Behal Town, Cormier Kingdom.
This small town was situated in the eastern region of the Southern Federation. It was
encircled by a low wooden fence for protection against the handful of beasts or goblins that managed to slip through the forest in the north.
A single dirt road winded through the town, serving as its main road. Smaller footpaths branched off, leading to modest hos, workshops, and fields on the outskirts.
Adam walked on one such footpath as he passed through the gates of the town. His destination was the new tavern that had recently opened. It was called Boar's Ale.
He absentmindedly walked to the tavern, his heart filled with apprehension. "It's going to be fine... it's going to be fine," he kept reassuring himself. "They promised it would only be for a week... yes, they promised..."
A few days ago, Adam had run out of money. He wasn't able to find work for a while, causing him to be unable to buy food for himself and Anna. Moreover, it was also becoming more and more difficult to hunt animals because of the approaching winter.
It was fine if he starved for a day or two, he was used to it. But Anna was in a state of recovery and she had to have at least one al a day to stay healthy.
In his mont of desperation, Adam decided to do sothing that he had never done before - theft.
Alas, he was caught red-handed trying to steal a loaf of bread. It had to be known that this was a piece of bread that was left over by a custor. Yet, he was caught nonetheless and made to pay for his so-called cri.
Needless to say, the people running the tavern weren't exactly the righteous bunch.
Adam arrived before the entrance of the tavern. It was early in the morning, so it was empty. Besides, the population of Behal wasn't big to begin with.
He loudly gulped, gazing at the wooden doors of the tavern in fear. "Only two more days... then they'll let go." He encouraged himself.
The boy took a deep breath and forced a smile. He then entered the tavern, ekly looking at the people inside. There weren't any custors, only a few staff and the owner.
He walked up to the burly bald man sitting behind the counter and drinking a mug of ale, and sheepishly said, "B-Boss, I'm here."
The bald man, in his drunken stupor, looked down at the raven-haired boy. "Oh? If it isn't our little practice dummy."
Adam lowered his head, hiding the nervousness in his eyes.
The bald man gazed at him with ominous intentions and said, "Go clean the kitchen and the lavatories first. Then, clean the main hall. After that co look for ."
Adam mustered the courage to look at the owner and speak, "B-Boss, my body hurts from last ti... Can we skip today?"
The man glared at him. "Did you forget the deal we had? Seven days! If I go easy on you, everyone in town will think lightly of Boar's Ale. They'll think they can get away with anything they do here!"
His grin turned diabolical and he added, "I can't let that happen now, can I? So I must make an example out of you. Be grateful that you're still in one piece. Back in my village, they would cut the hands of a thief if they were caught."
Adam's body began to uncontrollably tremble. He feared what would happen to him. He feared that he would be unable to take it. Despite it all, he still had to do it.
"You'll still give food... right, Boss?" He asked with hopeful eyes.
The bald man looked at his pitiful and miserable appearance and felt that the ale in his cup had turned bitter. He spat on Adam's face and roared, "Get outta my sight, ya filthy animal! One more question and I'll beat you myself!"
Adam hurriedly bowed, not even bothering to wipe the spit on his face. "Y-Yes, Boss!" He then ran to the kitchen and began his work.
While all of this was happening, a tiny bird with orange feathers was sitting on a window sill and silently observing everything.
The bird watched as Adam cleaned the kitchen. It watched as the staff in the tavern ridiculed him. It watched as Adam endured all the insults with a forced smile on his face.
After having worked the entire morning and afternoon, he was finally done. But what awaited him next made him afraid. Truly afraid.
The boy stood inside the tavern, looking at the door leading to the entrance of the back alley. He saw how all the staff were heading out as if they were about to witness sothing entertaining.
I don't wanna go! I don't wanna go! He scread inwardly.
BAM!
Suddenly, he was hit in the back of the head. He fell to his knees, clutching his head in agony. He saw the perpetrator walk from behind him with a snicker.
"What're you waiting for, thief?" Said a boy who appeared to be the sa age as Adam. He greatly resembled the owner of the tavern, except he had a head full of brown hair.
Adam got to his feet and bowed. "Y-Yes, sir..." He then followed behind the owner's son. The orange bird silently watched it all. It then flapped its wings and flew around the building. Then, it landed in an inconspicuous spot that overlooked the back alley.
A small group of people-all of them tavern staff-stood in the alley. The bald owner of the tavern crouched beside his son and laughed, "Son, if you want to be the Baron's knight, you must first beco a squire. For that, you need to learn how to fight."
"Yes, father!" The boy grinned, maliciously gazing at Adam who was standing in front of him with a stick in hand.
"Good lad!" The bald man patted his back. "Now, go spar with him."
The boy looked at Adam who was shivering in fear and mocked, "Co at , farm boy!"
Adam lowered his head in a panic, "S-Sir, I dare not! I dare not!"
"I said co at !" The boy roared angrily. "If you don't take this seriously, you won't be getting any food today!"
Adam's eyes reddened. His grip around the stick tightened as he gritted his teeth in fury. He scread at the top of his lungs and dashed toward his opponent.
Of course, the result of the spar was completely one-sided.
The orange bird watched as Adam was ruthlessly beaten by the other boy. anwhile, the tavern owner laughed out loud while enjoying ale. At the sa ti, the other staff made bets as to how much longer Adam would be able to last.
After about thirty minutes, Adam finally fell to the ground, completely bruised, battered, and exhausted. His opponent was heavily sweating at this point. He couldn't help but exclaim, "He's quite sturdy, I must say."
"Haha, that's why he's the perfect sparring partner for you, son." The bald owner laughed out loud. He then looked at his staff and instructed, "Alright, everyone, back to work. Hopefully, we get a few custors in the evening."
Once everyone started to head back inside the tavern, Adam weakly called out, "Wait... my food... You promised !"
"Ah, almost forgot!" The tavern owner chuckled lightly. He then looked at another staff and ordered, "Get him so leftover food from the kitchen."
"Yes, boss!" The man quickly went inside and ca out with a small bag of vegetables and a half-eaten loaf of bread. He threw it at Adam's face before heading back into the tavern, shutting the door behind him.
A faint smile crept up on Adam's bruised face as he tightly grabbed onto the bag of food like it
was the most precious treasure in the world. "Great... I can rest a little now..." Then, he slowly
closed his eyes.
The orange bird secretly watched everything unfold.
And so did two other figures...
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