“Well, of course it does! My Alys is the greatest cook in the country! Go on in! I’m going to finish up here and then head inside. Don’t start without me.” Delgrab turned back to his work as Aston took Sterling around to the stables behind the cabin.
He’d spent most of his youth out here with Delgrab. It had been Delgrab’s father’s cabin back then. They’d used to run and play and pretend to be knights, hunting dragons in the surrounding forest and rescuing damsels daily. Aston had always bragged about how he would be a real knight one day.
“Look at me now. Some knight,” Aston muttered. He sighed again, suddenly not feeling as relaxed, and headed back toward the house once Sterling was settled.
As soon as he entered the cabin, his shoulder muscles loosened and his mind felt suddenly at ease. Though it was not quite fall and still a bit warm outside, Alys had a fire going. It kept the room warm, but not stuffy. Another fire was lit in a brick oven in the kitchen area. That’s where Aston found Alys. She was bent over the stove, stirring something in a big black cauldron, when Aston walked into the room.
“I hope you washed your hands before you came in here,” Alys stated. She turned around, likely to scold Delgrab. Her eyes widened and her face broke out in a beautiful white toothed smile when she saw Aston. “Oh, Aston! Delgrab didn’t tell me you were coming!” she exclaimed, wiping her hands on her apron and rushing to give him a hug. He picked her up in his arms and swung her around once before depositing her back on the floor.
“He didn’t know, if that helps him any. I wasn’t planning on visiting. I just sort of… arrived,” he said, hoping his being there wouldn’t be too much of an inconvenience. He needn’t have worried. Alys was one of those women who were always prepared, no matter what life threw at her. She reassured Aston that she had a room he could stay in and plenty of clean sheets. She told him not to worry about a thing and to go and wash up for dinner. With another smile, Aston nodded at the woman before heading into the back. When he turned around to look back at her, Alys was already setting another place at the table.
Shaking his head, Aston closed himself in the small bath area. A tub sat at the far end of the room, logs set up underneath to warm the water. There was a small wooden table with a basin on it in front of a tall mirror hanging on the wall. A pitcher full of water sat beside the basin and Aston poured some of the water into the bowl. Less than two days on the road and already he felt dirtier than he had in his life.
The knight had spent plenty of time outdoors. He’d spent weeks out on missions before, but this felt different. Maybe because he was running. It was his soul that was dirty, not his skin. Aston quickly washed his face and hands, wanting to get back to his friends as soon as he could. He’d had enough with the depressing thoughts for the night.
In the kitchen, Alys was putting the finishing touches on a homegrown salad. Delgrab was already at the table, chugging a huge goblet of water. Aston took a long look at his friend, noticing the subtle changes in the man. His dark beard was starting to turn grey and had grown well past the man’s chin. Brown eyes were starting to wrinkle around the edges from hard times, but his mouth was forever curled up in a smile. His pants were snugger than they had been before, and Aston thought that without the suspenders, his friend’s pants would snap right off. His white shirt was covered in dirt and drenched in sweat, and his boots were covered in mud. Alys was eyeing them, but Delgrab paid her no mind.
The man spent his days outside, chopping trees and building wooden furniture. When he came in for the night, he did everything he could to make sure his wife was happy while playfully teasing her. If ever Aston needed a place to stay, he was always willing to help. Delgrab was the most selfless person the knight had met in his life, nothing like the monarchs he was used to.
Aston took his spot at the table as Alys brought the last of the food out, and the three settled into a comfortable routine.
“So, how’s life at the palace, Aston?” Alys asked. She was always too insightful for her own good. She was only asking because she knew something was wrong.
“It’s great, Alys. Just taking a little break,” he lied. He didn’t have the heart to worry the woman.
“Alys has been trying to perfect her apple pie recipe lately,” Delgrab interjected, and Aston was grateful for the change of subject. Alys sent him a pointed glare, but Delgrab glared right back
“Perfect it? I didn’t know anything was wrong with it,” Aston answered, turning his attention from his plate to Alys. She smiled and blushed, looking down. He tried to ignore the tension his unannounced arrival had caused.
