You wake up fairly early, but then you didn't really sleep much to begin with. This was more of a brief rest anyway.

After a quick check to see if anyone is in the area, you get out of your bloody clothes and change into some new ones. You might not be properly clean, but it's better than you were.

You then check your supplies, which aren't much. You've got a few coins, but you aren't excessively worried about that since food and water are more important out here in the wilderness. You've got a little food and water, but it isn't going to last long. The only weapon you have currently is your dagger.

Part of you is only just now starting to feel the various negative emotions involving your parents and Annah. You can only imagine the shitstorm they're facing because of your actions. You just hope that they don't suffer the consequences of what you did.

Then there's Annah. You feel like you should be feeling a lot sadder about her, maybe even crying a bit, but maybe you got all those emotions out of your system when you killed Klint.

Still seems a bit surreal that you killed someone. Not just anyone, but someone you knew since childhood, even if you didn't like him.

You definitely don't feel bad about it and while that can be due to several understandable factors, you can't help but wonder if you could do it again under different circumstances.

You may have to, especially now, though your mind certainly went to a dark place during that time.

Whatever the near future holds, you'll have to deal with it when it happens. Right now you have to make a decision on where you're going to go because you're not exactly hot on the idea of staying out here in the wilderness.

Your first thought is to head west to the city-state of Klyton. It's certainly the closest city and it's the direction you ran from Teckleville anyway. The problem is if anyone from Teckleville is still searching for you, that's going to be the first place they look.

Still, Klyton is the only place you really have any basic knowledge about thanks to your parents both being originally from there. Your father never really spoke too much about it, just saying that the only thing worthwhile that he got there was your mother and he was glad when they finally moved to Teckleville to be closer to your grandmother at the time.

Your mother on the other hand didn't speak so ill of the place, which is surprising since she grew up in a lower class area than your father did. She even said that sometimes she missed the times when she worked at the inn where she met your father in the first place. Of course her knowledge about the city is bound to be a bit out of date.

Also, while Klyton has no jurisdiction over Teckleville, it has been known to apprehend wanted criminals from elsewhere trying to hide out there. Not to mention the place in general has a fairly good reputation (And they want to keep it that way) as far as its own security goes.

The Delantium Kingdom to the east isn't really high on your choice list. For one thing, you'd have to backtrack around Teckleville to go in that direction. From what you've overheard, the kingdom has been slowly trying to expand again which sounds a lot like more soldier types running around and that's the last thing you need. Still, the kingdom is a big place and they can't possibly be everywhere. Sivak is the closest major city there.

The only other nearby bastion of major civilization you can think of that's close is another city state by the name of Holgard. It's to the south and in terms of existence, it's only a little older than you are.

It was founded by a noble from the Delantium Kingdom. Originally it was most likely supposed to be some sort of outpost or colony for the DK. But whatever the original intent, the noble soon set himself up as absolute ruler with no ties to the kingdom at all.

For whatever reason, the DK hasn't taken any action against him, whether that's because the cost wouldn't be worth it, they've got more important things to deal with or they're simply glad to have him gone is unknown. The third possibility isn't entirely out of the question either, since you've overheard travelling merchants say that Baron Varsakken is a very unlikable man and it's amazing he hasn't suffered any assassination attempts. His children are apparently little better.

Still, you've also heard the place is filled with corruption so it would probably be a better place to do your work than Klyton.

You holgard

From what little you know of Holgard, it sounds more like a city you could thrive in. The first problem is going to be getting there though. Holgard is still located in a wilder region of the land so road maintenance isn't always an option due to marauding monsters or bandits. In fact it might not even be safe to stay on the road.

In any case it's a ways there, so you get on with it.

Your couple of days of travel are uneventful. Just you and an empty road. When night falls you always get off the road and attempt to find a safe place to sleep in the trees nearby. Though you never really sleep easily and are constantly waking up at various sounds.

Third day is a little different as you hear the clopping of horses behind you. At first you get concerned that someone from Teckleville is galloping your way, but a quick glance shows it's just a merchant caravan. A fairly big one too since you see several men on horseback along with a carriage and large wagon behind it.

An idea comes to you and you wait for the caravan to reach your location. It gets a little closer and then stops completely. A couple of the men on horseback speak to someone in the carriage and then both of those men ride out to meet you. Both of them are carrying crossbows and wearing full plate mail. No insignia though so they're probably mercenaries.

"Hey you! What are you doing?" one asks.
"I was waiting for your caravan." You answer.
"Yeah? For what purpose?"
"Depends. What are you guys selling?"
"Nothing to the likes of you. You don't look like you could afford it anyway."
"I can't even look?"
"No. In fact you're acting really fucking suspicious just waiting around on the road like this. I'm warning you right now that if this some sort of ambush tactic, you and your bandit buddies are far from equipped to take us on. And I can guarantee YOU are going to be the first one to die." One mercenary says as he points his crossbow at you.

You slightly raise your arms a bit.

"Hold on! I'm no bandit! I'm just a traveller a bit down on his luck. I know this road is dangerous, I was just wondering maybe if I could travel with you guys, you're going to Holgard right?"
"No, we're hired to protect that caravan, not baby sit every stranger along the way."
"You wouldn't be baby sitting me! I know how to fight, its just safety in numbers. I mean if we run into any trouble I'll even help. I'm not asking to get paid either."

The mercenaries both glance at each other and don't look too enticed by your offer, but fortunately they aren't entirely calling the shots.

"Hold on, we'll have to ask the boss first." One says and then they both gallop back to the carriage. You don't wait long before they return.

