—RYNE—

Even though I slept late, I still woke to the cold breath of dawn. Part of it was my body’s clockwork. Part of it was an energetic direwolf pup licking my face and pawing my shoulder, shoving me with her nose, and pointing towards the granges.

“You know, you could walk around without me.” I patted Ember’s head, yawning and stretching. She cocked her head to the side as if the whole thing was absurd. Woodrow was lying on top of his sarcophagus, arms protecting his chest in that curious pattern they made. I walked towards the cloistered garth and readied the prayer on my lips. But I did not feel the usual heavy cloud in the air.

It was then I saw it; the green grass that marked the boundary of the healthy brown soil. The miasma was nowhere to be found. The air was untouched by the Unending Chaos. Not as much anyway. I checked the fertile soil by dipping my finger on it. I sensed WIlbur’s alchemical presence here.

Hold on. Wilbur did not sleep inside the crypts.

I hurried to the infirmary, past the plants that crawled around the walls, columns, and brick walls. The lab door was still open. With a jolt, I remembered that there was a small window in his new lab where the sunlight could pour through. That was the first thing I saw when I entered: faint sunlight breaking free from the thick dark clouds and hitting the surface of the large stone-wood table. Wilbur was sleeping beneath it. I pulled his cowl to cover his face and made sure his long legs were tucked away. While I was on the floor, I saw thick sludge still flowing slowly through the drain. It smelled of blood and soil.

I stared at the glowing bottles on his table. Different shades of brown. I looked at his boots and his sleeping face. “What did you do?”

There was a thick burlap sack that smelled awful. I blocked the window with it. I gave Wilbur's sleeping form one last look before I closed the doors behind me and headed for the granges. The first area where Claude and I planted the crops looked just as fertile as the soil in the cloistered garth. The grains Claude gave to me that very first week in Rothfield the rye and oats, stood stable on their newly-replenished soil. Claude… I hope you're doing fine. I turned my attention back to the wide soil. The grains looked fine, but I saw the dusty miasma about to affect the turnips and potatoes from Agate's camp.

I closed my eyes and concentrated, whispering the prayer for dispelling. I felt the Gaelmar's warming kindflame course through me and spread out like a welcoming blanket to cover the other crops. The miasma scattered. I opened my eyes and smiled at the strength that remained in me.

Agate walked over as I enjoyed the cool dawn. She had invited me almost every morning to join them. I politely declined. I needed to rest and I didn’t want to scare the others with my appearance even though I knew they were used to it by now. I waved at her and she looked surprised when she saw me step towards her. Agate recovered quickly, gesturing to the clearing where they were rebuilding their community. The communal fire was bubbling with their morning pottage. Some of the children and elderly greeted me. I nodded at them all, smiling.

“Brother Ryne!” Harlan called in his deep booming voice. He looked healthier, now that he was active again, chopping trees and forming wooden huts.

“Good morning, Elder Harlan.” I pointed to the fine dark houses they made. “It’s good to see your new houses stand strong.”

“May it last stronger than ones in Kent.”

I sat on one of the stumps and blessed their food with my remaining strength. Finally, I thought. It has been a while since I nourished them. I prayed that this breakfast would give them more strength for the day. I listened to their reports and their stories. I chuckled at some of them. It felt good to be amongst people as well; villagers who were not scared of me and my brothers. When it was over, Agate pulled me to the side.

“We want to help you rebuild the church inside,” she said.

“Oh.” For so long, we brothers would do almost everything for our villagers. My instinct was to smile, shake my head, and tell her no. But ever since we came to Rothfield, it has always been a balance of helping one another to survive. I looked back at the spring seeds Claude gave. Our first start.

Agate continued, “You’ve done plenty enough for us. It is time we repay you for your hospitality.”

I clasped her hand. “We do not expect anything back. But we appreciate your help, Elder.”

Agate smiled and called Harlan, along with some builders. I took them inside the church and she and Harlan bent down to measure the broken pews with their hands and some long poles. In the afternoon, after I uttered the prayer for banishment once more to stop Blake from squirming, I saw the men chop more dark trees. Half of the builders went to work constructing houses while the other half were making new pews for the church.

I wanted to help them, but even I knew I would be a hindrance with my physical weakness. What I did instead was pluck a few grains and cook them over a low fire. I even added some scorchberries for a bit of strength.

Ember ran around me and I chased her, laughing. The other children came around and played with her. She was such a dear little fluffball, so far from the monstrosity of her adult corrupted form. As I watched them play, smiling at their squeals and giggles, I thought that I still had the energy to do more. It’s just such a shame that I could not share this with Claude. I wondered if he still remembered his lessons. I wondered if he was still practicing his stances and sword swings, to parry, block, and sidestep.

