The Righteous Way

Chapter 3

“So, among your many talents, I would guess that you are also a Korryn warrior or, more likely, a knight?”

"Was it that clear?"

In addition, I noticed the king's crest on your bag. These items are only given to nobles,” "It was a gift from my king accompanying my exile," and "Banishment? After banishing someone, what kind of king gives them a present?

“He gave the trinket to show that I was still in his favor and should not be turned away as a traitor,” "Are you going to tell me the story?" "It wasn't his idea." "I have no desire to return."

"No," "Secrets?" “It’s not dishonesty, I simply don't enjoy talking about my past,” “Then it’s not about pleasing a deity, it’s about redemption,” “It is what it is and I will not explain further,” Alex began to become irritated and shoved the basket at James in an effort to get him to stop prodding.

Alex began washing the clothes one at a time in the water as soon as they got to the river. Following that, he hung them from nearby tree branches. As the water rolled by, James sat in the shade. He then realized that he hadn't washed because of the chaos at the blacksmith that morning.Before entering the warm water, he began to strip down to his drawers.

“Oh! It's cold here! He yelled to the rocks and empty trees around them.Yes, Alex replied, "How can you stand this!?"

"I've been in worse situations; have you ever fallen in a wintertime river?" James shivered as he submerged himself in the rushing water and began to scrub his body with his bare hands. "That's the cold of champions," he said.He ran to the shore as soon as he came back up, shaking from the cold. James became enraged when Alex laughed. He stood in front of him after stomping through the water.

What makes it so funny? He inquired, "Nothing, I just haven't seen anyone cower from the cold like that for a while." "I'm not cowering!" he responded. James forced Alex out of his shirt by grabbing it from his hands. After that, he started washing the shirt himself. Alex continued his work by grabbing the next piece of wear. The chore was completed quickly with James' assistance, and the sun was shining over the mountains to assist in drying the clothes that were hanging. They gathered them all together and returned to hang them again near the house to dry completely.

Alex reported his action by knocking on the master's door. After that, he was told to fix the roof. James offered his assistance by providing him with tools as he reshaped the lumber. The planks were then fastened down one at a time after being raised one at a time.

A man on a white horse, dressed in bright, expensive clothing, came up to the house and greeted them as they were working on the roof. The man replied, "Aye, the master of the horses is away at the moment, but he will be back soon." "That’s a strange shape for a roof, it looks like the belly of a ship." "It is the same concept, gives more room while keeping water out."

"Alex of the Tolbert family," "I see, tell your master when he gets home that I will be in town and that I haven't all day," "I will do so sir, you have a pleasant day," and "And you," as the nobleman turned and had his horse trot toward the center of the village, "You know we don't have to tell him, let the family move on?"

James shrugged and said, "No, that would be unjust, I will tell him." "I thought I'd at least try," and the two continued working on the roof until it was finished.Alex informed the master of the nobleman when the master returned, and before inspecting the roof, he rushed toward the village's center.

"How much does that raise us, with the stables, horses, clothing, and roof?James asked Alex, "Alright, I have an idea," "If he pays only ten for the roof, then you would still owe forty."

James went to the hotel, where they had their belongings. He went to the innkeeper and grabbed the quilt that Alex had given him. Thief, what do you want? He inquired, "I'd like to sell you this quilt for forty coins," "It is a nice quilt, but not worth forty, I will give you twenty," and "Fair enough--"

"No one, the stranger Alex gave it to me," Alex said. "It is true, I gave him the quilt," and the keeper handed over the few dollars. James returned to the residence of the horsemaster after collecting the coins. He was furious when he finally arrived. You!” He looked at Alex and said, "You couldn't do that!" "You didn't do a good enough job, I retract my ten coins for the horse grooming." James yelled, "He did the work," Alex responded, "I did the work and so the debt for the work is paid, we did not agree on an addendum of sale," "James is right," and "Yes, but the nobleman didn't buy them, so I retract." James looked at Alex and asked, "You agree with me?"

