Edit: 8-6-13
Basic grammar and modified/added info.
So, I don't normally update the chapters after I posted them, but I left out some crucial information. So if you have already read this chapter before the above date, please reread it so the next chapter won't be confusing. :P Sorry about that.
Erick squinted as they emerged from the cave, but he didn't really need to. The sky was overcast and a thick fog drifted lazily over the swampy ground. Winding trees reached to the sky, but dejectedly bent back towards the earth. There wasn't any movement to speak of, but it felt as if the whole place was breathing. The ground seemed to suck his boots down like a living creature.
"Ah, you can almost smell the sunlight," Walter breathed as he exited behind him. Isn't it wonderful? The damp, muggy, soggy, sunlight."
"Is this the right place?" Erick asked. He thought that they were looking for an army. This wasn't exactly where he expected to find one.
"Yep. This is Mourningwood alright. I hope the people we're looking for are still alive."
"Why wouldn't they be?"
"Cause, come nightfall, it's one of the dangerous places in Albion." Walter breathed heavily as his eyes wandered across the placid water. "Well I don't know about dangerous, but I'm starting to get a rash. Bloody swamp."
"I did not want to know that," Jake said in disgust.
Erick worriedly lifted his foot off the spongy ground. "Uh, yeah. Let's just get this over with." He bit his lip as he started walking further into the swamp. The trail sloped down and went underneath foggy water. Luckily it was shallow, and didn't go any higher than his knees. The problem was that the water rushed into the top of his boots, completely soaking his socks. He tried to go up on his toes, but it didn't really help any.
"We made a good team back in that cave didn't we?" Walter said, leisurely falling into step beside Erick. "It's been a while since I've been stuck in a real fight. It was just like fighting by your father's side. I'd forgotten what it's like; standing next to a hero."
Erick's foot suddenly caught on a tree root and he dropped like a rock, falling face first in the water. His hands sunk deep into the river bed and he gasped for air as he pried himself out of the water.
Walter stopped and looked down at him quizzically. "You all right down there?"
"Great! Just bloody great!" Erick spat in fury.
Jake guffawed heartily, wiping away tears of laughter. In return, Erick scooped up a handful of silt and threw it in his face.
Jake's laughter instantly stopped. He stood there in shock for a moment, then a thin smirk shone through the dark mud. He leapt on top of Erick and started dunking him in the water.
Walter awkwardly waited nearby as they wrestled in the shallow water. He smiled as Erick got the upper hand for a moment and shoved Jake into the mud. Jake suddenly slipped out of his grasp and bolted away. Erick scrambled to his feet to give pursuit, but Walter grabbed his shoulder to stop him.
"I think he should get going," Walter said patiently. "I don't want to be stuck out here when night comes."
Erick dropped his head like a scolded child. "Sorry Walter." He looked up at Jake to see that he was still smiling. They were both covered from head to toe in mossy slime, but Jake didn't seem to care. Erick, on the other hand, was quite upset. He smelled like the sewer. Again. He absolutely hated that damp, grungy feeling of his clothes sticking to his body.
Erick leaned down and tried to clean his face in the water, but it only smeared the oily mud.
"Come on, we don't have time for you to take a bath," Jake mocked.
"Just give me a moment, I think I got something in my eye," Erick lied. He hurriedly scrubbed at his face for a few more seconds before jogging to catch up with Jake and Walter. He continued trying to scrape the mud out of his hair, but it didn't do any good.
"I never really thanked you for saving me in the caves," Jake said as they started across a thin bridge.
"It was nothing. Besides, you would have been fine without me."
"Perhaps, but still. It was very courageous of you." A few moments passed before he continued, a little quieter. "That was pretty violent. What you did to that Hobbe."
Erick nodded, but said nothing.
"But it seemed to me almost like you lost control. I know that I haven't known you for very long, but I wouldn't have thought you were capable of such anger."
"So what? I'm not seeing the problem here," Erick answered, gradually growing more tense.
"All I'm saying is that maybe you need to tone it down a bit. It's been a while since I saw a man with that kind of hatred in his eyes. And it never turns out well."
