Chapter 22 - Back to Base Camp

After the carnival, everyone got back to the Inn they were staying at. Theo was the last one in. When he entered his room, Ferdinand was still awake.

“How was your date?” He asked.

"It wasn't a date!" Theo answered quickly, as his cheeks turned a bright red color.

Ferdinand laughed it off and decided to change subjects, “we're leaving tomorrow, we’ll be having one last morning training session after which we’ll be packing up and setting out, I already told this to everyone except for you and Amber who were the last ones in”.

Theo had been having such a good time in town, it felt as if they had set out from basecamp years ago, he had been able to enjoy and improve himself in a different type of environment, he felt free-er as if he had just gone to a different town with his friends.

"Ok, guess it had to end sometime," Theo said to himself melancholically.

Ferdinand gazed at Theo as he still seemed to have his innocence intact even with all they had seen and experienced, in this world most people have magic which improves their lives but can also prove difficult as everyone has their own strength, but what they had experienced wasn't an everyday thing, only about a 30% of the population became adventurers and most of them would only go to E and D dungeons to make a decent living, and even then casualties were rare, the Adventurers Guild were extremely diligent in keeping everyone safe, so they were always up to date on the latest dungeon rankings.

Ferdinand had been pondering about this since they arrived, what were the chances that Everette didn't know the dungeon had ranked up. 

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The next day everyone had their morning conditioning and training, and they could feel some tension in the air as things were about to change. it had been like a small vacation to them, a rest after having experienced near death, but it had come to an end, they had to go back.

Nick, Amber, Flynn, Nolan, Ferdinand and Theo finally set out, leaving mushroom town, no one said a word and they all just walked off in unison, as they passed by they received the goodbyes from the villagers, each one waving them off.

As they walked on the path that would lead them back to camp, Ferdinand felt the need to address everyone's feelings.

“We had a good final week, but remember because of the path we have all chosen things will always get more complex and difficult, not less, if you feel you won't be able to handle it there is no shame in quitting after the call to arms is over, we just had a glimpse of what life can be like if we stay as we are, tranquility is a difficult thing to come by” 

As Ferdinand talked, everyone listened intently. None of them really knew Ferdinand's past, but they took his word for it.

Theo thought about this for a while, His Dad could have easily lived with nobility and served them. He had the potential to become a B-ranked healer, which is a huge deal, but he chose to raise a family in the outskirts of the kingdom.

With everyone off in their heads pondering on what they should do next they were startled as Ferdinand took out his spear and became battle ready, everyone immediately understood there was immediate danger and also took their battle stance.

“well guess we should just come on out” said a voice

8 men came out from different spots on the road, all hooded figures, with axes, swords and arrows pointing at them.

"Listen, you could try to fight, but you’re outnumbered. Just leave your packs and be on your way. You’re all probably going to the call to arms, so they’ll restock you guys. No harm, no foul," said the same voice.

Whoever was talking wasn't one of the 8 hooded figures. Ferdinand thought that there may be more than 8 of them, hence the confidence in the hidden voice.

“Theo, they are just trying to intimidate you. Look at the way they are holding their weapons. Most of them have probably never trained with them. This is a scare tactic,” Prim said to Theo.

Ferdinand was already thinking the same thing. What worried him were the archers. Even terrible archers could get lucky, especially from close range, so he couldn't risk them getting a shot off.

“All right, we’ll give you just our packs, but not our weapons, as they are dear to us,” Ferdinand said as he walked closer and put his hands downward as if he were putting his spear down.

“Don’t be smart! Just put everything you have on the floor and leave!” screamed the hidden voice.

With that outburst, Ferdinand could now identify where the voice was coming from. He turned around and signaled everyone. Because of all their training, Ferdinand had taught them communication by signaling, just by a finger or his eyes they knew what he meant.

They were all ready.

Ferdinand began taking off his pack. The hooded figures were nervous, most of their weapons shaking. Ferdinand took his chance, launched his pack at one of the assailants, and jumped at the two archers, instantly destroying one of the bows and knocking back the other with his lance.

