The Untold Tale: The Kinsmen: Chapter 3, The Stowaways

Albire squinted as the sun peered through the windows, Millie was sleeping soundly and Phylo was awake, cooing in his bassinet. He had a fuzzy memory of what occurred the night before and recalled that there was a man across the hall, sleeping in his brother’s bedroom. He sat up, stretching his arms above his head. Standing, he walked quietly over to the bassinet to see his son, blinking slowly and pursing his lips together as if he were whistling. He smiled and kissed his son’s forehead. “You are the joy of my existence, little one.” He whispered. He grabbed his robe and draped it over his back, going out into the hall. He noticed that Red’s bedroom door was open and he peaked in, Rangvald was nowhere to be seen. He hurried down the stairs. “Master Raventsone!” He called out, looking in the sitting room, kitchen, and corridors. No wizard was to be seen. He noticed that Red and Marcus were also nowhere to be found. He was about to go upstairs when he noticed a parcel, wrapped in brown paper and bound in leather strapping sat near a small piece of parchment that wrote:

Master Reechon, Mistress Reechon, and dear little Phylo:

Thank you for your hospitality and kindness to a weary traveler such as

Myself. Know that you will always have a friend in me and that in your

Comings and goings, you will always be welcome at my doorstep when the

Time calls for it. Here is a small token of my gratitude and gift for Phylo’s

Birthday. Be well and I will call again when my travels require it of me.

Kindest Regards, Rangvald Ravenstone

Albire smiled and opened the parcel, in it was a carved wooden toy sword, intricately engraved with vines, leaves, and strawberries. It fit smoothly in his hand and he gripped it tight. He looked out the window before opening the door and calling for his little brother and friend. But there was no answer and he shrugged. ‘Probably out hunting, fishing, or getting into some other tomfoolery of the sort. He’ll come back home soon enough.” He thought, heading back upstairs when he heard Millie begin to stir.

Albire Reechon was right. Red was getting into something and dear Reader… it ‘twas tomfoolery indeed, in the highest definition of the term.

…..

Red wouldn’t have been discovered if Merric hadn’t sneezed due to the pollen that had sifted through the burlap sack. The wagon creaked to a halt and two massive hands grabbed the pointed ears of the two young Crossets and hoisted them from the wagon and onto the dirt trail below them.

“So this is what happens when you have a stranger come into your home? You stow away in his wagon with your allergy infested friend, for what?” Rangvald fumed, “How would your brother feel about you both stealing away?”

Red scratched his neck and Merric shot him betrayed look. “It wasn’t even my fault, Master Ravenstone. He urged me to come with…saying it would be fun.” Marcus crossed his arms, tapping his foot on the ground. Rangvald looked Red up and down.

“Go home. Enjoy your yellow cottage and beef stew and that new nephew of yours and walk a straight line.” Rangvald said, turning his back and heading back to the wagon bench.

“But your stories! The magic…I know you’re a wizard! Asger Falls!” Red pleaded, following him. The man turned to him. “Let me go with you…please.”

“The world is so big for someone your stature, master Reechon. It’s no place for one’s with lives so small.” Rangvald said with pity, giving a soft smile. Red grabbed the man’s fingers in his two hands and implored.

“Just give me a small chance to see the world through your eyes.”

Rangvald, bewildered, looked at Marcus who only shrugged. Rangvald patted his hands. “Alright, alright. I’ll give you to Asger fallsl, but.” He wagged a finger in Red’s face, “no further, understood?” Red nodded ecstatically, turning to Marcus who had already turned tail and headed back towards Revinton.

“So you’re just going to be a coward and not explore the lands outside of your mother’s picket fence then?” Red taunted. Marcus huffed, turning towards him.

People get killed out there and I’ll be damned if I see you get us into trouble you can’t flirt, logic or persuade your way out of.”

“This is our only chance to experience life outside of the mundane life. Imagine the stories we’ll be able to tell.”

“You mean you’ll be able to tell. No one cares what I say, especially with you around!” Merric exclaimed, throwing his hands up. “No one pays attention to me anyways.”

