The Rope

"I'll take this one," you say as you grab the rope of ensnaring from the bag. "An excellent choice," Alfric exclaims, as he turns and walks away, "but hurry up now Dirk, don't miss your carriage on my account." As he walks away you say, "tangle," and throw the rope at your old master. The rope soars through the air before wrapping itself around Alfric arms, torso, and mouth, you quickly pull him towards you and wrap him in a big hug saying, "thanks for everything," before releasing your master. Alfric, looks truly flustered for the first time since you met him two years ago, "your welcome Dirk, but you really should be going soon, "mounting his horse he begins to ride away before turning back, "one last thing," he shouts, "I heard that there are several types of new monsters that have been moving into our kingdom of Westfold, they're apparently fleeing the giant wars in the far east. If you meet any, be careful, and remember your training."

Smiling you quickly finish your packing, placing the rope into a loop on the side of your bag for easy access. You say your final goodbyes to your parents and brothers, and you take one long, last look at your home, before heading out to the carriage stop.

As the carriage stop slowly comes into view, you hear old Mathias the carriage driver's voice calling out, "I can't wait all day Dirk, now hustle up and get over here." Running the last few yards you just make it in time, jumping on just as old Mathias starts to pull away. "Hurry up, you youngin, your damn lucky Alfric paid me an extra copper to wait for you." Sorry, Mathias," you apologize, mentally making a note to send Alfric a thank you letter the first chance you get.

The rest of the ride is quiet and uneventful, except for the constant grumblings of old Mathias about young people and their shortcomings, and you reach the edge of Willford and the start of the forest just as the sun leaves its peak.