"What do you mean?"
"You're a good man Erick. I believe that. But that look you had when you killed that Hobbe…" Jake leaned over, his mouth mere inches from Erick's ear. "Those were the eyes of a killer."
"Lay off! My life is none of your business!" Erick suddenly shouted, shoving him away. The thing that made him so mad was that he knew it was true. Jake looked at him with almost a sympathetic look, but said nothing more.
Erick noticed Walter looking back at him with a disappointed glance. He shamefully hung his head. All he ever wanted to do was make Walter proud, and he wasn't doing a very good job so far.
Can't I do anything right?
They walked in awkward silence. Erick fiddled with the frayed sash around his waist as he looked at the murky ground. That was pretty harsh, should he apologize? It was too late now.
"I think we're almost there," Walter said after a few minutes. "That must be the place up ahead. What I wouldn't give for a bowl of soup and a hot bath."
Any bath is fine with me…
He was looking up at an Albion flag posted on the side of the trail when he saw something under the winding roots of a tall tree.
"Hold up for a second, I think I found something," Erick said. He bent down and reached under the roots and retrieved a large pistol.
"What have you got there?" Walter asked.
"Uh, a gun. Do you want it?" Erick offered.
"You're the one that found it."
"Yeah, but I haven't really had the best of luck with pistols…"
Walter gave a rumbling chuckle. "I'm sure you'll find some use for it."
Jake went on ahead, but quickly stopped.
"Cease your movement!" a strong voice demanded.
"I'm not moving!" Jake answered, holding his hands up in defeat.
Erick came around the corner to see a soldier aiming a gun down at Jake from on top of a high platform. "Be ye men or be ye Hollow Men?" the man asked.
"Have you gone daft boy? Open up the doors!" Walter told him.
"Walter? Is that you?"
"The very same. Now, are you going to let us in or what?"
"Right. Yes of course." The soldier turned around and shouted down into the fort. "Open the gate! Tell Major Swift, Walter's here!"
Walter proudly strode through the gates, Erick and Jake following. The two guards posted welcomed him by name. A shorter man with a ridiculously large black mustache and greying hair waited for him, a pipe held delicately in his gloved hand. Even with his frayed and bloody uniform he was the perfect mix of dignity and elegance.
"There he is!" Walter announced, firmly shaking hands with the man. "The one and only; Major Swift!"
"Walter! What the blazes are you doing here?" the Major responded in awe.
"We came looking for you. I have a proposition."
"You came all this way to proposition us?" a slender man beside Swift asked sharply. He was about Jake's age and his blond hair gave him a sort of rebellious look, but his eyes contained wisdom beyond his years. "And I thought you were here to save us form the legions of the damned."
"Ben Finn, it's good to see you," Walter said, ignoring his cutting remark. "I take it the legends about this place are true then."
"I'll say!" Swift said spitefully. The three men all turned in unison and headed towards one of the decaying walls.
Swift waved his pipe through the air, the smoke lacing like elegant calligraphy. It trailed behind him lazily as he swung it back around to lay it between his teeth. He had almost a proud strut and a gentle bounce to his walk. He held himself more like royalty than a military man.
"You've never seen so many Hollow Men in one place. We've been stationed here for weeks! Trying to eradicate them. Mainly, it's us getting eradicated. We lost some good men last night. Including Lieutenant Simmons here." Swift gestured towards a recent grave that was still being filled. "And the buggers will be back tonight!"
"Logan just loves to send you on the best assignments doesn't he?" Walter said in contempt. "That's part of what I wanted to talk to you about."
Swift's wary brown eyes glanced over Jake but came to a stop on Erick. "Is this…" he started, looking at Erick skeptically.
"The Prince. Yes," Walter confirmed.
Erick gave a tiny wave and a broad smile. Swift's brow furrowed in distaste, as if he was repulsed by the very idea. Not that Erick blamed him. He certainly didn't look like either royalty or military.
"I'll explain," Walter said. "Just treat him like any other pair of hands for now."
"Fair enough," Swift agreed. "Captain Finn will show you to the mortar. We could use a body up there."
"A b-body?" Erick stammered.
