The night has just arrived in the forbidden forest. It was eerie, the only sound you could hear was the chirping of insects and the whispers of a crackling bonfire. Right In the middle of it, there was a clearing with a house made out of light brown logs. From it, you could see smoke coming out of the chimney and the smell of it carried along the weak fragrance of fat being cooked.
Approaching the house I came to a stop on the doorway.
*Knock Knock*
The sound of my knuckles hitting against the door echoed through the silent forest. Soon a voice coming from the inside of the house could be heard.
“Who’s it?” said a rough voice, some distance from the door, as the sound of footstep could be heard by the entrance; it was increasing in intensity. Until it came to a halt at the other side of the door.
“It’s the storyteller requested from the guild.”.Relinquishing my melodious intonation, I said in a deadpan manner.
“Right, I was waiting for your arrival” The door opened to the sight of a tawny-skinned almost 2-meter tall burly man dressed casually: white shorts, grey shirt, and wood sandals. “Come on in, let’s talk inside”. He said with his evident strong jawline, behind a full dark brown beard, moving. I went inside the house as invited without further ado.
The house wasn’t big, it had a kitchen and living room at the same place. Everything was made out of wood, the table by the kitchen side, its chairs, the couch in the living room and its center table or the cabinet against the wall beside the crackling fireplace. All of it with engravings, twisting the wood and creating beautiful forms as if the wood itself grew that way, emanating a feeling of warmth and bringing coziness to the heart of those inside the room. By the wall, there were ornaments coming out in harmony with it.
As he walks me to the table at the kitchen, he says looking at the pot on the stove “The pork stew is almost ready, we have time to introduce ourselves though” then turn to look at me. The voice was indeed rough, but there was something to it that I haven’t perceived before. It was a feeling of imminence as if the words were laws that the very heavens must abide by it.
Getting out of my unusual reticence I said “Sure" clearly anticipating myself thanks to my odd nervousness, and in a stern voice, I rushed with the words. "I’m the writer designated by the royal library to fulfill your request. My name is Jacob Swifthands." now that I already rushed in, might as well continue. "It’s an honor to be your acquaintance.” only when I fished the sentence that it came to my attention that I was almost falling short of breath.
“Let’s sit” he said, and I did. His eyebrows shot up and he exclaimed as he sat across from me on the four people table, looking as if he remembered something funny “ Oh! The young dandy who sings girls from court to bed.”
For the first time, my deadpan face fell and blood started to spread across my cheeks flushing it red. I’m in my fifties, how old is he to think I’m young, he himself looks younger than me! And how come he know about my nightly affairs. Pretending to not notice my embarrassment he went on “ So Jake, I’m Henry, but you can call me Hank. Now that we know our names we can proceed to the reason you’re here and make some agreements” and he stops as if expecting an answer.
Regaining a little of my bearings I nod my head. Seemingly a little bit happier for some unknown reason, Hank continues “ Well, to summarize it I want to hire you to write some histories of the old,” As he says histories of the old his eyes flashes with a hint of nostalgia and he does the stop again.
With growing interest, I once again waddle my head up and down to inform him I’m all ears. Satisfied with my reaction he resumes his dialog “ I see you got interested in the job I’m proposing to you. As for the charges I wish to know, beforehand, how much is worth your time to do so.”
“My fees are the same as the fixed in the guild. Two crowns per day of labor” Depending on the history he tells me, considering he’s someone that can make the king himself go fetch a writer, the fees can be, eventually, dismissed. The histories he could have to tell should increase our knowledge about events that happened or even change the way history was recorded!
A gentle smile crossed his face just before he opened it to say “ Great, I’ll tell you from beginning to end the history of a great character, in charge of immense power. One that changed the course of history some time ago. A history that has never been heard of in any book, be it new be it old.”
Jackpot, I thought. “ Really? “ I exclaimed unable to contain my excitement. My passion for history has always been what motivate my life. Despite my urges to not sleep alone.
“Yes, but not right now.” Hank said looking again at the stove “The stew is ready!”. He stood up made the table, and served the pork stew. The fragrance was mouth watering. He filled my bowl and gave it to me with a spoon.
