Ch.3 Two Truths and a Lie
It was around three in the morning when Haveron got back to the village. The thoroughbred had galloped hard the whole time with no breaks. It was mainly why Haveron had bought the horse because of his speed and stamina. This night the horse had shown his worth by taking him and bringing him back swiftly. Haveron brought the gelding to the stable where he was suddenly met with Alisceon. "OH! Gods you scared me!"
"Where've you been, father? I was worried. Mother said you went to the bar but I never saw you."
"Ah." Haveron would smile and give his daughter a reassuring hug. "I'm ok. I only went back to Emain Macha to meet some old friends."
"That's a long ways though," she'd look surprised by this. "How long was the run for? Did you meet any danger?"
"It took me roughly three hours to and from. No danger. Things are pretty quiet on the roads these days thanks to the knights and such. I found out that most of my old friends are dead. Only me and my friend Craig are living." Haveron lead the thoroughbred into the stall and began to take the saddle and pad off. He'd sigh heavily and stop a moment.
Alisceon would step in and finish his job. "I'm sorry, father. Here, let me do this for you."
"No. No, I'm ok." He'd touch her arm which made his daughter look at him worriedly. "You're weak, father. You've not had any rest yet and it's three in the morning. Go on to bed. I'll handle Saerus."
Haveron would exit the stall and pull out the step stool and sit down on it. Alisceon looked at her father confused. "Father…"
He'd smile to her. "I'm not going to leave you out here by yourself. I know I've done it before but if your mother knew about you staying up this late for me she'd have both of our hides."
Alisceon would smile and go back to work on the gelding. "So, tell me the stories you talked about."
"Mmm, not many were brought up between us. It was just me telling Craig about my life after I retired." He'd look at the straw on the brick floor. "After I retired something terrible happened to Emain Macha. Fomor's attacked and imperial ruling tried to take it down. The Knights and Paladins fought bravely to save the city. Though through all that suppression and fighting I lost a lot of the team I used to have. Craig told me that he sent men to find me but they came up empty handed. They thought I was dead."
Alisceon brushed the gelding down. She'd wash him tomorrow when she got back from work in the bakery. Listening to her father talk about his meeting with his old friend she'd look over to see his sadness. "At least now he knows you're alive. That must've put his mind at ease finally. Right?"
Haveron would nod looking up at his daughter. Looking at her under the dim lantern light he could now see that she wasn't a child. She was turning into a young woman that was very capable. Her long pale blue hair and unnatural pink eyes were what made her so unique, along with her secret that she kept hidden very well. "Have you had anymore admirers?"
Alisceon would scoff and look at her father. "Yeah. Lancelot is still chasing after me after you told him no and had the church ban him from proposing marriage. He's going to be a big problem."
Haveron would smile with a grin hidden in there. "I wouldn't doubt that. He won't get far though. I wouldn't worry. Anything else?"
"I got a part-time job at the bakery in town helping Glenis. She's a sweet woman and I think I'll learn a lot from her."
"When will you be back?" Haveron asked.
"Umm…Around noon to five?" Alisceon replied wondering how her dad would take that.
"OK. After you get off would you like to go hunting with me?" Haveron asked gauging her reaction to the question.
"I thought that was a father and son type of thing?"
"Doesn't have to be. I'll bring Destrian too just so you won't feel out of place. You and your brother learn a lot from each other I've seen." Haveron smiled to her as he watched his daughter give hay to the gelding and shut the stall door.
"Are we hunting on horse back?" she'd ask suddenly looking excited at the idea.
Haveron would chuckle and get to his feet. "Don't get so ahead of yourself. You've never once used a bow before."
"I have," she'd retort defensively. "Destrian taught me last year. He said it was important that I learn how to protect myself. In case one of the men try to kidnap me I can use their weapons against them."
The father looked quite shocked by this. "Destrian did? What all have you learned from him?"
"Broad sword, short sword, long sword, battle sword, bow, short and long. Daggers and knuckles." She'd smile up at him. "He's been teaching me since I was five. I always wondered if you knew about it and he would tell me that you were ok with this. Now I see he never told you at all and just lied to me to make me learn."
Haveron was taken a back in shock. "So…I can't teach you anything? Nothing at all?"
