Escape the Woods

by Gabriella Catherine

  I cleared my throat and explained that the princesses were simply visiting, and that they were good friends of mine.

  “That’s nice,” Derex said, smiling naively.

  “Yes. We get along very well.”

  I looked back at Malachi, and he nodded and smiled knowingly. Good. He wasn’t angry with me.

  We walked to the plaza, and I made conversation with Barrett. For Merida’s sake, I asked him questions about himself. “Barrett, what is your occupation?”

  “I am an apprentice for the blacksmith, my lady,” he replied.

  So I had been right about the reason he had soot on his face when we met.

  “How do you like that?” I asked. “Does the blacksmith treat you well?”

  “As well as I could hope,” he said simply but confidently.

  “Do you plan to stay in Darrenberg your whole life?”

  “I have enjoyed living in Darrenberg, but, with all due respect, I plan to move to England someday. Right now, my family needs the extra income that Derex and I bring in from our apprenticeships, but it is my dream to live in England someday.”

  I smiled. “So England fascinates you?”

  “More than any other country. Someday, when I am wed and have children of my own and a steady occupation, I will live there.” The determination in his voice was passionate.

  I got an idea then. “That reminds me. Merida loves England.” I glanced over at her. She looked embarrassed.

  “Is that so?” Barrett asked, looking over at her too.

  “Yes,” I answered for Merida. “She also wants to live there, once she’s married.”

  Barrett looked impressed.

  She blushed again. “Well, it doesn't seem very realistic.”

  “No, I think it does,” Barrett said. “I think it seems very realistic.”

  Feeling accomplished with myself, I smiled and continued walking. Derex and I exchanged a mischievous glance.

  Merida, Derex, Barrett, and Max made up their minds to walk down to the river, outside of the gate, a short distance into the woods. Malachi allowed me to go with them, but he insisted on walking right by my side. I was sure he had heard about what happened to Cordel, Jack, and me the other day, but the gorge was on the other side of the woods from the river. People went down to the river all the time. It was an easy walk, and the only possible danger that could occur there would be drowning — but I knew how to swim.

  As we walked past Sir Jeremiah’s post at the town gate, Malachi stopped to say something secretive to him before we continued on.

  We walked through the woods, talking and laughing all the way. Derex had Merida and me in stitches a few times. He was one of the funniest boys I’d ever met.

  Finally, we arrived at the river and walked along the sandy bank.

  “I wish we could swim today,” I whispered to Merida, looking out at the blue water, shimmering as it reflected the sunlight.

  She gave me a look. “I would hope you know better than to ….”

  I shook my head and laughed. “It is tempting.”

  “Good afternoon.”

  We all looked towards the woods. Cordel and Jack emerged from the trees, both in leather hunting doublets. Cordel held his bow.

  “Hello, my lords.” Merida curtsied.

  Derex, Barrett, Malachi, and Max bowed.

  The two boys approached us, and Jack looked at Merida. “Happy birthday.” They had known each other for several years, so of course he remembered her birthday.

  Merida almost looked like she was blushing again. “Thank you, Lord Jack.”

  Barrett looked all hard-jawed and tense-shouldered as he gave Jack a cold stare. He began to look even tenser when Jack stepped closer and asked, “Do you mind if I join you?”

  “Not at all,” said Merida.

  “Will you join us too, Cordel?” I asked.

  “Not today. I have business back at the castle. I bid you all a good day.” He gave Malachi a firm look before walking away.

  Jack and I chatted while we walked, and Barrett walked beside Merida, but they did not speak. He looked rather ridged and stiff, his expression eternally somber. But when I did engage him in conversation, he was nothing but respectful.

  Malachi looked paranoid as we walked. He kept his hand on his sword hilt and continued scanning the terrain.

  When we arrived back at the village, I turned to Merida. “I hope you had a wonderful day.”

  “Thank you. And thank you,” she said, turning to Barrett, Derex, and Jack, “for joining us. You've made my birthday so special.”

