Deciding to give Goliath a rest from carrying the both of us we dropped down from the steed. I took hold of the reins and gently guided him behind us as walked down the road, he didn't seem to mind the gentler pace we were travelling at

Squirrel was running side to side along the road looking for any herbs or flowers, he picked a couple of flowers and brought them to me, taking the flowers I sniffed them and shrugged my shoulders at him

'What am I supposed to do with these?'

'You use them you idiot'

'I still don't understand what I'm supposed to do with them'

'I think you make a paste with it and then apply it to your body, it will help with the wounds and clean them out in a couple of hours' he informed me. 'Or is it you make tea with it I can't remember'

'Well which is it Percival' I groaned annoyingly

'I don't know do I, I'm just a kid' the boy replied. 'I got healed like this when I got hurt a few months back by...'

'Don't tell me, Was it Nimue again?' I interrupted

'No actually it was Pym and she was the one who treated my wounds. She learnt what to do from Nimue' he replied, sticking out his tongue at me

'And did it work? You are no longer in any pain in your body'

'Well I'm still alive aint I'

'Barely my child. '

'Oh thanks and here I was trying to save your ungrateful life'

'If I die from this concoction I will come back to haunt you, mark my words Percival'

'Stop worrying Lancelot and just trust me for once. Have I ever let you down'

'We haven't known each other long enough to trust one another when it comes to medicines or witchcraft'

'It won't hurt you big baby I'll make the paste for you if you like'

'Only if you are sure you know what you are doing'

The boy nodded his head and started collecting some more flowers and herbs from the side of the road. I lead Percival and Goliath away from the side of the main road and into the deep woodlands to try his remedy for myself

Discarding the cloak from my body and removing my tunic I sat down on a log naked from the waist up. Percival took a small bowl from my satchel and started making the paste with the flowers, the smell was intoxicating but divine, maybe the boy was right about the healing power of this mixture

Percival returned with the paste and slowly applied the mixture to my skin, the powers taking effect immediately as I could feel the wounds from the Trinity Guards closing. The little boy gasped loudly as I noticed he had reached my back and saw the scars with his own eyes

'Do they scare you Percival?'

'No they don't' he replied. 'It's just harrowing to look at'

'I can cover those up if it's too much to look at while you apply the ointment'

'No it's fine it just serves as a reminder what will happen when you're captured by the paladins'

'You don't have to worry about them, you'll soon be back with Nimue before you know it'

'And you can finally meet the Fey Queen, I'm sure she'll pardon you for what you have to done to the fey'

'Then she has a too kind of a heart if she can forgive so easily'

'You're not going to just disappear on me when we finally meet the others again are you?'

'I haven't decided what I'm going to do yet'

'But you said you'd stay with me when we finally found the other fey folk'

'I promised I would protect you from harm not the other vile creatures'

'The word is fey Lancelot'

'It doesn't make a difference what I call them, they will still call me the weeping murderer'

'No one calls you that amongst the fey, they call you a fey bastard for sure' he smirked. ;And that's another thing that is bugging me, I've never heard you say the word fey out loud. Why is that?

'To remind myself that I am one'

'But Father Carden knows you are one and he would keep those paladin scum in order if they wanted to kill you for being a fey'

'The fey are drawn to each other no matter where they are in the world. I tried to stay away so I wouldn't put anymore in danger than I already did'

'You could be our greatest weapon yet in this endless war'

'I choose not to fight anymore anymore I don't want any part of it'

'But the fey needs all the help and alliances we can get, We lost our best fighter in Gawain and Nimue can't fight them all on her own'

'She has man blood with her she isn't going to be alone'

'Feys stick together no matter what'

'But I've hardly lived my life like one. I've missed so many celebrations and festivals'

'You can still have them when we reach the rest of the fey that have survived, I can show you what you have been missing out on your whole life' he reasoned. 'Don't tell me you feel more like them than you do fey?'

