A Roll of the Die - 1. Inception
Copyright© 2026 by Michael Loucks
Chapter 47: Day 65
Matthias' Company set out for Wickham at first light as planned, with everyone dressed as no-account hangers-on to the fourth son of a minor noble. The one exception was Tristan, who was sporting worn leather armor but armed with his superbly crafted sword. Tyra had, as planned, secreted her pouch of mana crystals inside her clothing.
The Company kept a fast pace and followed the Royal Road until it intersected with the Telford Road, which they followed until dusk, when they arrived in Telford, where they would spend the night. They stabled their horses, then discovered the Drunken Huntsman Inn had only one private room available.
"The weather is nice enough to camp," Matthias said. "I'd rather do that than sleep in the common room. Let's eat, then find a campsite."
"You should take the room," Milos suggested. "You should also buy a round of drinks for everyone. Any travelers will spread word of what you do, and it will enhance our cover."
Matthias considered and nodded. "That makes sense; let's do that."
They rented the room and paid for a meal of bread and pottage, which they washed down with ale. Matthias continued to wonder how people tolerated bland, and sometimes barely edible, food and considered whether there was some way to improve it. He absolutely missed tomato sauces, potatoes, and spicy food. Everything existed somewhere in this world, but traveling to the New World wasn't possible, despite ships being more advanced in Nystria than during the comparable period in the world history Matthias knew.
All six members of Matthias' Company made sure to be loud and boisterous, acting the part of carefree revelers. Matthias bought a round of drinks for everyone at the inn, as Milos had suggested, which was well received by the other guests.
"Play your part and try to bed that woman eating alone," Lisette suggested to Matthias. "Be bold and obvious, and even a bit outrageous. If she turns you down, that helps our cover."
"And if not?"
"Complete that part of your mission with your usual skill!" Lisette declared mirthfully.
Matthias downed his ale, rose, and walked over to the woman.
"Kristof of Yorvik, son of Earl Lawrence," he said.
"Never heard of him," the woman replied.
"Now you have!" Matthias/Kristof declared. "Perhaps I can buy you an ale and tell you of my family's exploits!"
"An unknown Earl? I bet your family stories are from a hundred years ago, and you're a ne'er-do-well son spending what little coin his family has left."
"My friends and I are traveling Nystria and enjoying ourselves."
"And you think buying me an ale and telling tall tales will somehow end with me spreading my legs for you?"
"We can skip the ale and tall tales!" Matthias/Kristof suggested with a leer.
"You are bold, Kristof of Yorvik, but I have standards! Leave me alone!"
Matthias hung his head and slowly walked back to his friends, who were hooting and hollering and teased him loudly about being rejected.
"Excellent work," Lisette said quietly. "They'll be laughing about Kristof, son of Lawrence, for days here."
Tristan, on the other hand, was having his usual success flirting with the serving girl. Lisette smiled when she heard the serving girl agree to Tristan's proposal to visit her room when her duties were complete.
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