She was peeking through the curtains into the front yard of Ash’s house. Luke crouched down by the windowsill next to her.
“Are they still out there?” He asked.
“Yeah. They’re chatting over there by their horses. I can’t hear what they’re saying.” said Ave.
“Do you think they’re still suspicious about the house?” asked Luke.
“I don’t know… They haven’t left yet.”
In the middle of the room Ash sat at the dining table with his mother and the blacksmith sitting across from him. There was a pile of moldy turnips placed in the middle of the table. Every now and then Ash would reach over so that he could feed a turnip to the goat that was sitting beside him at the table.
“So the two of you are married now.” Ash made it a statement instead of a question.
“Ash sweety, don’t be dramatic.” His mother replied.
“How am I being dramatic mother?” There was more shrill in his voice than he had hoped. “Am I lying to the guards? Am I lying to them about having a fake husband? What is the nature or your relationship? Are the two of you really married?”
“We’re not married Ash?” said Ms Sifter.
“How would I even know? You could have been hiding that from me all this time.” Ash said.
“I’ve never tried to hide anything from you.”
“Then why didn’t you tell me?” Ash waved a turnip.
“I didn’t want to upset you. Make you think that things were changing when they weren’t.”
“That’s right.” Mr Smithe jumped in. “Just because your mother and I are… spending more time together doesn’t mean that anything else is going to change.”
“Mmmhmm.” His mother nodded.
“We both care about you a lot.” The older man added.
“But not enough to tell me that the two of you have been dating behind my back?” Ash remarked.
“And you tell me everything?” His mother shot back.
“Uh, yeah, of course I do.” Ash forced a smile.
“Is that right?” She asked.
“Mmmhmm.” He nodded back to her.
“Then why don’t you tell me what you do all day?”
“What are you talking about?”
“You never talk to me about what you do during the day.”
“That’s because all I’m doing is making charcoal.” said Ash.
“We both know that isn’t true. You keep building and then tearing down those piles without burning them. Yet you sell charcoal in town every day. What are you really doing in town?” His mother crossed her arms.
“Just… stuff.” Ash didn’t make eye contact.
“Are you harassing people?”
“No…” Ash tried to keep a blank expression on his face.
“Oh? And what about all of the fights you have with your old school friends?” His mother frowned at him.
“It’s not that bad.” Ash leaned across the table. “Also they’re the ones who start it most of the time.”
“You didn’t tell me that Luke was back in town.”
“That only happened today!”
“Why didn’t you tell me that Mr Smithe had offered you a job?”
“What? Why? Did you put him up to it?” He asked suspiciously.
“No. Mr Smithe did it on his own.” She looked at the blacksmith sitting next to her. “I had to pry the information out of him later. Why didn’t you tell me?”
“Because… it wasn’t important.” Ash looked at the ceiling.
“Having a job isn’t important?” His mother pressed.
“I already have a job.” He shot back.
“Setting fires in the woods is not a job.”
“Well it’s all I’m good at!” Ash shouted across the table.
At the sudden noise Luke and Ave quickly crouched down beneath the windowsill. They were praying that no one outside had turned around and seen them. Ave looked like she wanted to tell everyone inside to keep quiet. But then she felt the energy of the room and decided to keep her comments to herself.
Ms Sifter waited for a moment. Then she got up from the table and moved over to the kitchen area and started washing mugs in the sink basin.
*The sound of a lone cup being washed.*
“Ahem.” Mr Smithe let out a muffled cough. “Ahem!” His second cough grabbed Ash’s attention.
The two men looked across the table at each other. Mr Smithe locked eyes with Ash and nodded over his shoulder towards the kitchen. Ash responded with an exaggerated shrugging of his shoulders. Mr Smithe repeated his over the shoulder nod.
Ash let his hard drop down to his sides. *Sigh* He stood up from the table.
Ash walked over to the kitchen area of the house. He leaned against the counter and made a show of sucking air in through his teeth. His mother continued her washing in the basin.
“I’m sorry, okay?” He let out.
“Sorry for what?” His mother continued to continue her washing in the basin.
“Sorry for not telling you… about stuff.” Ash said.
“Hmm?” His mother continued her continuation of her continuing washing in the basin.
“Look, I’m sorry. Nothing is easy. I go into town to let out some air and…” He trailed off. “And I don’t talk to you about it because I don’t want you to worry.”
“I do worry Ash. I worry a lot. I’m your mother. That’s my job.”
“I know. I’m sorry.”
“I know it’s been hard. Since your father… “ Ms Sifter stopped her washing. “I knew it would be hard. I thought that I could do both jobs. That if I was patient then… but sometimes I don’t know. I worry that there are some things I can’t teach you.”