Sighing deeply and thinking about a time where I one considered myself neither a fey or man blood by the fake life I was living, I just wanted to run to the end of time and finally meet eternity so I wouldn't have to go on…..

Checking my body over from the latest whiplashing from Father Carden, the old bruises had not started to heal with the new ones covering on top of them. Each time I looked at myself in the mirror I looked more hideous from before

The flaps to the tent twitched and in stepped Father Carden alone, he was in a joyous mood for once this morning about the previous night's work

'Some fine work you did last night Lancelot finding that hideout in the valley and those maps I found will come in handy'

'Yes father'

He came up behind me and looked over the scars he had inflicted days ago, Carden traced the dark bruises on my back with his large fingers as I shuddered from his touch

'You know I only did this to you because I love you my child'

'I know father you have told me hundreds of time'

'The devil has entwined himself into you and theses beating will only set the devil free'

'Am I damned to be cursed for all of my life'

'Your fellow brothers and I will cleanse you and then you shall finally be reborn, You still have a long way to go before you have seeked salvation Lancelot'

'And I will finally be accepted by the lord as one of his children'

'The lord loves all his children but you must prove you are worthy of his love'

'How do I do that father? I've hunted out those vile creatures from their homes in the woods and mountains, I've killed men and women before their own offsprings very eyes'

'There is still always more to be done, the lord's garden also needs to be tamed' he replied

'Father I hear from the brothers that there will be a gathering to celebrate the years' hard work'

'Yes my son there will be but you must prove yourself again that you can be loyal to our cause. Or I might have to let slip our little secret'

'What do I have to do father? I've done everything you have asked of me'

'I watched you kill theses devils without an ounce of care in you, I want to see you actually give a damn about this cause and bring me back the head of an elder'

'And then will I finally be accepted as a brother'

'Of course my son'

Picking up my tunic from the chair I put on the garment and stepped out of the tent. I could see brothers in a jolly mood as well and were getting ready for the night ahead, this would be a solo scout mission to prove I was more than capable on my own

I found my noble steed grazing with the other horses, petting the boy and saddling him up for today's ride out into the mountains….

Trotting slowly up the hilly incline I brought Goliath to halt and tied him up to a tree. Digging into my satchel I gave the good boy a chopped up apple to feed on whilst I would be away, deciding to hunt on foot in the swamps and grasslands first I lost track of how deep I actually got

Wandering in endless circles and not really tracking anything useful I came across a figure in the distance, the male was old and scaly in nature all over his body. He had come out from his rock formed home in the mountain and was tending to his plants

I quickly hid behind a tree for cover just in case he noticed me out in the open grasslands, the elder snake man picked up some herbs and flowers from his garden totally unaware.

Pulling out an arrow from my quiver and lining up my shot, going for the instant kill to the heart. The snake fey turned towards my direction and was unnerved by my presence

'Come out from there my brother, there is no need to be afraid of me' he proclaimed

Stay close up and pressed against to the tree, I dared not peak my head around the corner just in case he had managed to see me

'I know you are there ash man, I won't harm you'

Something inside of me was willing to lower my guard and trust the snake man, I was curious to know more about his fey kind and how he knew I was from the ash clan

I jumped back in fear when he caught me off guard and came right up alongside me. He reached out and patted the back of my hand and shoulder before flinching back at my startled nature

'I'm sorry to scare you my son and it looks like I had given myself a fright as well. Can I help you with anything?'