It was delicious. Very simple, with fresh ingredients, probably found in the woods but it only accentuates a warm feeling, similar to the one that surrounded the rest of the house. We ate in silence, not an uncomfortable one, looking Hank eat was, mildly saying, soothing. Which brings me to question the origin of the emotions I feel in this house. Maybe the source of the ingrained warmth the house emanated was his very presence embedded in the objects. When we finished dining, Hank stood up and cleaned the table.”Now that we have our bellies full, we can start my reminiscences” he said solemnly.
Taking the bag of holding on the chair next to me, and placing my writing utensil on top of the table I asked: “ We’ll be talking about whom? “. An enigmatic grin emerged on Hank’s face and almost with a jovial glow he asnwered“ That shall be unveiled as we proceed with the story” the grin faded and he continued “worry not, though, it shall be clear to all at the very beginning of it. Now, if what I'll say here is true or just a figment of an ancient aimless soul is up to you to decide."
Okay, I thought. I have a megalomaniac as patron. My earlier excitement for nothing, looking at the bright side, I’ll at least earn my living here and should be glad this damned forest didn’t kill me. For sure I heard that here was the lair of powerful beasts, and even sang tales of brave heroes dying facing them off before. Those bastards from the library should’ve plotted against me. Send someone here without a bloody escort is murder. Yet, here I am, didn’t face a single beast on my way here, the core of the forest no less! Hank should have some sort of control over the forest flora and fauna to grant me a free pass to his house, otherwise, I don’t see how I could’ve made my way here alive.
It’s a bummer this won’t change the annals but it sure will keep me entertained. Getting my feather out of its case and placing my stack of sheets over the table, I said: “I’m ready to start”. Hank gave me a slight nod and made himself comfortable on the chair with armchairs I swear wasn’t there before and opened his mouth ” In a far away time unbeknownst by the gods, I was born in a small village…” wrapped around the once again present fatality of his words I lost myself in writing.
The mystery has been unveiled rather soon... a thought I barely missed due to his overwhelming baritone voice.
“Henry!! Lunch is ready.” Mother shouted from inside. And as a good son I am, I replied: “I’m coming!”. I was fifteen by the time, we lived in a hut by the border of the village and owned a small field for harvesting nearby.
Arriving, after five more shouts from mom, at the table. Dad and mom were already serving themselves. I didn’t do much speaking after sitting myself, just half-heard dad talking to mom while eating.
“You saw that Arnold is hanging out with Lily behind Trevor’s back?” Mom asked, showing a little disdain in her face. The same face she does when dad look at the lady from the greengrocer in Canute when we go there to do the monthly shopping. Maybe they’re seeing each other behind mom’s back? And she knows? No… dad wouldn't do it.
“I knew” he said in a tired voice “ Last week Trevor saw both of em together and wanted to make things clear with him. Arnold saw him coming with an angry face and darted away in fear. But he stumbled on a rock and fell on his hand, grating his knees and elbows.” dad gave a little sight as if that was not enough “ The dumbass broke his hand on top of it, now he won't be able to help me with the harvest.”
“How I only come to know of this one week after!?” Mom exclaimed in incredulity. Her priorities obviously far from what was on the table.
“I only know of this cause Arnold is bad at lying and I wasn’t buying his bullshit. So he told me the full history. Of course, he didn’t narrate it that way, but knowing him, what I said shouldn’t be far from the truth.”
“Hmm, such big gossip and I wasn’t aware of it. I should hang out more with the girls in the tavern” mom said in a dissatisfied tone.
“What are you doing this afternoon, son?” Mother said shifting her gaze from dad to me.
Here it comes. “I’ll collect food in the woods” I said with a pleading look, knowing she would send me to do something for her. “ I don’t know what you were doing just now when we were speaking, but Hank will need your help this year with the field. You’ll need to replace your uncle since he broke his hand. Which means no more kidding around in the woods this month.” Dad looked at me and agreed with mom.
I guess the puppy look doesn't work anymore, I’ll need another tactic for the next time.” This sucks! “ pouting for a second, just for the show. They know I’ll help them without complaining.
Fastening the horse in the carriage, dad and I went to the field to start the harvesting. It was a sunny day, no clouds on sight. The sun burning our skins as we labored and sweated all day. In the beginning, I was a little clumsy with the tools, but, as the end of the month was getting closer, my productivity increased tremendously. And that's how our boring laborious days went for the month: reaping the harvest and filling the cart with it, by the end of the day we would dump it on the warehouse near the house.