Yes, we only owe forty coins more;no more,” James said, gesturing with a handful of the quilt sale's coins, "Twenty." He put them in the expert's hand and gone to go to the motel. Alex followed, and after they finished eating, they went to sleep in the room. James fell asleep almost as quickly as Alex because he was sore from the day's work.

When Alex awoke in the morning, he saw James still asleep and stood up. He quietly left the room and headed for the streets of the village after donning his shield. He went into the shop of the blacksmith.

"Will you pay for labor with coins?" He said, "Sure, but I have no need for an assistant, and I do not care to train a novice." "Don't worry," he said, grabbing his sword, "If you like this sword, I can make you another." "You know the craft of metalworking?" he asked.

"I do, every knight in Korryn is required to learn how to make a sword, and this was mine," "It is very fine work, and if you can make one of the same quality then I will gladly pay you for your efforts."

Alex immediately set to work, activating the foundry and forge. He started melting the metal ore needed for a new sword when it got hot enough. The blacksmith was amazed by his speed and concentration on the task as he observed him at work. James looked for him when he entered the shop a few hours later. What are you engaged in?”

He replied as he repeatedly hammered on the blade, "I'm working for the other twenty coins."James took off his coat and put it away.

"What can I do to assist?" He inquired, "Nothing for the time being, I will be finished soon." Alex heated the blade once more in the forge. After that, he took it out and continued to pound on it.He spent the majority of the day working on it, but when he was done, the sword stood out clearly in the sunlight.In protest against the smith's desire to pay him more, he gave it to the smith and only took twenty coins.

After that, Alex took James to the horsemaster, where he handed over the final sum of money. He responded, "No sir, this young man's debt to you is paid in full and if you would like we could take this matter up with the authorities." "I told you, grooming my horses didn't count, you still owe me," he said.

The man complained. After that, he gave them a hand wave to leave. James inquired, "In what way do you still baffle me?"

"You’ve been in this town for two days and the whole time you were there was to pay off a debt that wasn't even yours" and "What those men were going to do to you was not just, but now the man is paid and you have both hands, justice has been met" are two of the statements that have been made.

"How is that justice, though, that you were the one who did the work?"

James was speechless. "It is justice because now I am your debtor, but I have no interest in your repayment, so of that debt I forgive you in full," he said. "But... why... how?" Alex just smiled and started walking toward the town's edge, humming yet another song from his home country. James watched him leave. "Keep going!As he ran to catch up, he yelled.

James asked Alex as they moved along, "Let me get this straight: You were a knight of Korryn and you exiled yourself?"

“Yes,” "But your king still reveres you and didn't revoke your knighthood," "Correct," and "You're a knight of Korryn, but not a knight of Korryn?"

James held up Alex's medallion and said, "Well, I eat by the sleight of my hand," adding, "I'm welcome to return, but have no need nor want." "But you'd be treated next to the king, people waiting on you hand and foot, nary a care in the world." "I have no need for luxury, I have a disdain for it." Alex grabbed it once more and put it back in his bag."I was only jesting you, I have other skills, bartering for one, or am I not allowed to carry coin as well? If you travel with me, you won't steal even a grain of sand; otherwise, our company will be short-lived."

I have my satchel, tools, water, shield, and bedding; I will not carry any more than that,” "Agreed." "You may carry coin, but only when it is earned in honest dealings and only if you carry it." "You may carry coin."

The two quickly discovered a path to the next village and began walking along it. However, it wasn't long before men in ambush nearby approached them.

“Look here boys, we've got us some gentlemen,” James said, recognizing that they were surrounded. Brothers, I am also a lesser-than-noble trader like you; perhaps we can overlook this hostility and move on to the next thief?

“Thieves?” "We are but simple men looking for our just rewards for our hard work," the lead actor mocked, "And what work would that be?" Alex posed the calm question, "Why keep this road safe for travelers like yourselves, we only ask a toll for safe passage, a mere hundred coins should do," and "And what dangers I wonder would await my friend and I if we do not pay for your protection?"

"Why, of course, the tips of our swords?" “Now boys,” James said, "We can see that you are men of good report, so how about we forgive this one trespass and move on our way?" The men all drew their weapons and laughed. No harm, no foul? We don't even have a coin.