Ash stepped in close. “Don't say that. You’re great. You’re the best mom I could have asked for. I’m the one who’s an idiot.”
Ash’s mother turned away from the sink basin. She blinked a few times and then put her hands on Ash’s shoulders. “I worry about you.”
“I just want you to be safe and happy is all.” She put her arms around him.
Ash returned her hug.
*Creak*
The front door opened.
The Gloved Guard peeked his head in through the opening.
“I just wanted to apologize for my comrade’s earlier rudeness. We’re all under a lot of stress at work and…” He glanced down and made eye contact with Luke who was still crouched next to the window.
*A moment of perfect stillness*
He pointed a finger at Luke. “Are you… the Royal Summoner?”
Luke smiled involuntarily. “Yes.” He held out his hand. “Luke. Nice to meet you.”
The Gloved Guard leaned over a little and politely shook his hand. “Likewise.” He straightened back up in the doorway. “As I was saying, sorry about earlier. I’ll leave you to enjoy the rest of your evening.”
The guard turned around and closed the door behind him.
Ave looked at Luke. “Why did you shake his hand?”
“I didn’t want to be rude.” said Luke.
“You could have lied.”
“That would be worse than being rude.” Luke blanched.
“Maybe it’s fine. Maybe he somehow still didn’t recognize you.” She hopped back up to peek through the curtains. “Dammit they’ve got a squirrel!”, Ave shouted.
Ash silently prayed that the earth would open up and devour him whole.
“What are they doing?” Luke asked as he peered out from behind the curtains by the window.
He and Ave were still looking out over the front lawn at the two guards outside. One of them had removed a small wooden box from their horse's saddlebags. The guard opened the box revealing its padded interior. There was a squeak from inside the box. Then the next moment a small squirrel leapt out of the box onto the Pauldron Wearing Guard’s outstretched arm. The Gloved Guards took a step back.
This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.
The squirrel itself was a small brown rodent with a white stripe running down its side.
Luke squinted his eyes in the dim light. “What is that? Is that squirrel… wearing a tiny vest?”
The squirrel was indeed wearing a tiny vest.
Ave looked out the window. “That’s a messenger squirrel. They’re used to send messages to different units in the field.”
As they watched the Gloved Guard tentatively handed a thumb sized roll of paper to the waiting squirrel. The animal turned and then snatched the paper out of the man’s hand with its flexible paws. With a quick action the squirrel tucked the paper inside of its vest next to its fur and patted down the front to make sure that it was secure. Then it sat back on its haunches, gave a tiny adorable salute, and then jumped off of the guard’s arm. The rodent hit the ground at full speed and scurried off into the underbrush back towards town.
“What kind of message do you think they gave it?” Luke asked.
“Considering the context, I doubt it’s any good for us.” Ave replied.
*Sigh* Across the room Ash let out a deep breath he had been holding in. “We have to leave.”
His mother pulled back from their hug. “What are you saying?”
“We’ve gotta go. Luke is still in danger. We need to get him to safety.” Ash replied.
“What are you thinking?” Ave asked from across the room.
“We'll take him somewhere outside of town. There aren’t enough guards to search the entire woods. After that we lay low until they stop looking.” said Ash.
“Maybe we can find a quiet hermitage somewhere. I could be a hermit.” Luke pondered his future.
“Let’s grab what we can carry. We can all make a run for it before more guards get here.” Ash said.
Mr Smithe stepped forward. “I’ll try to buy you some time.”
“The damned hells you will.” Said Ash’s mother sternly.
“Huh?” Mr Smithe said in confusion.
“I’m not leaving you behind to face them alone.” She said.
“You’re not?”, the blacksmith said.
“You’re not!?” Ash parroted.
“No.” Ms Sifter walked over and closed a wooden latch on the door. “We’ll stay behind and try to stall them long enough for you to escape.”
“You can’t stay here. You have to come with us.” Ash was freaking out.
“It would be easier to escape if it was only the three of us… “ Ave said to herself loud enough for everyone to hear.
Ash gave her a bewildered stare.
He turned back to his mother. “They’re trying to capture Luke. What if they throw you in the dungeon?”
“What if they throw you in the dungeon?” She said back to him.
“And what if you get hurt?”
“What if you get hurt?” His mother shoved Ash in the chest. “Did you even think about that? Luke is in real danger and you didn’t take this seriously. Now you want to run away from home.” She shoved him again. “So now I have to do something to keep you safe. If that means lying to the Royal Guards, again, then so be it.”
Ash grabbed his head and tried to shake the confusion out of his ears. “I don’t know what’s right and what’s wrong now and I don’t have time to figure it out. If you want to stay here then fine.”
