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He had filled out with
the good meals over the near two weeks here, muscles became tone and
defined already but then he didn't slack in manual work, just rusty with
live sword play between leaving Daurenia and coming here. He had
retrieved three throwing knives from the target bulls-eye and standing
further back than he had when challenging the others earlier or being
challenged. His back was to the door and if one came in they would
see the full extent of the tattoo type design over his back and
shoulders. Fairly symmetrical as there was the line of his spine
untouched between, dark lines in abstract snaked away, going from smaller
ones up near his shoulders, a few in red in a spot each side and
the rest long tapered like ribbons, one curling around his shoulder with
the tips to crawl up his neck. The part seen on his left side. The right
had the tip curving over a collar bone. It was pleasing to the eye for
the flow of lines.
The
warmer night had given Aiden the opportunity to do a little different
type of training. He had run from the castle to the lake and back. By
the time he was back, he was warm enough to pull off his shirt. Noticing
the lights of torches through the spar hall windows, he made his
way there instead of going to his room. When he saw Gabriel, he paused
to watch him with the knives. Dark eyes took note of the tattoo and
perhaps tonight he'd ask him about it.
He
spun on the sole of his boot as soon as Aiden came into the door about
to grab up his shirt but in seeing who it was he didn't bother.
"You look like you had a good run brother. I was hoping maybe you'd show
up although coming here to vent some of my excess energy of late was on
the spur of the moment. How was your day?" The throwing knives
still held in his hand as they could wait.
"Same
as most." He tossed his shirt aside as he came closer. "After
the workout on the training field, I was with the squires, helped
Lancely with the Gauntlet, worked on training a new horse to the
jousting field and after the evening meal, I read a bit, then ran
to the lake and back." He shrugged slightly, a half grin appearing.
"Yours?" Most thought the knights had little to occupy
themselves. They were quite wrong.
"I
must have missed you by minutes as I've spent most of my time here. Out
in the fields watching ones on the Gauntlet then in here to sharpen up
my skills using knives, lances and arrows. Care to toss some knives
and see who does better?"
"All right." He moved to where the knives were stored and
picked up three. "That's an interesting tattoo, Gabriel. How did
you come by it?" He motioned for his friend to go first.
"I'm still picking out the particulars in the haze." He shook
his head with a chuckle under his breath. "I suppose that sounds
confusing. A least a year ago, in passing through one town," all
the while getting in position to toss the throwing knife at the
target from the extended length of thirty five feet. Booted toe rubbed
into the sawdust and straw covering the stone flooring. "I was
going through one of multitude of towns, like Cole said, after a
while the names just all blended into obscurity," the weight of the
knife tested, before his hand whipped back then forward with a snap of
his wrist, the glint of steel moving fast had it embed in the ring
just outside the bull's eye. "I was pretty tired, hungry and travel
weary when I came upon an old woman lying in the ditch, she had fallen
and couldn't get up. I had noticed a group of men ahead of me a
distance first came upon her, they not only didn't help but ridiculed,
jeered and one even threw something," stepping aside so he could
make his throw.
"They had left her there then?" He nodded at the throw then
stepped forward, glancing at Gabriel, and again nodding, this time for
him to continue. While he did, he studied the target, then threw the
knife. He had hit the target, even if just the outer ring but
would admit throwing knives were not one of this better skills.
He
froze in his stance for that fraction of a moment when another came in.
Dark eyes turned there but decided not to bother getting his shirt to
cover up. Eventually the tattoo type markings would be seen. No time
like the present and not acting like it needed to be hidden. "Good
evening Miss," cordially her way for if she slipped into a spar
hall there would more than likely be shirtless males about when
practicing. Or, she would be discovering that. The sheen on his skin
foretold he'd been here a while. Then back to Aiden as he noted where
his knife sunk into the target. They still had two more to throw for
this round. "Aye. I stopped of course," the of course,
for who they were, needed not to be explained. "She had fractured
her leg so after setting it and using some wood from the back of her
wagon, I put it in a split, fixed her wagon, got her in and was directed
to where she lived. It was a distance and fairly deep into the woods.
The tip of his boot working against the flooring as he flipped
the
knife in his hand to feel its weight before once more taking aim, drawn
back and whipped with the flick of his wrist. It sunk into the spot
right alongside Aiden's first shot in the third circle from the
center.
