You Are Safer Here

Chapter one:

“There you go, little one. You are safer here,” Leofric murmured to the beetle which settled upon the driest pile of leaves he could find. He observed the beetle a few moments more, before he moved away, exhaling deeply. It was very cold, perhaps it would snow tonight, he thought, looking around him. Even his breaths brought out puffs of smoke as he made his way back to where he kept his sketchbook – the large tree trunk flat enough for him to sit on, and large enough too.

It was time to head home.

He picked up his book from where it lay, and made his way down the oath he had gone on so many times before, out of the forest. He was careful as always to where he stepped, not wanting to willingly crush any insect under his heel. When he was younger he used to cry for killing a whole lot of them just by stepping wrongly. He smiled at the memory, humming a jaunty tune he heard from his beloved one night.

Soon he stopped, seeing two women huffing and puffing in front of him. They were dragging a large truck behind them, filled with firewood that Leofric doubted was completely dry, and pails of water that sloshed from side to side with the unstable way the women handled the truck.

He rushed to them, dropping his book in his coat pocket and greeting them with a smile.

Soon the three of them meandered down the long path to the town. As them moved, he learnt that they were making a last-ditch attempt to stock up for the winter. It was promising to be a rough one, the older woman said. The younger one (a maiden who blushed every time he looked at her as she spoke) nodded in agreement, and seemed to be the woman’s daughter. He also learnt that the older woman’s husband had taken their only horse to go get supplies three towns away. Due to that, as they reached the house, Leofric helped the women to bring down the items from the truck. Soon he was finished with his job and made to be on his way.

“Wait, please good sir!” Leofric turned around to see the young woman moving towards him with a cup in hand. He took the outstretched cup and thanked her, taking a sip of the warm milk. It tasted honeyed and delicious. As he finished the cup with a sense of urgency and courteousness, he handed the cup over to her and watched her blush. The awareness of the young woman’s beauty was a thought that bloomed and was gone with the wind the next moment. For to Leofric, his heart was already taken. And to him, no one could compare with his maiden.

The older woman came out a moment later, thanking him once more. Leofric waved it off with a smile and a short bow. It seemed that was not enough, for Leofric’s hand was taking as the woman murmured a short prayer, ending with a smile at him.

“You will live a good life, young sir. Thank you once again.” Leofric’s heart was warmed at the gestures of the two women. He proceeded to thank them both for the appreciation and turned to go when the older woman called to him.

He turned back, e=brows raised. “Yes ma’am?”

“I noticed something, young sir. You were in the forest earlier, yes?” He nodded in the affirmative. “I must warn you to not go back there again. In town there have been rumours of strange attacks just north of the first. What I have heard is a scary tale sir! I implore you, do not go back there!”

He smiled, glad to see such goodwill in them. For the woman thought the rumours were real.

“It will be okay madam. I reckon it will be difficult going there in this cold too.” Interrupting the woman’s anticipated words, he turned to leave once more. “Now I really must be going. I am glad you see you safe to your home, and now I must see myself safe to mine.”

By the time he got to the castle, it was nearly sundown. The entrance was quiet and lit with candles. Leofric enjoyed the warmth, putting his hands in his pocket and walking up the stairs. He thought of his mother, who used to instruct the servants to decorate everywhere with garlands and wreaths made with the freshest flowers. He missed her. He thought of Freya. His heart ached to see her, to be whole again.

He entered his room and soon had fallen in bed for a nap, only to be roused with a knock from what felt like hours later.

“Thank you,” he smiled at the young male servant (perhaps they were the same age?) and stood after some seconds passed. He dressed adequately and quickly, taking a moment to rinse his face. The young man then grabbed his book stuffing it in his trouser pocket once more. He moved to exit his room, moving downstairs in the direction of the large dining room. He spotted his father, grey haired and stern, seated at the head of the table.

Leofric fought to conceal a frown. So, he was back here. Without a moments’ thought, Leofric strode to the opposite head of the table and pulled the chair out, sitting on it and watching his father’s reaction. Nothing but a twitch of his eyes. Alright, he thought, nodding at the young girl who brought him the warming soup to start off with.

The meal started and supper seemed like it was going to be a peaceful one if his father said nothing like he had been for the past 10 minutes since they began eating. The atmosphere was a bit tense with the two men sitting that far apart, but both inwardly admitted it was for the best. They did not mesh well together.

As dessert was being served, Leofric heard his father clear his throat.

“Three days from now, you and I will be attending a Christmas Ball at Marquis Astley’s residence.” There the stern look was Ï must remind you, Leofric, to do no funny business from the time of our arrival until our departure from there. It would do us both great disservice.”

Leofric couldn’t help it; he laughed. Though, at his father’s face, he sobered up pretty quickly. “Am I to understand what that funny business entails if you do not tell me, father?”

The thud of the dessert spoon against the plate was loud enough to shut Leofric up. “Let me remind you, what it entails. I have tolerated you being a disappointment all these years, but you will, for one blessed day, talk and act as your station befits. No playing around with dirty bugs, or talking about them either. In addition, you will stay close to his peers, no need to lower yourself to the common folk and embarrass us there. That, I think, would be enough for you to stomach for one day.”

Blood boiling, Leo couldn’t help himself. He stood up from the table and walks off, saying as a parting shot to his dinner companion, Ï have lost my appetite for cake. Do enjoy yourself, father.” he spat out the last word like it was a curse, and then fled the room, leaving nothing but oppressive silence.

On his way upstairs and back to his rooms, he caught sight of the snow falling through a window. He paused. Leofric wondered why it was always this way. Why he always left his father’s presence feeling hurt and like a lost boy again. He stood for a few more moments, staring at the drifting snow falling down like pleasant rain. He loved the snow, and his mother used to take him out and play with him in it. Leofric was filled with a longing so deep that he spared no moment in running back to his rooms to grab his winter coat, gloves and scarf, and with a mind filled with various thoughts, walked out of the castle, hands in his pocket.

He intended to have a long think.