"Okay son, the boss says you can travel with us, in fact he says you can ride with him in the carriage." The mercenary says.
"Wow, really? Well I wasn't expecting that. Awfully nice of him."
"Yeah…nice. (snort)" the merc says with a slight grin. The other merc chuckles a bit as well and you follow the pair of them back.

The closer you get to the carriage; you see that it's pretty ornate looking. Obviously the merchant who owns this one is very wealthy. When you finally enter the carriage it's even more luxurious inside. Soft fur lines the seat, the curtains covering the windows are silk and the carriage floor and ceiling are gold plated. A perfumed smell also fills interior.

And to your left, is where you see the owner sitting. He's a grossly fat berk dressed in fancy colorful clothing and a couple of jeweled rings on his fingers. He smiles in your direction denoting friendliness, but he's looking at you in a way that…well you aren't used to.

"Well hello my dear boy. When they told me there was a young boy out on this ghastly road by himself, I knew I had to provide help. However, their description of you doesn't do you justice. You are certainly are very fit and firm looking." He says staring you up and down.

Now you know why the mercs were smirking earlier.

You sit down across from him and he tells his driver to get on their way before turning his attention completely to you.

"So, what a fine lad like you doing on this road by himself? Don't you know there are bandits and worse about?" the merchant asks.
"Yeah, but it's the only way I know to Holgard." You say
"Well still. A boy like you should be careful. These bandits are terrible brutes. They don't just rob people, they usually kill them too. Sometimes they do even worse things. Why I shudder to think what they'd do to a handsome lad like yourself. You'd find yourself stripped, beaten and violated several times over before they finally slit your throat…and then perhaps violated repeatedly again…I mean who could stop them if they caught you all alone?"
"Nobody I guess."
"Exactly. But we needn't dwell on such morbid situations now. You are safe with me and I shall make sure no harm will come to your…body…"

The merchant licks his lips as he stares at you and it is at this moment you think you now have a general idea of how your sister and Annah must have felt when they had merchants fawning all over them.

Fortunately, the merchant doesn't press whatever unnatural lust he has for you and proceeds to just speak about himself. He mentions his name Graham Oren famous wine merchant (Or at least he thinks he's famous) and that he's coming from the Delantium Kingdom to do a bit of business in Holgard. You're a little disappointed since you were hoping to rip the caravan off in some way, but knowing he's just hauling wine casks makes stealing those large wooden things a little difficult to do.

He goes on to say that normally he wouldn't bother to travel to the doomed city, but sometimes an in person presence is required to appease certain clients.

"Doomed city? Why do you say that?" you ask.
"I'm guessing you don't keep up on politics, m'boy, but then why would someone like you really need to, but yes the city is doomed. The Baron's days are numbered. Honestly it must only be by Yag's luck that he's survived as long as he has."
"Is the Delantium Kingdom coming to take back the city?"

Graham looks a little impressed by your basic knowledge of the political landscape.

"Well…it would seem you are just full of surprises and here I was thinking you were just another pretty face. But to answer your question, I do believe they have their sights on it, but not necessarily through force. Something about annexing it peacefully so they don't have to waste the manpower. Probably through the help of one of his children, but given how treacherous they all are, that's not necessarily a certainty. Still, whether they take it or not, the Baron himself is going to be out of the picture soon. There is a growing discontent in the air by every faction and everyone that has an agenda there. He can't possibly keep control for much longer."

Well that's a bit of interesting information about the city, though a bit concerning. You wonder if you're going to find yourself in the middle of a citywide revolt when you get to Holgard.

While you're pondering that possibility, Graham begins speaking again.

"But enough about these things. Let us talk more about you…" Graham says leaning his girth towards you and being bold enough now to put his hand on your leg, which you immediately pull away.

"Look, I don't like being fucking touched and I'm not fucking interested."
"Oh come on, don't be like that. You knew what you were getting into when you entered this carriage." Graham remarks and tries to touch your leg again.
"I'm serious, don't do that again."
"Or what? You'll leave? What if I don't let you?" Graham remarks and then reveals a decorative and strange looking pistol with multiple barrels. Firearms aren't common and you've only ever seen your grandfather's old non-working troll gun hanging up in your house, but it's obvious that this fat bastard is rich enough to have some sort of custom made one.

It's enough to make you freeze up, but you maintain a cool head and don't panic.

"That's right little lamb, you're going to stay right here and…"

Suddenly a lot of noise and shouting can be heard from outside and one of the mercs rides up to the window.

"Sir! Stay inside! We're being attacked!" he shouts

This is enough time to distract Graham and allowing you to act.

You run out of the carriage

Only having escape in your mind, you attempt to rush out of the carriage, unfortunately you're not quite quick enough opening up the door and Graham fires his pistol at you.

You feel a hot burn on the right side of your head before you tumble out of the carriage. It takes you a moment to actually realize you haven't suffered a fatal wound, but only a "graze" that's taken off your right ear and skin.

Your vision is blurry, you feel dizzy, your head is in pain and ringing and the rest of your body isn't doing much better since you fell pretty hard and twisted your ankle. To top it all off there is a skirmish going on around you.

You barely manage to stand yourself up and you nearly fall over several times as you hold your head and try to get out danger. Blood covers one side of your face and you can still feel some of it dripping from the hole where your ear used to be.

With a muted ring still going on in your head, you don't hear the sound of a run away horse galloping your way. You're trampled by the beast and feel the full weight of its hooves stepping on you and crushing some of your ribs in the process.

Now nearly crippled, you don't even have the strength to get up again, but it hardly matters since one bandit who was sneaking about and trying to avoid the heavier fighting notices that you're still breathing.

He of course has no problem in finishing off a target that can't fight back.