The von Spitzweg carriage lazily moved down the road away from the capital city. The mood inside the carriage was an open bottle of nitro-glycerine about to be toppled over. One wrong move, one little bump, the tiniest sway of the carriage could topple it and ignite the tension inside the carriage. Gunter sat in front of Stofel, and they both glared at each other. Sara not wanting to be involved sat quietly in a corner on his father's side. He tried to remain hidden in the carriage's shadows.
Stofel did not know what exactly had gotten into Gunter. Gunter had never defied him. He had never threatened him with his sword nor talked back to him in anger. Stofel knew that after so many years he was finally losing his hold on Gunter. Gunter was beginning to question him, and he did not like that one single bit. Maybe he had spoiled Gunter. He had let Gunter go on long journeys around the world. Maybe he should have held him back. Maybe if he had held him back, Gunter might have rebelled against him sooner. Stofel did not know what the answer was. All he knew was that Gunter was rebelling. He needed to take quick action before Cinderfell followed in Gunter's footsteps. Gunter could very well ruin his careful planning. All the elements were in place. He had not thought Gunter would turn on him, and now he had to diffuse the situation and fast.
Gunter sat in the carriage. He recalled all the conversations he had had with the people that had attended the ball. He had heard about the Maou's compassion and opinions. He heard how the Maou had begun to change his people's views. He saw how the people respected one other either be demon, human, or half human half demon. He saw that the people around treated each other courtesy. The Maou had a great benevolent heart and believed that everyone was equal. During the ball, he had noticed how the Maou had talked to everyone in a friendly manner, and the only thing he had required from everyone was they talk to him as an equal. There was no pomp and circumstance with the Maou.
Gunter at the end of the ball had fallen in love with the Maou's idealism, and also with the Maou. (He was so adorable.) Gunter had decided to fallow the Maou's example. He would no longer let injustice be done. He would start with Cinderfell, which he always believed had been mistreated. He was going to end it, and he was ending Cinderfell's mistreatment as of that day. He felt guilty that he had never done anything before. He should have done something a long time ago. It was never too late to right a wrong.
Gunter looked out the carriage. They were far beyond the city walls. He tapped the roof of the carriage to stop. The carriage did not stop. He stuck his head out the window and yelled, "STOP THIS CARRIAGE NOW!"
"I GIVE THE ORDERS HERE!" barked Stofel.
"THEN STOP IT NOW!" Gunter yelled back at him.
Stofel gritted his teeth. "STOP THE CARRIAGE!"
The driver did as he was told and the carriage stopped. Gunter jumped out. He pointed to the soldiers riding on horse back behind the carriage. "You two bring down the trunk that has Cinderfell in it!" The soldiers did not obey. They only obeyed Stofel. Gunter, knowing that he was not going to be obeyed, looked back inside the carriage at Stofel. He shot a death glare a Stofel. Not moving from his comfortable seat in the carriage Stofel yelled out, "Do as he says!"
The soldiers climbed the carriage and untied the trunk. They brought it down and placed on the ground next to Gunter. Gunter knelt to open the trunk.
Inside the carriage Stofel thought about leaving Gunter and trunk on the side of the road, but he thought it over. It would only bring more complications. Gunter was strong enough to take Cinderfell back to the city. Questions would be asked, and he did not want that. He waited inside for Gunter.
Gunter opened the trunk. The first thing he felt was the heat coming out of it. The trunk had been basking in the sun on top of the carriage. He looked inside and what he saw made his stomach churn and bring tears to his lavender eyes.
Cinderfell was lying on his left side, unconscious, and covered by his cloak. Gunter gently pulled the cloak away. There was a deep fresh cut to his the right side of his forehead. Where is head laid was a small pool of dry blood, but the blood did not come from his forehead. Instead it came from the back of his head. His hair in that area was matted and caked with blood.
Gunter could not ascertain whether he was alive or dead. He reached in and touched Cinderfell gently on the right hand. The hand felt hot. He then touched Cinderfell's forehead, and it too felt hot. He noticed that Cinderfell was breathing was light.
Gunter had learned to do a little bit of healing magic. He placed his hand over the back of Cinderfell's head and a soft warm yellow glow went from his hand to the head. He did this for a few minutes and then he slightly healed the cut on to the forehead. He could do no further since he was not well versed in the art of healing. Gunter placed his arms under Cinderfell and raised him out of the trunk. He had not thought that Cinderfell could be heavy. He was. Although Cinderfell was not too tall and was thin, he weighed quite a bit because he was all well toned muscle. There was no fat on Cinderfell. Gunter cradled him in his arms while he sat on the ground. "Get me some water," he said to one of the soldiers.