“Oh, stop it, boys. You just know I’ve got one in the oven now and you want some,” she said. Aston and Delgrab both laughed as Alys stood and took her pie from the oven, setting it on a raised wooden rack to cool before retaking her spot at the table. The rest of the conversation was light, and Aston was grateful his reason for visiting didn’t come up again.
When dinner and dessert were done and the dishes were put away, Alys excused herself for a bath. Delgrab motioned for Aston to sit on the couch in the living area, which he did so reluctantly. He knew what was coming. As Delgrab sat beside him, Aston looked everywhere but at his friend. Instead, he focused on his surroundings, letting his eyes wander around the familiar cabin.
Not much had changed since the last time he’d been there. The curtains over the windows were the same dark hunter green ones that Alys had made years ago. The sofa was made of thick logs that Delgrab had strung together and carved out, making a seat that curved inwards. Alys had sewn two green cushions to fit perfectly into the curve, making a soft surface to rest on. The small end tables beside the piece matched. Most of the floor was hidden underneath various animal skin rugs, prizes of Delgrab’s hunts, and a couple of deer “trophies” adorned the space over the hearth.
As his gaze neared the end of the room Aston finally made his eyes meet Delgrab’s. His friend was looking at him expectantly, waiting for him to tell his story. Aston realized Delgrab wouldn’t leave him alone until he knew exactly why, after three years of planned meetings, the knight would suddenly turn up unannounced.
“I’m in trouble, Del,” he began. Delgrab’s eyes widened a bit, but otherwise he didn’t react. Taking that as a sign to continue, Aston moved on. “I was sent on a mission with Prince Talbot. You know who the Rogue Royal is?” At this, Delgrab nodded. “King Donn received word from King Aric that the Rogue was going to kill Duke Aeron. Donn sent Talbot and I to stop him, but Talbot messed up. We were supposed to wait outside and catch him as he was leaving, but everything was so still that Talbot and I went inside. Everything was fine until a woman screamed and Talbot ran off. The Rogue managed to kill his target and escaped. Talbot blamed everything on me and now…” Aston stopped, not sure how much he wanted to give away.
“Now you’re on the run because you basically abandoned all of your duties to come here,” Delgrab finished for him. Aston shook his head.
“I didn’t mean to come here. I shouldn’t have come here at all. I’m putting you and Alys at risk. I apologize for that. I didn’t know where else to go. Do you know what the punishment is for killing a monarch, for killing anyone you aren’t told to kill? Death, Delgrab. They were going to kill me, even though I didn’t kill the Duke with my own hands. According to Talbot’s story, he would still be alive if I hadn’t risked everything to save a woman. I didn’t want to die. I don’t...” Aston stopped talking as his voice cracked.
He hadn’t realized it before now, but he was scared. His situation was finally sinking in. He could never be a knight again. If he ever went back to Fridel, he would be killed. He could never go home, see his father, his baby sister. He would be an outcast wherever he went. Aston felt his throat constrict as his heart started to beat furiously within him. He was having a hard time catching a breath, and his mind raced as he realized all that he had lost.
A hand on his shoulder made him turn to his friend.
“Calm down,
Aston. You came to the right place. Don’t worry about Alys or me. We can take care of ourselves. What we need to be worried about is how we are going to keep you safe.” Aston nodded, appreciating his friend’s words, but he knew he couldn’t stay. He would never forgive himself if something happened to either of them.
“You’re right. I’m sorry. Can we talk about this in the morning? I haven’t gotten much sleep the past couple of days.” Delgrab nodded, and Aston stood. When Delgrab stood as well, Aston pulled the man into another hug. He didn’t know when he would see his friend again.
“Well, goodnight,” he said, releasing Delgrab and heading to the room Alys had pointed out to him.
“Aston.” He stopped and turned back to Delgrab. “Stay tonight, okay? We can talk in the morning.”
