Matthias, Chapter 1

the village was calm. Matthias had just come back from the market in town. 
A couple of interesting finds there today, but not much else. He went straight to the local drinking-house, where his friends were sitting, waiting for him. 
“Well, Matthias, how was your little walk?” Hal asked, passing him a tankard 
“Uneventful....didn’t find much, didnt manage to sell any of the leather, but I found this” Matthias said, drawing out an old dagger 
“Wha’is? Your grandpa’ sold butterknife?” Honsa mocked 
“Found it in the possession of an old merchant. Said it was from the last dynasty. Cost me about 20 Groschen.” 
“Bah!-“ Hal rebutted “-You got ripped off, my friend! Well, you went to Hallaje, what news did you hear there?” 
Matthias thought for a bit, before answering “Well, apparently, our Duke Johann has been ousted from the country, and-“ 
“WHAT?” Hal recoiled at the news 
“-as I was saying, and Kunst, his uncle, was killed by his nephew, Johann’s cousin, so...we’re pretty well fecked, I think.” Matthias continued. 
“Well, i don’t think I’m ready to get levied into the militia, but, what can be done?” Honsa said, demoralized. “Well, is there any local news?” 
“Not much better. Hallaje is filled with refugees, apparently the village at Maltau got raided by bandits.” 
“Holy shit-“ Honsa said “-Did you see Eliska?” 
“Yes, she’s alright. A little shaken, but she said she’s fine, and she looks foreword to seeing you.” Matthis said, comforting his friend 
“Bah, these bandits are growing braver every day! It won’t be long before they strike somewhere near here!” Hal said angrily
A new man strutted to the table “Don’t worry, Hal, if those bastards come here, we’ll be ready for them...-” the Catchpole, Adam, said, sitting next to Matthias. “-Now, where’s my ale gone? Sun’s fucking scorching today, and this gambeson’s too hot for any civilized man to be wearing” 
“Hullo Adam.” *Matthias said, greeting the older man* 
“Hello, Matthias. How was your walk” 
“Uneventful” Matthias sighed “only news from Hallaje is bad news, as usual.” 
“Didn’t expect anything else” Hal grumbled
“Aye, can’t be helped. All we can do is be ready, and pray they don’t come here.” Adam took a long draft of his ale, and stood back up. 
“Anyway, lads, I’m heading back to the Rathaus. Bailiff don’t want me gone long.” 
“Send him my regards, will ya?” Hal asked, mockingly 
“Of course, your lordship” adam bowed sarcastically, and left the alehouse 
“Well-“ Hal said, turning back toward his friends “-I suppose I’ve got to head back to the smithy. Father will be wondering where I’ve been so long” he laughed 
“See you tonight, Hal!” Matthias said cheerily, turning back to Honsa as Hal left “Honsa, Eliska is fine.” he comforted his friend, who had become silent “She said she looks foreword to seeing you again.” 
Honsa brightened a little “Well, that’s at least good news. I’ve been meaning to go by Maltau for a couple weeks to see her, I suppose Hallaje is closer.” 
Matthias responded “Indeed it is, a little. Anyway, I’ve got to go back to the tannery, Tomas will be wondering what’s happened to his leather.” 
“Farewell, Matthias, see you in a bit” “Indeed, see you later!” Matthias left the ale house, and began the long walk to the Tannery, down in the woods.