Alex planned his next move, though he confirmed it from their talks that they weren't some bandits or wildlings he was still very cautious and was prepared to summon his sword at any moment of threat.
'How Should I introduce myself to them ?'
'Should I just go infront of them and say hello ?'
'But what logical reason can I even give them, that they won't question why a teenager is in Wolfswood alone'
'And my clothing can be considered Noble clothing, what will I do if they turned out greedy...'
'F*ck, forget it. Let's just introduce myself and if problem comes and they try to capture me or something I'll just summon the sword from my Inventory. They won't expect a unarmed kid to resist them.'
'Yes this will be my trump card'
As Alex starts coming out of from the cover, the 3 men turns towards the sound and are confused to see a Noble looking boy. They just stare at each other for few seconds before Alex introduces himself.
"Uhh hello, I am Alexander and I am lost, can you tell me the road to the nearest village or town ?" Alex asks the men in a clear southern riverlands accent
"What are you doing here lad ?"
Asked the rough looking man suspiciously
"I am lost" said Alex
"I was on my way to see the Wall alongside our family caravan but we were attacked by bandits, I was able to escape in deep forest but later I was lost and couldn't find my way back"
"I see" said the man, now feeling some pity for the boy.
"I am Bennen and this are my companions Martyn and Jory" said the rough looking man this time introducing himself.
"We are from the nearby settlement of Torrhen's mark, we were on our hunt, you are lucky boy that you weren't confronted by a Boar or Wolf till now. Nasty little things they are" said Bennen
As they confirm each other's identity, Alex relaxes a little and tells them his plan to find a town from where he can send a message to his family south.
"I see, I am gonna soon travel to Wintertown to do business there, if you want you can join me a day after tommorow" Said the man introduced as Jory
Jory felt bad for the young boy who was clearly not from North and was lost here alone in woods.
"Thank you very much Ser" said Alex to the man, showing a relieved and gratitude filled expression towards Jory
"Haah boy don't worry, you are lucky today is my son's 5th nameday or we'll never be here at this time when the sun is already going down" said Bennen
"Now come join us" he added
As the four were walking down the dirth path, Martyn asked Alex
"So are you a Noble, your name is very unique. Alek...sander"
"Alexander" Alex corrected
"Yes, yes that, it doesn't sound a westerosi name"
"Yes, my mother is from Pentos so she gave me a Essosi name and no I am not a Noble, my father is Merchant in Oldtown"
Lied Alex
"Oh, I have heard about that place, Pa once said it is a big town and stronghold of those southern Gods" Said Jory
"Yes the Oldtown is a bastion of the Faith of Seven" said Alex
"Haa, those southern c*nts, I remember going to White Harbor once, there are many of those priests there. Always preaching about how we First men should abandon our Gods for their pointy star Gods" said Martyn
"Hahah don't mind Martyn boy, his family is descended from those mountain clans, they are somewhat fanatical about our Gods" said Bennen
"Tsk" Martyn just clicked his tongue
As the 4 were walking for about a hour continuing their talks the Sun was already down and night was starting, the woods became more silent and animal sounds were everywhere
Alex could even hear the Wolves howling, the 2 days Alex was in woods alone he never encountered any big animal so he was little afraid.
"Haha don't worry boy we will reach the settlement soon" said Bennen
Just as they were about to reach the settlement, they saw something that made all 3 men take a run towards the settlement abandoning the carcass of boars.
Alex was startled, he ran after them, along the way he asked Jory for what happened.
Jory pointed towards the coming smoke high above the settlement
"That is not natural, we never light fire that big, it is only lighted when the settlement is attacked, without us the settlement only has 19 men who can fight we need to hurry."
As the 4 reached the settlement, they can hear the sound of man shouting, woman running and children crying.