Chapter II – In which I get a scolding

Hunting had become my new pastime. I already knew how to ride, and I had practiced every move from the one swordsmanship manual that I possessed. Honestly, there was nothing else for me to learn. So every Starday, me and Jacob come to the forest, and he would teach me his ways. Right now, we were sitting uncomfortably cramped amongst the bushes, with a perfect view of the watering hole and the deer drinking from it.

“Do you see it?” Jacob asked me. I nodded. “Very well, Master Edward. You know what to do.” Ever so slowly, I reached for my arrow, making sure the deer was still within my sights. But I had barely placed the arrow upon the bow before it looked up and darted away.

“What -” I began to ask, but Jacob placed a hand over my mouth, and shoved me into the thicket. “Be silent.” The alarm on his face was enough to convince me.

I heard the horses thundering, growing louder every second, and within a few moments the riders came into view. They stopped in front of me; twenty or more so soldiers, but I didn’t recognize their colours. Jacob’s hand clamped down upon mine. I could see his pleading face out of the corner of my eyes. And then I realized.

“Well, look at that, would you? I guess you were right after all, Redrin.” One of the men spoke up. “Saddle down and wash them quick, gentlemen. The work of the Light remains to be done.” The others dismounted at his command.

“So you were born here, Redrin?” The captain and one other walked off to the side, closer to where we hid. I could see them clearly through the brambles; a powerfully built, bearded man, and a fairer one next to him. The uniforms were black and gold, with the sun emblazoned upon their chests.

“Born and brought up in the forest itself. My father was a verderer.” The other man spoke. “I know all the roads and watering holes, as well as the hidden trails and places.” For a moment, he seemed to glance our way, but then his attention was diverted.

“That’s very well. Now I want you to think very carefully; is there a place where that Malignant Charles could be hiding? If we can find him…”

“Captain, there is only one I can think of. A manor, belonging to Count Deiramund. He was loyal to the end, and it can easily hide twice the number of troops we have. If the malignants hiding, it has to be there.”

I felt my heart thumping, about to burst, and the blood rushing throughout my veins. My heartbeat reverberated in my ears; it was so loud that I was amazed no one else could hear it.

“We’ll pay them a visit after dark.” The captain said. “Charles can be anywhere during the day, but he’ll be desperate for a proper roof to sleep under at night.”

“We still can’t be sure, Captain. I have searched the houses of many malignants, and all of them are full of abominable hiding places that are impossible to discover.”

“We’ll discover them.” The Captain snapped. “If the man is there, I’ll flush him out, one way or another.” Then he turned back. “Break’s over, men! Equalists, to horse!”

All of them were very efficient; they mounted rapidly at his command, and within a minute they had already ridden away.

We emerged from the bushes after a while. The excitement within me subsided, and suddenly I felt drained. What did they mean by Malignant? Why did they call themselves Equalists? Although they had spoken several strange words, their dark intentions were clear to me. They were the rebels searching for the King, and they planned to raid my home.

“What time is it?” I asked.

“A little after noon, Master Edward.” Jacob reply was grim. “We’ll have to hurry.”

***

“And that’s what happened.” I explained to my Aunt. The sunlight lazily streamed through the windows and onto wall, reaching higher every minute. “We have to leave at once!”

She smiled faintly at my words. “And where are we to go, Edward?”

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I couldn’t grasp her intention behind the question. “To Livington, of course.”

“If it is as you say, the town must be where they are camped.”

“To the North then. We’ll cross the border.”

“It’s a three day ride, and I am an old woman.” She said. “They are looking for the King. Anybody trying to flee is at greater risk than the ones at home.”

I sat down as I thought over her words. “What shall we do then?”

“I stay here.”

“Fine. We’ll barricade the doors and windows -”

“Edward, please.” She cut me off.

“What are you talking about?”

“I am saying that there is nothing to be done. We let those soldiers search the house -”

“WHAT?”

“- cooperate with their requests, and they’ll leave us alone after they are done.”

“Have you gone insane?” I finally said. “My father -”

“Your father isn’t here!” She shouted at me. “The war is lost! There’s nothing to be done! Why can’t you understand that?”

“My father’s still out there, fighting!” I shouted back. “And you want me to welcome enemies into our home? I’ll die before I let that happen!”

“You stupid child!” Her voice cracked, and she started coughing. I rushed forward, and for a while the argument was forgotten.