'How did you move so quietly without being heard' I questioned, not really thinking of my persona of The Weeping Monk

'You haven't come across many fey like myself have you in your short life'

'I've met a few different ones but none that looks exactly like you'

'Of all of the fey we are rarely seen by the others because where we live. But you are a mystery yourself ash man'

'I don't understand what you mean'

'Please come inside and I'll explain'

Putting the arrow back inside the quiver I followed the snake man out of the grasslands and into the open hole through the rocky wall. The inside space was larger than I thought it would be, he put a few extra pieces of logs on the fire and ushered me to take a seat in his home

'Where have you been hiding all along? No one has seen or heard anything from the ash folk in years'

'I've been on the run for years when the paladins raided my village in the mountains. Finding shelter for this long out in the open world has been challenging'

'You can stay here with us as long as you like my son'

'Where are the others? I haven't seen anyone around except yourself'

'I live alone here in the mountain but the whole snake clan are never too far away in the other hillsides'

'Doesn't it get lonely being all on your own'

'When you reach my age you like the sound of peace and quiet but it never stays that way for too long, there's always some crisis to resolve'

'It must be nice to know that you are needed amongst the fey'

'And you will be as well my dear boy'

'How so?'

'There must be more ash folk out in the wilderness seeking refuge, there's a war brewing between the fey and the church. it will only end in much unneeded blood shed'

'I'm the only one who managed to escape when the paladins came to my home, everyone perished even my family lost their lives to them'

The snake fey stood up from his chair and walked over to me, he placed hand under my chin and lifted my gaze up. He looked upon my ash markings that fell under my eyelids and gently stroked them with his thumb

'I haven't even asked you what your name was. I'm Donelle and you are'

'Lancelot'

'Surely not as I have come across that name before. I know a little lad from the north with that name and his father was one of my closest friends'

'King Ban of the ash folk'

'Are you his little boy?' he hoped happily

I nodded my head and immediately felt a pair of arms wrap around me tightly. Feeling the weight of emotion I placed my arms around him, Donelle pulled his head away and had tears rolling down from his eyes

'I didn't know I was in the company of royalty'

'Well I surely don't feel like royalty at all Donelle'

'The ash folk have always been so humble this is why you are worthy leaders amongst the fey'

'Please Donelle tell me more about what you know of the ash clan. I don't really know anything of any significant'

'Amongst all the fey the ash folk have the clearest connect to the hidden, you can speak to them and they will guide you but only if you're the summoner'

'I know for a fact I'm not the summoner because I was too young to be consider for the role'

'But you're only the asher alive Lancelot and you have come to an age of more understanding of this world'

'Even if I somehow managed to contact the hidden I may not hearing anything from them, my mom did tell me a little bit about our gods'

'I can summons them to come here but it's their choice if they decided to choose you to wield their powers'

'I am willing to try Donelle'

The snake fey grabbed some herbs and plants and mixed them together in a cauldron, he put the pot on top of the fire to let it bubble. Donelle was speaking in ancient fey tongue to The Hidden and threw in some seeds into the cauldron

All the light in the room went dark and little orbs of white and orange circles around me, the orbs twirled around my body before disappearing into the air. I felt no difference and nothing was calling out to me at all that I could hear

'Nothing has happened Donelle'

'If you want to speak to The Hidden then you have to make a connection with them and if you are lucky enough to be a summoner they will talk back to you'

Clearing my mind and grabbing the sword from the my hilt, I touched the tip of the sword into the ground and made an intention to The Hidden through my mind

'If you are there please talk to me'

'We are here Lancelot' Came a quiet whisper

'Tell me what to do because I am so lost'

'Protect the fey and they'll protect you'

Jumping back from the trance I was shocked that they had actually spoken to me, most fey only dreamt of being able to speak to our gods. Donelle smiled happily and got himself another drink

'I take it you heard the whispers of The Hidden'

'I didn't think it would be so clear to hear. What else can a summoner do with The Hidden'

'You can ask for help whenever you need it Lancelot and they will assist you'

'Will you teach me more how to use their powers'

'All in good time my boy but we must first celebrate your arrival home'

'I don't want anyone to know of my arrival just yet'

'Ok my boy I'll let you have your peace for the night but first thing tomorrow we let the rest of my village know of your arrival' He smiled happily. 'Make yourself at home Lancelot, I'll go and get us some dinner'

Settling down on his sofa in the living room and stretching out my tired body, Donelle placed a blanket over me so I could sleep as he hunted for my favourite meat of rabbit. Maybe I could finally get to live my fey life like I should amongst my people….

