Black Tide Rising

12th Century Part 2

Two horse's hooves thudded outside later that afternoon. And the sound of wooden carriage wheels embarked the gravel. A minute later, a knock knock rapped from the wooden door, and two men let themselves in. Sam looked at them and gave them a low growl to know that they didn't belong here. Both were well built, one tall, one short. They both wore an elegant black Tudor long vest that was highlighted with silver brocade, and it had an embroidered crest that looked all too familiar. They looked to be in between the ages of sixteen through eighteen.

"Hello there," the taller one said, giving a quick glance around the shop, and spotting Sam who was about to pounce.

"Down boy," I said, and Sam gave me a loving glance, licking his dry mouth a few times. "What can I do for you? you don't look like you two are here for a sword."

"That is very observant of you. You are Nicholas?"

"Yes," I replied.

"I am Elstan and this is Milo. Lord Gaube sent us to fetch you," Elstan said, Milo was merely his reinforcement, not saying a word, but holding his ground.

"Listen, I do NOT do business with Lord Gaube, you two can leave now," I stated sternly, standing from my stool, it scraped the floor. Veins popped from my neck as my muscles tensed. I was beyond infurriorated. Sam could feel me and began to growl again, keeping his distance.

"Look, we don't want any trouble, Lord Gaube will send in his guards for reinforcement if you decide to not come with us," he stated, as he shook his hands in front of him to exaggerate his words and Milo gripped his sword hilt.

"He wants him alive," Milo whispered to Elstan.

The kids, Lily.... I thought in a panic, I could take these two, but if they didn't return, then there would be an entire army to get me. That is just how Lord Gaube operated. Always getting what he wanted, and there would be trouble for my family, I couldn't have it.

"We wouldn't want any trouble, now would we Mr. Hennessey?" He asked as if reading my thoughts.

"No, I suppose we wouldn't," I shrugged, as I put out my coal, hung up my torn apron, then walked with them to their carriage, my tunic was rumpled from working all day, and had holes in the sleeves from liquid metal. Sam followed us wanting to come.

"Go home boy!" I shooed him, he was reluctant, "Where is your boy and girl?" His ears perked up and he looked towards the cottage. "Good boy! Go get em!" he booked it home.

Lord Gaube was known all through the world for his sword dueling, he was obsessed. People from all over came to duel him, they were his death matches. Come to duel with Lord Gaube, and you will never leave his castle, no one ever lived. It was suicide to do so, and I never understood why people still dueled with him. He even fought his own father at only seventeen, one year ago. Of course, his father lost, leaving Lord Gaube the castle and his fortune for him to do his evil bidding.

The ride was fairly bumpy, the carriage was not meant to travel through the woods, off of the main trail. Elstan sat across from me, on edge at all times, he could feel my anger underneath my surface.

"I don't suppose you know what this ruckus is all about?"

Elstan just merely glared at me.