Bittersweet
In the bright morning light, Maresh was calmer than it had been in decades. There was none of the bustle that had come to characterize the great city: the soldiers running drills in the practice fields to the east, the constant stream of ships arriving and departing in the harbour to the west, the engineers moving about the wall, strengthening it where they could and offering prayers where they couldn’t. All had ceased. Today was a day of celebration, but it was also one of reflection; what was Maresh to be in peacetime?
Ser Alain pressed his weight into the low, decorated balcony wall, digging the stone into the skin of his elbows until he could feel the marks forming.
“Sire, you have asked many things of me. Looking back all the way, from our campaigns against the slavers in the eastern waterways in your princely days, to just yesterday when you demanded I put the lives of my men in the hands of children, I have never refused an order. I have given this kingdom, I have given you everything. My dedication, my loyalty. My eye, for gods’ sake.” He turned from the balcony, waved his hand in front of the eyepatch. “This, I cannot do.”
King Cyrus joined him at the balcony rail. “I understand, Alain. But you’re the only person I can trust with this.”
“Why would they even need a bodyguard? Big, strong adventurers they are, heroes of the realm! And you want to put old Alain One-Eye on as their tavern babysitter?”
“That’s exactly why I need you for this. Who knows what they’ll do next? Having them here troubles me, all the more with the citizenry wanting them celebrated. I was right there next to you yesterday. I saw how they threw our soldiers before them. Cannon fodder. Those weren’t just your men, Alain.” Cyrus lost himself in thought for a moment, looking over the city. “They don’t need a bodyguard, but they do need a babysitter. I just couldn’t say that in front of them.”
Alain rolled his eye. “Child adventurers quaking the king in his boots. Makes me miss when it was just us, a band of good fighters, stories and drinks around the fire. Things move too damn fast now.”
“That is the way of the world.” He sighed. “Can you watch them? It’s just for today. They’re gone tomorrow, surely to rile up some other city.”
Alain mulled it over for a moment. “Fine. But after today, I’m taking it easy. No more fights left to fight, I’m picking a spot down on the beach and figuring a way to accept my old age.”
Cyrus laughed, high and clear. “I’m sure we can find you another fight. You know better than most, there’s always a next time.”