The Weapon Bearer (Book 1) by Aaron Thomas Page A

except for her and the hired thug sleeping on a stool at the front door. “Do you not need sleep after a full day of Springfest?,” he asked her.
    “Your friend gifted me energy and healed my body. I feel as if I have slept a week. Is there something I can help you with my lord.”
    “He did the same bloody thing to me! Does magic always make you that cold?” She shook her head no. “I am not a lord, I’m sorry I deceived you and your mistress here.” She nodded her head in response. He noticed her casting small glances at him as she cleaned the dishes behind the counter. “I could use a plate of food before I leave for supplies, if you have any handy that is.”
    “I will bring you some stew left on the fire for early morning risers such as yourself. Can I offer you directions for the city?”
    “No, thank you. I have traveled through Basham a time or two. Just the food if you could, and ale. I have a feeling it will be awhile before I am able to indulge myself in a mug again.” He watched her clean as he ate his meal. He knew Kilen had to make some of the hardest decisions he had ever made. Kara was in a fight for her life. If town’s folk on the road knew she was a fire wizard, she would be dead as soon as they could accomplish it. Kilen would be lucky to get her to the Earth Realm, let alone to the King himself. Bowie would have to go with him, and insure both their safety. He looked over the coin purse in his pocket and what Kilen had given him. The money was still quite a bit short of what it would take to get a room in each town and for supplies along the way. They would have to find a dice game or two and see if they can make some more for the trip. He decided that would have to wait. They would be off before long.
    Bowie knew that he would need to get horses first. He left the inn tipping his hat to Erica as he ducked out the front.
    The town was much larger in size than Humbridge and had the money to show it. Each house in town was thatched and had walls made of stone. The streets were cobbled but with new stone to replace the old instead of leaving holes in the streets. He always felt richer as he walked through the streets of Basham. The town was the last guarded city before reaching the Earth realm. A lot of trade went through this town, and Bowie loved to find a good bargain here. As he made his way through the town he passed a fletchers storefront. There were signs posted on the edge of the fletcher’s range to the side of his store.
    Archery Contest at First Light on Springfest
    One gold crown per entry
    Winner Takes All
    He wished he had been in Basham the day before. He would have won that contest and could have spent the rest of his days living as a lord in Humbridge. The old fletcher came out of the storefront to take down the sign, sitting by his practice range.
    “How did the contest end, good sir?”
    The old fletcher looked Bowie up and down taking in the clothing that he wore. He probably assumed he was a young lord. “A townsman won forty-five crowns, twas more than the wizard made in Basham this year given blessings and such. He won using Crescent arrows. I have to admit they are better made than my own. I do have some for sale if you be interested, my lord.”
    “I use only crescent arrows when I shoot. Unfortunately, I didn’t know about the contest. I think I would have made a pretty good challenge for him since I’m the best shot in Humbridge.”
    “I know the winner milord. If you think you could challenge him, he’s always up for a bet, when it comes to archery that is. He’s the one that suggested this contest and it brought me a pretty penny in sales yesterday. I could arrange for him to meet you here today. Of course you’ll want to be using Crescent arrows, and I have some to sell if you need some.” Bowie ignored the second prompting to buy his own arrows.
    “I have to leave town just after first light. If you can arrange him to meet me here, then I would gladly