The soldier brought a flask of water over to Gunter. Gunter took it with one hand while still cradling Cinderfell. With his teeth Gunter pulled the stopper out. He brought the flask up to Cinderfell's mouth and tried to have Cinderfell drink some water. Cinderfell did not respond. Gunter tried a few more times while whispering in Cinderfell's ear, "Drink some water Cinderfell," and "I'm here and I promise that I won't let anything else happen to you." Still Cinderfell did not respond. He needed to get Cinderfell into the shade and wake him up. The longer Cinderfell stayed unconscious the worse his condition would be.
Gunter lifted Cinderfell in his arms and stood up. He was about to place Cinderfell inside the carriage when Stofel stopped him. "You are not bringing him in here! I have allowed you to take him out of the trunk, but that is it. He is not going to pollute the inside of my carriage with his filth!"
Gunter looked at his father and said, "I don't know who you are anymore. The truth is I've never known who you really are! How can you be so cruel?!"
"He's a thief! He should be hanged! I'm showing him mercy by not hanging him myself!"
"He's no thief! And you call this mercy?"
"Yes!" spat Stofel. Gunter moved forward towards the carriage entrance. "I said that he is not entering! You have two options: place him in the trunk again or ride with him on that old white horse!"
Gunter did not think twice and said to the soldiers, "Remove the satchels from Willow. I'll ride Willow with Cinderfell."
The soldiers did as Gunter ordered. Once the satchels and trunk were placed on top of the carriage, the carriage began to move along the road again. Gunter wearing a long white cloak rode Willow with Cinderfell tightly wrapped in his arms. He covered Cinderfell with cloak to protect him from the elements. It was to be a long journey home.
They stayed at inns along the road overnight. Gunter took Cinderfell to his room and took care of him there. If anyone questioned why Cinderfell was hurt, the answer given was that he had fallen off his horse - nothing more and nothing less.
On the second night Cinderfell regain consciousness. He opened his eyes slowly. Everything was dark and blurry as he looked around. He tried to focus on the first thing he saw. It was Gunter smiling at him gently. "Gunter?" he whispered.
"Hello Cinderfell," said Gunter. He brushed Cinderfell's bangs away from his forehead. "How do you feel?"
"Thirsty."
Gunter quickly picked up a glass of water off the nightstand. He placed one hand on the back Cinderfell's head and helped him raise his head to the glass. Cinderfell drank the water. Once he finished Gunter lowered him back onto the pillow. In a whisper Cinderfell asked, "Where am I?"
"We're at an inn in Vagen. I rented a room for the both of us," said Gunter. Cinderfell looked at Gunter quizzically. "You have been unconscious for two days." Cinderfell said nothing, and he closed his eyes. "Sleep Cinderfell, tomorrow we will be home and I promise you that no harm will ever come to you again," said Gunter as he arranged the covers over Cinderfell. Gunter slowly fell asleep himself sitting on a chair next to Cinderfell's bed.
The next morning Gunter was awakened by a thump at his feet. Gunter looked down to his feet and saw Cinderfell on all fours. "Cinderfell what are you doing?" he said as he bent down next to him. Cinderfell looked at him and said, "I have to get up. I don't want them to punish me for not attending to my duties."
Gunter placed his arms under Cinderfell's shoulders and lifted him up to the bed. As he did this he said, "Dragon pox, like I would allow you to return to any duties or allow them to make you work."
"Why?" asked Cinderfell.
"Why what?"
"Why are you helping me?"
Gunter smiled. It was a gentle smile full of compassion. "You could say I have woken up and smelled the lemon tea." He sat Cinderfell on the bed.
"Uh?"
Gunter now sitting next to Cinderfell on the bed explained, "These past few days I have been taught many lessons, learned and seen many things. I have discovered that I can't go around with my nose in books, acting like a spoiled child, and being aloof to everything around me." Gunter patted Cinderfell's hand. "So my first order of business is to have you well enough to walk around and then you and I, if you want to of course, will go on a journey of discovery. Or, if you wish I will try to find you some other employment."
Cinderfell's vision was still blurry. He tried to look at Gunter in the face but it was fuzzy. He could not belief what he had just heard. "You want me to go on a journey with you?"
"Yes, as my assistant. You will keep notes of our discoveries and adventures. Two men together on the path to find the meaning of life," Gunter said this sparkles in his eyes, clasping his hands, and swaying side to side. He added after Cinderfell was about to laugh, "Anyhow it is always much more fun to travel with someone instead of alone. So do you want to come?"
"I…" Cinderfell felt dizzy and fell back onto the bed.