“Fine.” his mother yelled. “Now all of you get ready to jump out the window.” She stepped over to the kitchen stove and pulled out a jar of oil. “I’m going to pretend to set the house on fire so you can get away in the chaos.”
Mr Smithe quickly moved beside her and put a hand on her forearm to stop her. The muscular man gave a reassuring smile. “I think I know a way we can avoid doing that.” He turned to Ave. “You there. Young lady. Come and help me for a moment.” The blacksmith turned and walked back into the pantry. Ave grumbled but followed behind him.
Luke walked over to Ash. “You don’t have to do this you know. They’re only after me”
Ash looked at him. “You came to me for help. I’m going to help you. Nobodies going to throw you in a dungeon while I’m around.”
Luke put a hand on Ash’s shoulder. “Thank you brother.”
“Of course.” Ash returned the gesture. “Now grab some supplies from the back. We might need them for when we get out of town.”
“I’ll get right on it.” Luke said. He pulled out a burlap sack and went into the pantry.
Ash and his mother were left alone in the main room of the house.
“And then you’re coming back right?” Ms Sifter spoke solemnly from the kitchen.
Ash gave a wan smile.
“Right?” His mother repeated.
It took a second before Ash was able to look his mother in the eye.
“I don’t know…” He shrugged.
“What do you mean?”
Ash scratched his shoulder. “Luke. He wanted my help and I wanted … something. I’m tired of wasting my time in this town pretending like I’m just as good as everyone else when I’m clearly not.”
“Oh Ash dear, don’t say that.” His mother reached out a sympathetic hand.
“Because I’m way better than everyone else.” Ash said.
“Oh…” His mother paused.
“So I’m going to leave this town. I’m going to protect Luke. I’m going to defeat the Demon Lord. And I’m going to save the world. By the next time you see me I’m going to be a Hero! Then everyone will know how wrong they were.” Ash’s eyes glittered with the excitement of the road laid out in front of him.
“Well if it makes you happy… then I’m proud of you. I just hope that you know what you’re doing.” His mother had a kind smile.
“So do I.”
“I always knew that one day some young girl or young boy would come and sweep you away from this town. I never *hic*, I never thought that it would happen so fast.”
Ash put his hands on his mother’s shoulders to quiet her sobbing.
“Hey, don’t cry. I’m not leaving forever. Just until I can figure out how to save the world and clear Luke’s name.” He said.
*hic* “If anyone can figure it out I’m sure that you can.” *hic* She sputtered.
“Yeah… so. I had better get on it. I’m going to see how the others are doing.”
Ms Sifter wiped her face with her apron. “I had better pack you something. For the road.”
Ash turned and walked over to the pantry. He blinked a few times on the edge of the doorway then walked inside.
The interior of the pantry was cramped with turnips. Luke was kneeling down by one pile shoveling fleshy roots into a burlap sack. Ave and Mr Smithe were standing beside the far wall. Ave was holding the pile of pestilent produce aside while the blacksmith worked at a nail with the flat of Ave’s sword.
“There. Almost… got it.” The big man said.
With a pop he pried the nail free. He reached out with one of his wide hands and placed it on the wallboard. With a slight shrug of his shoulders he pushed out. With a creak the board swung loose and exposed a hole leading to the outside of the house.
“I was actually telling the truth about that loose board. I noticed it a few days ago during…” He looked sheepishly back at Ash. “... the last time that I came over to visit.” He handed the sword back to Ave. “Thank you. I tried to be careful. The blade should still be in good condition.”
“I appreciate it.” Ave took her sword back and tucked it into her scabbard.
“Help me dig some of these turnips out. If we make enough room you all should be able to squeeze through. You can sneak out the back without those guards ever seeing you.”
Ash stepped in front of Ave. “I’ll do it. You go help Luke.”
Ave looked upset at taking orders. “Fine.” She rolled her eyes. “Try not to make too much of a mess.” She pushed past Ash.
Ash kneeled down next to Mr Smithe in the turnips. They started to clear the pile. Mr Smithe’s large hands easily shoveled clumps of turnips to the side making more room for them to work. Ash tried to stack the vegetables next to him in a pile. Each time the pile got too tall the round roots on top would roll down the side of the pile and fill in the area he had just cleared.
They worked in silence. After a few moments the blacksmith had cleared enough floor space that Ash’s ineffectual efforts were no longer required. They sat on their legs in silence for a few more seconds.
*Awkward…*
The two men finally made eye contact.
Ash let out a loud sigh. “Ugh. This is unbearable.”
“The smells not so bad. You get used to it after a while.” Mr Smithe replied.
“Not that!” Ash scratched his forehead. “Did you really want me to work in your shop?”
“I did.” The older man replied earnestly.