He
turned as Gabriel did, a brow raising slightly. One he didn't know.
"Evening." Inclining his head slightly, he turned back and
listened to Gabriel. "You need say no more if you're not
comfortable." He would wait though the story definitely had his
attention. Once more he lined up the with the target, then sent the
knife singing toward it.
"Looks
like we're even presently. Slow grin tucked off to the side as he hefted
the weight of the last dagger in his hand. The rest of the story could
wait for now. He moved back to his spot, this was a greater distance
from the target than usually thrown from. He took that moment to eye the
target before the quick motion of hand and arm had it flying from his
hand. He muttered something under his breath as it hit only the outer
ring to stick there. Later,
after the practice and the woman gone.... "Do
a lot of people, especially women wander in from other lands, places, a
lot?" Once on their own and nearing the castle he decided to ask
the question. Most were new to him for he had many to meet but, as
tonight proved, just as many he met were wanderers. "No wonder the
tavern was set up to help the weary traveler, seems to be quite a
few?" Or was it just the season? He wasn't as tired as he was
getting at the spar hall, his second wind was being caught. "I
don't know about you but I'm not really ready to turn in."
"It
seems to happen in cycles. For a time there are few travelers, then
many, though I think spring may have to do with the newest influx. I
just find it odd that they came to the spar hall, especially the
woman." He shrugged then nodded. "And turning them out just
seemed wrong I suppose." To the last he gave a shake of his head.
"No. The walk seems to have cleared my head. Shall we see if anyone
is about in the hall? We can also finish our talk." He motioned
with a grin. "About your tattoo."
"Well,
I think if we don't want just anyone wandering in while there, we will
have to lock the doors and have the guards stationed. I agree it was odd
but it is on the norm open to the public. Aye," passing the guards
stationed at the entry to the knight's hall, he gave a respectful bow of
his head only to find the place fairly empty. A few stragglers finishing
a drink or about to take their leave. Not ones he really knew.
"Seems we have it to ourselves at least for a bit." Never knew
who else might show up that couldn't sleep, most that were smart enough
were resting for dawn and the king's field. He was over to get a bottle
of potcheen and two glasses before favoring one of the tables near the
hearth where a fire burned low. For all the men that passed through
here, it was kept up with, plates, tankards, glasses and so forth
removed. He settled into one of the cushioned chairs this table had to
offer. Poured the two drinks then set the bottle aside.
"I
honestly don't mind." He continued after greeting the guards at the
doors then continued. "Most would seek out the tavern right away.
She seemed to go where there were people. At any rate, I didn't think
you'd want to continue
your
tale with others about. He settled in a chair opposite Gabriel's and
picked up one of the glasses. "To friends old, new, found and yet
to be made."
"Part
of the tale didn't matter, but to continue," which had him glancing
around to note that even the few that had been there were gone. He still
kept his voice low. Lifting his glass then with the toast, "aye and
to a new home, new life that awaits me," not knowing the half of it
but whatever happened that night seemed to be manifesting here in these
lands. He kicked back the whole of the drink before his glass was down
with a dull thud and he refreshed both. "Now where was I? Helping
the old woman with ageless eyes, fixing her wagon then offered to bring
her to where she lived. I didn't add she had the most beautiful eyes I
ever saw? Strange that," shaking his head for it was something that
seemed at odds with the other. "She had invited me to eat and take
care of this wound I had on my back from a previous fight," raising
his hands, "I left them in worse shape, two of the eight dead. The
others gave up and I continued on."
"I've
heard tales here of how the Fae take other forms, or of people who
appear as one thing and are another. You may met up with her another
time." He motioned for him to continue then took the first drink
from his own glass, not wanting to interrupt further.
"The
forest was strange, very tall trees that the mist seemed to rise up and
surround, wisping around that you could see enough getting along this
road. I remember glancing back and it was like where we had been was
gone. The mule didn't seem to be disturbed and I know animals are very
sensitive to things that are not good. She talked at times in another
language mixed in with English. Hard to say what she was saying as she
mumbled a lot too. She spoke on strange things, of mankind being doomed
but seven images would walk the earth to help bring it order. She talked
on healing herbs, of forces all around," which had him blinking as
this was the first he was recalling parts of the conversation, like
those mists were clearing. "She spoke on hope of places that held
good in their heart but how few they were, one third only. It is the
only reason this existence has not been nullified." He took a
moment to kick back another drink as more came flooding into his head.