I handed the sweet pottage to the builders, and I saw with Gaelmar’s eyes the motes of strength in their auras. The day ended fast. Twilight was cold. I couldn’t take it anymore. A week has passed since we’ve last seen each other. I wanted to know how my friend was doing. I wanted to make sure he was all right.

I waited for Woodrow to rise. He startled when he saw me in the crypt, looking at him.

“I’m going to see Claude. Congratulate Wilbur for me for his successful experiments, then tell him that he and I need to talk when I return. Harlan, Agate, and some of the builders are making new pews for the church. Go help them if you want. Maybe you could hunt some pheasants and quails for their supper?”

Woodrow nodded, sliding off his sarcophagus. He joined me in the dark forest, separating a couple of steps away as he hunted.

___

I thought for a moment that the dark forest would not let me pass. I thought that I was bound to Rothfield for all of my days, improving its structure and trying to restore it to its former glory, but the trees seemed to make way for me so that I could travel faster to Claude’s farm.

I remember him telling me that things seemed to move faster when he walked through the forest.

I walked until the branches gave way to the distant lights of the cottage. Their charming farmhouse. I smiled. I blended into the shadow of the trees, just in the boundary between dark forest ground and farmland. There he was. Claude. He was with two other boys, one strong-looking and well-fed and one smaller. One look was all it took for me to know their position in society. The older boy must be Vincent Bahram, son of the ruling noble of Rothfield town. The other must be his little brother. they wore dark red capes with round shoulder pads.

Stolen story; please report.

Vincent’s voice carried an air of pompousness. He talked to Claude as if he were his servant. Claude was looking down, only briefly meeting Vincent’s eyes when spoken to. I sneaked his way to the farm, pulling the shadows around him until he reached the tall dry stalks of grains. The miasma was strong in their crops. With each step, the grains would easily stick to my hair and cloak.

Vincent was handsome, but already his face held arrogance and misplaced pride. His brother’s face was softer, though. By the way he coughed, I knew he was sick. But I sensed that his sickness did not come from the miasma. Perhaps he was born frail. My fingers went up to my face. I could relate.

“What kind of farm is this? The tribute next season better be worth the trip,” Vincent taunted. “Did you see Father’s face? He was trying to hold his frustrations in front of your Ma. But why he chose to control himself, I do not know. He could have torn a leg from your table so you’d learn.”

I saw Claude grip his shepherd’s staff. His voice was calm, but I knew him enough to know that he was forcing it. “It’s not our fault that the crops have withered, milord.”

Vincent stepped in front of Claude, looming over him. “Don’t talk back to me, peasant.”

The little boy screamed and pointed at his older brother. Vincent swore and stomped the end of his magnificent cape, which had suddenly caught a small bit of fire. Claude tried not to laugh. I breathed in through my nose, trying to control the fire I conjured. I’m sorry, Gaelmar. I didn’t mean it.

“How dare you?” Vincent walked up to Claude.

Claude stepped back, holding his staff in peace. “I didn’t set you on fire, did I?”

Vincent was about to strike him when Claude blocked his hand with his staff. Vincent swore again.

“Enough!”

The strong voice boomed from Claude’s porch. Everything stilled. Lord Byruth Bahram was a tall, strict-looking man. Soon, Vincent will grow up to be like him, maybe even taller. If he survives long enough, that is. He stepped down on the steps slowly, revealing Lydia and Annette indoors. Despite the conflict about to happen, I was happy to see the little girl standing on her two feet. I think she saw me. I thought she mouthed my name.

Byruth turned towards his youngest son and stared at him coldly, stopping him from crying. He towered over Vincent and held up a hand to silence him when he was about to speak. He looked at the burnt cape.

He growled at him. “That dye color does not come cheap. You will not wear anything red apart from social gatherings.”

“But, father–!”

“Get back on your horse,” Byruth said slowly. He turned around and did not even look at his other son when he said, “Take Lukas with you.”

Vincent glowered at Claude but quietly took Lukas by the hand. They walked off towards the fence that separated Claude’s farm from the rest of Rothfield.

Still looking at his sons, Lord Byruth said, “I expect a worthy tribute than this season. This is your final chance. If not, then we will seize this farm and gather whatever grains you failed to grow. And butcher the remaining thin animals that managed to survive. You may stay in Rothfield town if you wish. Though I heard that my soldiers don’t treat street beggars… properly.”

I closed my eyes and tried not to focus on the fire that I wanted to hurl at his beard. Claude gripped his staff tighter. He bowed. He did not scream and swear at his pig face until their horses sped off back into their mansion.