Red gave a sympathetic smile. “I do, friend. And if no one else listens, you can sit me down on your hearth when you’re old and grey and I’ll listen at your feet when your grandchildren don’t want to listen anymore.” Red replied, ruffling his best friend’s hair. Merric gave him a small smile.

“Well, alright.” He finally said, rolling his eyes,” I’ll go with you. But what will our families think?”

“We will send a message via Raven to Albire and he can get the word out to your family, master Conferriat. No worries there. We will stop in Dacey, that’s where I’ll be able to get the correspondence.” Rangvald chimed in. Marcus and Red nodded, hopping in the back of the wagon.

So on they went, the two young Crossets and the Wizard with the spotted pony who trudged along the sunny trail towards Dacey. All three in a daze of adventures that awaited them.

……

The weather was fair as they travelled throughout the day. Dacey was a town of men a day’s ride away from Revinton. The Daisies and poppies that were colored red, pink, and yellow leaned forward, hoping to catch rays of sunlight as the wagon wheels creaked by them. Red sometimes would hop off the wagon and venture into the woods, looking for mushrooms and berries. He ended up bringing them back to the wagon, running alongside the pony as it trotted along. It wasn’t too much time until he began humming a cheery melody.

“What is that tune you sing?” Rangvald inquired. Marcus sprung up from the back of the wagon, nose red and eyes watery from the bee balm and pollen that flitted through the spring air.

“It’s a Crosset travel song- though we don’t do much traveling, our ancestors used to and the music just stayed around.”

As if on cue, Red began allowing the humming to be words that danced off his tongue in a cheery, sweet tune.

Light of day, star of night

Guide my feet your way

Through the trails and trees

Rivers and creeks

To the place I belong

The grassy knolls I walk

Gravel stretches I run

Traveling to and fro

From oak and pine

Light of day, star of night

Guide my feet your way

Rangvald applauded, “Bravo, master Crosset, bravo indeed.” Red puffed out his chest and walked with a swing in his step, kicking stones as he walked. Soon his muscles ached and he jumped onto the wagon seat next to Rangvald.

“Why is it called Asger Falls?” Did someone just fall or something of the like?”

“I was wondering the same thing.” Merric said, crawling over the supplies and resting his head on his friend’s shoulder. The young wizard chuckled, shaking his head.

“Heavens me, no. It’s called Asger Falls because of the waterfalls that surround it.”

“Like rain?” Marcus asked.

“No, it’s where rivers end in cliffs and water just…well, falls off the edge into a pool or lagoon below.” Rangvald shut his eyes and his fingers held the reins loosely in his hands, “the falling waves hit the still water below and a mist rises from it, smelling of ancient days and mystery. It’s cool there, it will send chills up and down your arms and makes the hair on the back of your neck stand straight up. When I was a boy, I would skip rocks on the lagoon’s surface until my father found me and scolded me. It was a sacred place where quiet and reverence were supposed to be observed. It’s peaceful. Many things are revealed there.” He looked at the two boys that sat there, wide eyed and glued to his story. “Maybe something about you both will be revealed there as well.”

“Like what?” Red asked

“Oh, I’m not sure. Besides, that’s not for me to discuss or decide. It’s up to the Falls and the High Order.” Rangvald shrugged, “But once you arrive, you may go no further with me. I have business to attend to that doesn’t involve the likes of two young Crossets.”

Red sighed, “Well as long as I get at least some adventure, I will not feel too deprived.” He replied, resting his head against Rangvald’s arm and closing his eyes. Before long, both Crossets were fast asleep underneath the afternoon sun. Rangvald drove on whistling with the birds and smiling at the occasional dove grey rabbit that would bounce to and fro on the path in front of him. The world was calm around him and he wished that life would go on being just the way it was on this small trail, but he knew that life was never meant to be this peaceful- no matter how hard he tried to make it so.

…..

