We had been riding for a couple of hours and the children in the carriage were tired from mine and Xeanhawk stories. They wanted to go outside and play but it wasn't safe yet to do so, Paladins patrolled these woods on an hourly basis. There was nothing for it other than just wait it out till the coast was clear

Ever more curious on how Xeanhawk, Naassaur And Klasood were captured, they all must have left their safe hiding places in Britain to go somewhere safer. From what food we had gathered before we left the town it was shared inside the carriage

After stopping for an hour to have some lunch, Xeanhawk took to the sky to scout the roads from high above for any threats lurking out there. She returned moments later to the ground and came to my side, opening the door to the carriage to let the children out

'Before you ask Lancelot all roads ahead are clear, it's safe for everyone to come out'

'A little fresh air might do all of us some good' I replied

The children came rushing out of the vehicle and took to the open road to play with each other, My shouts of not to run too far ahead and stay within view fell onto deaf ears as their laughter filled the air

'You'll be pleased to know what I saw in the tree lines from high above' she proclaimed

'Please do tell I hate guessing games Xeanhawk'

'There was ancient fey markings in the trees, directing any lost souls which way to go next in the woods'

'What else did they say' Naassaur interjected, stepping out of the carriage

'Boats will still arrive every weekend to collect any surviving fey left behind. Born in the dawn, to pass in the twilight'

'Did the message say who it was from Xeanhawk?' Klasoos asked

'From the Fey Queen Klasood. They are a few messages scattered amongst the trees from her with all the same message'

'I knew Nimue would manage to arrange the boats to save the fey. I told you she would didn't I Lance' Percival proclaimed happily

'Yes you did, my boy' I exclaimed. 'Go and play with the others, I've got some personal matter to discuss with the elders'

'Like what? All you need to know is that you get to meet all your fey brothers and sisters soon and you'll have the privilege to train them all up'

'I can't wait for that day to come Percival' I replied sarcastically

'And just think I can train up all the fey children in defensive training against those Paladins and Trinity scum'

'You will have to deal with the troops of Uther and the Ice King as well young Percival' Naassaur stated

'Piece of cake Nassaur, speaking of which is there any cake left?' he smiled cheekily

'Too much sugar will ruin your teeth' Xeanhawk squawked

'And the fey can't have a fat knight to defend them can they' I proclaimed. 'Now go and play with the others'

'That boy is gonna be the death of you one day Lancelot' Xeanhawk giggled

'I need to get him back to whoever is his guardian and then I can move on with my life'

'You're his guardian you can't just abandon him' Klasood reminded

'There are more responsible fey than I am. Heck I don't even know where I'm leading us too'

'Don't be so hard on yourself, you are doing the best of our dire situation' he soothed

'I was the paladin's best weapon and always made the right judgement call, now I don't know what I'm doing'

'Well we're no better than you Lance, you didn't get caught trying to leave our hiding spots to get to the coast' Naassaur stated

'You never did say how you got the message to meet the rest of the fey on beggars coast' I wondered

'They are fey signs in the woods and rocks, someone must have been placing them in anticipation someone would see then' Xeanhawk answered

'But they had only been placed in the woods for a couple of days, you have been travelling for weeks before the paladins captured you all'

'Well Klasood and I couldn't keep hiding our families in the mountains forever, the paladins were eventually going to go searching up there in the mountain trails' Nassaur informed me

'Yet you know Xeanhawk so well, most feys don't mix with one another and stay with their own kind'

'I had a lot of spare time to get to know my fellow inmates when the paladins captured me. We've all been living together inside that small cell for about a month' he smiled

'With all that time sharing stories and our experiences we became one big family ourselves' Xeanhawk explained. 'And you and little percival are now apart of our little family too'

'Something you have never really experienced under the hands of Father Carden' Klasood proclaimed

'It maybe hard for you to believe but I did experience some warmth from his care, he somewhat treated me as his son'

'Think what you want to be believe Lancelot, you were groomed under him to kill your brothers and sisters' Naassaur argued

'Groomed is such a strong word but more like missguided in my adolescent youth' I cried. Carden treatment of me was a bit unorthodox at times but he was doing what he thought was best for me

'You are free from your master but yet you still cling onto their weapons and clothes'

'These weapons are for all our protection to what we might come across'

'Tell me Lancelot, what do you plan on doing after we reach Beggar's coast?' Naassaur huffed

'I haven't thought that far ahead yet but I will have a clear idea when you all safely aboard the ships'

'Well the Fey will feel much safer with you still with us but that is only a decision you can make' Xeanhawk sympathised

'That is all well and good but I want to make a new name for myself, I can't keep going around Britain known as The Weeping Monk'

'Ditch the ropes and the church's weapons and I'm sure we'll find something more fitting for an Ash prince' she persuaded

'Those objects will continue to twist your mind into thinking what's best for you than for everyone else' Naassaur interjected

'Thanks for the advice'

'We only care for your best interest Lancelot' she stated

'I know that Xeanhawk but this is something I need more time to think about on my own'

'Whatever you choose to do Ash Prince, you have to let that boy know what your plans are. He won't leave without you'

'I will talk to the boy later' I assured them

'Mind that you do because the little boy will need a pair of shoulders to cry on when your gone' she smiled weakly

