Galen and Draven walked down the short corridor from the stairs to the front room where Stephen, the cities magistrate waited anxiously. The two walked in to see a young maid of about 18 and an old man roughly in his late 50’s. Before Galen or Draven could say anything the old man leapt to his feet.
“Where’s Adam?” Stephen questioned. “And who are you?”
“He’s out on official business” Galen said. “This is Draven of Norfolk; he has been travelling with me.”
“I’d rather speak to Adam” Stephen said menacingly. “Official business, I don’t believe that for a minute. Where is he?”
Stephen tried to push the two messengers aside. Galen and Draven did not budge. They stood solid in the doorway not letting the old man pass. He was surprisingly strong but the two did not give more than an inch.
“This is outrageous!” Stephen exclaimed. “I came to request Adam’s help with the new conscripts and he won’t see me. Do you know who you are talking to?”
“Yes, of course we do.” Draven replied.
“If it is help you want,” Galen started. “Then you should be a little more courteous here in the guild. We will be more willing to help if you were not so demanding.”
“I merely wish to get Adam’s support for training the new additions to the guard.” Stephen said defensively. “He has more knowledge about the forces in Macote and a few years your senior.”
“We share our information with each other” Galen exclaimed. “Adam will be in the field for a few weeks, Draven and I will help train your conscripts.”
Stephen was surprised by Galen’s statement. He had expected Adam to speak with him over the matter of training the new recruits; instead Galen had stepped in the middle of the affair. The messenger’s schedules were somewhat erratic but had to be respected; any discourse was frowned upon and if the person was a magistrate, their position could be in jeopardy.
“Well when can we start training the new recruits?” Stephen asked more calm and composed than when he had first saw Galen.
“We will start after the apprentices get back from Colodia” Galen replied. “They are due back in a day or two. Your guards will be able to put them to work building a new barracks for them to stay in until our missing apprentices return.”
“Where are we going to build a new barracks?” Stephen questioned. “Our city has already out grown our original walls. We don’t have room for another building.”
“Well then I suggest you have the recruits start cutting down trees from the edge of the forest to build a new wall around the city.” Galen responded. “You are the magistrate, make it happen.”
Come back next week, Part 5 Continues ...
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