Aston faked a smile and nodded. Delgrab knew him too well. He knew Aston intended to leave as soon as he and Alys were sleeping. Aston’s fake reassurance wouldn’t make the man rest any easier, but at least he tried.
Aston lay down and slept, his internal clock waking him four hours later. He rolled over sleepily and debated whether he should really stay until the morning, get a good night’s rest, and leave early. He knew he couldn’t. As soon as they searched his father’s house, Delgrab’s cabin would be next. King Donn required his soldiers to map every place they frequented, in case a mission ever came up while they were gone. King Donn liked to know where his knights were at all times.
Aston had to be gone when they came here.
With a curse, he rolled off the bed, immediately missing its warmth and softness, and forced himself to tug on his boots and head outside. The early morning air was cool on his skin and Aston breathed deeply, loving the pine smell. He would miss this place. It had been his second home for the longest time, and now he feared he would never be able to return.
Sterling wasn’t pleased being woken in the middle of the night, but the animal cooperated with Aston, and for that he was grateful. He quickly put the horse’s bridle back on before saddling him. He swung his satchel over the saddle and then climbed up himself, riding Sterling out of the stable and into the night. He took one last look at the cabin before looking ahead of him and promising never to look back again.
“When small men begin to cast big shadows,
it means that the sun is about to set.”
- Lyn Yutang –
Six
Early the next morning, Aston took a long drink from the stream he’d stopped at and looked up at the sky. The sun was burning hot as fall slowly became winter, the scorching rays singeing his neck as it tried to survive the season’s change. He splashed some water on his neck to cool its burning before climbing back onto Sterling and taking off again.
He wasn’t sure where he was going. He knew he had to find a safe place to hide, for a month, at least. He’d planned on staying with Delgrab, but had immediately decided that would bring too much danger to his friend. Instead, he found himself riding through the forest, hoping to come across another cabin. He needed to find someone who rarely visited town, someone like Delgrab, but without the emotional connections. Someone who wouldn’t recognize him and immediately run to turn him in, or know who he was at all. As long as it was a place King Donn’s soldiers would never look, it would suit him just fine.
Aston stopped Sterling as the bushes next to him rustled. He drew his dagger from his belt and carefully lowered himself from the horse’s back. He crouched next to the horse, waiting to see what was causing the ruckus. A small rabbit, solid white with red eyes, emerged from the shrubbery, twitching its nose in Aston’s direction. Aston made sure to hold completely still so the animal wouldn’t see him as a threat. When the rabbit inched a little closer, Aston pounced, skillfully skewering the small creature on his dagger. The rabbit barely had time to squeal before the life left his eyes.
The knight looked away, saying a small prayer for the creature before picking him up by the feet and tying him to Sterling’s saddle. He’d always disliked this part of the job. Aston usually let the other knights travelling with him do the hunting. He didn’t like taking lives, of humans or animals. Why he’d gone into a profession that required him to do both, he wasn’t sure. He liked saving people, but the job almost always came with the opposite end as well.
“Come on, boy,” he said to Sterling, climbing back on. “Let’s find somewhere to rest for a bit and cook.” Urging his horse on, he continued through the trees. He found a quiet clearing and used twigs and flint to create a fire before setting to work skinning his catch. Once the rabbit was cooking, he laid back, pulling a blanket from his satchel and leaning against a tree to rest.
Aston was exhausted. Two days of running and already he wished he could be back at the palace, getting ready for a mission or teaching Richard how to read. The boy would be heartbroken when he heard Aston’s story. He’d be forever scarred knowing his mentor had been accused of allowing Duke Aeron to die, of being sentenced to hang and instead running in fear. The brave Aston Smith, reduced to a rodent, living off the forest and hiding in the shadows.
He stood and began to pace, his mind wandering. He wished there was a way for him to get word to Richie, to let the boy know what had really happened. It wouldn’t be a bad idea to have eyes inside the palace, either, watching Talbot and King Donn to see what happened next. Aston stopped pacing and went back to his rabbit, turning it once before resuming his pace. If Richie knew what had really happened, he would be more than happy to help. The knight was sure of that. All he needed was a way to meet the boy and give him a message.