"Take your time and meet me on the wall when you're ready," Captain Finn told him. "I'll introduce you to Private Jammy. So called because he's the luckiest sod in the fort."
"You'll probably be stuck by that mortar all night," Walter said as Finn turned to leave. "Take a look around first: talk to the men. It never hurts to know who's got your back."
"I think I'll just head straight up to the mortar," Erick said, starting to turn away. This whole thing was intimidating enough without talking to people.
Walter stopped him and leaned down to speak with him quietly. "You really ought to meet your fellow soldiers. Remember, it's the mark of a good leader."
"I'm not a leader Walter," Erick hissed back. "I don't even know what I'm supposed to say."
"Come on. I'll come with you," Jake said, starting to lead him away. They went to the man filling Lieutenant Simmons' grave. "Go on. Introduce yourself," he urged him.
Erick cautiously approached. "Uh, hi. My name is Erick. I guess you're the grave digger?" He cringed as he mentally slapped himself, but Jake silently urged him on.
The soldier solemnly nodded. "Seems pointless really. By tomorrow morning we could all be gone. I'm just glad we found some consecrated ground. Should stop these poor souls form joining the Hollow Men. Who's gonna bury us? That's what I want to know."
"That sounds a little dismal," Erick said, slightly taken aback by his desolate tone.
"You need cheering up, talk to Captain Finn. I've buried too many friends today."
Erick could almost feel a wave of emotion at his words. It stuck him so suddenly, that he was at a loss for words.
"I'm sorry for your loss," Jake inserted. "I know what it feels like to lose a comrade in war."
"This isn't war. This is slaughter. We shouldn't be here. None of us deserve this torture."
"I can fix this…" Erick whispered quietly. He didn't mean for anyone to hear, but the grave digger looked up for a moment.
"You think so?"
"Huh? Oh, um," Erick fumbled. It took him a moment to recover his thoughts. "Yes, I can. I have to."
He looked at him dejectedly for a moment, then a smile brightened his face. "I haven't seen that kind of determination for a long while. I hope that you reach your goal. For all of our sakes."
"Thank you. I will do all in my power to end your tribulation here." Erick reached out a hand, and he accepted it. "I never got your name."
"They call me Digger. I hope to see you again Prince Erick." Digger went back to his work, but just a little happier.
"See, that wasn't so bad," Jake said as they walked away.
"Yeah. I guess not. I still don't like it."
"You're getting better. You just need to be more assertive. There's no need to be defensive, these men want to believe in you. You have the makings of a Hero, all you need to do is step up and be the leader that we all need."
Erick found himself smiling, and lifted his chin just a little higher. Jake gave a small gesture towards a soldier who was practicing shooting cans with an old rifle.
"Hi, my name's Erick. I just–"
"Look, I'm trying to concentrate here!" the soldier instantly blurted.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to disturb you," Erick apologized, his face quickly turning red with embarrassment.
"These things aren't even moving! How am I supposed to hit a Hollow Man?" he cried in frustration. "You don't have any tips do ya?"
"Uh sure. I'm a pretty good shot."
"Prove it."
In one fluid motion, Erick whipped his rifle out and shot a can dead center, sending it flying off the table.
"Oh, that's just great. No really, thanks a bunch. Well, I'll show you. You'll see… Maybe. One day."
"You've been over here for quite a while. Have you not even hit one?" Erick asked.
"Look, I only just joined the regiment. I lied about my shooting skills. Just help me! Please! Captain Finn says he'll through me to the Hollow Men if I don't improve!"
"I can tell you what I know, but it really all comes down to experience."
"I suppose I could practice with Hollow Men. But I get all jittery when I see them coming."
Erick gave an encouraging smile. "I think I can help with that. Here, line up and I'll show you."
He gave him a strange look, but raised his gun.
Erick gently adjusted the rifle in his hands. "Don't hold it so tight. Let it sort of fall into place. If you keep your hands further apart, then it will be more accurate. Relax, and focus only on your target. Forget everything that's around you. Take your time, and when you're ready, exhale and pull the trigger."