The harvest was good and we did it on time despite my slow pace at the beggining. In the end, for every sack of wheat I filled, dad filled twice as much. Not a miraculous feat considering he was bulked up with muscles and years of practice against my scrawny teenager body with four threads of beard to its name. Not the biggest of man, my dad, with his one dot eighty-five meters, but he looked like a bull when doing his job.
Relentless.
Tanner than ever, I went back to the forest after my long absence. My sanctuary, a place to relieve the boredom of my days, play with the critters, hunt little animals and collect mushrooms and herbs that mom could use to cook. And of course, a place with no moms to get nagged at.
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Following the river, I saw a little deer on the other side of the riverbank. Fast with my hands, aiming with the bow I carried on my back, I shoot the arrow in the deer's direction, but, in my one month vacation from the woods, I must have lost my hand for such delicate thing and ended missing the arrow. The deer ran away from the river into the woods.
Not pleased with my first hunt in a month slipping between my fingers, I crossed the river, retrieved the stray arrow and searched for its footprints. Tracking marks through the forest weren’t easy for someone who didn’t have specific training. Without realizing, I got myself in the deeper part of the forest. Mom told me to never cross the river, but what can I do? I’m in my teens with no fear for my life nor anything blatantly dangerous on sight.
Chasing the little deer with increasing impatience I finally found the jumpy little fella. It was eating something behind a big rock, I could only see it’s hind legs. Again aiming with my bow I shoot, this time it was right on target. The quadruped jumped and fell to the ground, with its front legs it tried to get on its feet but to no avail, without the support of the hinder leg, he wasn’t going anywhere so soon. Getting closer and unsheathing my big sword, also know as moms kitchen knife, I ended its life with a swift stab behind the ribs, piercing through the heart and ending its torment.
So I thought, the animal screeched in agony. Blood oozing out of the cut, I tried to take the knife off but the handle broke in my miscarried attempt. Shity knife, I’ll talk to mom about the quality of the cutlery she buys from Harold.
Not knowing what to do, I waited for its death in silence. It wasn't a long wait, a big artery must've ruptured, in an inexplicable long two minutes the light on its eyes faded. Sad about the suffering caused to the poor beast, I started to clean it up. Promising myself to improve my executing skills for the next time I try to kill another living being. Hoping this horror show doesn’t happen again.
As I was eviscerating the animal I noticed the grass it was eating by the rock was shining a dim light. Greedy fella died by his own urges. Getting closer to better inspect the phenomenon, it was emanating some kind of green sparkling aura. Uprooting the grass, I pocket it in my bag, hoping it was a magic grass.
As I was getting a hold of the carcass to bring it back home, I heard a ferocious roar nearby, freezing up with fear I dart my eyes around looking for a way out. Beside the place of the uprooted grass, between rock and soil, a slit big enough for me to fit in could be seen. Shocking the fear away from my legs, I jumped in the slit without thinking and went as far away from its entrance as I could.
Shit, it looks like we aren’t so different, Jumpy. In the middle of my comparison, I saw myself falling down a hole.
Hope the beast is big enough to not fit in the slit, I thought. Looking around the place I fell, found myself in an ample cave, with water in the lower part about ten meters from the place I was. The floor was overgrown with the same grass found on the entrance. The feeling of oneness with the place was fantastic! The threat outside almost forgotten, I throw myself on the floor and start to roll around like the kid I was.
In the middle of my glee I come to a sudden realization, how am I going to leave this place!? The hole I came from was at least four meters from the ground, far from the walls, meaning that I can’t escalate the wall to reach the exit. Stopping my rolling around, I contemplate my options or the lack of thereof, I can’t go back from where I came, there’s no way out! I’m in deep shit, mom gonna look at me and say “told you to not cross the river”. If I ever see her again!
Calm down, Hank, and think straight here. Otherwise I'm not going anywhere.
Ok, If I don’t come back home till noon father will probably send a rescue party to find me. But it can take too long, even days to find me! They won’t start looking across the river till morrow morning, there is no point dispatching a party to their demise for a little boy. Oh god, I’ma gonna starve to death in this ... beautiful, peaceful and warmful place. Well, it’s not that bad…
“Hahahahahahaha” came a cackling from the spring. And I started in its direction. With only its upper body out of the water, there was an exquisite woman.