The trio reached the town of Dacey right at dusk, before the townsfolk closed the gates. Red rubbed his eyes and looked around. Everything was so large. He was used to things being sized perfectly for a Crosset, but now, for him and Marcus, they were visitors in lands of giants. The smell of horse, livestock, and ale met Red’s nose as they rolled to a stop in front of Brave Stallion Inn. “This is where we will stay for a few days while we stock up on supplies. I will send your brother a letter so he knows where you’ve went, because by this time I am sure that he is worried.” Rangvald announced as he helped the boys off the wagon. He tossed a coin to the stable boy who grabbed it without even batting an eye and shoving it in his pocket. Red looked up at the crooked wooden sign with a black horse, rearing with the fire underneath its hooves.

The tavern was on the first floor and already filled with the workers of the day. They were laughing and yelling as the barmaids handed out ale, bread, and cheese. The fire roared in the fireplace in the middle of the room. Red couldn’t help but grin, the change of pace was something he welcomed wholeheartedly.

“A room if you please. Oh, and supper as well.” He told the innkeeper. The pudgy bearded man, sniffed and nodded, taking out a piece of paper in his pocket and charcoal.

“Eh, it looks like you’ll have your room upstairs, the fourth door to the left. Only two beds, mind you. There is a cot there.” He said, rubbing his bulbous nose and wiping it on his already mangled and dirtied shirt. Rangvald gave a polite smile and nodded.

“Many thanks. Boys, go and grab what we need for the night. I’ll grab us ale and food. I’ll also send off that letter to Albire.”

Red grabbed the wizard’s cloak. “Just make sure you don’t paint me in too much of a rebellious light…if you please.”

Ranglvad patted his head. “ My dear boy. That’s the only light to paint you in.” He smiled. Red gulped and followed the very obedient Marcus outside to grab the things that they would need for the night.

“How do you think Albire is going to take this, you running away and all this?” Marcus asked, grabbing his satchel from the back of the wagon. Red shrugged, pulling a leather sack out from underneath the wagon bench.

“I’m unsure. He could go off his rocker, or he could join us.”

“Join us? He may not even let you go, bring you home and put you in shackles. That’s what I would do if you were my charge.” Marcus replied. Red pushed him forward, almost tripping his friend good naturedly.

“Aw come on now, old friend. He wouldn’t do that to me. I’m an adult. I can make my own decisions.” Red said. Marcus grimaced, rolling his eyes.

“Whatever you say, master Reechon.”

Rangvald was sitting at a table, parchment and quill in hand, as the Crossets came sauntering up to the table. There were bowls of steaming rice and sausage with sliced apples waiting for them. Red licked his lips. He was starving.

“Just finished the letter to your brother, there were no Ravens so their fastest rider is going to have to do.” the Wizard replied, handing it off to the barmaid that came by with their drinks, “Let this make haste, hm?” He said, putting it in her hand with some coin. She curtsied.

“Right away sir.” She said. Marcus watched her in a trance. Feeling his eyes on her cheery face, she gave him a wink and immediately Marcus’ face flushed and he put his head down, letting his curls hide his embarrassment. Red nudged him.

“She’s a beauty, you should talk to her.”

Marcus looked aghast, “I-I’m a Crosset. She’s a human girl. There’s no way… She is beautiful though.” He watched her walk away, her raven hair flowing around her waist.

They began eating in silence, munching on the sweet apples and hearty sausages. The Crossets drank their fill of milk and ale until their bellies were almost bursting. It was warmer inside than it was outside, but with the old walls, there was still a draft that would come in with some night spring breezes. The thick laughs of the burly men danced around the tavern as the fire roared. Cats scurried through the room, no doubt in search of rats. Dogs sniffed around the floor, sucking up crumbs that had fallen from the tables around them. A fiddle played somewhere in one of the corners of the room. It was warm and happy. Red scraped his bowl clean, leaning back in his chair and kicking his legs back and forth. Looking back, he had gotten everything he had ever wanted, the girl, the family, the adventure. He was having the time of his life. He interlocked his fingers and closed his eyes, listening to the drone of noise around him and soaking it in before Rangvald would usher them up to bed. They had a long journey ahead of them, at least 2 months according to Rangvald when he asked earlier in the day. He was excited to see where it would take him.

And dear Reader, the world yawned before him- offering him a plate of wide and wild whisperings of a world far beyond his reach.