Chess Mage of Faerûn

Chapter 56 Searching for Garrick

"But she gave way too much?" Zhang Yuan said casually.

Even a seasoned veteran like Nancy couldn't help but cough awkwardly and clear her throat when she heard such teasing: "You have to understand, the wages that Miss paid me back then were more than twice what I earned in a month by working myself to the bone and even risking being beaten. I was just a weak woman."

"What a damn weak woman," someone thought to themselves.

However, Nancy was quite different from the previous times she had been seen. She talked on and on about the time she had known and spent with the Grand Duke's family, and from time to time she would get lost in her memories.

Zhang Yuan vaguely guessed the reason for this change. The incident back then and the subsequent death of the Grand Duchess must have dealt a great blow to the person in front of him. Driven by this sense of guilt and remorse, he even punished himself by living in seclusion as a laundry worker.

However, seeing that the goal is about to be found and the regrets of the past can be made up for, it is understandable that the change in temperament caused by the relief at this time is due to this.

As they walked to the city gate and reached the head of the Winding Dragon Bridge, Nancy found a rental carriage, instructed the driver to head towards Belgost at top speed, and then generously offered to give a large tip.

Leaving aside the long journey by car, when they arrived in Belgost territory, Nancy gave Zhang Yuan a gesturing look and was about to get off when Zhang Yuan called out to her.

"Wait a minute, why am I paying for the carriage you ordered?"

"Didn't you want to come along? Besides, how can you let an old man who can only make a living by washing clothes pay for you?"

Speechless, the person could only tearfully accept the loss, as the allowance they had just received was reduced by another sum.

Upon entering the town's streets, Nancy, who hadn't been to Belgost for a long time, was at a loss for where to begin. Seeing that even the so-called seasoned veterans weren't quite adapted to this new era, Zhang Yuan, who always respected the elderly and cared for the young, simply suggested trying his own method first.

Nancy, who had no objection, followed this newbie in her eyes and wanted to see what ideas he had.

Zhang Yuan headed straight for the town's central square and found the halfling messenger next to the stone tablet.

"Hello, we meet again, Mr. Maca. How have you been?"

“Oh, praise to the goddess Yodara! Isn’t this the mercenary who asked Old Maka for directions last time? Old Maka remembers you, but aren’t you from the Seven Suns Merchant Alliance? By the way, I don’t even know your name.” Maka looked up at Zhang Yuan.

“Sorry, last time it was for a mission. My name is Chanem. This time I want to ask you about someone.” As he spoke, Zhang Yuan took out a wine flask and tossed it over: “This is a bottle of Potax wine that I specially brought from the Arm of Friendship. Here you go.”

Maka didn't refuse, took a swig, and sighed contentedly: "In this damned month of decay, nothing makes old Maka happier than a good drink to warm him up. Tell me, who do you want to know about?"

“A bard named Garrick.”

"That kid? Hiccup~ He sings poetry quite well, and is quite popular with the tavern's customers. He used to tour with the Valley Wind Orchestra, usually staying in town for a few days, but this time, for some reason, he's been here for a week." Old Maka said as he drank.

"Where can we find him?"

“It’s those few taverns, he’s either at this one or that one,” Maca, slightly tipsy, needed a moment to think. “But this kid seems to really like hanging out at the Burning Mage and the Red Scroll Inn.”

"Thank you, let's go."

It didn't take long for the two to find the man at the Red Roll Inn. Garrick, an ordinary, neither unknown nor particularly famous, bard, had short brown hair and a handsome face, though the wear and tear of his long journey had left its mark on him.

At this moment, Garrick was not playing the lute as usual, singing epic tales of heroes to evoke the passionate emotions of the adventurers in the tavern, nor was he strumming enthusiastic tunes to stir up their yearning for romantic love and the release of hormones.

He sat alone by the door, holding a wine glass. He barely drank any of his wine, and his face showed clear anxiety and unease. His eyes kept glancing towards the door.

When Zhang Yuan and Nancy walked up to him, the guy jumped up like a rabbit, grabbed the lute next to him and used it as a hammer to protect himself.

To be honest, Garrick's actions showed not even a hint of the threat he hoped for; instead, they seemed to be telling everyone, "I, Garrick, am easy to bully."

This scene made a certain unscrupulous mage burst out laughing, but Nancy next to him was stunned.

As a maid or guard who had served Grand Duke and Duchess Iltan for over ten years, Nancy had a vivid memory of the Grand Duke and Duchess's appearance, as well as that of their only son, Gavial. Even ten years could not change a person's original appearance, much less erase Nancy's memory.

Nancy was absolutely certain that the Garrick standing before her was Gavial.

Nancy, who had regained some of her liveliness, now seemed to have transformed back into the old Nancy washing clothes in the laundry room, looking at Garrick, or rather, Garvil, with an almost benevolent smile.

“Child, there’s no need to be so nervous. We’ve come to ask you about some old stories. I don’t know what you’re so nervous about. If you’d like, you can tell me, and we might be able to help.”

Nancy spread her hands to show she meant no harm, and then sat down opposite Garrick.

Perhaps Nancy's actions and words calmed Garrick's unease, for his expression softened slightly, and he sat down again.

"I... I'm fine, I'm just a little flustered. Also, do you know me? What do you want to ask me?"

Seeing that the other party was unwilling to explain, Nancy did not press the matter: "Of course I know you. I have known your parents for many years, and I even watched you grow up. Don't you have any memories of your childhood?"

Zhang Yuan, who was standing next to him, was also puzzled. He hadn't thought of it before, but now that he mentioned it, it was a bit strange. If Gavial was still alive and not imprisoned, why didn't he go looking for his parents?
"It can't be that melodramatic, can it?" Zhang Yuan grinned, suddenly thinking of a certain cheesy plot.

However, life can sometimes be just that dramatic.

"My parents... I don't remember them. When I woke up, I was in a stable in Neverwinter. I can't remember anything before that. Do you know my parents? Who are they? Are they still alive? Where are they?"

Faced with a barrage of questions, Nancy was very patient: "Your father is Grand Duke Iltan of Baldur's Gate, and your mother, Lady Elizabeth, has returned to Tyr."

"I have a father? My mother is gone?" Garrick was a little bewildered by all the information and sat there blankly without saying a word.

After a long pause, he finally stammered, "My father is the Grand Duke? Then, how come I was thrown into Neverwinter? Besides, what evidence do you have? What if you're just trying to deceive me?"

Nancy's tone was tinged with sadness and resentment: "I can't explain what happened back then to you right now. You just need to know that it was a shameful rebellion."

Then her tone changed, with a hint of a smile: "As for evidence, you have a birthmark on your left butt that looks like... you know. I used to hold you a lot when you were little."

(End of this chapter)