"I still want to go hunting with you, father. I'm pretty sure Destrian would like too also. We can always learn something from you about hunting since neither of us have gone before." Alisceon would take his left hand that was more scarred than his right hand. "That is what you can teach me. I'm always willing and eager to learn how to do things. Also I agree with what Destrian said. Things have been getting a bit more dangerous lately and I could do with learning a lot to keep myself safe and one step ahead of the enemy."
Haveron felt the stab of jealousy towards his son pierce him deeply. He'd force a smile at her. "I'll teach you everything you need to know about hunting! It's a fun and relaxing sport. You may even be a natural at it. More than your brother."
Alisceon would giggle as she'd take her dads hand and walk out of the barn with him. They'd close the barn doors and head inside quietly where he'd wish her a good night quietly before going to his bedroom. Alisceon would head to her small room that she shared with her brother who was asleep. As she shut the door he'd wake and look at her. "Where've you been?"
Alisceon looked surprised by him. "I..went to the bathroom."
"All night? Are you sick? I went and checked the house and you were no where. Where've you been?" Destrian asked again more directly now.
Alisceon sighed and flopped into her cot. "I went to go wait on dad in the barn. I knew he'd have to bring back Saerus. I thought he'd like the help with tacking and stuff. He's really weak from the riding he had to do."
Destrian sighed and rubbed his temple. "Just tell me that you'll be doing that so I can keep an eye on you? I know I've taught you some things but please let me know? Two sets of hands with two sets of skills is better than one."
Alisceon frowned and nodded. "I understand. I'm sorry I worried you."
"Try to get some sleep. You've been out for most of the night waiting on father. Don't you have work tomorrow?" Destrian asked.
"Yes. Father said he wants to take us hunting tomorrow." Alisceon retorted. She'd smile at her brother. "That sounds like a lot of fun. It's something I don't know yet. Do you?"
"A little but…I'll tell you more tomorrow. Lets sleep."
The siblings would go to bed for what little sleep they could get until the morning rooster crowed and the village began to move early in the morning. Alisceon remained in bed sleeping while her brother got up and snuck out to head to the fields to work, his father still in bed as well. Destrian hooked up the large white Shire and got him to work in the fields tilling a new field for sewing. As he worked he wondered what his father could have wanted out in Emain Macha? Why was he now going to see his friends?
Morning became afternoon and Haveron never came out to the fields to help. Challes was lead back to the stable and was unhooked from the tiller. Haveron brushed him down and got him ready for his sister to use to take her to work. He'd put the pad on and the saddle, strapping on the girth and then putting on the bridle and clipping on the reigns. Haveron brushed down the stallions legs which were rather dusty from the work in the field and got them a bit better looking.
Alisceon came running towards the barn wearing a new dress that had embroideries on the neckline and at the bottom. She was smiling from ear to ear with excitement at going to her new job. "You got him ready for me?! Thank you so much!" Alisceon would climb into the saddle of the large stallion with ease and watch as her brother lead them out of the barn.
"Be careful on your way there and do exactly as Glenis tells you, Alisceon. She's been working in this town for a long time now." Destrian said as he'd turn to look back at her in the saddle. Looking at her up above him gave him the feeling that she was already going somewhere that would give her an edge in adventure, if it were to happen any day. He'd frown a little as he'd block out the sun with his right arm and releasing the reigns.
Using his left hand he'd flip the reigns over Challes's head and place them in Alisceon's delicate looking hands. "Have a good day, Alis. You want me to come pick you up at work?"
Alisceon would smile at her brother. "No. I'll be ok, Destrian. Go and check on dad. He said he wanted to talk to you about something."
Destrian felt like he didn't want her to go alone but he knew Dunbarton was safe. Nothing would harm her there. No one would harm a restaurant either. He'd step aside and push his need of protecting her aside with much effort. Alisceon would have the Shire head off into a canter and leave the farm before urging him into a gallop down the road.
Destrian watched as his sister's braided hair and long bangs flapped in the wind. He felt like they would get distant from each other one day. As the Shire turned and vanished around the stone wall of Dunbarton he'd blink and head into the house to speak with his father.
The Shire arrived within Dunbarton trotting towards the cafe. Glenis was stepping outside with the chalk board already written up and decorated. "Good afternoon, Alisceon! Are you excited for your first day?"
