Rebellion and New Life

Chapter 11

It seemed like a long and lonely night. Chamberlain was used to sleeping in the castle, alongside his mate. This night, he was alone out in the woods. It had been a long time since he had had to sleep in the woods, and there were such things as some dangerous animals out here.

He tried so hard to sleep. He got a little sleep, but sometimes, sounds of the night made him snap awake. He was using one of the curtains as an additional blanket for extra warmth. It did get a little more chilling at night. Most of his robes covered his body enough to keep him warm, but his legs needed some extra warmth. He didn't exactly have many blankets to cover himself with.

Chamberlain had had no idea what had happened at the castle that night. Perhaps he was lucky that he was away from the castle.

Moonlight shone down from the canopy of trees. It was a beautiful night. It was a nice night to be an active animal.
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It wasn't until it was so close to morning that Sil finally managed to really, really fall asleep when his tiredness fully hit him after worrying about any dangerous wild animals most of the night. Quite a few creatures feared the Skeksis, but there were still some who didn't. Luckily, Sil survived the night alone.

He slept until a little more after sunrise, and some sunlight woke him up. He was still sleepy, but he began to get woke up enough. Sil knew he needed to get back to the castle. He got himself out of the carriage and looked around for water to drink. His mouth was so dry. But there was nothing around him immediately.

Sil started on his walk back to the castle. Hopefully, he would reach home before sunset. Without the faster transport, it would take a long time to get home again.

As the morning wore on, hunger and thirst began to really kick in. His stomach had settled down once again overnight, after much needed rest. Eventually, Sil came to a hillside and he saw overhead, the village of the Stonewood Gelfling clan. Surely, he could get some food and water there. He made his way to the village. It looked empty.

It had only been half the morning, and Sil was tired already. He hoped to be welcomed with open arms like usual. He called out. "Gelfling! Gelfling of Stone-in-Wood!"

Some Gelflings opened up their doors to see who was calling upon them.

"A Lord of Crystal walks among you. Bring water! Bring food! Come out and fetch! Now!" Sil demanded. He was still a bit ticked off from last night's excursion. He just wanted his orders followed.

The Gelflings just closed their doors on him, not listening to his orders.

This puzzled SkekSil. "What is this? I give orders. Do as told!" Then something came out of nowhere. "OW!" Sil smelled what had been thrown at him. "Who threw peachberry?!" he demanded. "Who shows such disrespect?"

He turned around and saw a Gelfling slam his door shut. This angered Sil.

"I see you! I see you! Stonewood warriors, go! I command! Find culprit! Punish! Make pay!" Chamberlain pointed and still thought most Gelflings were still loyal to the Skeksis like in the past. It wasn't so anymore.

He was hit again with more peachberries from the other direction. "Ah! You dare blaspheme?!" And he was hit some more. "Snarking woibles!" He yelled, and then was hit in the face. "My face! How could you? I protect Gelfling. You owe me!"

"We owe you nothing!" A Gelfling yelled back.

Sil whimpered. Then he heard it. "We know what you did! Drainer!" The villagers called him Drainer.

"Stop! Stop please!" Sil tried to protect his head. More and more peachberries and a few rocks were thrown at him.

"Get out, Drainer!" the Gelfling screamed at him.