Akito and Viator sat in the bushes, waiting for the right moment. Wild boars with dark green fur roamed around, eating peacefully, seemingly undisturbed by anything. Akito looked at Viator expectantly; he was quiet and focused. Suddenly, Akito felt energy accumulating beneath three boars. Viator's breathing grew heavier, and at that moment, the three boars were impaled. The frightened animals started to flee, and Akito and Viator approached the spikes.
"Your ability is so cool, Viator..."
Viator smiled and looked at their prey.
"Tell me about it, today's our day."
He began to peel mushrooms from the boar's carcass, and Akito followed suit.
"Akito, these mushrooms are very useful; you can even treat wounds with them. But we're going to eat them. We don't have a fire, but we don't need one, so we'll just cut off the skin from the mushrooms."
Akito nodded and continued to peel the mushrooms. They were meaty and firm, some even the size of a fist. After collecting them, they cleaned the mushrooms and started to eat. They truly tasted like mushrooms but were dark red inside, like meat. Akito couldn't help but be amazed; it seemed he had entered another world. After a good, hearty meal, they stood up.
"Akito, let's go."
Akito got up. Viator continued to walk ahead and began to tell various stories: about his past, about acquaintances, and about his and Akito's new goals.
"So you have to find a job and a place to live, become a truly good citizen, and then, you kill the king with a blade when he least expects it. Don't waste any time, run to the capital's borders. I think you can do it, especially since you escaped a direwolf without giving it a chance to catch you."
Akito's face grew more serious.
"Understood."
"I'll create spikes, and we'll escape. You absolutely must wear a mask so your face isn't seen. Once the situation calms down, and if the king turns out not to be the bastard who killed your friends, we'll find that bastard and slit his throat."
"How much longer until we reach the capital?"
"About a day, if we don't stop."
"Understood."
They continued along the beaten paths. Some birds sang. Akito became more silent, and Viator stopped talking, but they were already used to the silence, so they just kept walking. In the distance, they heard the sound of water and decided to drink and rest. The cold, crystal-clear water quenched their thirst.
Viator sat on the grass, and Akito examined the mask. Finally, Viator broke the silence.
"Akito, we're getting closer and closer to the capital. If they ask you where you're from, say Parsa. It's a good city with a good reputation, so you'll be trusted. Just try not to act strange, and that's all."
Akito put on the mask and lay down on the ground.
"I'm worried. With each step, my heart pounds harder and harder. I feel like it won't be that simple..."
"Nothing in life is simple. Let's keep going; no time to waste."
Viator walked straight ahead, and Akito followed him, leaving the clearing with the stream. The flowers and beautiful open landscapes gave way to dense dark green forests. The trees towered above them. Akito had seen similar trees, but certainly not like these.
Eventually, after leaving the forest, they reached the outskirts of the capital. High walls of white stone surrounded the large city, and the roads were paved with black and grey granite. Viator, with a slight smile, nudged Akito forward; he himself did not leave the forest.
"Your path is ahead, Akito. I'm counting on you. I'll meet you tomorrow; I think I'll be in this forest."
Akito turned to Viator, who waved and disappeared into the dense forest. Akito felt a pang of sadness, but his goal might be here; he couldn't retreat now. Taking off his mask, Akito approached the city entrance.
The city entrance itself was a bridge, and the city was a kind of island. Two guards stopped Akito. One of them approached Akito.
"Who are you and where are you from? I've never seen you here."
"I came from Parsa... I want to start a new life here."
The guards exchanged glances, then looked at Akito. He looked normal and was well-dressed, though some elements of his clothing were torn. But in the end, they let Akito pass.
Upon entering the city, Akito felt small. There were buildings everywhere, markets, crowds of people discussing something, children playing. Akito's eyes wandered, darting from one place to another. A carriage drove by here, someone was selling flowers there.
Compared to the academy where he studied and the outskirts where he walked with his friends, everything here was bigger, grander, and more beautiful. A bewildered Akito wandered through the city, standing out significantly both in his attire and his behavior. He finally reached the square, which was very spacious and decorated not only with gardens and fountains but also with a huge marble statue of some man. It was very detailed.
