Total pages in book: 21
Estimated words: 19262 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 96(@200wpm)___ 77(@250wpm)___ 64(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 19262 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 96(@200wpm)___ 77(@250wpm)___ 64(@300wpm)
Once he slipped his shoes back on, Ansel faced me and said, “When you’re ready,” before winking and leaving the room. I wondered if he knew of my predicament, but I was thankful that he didn’t say anything.
I took deep breaths and counted the stones along the wall until my groin softened and I felt comfortable enough to join him in the kitchen. The room was lovely; it held a fireplace with a pot hanging above it from a chain, a few handcrafted cupboards, and a wooden table with two chairs.
Ansel pulled out one of the chairs and motioned to it, inviting, “Sit.” I did as he asked, and just a moment later, he served me a plate full of bread and cheese, and a mug of watered wine before sitting across from me with the same.
I sank my teeth into the bread and moaned. It was soft and slightly sweet; much better than porridge. I gobbled down half of my food and gulped the drink before I grew embarrassed of my actions. I looked at Ansel, who was smiling as he watched me. He simply said, “I’m glad you’re enjoying it,” before biting off a large chunk of his own bread.
I wiped my mouth on my sleeve and cleared my throat. “Will you please tell me about yourself now?”
He nodded and when he swallowed, answered, “Of course.” After a sip of his wine, he began, “I grew up in a cottage not too far from this one, but it has long since crumbled. I lived with my mother and father, and two brothers. We tilled the land, as many villagers do, and shared our crops with our neighbors.”
“My father taught my brothers and me how to wield a sword. At first, it was to protect the crops from any wandering animals, but our lessons increased when he heard talk of Maldor amongst the other villagers. Their bodies were growing tired and their hearts were growing greedy, and he feared an uprising would come; that others would believe Maldor’s lies and tricks in hopes of personal gain.”
“And he was right?” I asked around a bite of cheese.
“Unfortunately, yes. A group of men decided to attack the king in Maldor’s name, but my father had enlisted a party of Thayla’s followers to thwart the uprising. He took my oldest brother to that first battle, and they were victorious. Before long, my younger brother and I were old enough to join them.”
“Over the years, several other attempts were made to overthrow the king, and every time, my father fought alongside his sons to protect our ruler. We won every time, but the cost was great. Many people lost their lives in the fights, including my father and brothers.”
I dropped the hunk of bread I held, and placed my hand on Ansel’s arm. “I’m so sorry.”
“Thank you. My mother died shortly after, and I am convinced that she grieved herself to death. From that day, I vowed to honor my family by continuing to fight for good, and to protect our king.”
“Why didn’t the king’s guards fight for him?” I asked curiously.
“If they were alerted of the attack beforehand, they did fight alongside us, but many times, there was not enough warning for our small army to spread the news to the guards. Even when we had the guards’ assistance, many of them had to stand their ground at the castle itself, or accompany the king into hiding.”
I shook my head. “I can’t believe I never knew all of this was happening outside of the castle walls.”
“It wasn’t.” When I tipped my head in confusion, Ansel explained, “Throughout my long life, I’ve seen many kings sit on the throne, and I’ve watched the same thing again and again; the weak minds of villagers being corrupted by Maldor, and their uprising against the king, who always stood for Thayla and her values. But it was not the same with your parents.”
“What do you mean?”
“The evil spread within their castle. Whether Maldor saw that their minds were easily manipulated or that their hearts were already filled with greed and discontent, I do not know. But he went to work directly with the king and queen instead of their subjects. It has never been the case before.”
“Why didn’t your army attack my parents?”
“No matter their feelings of the royal family, the villagers would never move against them; even if they survived the battle against all of the trained guards, it would mean turmoil for them and their families when the king and queen retaliated. It was too big of a job for myself alone; I would surely be captured and imprisoned. Besides, Thayla appeared to me and told me to bide my time; that this battle would be different, and the reward sweet.” He winked again, and my heart warmed before it fell.