CHAPTER 2: Birthday

The sun creeped in between the branches of the lean to slowly lighting up Evan’s face. He could no longer pretend he was sleeping as he heard Jon stirring next to him. The sleepless night spent in contemplation was finally at an end and the dreaded day of his 18th birthday was here.

He rose quietly and snuck out of the lean to into the crisp morning air. As always he began his morning stretches as his dad had instructed. These stretches were a ritual he began everyday with and without their presence every morning he never felt fully ready for the day. With sweat beading his brow he began the trek to and from the river for a rinse, a quarter mile away. Once clean it was finally time for breakfast. Some toasted bread with berries and rabbit was the menu item of choice for the morning. The pungent smells wafting through the air brought Jon out of his pretend sleep and out to the fire.

YAWN

“Morning and Happy Birthday” Jon said, “Do you feel like an adult now?”

“I don’t think the gravity of the situation has fully set in. Once we get back to the village I must go and formally sign up for the guards and start a new chapter of my life doing something I’ve never done. I don’t really know how to feel.” Evan said.

Jon, not expecting such an in detail response from his friend was at a loss for words for what must be the first time in his life.

“Well there is nothing to worry about” Jon said, “You’re a big, tough, smart lad and you’ll excel at everything you do. I wish I was more like you sometimes ya know. I wish I had your size and your easy way with the women. It doesn’t matter though I suppose because I have me a good job and Alyssa. One day…”

Evan zoned out cooking the morning meal and listening to his friend talk his life away. Man could he talk.

Hours later, after a nice jaunt through the forest, or at least nice to Evan, the farmland finally gave way to the village of Wheaton. Aptly named after the abundant wheat fields that surrounded the village and made it a destination for some of the best bread in the world. So good in fact that it was the primary trade good of the area, just edging out the large honey trade. This was where Evan and Jon would part ways as they lived on opposite sides of town.

Evan thought that he would be nervous returning home but he wasn’t. He felt oddly determined to succeed and to provide for those he loves. He meandered through the streets hoping to have a few more minutes to himself before he walked in the door to what HAD to be an extravagant birthday party full of decorations. He had helped make half the decorations and helped prepare a lot of the food since the orders went through the guilds that he worked for. He always had an ear out and there was no way he would have missed this.

Evan stopped right outside the front door to his small home before sighing heavily and entering.

“SURPRISE!”

Crammed into the tiny home was 20 people which was impressive to say the least. Even Jon was there meaning he had to have run all the way around town to beat him there and to not give anything away. All around the house were small decorations and in the middle was a table piled high with gifts and a large chocolate cake, his favorite, and a real treat coming from the master bakers in town.

As he walked in there was plenty of back slapping, hugging, and hand shaking to last him for a long time. Someone pulled out a chair for him and he was made to sit in front of the cake while they sang happy birthday to him. Well not embarrassing, being the center of attention like this did make him extremely uncomfortable.

This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.

After everyone had a slice of cake the gifts were next. There was a total of 8 of them on the table in various shapes and wraps. He had to open all of them and individually thank each person or his mom would make him suffer for his impoliteness. He had quite the haul off gifts with the best ones being the mail coat Jon had gotten him, a short sword, belt, and sheath, and a nice quality cloak that would help keep the rain off of him while on patrol.

“Evan” a deep voice rumbled from the man just entering the festivities.

He was a large man with a commanding presence covered in used but well taken care of mail and with a sword at his hip.

“Thomas. I wasn’t expecting you here” said Evan

“I’ve come to formally hire you as a town guard and to give you a little gift myself” replied the towering guard captain as he handed a small book to Evan.

“Thank you sir” Evan quietly responded.

“Sunrise tomorrow at the Baron’s castle for your swearing in. Then your training starts right after so have your things packed.” Thomas growled.

The guard captain then abruptly turned and left as swiftly as he came. He also seemed to be a man of few words. The rest of the night flew by in a blur. While some, like Jon, drank to their hearts content, Evan chose to remain sober in light of the big day he had tomorrow. When he finally went to bed it was well past dark and he slept soundly through the night.

Evan was up well before the sun rose with only a few hours of sleep under his belt. Despite his confidence and positive outlook for his future he couldn’t help but worry about what the next day was to bring. He rolled out of bed after a while and grabbed the bags he had snuck away to pack during the party the previous night and set off up to the Baron’s castle. The journey led him around the outskirts of town and up to the portcullis of Castle Wheaton. There he presented his papers to the guard and stepped foot into the castle as the sun peeked out from under the horizon.

The castle was a simple affair and Evan had been there many times on errands for the guilds. In fact, he had met with the Baron on several occasions as well when delivering letters, gifts, or orders to the castle. That being said, he still felt uneasy as today was an event he had never participated in while at the castle, the swearing in.

The swearing in ceremony was a simple affair that occurred in the great hall. He would walk into the hall while the senchel announced his name and business and then kneel before the Baron. The Baron should say the ancient phrase and he would respond with his half and that would be that or so it should be.

Evan strode forth to the large double doors at the entrance to the hall and met the Senchal Steven who was expecting him.

“Evan, it is good to see you again” said Steven in his deep monotone voice “Are you as nervous as you look?”

“I’m not nervous Steven just tired” Evan said trying to be convincing.

“I’m sure that what it is” Steven said with a smirk. “Are you ready?”

“Ready as I’ll ever be”

Steven gestured to the two guards standing besides the great doors and they swung them open with a heave. The day had begun for the Baron and his first order of business was to swear in his newest guard.

“Evan Woodsbane here to swear allegiance and to take his place in the guard” cried Steven.

Evan took a deep breath and started across the hall. The hall seemed to stretch into the distance and the Baron sitting on his throne seemed to be surrounded by a ring of black. When he finally reached the Baron he kneeled before him and bowed his head mechanically.

“Ah so another wants to join my fierce guard force to protect the village” the Baron bellowed.

“Yes my lord. Please accept me as one of the guard” Evan quietly responded.

“Well then I don’t see why not. Do you so swear that you will conduct yourself in a manner that will bring honor upon my house, yourself, and your village? Do you so swear that you will be loyal to you lord and those above him? Do you so swear to serve until your lord dismisses you and in whatever capacity he deems fit?” the Baron said, voice echoing around the hall.

“I so swear I will be honorable, loyal, and faithful as long as my lord is to me” replied Evan.

The moment seemed to hang in the air as the importance of what he had done sunk into Evans mind.

“This is the part where you thank me and leave” said the Baron chuckling deeply.

“Thank you my lord.” Evan said has he stood, bowed, and then hurriedly strode out of the great hall.

Steven the senchel stepped forward as Evan was about to stride by.

“Go straight to the guards quarters. The captain is expecting you”