Erick stepped back and watched from a distance. The soldier looked back at him nervously. "Don't pay attention to me. It's just you, and that can."
The solder turned back, and glared as if he was having a staring contest with it. His shaking hands gradually steadied, and his back straightened. He took a deep breath, then let it out as he squeezed the trigger.
The can didn't even wobble.
"Gah! This is never going to work!"
"No no, you were doing good," Erick encouraged him. "You just shot a little to the right. Try switching sides."
"Switch sides? But I'm right handed!"
"Just trust me."
He muttered under his breath as he changed hands. "Switch sides. Like that's going to help. Might as well try shooting with my feet." Nevertheless, he calmed himself down, and focused on the can again. He forced air out of his clenched teeth as he pulled the trigger.
This time, the can went tumbling off the table.
"It worked! Ha! It bloody worked!" He cheered. "What made you think to try that?"
"That's the way my father did it. He wore a patch on his right eye, so he had to shoot left."
"I can't thank you enough! But I guess this means I'll have to get my eyes checked. Not looking forward to that."
"No problem. Good luck."
"You too."
Jake clapped him on the back as he walked back to him. "That felt good."
"You're a natural. You probably saved that man's life."
"I hope so." Erick looked around into the alcove where a man strummed an eight course lute. "I didn't expect to see a musician here."
"You don't have to be a virtuoso to express real emotion," the man answered, his eyes half closed, his voice deep and dramatic.
"I play the lute. Not very well though," Erick told him, sitting down on a nearby table.
"Maybe you're not as attuned to the delicate language of music," he said with a vibrant wave of his hand. "But I'm going for desperate pathos. With a touch of overwhelming tension."
"You sound pretty good," Erick complimented with a gentle smile.
"One day I'll compose a great symphony for lute and orchestra about our great deeds here."
"Could you play something for me?"
"Sorry, I don't do requests. I only know two chords. I'd let you have a go, but this lute is an extension of my soul. I don't like people poking at my soul."
Erick thought about going back to the sanctuary for a moment to grab his lute, but decided against it. It might freak people out if he just randomly vanished.
He continued wandering around the fort, talking to all of the men he met. There were some pretty interesting characters. There was Trevor, the mild and dedicated repairman. He was nice, but he sounded a little dim witted. And Apparently Trevor was just a nickname. Andy and Ernie, the guards at the gate. Ernie got new boots, but they looked exactly the same as anyone else's. He insisted that there were different on the inside, but Erick wasn't exactly eager to find out. He also met a blacksmith, who continued to make weapons. Not out of necessity, but just to keep himself calm. And some other guy that was mesmerized by the burn barrel. He forgot to ask his name. He seemed terrified of the fort. More so than anyone else. He told Erick that he was off his rocker for coming there willingly. Willingly in this case probably meaning not hightailing it back to the city.
Eventually he and Jake sat with three other men around a roaring fire as the sun was just starting to approach the horizon.
"Well, look at this! Fresh blood for the big fight. Name's Grove." the man at the back introduced himself as they sat down.
"They call me Tick," the second one said as he stirred the fire with his blade. "I'm like clockwork see? Nothing to do with the blood sucking insect, honest."
"Erick. It's nice to meet you. This is my friend Jake."
"Pleasure," Tick nodded.
"You look sort of familiar. Do we know each other?" The last man asked Jake.
"My father was in the military. People always tell me that I look just like him."
"That sounds about right. They call me Gould. Welcome aboard," he said. "You couldn't have joined us at a worse time."
"Why is that?" Erick asked as he picked up a ration pouch.
"Hey, you're new right?" Tick interrupted. "Bit of advice, don't eat the beans."
"Uh, okay…" Erick looked inside the leather bag, but it was hard to differentiate what type of food was inside or even if it was food. He smelled the contents, but that sure didn't help any. He never would have imagined that he would be forced to eat pig slop. Even so, he sucked up his pride and forced down a few bites.
"We've only been here for a few weeks. Okay, more than a few, but it feels like we've been here for years. I can't remember the last time I slept though the night," Gould said, taking a drink from a large brown beer bottle.