Alisceon beamed down at her as she slid off the horse. "Yes!" She'd look at Challes. "Oh. What shall I do with him?"
Glenis looked up at the huge monstrosity of a horse. "Oh, my! I've never seen such a huge horse before! It's really pretty!"
The young girl would smile. "He's mine. My father got him for me because he didn't want any bad people to grab me on a thoroughbred that he has. He said the higher I am the harder it is for the bad people to grab me."
"He's certainly right," Glenis said with a nod. "Well…There's a field that's near in the West he can go graze in. Though there are some Wolves that roam out there. Will he be ok?"
Alisceon looked to the Shire to see his fired up look. "Oh, he'll be just fine. Wolves aren't an issue for him."
"Those sheep will be happy to have some protection I'm sure," Glenis said with a chuckle. "I'll wait for you to return."
Alisceon would lead the white Shire to the field that Glenis talked about and would see the sheep wandering about together. She'd look to her friend and give him a pat on his collar. "Go make some friends. I'll be here for a little bit." She'd remove his bit and bridle and send him off.
Challes would nicker and trot out into the field, startling some of the sheep that ran from him. Alisceon would turn and run back to the bakery. On the first day Glenis taught her how to make sliced bread. She had to make dough and then spread butter on it and pop it into the oven in a bread mold. She was even taught how to make rice, which she already knew how to do,and made a batch for Glenis's next set of meals.
There was the need to make an assorted fruit bowl and hard-boiled eggs, steamed potatoes, curry paste, fry batter, flour dough and mayonnaise. Glenis stood near by making dishes and placing them on trays to head outside with and serve. Alisceon was in the back putting ingredients together and making bread along with keeping things stocked. At the end of the shift Glenis and Alisceon sat in the back on step stools eating sliced bread and fried chicken wings. Alisceon had flour on her face from making so much bread for Glenis.
"My dear, you are all floured from the bread. Goodness me!" She'd go to the water, wet a towel, and wipe Alisceon's face roughly as if scolding the flour. "There now!
"Thank you, Glenis. We seemingly had a good turn out at the cafe." Alisceon said with a smile.
"Oh it'll get pretty busy when Summer comes pretty soon. It's Imbolic today."
Alisceon tilted her head at the word. "Imbolic? What's that?"
"Imbolic is the First Day of Spring. Sunday. Did you notice a lot of people were playing music and singing a good bit?" Glenis asked taking a sip of her wine.
Now that she mentioned it there had been quite a lot of people singing and playing. "Yeah? Is that part of this holiday?"
Glenis would nod. "Time moves very fast around here but it might not seem so. Our bodies don't perceive time. It's why we still have clocks all around us just to keep us grounded and aware of time passing. Erinn is…a place built and monitored by Gods. We don't see them but they are around us and are watching. Listening. It's why mothers have always taught their children to watch and listen closely. One day a God or Goddess may be near and catch them speaking badly."
Alisceon sat there in surprise. A cold chill went over her at the thought of such a person catching a Milletian chastising a God. "What happens if they are heard?"
"Depends on the God or Goddess that catches them," Glenis replied calmly. "Each one is very different. If I were you I'd praise them no matter what and give them all high respect."
Alisceon nodded and ate on her food. "So…What are the other days?"
"Sunday is Imbolic, meaning singing and music is done most often and is heard on high by the Gods and Goddess's. Monday is Alban Eiler; Spring (Vernal) Equinox. That's when the world reflects on its life skills. Like hunting and fishing and other daily tasks that help you survive. Tuesday is Baltane; Summer Begins / May Day.
For some reason that's when the people go dungeon diving and fight monsters. Wednesday is Alban Heruin; Summer Solstice / Midsummer's Day . We have a sale on our items in the shops. Animals and nature also give back to us at that time. Thursday is Lughnasadh; Autumn Harvest.
A lot of people that are mages and wizards and what not are often seen enchanting and practicing their art. You'll even see a dual more often around that time by them. Friday is Alban Elved; Autumnal Equinox / Autumn Begins. That's when potions start popping up in vast quantities by the mages and wizards from the previous day. It's a time when Healing and other things are practiced or reflected upon.
