Chapter 1: United as the Fingers 'hand
In a castle, on a sunny autumn morning.
-You should be ashamed to continue sleeping? a real marmot that's what you are! While the rooster crows twice, go up!
A young boy with flaming red hair does not take his eyes a sleeper, uh no correction: the sleeping beauty!
-Yes, he sang twice the rooster! And after? It sings all the time these stupid animals, sighed a young squire with brown hair golden, turning in bed wanting to sleep for a few minutes.
-Galaad, You just THREE minutes to get up. And say it was almost every morning the same thing! Oh, they were beautiful knights apprentices, here!
-I'm not going to hurt him, Hazel, said the red with a rolled ball to a weasel who were rolled ball on the quilt that looked at him reproachfully.
Although the three minutes were up, the desperate remedies! Swiftly, Puck quickly drew the sheets and took two seconds later a full pillow face followed by a "moron."
-There some people who never will experience the pleasure of a long night of sleep, remarked Galaad yawning long while Hazel climbed onto the arms of his master to beg a caress.
-You know that I almost hesitate to take a jug of water, asked Puck, sitting at the foot of the bed, a mischievous look on his face.
-Really ? but in this case we would have known you were dying to see the manuscripts in the library, calmly replied his friend.
-That ... You do not even dare to everything!
-I'll get in each! Galaad looked smirking expression of his friend until we knock on the door.
Yes, come in ! You know you're always welcome!
-Hei To dere! The bør gå raskt! * 1 Holds a girl who could not have been more than sixteen. Tall, slim and blonde with slightly pale complexion and eyes of a deep blue, she looked the most natural two companions compete amicably.
-Aye, Thanks. We arrive ! What happens now?
-We will know once in the great room. The vet hva som skjer? * Galaad asked, closing the door before turning his girlfriend in custody.
Idrun ... You know you should not do that, you risk trouble if they surprise you to speak your native language.
-And after ? That to me is completely equal! This is not a lord or rules that prevent me from giving up what I really am.
-Neither do I ! Puck proudly announced before opening the rear.
Decidedly, there is no one to catch the other inwardly thought the knight trying not to look up to heaven. To believe that they liked looking for trouble. And each time, they counted on him to help them ...
-Tell so you can talk to you! I bet you even looked for worms.
-Yes ! On a ring, you want to hear that? I thought of the following sentence: "One ring to rule them all."
Idrun and Puck watch uneasily. Once it was a question of poetry, their friend became inexhaustible. A ring, but yes of course and why not a chalice with power as we were there?
-Interesting, continue to search. We will be happy to listen once completed, she said with alacrity in addressing Puck discreet glance. At least they would be quiet for a moment.
-Get it, Little sister. You think we need to the village? After all, the serfs must soon pay tribute to our Lord.
-Who knows ? Puck smiled guessing his friend's enthusiasm at the idea of this possible output.
"Little sister" was a term that Galaad loving and loved Puck use to him. All three had little in common but were united as the fingers of the hand.
Long time together had helped consolidate their friendship. Yet with their character of their own and different, it would have seemed implausible. Especially when everyone was coming from a far country the other two.
Aged seventeen, golden brown and short hair, green eyes, Galaad had always lived in the kingdom Franc. Curious calm, preferring books to fencing and archery, that does not prevent him from conscientiously fulfill his duty of squire. And find time to talk with his friends always ready to support where needed.
Puck was the contrary with a fiery temperament, active. Always ready to embark on an adventure or playing tricks, get into fights ... In truth, the nickname "Red Blaze" fit him like a glove on two points: physical and temperament. Her red hair was constantly in battle, and his brown eyes clearly reflected the vivacity.
Although at times his native Scotland missed him terribly, he knew he could count on his companions.
Idrun, she also felt occasionally melancholy. Since that tragic day, she had never seen fjords, snow-capped mountains in winter and thick forests of his childhood. Norway was only a distant image. His identity had been usurped him in half, fly.
But the Ases were gracious enough to give him a second chance by putting on his way two future best friends.
Another place, in another castle for miles there.
An infernal cacophony sounded in the courtyard. Goes even if it had been unintentional, but there ... It was deliberate and became really unbearable. It would never do the seventh time this morning?
But by all the saints of Paradise that had they ever do the Lord to deserve this?
"It still is not that. And if I tried a flat floor in to award the ninth rope? Aaaah it's much better like that! "
How to talk and play. If you could call it play: a succession of swoïng plongs more or less acute with occasional right notes.
A new song will sound creating new disaster: a horse made a difference so abrupt that his rider nearly fell, chickens fled terrified cackling.
-Peeewiiiit ! I knew I would find later said it did not: little by little the bird makes its nest?
Excited, the little clown grabbed the pen he had brought and put notes on parchment partition.
-Still few hours and this serenade will ... My masterpiece! It is imperative that Johan gives me his opinion.
Person and not any explicit answer. It was a joke or what? If that were the case, it really was not in good taste. Disappear like that without a word, leaving her best friend without explaining.
Restraining himself not to explode with anger, Peewitit walked to the stables to go with Biquette tell a knight what he thought of these little tasteful towers. But not both!
The leaves began to blush, on an oak hardwood could still be seen clouds that acorns have fallen to the ground. Not far away, the amanita were drilled from the earth, the wind became a little colder. We felt that it was autumn, the season of twilight, melancholy.