As Aston ate his meal minutes later, he thought of the perfect plan. Every few days, Richie went with Madam Louise to the market to fetch cleaning supplies and sometimes extra ingredients for the cooks. If Aston could get Richie alone on their next run, he could tell the boy what had happened. Satisfied, Aston finished his rabbit and packed up again, turning Sterling around and heading back toward Fridel. He needed to find the perfect rendezvous point.
At nightfall he found a quiet niche right outside the city’s borders and made camp, foregoing a fire in favor of an extra blanket. If someone saw the smoke and came to investigate, his mission would be a failure. Aston knew what he had to do. Even though The Rogue Royal was the reason he was running in the first place, he knew the man would be the one to clear his name. If the Rogue had seen him at all, he could clarify that Aston had been the one chasing him, not Talbot. Even if The Rogue didn’t come clean, at least Aston would know he’d finally caught the man responsible for ending his life as a knight.
As he fell asleep, he dreaded the next day. What he was going to do could ruin everything. If he was spotted, it would be over and he would be hanged. Richie would be watching, probably cheering with the rest of the masses, screaming his name and demeaning words as his life was forced from his throat.
With a shiver Aston jolted awake, images of himself hanging from the gallows still lingering in his mind. A dream. It had only been a dream. Everything had been so vivid; the choking sensation as the rope tightened around his throat, the burn of the ropes on his wrists as he fought to free his hands. Even the look on Richie’s face, the immense hatred he had thought never to see from the boy, was ingrained in his memory.
Aston looked at the sky, slowing lightening from its dark blue to the purple and red hints of dawn. He stood and stretched, his shoulders popping as he pushed his arms above his head. He rolled his neck, listening to it crack, before feeding Sterling an apple and making his way toward town. It was now or never, and he didn’t want to give himself time to think about how foolish his idea really was.
**
Madam Louise had always been an early riser; she was training Richard to be the same. She’d taken the boy under her wing when he had failed in the stables working under Master Vernon. The man was cruel and often took a whip to the boy when he wasn’t strong enough. Madam Louise had taken pity on Richard and had begged King Donn to put the boy into her care. Though the king wasn’t known as
being the most benevolent man, he relented.
She’d pulled Richie out of bed early that morning, and now he was struggling to pull his shirt over his head as he yawned, his tired eyes still half closed. Madam Louise helped the boy, patting the shirt down to get rid of lingering wrinkles before leaving the room, instructing Richie to follow.
“Now, Richard, I know how you like to wander. I want you to stay close to me today. That rogue knight is still out there somewhere and I don’t want you to get into any trouble, understood?”
“Yes ma’am.” The answer was automatic to Richie. He didn’t believe Aston was guilty anymore than he believed the sky was green. Aston was the most kind-hearted and truthful man he knew. The knight would never allow a man to be killed simply to save a woman.
Richie sighed and followed after Madam Louise. The woman was stocky and short, but she moved fast and Richie found himself taking three steps to her one. She took good care of him, but he feared she didn’t think much of him as a person. He was scrawny for his age, underfed and overworked far too long to really gain any muscle structure. His clothes hung on his thin frame and his hair was scraggly and unkempt. Madam Louise did all she could for him, but only Aston truly valued him.
As they reached the castle walls and were let into the city, Richie felt an odd sensation pass over him. He turned around to face the castle, but the guards were already resealing the gate. No one spared him another glance as he crept away from Madam Louise’s side and followed the path he and Aston had worn into the forest on their adventures together.
Aston had always been the closest Richie had to a friend. Aston taught him to read and write, to spell and fight with a dagger. The man had been almost a father to Richie, and one day Aston had snuck him from the castle on Sterling’s back and brought the boy to the forest to teach him to ride.
Knight's End (The Knight Trilogy) Page 4
