Re: A Sergeant's Intermission (Kellan)
“It’s almost like you know the woman,” laughed Alergast. “But yes, I’m heading home. The last couple of weeks have been tough on everyone, and,” he looked off in the direction of his house, “I think that—as hard as they were—they really clarified what’s important. Family.” He looked back at Kellan, slapping him on the shoulder. “Friends. The people who care about you, and the people you care about. Without them,” he shrugged his broad shoulders, “what are we fighting for?”
The lieutenant turned to face the younger man. “You have fun with that perimeter walk, strongman.” Alergast grasped Kellan’s wrist in farewell, in the manner of soldiers. “Let me know if you find anything that needs work.” He paused. “But not today! You should definitely go call on that girl of yours.” He paused, grinning. “Just don’t do anything that will make me have to scrape you off the floor. You may be a hero, but,” he turned his palms up, empty-handed, “I don’t think that will go far with Ven if he thinks you’re taking advantage.”
With that, the larger man left, chuckling. Now alone, Kellan headed up to Northgate to inspect the wall. The townsfolk he met along the way greeted him with heartfelt goodwill. The young man was an excellent story—a son of Sandpoint who rose to become a hero, defending the town in her darkest hour. Even now, young boys fought each other to play the role of Kellan at Thistletop, and those same boys now looked on the young guardsman with something akin to awe, their hero-worshipping gazes following the living legend as he strode through town on what was no doubt Important Guard Business.
The adults, of course, were less impressed. It was always hard to be a hero to people who’d seen you grow up, and that rule was as applicable in Sandpoint as anyplace else. People nodded to each other and talked about how proud Kenneth must be of his boy, but rather than awe they looked on him with a sort of derivative paternal pride. Kellan was just proof of Sandpoint’s superiority—you wouldn’t find a boy of that quality raised in Magnimar, would you? No sir, you would not. He was a younger version of Alergast. The Hero of Thistletop and the Hero on the Bridge. What did Sandpoint need fear with those two on watch?
On second thought, maybe the adults weren’t as unaffected as they let on.
Kellan arrived at the gate to find it open with only Tal Harden on duty, leaning against his polearm and watching the approach with a desultory air. He straightened up and saluted as Kellan approached, reminding the young man of his recent promotion. His new rank was still hard to remember, sometimes.
Kellan took an hour to closely examine the Northgate and its wall, using his knowledge of engineering to note various places where he thought the Guard might need to shore it up. The wall wasn’t in disrepair, exactly, but it had been many years since it had undergone any sort of a full-scale repair. And Kellan had some ideas on how the wall could be fortified against any future attacks.
Tal wandered over as Kellan finished up his inspection. “Whaddya think, Sarge?” He inquired. “The ol’ Northgate holdin’ up okay?”