Spell; Melting Steel

Chapter 10: Fall of Silence

Birch Forest outside of Camelot, England, 498.

Hazel's POV

Munching on a green apple, I spoke. "This is so delicious."

Silence, both of them were silent. The sound of hooves stomping the ground paid off for their utter quietness.

"Come on you two! Speak. I'm really bored." I insisted. "At least scold me for speaking with my mouth full."

"Pardon me Lady Hazel of the land of promise. But Lord Camberwell told me 'sincerely' that I should not be disturbing him unless we need to make a turn or if I was asked." He whispered from over the other horse right behind ours.

I was riding sideways behind the metal-cold Lord Daniel Camberwell on a caramel colored horse. Behind us was a fifteen-year old teenager riding his own grey stallion.

Because of the fact that no one wants to talk, I distracted myself by checking the kid and the surrounding.

Elias was a thin man wearing undeniably scrappy clothes. He wore a loose shirt with stains of coal and shades of gray on the fabric. His trousers were made of brown doe-skin. He was riding on his horse barefoot. He had blonde hair which was very messy, although that made him look kinda cool. A dusty red shawl was covering his chest and was wrapped around his neck. His eyes were blue, as blue as the sky hovering above our heads. His skin was tan, but a shade lighter than mine. Dashes of ashes spread on parts of his face. His face was clear, beardless and having no moustache, just like the man handling the horse that I'm riding. Elias' lips looked rather pinkish but with inadequate amount of moisture. Behind him were the loads of supply which apparently were all needed for the journey.

We were riding on a boring journey to somewhere. I looked at our surroundings. Delicate trees with silvery appearances, fine branches and small leaves rooted themselves quite close each other. Some other types which were tall and had a darkish brown log color sparsely grew around the forest. The ground was sort of flat with pebbles and grass spreading across their surface. The sky was brightly blue and a fair amount of clouds gave us spaces for shade. Looking around, I caught a glimpse of what seemed to be was a black cat. I raised my head and tried to see it clearer. But the critter ran away, probably startled by the stomping horses.

Oh, you might be asking why on Earth I'm riding on a journey with utterly silent men... Well...

Yes, I agreed. I didn't have a proper choice. At least now I wouldn't die instantly. But I have to keep on chanting to wish for bandits to stay away from where we were. And! I get to meet the legendary wizard, Merlin.

We left the castle right after an extravagant breakfast in the castle. For a king who had just lost all of his knights, King Arthur still had an appetite. And apparently, while we were eating, the maidens prepared all that we needed for the journey.

Suddenly, I remembered what Elias said earlier.

"...I should not be disturbing him unless we need to make a turn or if I was asked."

Crunching another apple I spoke, "Where were we going to again?"

"...At the cliffs of Solea, Lady Hazel of the land of promise." He politely answered.

"What is your duty in the castle?"

"I am the royal wizard's helper, my lady."

"The wizard, have you seen his magic?"

"Yes, in a number of occasions already Lady Hazel of the land of promise...."

"Is he good?"

"He is great my lady!"