As we kept walking, it started to feel like forever. I happened to doze in and out while we were walking since the sun was beating down on us. Before I was able to turn to Robin to ask how far we were, there was a loud guard yelling.
"Who are you people?"
I stared as it seemed like we were looking at a very underbuilt guard tower. Three bandits were standing at the top with crossbows drawn on us.
"We are travelers," I said, "and we came across someone who was trying to get home."
I fanned the way for Robin to go forward, and when the guard noticed us, he made his men drop their crossbows.
"You may enter."
As Robin, Erin, and I stepped into the area, that was when it finally clicked that this was Compound City. A rundown place that is run by thievery and murder. Not going to lie, it is exactly how you imagine it. Houses barely built, people displaced or homeless on the street.
The bandit who was at the top of the guard tower came running down and threw his helmet on the floor.
"Thank you so much for getting my daughter home." The man looked around before speaking in a whisper. "Between you and me, Hagen has been selling children to slave traders to fund his fights and appear stronger."
I look around and place my hand on my hip. "What scumbag."
The other bandits stepped off from the tower and stared at me.
"Can I help you?" I say with a smile on my face.
"Nasty human scum," the bandit said as he looked me in my eyes.
I close my eyes to remain calm. I have to remember these people have come from a time where they were being beaten to a pulp, but do mistakes of the past shape the future?
Robin's father spoke up. "How about we talk at my place?"
I look around before responding. "Sure, plus it will be nice to get away from the extra eyes."
Robin's father took his daughter and picked her up, and he smiled at her. I think to myself, but I cannot really hear my own thoughts as an alarm started sounding.
"Jesus Christ, talk about loud for no reason."
Robin's father laughed. "Well, that is the lunchtime bell. If you miss it, no food for you."
I shake my head. Robin's father finally started walking towards his house, and as I walked past many of the houses, that was when it really hit me. These people are poor and can barely afford living.
As I look around, I happen to see a house on a hill that is rather well maintained.
"Hey, whose house is that up on that hill?"
Robin's father looked at the same spot I was pointing at. "Ain't it a pretty house?"
I shrug. "I moved around a lot, so anywhere to shower and eat is a rather nice place to call home if you ask me."
Robin's father nodded in agreement. "But that house is Hagen's, and no one besides him and his lackey are inside or outside of it, or God forbid be near it."
I place my hand on my sword and click my teeth. "That guy sounds like a real piece of work."
Robin's father placed her down before turning back to me. He extended his hand toward me.
"My name is Robert. It is a pleasure to meet you, and thank you for bringing my daughter home."
I shake his hand. "My name is Ren, and it is a pleasure to make your acquaintance."
He looked over at Erin. "Your lady?"
I smile and laugh it off. "No, I am just indebted to her and her village since they saved me."
Robert looked at me and her and nodded. "Okay, if you say so."
He picked up Robin again and placed her on his shoulders. As we kept walking past the rundown houses, I noticed we were in an even poorer spot. I did not say anything because it is not my place to judge, but I would have thought someone a part of Hagen's group would have been treated well, or so I thought.
Robert finally stopped at a rundown house. The roof was caved in, and the door was barely on the hinges. He opened the door and invited us in.
As I stepped into the house, it was empty, just a bed in the middle of the room and a little chest of clothes for two people. Robert looked up at me before placing Robin on the bed.
"Not much, is it?"
I shrug as if I did not know what to do or say. "I mean, as long as you are happy." Even that sounded dickish when it should not have.
Erin speaks up. "I have an idea. Why don't I take Robin around and you two can talk."
Robert thinks for a moment. "Sure, just please keep an eye on her."
I undo my sword and give it to Erin. "Use this if you have to."
Erin looked at me starstruck. "You are giving me your sword?"
I nod as I smile. "Yes, I am, because we are in enemy territory. Just promise me you will be safe."
Erin smiles and takes my sword and wraps it around her back. I smile as I stare at her.
"Swords for you, but I also come from a time where men should be the protector."
Erin turns to the door and walks out of it, holding Robin's hand.
"We will be back."
She closed the door behind them.
Robert fell onto the bed and looked up at the roof caving in. "I hate it. I hate life. I hate living in Hagen's world."
I sit down on the floor and place my hand over my chin. "Sounds and looks like hell, but Robert, you have to live for Robin."
I look around the room and notice a picture of Robin with a girl. "You know, not to be rude, but is this her mother?"
Robert leans up from the bed and looks at the picture as well. "Yes, that was my wife who was killed when Hagen took power of Compound City. Believe it or not, we were not always poor. There was a guy before Hagen who actually cared for the well-being of everyone. His name was Chief John."
I laugh at the name. "Kind of a bland name, I cannot lie, but what happened to this Chief John?"
Robert sighs. "When Hagen came into power, he would kill people who opposed him. First was my wife. She would go out into the forest and go to other villages and buy items to cook and feed the whole village, so Hagen chopped her head off in the middle of the town for everyone to watch. Then Chief John was shot by someone in Hagen's team. He was doing a speech in the middle of town and all you heard was a loud pop, and Chief John was slumped over as blood poured out from his neck."
I just stared at Robert. "I did not know what to say or how to react." I place my hand on my chest. "I feel you in a way. I never lost a wife, but I lost a sister dear to me. A hostage situation went wrong and she got her throat sliced with a knife, and they could not save her. I mean, of course what you saw and went through is way worse than me, and I am not trying to make this about me, but still, I can relate to your pain."
Robert smiled through the pain. "I am glad you were open with me like that. It is the first time in a long while I was able to have a real conversation with someone like that."
I smile through the pain as well. "Yes, it feels good to get that off the chest instead of keeping it inside." I look around the room again, not knowing what to say. "So what do we do about Hagen? I am sure you want revenge for your wife or something."
Robert starts digging in an even smaller chest and looks at some pictures he paid a spy to take. He slid the box my way. "Take a look at that monster Hagen."
I pick up the small black box and open it, and I see two pictures, one with Hagen with a mask on and one with the mask off. And boy, when I tell you he was ugly.
"God damn, what even is he?"
Robert laughed through his broken heart. "A demon, if you ask me."
I can see that as I look at both pictures. Blue hair, blue eyes, and muscles that could probably grab a goblin and pop its eyes out.
"He looks like a god almost, in a way."
Robert stands up. "If you fight, let me help you."
I stare at Robert. "Look, I do not really work well with others, and plus I do not need you throwing your life away. You have to look after Robin."
Robert gets down on his knees and bows his head to my feet. "Please Ren, I want to avenge my family. You have to understand."
I stare at him as I help him to his feet. "Look, I will let you help only if you promise me you will live to see another day."
Robert smiled and promised that he would fight alongside me and live to raise Robin.
"Fine, from now on you and I are in an alliance. Let us go kick Hagen's ass right to the curb."