Children ran everywhere, old people sat on benches. Akito looked at various buildings and saw a sign with a mug; it seemed to be a tavern. Entering the building, Akito saw many tables. Everything was beautifully decorated with dark wood and stone; it smelled of wine. Akito's eyes roamed throughout the building.
'There's a second floor!'
But Akito decided not to go there for now. Finding a man behind the counter, he approached him. He seemed like a pleasant man, also well-dressed. All his hair was grey, and his grey eyes were calm.
"Excuse me, I'd like to find a job; it wouldn't hurt."
The man smiled gently and adjusted his magnificent and lush mustache.
"Of course, extra hands wouldn't bother us. I'll pay you depending on how well you work."
"Thank you, but there's something else... I have nowhere to go and nowhere to sleep..."
"No problem, if you work for me, I can give you a room, and you can pay for it later when you have money. What's your name, by the way, and where are you from?"
"Thank you, sir. My name is Akito, I'm from Parsa."
"Yakito? An unusual name. And you can call me Marcus. By the way, how is it in Parsa?"
Akito clearly didn't expect such a question. He thought about what to answer and chose the best option.
"Everything's as usual, nothing new."
"I see. My daughter lives there, and lately, she's stopped sending me letters..."
"Maybe she's just busy. I believe she's doing well."
Marcus smiled softly; Akito's words clearly cheered him up.
"You'll be serving drinks and cleaning. I also have two other workers, Sophia and Atticus. Sophia is more open but only comes to work in the evening; she's my granddaughter and helps me. And Atticus is somewhat reserved but a good guy. How are you with horses? Are you afraid of them?"
"No, sir Ri... I mean, sir Marcus."
"That's good, because sometimes people with horses visit us, and I have some problems with horses, so I'm entrusting the stables to you. You'll clean them with Atticus. It's getting dark soon, so today will be your first day at work, so get ready."
Akito started to wait. With each minute, different thoughts appeared in his head. He began to worry, and this strange feeling grew every minute. When the first ten customers came in, Akito began to serve them food and drinks, but his mind was occupied with other things.
As Akito was walking to Marcus to pick up another portion of food, he bumped into a beautiful girl with long red hair braided into a pigtail. Her voice seemed to draw him in, and her snow-white face had freckles that only enhanced her beauty.
"Careful there; we don't need a brawl here."
"O-oh... I seem to work here. Where's Sir Marcus?"
The girl's eyes widened, and she jumped onto the counter.
"My grandfather went to the cellar for drinks. Tell me what you need, and I'll get it."
"They ordered beer and a steak with baked potatoes. You should be Sophia?"
"Mhm. And what about you, handsome?"
"Akito..."
"Akito? Interesting name. You must be from an unusual city."
Sophia said as she placed the steak on a plate.
"Take it."
Akito looked at the plate; his eyes were drawn to the potato; he had never seen one. Sophia poked Akito with her finger.
"Go serve the food instead of drooling over it."
Akito quickly collected himself and continued to deliver orders. He even occasionally received tips! When all the customers had left, Akito began to clean.
Sophia went upstairs and disappeared. Marcus was polishing glasses, and a man emerged from a side door, shorter than Akito, with dark hair tied in a shoulder-length ponytail. He looked a bit eerie. Suddenly, he opened his mouth and looked at Marcus.
"I've finished cleaning the stables."
Marcus smiled.
"That's good, Atticus. All that's left is to finish cleaning here. This boy's name is Yakito, and he works here. I don't think you mind helping him."
Atticus sighed and nevertheless started cleaning as well. He and Akito didn't talk. After they finished cleaning, Marcus approached them and handed them money.
"Akito, I deducted the payment for your first night, so you have less money than Atticus."
Akito nodded; he was happy; these were his first earned money. Marcus led Akito to his new room. Akito looked around the spacious single room. It had the essentials: a bed, shelves, a table, and a chest. Akito fell onto the bed and quickly fell asleep, a smile playing on his face.