Gary's Squire
Chapter 3
The next morning they started on their way. "How long does it take to get to Corus?" asked Alexandra.
"Oh, about five days, maybe six at the most," Fred answered. It was getting dark and would soon be time for them to find a place to sleep for the night. They found a nice grassy plain and they set up their tents. "Alexandra, I'm going to need you to get some wood for a fire," said Fred.
"Alright, I'll go right away."
"Good. That means I can go fishing." So Alexandra went in to the woods to get firewood. However, she was frightened of the forest, so she got the wood quickly and got out. Fred was there waiting for her when she returned.
"Here is the wood you asked for," she told him.
"Great. I will start the fire. Oh, I do have one thing to ask you. What shall I call you when you are a boy?"
"You can just call me Alex."
"Okay, that will be easy."
"Is dinner almost ready? I am so hungry."
"It's ready right now." Alexandra ate all that was on her plate and was tired so went to her tent and went to bed. Soon after, Fred went to his own tent and slept.
The next day they got up early, got something to eat, and went on with their journey. "What are you doing at Corus?" asked Alexandra.
"I'm going to meet a old friend," Fred informed her.
"Will you come and say goodbye before you leave Corus?"
"I don't think so. I will just have to say goodbye when I drop you off."
"Will you at least come in with me?"
"I don't know if I should. You will have to go yourself."
"But I don't know what to say," she worried aloud.
"I bet you can find something to say."
"I will try," Alexandra said, unsure. They had a long day and when they stopped, they said nothing. They both went to bed after the had eaten and went to sleep.
The next day was the same as the day before. They traveled for a long time. It was a long day and it was only noon. "Here is lunch, Alexandra, or do you want me to call you Alex now?"
"Thank you for the food, and Alexandra is fine till we get to Corus."
"Alight, whatever you say."
"Thank you."
"So what gave you this idea anyway?"
"Well, when my parents said I could not go with you, I had to think of another way to get to Corus and this was the first that came to my head."
"I see. What are you planning to do after you become a knight?"
"I don't know. Once I tell people who I really am, maybe I'll get married and have a family, but that won't happen for a long time."
"It will go fast. I promise you that."
"I know, but right now I don't have to think about it."
After that they were quiet the rest of the day. Then it was time to find a place to rest for the night. Alexandra went in to the forest to find some wood again. Then she heard a cricket and got scared. 'Silly me, it's just a cricket,' she thought. While she was in the woods, she felt something bad was going to happen. Then it did happen. Out of nowhere, a wild cat came toward her. She tried to yell to Fred, but he could not hear her. She ran and ran as fast as she could, but it ran faster. She tried to yell again, but she couldn't; she was too afraid. 'What am I to do?' she asked herself. Then she remembered the knife her brother had given to her. His words went in her head: "I give you the knife to keep you from wild animal". At least it was something like that. She took out the knife and cut the animal's belly open. She ran back and told Fred what had happened. When she had finished, he asked, "Are you all right?"
"Yes, I'm still a little scared, though."
"It's all ok. It all over now," he said, trying to console her. She went to bed frightened, but was better in the morning. After five days, they were almost there.