Oh, Claude. Woodrow was right. For all our nighty adventures, he was also bound by his duties as a farmer or whatever constraints his life was forced upon him. I closed my eyes and let him take his frustrations by poking the ground with his staff. Tomorrow, it will be better, I thought. Tomorrow, your crops will grow. I went back to the dark forest, resolving to help him with his problems. First the grains. Then the animals. I hoped Wilbur's new experiments were not costly to make. I went into the first line of ark forest trees, planning on what to say to Wilbur when I heard footsteps following me.

I spun around to see Claude. He froze when I saw him.

“Aw, I wanted to surprise you. Keen senses,” he said. He smiled. His face made it seem like we were just together last night. I did not know what to say except his name. He made a face. “You went all the way out here without saying hello?”

“I… it seemed like a difficult time for you folks. I did not want to intrude.”

He turned back and frowned. “Yeah, well, it’s over now.” He smiled at me. I missed his smile. “Now that you’re here, it’s easy to forget what happened. How’s Ember?”

“Playful. The other children are getting their exercises with her.”

“The other children?” Claude’s eyes widened.

“A lot has happened the past week.”

Claude closed the distance. He hugged me. He was so warm. My arms wrapped around him. “I missed you,” he whispered.

“I missed you too, friend,” I said. It seemed so silly now to think that he was terrified of being with me. “How did you see me? I thought I was being quiet.”

“About that. When I was following you, the darkness was playing tricks on my eyes. Sometimes I saw you and then one moment you were gone and then you were already far off. Annette saw you on the fields hiding.” I thought he was pulling away, but he was pulling me with him. “Come inside. It’s been so long since Ma saw you. And I want you to meet my sister. She was starting to think that I just made you up.”

“Are you sure? Does Lydia really want company after the tribute or inspection?”

“She misses you. We need someone warm inside our home.” Claude led me to the porch and called his mother. I looked at the warmth of the many candles in their house. “Ma, look who’s come to chase away the darkness!” He whispered to me, “So what did you think of the Bahrams?”

I said a word I learned from Woodrow. “Pricks,” I said. Claude chuckled. “Except for the little one. Lukas.”

“Ah, yes. He was born frail, though Lord Byruth tries to hide it. Rumor has it that his back isn't straight. That his shoulder is higher than another.” Claude said, raising his own shoulder to demonstrate. “He's sort of twisted. That’s why Lord Byruth insists that he wears those shoulder pads and that cape. To cover his body. He’s good enough, I suppose. He’s at the age where children don’t know how to be bad. He was talking to Annette before Vincent pulled him aside.” Claude looked thoughtful. “Do you think he’s kinder because he’s sick?”

I shrugged. “I don’t know. I don’t think so.”

Then the cottage door swung open and the warmth of their home fell on me. Lydia was at the door and when she saw me, she beamed and raised both her arms to hold me by my shoulders. “Ryne! Oh, Ryne! Good to see you!" She stared at the starless night sky. "But at this late in the evening? Come in! Where are your brothers? Have you eaten?” Already she was doting on me.

I saw Annette by the door, holding onto her mother’s skirt. She stood still until I bent down and asked her how she was. She smiled at me and called my name. “Ryne,” she said. “Ryne, Ryne.”

Lydia sat me by the table and talked about her chores for the last week. She poured us all hot soup from the pot on the fireplace. She thanked us for everything. For Annette. For Claude’s tutelage. For the food. We talked about my brothers and the monastery we were staying at. We talked until Annette yawned and Lydia brought her to bed. She’d been staring and smiling at me across the table. When we were alone together, I smiled at Claude and placed my hand on his shoulder.

It feels good to come back here.” I pulled away. “Claude. Remember what I told you. Don’t let their treatment of you stop you from learning all that you can. Let them laugh and let them bully you, but do not let them prevent you from learning your letters and learning how to fight.” I held his gaze, those brown eyes of his. “Please.”

He stared at me. He looked down. He smiled. “Yes, all right.”

“You know you could have asked me for help. Why didn’t you?”

He sighed. “I didn’t want to depend on you for everything, Ryne. It doesn't seem fair.”

“Fair? Claude, we’re friends. Friends help each other.” I faced him. “Next time, don’t wait for me to come here to find out you're in trouble. Let me know. I’ll be there. Wilbur and Woodrow and I will be there.”

“I don’t like to feel like somebody needs to save us all the time. You’ve done so much.”

“I’m not keeping score. And I’ll do more because I want to. And I am confident in saying that if you were highborn and with your spirit as it is now, you would help everyone if you could. I see that in you. You would do the same for me.”

Claude wiped his eyes. “I really do miss you,” he said.

We stayed in companionable silence for a long while, the fire crackling nearby. I helped him with cleaning the bowls and we stayed on his porch and bumped our knees as he told joke after joke. He must have stored that for days. I wished I could have met Belle again, but Claude hid him from the Bahrams. The night wind was warm today. Everything and everywhere was quiet.