The Knight and the Peasant [FIRST DRAFT]

Chapter 19

Benedict felt drained after his conversation with Angelica. Even more so than before.

What I need is some sleep. Yes. Sleep would do him well.

As he walked to his chambers, he passed the lounge room. There, he heard the sounds of his family. Francisco and Gallo to be specific. They were drinking. Of course. What else would they do? His father was roaring with laughter at something some random bureaucrat said.

Benedict felt his lip curl in a snarl.

He stormed away from the lounge room, leaving behind the sounds of drunken laughter. The sun was setting over la'Manse. Dinner was probably going to be served soon. An hour or less.

Benedict wasn't hungry.

He got to his chambers and shut the door quietly. He let out a breath of frustration and anger before going flinging the balcony doors and taking a deep breath of fresh air. He stood there for a long time before he heard knocking on his door.

He walked back and asked, "Who is it?"

"Your brother, you goat!"

"What do you want, Brother?"

"How about for you to drag your bum down to the hall to eat dinner, eh? What in the Angel King's name are you doing here?"

"I'm not so hungry as of now. I'll just have the servants bring me some food later."

"I don't give a horses' rear end if you're hungry or not. You rule this castle so you should show up to its dinner."

Benedict opened the door and stared at his brother. "I'll be fine, Francisco. I just want some―"

"Time alone?" Francisco finished for him, his face twisted in a mocking expression. "Of course you do. You're like a tortoise that retreats into its shell whenever hears and odd sound, even if it was the cause of those sounds!"

"Well maybe one day his cautiousness will save him, while the tortoise who acts recklessly is eaten by the coyote!" Benedict retorted defensively.

"Hah! The way of the coward?"

"You know what, why don't you go back to the dining hall and leave me here alone? I think that it's a marvelous idea!" He tried to shove his brother away, but Francisco grabbed his arms and painfully twisted them. Benedict cried out in pain as Francisco continued to apply more and more pressure to where a little twist and his arms would break.

Francisco's voice took a menacing tone as he said, "Don't touch me." He released Benedict violently, shoving him back into the wall. "I've changed my mind; stay up here, little tortoise. You have no place down there with the serpents." And he stalked away.

Benedict slammed the door and walked back to the balcony. A storm was coming. He could smell it in the air. He stared out at the Wilderness where a raging storm was heading towards la'Manse. Benedict smiled. Storms were the best time to sleep. If slept during a storm it was possible that they could receive dreams that were blessed by the angels.

Quickly, Benedict prepared himself for bed. When he was ready, he jumped into bed and fell asleep almost immediately.

* * *

Benedict was on a horse. He was clad in armor and held a warlance in his right hand and a shield on his left arm.

What the―

Across the grass field were heavily armored horsemen and infantry. The banners that they held were foreign and not of the Caraíbes Isles.

They were Evrúopean.