Glass set and topped them both off. "She told me how there were
factions of angels punished to the earth and they hide from the hideous
mankind. Once they use to live together but they learned they could not
be trusted to keep that which was most sacred, their word. Mankind was
given the greatest gift of all but he if he doesn't change he will lose
it. He set to judge the angels but if he loses his soul, then the second
children will be lost." He was starting to get a chill up his
spine. He had not remembered any of that until this moment.
"It
sounds a bit cryptic to me. She doesn't seem Fae after all, does she?
Maybe one of the angels." He rubbed at his chin, then chuckled.
"I'm interrupting again. Go on, Gabriel." His reaction to the
tale was carefully hidden for now. If anyone came in, they'd just see
the two knights talking and it could be about anything.
"I
don't know, was pretty worn out at the time. Little food to be gotten
unless I stole it and I wouldn't. She knew I was a knight and said that
the true knight was one of the hopes of mankind. That they would make
mistakes being human but learn from them but mostly, a true knight would
show his worth were it counted most. The war in the heavens but with the
main factions was not over one wanting to be god but over god creating
mankind. They saw them as an abomination, imperfect, unlike how they saw
themselves as perfect creations. What infuriated them most is when it
was proclaimed that if they met all their challenges, greater for their
limitations, that they would judge all of the angels. Some outright
rebelled, some didn't think mankind could survive their tests and there
were the few that supported them for if God in his wisdom created them,
then they accepted and would help the best they could but even they were
limited in helping. Mostly helping by keeping the enemy factions from
destroying them. If they were to fail, it would be on their own, so it
caused the chasm between the first children over the second. She said
many are here, unseen." Gabriel was becoming a little overwhelm
with all of this coming from his mind and out of his mouth. He sat there
silent for a few minutes.
It was
a lot to take in and he couldn't imagine how Gabriel felt about
remembering it now. He was silent himself for a few moments, then
something popped into his mind. "It sounds either as if you are the
knight she spoke of, unless she meant knights in general. Or she was
telling you in order for you to continue as you are, and see that those
who follow our path, follow the code." It was a large
responsibility in either case.
"She
spoke on images a few times, that one of mankind's test is getting past
the false images especially on this biological plane of existence. Here
breeds greed, falsehoods, jealousy and many such called sins. Some
greater than others and each varying degrees that make it good or bad.
The lines between hard to see for they are shrouded, invisible to man
unless he seeks greater truths within no matter what is being said
around him." He paused as there was so much flooding his mind he
was unsure even how to relate it. Instead he continued on. "We got
to her place, small but clean. She had a pot of stew simmering over the
fire in the hearth. She had plenty to share and she didn't seem to be in
much pain considering her leg. When we were done we had some herbal tea
she made and she had me take off my shirt so she could tend to the
wound. She had to lance it and drew out the infection my body kept
trying to heal. She said I'd not have to worry about such again."
Which he wasn't really sure what she meant other than the wound she
tended. "The tea made me hazy, sleepy, a good kind like a weight
lifted from me. I felt like I was floating but yet still had a touch in
reality as we know it. Her chanting
was
soothing and she had this onyx polished stone she placed across my spine
between my shoulder blades. "I remember her saying something about
blessings or blessed. That is all I remember of that night. It was the
first night I slept well since I came back to Daurenia to find it barren
where once was a flourishing kingdom. I awoke to find her gone, not just
gone but like no one had been there. I went outside to find my horse
tethered and eating sweet grass. No wagon was there either. I figured
maybe she went someplace but there were no tracks. Needless to say when
something like that happens you just want to get out of there. So I
mounted up and rode out. I found food in my saddlebag, hard bread,
jerky, dried fruit and berries. I'm not sure where they came from. There
was an onyx stone too. I figured in my fatigue I may have just dreamt it
all, found the place abandoned and slept there the night. I can't really
be sure. Except it was days later when bathing in a river I noticed the
markings on my neck, shoulders and around my back of what I could
see." That was about the sum of it for now as he took up his glass
for another drink.
"Well,
brother, I would say you have been set to a task though I'm no expert.
If you wish to talk to someone more learned, there are some here,
including the Crown Prince. I've noticed you rubbing or scratching at
the tattoo at times. Is it bothering you?" He would have to say he
was glad to not have to deal with the same himself.
