Chapter 12.3: The Journey North: Leaving the Town of Bono (II)
Year 0003, Month VIII-X: The Imperium
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Day 25.1 An Unexpected Invitation
Their final day in Bono had been set in stone. After three days of rest and preparation, they had cleaned themselves thoroughly for the arduous journey that lay ahead. None among them knew how long they would remain on the road before reaching their destination: the Principality of Ogind's capital, the City of Gremory, where the King's son, First Prince Olfeco Ogind, had been granted dominion to rule.
The political arrangement was complex and deliberate. While the First Prince held the title, it was Count Gremory who managed the county—or rather, the principality as a whole—in his stead. This specially crafted administrative region fell directly under the crown's authority yet operated with unusual autonomy under the Count's stewardship. The arrangement served a crucial strategic purpose: the Principality of Ogind functioned as a buffer region, situated perilously close to the great forests and serving as the frontier territory of an allied kingdom of the Empire of Elms-Arkanus—the Kingdom of Ogind itself, a longtime ally of the Empire.
Count Gremory wielded extraordinary power within his domain. The crown had granted him not merely the right to rule, but the authority to make critical decisions independently. He could wage war at his discretion, mobilize both citizenry and peasantry to fight for the crown, and exercise judgment in matters that would typically require the crown's approval. His only limitation was absolute: he could never act against the crown, regardless of how reasonable such commands might appear, nor could he raise arms against the Kingdom itself. In essence, he was both lapdog and lord—a man who served the crown with unwavering loyalty while wielding absolute authority within the Principality he governed. Even foreign kings would answer to his whims within the Principality's borders, provided such actions served the interests of the First Prince and the Crown.
As August and his companions made their final preparations to depart the town, an unexpected summons arrived—delivered directly by the head butler from the Baron, Lord Bono himself.
The Baron's network of informants throughout his barony had not been idle. Word had reached him of the remarkable feats performed by August and his companions during their brief stay. Most intriguing of all was the tale of how a twelve-year-old boy had managed to unravel mysteries that had confounded even the enigmatic Sibus Dino—a man whom Bono had repeatedly attempted to recruit into his court, despite the absurd charges that had been laid against him in the past.
Bono possessed a keen eye for talent and genius, a skill that had served him well throughout his political career. Time and again, he had tried to bring Sibus under his banner, offering assistance, protection, and generous compensation. Yet the eccentric scholar had spurned every overture, choosing instead to live as a vagrant, seemingly unconcerned by the daily ridicule he endured from those who knew his history. Despite years of persistent efforts, Bono had been consistently rejected and ignored by Sibus.
Yet this child—this August—had somehow convinced the stubborn man to follow him with apparent ease. The implications were staggering.
But August's influence over Sibus was merely the beginning of the tales that had reached Bono's ears. According to his sources, this same boy had single-handedly hunted, butchered, and prepared the exceptionally high-quality premium meat that Bono himself had purchased just days ago. The fine leather and hide sold to Henry's Shop had also been crafted by the child's hands. Even the rare medicinal herbs that Bono had acquired from August's companion Marcus were allegedly procured through the boy's efforts.
Most ridiculous of all was the account he had received from his childhood friend Ruthy of Stevenson's Stable. She had described, with barely contained amazement, how the boy had single-handedly toppled a charging Four-Horned Moo Bull—a beast that even Bono's own knight would struggle to defeat in combat.
Such tales strained credulity, yet they came from sources Bono trusted implicitly. He had to see this August with his own eyes, to measure the boy's worth personally. If even half of what he had heard proved true, and if he could entice the child to enter his service, the investment would prove invaluable. Bono had wealth enough to secure such talent, and he was prepared to spend generously.
After the summons was delivered, August and his company found themselves escorted by the lord's men through the castle's imposing gates. Anxiety crept through the group as they speculated about the reason for this unexpected audience. They wondered if they had somehow violated an unknown law or transgressed against some local custom during their stay. Their only direct interaction with the lord had been through the sale of meat and medicinal herbs to his household just days earlier.
Had he perhaps found something unsatisfactory with their merchandise? Various theories and unfounded worries raced through their minds as they walked, their complexions growing pale with mounting anxiety.
"Sirs," Marcus whispered as they approached the great hall, "I hope this isn't what we all fear it might be. Follow my lead when we meet him, show proper courtesy, and we might yet keep our heads."
Everyone nodded in grim agreement. Even Sibus, despite his usual aloofness, felt a bitter taste in his mouth at the prospect of dealing with nobility again, given his unfortunate history with them.
As they approached the great hall's towering doors, the gates to the lord's court swung open with ceremonial weight. There, seated upon his elevated chair of authority, was Baron Bono himself. Flanking him stood his knight—a figure who had been absent during Marcus's previous visit—along with the three retainers they had encountered before: the court physician, the herbalist named Rona, and the woman mage whose presence seemed to shimmer with barely contained arcane energy.
"Greetings, my lord," Marcus said, his voice steady despite the tremor in his hands. "We have come as you have summoned us. May we respectfully ask what this concerns?"
They all bowed deeply, kneeling in the traditional manner, visible perspiration betraying their nervousness despite their attempts at composure.
"Relax, merchant," Bono replied, his voice carrying the authority of long-practiced command. "I harbor no grievances with you or your company. However, I am most interested in the individual who appears to be at the center of your group—the owner of Maya's Traveling Mercantile. A boy of whom I have heard many tales that seem impossible, yet apparently are quite possible indeed."
August felt his heart skip as he realized the summons concerned him directly. He had expected many possibilities, but not this. Confused but determined to understand the situation, he stepped forward slightly.
"I am August Finn, Lord Bono," he replied with careful respect, "but I confess I do not understand what feats you refer to."
