laneys.info Beware of Yankees, drunks, and loose women.

“How many times have I told you, don’t go out in the night,” his father’s steel-blue eyes glared as Aodrenig sat in the workshop. Carpentry tools hung on pegs, neatly organized by his grandfather who had been a child when the town was founded, nearly eighty years ago, now.

“Nothing happened,” he lied as he went back to sharpening another piece of wood into a stake. He avoided the judging gaze his father loved to give he and his two brothers and sister when he knew better. Or thought he did, anyway.

“Right. I saw you this morning when you came running in the back door from my bedroom window, panting, sweating and looking over your shoulder.” He stated as the large knight stepped forward prompting Aodrenig to look up. “You went to see her again, didn’t you?”

He sighed as both arms fell into his lap. “I love her.” A point that they had been arguing for months now.

“That’s the problem with that harlot, everyone has loved her at one time or another.” An accusation that pushed the twenty year old son to his feet immediately. “You wish to take a swing at me, boy? I may be your senior, but know this, I’m still stronger and more able.” A point that didn’t matter at the moment as Aodrenig glared.

“She’s not a whore,” he pushed out through clenched teeth. “Don’t ever say that again.”

Greying brow furrowed in anger. “You own your own home and I’ll follow your rules when I come to visit, until that time you never tell me what to do in my house. Understood?” The heat between the two, strongly built men could boil water as the younger soon backed. His father had a point, but it was still unappreciated. “Understood?!” A commanding voice that ordered men on the wall in the past demanded respect and received it with a reluctant nod.

Aodrenig watched his father walk away, then sat back down onto the small stool as he went back to work. With renewed purpose, he had to get these done in time. Sneaking into the tower guarded by a small militia loyal to the beasts would not be easy, he knew his chances were slim but, he also knew that their continued existence would keep his hometown forever in fear also. And that he could not allow.
Amidst the sawing, planing and occasional crash of extra wood being thrown into a large pile in the far corner, he recognized the familiar smacking of lips as his brother, Wesley approached. Eating as always.

“Heard you and father nearly got into it again over that barmaid,” his younger voice laughed, mouth full of food.

“If you’re here to insist that she’s like the others, we’ll have to go out back also,” he continued his whittling.

“I could care less, to be honest.” His brother sat upon the barrel to Aodrenig’s left and picked up the trio of stakes already made. “Are you insane?”

“Nearly.”

“I thought Jeffrey was joking when he said you looked like you were going vampire hunting. Is it true then?”

Aodrenig continued, not wanting any more distractions as the morning wore on. He was running out of time as it was. Wesley laughed, sending a small piece of half eaten bread onto the stake which he quickly cleaned off with his knife as he cut, then raised it to check the point. Nearly done.

“In that case, can I have your horse?”

Blue eyes looked up to the teenager’s face in disbelief. “Thanks for the support. No, I’m not giving you my horse.” The brown haired boy nodded as the realization that this wasn’t just a joke sank in.

“What can I do to help then?”

Aodrenig shook his head and continued his work. “Nothing, thanks anyway.” A long pause continued between them as he knew his family would already be at risk for last night’s fight and threats that he had made. He couldn’t allow them to suffer for his brashness. Visions of his mother and sister at the mercy of those animals made him sick to his stomach, thoughts that he pushed out of his mind. That wouldn’t happen, he determined.

Wesley sighed as he finished his breakfast. “Listen, I hate them too but, what you’re thinking of is suicide. You know that, right?”

“Think what you will.”

“What makes you think you can accomplish what so many in the past have failed at? You know their militia is full of fools who had the same dream. That has to give you some clarity of thought.”

“None of them had Arhus at their side or my training either.”

“Right,” his brother stood and turned to face him squarely. “You’ve got all the answers, as usual,” his raised voice returned Aodrenig to his previous, agitated state that his father had promoted. “How silly of me.” He turned and in a huff, yelled. “Fine, go get yourself killed then!”

Shaking his head in amazement, the would-be hero stood and collected his tools for this day’s venture. Strong hands grabbed his backpack, opened the flap and stuffed the stakes within, then headed to the stable door which lay open on the far side of the workshop. He wasn’t crazy, they were just under the spell of these manipulative demons that had plagued this town for too long.
Once inside, the air changed from burned and fresh wood to hay, fodder and the odor of horses. He walked down to the third stall and pulled back the gated door to his favorite steed. Rust colored, the light warhorse stomped the ground in anticipation, as if his friend knew today’s plan as well.

“Ready to go make a name for ourselves,” he smiled and gained a strong huff as he lifted the saddle blanket onto the strong back, then grabbed the saddle itself.

“I told you to be careful,” the familiar female voice called from behind him, prompting Aodrenig to turn and lay his eyes on the main reason he had to kill them. Jessica stood just a head shorter but, her raven hair, hazel-green eyes and gorgeous frame captivated the young warrior as he smiled dumbly. He wrapped his arms around her and kissed her passionately, then hugged her.

“I’m not going to let them hurt you, I promise.”

“What are you talking about?”

“They threatened to hurt you this morning. I won’t let that happen, I promise.” A vow that made her back a bit, still in his arms.

“Don’t listen to them,” she smiled sympathetically. “They can’t get into our homes unless we invite them in. Father Aeneus said so and many others have seen it firsthand.” Her eyes fell to his backpack and swordbelt, then rose back to him. “You’re not serious.”

“Remain here in town. Everything will be alright, I promise.” He kissed her again, taking in her fragrance, feeling her heartbeat and warmth against him. Not wanting the moment to end, he knew he had to get out to the keep. “I love you,” he smiled, turned and finished strapping on the saddle as she watched quietly.

“If you’re going to do this, it’s not for me,” she stated. “I appreciate the thought, but you’re crazy.”

He turned and couldn’t believe his ears. “If anyone could understand me, it’s you. All these months we’ve spent together, I’ve never told anyone the things you know.” A revelation that made her eyes fall from his gaze. “I’ll be back later.” He paused as she looked back up to him. “If I’m not...”

“I know,” Jessica nodded and smiled in defeat as she sighed. “I still think you’re out of your mind.”

“We’ll see, won’t we?” He climbed into the saddle, muscles still sore from this morning’s flight through the town not a few hours prior and prompted his mount forward through the large opening and into the narrow yard, then turned left as she watched him ride into the busy thoroughfare. He glanced back as he reined the horse right and noticed her wave goodbye, then lost his love from sight as people and buildings filled his view. Was he on a fool’s errand? Surely Arhus, the deity of justice would bless his venture to rid the land of those threatening the peace of Jedburgh for so long. They had been occupying that keep now for nearly five years and no one had found an answer to this plague yet, but he would be that shining example. The one the bards would sing about one day.
A wash of adrenaline gave him courage as it had to have been a divine blessing upon this brave knight.