The Search for Will

Chapter 1

     Cole almost dropped his fork as he chewed on the scrambled eggs. "What do you mean You won't take me? I thought Dad said when the war was over-"

     "I would take you home, yes he said that. But the farm cannot be left unattended and I simply don't have the time to journey to Aspienne. It's more than 2 days travel roundtrip, and by then all my chickens will be dead."

     "Pay someone to take care of them! I'm sure Audrey would be more than willing to do it!"

     But Uncle Brandulen didn't see that as an alternative option. "You know I don't have the money for that. And neither do you. You'll just have to go yourself." His Aunt nodded approvingly. She never said a word, only gave infuriating nods, and shrugs and eye rolls and folded arms. Cole didn't know who he hated more. But probably his Uncle.

     He sighed, his shoulders slumped. He was about to point out that they could give Audrey, Juliet Softstringer's younger sister, one of the chickens for payment. Cole wasn't supposed to have to work for his food. Uncle Brandulen was supposed to provide it, and a single chicken would be less than he deserved to pay. But Cole knew his Uncle would gawk if he said such a thing, and he would probably punish Cole harshly. So Cole settled for a glare instead.

     He had lost his appetite, but Cole continued to shovel in food anyway, as he knew he wouldn't eat this well in a while. If he were to travel alone, he had no idea if he would get lost on the way. The trip was supposed to be about a day, but he was only ten and it would probably take almost two days.

     At the same time, Cole was excited. He had never traveled alone before, and there was always a parent there to tell him not to eat so much or to go to bed already or to do the dishes. If he went by himself, he would be his own king. So he packed his bags that morning and went to say goodbye to the baker, Rebecca, and the innkeeper, Benjamin. 

     When he was done with the kitchen dishes, the last time he would do them in days, he set off with his pack down the street to the bakery. He opened the door and Miss Hill greeted him.

     "Hello, Cole, if you would be so kind Mr. Dole is expecting a-" she stopped as she looked up from her work and saw his bags for the first time. "Where are you going?"

    "I'm off to Aspienne fief. The war is finally over and I just can't wait to see my parents any longer!" He said with a glint in his eye. "But Uncle won't be coming with me and I need some food. So I came here to buy some and to say goodbye."

     Miss Rebecca had a brief moment of confusion, but then she came out from behind the counter and hugged him briefly. She looked Cole in the eye. "And what do you think you're going to do all alone through the fields and forest?" 

     "It's going to be so much fun! I've never traveled alone before and-"

     "Do you even know how to build a fire?"

     "I don't need one! I'll just be eating fruit and bread, and it's only a days travel. My parents will give me a good meal when I get home, too. Don't worry, Becca, I'll be fine. But here are two silver pieces for a loaf."

     Rebecca looked in his eyes. She knew she couldn't bear it if something happened to him. And she would probably never know if something did happen. But she had no choice. He had to go and no one would escort him. She couldn't leave the bakery for two days, maybe three, even though she yearned to. "All right," She finally said. "You can have two loaves for the price of one. But don't let it get stale, and most of all, don't get lost. Alright?"

     "Alright. I love you, Aunty." He hugged her. She wasn't his aunt, but he called her that from time to time. She was definitely better than the real one. "I'll miss you."

     "We all will."