  “You’re welcome,” Jack said. “It was my pleasure.”

  Barrett got the slightest tense look and stepped forward. “And mine as well. You are a beautiful, intelligent young woman, Merida.”

  I could imagine Merida's heart jumped, and I think mine did as well, at his unexpected comment.

  Merida blushed, smiled, and looked uncomfortable meeting his gaze. “Thank you, Barrett.”

  Everyone said goodbye, and then we all headed for our own homes. I walked to the castle with Jack and Malachi, hoping for a chance to speak to Lady Elsa and Lady Sabine before the evening meal.

  Jack went off to his chamber to change, and I knocked on the girls’ chamber door. Lady Elsa opened it. “Come in, my lady.” She smiled for the first time since arriving. It was slight, but it was a smile.

  “Please, call me Scarlett.” I stepped into the room. “How are you girls today?”

  Sabine sat on the floor, holding a book, and Elsa and I joined her.

  “Better than last night,” said Lady Elsa. “And, Scarlett, I would like to apologize for last night. I’m homesick and miss my mother and father terribly. Forgive me for my unfriendly behavior.” She looked at her hands, clasped in her lap.

  “It’s all right.” I touched her shoulder. “You were frightened. I understand.”

  “Thank you.” Again, she showed a hint of a smile.

  “What are you reading?” I asked Sabine.

  The little girl smiled and spoke for the first time. “The Book of John.”

  “Oh, that’s a favorite of mine.” I returned the sweet girl’s smile.

  “Mine, too,” she said quietly.

  “So how old are you both?” I asked.

  “I am twelve, and Sabine is nine,” Lady Elsa replied. The girls wore their hair down today. They both had long, straight, soft looking hair. Sabine’s was a beautiful shade of yellow that glowed in the dim room. Elsa’s a lighter shade of brown than mine. Both wore fine, silk gowns.

  “Have you been in this chamber all day?” I asked.

  They nodded.

  “Will you come down to the Hall for dinner with my family?” When they hesitated I said, “I promise it will be more fun than sitting up here all evening.”

  “I guess we can come down for a short while. We have to eat, after all.”

  I smiled. “Good. My father and brothers will be delighted to have you dine with us.”

  We all stood and headed for the door. As we left the chamber, Lady Elsa caught my hand. “You may call me Elsa.”

  “And you can call me Sabine!”

  “Very well.” I said a quick prayer for them and their parents. Please let them be together again soon.

  KOLTON

  I stood beside the river with my good friend Wolf, watching the water flow swiftly downstream.

  “She’s astounding, Kolton.” Wolf tossed a small rock into the water and flashed a jaunty smile at me.

  “Wolf, how long are we going to talk about Lucie?” I raised my eyebrows at him. “Just marry the girl already.”

  He laughed. “I wish it were that easy, my friend.”

  “Well, Lucie wants to marry you, is that not so?”

  He nodded. “I’m almost certain. But…”

  “But what?” I asked.

  Wolf shrugged. “I don’t know. It’s complicated.” He reached down and grabbed another stone, then threw it into the river. “What about you
? There must be a girl you have your eye on.”

  I looked out at the water, feeling the warm breeze blow through my hair. “No. There’s no one.”

  “No one?” He looked at me doubtfully. I didn’t say anything, but continued watching the reflection of the sun on the water. “Listen, Kolton. I know you’ve been hurting ever since Carina left.”

  I glared at the ground, wishing he hadn’t brought it up.

  “But you’re more than —”

  “I really don’t want to talk about it, Wolf.” My tone was much more threatening than I had meant it to be. Although Wolf was a rather burly, tough looking young man, he was a sensitive one, with a heart for others. His real name was Wolhart, but because of his intimidating physique, everyone called him Wolf.

  He looked at me a moment, then nodded. “All right.” He walked over and put a hand on my shoulder. “Just know that I’m here for you.”

  I smiled. “And I for you…till the end.”

  ###

  A messenger from Gorenhelm showed up at my door the next morning. He gave me a letter from Lord Zachariah and said he would meet me in the rose garden in an hour for my reply.