Melancholy, yes it was the most appropriate word to describe the state of mind in which there was a young man who could not have been more than nineteen years. Lying on a mat of leaves, arms folded behind his head, he seemed in deep reflection. The view was well clear two leagues from there, we saw the castle walls. This view seemed to plunge into a deep sadness unless? Whether it is not painful memories that came to the surface? Remembrances which were buried, but were overcome from time to time to haunt you?
Years ago, same place.
If only his father had not agreed, if knights were not been there ... We would not at that point: forced to leave his home, his birthplace and unflinchingly follow these men. That there were only three days, everything was normal: helping to forge, at home, playing occasionally with friends. And there, it was only the past. A stab in the heart given that made the almost unbearable pain ... The only way not to linger was still unable to speak, no longer feel anything.
-You should look straight ahead, ordered one of the riders. What do you expect, he again asked insistently to a child. He did not seem very old, seven years; thin with long black matted hair and clothes a little torn place. Obviously he seemed worried, sad as if this trip was the worst thing that could inflict.
Reluctantly, the boy looked in the direction indicated to discover a large fortified castle in the austere intimidating appearance. A place that was not reassuring.
-I see a castle, it is very large.
He had to remember not to say "so what?" fortified places there were everywhere, no need to rave over. In addition he was tired and wanted to go home that's all he wanted.
-Hahaha, please you eh? laughed one of the men, stopping his horse insurance. Well kid, know that this place from today will be ... your new home!
The words gave him the impression of being struck by lightning, "your new home" it was whatever ! He already had a place to live, where he knew with all his friends, the streets adjacent to the forge!
He lied, he wants to scare me inwardly, thought the child clinging to benefit from the size of the rider not to fall.
It was a punishment for something but what? Yes, there was no other plausible explanation. Living in this sinister place? No, he did not! If only ... "I want to go home, pity I want to go home," he thought brink of tears. "What did I do wrong? And why dad seemed happy to see me go? He does not love me, I'm sure! "
-But ... It is a place for people of high, not for me. Why should I .. Coming with you, he tried his little voice; using all her courage to speak his mind. And first this place actually looked like a prison, more than anything else.
His remark sparked a cascade of mocking laughter, biting remarks worse keeping it comfortable there was not even two minutes. No, it was not to cry, not least of all! Yet his eyes were burning terribly.
-Are you stupid, kid ?! Must we remind you how lucky your father and we offer you? That of becoming a page and knight update. Tell me, have you any idea how many brats as you cherish this dream? So how much?
The child knew absolutely nothing and to be honest it in completely cared about. He did not ask to come here to dream of battles and glory.
Before the dark look that sent him the knight he still mumbled an evasive answer and polished with a timid tone which was also reflected fear.
-Many People, more than we think sir.
-Exactly! But what is that expression ?! Who stuck me such a crybaby in the legs ?! He should be expected, but no way to support that. Nothing better than a threat to stop this game. You brat, and how would you like a slap? You'll really have a good reason to want to cry there ! When we get to the castle, you better look good, you understand? he thundered address brat who terrorized and calmed instantly. It worked every time.
Yes ... Sir. You can count on me.
And that no one cared who he was ... No one since the beginning of the trip had called him by his name: Johan. Was it only a mere instrument?
-And that's, clean as a whistle, saw the girl by cutting the last strand of hair. Scoured through intensive cleaning, the kid looked already more presentable.
At least, unlike other urchins untenable he remained perfectly wise. Merely respond with yes ma'am, good madam. If she knew ... The castle was so big intimidating, with so many people that he preferred to stay with someone a thousand times rather than go exploring.
-Thanks to take care of me .. Madam, added it on an almost sheepish tone. He looked into her eyes briefly before falling down in his melancholy.
It was the first time that children were not excited. But after all, the trip was long and tiring it was late. It would probably much better in the morning.
-Come my boy, it's not worth doing that head there, nobody here is gonna to eat you.
No one had said anything to him as kind since leaving. Was she the only person to have some compassion? Slightly encouraged by this comfort, he jumped into the water when she asked him what was wrong.
Madam, I .. I would go home, that's all.
-Don't be ridiculous, it's here your new home. Yes, I know this is not easy, she said, anticipating the future. But you'll see, you're very quickly feel at ease.
She handed him a steaming bowl of soup with a chicken leg and a cup of water. It's been an eternity that he had not eaten! They had ridden without any halt.
Then she led him into a large room with twin beds uncomfortable.
-It's here that you sleep. Go to bed, you have to be fit for tomorrow.
Yes, you are right, madam, said he, forcing a smile and lying down on a bed
The door closed leaving him alone. It was a nightmare, an absolute nightmare! But why does not he awoke even pinching?
-I .. I can not stand it! This is unfair! They had no right! he could finally give free rein to his sadness. Weep much as he wanted to what was happening.
No one had consulted him, calling him almost with indifference. Fi making what he really wanted.
So after all that had happened, he felt he had the right to cry to feel sad. To be angry against them for what they were forcing him to endure. You are all bad and I hate you! I hate you ! he said, wiping her tears of hand before returning to cry.
"Twelve years, it's been twelve years old and I still remember it. This choice that forced me and many other things "
To be continued
* 1Bonjour you two! You should quickly get down!
* 2You know what happens?