Sylvester Montgomery | Male | Farmer |M: Bill {Tavern Owner}
Sylvester held his head high as he made his way down the path he had travelled many a time, whether it was running errands for his father to drop off or pick up produce or to visit the town on his occasional day off. Today, the same path he had always travelled seemed different, it was all the same sun, the same grass, the same dirt gravel path.. but the feeling he had today was off.
His fingers curled tightly around the straps of his satchel as it lay strung around his neck, his knuckles turning a light white from the pressure as the situation seemed to catch up to him in full.
'If we fail this.. I might never see father again.. he will have to run the farm and the shop alone since we don't have enough coin to buy a horse and wagon, he'd have to walk and carry everything..'
Sylvester began to feel uneasy at the thought of his father having to do all the work he had since retired from years ago, afraid he might hurt himself or worse with no one to help and look out for him.
His footsteps slowed to a stop as he took in a shaky breath, looking back up the path he had just walked down, his heartbeat beginning to pick up as he slightly pivoted on his feet to turn back. He took a step forward, weighing his options before he stopped again.
'No.. he wanted me to do this.. he would be disappointed to see me walk back if I changed my mind now.'
Sylvester convinced himself as he turned back around and carried back on down the path, heading towards the town, his eyes catching the last glimpse of his fathers windmill before it disappeared from view behind the various rolling hills. Sylvester began to him to himself, a way of distracting him from his conflicting thoughts about this journey, the quest he had been assigned.
'Why me..? I'm just a commoner.. a farmer. Why would the King send for someone like me..?'
Sylvester's blue-silver eyes narrowed as he lost himself to his thoughts again, his body carrying on closer to the town in an autopilot pace, his mind wandering far from where it should be.
'My power.. it's hardly useful to anyone but myself. Just fancy tricks, nothing flashy.'
Sylvester thought harshly as he lifted a hand infront of him, imagining if he had been born with a fire wielding ability, or perhaps a plant based one to make plants bigger, how much more useful they could've been.
'But no. I had to get stuck with a slight boosting ability that only works for me. Who am I kidding.. I should've declined this quest. The King should know what a mistake this is."
Sylvester scowled as he let his hand fall back to his side, his gaze returning back to the world around him as he cleared his head of his degrading thoughts.
Around Sylvester lay the small village he had grown to love so very much. A small church lay towards the village centre, a large gold bell tied to the top of the tower, gleaming in the warm glow of the morning sun, a small garden and fountain lining the village centre Infront, small wooden benches and stalls set up with merchants all calling out their items for reduced sales.
Sylvester smiled as he made his way further into the village, taking notice of the newly built school house, bustling with children as they all gathered around to play together. Some wielded sticks in place of swords as the pretended to battle one another.
A few of the houses lined the extra spaces in between some other buildings, the local smithy, stables and of course one of Sylvester's most frequently visited locations, the Gilded Hilt Tavern.
Sylvester gazed around before giving himself a small roll of the eyes as he bounded over to the tavern door, gently pushing it open before making his way inside as the sound of a small bell filled the air, alerting the tavern owner to Sylvester's presence.
"Ah! Sy, good to see you friend! It's been some time! Come, come, I have your usual here!" The tavern owner spoke in a deep yet joyous voice, his excitement clear at seeing one of his regulars.
"Thanks Bill!!" Sylvester beamed as he stepped over to the bar, taking the small wooden jug from Bill's calloused hands, lifting it to his lips as he savoured the liquid gold inside.
"Ah- Bill. Is that what I think it is?"
Sylvester smirked as he raised an eyebrow to Bill.
Bill raised his hands defensively as he chuckled before leaning forward, resting his arms atop the bar.
"Oh come off it you goddy. I know you prefer it that way. Extra honey and a bit of extra spice."
Bill winked as Sylvester lowered the jug, giving him a mischievous and cheeky grin.
"It's almost like you're trying to get me to stay, you know me far too well."
Sylvester smiled as he put the half empty jug onto the bar top, Bills smile dropping into a curious gaze as he watched Sylvester.
"You off to somewhere kid?"
Bill asked as he tilted his head very slightly.
"Yeah I am. Off to the castle. Kings summons and all that."
Sylvester shrugged as he took another big mouthful out of the jug, Bills eyes wide as saucers as his jaw hung open.
"The King!? Summoned you!? Whatever for!?"
Bill exclaimed as he grabbed a wooden jug from behind the bar, filling it up as he made his own drink.
"Just a quest. Travelling with a group of about five others."
Sylvester said as his smile dropped a bit.
"But what about'ye father? Will he be alright up at the farm alone? Those fields are the biggest ones we got around here for a few miles."
Bill said concerned as he took a big swig of his drink, the morning light barely making its way through the windows of the large building, giant metal chandeliers lay hanging from the roof, lit candles inside each of the small cage like ends.
"He can manage.. He's the one that insisted I go. I sure as hell don't want to let him down by refusing the King himself."
Sylvester mumbled as his smile completely vanished, along with the last drops of his drink.
"Gee kid, here I can get you another-"
"No thanks. I should really be heading out again shortly. Don't want to be late."
Sylvester cut Bill off as he placed a few gold coins on the bar top.
"You'll write to me, yeah?"
Bill asked as he gripped Sylvester empty jug, pulling it behind the bar as he placed it into the small basin of water to soak.
"Sure."
Sylvester smiled softly as he half shrugged and nodded.
"And don't ye worry about your father. I'll visit him on my days off and make sure he's alright."
Bill said with a dip of his head as Sylvester made his way back to the door.
"Thanks Bill, I appreciate it. I won't be back for a long while so stay well. I'll visit you when I return!"
Sylvester said as his cheery mood came back, a weight having been lifted from his shoulder now that he knew a dear friend could keep his dad happy and safe for him in his absence.
"See you then Kid."
Bill shouted out as he waved Sylvester off, watching as the door slowly closed behind him as he disappeared outside, the small bell finalizing Sylvester's departure from the village for the next while until the unforeseeable future.
With a deep breath in Sylvester rearranged his satchel as it still settled neatly on his side, the straps still light around his neck and shoulders, before heading back onto the path as he exited the village and carried on his journey to the castle.