After a few hours' nap I woke up and decided to explore around the mountain side and see if I could find Donelle. Stepping out of the rocky home I could hear the sounds of wood burning, women and children screaming before falling on deaf ears. This could mean only one thing

Hurrying out into the forest thick black smoke filled my nostrils and the pungent scent of death sent a cold shiver down my spine. Weaving past dead bodies I found a injured Donelle leaning himself up against a tree, I quickly came to his aid and saw that he was in a bad way, Donelle was wounded deeply and had long slit marks over his body

'Donelle are you alright'

'They've found us Lancelot'

'Who has?'

'Paladins' he gasped breathlessly. 'They've surrounded the mountain tops, you should go right now if you want to live. I can hold them back'

'I'm not going to leave without you Donelle I'll carry you even if I have too'

'I would rather die than suffer at the hands of those paladins'

'But you got some much to live for'

'So have you my dear boy'

A paladin emerged from the bushes with his sword drawn, reaching down I picked up Donelle's sword and blocked the paladin's attack. Keeping the brother in red back and away from us I managed to cut him in his arms but not disarm him, Donelle picked up his bow and arrow and let fire at the paladin which pierced his chest

Lifting up my sword I struck against his throat quickly, blood squirted out of his body as the brother hit the floor dead. Picking up Donelle and putting his arm across my shoulders I took his weight

'I can't go on Lancelot' he moaned

'But you must try at least'

Feeling unbalanced trying to hold him up, a whistle shot through the tree line unseen, it was so fast and quick I didn't know what it was. Donelle was shot in the chest with an arrow near to the heart, blood was spilling out of his mouth as he choked on it

'I'm not going to make it, please put me out of my misery'

'Your asking too much from me I shouldn't be the one'

'I am so close to the twilight my friend but I can't seem to pass through'

Looking down at Donelle I couldn't bear to prolong his suffering anymore, I reached for my pocket knife and pressed it against his throat. Before I slid the small blade I comforted him and whispered softly the greeting amongst fey folk.

Donelle closed his eyes as I watched the blood spill from his neck, tears clouded my eyes as I held my friend's lifeless body. Hearing approaching footsteps I welcomed him if it lead to my death so I didn't have to continue on with my life

'Thought about fighting for your own kind after all Lancelot' Carden proclaimed

'I was taking my time with the kill, I needed to befriend him first'

'More like finding out about your heritage and where you devils come from. You were going to abandon your brothers and me by killing us all'

'I wasn't Father I swear'

'My freedom has allowed too many wild thoughts to fester in your mind' He sighed deeply. 'I will have rectify them immediately'

I thought Carden would make me sit back in our tent rehearsing the bible for the next few days to cleanse my soul but I was so wrong. Father Carden removed his belt from his waist and wrapped a loop around his fist, letting the length of the belt strike across my back. I didn't protest the beating as he would only lash harder at my resistance…

Squirrel wrapped some bandages around where he had applied the ointment, he picked up my cloak and draped it over my shoulders. I reached into one of my pockets I gave the small boy two gold coins for his treatment

'Don't move your back or the ointment will fall off' he whined loudly

'I'll try not to my boy' I exclaimed. 'Do you have any idea where the rest of the fey were going, anything at all you might of heard'

'I did hear Nimue mention something about boats in a council meeting with the elders'

'Then they are heading to the shore, we must hurry after them before they are all gone to god knows where'

'Well what are we waiting for then? Come on let's go' he replied happily. 'You can finally meet your fey brothers and sisters since you acknowledge you are one'

Truth be told there were still days where I still felt sided to the humans but this little child was bringing the fey side out of me more with each passing day. I was slowly turning over a new leaf in my mind

Hurrying back to Goliath I helped the boy up onto the horse before Percival reached down and returned the favour and gave me a hand up, clicking my tongue a couple of times and taking the reins we set off down the muddy path as fast as Goliath could carry us…..