Abscond || Joshler

{6}

Meanwhile, in the forest nearby, Josh and his seven companions were returning home.

They were known as the seven knights, who went into the forest everyday to hunt, and search for gold to provide their daily lives.

As they walked through the forest, they looked over the gold they've collected.

"We truly earned a lot today." Josh said.

"Yeah, we sure did." Mark replied.

He eyed Gerard, the oldest of the group. He was tall, with black raven hair and brown coca eyes.

"Wasn't this a good pile of gold we dug?" Mark asked him.

"Aye, it was." He replied.

All the knights were happy with their gold, but the youngest knight, Gertie, wasn't happy with his.

Gertie was a youngling. A boy of eight. His parents died when he was a baby, and the seven knights took him in as their brother, and cared for him.

He had longed for happiness and wealth, and became very greedy. He wished for a better life, but it wasn't enough for him.

When Gertie saw the amount he had earned, he wasn't satisfied.

"This isn't enough."

"Patience, Gertie." Gerard told him. "This too shall pass."

"How? We struggle everyday, and we aren't close to getting what we desire!"

Gerard kneeled to him and placed his hand on his shoulder.

"I understand how you feel, Gertie. Believe me, I do, but we must be patient. We may not like what we have right now, but it'll get better soon."

Gertie looked down from him and softly wined.

"Are you sure?"

"Of course."

Mark stepped in next to Gerard.

"It'll get better, Gertie. I will."

The boy smiled to the ginger haired man as he stood next to his friend and brother.

However, it all stopped when Josh made a command.

"My fellow brethren, come quick!"

~

The seven came over and huddled around Josh, who held his light and sword in his hand.

"Look, boys! Our house!"

They looked and saw what they thought they'd never see.

"The front door is open!" Harry cried.

"Someone is in there!" Imogene added.

"Who could be in our house?" Sydney asked.

Brycen, the oldest of the youngest knights, came over next to them.

"Be not afraid." He told them in his knightly voice. "We will strike down the enemy that lies within our kin!"

"Brycen, be silent!" Gerard corrected. "We must get in first."

"How will we?" Harry asked. "The person that in there could be a giant monster!"

The youngest knights screamed in fear, but Gertie didn't show any signs of fright.

Gerard slammed the tilt of his sword into the ground.

"Little ones, make not a sound, for it will disturb the creature inside our home!"