.”

Eleanor set down her fork. “How long will it take before the second fortress falls?”

“It’s much stronger than the first, so it should be a few months if we’re lucky.” Gregory’s voice was steady, but the weight behind it was undeniable. “But if the elves and giants can breach the first fortress, it means they can breach the second, and maybe even the third. If they got past the third fortress… I’m unsure whether we’d be able to hold them back, even with all of the coalitions forces at my command.”

Ryan felt the temperature fall.

“We might need to announce your identities sooner than planned,” Gregory said. “It would boost morale and prove to the world that humans aren’t the lesser race the elves claim we are.”

“But?” Eleanor prompted.

“I believe both of you would die within a week.” Gregory’s gaze was sharp. “And then the elves would deny either of you ever existed.”

Silence settled over the table.

“Don’t worry, if I have to, I’ll personally fight on the front, that will buy you two a lot of time to get to a position where you can defend yourself at which point we could reveal you both to the world.”

Gregory’s voice cut through the quiet. “Anyway, stay out of trouble. Get strong, and don’t get involved in any student politics. You’re too valuable to risk on such trivial nonsense. Understood?”

Ryan and Eleanor nodded.

Gregory stood up, his expression softening slightly. “Good. Now finish your food. Oh, wave at the window, your guards are out there… somewhere.”

Ryan looked out of the window into the crowds of people celebrating.

Gregory flicked a gold crown onto the table, and walked out of the tavern.

“He’s as cool as the stories say…” James muttered under his breath.

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