"It's
been odd, seems once I started settling in here, decided this will be my
home come hail or high water, it started to itch at times. Odd itch, odd
tattoo. I don't know where it came from. I've been to many places, I've
tied on a good one in times I was down that I'd never find my brothers
again," meaning brothers of heart than blood. "Who knows what
deal I made? Or wandered into some tattoo parlor, there were enough of
them especially in the ports. The itch comes and goes, seems to come
when I had on emotions that I keep well hidden." Aiden knew how
they all practiced their stoic look down to a science unless they felt
like not bothering.
He
smiled slightly, taking another drink and lowering his glass before
answering. "Heathfield is a land of magic, Gabriel. I can say that
much for a certainty. When I fought in Kildare, I felt ... not
invincible, but close to what a berserker must feel. My mother always
claimed we had the blood of such in our veins, or of ancient Titans
depending on her mood when she told the tale. Since coming here, I can
almost believe it. Some are never touched by it save for a feeling of
peace and safety while here. Others feel nothing, perhaps because of
fear. But others find something within themselves. I think that is
what's happening to you." He shrugged slightly. "You can wait
and or you can speak to someone. It comes down to your choice in the
end."
"Maybe
whatever this is will start to manifest, there was something said about
that but I can't recall the exact words about settling and the blessing.
I assumed it was finding you both here for that to me is a blessing
unlike any others. What had been lost was found and treasured even more.
I worry on you, brother. I know how much you had loved Lydia and wonder
if you can ever move onward if one came along you could love as much,
not to take away from the love you two had shared. I worry on Cole, he
is not quite the same as last I saw him in Daurenia. I feel it might be
important to find out what it is and if we can be of service to him. I
get the feeling he might a part closed off to even us he never had
before but feel we should be persistent for some reason. Yet, I don't
know how to broach the subject. Perhaps if I can, you, or we, maybe it
is not as bad as the undercurrent I feel and he will talk with us."
He had been digesting his words, "I think I will know when the time
comes and for the fact I talked to you, I feel I would not be so
arrogant I would not see one that can help guide me."
"Help
is never refused here if needed and taken." He looked away briefly
as if considering what to say next. "What I had with Lydia was
precious, and I know that for a time, I was blessed. I'm not certain how
I would feel if she reappeared now, other than I'd be glad she's alive
and well. I don't ... I don't believe I love her in the same way
anymore." He took a drink and looked back at Gabriel as he lowered
his glass. "I was attracted to a lass here. Pretty as spring and
full of life. But she married the man she loved and should be with. I
don't believe I'm ready to fall in love again. I may never be." He
chuckled ruefully. "Perhaps I'm afraid to allow my heart to soften
that much."
"Want
some wise words from a man who has never fallen in love yet? I don't
think it is something you can plan to have happen nor not to have
happen. If there is one for you she will walk into your life and that
will be the day it changes again. There may be a part of her like Lydia
and a part of her like the lass you saw full of life and pretty as
spring. There may well be other facets she has the other two lack but
most important, she will only see you. There will not be others and if
there had been, they will fade into time like they had never been."
"Perhaps.
As far as Cole, I'm troubled for him also. It may take time for him to
wish to speak on it or what happened to him on his journey here. We'll
have to approach it and see." He grinned at Gabriel. "As far
as you, when the itch becomes too much, we'll talk to someone."
"He's
always been a fair man so fair would be fair if I tell him as I spoke to
you tonight on that he too would then speak on things as well as you
Aiden. You have said about falling in love and that what use to be,
although will always remain precious, is no longer even if Lydia were to
show up alive. I think if she did, you'd find it wasn't there at all or
something the two of you would have to see if it could be sparked back
to life. If there is anything else, perhaps save it for when we talk to
Cole for I am finally in need of sleep especially since we are both due
on the field in a few hours."
"No,
nothing else." He stood after finishing the last of his drink.
"I'm off the day after. Thinking of trying my hand at fishing if
the day is warm enough." He covered a yawn and stretched.
"If
I'm allowed and Cole, maybe we can join you. Would be a perfect setting
to talk," he was up taking the glasses and bottle to return to the
counter of the bar before rejoining Aiden as they would head out to
their quarters. They were in the same section.
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