"Think about later. We'll talk some more once we are back at the castle," said Gunter. Gunter raised Cinderfell's legs back onto the bed and let him rest.
Gunter packed up their things, dressed Cinderfell, and brought them down to the stables where Willow was waiting. With the help of the stable hand Cinderfell was place in front of Gunter. Cinderfell looked up to the taller man once he was in his arms and smiled kindly. He felt safe in Gunter's arms. Once he was better he would find away to repay Gunter's kindness. With that thought Cinderfell nodded off again.
Gunter rode out of the stable and followed the carriage from a distance. He had not spoken or even looked at Stofel and Sara since he had rescued Cinderfell from the trunk.
They arrived at the Spitzweg castle by early evening. Gunter had several of the male hired help bring a single size bed to his study, which adjoined his room. He placed Cinderfell on the bed and let him rest. Cinderfell spent the next seven days in that room convalescing. Gunter did not allow anyone to come near Cinderfell.
During his recovery Cinderfell and Gunter spent most of their time together. They talked about going on journeys of exploration together, but Cinderfell did not give Gunter an answer of whether he was going with him or not. Cinderfell had to think it over. If he went with Gunter, when would they return to Shin Makoku? Would he ever have the chance to see the King again? If he took up Gunter's offer to find him another employment, where would that be? He had to think it over quite a bit, but thinking made his headache.
On the sixth day Cinderfell answered Gunter. "Gunter, I have been thinking. I will like to go with you on your travels," he said. Cinderfell had come to this decision by weighing several factors. First one was that if he took up employment in another household, how would he be treated? Second on was, that if he went with Gunter he would be able to see the world. Have adventures and meet new people. And the third factor was Yuuri. Even though His Majesty had seemed interested in him, and yes they had kissed, how long would Yuuri remember him? Was the King even still interested in him? Also, he was just a servant or hired help as Gunter said now. He was probably just a passing fling for the King. The King would eventually marry a noble woman and forget about him. It was best to forget Yuuri now that he had the opportunity to leave. The second factor was the best option.
Gunter smiled broadly at Cinderfell. He could not be happier. After the past few days of getting to know Cinderfell, he found Cinderfell to be bright, intelligent, and witty. He still found him to be a complete brat but that only added to his charm.
It was agreed that in two days they where leaving Spitzweg castle for a very long journey to some far off country. There was just on more concern for Cinderfell, where was his sword? He asked Gunter and Gunter produced it for him. Gunter had hidden it under Cinderfell's bed knowing that Cinderfell had grown attached to the sword. Cinderfell thanked Gunter for keeping it for him. Once they were faraway from Spitzweg castle Cinderfell was going to show and tell Gunter the whole story behind the sword.
They day arrived for them to depart. At first Stofel was furious with Gunter for siding with Cinderfell, but when Gunter informed him that he was going to take Cinderfell with him on a long journey Stofel felt relieved. He could not have planned it better. The two brats would be gone. He had also been relieved that Cinderfell had returned to full health. He knew he had made a mistake in placing Cinderfell in the trunk although he would not admit it. If the boy had died, Gunter would have definitely reported him to the authorities. He would have had a lot of explaining to do and caused a scandal; a scandal that would have surely reached the Maou's ears, and possibly cause a riff between the Maou and Sara.
Sara had done as instructed by Stofel. Sara had written two letters so far to the Maou. In the first letter, Sara had said how much he had been taken in by Yuuri, and that he hoped that their friendship would continue for many years to come. The second letter said that he missed Yuuri's passionate conversation, and Sara also invited His Majesty to Spitzweg Castle.
Stofel watched the preparations for Gunter and Cinderfell's to departure from his study window. The study faced the back gardens leading to the stables in the back of the castle. From this window he had no view of the castle's main gates. Sara was off to the side next to the fireplace reading a book.
"They will soon be gone Sara," said Stofel.
"Are you sure it's all right for those two to leave together?"
"Yes. The sooner they leave the better." Stofel turned and looked at Sara. "Don't worry the prophecy said that you were to become the King's husband."
"I hope you're right - Father!"
There was loud knocking on the door that startled both men. Stofel barked, "Come in!"
I single soldier opened the door and come in the study. He was slightly panting from running to the study. "I'm sorry to disturb you Your Excellencies," the guard said and added, "His Majesty the Maou is at the castle gates requesting permission to enter and see you."
Hi everyone. I have had problems up-loading. Has anyone else?
Next chapter is already written and will be up tomorrow. Then only one more chapter and probably an epilogue. After that I'll go back to the Dairy. Ummm. I wonder what everyone's reaction will be when they meet Dr. Angel Ferrer Hidalgo.