"Look! He's doing it again!" Tick continued. He jabbed a finger at the man sitting on the chair in back who just picked up a large book. "Hey, Grove! What's this one about?"
"Come on, tell us a story," Gould urged.
"Oh, you wouldn't like it," Grove insisted, not looking up from the book. "Violence, swearing, drunken orgies…"
"Yeah?" Tick scooted forward as if to read over his shoulder.
"Yeah, it has none of those. Some of the words are really long."
"Hey, I get by fine with short ones. In fact, I'm thinking of a few right now!"
"How can you read at a time like this? We could all be dead by morning!" Gould piped in.
"I promised Captain Finn I'd read a few chapters of the autobiography he's working on," Grove replied. "And I don't break promises. Dead or not."
"Bah, what a sycophant!" Tick accused.
"Syco-what? You ought to do more reading instead of making up words."
Erick was pretty sure that was a real word, but he decided not to say anything.
"You got any family?" Gould asked. "I just hope I get to see mine again."
"Uh, no. Not really," Erick admitted. He didn't think that Logan was worth mentioning.
"I do," Jake said, taking a small book out of his pocket and scooting closer to Gould. He untied the leather strip and showed him the picture inside. "Here's my mom and dad. In the back is our Granny Aggie. There's my older sister Jennifer. That's my little brother James. He was always a rebellious little tyke."
Jake moved the book so that Erick could look at it. They were all dressed in humble clothes. A little ragged, but not too dirty. His family was definitely lower class, but they were all smiling brightly.
"Your father looks really young," Erick observed. "Is this an old photo?"
"That was taken a week before he died."
"Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to…"
"It's fine," Jake interrupted. He had a small smile on his face, but his eyes looked sorrowful. "He lived a good life."
"So do you live in Browerstone?" Erick asked after a few moments, eager to change the subject.
"Used to. I don't really stay in one place for very long. I usually stay with my mother who lives just outside Brightwall. I'm going to Browerstone to visit my girlfriend, Sharon."
Jake let out a light hum as he lay back onto the hard packed earth. "I've never met a girl that could compare to her. She's beautiful, cheerful, loyal. You know; perfect. I just can't wait until I can see her again. I think I'm gonna ask her to marry me."
"Really? An adventurer getting married?" Erick chuckled.
"Ya. Sounds kinda funny doesn't it?" Jake gazed up at the stars, a gentle smile on his thin lips.
"Do you really think you could settle down and have a family? Just give up traveling?"
"I'd do anything for her. Anything."
I couldn't do anything for Elise. What does that make me? Worthless that's what.
Erick hunched over and hugged his knees, his heart clenching in agony.
I have to stop thinking about her. She's gone. There's nothing else I can do now. There's no point in thinking about it.
They sat in silence for a long while, just enjoying the heat of the flames.
"So what's the prince doing in the swamps of Mourningwood?" Tick asked nervously.
"I'm gathering soldiers. Walter told me that you lot were some of the greatest men in Albion."
"Gathering soldiers? For what?" Gould asked after a swig from his beer bottle. All eyes turned to him. Grove even paused in his reading.
"I'm leading a rebellion against my brother."
"Usually royalty doesn't care much about the rest of us." Grove took his feet off the chair and set down his book, leaning in closer. "What made you want to leave the castle and join us common folk?"
They all waited eagerly for his answer, Jake looked directly into his eyes. Erick sighed deeply, then began drawing in the dirt with a gloved finger. After a few moments he continued.
"One day, Logan executed a factory worker. I'm ashamed to say that I didn't care much. Even at the castle, you don't question the king. Walter tried to talk some sense into him, but he was beaten by Logan's Elite soldiers. My girlfriend Elise, she convinced me to stand up to Logan. I still wish that I had said no and left. I convinced him to spare the leaders of the mob, but at a terrible price. He executed Elise; my dearest friend since childhood. Never did I want the throne more then when I had to bow before it."
The fire crackled solemnly as the others lowered their heads. Jake was the first to speak. "I'm sorry. I guess I thought the life of a prince was easy."
