Chapter 188 TEIGEN XII
The five market days moved passed in a flash. I kept to my word and made father a new set of kitchen knives, risking a few of my fingers in the process.
Before I could register what was happening, father had begun packing my things in the cloth bag I had come with. He looked worried and concerned but he would never tell me that he did not want me to leave, he believed he would be holding me back.
Gently he places my bags in my hand and I could hear the hooves of the horses arriving at the door, Commander Tanner was here.
Before father could speak I interrupted, "Wait" I rushed to the work shop and brought out the clothes I had bought from the market place. I had to sneak out at night so he wouldn't see them.
I presented them to him. He stood there, silently taking them in "Why did you?"
I smile wolfishly, "So you can hold onto them till I get back. I will take the bee gloves you got me and my sandals, they will be better than any I could buy"
"How did you hide them?"
"I kept them in the work shack, you don't go there anymore" I girnned, feeling proud that I had managed to get it passed him. For an old fossil, he sure had a sharp intuition.
"Go well, my son. Make sure you write to me, I will have one of the townspeople read it to me" he pulled me into a tight hug.
I squeezed him back, inhaling his scent knowing it would be the last time I will be seeing him in a long while. I would have never had any of what I owned or achieved if not for my father, I owed him my life and I was determined to make him proud and to give him a better life.
I said a little word of assurance as I greeted Commander Tanner and the long journey began, this path I was on told tales of renewal. The dry wind blew through the carriage, I felt it then that I would never be the same after this. I was unsure of what was waiting for me but I k
new I would conquer it or fall trying.
And fall I did
~
The trip to the Duke's manor house was a two day's journey, we occasionally stopped to restock on food and sleep at some inns we could find at towns we passed. All the moving was making me sick. With each jerk of the carriage I felt fatigue consume me whole but Commander Tanner on the other hand, was completely unbothered. He had his head buried in a wood board game he was playing.
The little wooden pieces fascinated me, so when I was not looking outside the window praying for our next stop I was watching him in intrigue. I had asked once what it was and he had told me it was called chess. he tried his best to explain the rules and principles of the games but they did not stick, far too complicated.
Finally after a tiresome journey we arrived. I noticed immediately that the Duke lived in a secluded area away from most of the high nobility. His manor House had no neighboring buildings, it sat at the edge of the state, trees, greenery and a wide expanse of uncultivated wildland. Whoever the Duke was seemed to really love his peace, quiet and from the looks of it nature. What if there were wild animals hidden inside, the last time I had seen such big trees and green life was when I left...
"Ryker?" Commander Tanner called me out of my reverie. I blinked, realising he was taking me inside the manor.
The castle of crimson clay stood proudly, emitting a golden hue, welcoming all who looked at its direction. Candles were alit, giving a warm welcome. Fire burned in corners, grand halls and chambers unfolding like a tapestry of beauty and elegant innovation. Servants and guards dressed in interesting and strange attires scattered around, some of them giving me passing glances before continuing on their way. Suddenly I felt extremely self-conscious about my attire. I was not dresses in rags but the quality of the clothing from the market place wasn't the best looking or the brightest.
I took notice that the maids wore their dresses all in the same dull green but from mere looking at them I could tell the those materials were expensive. Even the guards wore a kind of suit like attire, foreign embellishments situated at their chest regions and around the arms, their weapons at hand. I kept my gaze casted low, avoiding their scrutiny, they looked at me like a strange object that was out of place. Truthfully, I stuck out like a sore thumb.
I did not say a word and avoided other eyes. We reached these huge doubles doors in a long hallway, doors aligned on each part of the walls but this one was different because there were guards standing stoically at both sides looking down at us. I felt myself significantly shrink into Commander Tanner. I was not a short man, I was tall for my age with a muscular build, a toned figure but even then these men still intimidated me with their menacing looks.
"What is your business here?" A deep voice boomed to us. I swallowed, watching Commander Tanner stand taller to respond.
"I am Commander Tanner, I am here to see the Duke"
They both fell silent and looked at each other for a few seconds. I felt like they were communicating somehow but without us knowing
"Come" was all he said as he pushes the heavy door open and steps in. "Great Duke, the Commander is here"
He stands there, probably receiving the go ahead before he steps aside and lets us walk in. I could feel his gaze burning the side of my face as I walk in behind the Commander Tanner.
We stood before the Duke, his form surrounded by four guards, two at each side of him. I let my gaze wander to him and I was left gaping once more. His silver man like a lion's regal crest crowned his noble head, his eyes like hard piercing steel shone dark and blue like the waves of the ocean spoke of conquests won, power surmounted and battles fought in the dead of night.
His very presence was unshakable, consuming the whole room, commanded attention and awe. He wore a cloak made of silk and satin in shades of crimson red : which complemented his golden skin, were adorned with stones and precious gems like stars in the night sky and his puffed sleeves were slashed, revealing snowy white underneath.