A Time of Tigers - From Peasant to Emperor

Beam's eyes widened as he felt the weight of that burden. "Protect it..? Can I really do that? With so many people?"

But Dominus just shrugged. "That's for you to decide. I will not get involved with village matters. You will tackle this mission alone. You already know one thing that needs fixing: these overbearing monster numbers. But if the feeling in the air is anything to go by, things will only get worse – and winter is coming too."

Beam sucked in a deep breath to psyche himself up mentally. "I'm going to need to get stronger then," he said, clenching a fist.

Dominus nodded. "Be that as it may – such matters can wait. I believe you said that today is the day that those soldiers are coming to the village? You had best be off then. Remember though, even the soldiers are of higher rank thank you. They are of the serving class, whereas you villagers are peasants.

That is not to mention the knight that leads them – they have the Lord's permission to cut down any who offend them."

Having been so caught up in their morning battle Beam had entirely forgotten about the soldiers until his master had mentioned it and again his eyes widened in realisation as he looked about in alarm.

"Oh, damn! I'm late! I'd forgotten all about that – and after I agreed to meet Nila too," Beam said.

Dominus grinned. "I thought you might forget. Too busy thinking about the big stuff that you forget all about the small things. Go on now lad, get going. Mind yourself well, and pay attention. This will be your first time seeing any warriors other than me – see if you can sense their strength."

Beam responded with a serious nod before gathering his things and dashing away.

…

…

Breathlessly, Beam raced through the forest and towards Nila's house, where he'd agreed to meet her.

She saw him coming from a distance away, and already there was an irritated frown on her face as she impatiently tapped her foot with her arms folded.

"You're late, you know!" She said as Beam skidded to a halt beside her.

Beam grinned. He was pleased to see her more back to her old self. She'd been hunting for a few days now, and Beam knew that she was working as hard as she could. The butcher was stunned when he saw just how much meat she was bringing in, as were those attendant hunters that she'd contracted under her.

If one was to ignore the looming danger of the village Elder's threats, Nila had truly made it. For one so young to take the steps that she had, and to be performing so well despite the pressure. He was proud of her, but he couldn't say that to her face.

"Sorry I'm late," he said instead.

"You don't seem particularly sorry with a smile on your face," Nila said, pretending to be cross, but in truth she was smiling too. "You brought your sword with you today?"

Beam nodded, as he straightened up, trying to recover his breath. "Mhm, I asked Greeves if he'd pay me to guard him as we welcomed the army in. Apparently it's meant to be a pretty formal ceremony, so I figured he'd want someone extra to go with Judas, y'know, to make himself look more official."

Nila didn't look particularly happy as he said that. "…You had to do that because of me, right?" She said uncomfortably as she looked away.

But Beam just grinned. "Nah, to tell you the truth, I'm a bit excited."

Nila raised her eyebrows in surprise. "Excited? Really? Everyone else is pretty terrified, you know. They have no idea what's going to happen."

"This is my first time seeing a proper knight other than master, and master doesn't really carry himself like a proper knight, so I'm wondering what they'll look like," Beam said.

Nila let out a sigh and smiled. "Sometimes I forget that you're still just a boy…"

"C'mon, we're pretty much the same age here, don't try to act older than me," Beam said, telling her off. He motioned with his head towards the road and they started walking towards the town centre. "…Is the village Elder still bothering you?"

Nila grimaced at that. "Mhm… Just as I was saying before, those servants of his, they come every morning before dawn and knock super loud on the door, demanding the repayment. Stephanie and David are terrified. Mother is too. I keep trying to reassure her… But it's hard, because I'm worried too.

I know you said you'd cover the cost even if I fail to get it all myself… But I feel like things won't end there."

Beam nodded seriously. "You're probably right. Even after paying him, we should stay on guard."

The two of them weren't the only ones heading towards the village square.

"The soldiers are coming!" A returning hunter shouted as he ran past, having scouted the army marching towards them from across the plains.

His shouts inspired the many people heading towards the town centre to rush there themselves. Everyone was required to be there, so they might kneel before the presence of nobility and offer up their services, if only ceremoniously.

Beam and Nila sped up as well, and it wasn't long before they neared the town centre. But the closer they got, the denser and denser the crowd became. They had to force their way through to get closer.

"Beam! I see mother over there – I'm going to head over! Good luck with your guarding – make sure you don't offend anyone!" Nila had to shout over the murmurings of the crowd to be heard. She waved goodbye to Beam as she moved away.

"Alright, I'll see you later," Beam said quietly back, but she was already far enough away that she couldn't hear him.

Beam made his way through the crowd a little more forcefully now. People would turn around to complain to him, but then they would notice the sword sheathed at his hip and the stern look on his face and they would soon wilt.