Paladin of the Peaceful Lady

Chapter Eighteen Reequipped

Drake was woken up by the soft patter of rain hitting the tree above him, and consequently the droplets coming off the tree and splattering him on the face. The sun was just coming up over the horizon, and he noticed that the lantern he had forgotten to extinguish still hung from the tree, the wick had burned down too low and snuffed out the flame preserving the remaining oil in the reservoir. Drake was staring up in the branches when he felt movement under his head, a huge muzzle came into view and he was given a good morning nicker from Daisy, his warm pillow. Her big brown eyes stared into him; half covered by her forelock.

"Yes, yes, I know time to get up." He pushed the big nose away from him and sat up. Running fingers through his hair, he found it tucked behind his ears, he brought his hair back down with a wry smile. Looking at the low mound of flower covered earth before him, and he could see the small patches of lush grass that marked where The Lady had stepped and sat down. He looked around and found he had been laying on a thick carpet of grass soft as a down pillow. Staring sadly at the grave, he noticed the moon flower that risen in the center was still open and blooming despite the sun coming up, no doubt part of the Lady's magic.

Drake stretched his arms and pulled himself up to lean against the big mare's flank. Rotating his torso around and putting his arms on her back he pulled using her bulk to twist his spine until a resounding CRACK emitted from his back and he gave a sigh of relief. Soft grass or no, he hadn't spent many nights outside since being domesticated by Mae. Daisy gave a huff at being used as so mundane a tool as that and went to stand. "Oh, hush you, ain't nothing like a good back crack from your horse, hold on help me up you oversized pony." He threw an arm across her neck and rose with her as she stood, giving her a pat when he had his own feet under him.

He heard a thud on the grass and looked down. A small amulet that he hadn't noticed fell from where it had been placed on his chest. He bent down and picked up the fine ornament. Inspecting it he found it was a silver moonflower on a fine chain, the petals glinted in the morning sun.

Drake chuckled, "Course you would make your favorite flower your sigil, maybe there is more of Mae left than I thought." He gave Daisy another pat as she walked off to find her breakfast and he slipped the chain over his head and let the pendant sit on his chest. He looked down at the grave again and with a heavy sigh turned towards the entrance to the farmyard.

As Drake went through the gateway he glanced at the little shrine; he would need to make it bigger. When he had his children back, he would set Mathew and Jack off to find more river rock to make the shrine larger, maybe even build a small chapel in the town. He noticed that the goat had been cut down from the barn rafters and Dale's big horses were in the barn now, eager to get out of the barn that smelled of blood and death by the looks of it.

He nodded approvingly at the door to the house, it was mended and rehung on the frame, Arnold did his work well. Opening the door and stepping inside he found the interior had an attempt at being set aright. The chairs were back at the table, the floor swept free of debris. On the table sat a plate of cold roast goat, a small hunk of cheese, and a piece of bread. His belly made an internal protest to him as he looked at it and he realized he hadn't eaten since the lunch the previous day.

He sat and began eating, quickly finishing the plate.

"Da, Da!" he heard a voice from the top of the stairs. Looking up he saw little Jocelyn being carried down by Jacob, the youth smiling sheepishly as he descended. "Good morning, sir."

Taking the baby from him, Drake nodded at Jacob. "Good morning son, I hope you slept well given the circumstances." Drake gave Jocelyn the center soft portion of his bread, and using his chin pointed at the door. "Your Da did a good job fixing up the door, he would have done well as a carpenter."