Erick gave no acknowledgement. His life was easy compared to what these people had to go through. Until he left the castle he never had to go to bed hungry, or wear dirty clothes. He still wanted to go back. He craved his easy life when all he had to worry about was not embarrassing his brother. Still, he couldn't go back now. Not after he saw what it was like down here.
"Well, whatever happens you can rest assured that I'll follow you to the ends of the earth." Jake directed his fist towards him and after a few moments he rapped his knuckles against Jake's.
"Fine."
"Fine."
They both smiled at the familiar banter.
"It'll be dark soon. You better get ready," Grove said absently. "Major Swift's a good man, but we'll be lucky to make it out alive."
"If we do then I'm buying a farm. Well, a vegetable plot at least," Tick stated. "You spoken to the captain there? I could have been captain you know? I know how to read too."
"We probably should be heading up to him now," Jake said.
"Yeah. I'll meet you up there. I'm going to go talk to Walter right quick."
"Don't be long."
Erick walked over to talk to Walter, but he was still talking to Major Swift and he didn't want to interrupt.
"Seen old Daisy lately?" Walter asked.
"Daisy Dobbins? Ho ho, fine woman. Oh women. Fine creature indeed."
"You've seen her then?"
"Well, I'm not one to kiss and tell," Swift said nervously, tugging at his collar. "Ungentlemanly behavior if you ask me."
"So you haven't seen her then?"
"Uh, no."
"Mustache is looking good," Walter said to Swift just as Erick was about to speak.
"Ah yes, thank you. Heh heh, always had a tradition of darn fine mustaches the Swifts. Still, not a patch on old grandpa Swift's lip bristles. Now there was a fine thicket." Swift noticed Erick and glanced over at him.
"No time to hang around listening to old men. There's work to be done. Ben Finn is waiting for you," Walter told him.
"I know. I just wanted to talk to you for a minute," Erick said, nervously scratching his dirty hair.
Swift nodded and left them alone. Erick breathed deeply before speaking. "I'm sorry to bug you, I just really needed to talk."
"It's not a problem. Here, have a seat." Walter patted the table beside him.
Erick slowly walked over and sat next to him, his head lowered. "I–I was just wondering… Well, I was thinking… What if, I don't become king."
"What do you mean by that? Of course you will be king."
"That's not what I meant Walter. Why can't someone else take the throne?"
"What?"
"Why don't you be the new king?" Erick asked in sudden excitement. "After we take down Logan, then you can take the throne. You're more experienced and you've been Logan's advisor. You know what Albion needs."
"Erick listen to me," Walter said harshly, grabbing his shoulders. "You are destined to be king. You are the one that needs to stop Logan and take the throne. You're a Hero."
"I may have the bloodline, but I'm not a hero, in any sense of the word. I'm just not ready for this!"
"You will be. Trust me. You will be." Walter pulled him close, and held him tightly in his arms. He ran his hand through his wavy hair, dried mud falling between his fingers.
Erick closed his eyes and laid his head against Walter's chest, immersing himself the rises and the falls and the deep rumble as he spoke.
"I promised your father that I would watch over you and that's just what I intend to do. You will be a great king. I know it. I will be right behind you every step of the way. If you stumble, I will be there to carry you. You don't have to worry about being alone. Just keep going and remember that I'm always there. You can do this. I believe in you."
Erick slowly pulled away and blinked away the beginnings of tears. "I think I'm ready now."
Walter's warm brown eyes lit up with pride. "Make me proud boy."
A feeling a peace washed over him. He felt invincible. Unbreakable. Deep inside he knew that everything would be alright.
"I will. I promise."
Aw, feels.
Well, I hopped you enjoyed it! I was planing on making this chapter longer, but figured that I should end it here so it didn't go on too long. I haven't really been in the mood to write, but I'm starting to get back into it. So hopefully the next chapter will be up soon. The story is starting to pick up now, and soon I will be concluding a few conflicts that arose earlier. There will be a few more original situations coming up fairly quickly, so look forward to that!
Also, if you want some behind the scenes material, you can follow my Google+ page where you can see my progress. On books and art. Just search Google+ for WildFire.
Thank you all for reading! I hope to hear from you all soon!
