This morning Leonard woke up naturally. No cold sweat no sense of unease. He looks around. And it's all normal. He got up and checked his face on the mirror...
It's not tired, gaunt, or stressed. He looked even more alive than he'd ever been his whole life. He smiled. A genuine one. Not to someone else's sake. But for himself.
It was the usual. The market, Marinda was there to greet him as usual. "Morning Marinda." She gave him daily apple. "Thanks" He said with a small smile. Marinda noticed it but she didn't mention it. And she just smiled back at him. "Is something on my face?" He asked. "No, it's nothing. I just felt like smiling." Marinda said. "Anyway I'll be continuing my rounds. See you later Marinda." After saying goodbye he walked away to the docks. "Keep up the good work you stubborn oaf..."
Then the docks, "Morning Brutus. Anything unsual?" When Brutus heard his question he smiled broadly before he grabbed a large river squid that's bigger than Brutus himself. "Look at this baby! She'll make a good calamari don't ya think?!" Brutus yelled proudly. "Yes sir, I think it will be tender and delicious."
Even as he celebrated he too noticed Leonard smiling. "What's with the smile ya got kid? You know I barely see ya make an expression. Usually a scowl or an awkward smile. But never that..." Gesturing at his face. "I'm trying to smile more at least." Brutus didn't push further rather... "Since ya wanted to change so bad..." He pulled out a large sharp cleaver from his belt and swiftly sliced a large tentacle off the river squid. Handing it to him in a leathet sack. "Here a reward for changin. I hope ya keep smiling like that kid! Ahahahahagh!" Brutus said with a smile. He pats Leonard on the back.
Leonard accepted putting it in his satchel then setting off to the adventurers guild. He's hearing rumors of carriages coming but he puts it in the back of his mind. Why would carriages come to this place? Maybe it's just merchants. He thought
Finally the Adventurers Guild, It was the usual hustle and bustle of adventurers. There wasn't anything amiss. Leonard went up to the second floor and knocked at Leo's office. No response... Odd. No maybe he's asleep he thought. Leonard entered and closed the door behind him in one motion. And there Leo was asleep on his desk. All his paper was finished. "He seems to be alright." Just to be sure Leonard he moved his hand to the man's neck and checked Leo's pulse and he's alive. He's just asleep.
"I'll be leaving now." Leonard said to himself because Leo was asleep. Then he finally leaves his office. Then the Guild to continue his rounds... Leo was asleep. But he was awake when Leonard entered his office. When Leonard checked his pulse. He's so close... He never even talks to me directly. Is something different about him today? Leo's thoughts was slur of embarrassment and surprise.
When Leonard left his office. Leo was blushing... But he goes back to sleep. Still remembering how close Leonard was to him than ever before...
What's next? He'd never finished his duties Ahead of time. So... He just walked about in town. This was the first time he actually looked at the town.
He never noticed how clean the streets were. The brick streets is smoother and more level than the dirt path in the outskirts of the town. The children and townsfolk were all living their daily lives without the fear of crime. Homelessness was never a problem here. The economy here is flourishing. And life was easy and peaceful.
The town was far from any major countries but it is still a territory of Britania. Monsters were further up the mountains and the soil is si fertile. No wonder Leonard was the only guard assigned there. The crimes rates are non existant and corruption is just a fantasy here. What was I so worried of? Leonard thought. And what was there to worry about? This is the safest town on this side of the continent. There's no need to be so tense.
For Leonard a man who grew up in... Nevermind. That wasn't him. He's trying to be better. And this is his life now. A guardsman of a peaceful town. He stopped near the town's church... I believe in God. Not in the church.
Father Maverick was there and saw him. "Oh it's you child. How are you? You seen more bright than usual." The old man said with a smile. "Just practicing to be better father."
They sat on the benches and talked. "It's great child. You are happy and more lively than usual.". Then Leonard asked something... Something out of character. " Father. What's your view about the church?" Maverick thought deeply stroking his beard.
"Hmm... I think of it positively." Leonard looked up at he dark sky "But..." Leonard turned his head to look at him. "In my opinion priesthood is different. In my view, a priest is not a messenger of God. We are just humans." Leonard stared back at the sky in deep thought. "I'm just an old man who prays to God. A priest should show humility. Because in the end of the day God made us all. Even if we do wrong or do good it's not God's will. It was ours and always ours to begin with." Maverick states giving Leonard a glance.
Leonard straightened his posture and leaned forward listening intently to Maverick continues "As a follower of God we should show that we are not above anyone. As after all we are all human." Leonard was silent... His gaze saw the townsfolk walking about but his mind was elsewhere.
"I'm sorry for making you listen to an old man's ramble on." Father Maverick got up with a grunt. "I never believed in the church. Neither did I respect it." Leonard got up first. Offering a hand to Maverick. "But I respect you father." Father Maverick smiled at Leonard's words and accepted his hand. "Thanks for respecting an old man like me." Father Maverick said walking back to the church in a calm stride.
"It's hard to earn father." Leonard walked away and Maverick returns back to the church "That boy reminds me of someone. They are pretty much a like... Marinda met with him again. "Hey Leonard can I stay to your house again?" She said hugging his arm "Sure." Leonard said with a smile. "Sir Brutus gave me some river squid. He said it's good for calamari." They both walked to his barracks together. Marinda wrapped her arms around his arm as they walked.
Leo saw the two from his guild office window. "Hmm. Their pretty close huh?" He said to himself sipping some tea after a few seconds of standing there he returns back to his paper works. His work has been piling up since he doesn't have a secretary... He wondered who he'll hire... He checks the applicant papers It's all female secretaries. He double checks and it it's all women... He already has someone in mind he'll ask them tomorrow.
Leonard and Marinda had a cozy evening. After eating dinner they chatted. A more back and forth conversation than a one way. They chatted and after a while prepares for bed. He does his routine shower, journal, and pray. Marinda assume the same position. They were embracing each other. "Oh? I could get used to this hehe." Marinda coos with a mischievous smile. And they both slept soundly.
For the first time... I love being alive. Leonard thought as tiredness embracing him gently. The night was silent but peaceful.
Meanwhile... Carriages are travelling through a dense forest. Knights in white armor flank each carriage. A figure in the white carriage prays silently the veil of their white robes obscuring their appearance.