at Patrick and finally realized something, he was free. He was free from Aubrey, Free from Rangel, free from it all. He had been thinking too small before, merely wishing to survive or caring about others. He was no witch but he could create fearsome weapons unlike the world had ever seen. It was at that moment he realized he didn’t need to take shit from anybody. “You think with your fancy potioned up body you can take me? Without me you are just some lout running scared in Thorn, an easily identifiable one. You and that woman need me, I need no one.”
Patrick sighed as he realized Xander was telling the truth, while he was sure if it came down to it he could snap Xander in two, he knew the enchanter was his best choice for survival, especially since they had gotten separated from their army and now were probably deeply within Thorn with a known traitor to the crown, at least that’s what the soldier said of Samantha. “So what’s your plan?”
“My plan is to kill the man who ordered the attack on my mother. I have killed the commander who led the troops years ago. Now I want the king, this has been twice he has dared to attack Riley, I will not let there be a third time. I warn you though; I am not going back to Rangel. This is the first time I have been free in a while. The elves fate has already been cast and I will weep for my other comrades but I have freedom and I intend on using it.”
“Are you saying you are going to forsake the future queen enchanter?” Patrick began looking down upon Xander. “That did not work out well for you the first time and it may be even more disastrous this time around. Aubrey does not deserve such harsh punishment.”
“There will be a day they may send you after me; I hope you are prepared to die, because I am.” Xander said as he looked up at the bigger man.
“Let’s cross that road when we come to it little man, for now, how are we getting out of here?” Patrick said trying to stay on topic.
“I think I can still get into Norraya, so I am not worried too much about our plans for sleep” Xander said thinking about a small cabin he had lived in before reality set in.
“You have been in the forest of the elves and survived?” Samantha asked not sure she heard clearly.
“I have but that is not our problem, our problem is they would most likely attack you two on sight and I am not sure that I am still welcomed there. But the first thing is first, do we have any weapons at all between us, all I have is a dagger and that is not going to do much against a couple of armed opponents.”
“I don’t have armor or weapons but I do have enough gold on me to last a poor commoner for a year, this should be able to buy either a fine suit of armor or enough weapons for the three of us” Samantha said, speaking to the group.
“We do not need a fine suit of armor; I can make due with a poor suit of armor and beat up old blades.” Xander said thinking about his enchanting.
“First thing first enchanter” Patrick said as he looked at Xander. “Your clothes will be a sure giveaway if anyone knows what to look for. Your entire outfit has the royal crest of Rangel all over it, I say we jump the first group of people we see, get some equipment, then figure out where we are and see if we can meet back up with the army.”
“You can meet back up with the Army Patrick, I am not.” Xander said as he dusted off his clothes. “I thought I wanted to be Rangelian again, but it’s not what I want. To have others decide your life for you, tell you who to marry and how to act, that’s the reason this one here is in all this mess” said Xander as he pointed to Samantha. “I would never have freedom in Rangel, I would be forced to be Aubrey’s lapdog jumping