  Lady Scarlett,

  I have news to share with you. Gorenhelm is struggling. My father has grown very ill. Our healer has done the best she can, but his health grows worse every day. Please pray God will have mercy on us and save him. There is still hope he can recover. My brothers and I are not giving up on him, nor will we ever.

  I don't like to think about it, but people are saying I am going to become the Duke of Gorenhelm sooner than everyone thought. But I don't want that. I am not ready to become the Duke of Gorenhelm. The people need an older, wiser ruler like my father. They need someone who will protect them. But I do not think I am ready. And I know I’m not ready to lose my father.

  Thank you for being a constant support and friend. Forgive me for burdening you with this news. I hope you are doing well.

   Zachariah

  Tears pricked my eyes. Was Duke Stephon, Zachariah’s father, going to die? In his last letter, Zachariah seemed certain his father would recover. How did that change so fast?

  If he was truly going to die, that would mean my dear friend would become the new ruler of Gorenhelm. But Zachariah was only seventeen years old.

  I grabbed some parchment and ink. I wrote a long letter to Zachariah. It was all I could do to keep from crying as I wrote. Compassion swelled in my heart for the four lords.

  I went down to fetch Sir Malachi with the letter in my hand. He agreed to come with me to the rose garden, which was on the opposite side of the castle from the stables and the archery field.

  We entered the beautiful rose garden and were surrounded by mostly red, and a few pink and yellow roses. Our gardeners fancied red roses to compliment the red flags and banners that hung around the castle, so they planted many of them.

  No one was around, so Malachi and I sat on the stone bench and waited. Soon, the messenger came and I handed him the letter. As he left, Cordel entered the garden.

  “Guten Tag,” he said when he saw us.

  “Good day, my lord,” Malachi replied.

  “What brings you here?” asked Cordel.

  Malachi looked at me and, seeing that I wasn’t going to answer, said, “My lady was mailing a letter.”

  Cordel nodded. “I see.”

  No one spoke then. I cleared my throat. “And what brings you here?”

  Cordel sat down on the bench, holding his Bible. “Since I returned to Darrenberg, I have been coming here every morning to read from the Bible.”

  I nodded. And because he seemed to have no interest in continuing our conversation, I had Malachi walk me back to the castle.

  I went to see Jack at his chamber to tell him about Duke Stephon’s illness. I brought him Zachariah’s letter, and as he read it, I saw the look of horror pass over his face. I wanted to cry, but I also wanted to be strong for Jack. But my brother knew me well, and he knew I was in pain. So was he. He put his arms around me and hugged me tightly.

  “He’s in God’s hands now,” he said. “Everything will be all right. I promise.”

  CHAPTER 13

  The next week, Jack came to my chamber, a forlorn look on his face. He sat on the edge of my bed. “I just spoke to Father.”

  “And?”

  My brother had lost the usual light in his eyes. “He’s sending me back to the camp. To train.”

  I stepped toward him. “What? Why?”

  He shook his head. “Perhaps Father wants me to complete my training like Cordel. I’ll only be gone for two weeks.”

  “But you would rather stay here, wouldn’t you?”

  “Of course I would. But Father wants me to go, and so I shall.”

  I thought Jack should be responsible for deciding his own future.

  I tried to drag out the last two days I had left with Jack. Two weeks wasn’t anything like two years, but I would still miss him. Jack was my friend, not just my brother. Who would defend me from Cordel? Who would listen to me cry? Who would remind me to trust God with Duke Stephon’s health?

  I dreaded the day he would leave.

  But the day came, nonetheless. And when it did, I ran down to the courtyard where Jack was saying his goodbyes. I hugged him. “I'll miss you, Jack.”

  “I'll miss you too, Scar.” He kissed the top of my head, then mounted his horse.

  I watched him ride out of the courtyard with four knights and had to remind myself Cordel and Father were standing beside me so I wouldn't cry.