The assailants were caught off guard, and they all turned to Ferdinand and tried slashing at him. But before they could get to him, Theo was already there. He high kicked one of them right in the chest, putting him down. Then, with his time step, he disarmed one of the axe users by simply using his scabbard with a quick slice to the wearer's wrist, making him drop it immediately. Nolan and Flynn were already dispatching the other two, while Amber had frozen three of the other assailants in place. Ferdinand was already done with the two archers.

In a matter of seconds, they had disposed of the assailants and were now tying them up.

“You can come out now. Don't make me go get you!” Ferdinand screamed.

“All right, relax. We don't want any trouble,” the voice said as he showed himself. He wasn't armed and was not wearing a hood. All the confidence in his words was gone. He could not believe that these kids could just overpower all of them so quickly.

“So is this your standard MO? You target young and weak parties and try to rob them blind?” Ferdinand asked.

“We’re sorry, please. We don't even know how to fight. We found these weapons and thought it’d be easy enough to rob some people. We didn't mean any harm!” the man pleaded.

“Here Ferdinand, none of them seem to be soldiers or awakened. They're all just old men and women,” said Theo. As they had unmasked and tied the assailants, they noticed none of them were trained or proved a real threat.

Theo felt bad for these people, as he felt none of them were bad people. He wanted to let them go.

“There is nothing more dangerous than an idiot with resolve, Theo. If we had surrendered, they would have left us with nothing, and that can prove deadly for any of us. They thought not of their actions or consequences, and even if they meant no harm, they should be punished,” Ferdinand stated.

The assailants' leader gulped as he was scared of what this meant.

“He is right, Theo. A bad decision is a bad decision and must be dealt with. Forgiveness is a strong tool, but a lack of punishment means a second chance at the wrong choice. The best thing to do is remove that choice,” Prim said to Theo.

“Will you take responsibility?” Ferdinand asked the assailants' leader. His eyes widened with fear and looked at his companions for help.

“Don’t look at them, make a decision. The fact that you were the only one talking probably means this was your idea. Also, you were the only one hidden, while they all showed themselves. Not only the idea man but a cowardly one at that. Judgment will be passed!” screamed Ferdinand. With a clean sweep, Ferdinand pulled his knife and cut the man's left hand cleanly.

He screamed and squirmed, clutching at where his hand once was, rolling over with tears in his eyes.

“This is a warning. You know the penalty for stealing in the kingdom: slavery or death. As most of you don't seem to have many years, you have escaped death. Think long and hard on this second chance. If you walk this path to where we were coming from is Mushroom Town. Tell them Ferdinand sent you. They will have jobs and food for you. Choice has been given whether you take it is on you,” Ferdinand spoke with great authority. He then threw the leader's hands at them. “Keep it with you as a reminder. Next time will be your heads,” he said and walked off, leaving them there.

Everyone followed him quickly. Theo was shocked by these actions. He knew stealing could be punishable by death, but he had never heard of such a thing happening. The worst thing he remembered from his home was the bullying he received, which now seemed like nothing compared to what he just witnessed.

"After a few hours, they could smell the ocean and were close to being back at camp. It had only been two weeks since Theo had left home, but his life had been forever changed.

As they began their walk back to camp, they were all stopped at the gate. “Who goes there?” screamed the guard with authority.

“We are part of Everette's garrison. We’ve just gotten back,” answered Ferdinand.

“Come through. We've been waiting for your return,” said the guard.

As they all walked in, suddenly Ferdinand was apprehended and forced to the ground. The rest of the guards pointed their weapons at Theo and the others.

“Ferdinand Walker, you are hereby detained for insurrection and treason against your garrison's leader, Everette Wyamir, regarding your dungeon dive training. You will be confined to lockup where you will await judgment,” stated one of the guards.

“What do you mean? He never committed any of that. He saved all of us, including Everette!” screamed Theo.

Theo was hit in his back and brought to his knees, feeling a hard blow and a surge of heat rising in his back. He started coughing uncontrollably as he was caught off guard.

“Quiet! Any of you who wish to follow him we’ll be happy to oblige. Right now, only Walker is to be apprehended, but all of you can find yourselves a place next to him if you're not careful. Now, disperse!” screamed the guard as they left with Ferdinand.

Theo could only watch as a deterred Ferdinand got further away, trying to compose himself and think about what to do next."