“I’m sorry.” I said, after I handed her the water. “I just… feel so useless, you know?” She raised her eyebrows at me. “And what about me?” She asked. I didn’t know how to explain it to her, so I kept silent.

“I know you feel helpless. I feel it too. But right now, you’ll have to endure this.” She said.

“I have endured for ten years.” The words were hard to say, but I said them. “I am supposed to be a lord of Deirmoor. I can’t even remember the place. I was supposed to be a squire when I turned thirteen. I’m fifteen now, and I haven’t even seen a real knight. My king needed me...” My voice stuck for a moment. “... and I did nothing. I...”

“No, Edward,” She caressed my face. “Don’t be so hard on yourself. Your time will come.” Her eyes met mine, and I saw hers were wet too. “I said it, didn’t I? You’ll be a fine knight one day. You just need to have patience.”

I nodded. I couldn’t trust myself to speak and not break into tears. Fortunately for me, Jacob entered at the moment, and spared me the embarrassment.

“Your luggage is packed, Master Edward.” He spoke as he walked in. “Ready to leave?”

“He’s ready.” Aunt Ethel answered in my stead. “Edward, you’ll be spending tonight at the Armitage home.”

“What? And leave you alone with those ruffians? Never!”

“Alright young man, I’d have enough of your shouting. I have asked Mr. Armitage to bring over a few men from the village. Those ruffians may force the pantry and drink all the ale, they’ll dare not harm me. You, however, are a different matter.”

“But -”

“Enough, Edward. Don’t delay the matter any further.” She rose from her chair and clapped my shoulders. “I’ll see you tomorrow morning. Listen to Jacob in the meantime. And I don’t want to hear another word out of you.”

I, of course, protested, and my protests fell on deaf ears. I left home feeling frustrated, and remained frustrated throughout the entire journey. I was so engrossed that I didn’t even see the path Jacob took, but suddenly we stopped, and then he was telling me to get off. As soon as I did he left, after promising to be back by sundown.

So there I stood, absolutely clueless in the middle of the forest, looking at the cottage placed perfectly in the midst of the trees, the sunlight streaming through the branches, the leaves fluttering away in the wind. It’s one of the moments in time that remains stuck in my head to this day.

The interiors were clean, neat and compact. The sitting room adjoined the kitchen, and there was a spacious hearth and chimney, table, stool, cupboards and drawers; three small bedrooms, upon one where I placed my luggage and continued to explore. There was a large maple tree in the backyard; a stall, shed, and a pigsty, all crudely contructed. There was also an enclosed yard, well-fenced, for vegetables, I guessed.

Smoker, the dog came running after a while. Jacob had brought him once on a hunt. “Nice to see you too, boy.” I scratched his back, and he rolled over a few times in excitement. There were a few more animals; few fowls and pigs, and an old sad looking cow.

Jacob was true to his word, and returned back in time. We spoke little. I was moody the entire evening, and he didn’t talk either.

“I’ll afraid the food won’t be good as you’re used to.” He said. “I am a poor cook.”

“Anything you make will be fine, Jacob.” I said.

“Alright, Master Edward.” And then he went about his task in front of me, cutting up the potatoes, fetching the pail, that I started to feel slothful simply sitting there. “Here,” I said. “Let me do something.”

“Oh -”

“Please. It’ll help me keep my mind off things.” I said. He relented, and I was given the task of cutting up the onions. I performed admirably, although the onions kept rolling away, and I often had to wipe my eyes.

But we were still not done. The venison was carefully cut, and the pot set to boil. Everything was swept, the tables cleared, the plates set and knives placed out. Then we waited for the cooking to be done, after which the hearth was made tidy. The pot was taken off, and then we waited for it cool.

Finally I got to eat it. “It’s delicious.” I said. And it was. I ate more that night than usual, and we emptied the whole pot. The food was so good I forgot about the reason I was there, until it came back when I went to bed. Was my aunt alright? Had the soldiers left by now? Sleep evaded me. I tried, but it just wouldn’t happen. Eventually, I gave up. I sat for a few minutes in the dark, before I decided to take a walk outside and clear my head.

The stars twinkling overheard, and heard the trees whispering in the dark, and it made me feel better.

But then I saw it.

A orange hue that coloured the horizon, and thick smoke rising in the air.

***