Warring Kingdoms - Strife for Victory

Chapter 2 - Towards the River Grell

I woke up from my sleep to the cold airs of the winter. I was getting closer and closer to the River Grell that I have to cross. I wasn't ready for this, first the ice cold river, then I would have to run myself into death. Like a valiant soldier. Hooray. Why did I choose to do this? I thought to myself. I rolled up and organized my tent. I threw my rolled up linen tent onto my horse and organized my weapons. As soon as I got on my horse, I remembered my family who would be waiting and King Windsor who sent me in this mission. I will do it, I will make it back. Never loose hope. I thought to myself. I checked back at my campsite and checked if I had possibly left something behind. Nope, nothing. I whipped the reigns for my horse and the horse immediately started trotting. I don't need him galloping, that's just a waste of energy.

My horse trotted through the plains at a normal rate. Since it was November, it was getting really cold and going too fast meant more wind and that resulting to more cold. Then I saw an apple tree in the distance. I galloped towards it, and picked the ripest Apple that I could reach. As soon as I took a bite, I heard a shout,

"Hey you young fella! At least ask before taking my apples! Have some decency you young man!" Shouted someone.

I looked around and saw an old man wearing a fur coat running towards me, waving his cane in the air.

"Oh sir! I'm sorry. I didn't see you and your..." I looked around for a second then saw the farm in the background, "Farm. Please, accept my apologies."

"If you insist." Said the man.

"Sir, can I stay for the night? I will pay if you want.." I suddenly asked.

"Hm? We don't do that.. We also have no rooms since we are poor." Said the old man

"Oh. Thats a shame." I muttered

"Hey, but you can sleep in the family room if you want, even though it's pretty cold. I can light the fireplace if you want me to."

"Oh! Thank you a lot! I will offer you 5 silver coins for that!"

"Oh, that helps us a lot too! Thanks young mate, come on in." Said the old man, "Oh yeah where are my manners at! I haven't told you my name! It's Alfred Hudson, but you can call me Mr. Hudson."

"My name is Halt Archard, or just Halt."

We walked towards his house. From far away, I only saw his big barn but now I saw his home, standing in the middle of the barren meadow like a setting sun on the horizon. The house was made out of pine and spruce, and the gaps between pillars were filled in with straw and packed dirt. A normal peasant's home.

When I entered the house after putting my stallion into the stable, I felt the warm and cozy feeling of this house. The fireplace was lit and candles were scattered along the home. A woman came out of the kitchen.

"Honey? Where have - Oh! Hello young man! What's your name? Mine is Maria. Call me Ms. Hudson." She said.

"Oh hello, I'm Halt Archard, and I'll be staying over for the night." I replied.

"Your just in time! I've got some delicious potato soup prepared." Ms. Hudson exclaimed as she ran back to the kitchen.

"Well well well.. We gotta clean up the living room I guess. You can sleep on the couch, lemme find a blanket for you." Said Mr. Hudson.

"Oh! I've got my own blanket sir. No need." I replied.

"Very well." He said as he left for the kitchen.

-=+=-

In a few minutes, supper came out. I ate the potato soup, and believe me, it was delicious. After that me and the Hudson family talked for an hour. She prepared me some tea, which was pretty sour I got to admit, and we talked about where we are from and what we like to do, and this stuff. Then it was already time for sleep. From my rucksack I pulled out my fur blanket and I plopped it down onto the couch. Then Ms. Hudson blew all the candles.

"Good night, sweet dreams!" She said.

"Good night!" I replied in a weary tone.

-=+=-

I woke up to the sounds of people talking. When I got up and looked around, I saw no one in the house but I heard a lot of voices. When I looked outside, I saw Mr. and Ms. Hudson. They were being pushed around by a.... Group of bandits. I grabbed my blade and headed outside. The cold, fresh morning air hit me like a horse but I didn't care. I needed to help them.

"Hey! Get off them!" I shouted loudly.

They all turned and faced me.

"Ey, what's this lad gonna do to us?" One of the bandits mocked me.

I was angry. I unsheathed my sword and attacked. He barely parried my move and the others just stood, shocked. Then I kept attacking him, leaving the man who mocked me tired. Finally he dodged my forward strike. Using the momentum he had from twirling around, he stroke an overhand slash but I dodged it easily and got back to my feet. This was when the rest of the enemy bandits joined in the fight.

I parried and attacked all the time, giving Ms. And Mr. Hudson time to retreat. I slashed at one bandit towards my left, and it hit steel with a loud clang. I had to pull back to parry the apparent leader of the gang. I was slowly getting forced outwards. Then I saw a chance. I saw a guy to my right accidentally opening up, and I stabbed threw that area and slashed. They were shocked. Using that moment, I half-sworded and used the hand guard to hook a guy-to-my-left's head and pulled it in, following it with a knee up, knocking him out. Then I faced toward the remaining member, the leader.

"So. What you gonna do?" I taunted.

Frustrated, he attacked with an over hand slash. I easily parried and kicked him onto his back. He lost grip of his sword and it skittered away.

Looking at him one last time, I said,

"You shouldn't have challenged me."

Then I stabbed him in his chest. I cleaned up the bodies and threw it onto a nearby river. Conveniently, I found out from Mr. Hudson that this lead to the River Grell. I paid him my 5 silver coins, and left for the river.