Naassaur and Klasood called all of the children back to the carriage and placed them inside with them, The two fauns stepped down from the footplate and Xeanhawk motioned the pair inside to take a break. I lifted Percival up and took the empty space next to him, the young sky folk boy placed the reins into my hands and with a gentle flick of my wrist the horses started moving again

'Hey Lance, can I ask you something'

'Sure what's on your mind Percival'

'I heard everything you guys were talking about you and quite possibly me'

'Why were you eavesdropping on us? I thought you were playing with the other children'

'I was and then I thought it would be fun if you joined us as well but you were talking about some serious shit'

'Language Percival' I scolded

'Well you need to explain yourself to me, I thought we would be sticking together after we reached Beggar's Coast and you would train me to be a fey knight'

'Life is just not as simple as that kid. Besides you can still be a knight for the fey but you may not get trained by me to be one'

'Why isn't it so simple' he complained

'Do you really believe I would be welcomed back with open arms?' I proclaimed, raising a brow

The boy didn't have an answer to my question, Percival was just taking in my frustration at this situation everyone thought that was just simple to overcome

'Yeah I didn't think so' I sighed deeply

'So all you want to do is drop me off at the coast and then you are free from me being a burden on you'

'All of you have suffered so much from the paladins, I want for all of you to live freely as possible because staying with me will only result in your death'

'That is a risk we are all willing to take because you are our fey brother' The young boy cried

'You will all be made to feel like outsiders if you wish to stay by my side even if we reach the others'

'Family stick together and by some undivide miracle we are a family ourselves' he replied. 'And I bet that's what the others told you as well'

'They might have spoken something along those same lines'

'Even they know so themselves, all of us love you Lancelot and we would like if you chose to stay with us'

'I just need some time to decide what I really want to do with my life but I just wanted to be honest with you first'

'Well I can appreciate that and take as much time as you need to think it through' he reassured. 'Maybe it would help if we removed some of the clothes you wore to kill your brothers and sisters to clear your mind from any alliances'

'I don't have any spare clothes to change into Percival, what I am wearing is all I have'

The window to the carriage door slipped down as Xeanhawk stuck her feathery head out, bring the vehicle to a gentle halt we dropped down from the driver's seat as she stepped outside

'I may have something for you Lancelot'

Behind one of her wings she produced a small knitted bag, and opened the door again quickly to the carriage. She demanded everyone stepped out so I could change into some new clothes in private.

I peaked a small glance inside the bag and saw clean and fresh garments, the door was closed behind me as I pulled the old and blood stained cloak off my body. The new cloak was light grey with a crimson lining inside to mark my Ash roots heritage. I removed the cross that hung around my neck and undo the knot on top of my hair and let the short locks flow

'Are you ok in there Lancelot' Percival inquired

'I'm fine thanks'

'Well we are all waiting to see what you look like in your new cloak so hurry up in there'

Dropping the cross down into my pocket I opened the door to the carriage and stepped out, all eyes focused on me and were in full awe at how good the garment looked. I walked up to Xeanhawk as she brushed away any imperfection on the cloak that stood out from any loose stitching

'Thank you so much Xeanhawk for this, this cloak fits perfectly on me'

'I'm glad that is does I trailer made it just for you'

'This is tailored? I didn't give you any of my measurements for it'

'I seized you up the moment we met in that holding cell'

'What are you going to do with your old one now Lance' Percival questioned

'Well I don't have a need for it now so you can have it if you like'

'If you want one of your own child I will happily make you one' she smiled warmly. 'After all you are a fey knight and they need to look their best'

'Indeed that I am Xeanhawk'

'If I may suggest something Lancelot' Klasood interjected

'What is it my friend?'

'Why don't we burn your old cloak to cinders, fully cleanse your soul from your old life under Carden'

'Percival can you go retrieve it for me from the carriage' I ordered

The boy scurried off from the group and came back with the cloak in one hand and a slice of cake in the other. Taking the battered garment from him I could still smell all of the fey I've killed over the years in it, it did really have a taste for blood

The children dug a small hole in the earthy ground with their hands big enough to place my cloak inside, the garment was dropped into the hole with some broken sticks and twigs placed on top to fuel the fire. Percival rubbed two sticks together to create a spark to ignite the cloak alight

'It has set alight yet' He whimpered

'Give it a few minutes Percival it only has started going' Naassaur replied

The small fire took nicely to the cloak to burn stronger, crinkling the fabric as the fire spread across the small hole in the ground

'I feel you should say something Lancelot' The boy stated, turning his head up towards me

'Like what Percival?'

'I don't know but the moment feels right'

'If you don't mind Lance I'd like to say something on your behalf. Naassaur proclaimed. 'Be gone the Weeping Monk of this world and welcome home at long last our brethren The Weeping Ashman'

'The Weeping Ashman' They all rejoiced

Feeling a sharp point hit the side of my outer thigh I had to get rid of the cross as well into the fire. If I was starting anew with a new name and some new clothes I had to let go of my past. Reaching into my pocket I pulled out the small wooden cross and dropped it into the raging fire

I still remember the day Father Carden came into our tent and hung the cross around my neck. Forever changing my views of the fey and who I call my enemy then

A small hand clenched around my new cloak and pulled down one side a couple of times to gain my attention

'Feels good to let go doesn't it Lance' Percival proclaimed

I nodded my head and placed a reassuring hand on the little boy's shoulder. We all watched the items burn till there was nothing left but dying embers….