Lord Bono studied August intently for several long moments. The boy's appearance struck him as contradictory—his facial features were undeniably youthful, yet something in his bearing and presence suggested maturity far beyond his years. More unsettling still was the subtle aura that seemed to emanate from the child, an invisible force that set Bono's well-honed instincts on edge. His eyes, which had never failed him in judging character, practically screamed warnings of caution.
Ronald, Bono's knight and longtime retainer, felt it too. A veteran of countless battlefields, he possessed the hard-won ability to gauge an opponent's strength at a glance. What he sensed from August chilled him to the bone—this boy was strong, possibly stronger than himself, though he could not determine the extent of that power. From the moment the great doors had opened, Ronald had remained poised to strike, ready to defend his lord with his life if necessary. It felt as though they had invited a dragon into their court, one that wore the guise of a child.
Bono noticed his knight's barely concealed tension and spoke quietly. "Relax, Ronald. Stay your hand from your hilt. I know what you're thinking, but there's no need for such precautions—yet."
Even the woman mage seemed unsettled by August's presence. When she attempted to pierce through him with her mystical sight, to glimpse the nature of his soul, she found her vision overwhelmed by a brilliance too intense to comprehend directly.
"I see," Bono said finally, his voice thoughtful. "So you are the boy in question. Tell me, lad, would you consider entering service under my house's banner? I am prepared to compensate you quite generously for your talents. Simply name your price, and I shall do my utmost to meet it."
August was genuinely surprised by the direct offer, but his answer came without hesitation. His heart belonged to only one place: the village of Maya, the hidden enclave that his parents and grandparents had built with their own hands and dreams.
"Unfortunately, Lord Bono," August replied, his head still respectfully bowed, "my interests lie elsewhere. I am traveling now primarily to broaden my horizons and gain experience in the wider world. Therefore, I must humbly and respectfully decline your generous offer. I hope you will forgive my refusal."
Bono studied August and his unusual companions for another long moment. The group's composition was indeed odd—a scholarly vagrant, a merchant, a mercenary with an air of also being a merchant, and this enigmatic boy who commanded their apparent loyalty. The Baron decided not to press the matter further. Some mysteries were better left unexplored, particularly when they involved individuals of uncertain but obviously formidable power.
"Very well then," Bono said with resignation. "You may take your leave and continue with your business. Safe travels on the road ahead."
"Thank you, Lord Bono, for your understanding and kindness," August replied, maintaining his respectful posture until they were formally dismissed.
After the group departed, Bono turned to his trusted retainers with a question that had been weighing on his mind.
"Tell me honestly, Ronald, and you as well, mage—if it came to combat, could you defeat him?"
The knight and the mage exchanged a meaningful glance before Ronald answered with characteristic honesty.
"We might prevail, my lord, but I doubt either of us would survive the encounter intact, if we survived at all."
Bono sighed deeply and turned his gaze to the window overlooking his domain. His instincts about the boy had been correct—August possessed power far beyond his apparent years. How unfortunate that he could not secure such talent for the upcoming military campaign he was secretly preparing. Such strength would have been invaluable in the conflicts to come.
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Day 25.2 The Departure
They had finally escaped the castle's imposing walls, and the experience had proven nerve-wracking for every member of their party. Thankfully, Lord Bono had permitted them to leave with their heads still firmly attached to their shoulders—an outcome that had been far from certain when the summons first arrived.
August had genuinely believed they might need to fight their way out of the castle. The knight and mage flanking Lord Bono would have certainly presented significant challenges in combat, though he remained confident of ultimate victory should such a confrontation have become necessary.
"Well," Marcus said with obvious relief, "what a way to begin our day. I believe it would be wise to depart immediately. I don't know Lord Bono's character well enough to predict his future actions or changes of heart."
The group hurried back to "Bono's Wayfarer's Stable & Inn" to collect their belongings and retrieve the beasts of burden they had purchased from Stevenson's the previous day. Marcus's original six-legged horse had already been hitched to their wagon during their early morning preparations.
Their journey toward the town's eastern gate began with renewed urgency and purpose.
Within minutes, they arrived at Stevenson's Stable to find their new beasts of burden prepared and ready for travel. Ruthy had thoughtfully included essential tools, harnesses, and a generous supply of feed, all stored within another magical crate that would preserve the contents indefinitely. This brought their total collection of enchanted storage containers to seven—a considerable fortune in magical conveniences.
After properly equipping their two new six-legged horses with the necessary harnesses to pull their wagon, they officially retired Marcus's faithful original mount from pulling their wagon, which had served them well throughout the previous week of travel. The old horse had earned its rest after years of loyal service to his master and for a short time as their wagon's temporary beast of burden.
Before departing, they offered heartfelt gratitude to Ruthy, the generous owner of Stevenson's Stable, thanking her for her kindness and fair dealing throughout their stay.
With their preparations complete, they climbed aboard their wagon. Andy volunteered to take the first shift at the reins, a responsibility he accepted with quiet pride. Following the road eastward, they soon reached a crucial crossroads that offered a northern path leading directly back to the main Imperial highways without requiring them to return through the city proper. This route would save them considerable time and help them avoid any potential complications from their recent audience with Lord Bono.
They chose the northern path and began their journey anew, the familiar rhythm of wheels on stone marking their departure from civilization and return to the open road.
And so concluded their brief but eventful three-day sojourn in the Town of Bono—a stay that had provided rest, supplies, and an unexpected reminder of the attention that August's growing reputation might attract in the days to come. As the town's walls faded behind them and the road stretched endlessly ahead, each member of their small company felt a mixture of relief and anticipation for whatever adventures awaited them on their journey to the City of Gremory.