Saturday is Samhain; First Day of Winter / Halloween. This is when we work hard together to bring about growth and food. Friendship and family is what we reflect on and spend time with. It's why we had so much left over food from the previous day. I had just got done dealing with that."
Alisceon sat there for a moment more processing this. Time was indeed a lot different than she had thought it was. As she'd look up at the sky she'd note it getting dark. "AH! I got to go, Glenis! I'm sorry! I just recalled my father was going to take me hunting!" She'd quickly set her things aside and look panicked about cleaning up.
Glenis chuckled. "It's ok. You go on and spend time with your father. I'll clean up for you. Be careful out there."
"Thanks! Night!" Alisceon bolted from the back door and ran towards the western field. She'd put her fingers to her mouth and give a shrill whistle for her Shire to come. As she reached the front gate she'd hear the heavy thunderous hooves of her best friend as he'd come from the center of the field charging. Sheep baa'd in the distance and some even followed him towards the town but paused as they saw her. Challes huffed as he'd come to a stop before her and give her a deep nicker, shoving his head against her chest.
Alisceon would put on the bit and bridle before climbing up onto the saddle that she'd left on him. "I'm sorry I didn't take this off you. I hope it wasn't too much trouble? We have to go though. Father was taking us hunting!"
Challes would be urged to head off in a gallop. The large Shire headed for the farm.
Destrian loaded up his thoroughbred along with his fathers. He brought extra arrows and bags to hold what they were going to catch that night. Haveron packed some food within the bag and sighed. "Alright. That should be everything. Now we just need the girl of the hour and we'll be set."
Destrian focused on fixing the girth of his saddle trying to keep his mind off his missing sister. "She should've been back by now. Should I go to the town and see if she's still there?"
"Calm down, Des. She's ok. She's got Challes and I'm pretty sure Glenis wouldn't let weird people around her cafe." Haveron gazed out at the road that she would've taken. The sound of heavy hooves could be heard in the distance and a massive Shire came galloping around the corner with its rider holding on to his mane. "Ah! There she is!"
Destrian turned and saw his sister and Challes coming in. He'd smile with a sigh. "Alright! Now we can get this hunting trip on the road!"
Challes trotted up snorting and he'd shake his head getting annoyed at the reigns. Destrian smiled and turned his head to him. "You did good, boy! You kept our little princess safe!"
"He also kept the sheep in the western field safe too," smiled Alisceon as she was helped out of the saddle by her father. "I think I saw a few trampled wolves out there."
"He deserves something extra then," Haveron smirked at the shire. "I like to hear this. I'm glad I bought a good horse."
"So…hunting?" Alisceon asked looking at her father.
"Yes! We're going hunting! Go tell your mother you're home and we'll be on our way." Haveron commanded and unbridled Challes. "I'll be brushing down the boy here and getting him ready to go."
Alisceon would jog to the house and meet her mother in the kitchen. "Mother!"
Roesia turned and beamed a big smile. "Alis! Welcome home! How was your first day at the cafe?"
"It was great! Really busy and there were so many people singing and playing instruments! I didn't know why and Glenis told me. Today is the day that they play music and sing for the Gods."
"Ah, very good," Roesia smiled. "I've packed you and your brother your favorite foods. I also gave you a lot of food to give you energy. Hunting is hard work out there. Be careful ok?"
Alisceon would nod and hug her mother. "Thank you. I'll go get dressed and head out."
Roesia watched as her daughter would run to her room that she shared with her brother and get changed. She'd turn and head out of the house to walk towards her husband. "Alisceon is changing clothes. She'll be out shortly." She'd clasp her hands together taking a deep breath and letting it out slowly. There was more to this hunting trip than the two siblings knew about.
Haveron would go to his wife and take her hands, kissing them and smiling. "It'll be OK. I'm strong enough to still do this. Last night was a long journey for me. We'll be close to home if anything should happen. Don't worry about Destrian or Alisceon, they're capable with weapons."
"When?!" Roesia asked looking confused.
"Apparently Destrian has been teaching Alisceon how to fight since she was five." Haveron gave a straight faced smile and shrugged. "I was never told."
Roesia felt like things would be jeopardized then. "Then what will…?"