“Who are you?” I uttered in a rush.
Her laughter ceased a couple of seconds after, regaining a little of her bearings. Staring up at me, she said with an amused look “How can you have so many different faces in such a short stretch of time?” chuckling a little after she ended.
Looking at her was mesmerizing. I couldn’t help but stare at her elongated face, long wavy blond hair falling from her head as a golden river. The eyes dragged my gaze, as the tide drags the ocean, along with my very soul.
“What a bold little youngling we have here” She said dismissing my earlier question. And why am I all wet? Holy mother, why I’m in her embrace? ”I like it!” a mischievous grin plastered across her face, one so so close to my face that the freshness of her breath could be felt brushing against my scarlet cheeks.
Her arms nestled between our with her forefinger gently tracing over my burning cheeks, subtly going down my covered chest, and pushing me a little further from herself and, despite the wetness from the wool cloth I was wearing cooling down my skin, her finger's soft touch didn’t diminish the heat crawling down my skin, setting my mind ablaze. My mind was on the brink of collapse. Her scent was alluring, sweet lavender flooding my nostrils making my heart stomp inside my ears. Taking my hands from her back to free me of my clothing in an attempt to start something I would probably die for, I was suddenly interrupted.
“Tusa, cease the flirting with the kid. We have things to do” the sound came booming from the pool. The cave shook as the voice reverberated in the little cave. It made my pounding heart abruptly stop, draining all the blood from my face and something, its turgidity going to waste. The sudden change in mood almost scared me to death.
‘What a bummer” Tusa said in a disappointed tone, look like she was also having fun... teasing me. She wouldn’t go to the very end with it, would she? Mother fucker, cockblocking me for nothing. “Never saw a jealous god before… hmpf” she said staring at the deeper part of the pool. Hope he doesn’t read minds though. The cave shook again. Oh, my… god? “Fine! Little one, let’s finish this some other time” she said with a small grin, taking a quick glimpse at my hips and submerging in the water.
“I’m not that little!!” I shouted, realizing what she meant by little, to the fading figure in the water. I’m not that little! reassuring myself in my mind.
Bringing myself out of the pool dripping with water and incredulity in the face. They departed leaving me trapped in the cave, couldn't they have rid me of this lame situation, it shouldn't be a big deal for them. Should`ve asked if this grass is edible at least. Now I’ll only know after I eat it, I thought while crunching down to grab a handful of weeds on the floor and sit in the same motion.
It had the impressive taste of… turf. Don't know what I was expecting, not disappointed though. After eating a handful of grass the feeling of satiation came remarkably fast considering what has been eaten. Leaned with my back against the floor waiting for the outcome of my eatings.
After what I thought was one hour of waiting, the only thing that came was my sleep in the dim green-lighted cave. I’ve been having dreamless nights since the day dad asked for help with the field. But this time, maybe the change in routine has stirred my subconsciousness, especially losing my mind when I saw Tusa, the dream was vivid. My parents had bared a beautiful daughter and the new house member delighted me to no end.
Bringing her around Aretureios, the river that crosses the village, she couldn't help but run towards the calm waters near the riverbank when she was close enough to behold its beauty.
The adorable little lad running towards the water while the sun grew redder and bigger behind her. Making her features darker each step taken, helping her blend with the scenery. Making it easy to see the clouds behind her forming wings shooting out of her frail little back, soaked in crimson by the bleeding sun. The blue of the water from the river creating the illusion of a vast sky to fly on with those majestic wings. The rush came to a halt when her feets touched the cold water from the river. Breaking me out of my reverie.
When I caught up to her she was joyfully building a house in the mud with a wide smile on her sandy face. I couldn’t help but get infatuated with the sight. What’s the worth of the sun if we can’t even cherish our loved one having a good time.
“What a beautiful house, Angel. Who’s going to live there?” I asked in a soothing voice looking at the mud-house-to-be on the wet ground, afraid that I would abruptly wake up of this idyllic world if the wrong word was said.
