4 days later in Sussex
" Halt! This territory of Sussex. Show your face and state your business!"
The guards crossed their spears in front of the young man while the latter pulled down his hood to reveal an ugly face that was filled with scars.
The skin was burned badly and the scars looked like worms wriggling under his skin as the guards backed with the repulsed look.
" I am from Surrey to sell commodities to your territory. I have no other agenda and you may check it."
The guards took the toll, pulling the blanket to check what was under it. To their surprise, it was good apples that were ripe and juicy by the crimson color of it.
One of the guards took the apple, biting it without hesitation. The rich flavor of apple hit his tongue as he licked his lips to confirm that it was indeed good quality.
" How much are you selling them for?"
He asked with a calm face, pulling out his pouch from his waist. He then carefully plucked out coins from it, handing them to the man while the young man put them in the basket which he would get back when he would get later.
" This is more than enough. Do you also want to buy some?"
The other guards nodded with anticipation, knowing how hard it was to get by this kind of apple. The fall was still shy from changing colors and surely it was a cheap and good quality product.
" Please!"
The guards lined up to get them from him, handing their bags to take them as the first wagon was emptied quickly. The apples were sold like ice in the summertime.
The young man smiled with a gentle face, handing the apples to the guards albeit their oblivious to his scheme.
A few days ago in Surrey
" I heard you were calling for me, brother."
The young man looked at the tall man with a calm face, sitting on the log to chew the mushroom that he picked from outside.
" I told you to not eat suspicious plants. You just don't listen to me, Horace."
Horace spat out the remaining mushroom in his mouth to the leather pouch that he always carried around. He carefully sealed it with his hand, fearing something might come out from it to harm his friend.
" You know it is my life. If you didn't pull me out from that mud, I would have died 5 years ago. So, to be useful I will sharpen my dagger."
Horace was born in the slums of Kent and he had no one to rely on since he was young. He spent his days, rummaging through garbage and foraging plants and animals.
Obviously, he consumed a lot of both poisonous and venomous creatures and plants. Hence, his body got used to the extreme toxicity of the poisons and practically he was immune to the most poison, including fatal neurotoxin.
When he first digested a poisonous plant, he almost died from dehydration, losing so much weight in few days but he lived through it. Then he continued to consume poisons, knowing they would fill his stomach.
" Even so, don't push yourself too much. The human body can handle only so much."
Horace shrugged his shoulders without any expression, not delving into his life. He was already a walking corpse, so it didn't matter whether he consumed more poison or not because in the end, the poison in his blood was keeping him alive.
" I heard you needed to take a hostage of the enemy lord. I can help you with that."
Halfdan pulled out the chair, sitting on it with a grim face. His eyes were filled with worry for his friend who would spend his time in either orphanage or collecting items in the shadow. He couldn't understand what he was thinking.
" It is too dangerous even for you. If you are caught in the heart of the enemy, you will be left without any man."
Horace smiled at his words, pulling out his dagger to stab the table. Then he carved his name on it with skillful moves.
" Rat can escape from the paws of the cat."
His determination was already set.