"I'm going to still train them on hunting and things. We'll be back within the few days. Three days. I promise." He'd caress her face with a soft smile. "They'll be strong and independent adults when we return. Capable of hunting and sniping and everything else."
Roesia looked at her husband with worry but knew what he was capable of. Her worries would melt away and she'd nod to him. He'd hug her for a moment before pulling away. "If you need anything just ask our neighbors. Will you be ok?"
She'd nod to him. "Yeah. I'll be ok."
Alisceon came out of the house wearing a hooded cloak in pale pastel colors. Beneath she wore a hunter suit on. She'd see her mother and father saying good bye to each other. She'd give her mother one last hug. "I'll be fine, mother. Don't worry so much."
Roesia touched her daughters face. "I've been with you since you were a baby. That'll never change. Be safe and follow your fathers instructions."
Alisceon would nod and climb up into the Shire's saddle. A bit-less bridle had been placed on Challes now which the shire looked quite happy with. Haveron would climb up into his own saddle followed by Destrian. Haveron would lead his children out of the village and head North towards the woods. Alisceon on her father's right and Destrian on his father's left.
As Roesia watched them head out she'd smile to herself. Her dream of a big family forgotten. Having been happy having one child at the time. With luck she'd been given a second child, not of her own kind, but that didn't matter to Roesia. Alisceon was her child and would always be her child, no matter the differences that set them apart.
The afternoon soon became night and the three had reached the road that they'd be traveling down to get to their hunting place. Alisceon was excited to finally be some where other than the farm and Destrian was equally excited to see what else was around them.
"Where are we now, father?" Alisceon asked looking around.
"We're on the road of Dugald Aisle. We'll be coming up on the Ulaid Logging Camp. It's what we have to pass through first to reach where we need to go. We need to be careful around here though. I've heard bears are becoming a problem for the loggers." Haveron informed his children keeping a wary eye around them.
"Bears?" Destrian repeated finding this hard to believe. "Bears are coming out more?"
"Bears and wild animals do a lot of things that no one would expect. They're either moving in to find food or their home has been invaded by something else." Haveron shrugged not knowing the real answer as to why bears are becoming an issue. "This place is run by a man named Tracey. I've had some run-ins with him some years ago before you guys were born but I haven't seen the guy in a really long time."
They'd make their way down the road and come to a stop within the logging camp. Looking around there were a few loggers working on chopping blocks and work benches. Alisceon found this all to be rather fascinating and looked curious at everything.
"What are they working on, father?"
"Many things. Making furniture to be traded from one town to the next, weapons and countless other things that depend on wood from this logging camp." Haveron looked around to see that Tracey was heading towards a small hut to sleep. A bell was rung and everyone working stopped what they were doing and headed off to different huts. Haveron gestured to his kids that they would also be moving on. The horses trotted on down the road further North.
The scenery changed and they came out into a vast open field that had a town across a channel of water. "Where are we now?" Destrian asked looking at the town ahead of them.
"That's Tir Chonaill. It's a small town that is quaint and quiet most of the time. It's people are very relaxed." Haveron would urge his horse on and trot on down the road. "We're heading further North. Into the mountains. That's where we're going hunting."
"There's further North?" Alisceon asked looking at her brother before they'd urge their own horses after him.
The three riders would gallop through Tir Chonaill and follow the road towards the mountain and hills. As they went into the pass the air changed and a cold wind blew at them. They'd put on their hoods and enter the snowy region. Alisceon would hear an odd crunch sound and look down to see the shire walking in deep white powder. "What's…this?"
"Snow," Haveron replied with a smile. "It's pretty cold and it will make your clothes soaking wet. It's why I had you two get layered up in winter hunting clothes and even wear cloaks. We're going to be hunting the coyote's that roam these woods. Though that will be done in the morning. Lets make camp over here." Haveron would direct his thoroughbred into a clump of close knit trees growing together. There he'd prepare a tent for them and get a fire going.
Destrian would help his father get things ready while Alisceon got the horses prepared for the cold and snow. She took off their saddles and pads, placing the saddles on some sturdy branches and the pads inside the tent. She'd hang up the bales of hay in the branches so the hay wouldn't get soggy. She'd go to her brother and father and see them getting food prepared. "Alright, horses are ready. What else do I need to do?"
