The Stonehearted Knight
Chapter 131: The mayor’s request

Chapter 131: The mayor’s request

The room wasn’t small. All three would manage inside. There was one large bed, a few futons, and a table with four chairs. The walls were mostly blank. Only the bedside had a painting of a sunset.

They decided the ladies would take the bed and Hex one futon, although Althea didn’t mind taking the floor too. According to her, she was trained to rest in places and under conditions far worse. But Hestia still convinced her to rest beside her.

After settling in, they left the room. When they descended the stairs, Hex noticed the Knights and Squires were gone.

"What can I do for you guys?" Marvin replied politely. He tried to be discreet but Hex sensed him taking peeks at all three.

’He knows all three of us are Knights,’ Hex understood at once. ’I guess Bart has spoken about us. It makes sense; they are friends, after all.’

"What do you serve for food?" He asked the innkeeper.

"Well, we mostly serve fruits, bread, and soup in the evening. Bart told me this is the first time you guys are visiting our little town. I would recommend Martha’s Eatery. It’s owned by a nice old lady, who makes a mean lamb chop and delicious fruit cakes. Here are the directions."

Marvin moved a piece of parchment toward them, giving them a meaningful glance. All three looked at the paper.

The mayor wants to meet you.

They moved their gazes away, being as casual as they could.

Marvin nearly raised his brows when he noticed the ladies looking at the young man to make the decision. He was already shocked when his friend told him about their strength, but somehow, the most ordinary-looking boy was the leader of this small team. His mind even conjured images of all three in one room, the whole night, under Hex’s command.

"We will go there then," Hex said, disturbing the images in Marvin’s mind. He looked blankly at him before catching up. He flipped the piece. On the back, there was a simple sketch of how to walk toward the Eatery.

They memorized and left the inn. Evening in Lasttown reminded Hex about Grindeston before it got destroyed. There was one main difference he observed. This town didn’t have a division between rich and poor. At least not in living arrangements.

The area where the eatery was, was behind the main plaza. This place was less crowded and didn’t have stalls. There were only shops with indoor seating or stuff that were sold inside.

None of these shops sold things that garnered his interest. With no stops to make, they reached the eatery quickly.

The eatery was a small wooden building, with only one story. Upon entry, they were greeted by a girl around fifteen years old.

"Welcome to Grandma Martha’s Eatery," she said with a bright smile. She looked at Hestia and Althea curiously before continuing. "Are you the monstrous beauties who are new here?"

The expressions on Althea’s and Hestia’s faces before the first ignored her, and the other broke into a smile. Hex chuckled softly but pretended to cough when he caught Althea’s glance.

"Lily!"

Right then a shout came from the inside. A short moment later an elderly woman came to the door. The woman wore a wide robe with a belt fastened on her middle. Her hair was in a bun. If not for the gray streaks in her hair, she could easily pass for someone far younger. Her face and skin looked smooth and young.

"How many times have I told you not to ask unnecessary things to customers? Greet them and take them to their table. Nothing more." The lady admonished the girl named Lily, who looked to the floor.

"Sorry for her questions. I mean we can clearly see you two are monstrous beauties," the woman turned toward them and said.

Even Hestia didn’t know how to reply to her behavior. But the woman didn’t need a reply.

"I knew you would come here. Please follow me," she said, signaling them to follow her.

She led them through a narrow corridor. Hex saw between the gaps of the wall that on the left there was a hall with tables. A few people were eating. The lady, however, led them to the right. Soon they were at the back of the building, on the patio.

The patio bordered a well-maintained garden with a small pond. The patio had only one table with chairs. Currently, there were already two people seated.

One was a tall and thin-looking man with a short mustache. He wore a black robe with flowers embroidered on the fringes.

The other was a young woman - Hex guessed her age similar to his and Althea’s - wearing a flowery dress that reached her knees. Both had red hair.

They stood up when the group reached the table. The man extended his hand.

"Greetings travelers. My name is Grint Flowerywood, the mayor of this small town. This is my daughter, Rose Flowerywood. It’s our pleasure to welcome heroes like you. I heard from the gathering crew how you saved our people and hard-earned fruits and herbs."

Grint spoke calmly and warmly. He didn’t give off an air of high-class snobs that Hex was familiar with when Grindeston still had a high class.

"We did what we could. It was nothing too strenuous for us," Hex replied. He noticed both father and daughter look at him with surprise, which they suppressed immediately.

’It was the same with Marvin. They consider the ladies the leaders I guess. Do I look like their servant?’ Hex sighed inwardly.

"Of course, but still. We would like to express our gratitude. Please join us for dinner."

Once they were seated, Martha brought trays with dishes. There were platters of lamb chops, grilled wild meat, and fruit cakes. She also brought loaves of bread and cheese.

Hex enjoyed everything. It was almost as good as the food the chefs at the castle used to make. When they were done, Martha served tea. It was not the bland tea Hex knew the baron liked. This had a fruity taste. He enjoyed it.

During the meal, they discussed many things. From history to the upcoming festivities. Hex made sure not to divulge their origin. As the conversation progressed he felt that the mayor wanted to discuss something but was skirting around it.

Only when they were nearly done, did he seem to make his mind up.

"Sir and Ladies, the reason I wish to talk to you is because I wish to hire you as an escort. Tomorrow, we will be leaving for the Governor’s office with lots of resources. I fear that there are people who might try to rob them."

Hex immediately thought about the group of people in the inn.

"How can you be sure we won’t try to rob you?" He asked.

"I trust that someone who rushed to help strangers in a forest has more dignity than that. Plus, we won’t go all the way alone. Underway, a few friends of mine will join us, mayors of other towns. They will have Knights of their own," Grint explained. He and his daughter looked hopefully at Hex. As did Hestia and Althea.

"We will do it," Hex replied, after a short period of thinking. ’I can use it to see how I fare against other Knights.’

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