“And my mother didn’t put you up to it?”
“It was my idea, but she supported it when I told her.”
Ash pointed a turnip at Mr Smithe for emphasis. “Are you serious about marrying my mother?”
*Meaningful eye contact*
“I am.”, came the older man’s stern reply.
“Are you sure about that?” Ash squinted his eyes.
“I’m not as good at lying as you and your mother.” Mr Smithe put on a kind smile.
“My mother lies?”
“All the time.”
“About what!?”
“When we go out to eat she always tells me she likes the craft beers that I order for us but I can tell she’s just being nice. She does that a lot, saying things that she thinks will make other people happy.”
“Yeah. She does that…” Ash trailed off.
“Promise me that you’ll come back.” Mr Smithe blurted out.
“You really need my charcoal that much?” Ash smirked.
“You’re not promising for me.” Mr Smithe made a point to look Ash in the eyes. “Now say it.”
“I…”
*Bang*Bang*
There was a hammering at the cottage door.
Ms Sifter pushed into the crowded pantry.
“The guards are back.” She said. “Here.” She thrust a satchel into Ash’s arms. “I put some extra clothes, food, and some money inside. I hope I didn’t forget anything. I don’t know. This is the first time you’ve left town. I need to make sure that you’re ready.” There were tears in her eyes.
*Heavy sigh*
Ash got up from the floor. “Mom. It’s fine. We’re going to make sure that Luke is safe and then we’ll be back before you know it. Isn’t that right?” Ash waved dramatically at Luke.
“That, that’s right. This whole thing will be cleared up in no time. I’ll be back to live in my empty house with my missing parents and no money by the end of the week.” Luke gave an overly enthusiastic thumbs up.
“Right… right.” Ash tried to smile.
*Bang*Bang*Bang*
There was more loud knocking on the door.
“Open up!”, came the voice of the guard from outside.
Ash grabbed the satchel and threw it over his shoulder. “We need to leave now. Luke, get in the hole.”
“Right away.” Luke jumped up.
“Not so fast.” Ash’s mother grabbed them both in her arms. She embraced them both tightly. The hug was deep. “You too young lady.” Ms Sifter gestured with her hand for Ave who was standing off to the side.
“Mam that’s not really necessary.” Ave placidly responded.
*Grab!*
Ave was pulled sideways into the group hug by Ms Sifter’s insistent arm.
“This is…” Ave gently rested her head against the older woman’s shoulder and hoped that no one else noticed.
*hug*
“I want you to take care of each other. Do you hear me?” His mother asked.
“We will.” Luke replied.
“I promise.” Ash said from inside the hug.
Ave pushed away. “Now can we finally get out of here before the guards find us?”
“Yeah. Let’s go.” Ash said.
Ave crouched down beside the hole in the wall of the pantry. She stuck her head outside and peered around for a moment. With a delicate movement she easily slipped through the makeshift hole. Once outside she waved a hand at the others to say it was safe for them to come through.
Luke bent down next. He had to shift his shoulders to fit past the boards. This was followed by several seconds of grunting as he tried to pull the bag of turnips over his shoulder.
“Can’t… get through… for some reason.” Luke grunted.
Mr Smithe finally took pity on him. With a firm hand he shoved Luke and the turnip sack the rest of the way through the hole. Ash stepped up next to the gap in the wall.
“This is it.” Ash spoke to himself. “No turning back now.”
“Maaah.”
Ash turned back. Goateus was standing next to him. The goat rubbed its head against Ash’s shin. Ash crouched down.
“No Goateus you can’t come.” Ash put a hand on the goat’s shoulder haunch.
“Maaah.” Goateus pushed his horns into Ash’s chest.
“I’m gonna need you to be a brave goat right now. You have to look after the family while I’m gone. I know you can do this, you…”
*Ka-THUMP!*
Ash was completely unprepared for Goateus to headbutt him full strength in the stomach. The goat's bumpy skull landed with such force that Ash was catapulted right between the loose wood panels of the pantry. He landed outside with a thud.
“Son… of a… billy goat…” Ash tried to breathe after having the wind knocked out of him. “The next time… I see you… I’m going to shove your horns… right up your butthole…”
“Mraahhh!” Goateus’ head jabbed out of the hole in the wall.
“Ahhh!” Ash rolled to safety.
“Are you okay?” Luke said as he helped Ash to his feet.
“Treacherous goat is trying to kill me…”, Ash wheezed out.
“Maaahhh!”, came the call from the mounted goat’s head.
“Give him the sack of turnips!” Ash pointed back towards the angry animal.
“But what are we going to eat?” Luke asked.
“Anything else.”
Luke tossed the turnip sack behind them. The three of them scampered off into the woods.