"Wittle yourself a stick to cook your food on and you'll be good." Haveron would toss her a thick branch which she caught with her right hand. She'd take out her dagger and begin to shave the branch down.
Finally after around fifteen minutes of whittling and shaving she'd have her roasting stick ready. Her father would take it and begin sticking sliced meat on the ends of the sticks, propping them over the fire being held up by Y-branches.
Destrian would sit on his thick wool blanket on a bed of pine needles to keep from being wet. "So…What were we hunting out here?"
"Coyotes. This place is known for it's Coyotes. We're going to be getting a lot of food for the village for the Winter and stuff that'll be coming up pretty quickly. Also there's more than one reason I've brought you both out here." Haveron stared at the crackling fire in the middle of their camp. He'd sigh and bring out the envelopes. One from when Alisceon arrived at his doorstep and the other letter arriving yesterday. Alisceon Coming of Age was drawing closer and closer. "I don't have much time to really think on this matter. Ther's been a secret that three of us have kept from you, Alisceon."
Destrian widened his eyes as he realised what was about to be said and he'd look up at his father. "Wait…You're…You're going to tell her?! You said you-"
"Things have changed." Haveron said interrupting him. "As a former Alban Knight….I've been weighing things in my head on this situation for…a really long time. Since you arrived to us, Alisceon."
Alisceon sat there looking confused at her father and brother. "What's…going on? Really I've been noticing certain things that all of you have been hedging or avoiding for a long time now. I've been wondering." She'd look to her father and stare at him, waiting patiently for him to crack but it was easy to see that he was already on that path. The letters in his hand. What words did they contain?
He'd hand over the first letter, the older looking one. "Read this one first. I think it would be better if you read this and I didn't tell you."
Alisceon would take the envelope and take out the folded papers. Unfolding them she'd begin to read the first paper. Destrian sat there clenching and unclenching his hands and looking at his father. In a low voice he'd hiss. "What do we do when she knows?! She'll run away!"
Haveron would shake his head. "She won't run, Destrian. We both know her. Or…I'd like to think we do. It's up to her to decide now. Not us. Not me. Not your mother."
Destrian looked at his sister as if silently pleading to her not become angry at them. To not storm off like he'd fear she would. They had ensured her safety and had taken many measures to insure that she was happy and well fed. To keep her with them for as long as they could. Keep her protected and well learned.
Alisceon was smart, smarter than both Destrian and Haveron could have guessed. She'd shown them many times what she was able to do and think of. Yet, when it came to this matter Destrian had so many fears about it going South and having her hate them all for what they'd done. He'd shut his eyes and bow his head. Waiting for her to lash out at them as she finished reading.
To be left out of something so important for so long. To have everyone lie to you day in and day out. If it were him he'd be angry. So angry he'd probably do some damage to the farming village in repent for their sins.
Alisceon would stare at the papers as she finished reading them. She'd go back and reread them. The silence at the fire was deafening to Haveron and Destrian. Haveron forced himself to be patient. To allow the information to sink into her for how ever long it would take.
He'd focus on turning their slices of meat making sure that the cooking was even.
"It…makes sense…sort of?" Alisceon said slowly. Trying to think back to all the things that her family had been doing when certain topics would come up. "You all knew? Mother and Destrian too?"
Destrian nodded with his head still bowed and eyes shut. "Yeah…"
"This is why you taught me how to fight? This is why…you were so close to me? How you never let me out of your sight when father would?" She'd stare at her brother with a mix of trying to understand where they were coming from and a bit of confusion. She'd look to her father and lift the papers up. "Explain to me everything that happened when I was dropped off. It wasn't mothers sister then that left me here? That was the lie?"
Haveron would nod and swallow the lump in his throat. He'd take in a shaken breath and exhale. "Yes. That was the lie. I had to do something to not make the village become suspicious. It only fit when Roesia used her large family of siblings in the mix. There would be countless ways of getting around this." He'd look to Destrian who would slowly open his eyes and look at his father. She was asking for the truth. The real truth that only they knew and the papers that she now held. He'd nod, seeing now that she wasn't lashing out at them like he'd assume she'd do.
Haveron would go into story about the stormy morning when her father dropped her at the doorstep twelve years ago.