  ###

  Elsa and Sabine were finally opening up with my family and joining us for meals. They were sweet and kind, but they were also completely sheltered and proper and perfectly polite. Sometimes Elsa would say things about the way she was raised or about the rules her nursemaid made her follow, and I couldn’t help but cringe.

  I talked with the girls all morning, until I thought would die if I had to stay inside any longer. I sent for Sir Malachi, and when he arrived, he told me Cordel was having a mock-sword battle with one of his knights and asked if I would like to go watch.

  When we got to the archery field, Cordel was dressed in shiny armor, and so was the knight he was fighting. The clanging of sharp swords filled the air as Cordel and the knight swung at each other and dodged the other's blows. It was obvious my brother was much better at this type of combat than the knight. He had always been very talented in many different kinds of combat.

  Cordel's hair was damp with sweat, and a small cut ran down his temple. I assumed the knight’s lucky blow was credited to Cordel’s head injury. He was still getting extreme headaches, and the healer told him to take a few days off from any sort of combat training. Today must have been his first day back doing what he loved most.

  Despite the bit of blood at his temple, he still looked powerful, and he was noticeably bigger and broader than the knight. The sun reflected off Cordel's armor as he attacked the knight with powerful blows. Pride and triumph shone across my brother's face, along with a hint of a smile. Before I even had time to realize it was happening, Cordel swung his sword at his challenger's neck but stopped the blade just before it cut the knight.

  The fight was over. Cordel had won.

  The small crowd of stable boys and other knights who had gathered around cheered. Cordel lowered his sword and gave a small bow to his audience. He looked over toward Malachi and me, and his eyes stayed on me for a moment. His slight smile faded as he turned and shook the hand of the knight he’d just defeated.

  The small crowd began to dissolve and go their separate ways. “Shall we leave, my lady?” Malachi asked.

  But Cordel was walking toward us.

  “Lord Erguston,” said Malachi.

  “Sir Malachi. Escorting my sister, are you?” Cordel wiped at the blood on his temple with the back of his hand.

  “Yes, my lord. And we were just about to get back.”

  “No rush. Will you walk with me? I want t
o hear how things have been looking in Darrenberg lately.”

  “Of course, my lord.”

  So I followed behind them as Malachi gave Cordel a report. “We have seen no signs of anything threatening, and we have had no deaths in Darrenberg for a few weeks now. Also, there has been no sign of anyone or anything related to the subject of Endor.”

  There it was. The mystery name — the name Father and Cordel seemed to try to hide from me. I looked up at Cordel and Malachi as they stopped walking. Cordel turned around abruptly and looked at me.

  “What is it?” I asked.

  “I was just making sure you were still following us.” Then he faced Malachi. “We will discuss this later.” He resumed walking.

  I followed them all the way to the rose garden. I didn't listen to anything more that Malachi said, but only thought about the name Endor. Was Endor a person? A man? Was it a place? A region? If so, I had never heard of it before, or seen it on any map.

  I came back down to earth when Malachi and Cordel stopped talking in the middle of the garden.

  “Very well, Sir Malachi,” Cordel said. “Thank you.”

  “My pleasure, Lord Erguston.” They shook hands. “Shall I escort Lady Scarlett back to the castle?” I grimaced at the fact that he asked my brother, not me.

  Cordel shrugged. “I’m going there anyway. I don't mind. You may get back to your station.”

  I stared at him, confused.

  “Very well,” Malachi said. “Lady Scarlett. Lord Erguston.” He bowed, then turned and left.

  Cordel looked around the garden. The high, leafy hedges covered in roses gave the garden lots of privacy.

  I knew I should say something to break the silence. “Do you enjoy coming here in the mornings when you read the Bible?”

  “Yes. It's very quiet and peaceful here.”

  “Well, perhaps I'll join you some morning.”

  He didn’t reply.

  I added quickly, “Only if that would be all right with you, of course. You probably want some solitude.”

  “No. I don't mind.”

  “I’m sure it’s very pleasant here in the morning.” I glanced around me.

  “We’d better head back now.”