Day 16

A pouch of gold was delivered to the home of the Barron’s.

Knock, Knock, Knock.

The servant girl opened the door.

“I am sent by the queen to reward Ferox Barron for his kindness to her friends. Named, Nikki, Shane, Sugar and Viola. Please send for your master.” The messenger said.

Lukente the lord of the house came to the door.

“What is this?” he asked.

“I am here to reward Ferox Barron for his kindness to the queen’s friends. Named, Nikki, Shane, -”

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Lukente silenced him with a wave of his hand.

“The queen sends a thank you?” he was in disbelief.

“Is Ferox available?” the messenger asked.

“I will send for him” Lukente said.

And he did.

Ferox and his friend raced each other on horseback. They were standing on the galloping beasts. Seeing who could stay up the longest.

His friend fell off as the servant ran up to them. Making Ferox the winner.

“Whoooo! We should make a real competition out of this. Prize gold. Bets, we would be rich on our own. No parents to cut us off.” Ferox said.

“A man is at the house for you. He was sent by the queen.” The servant puffed.

Ferox galloped back to the house. He tried to brush the dirt off his clothes before presenting himself to his father and their guest.

“Finally. This man is here to see you.” His father said.

“I am a messenger from the queen. Here to reward you for your kindness to the queen’s friends. Named Nikki, Shane, Sugar and Viola. The queen is pleased with you.” He handed Ferox the bag with thirty gold pieces.

“They slept in the barn.” He said undeservingly.

“And you brought them food and wine. They told the queen everything. She knows and is grateful for your kindness towards her friends at great personal cost.”

Ferox glanced towards his father expecting a disapproving glare. But instead, his father was normal.

He turned to Lukente and said

“Thank you for the tea. I must now be on my way.”

Once the messenger left Ferox turned to his father. He braced for the scolding he expected to follow.

“You did me proud. I overreacted and chased the queen’s friends from our home into the cold darkness. But you went after them and prevented the queen’s wrath from coming down on us. You behaved like a man.” He patted him on the shoulder.

“Thank you.” He replied stunned.