She straightened up from the ground and said: “Me” faltering a little while pointing out her index finger. “Mom” middle finger out and a little bit more of decisiveness in her tone. “Dad” ring finger out and a face that would make a grown up man question what could make a kid have a so stern of a face. “And…” she dropped her counting hands as well as the serious face to a cute one and rushed in my direction, arms wide open and a grin bearing a cheerful laughter.
That’s a hug that I’ll never have the pleasure to feel.
“Hank!!” came a shout from the hole in the ceiling. “Are you in there!?” it didn’t reverberate like the domineering voice that came from the water, but it was enough to wake me from my dreams. “Hank?” came again the voice, a little bit weaker than before, as if the owner of the voice was ready to forget about this spot in disappointment and depart to look around another place.
I opened my eyes to a pitch black cave. “sigh” One more second and I would be blessed with a hug from my adorable imaginary little sister. And what has happened to the light coming from the grass? Did it die while I was asleep? Well, I ate it and nothing happened, it should not be of great value otherwise there wouldn’t be so many lying around here.
“I’m here!!” I shouted at the top of my lungs. It came out more like a screech than a normal scream for help. But it did its job, a weak “Thank god” came as he praised “Are you in there Hank? Are you alright?” he asked again with a excited tone“ Yes! just trapped in here, though. If you guys drop a rope I might be able to get back up there just fine” I said as loud as my dried up and raspy throat could manage.
Hearing that everything was fine, except the trapped situation, the person outside started to shout from right to left announcing that he had found the lost person.
Did he hear the thing about the rope? I thought afraid he hadn`t heard me yet relieved to know there`s someone who knows where I am meanwhile waiting for my rescuers. Brushing the sleep away from my eye. Hope they don’t take too long to bring a rope down here. I’m famished!
My worries were for naught, five minutes from the shouting outside and my father’s head was popping out of the hole with an oil lamp. “Son! Are you alright?” he asked concerned. Looking up teary-eyed and almost choking in my own concealed cries, I mustered a weak “yes” out of my mouth. Had to keep a strong face.
“Don’t know why children try so hard to sound tough… sigh”. Hank said with a stern voice, seemingly to no one. Breaking my concentration and putting an abrupt stop to my feather.
“Humm” I said in contemplation. “Maybe we’re trying to show to our old ones that we’re doing fine, that we can manage ourselves alone.” I mused in a quiet hoarse voice.
“You must be right, Jake.” he said contemplating the ceiling. ”Well, it’s late now. We should sleep, tomorrow we’ll resume our little chat.” standing up and going in the direction of the door by the chimney side, he stopped at its entrance and made a gesture for me to go inside. “First door to the right” he said as I passed him by. “The room is ready, if you want to clean yourself off there’s a tub in your bathroom.”
“I’ll help myself then.” acknowledging Hank, who followed behind me after I moved into the corridor. Opening the door and looking at the ample room. There were a big bed, a wardrobe, and a writing table. “Good night, young one.” Hank said as he crossed my doorstep. “Night, old man!” I replied in an unusual familiar way that I didn’t intend to use. He chuckled without ceasing his walk to the bedroom.
At least he took it lightly. Dropping my bag on the table, arranging its stuff on top of it. Shit, only brought traveling clothing. Have to remember to bring casual clothes the next time a job outside the city is offered. Opening the wardrobe to keep my things, the sight of four pairs of casual clothes blessed my vision, similar to the one Hank was using. Good, he lent me some comfy clothes.
Bet he sure knows this writing session will take a while. It’s been one night and we ain’t past the introduction. Hope it won’t take more than six days, the Closing Year Royal Party will take place then. Wherein music must be played and girls courted and who shines better than me at such finely crafted stage. I thought about in discontentment at the perspective of losing this once a year oppor… event.
“Nice!” I exclaimed in excitement to no one inside the bathroom. Temporary relieving me of my rumination, the water in the tub was at the perfect temperature! God, if this place had more people it would be paradise. Smells of forest and humidity instead of the shitty air in the city. Has green and wood where you set your eyes on, instead of the shit you lay your foot on in the roads of the city. And above all the formerly stated, the royal scrubs and the shitty face they make all the time. Don’t know how their facial muscles can keep up with the task, must be the scent of shit all over the place that bothers em or the folks from town, anyway, either smells the same from their eyes. Or nose?
Covering myself with a blanket in the bed. The sleep came fast while surrounded by the gentle aura the house emits.