For years, I've been working as a knight for the Duke of Gloucester. I have become one of his most trusted. I was turning 27 this year and been working for him for 14 years now.
With many things, I hardly have time to find love, it has never been my intentions to get such a thing. 'Women are just a distraction' as my father used to say. But to be fair, it never stopped women from trying to pull advances on me.
As I rode back into the square from my patrols, (even such menial tasks were often done with contemplation), I drag my aching body off of my horse, my armor slinging on my body like a tired child struggling to grasp his mother. We have been very short handed lately because we've lost several men, it's very unpleasant going to a brother's wife stating how he won't make it off the battlefield or how his throat was sliced by one of our lesser enemies.
As I spot the tavern, I tie my horse up to a post near the spare hay. It's getting dark now and with the sun going down, the tavern seems to glow with liveliness and laughter from men and women. Sometimes I wonder what my life would be like if I never became a knight. If I just stayed a farmer like my father was and his father before him. It becomes exhausting to try and fight a war and watching the life leave another man's eyes. I begin to make my way into the tavern and as I open the door, I notice a bunch of drunken men and waitress' being tormented by such bobolynes, Fustilugs and Fopdoodles. I casually walk over to the bar and the waitress smiles at me, "Oh a knight! where have you traveled from?"
I look up at her with tired eyes, "you know well Miss, I can't say such things."
"Aye sir, what would you like to quinch your thirst?" she stated as she leaned over the bar island. "Ale." I stated quickly, glancing at the back of the tavern. she nodded her head and went to the cellar to grab the coldest ale. A few minutes pass and she comes back, "that'll be 1.5 shillings" she said. I nodded in agreement and gave her the money, picking the ale up and walked to a table in the back. I just wanted to simply enjoy my drink before I headed back to report to Lord Humphrey. It's moments like these I try to enjoy my time but it's quite taxing even so.
A moment passes and I have finished my ale. I get up and walk to the bar to put the pint down, I proceed to walk back out to my horse, the laughter and talking never ceasing from the tavern as if it could go on forever. I grab the reigns of my horse and no longer feel like riding as my tiredness grows more and more.
I make it to Lord Humphrey's estate, handing the reigns to the stable boy. Without a doubt, I definitely stink from days of no showering. I throw my tiredness aside for now as I'm greeted by Lord Humphrey, "aye one of my finest knights, Callum, how was the patrol?"
"Not much happened other than the occasional criminal or two." I crack a smirk.
Lord Humphrey nodded, straightening his back. "Well, you should go wash up, eat and rest. you've earned it. I do apologize we had to use you for a... lesser task but tomorrow I will be speaking to you about an escort I need to place you on."
"Aye sir" I say. I slightly bow and make way into the barracks where I have my own separated housing and several maids. I walk into my living space as I begin taking off my armor and chainmail finding dirt in places unpleasant. A maid walks in to grab my armor so that she may take it to be cleaned. I notice the maids have already heated my water up for me to take a bath, it's so odd because they always know when I'm about to arrive as if they watch for me. As I am fully unclothed, I dip into the bath, feeling the warm water surround me. It's as if my muscles almost untense instantly. A maid comes and begins to soak my hair with the warm water; all the dirt being scrubbed out of my hair. The maids know I love the scent of Lavender, so they began to incorporate it into my baths. The essence of lavender fills my lungs and begins to calm me and the maid whose name is Elise, a beautiful blonde-haired, green-eyed girl with fair skin, pours water ever so gently over my head while humming a tune.
I can feel the dirt washing away as if it's being cleansed from my soul itself. After several moments pass, I lift my drenched body out of the bathe and dry myself off quick to put on my trousers and sit down in my chair to eat. A delicious looking meal of lamb, vegetables and bread were on the plate. I began to dig in and eat until I completely finished the plate, hints of rosemary in each bite. As Elise passed me with my dirty clothes, I grabbed the hem of her dress, "Thank you Elise, please let the others know I appreciate them as well. The food was delicious, and the bath was immaculate if I dare say." I cracked a small smile.
"Of course, My Lord. It's our pleasure to always serve you." she stated, and she stooped down and raised herself back up, beginning to walk back off.
I threw my neck back and let out a sigh, getting up and throwing myself into bed finally. This bed has been nice to lay in, and I thank the Lord graciously for it. As I lay my head down to sleep, I immediately fall asleep.
Dreams flash through and through my mind as the night passes. I wake up early in the morning to see the maids standing at the edge of my bed, already ready to dress me. I allow them to do their thing and dress me however they see fit. After doing so I make my way down the hall to eat with Duke Humphrey, as we speak, he gives me a task to provide an escort for another noble to Lancaster as well as to be used as protection for her. The one I will be protecting is a Noble's daughter named Isabel Brooks, A young woman to be wedded in Lancaster for the betterment of politics... or that's what they say. Even so, as I'm made aware I'm told go get ready for the escort and my payment for the patrol was given.
I proceed to my room to put my armor back on and get ready for the escort, I grab a red string to tie my hair up in a bun. As I begin walking outside, I notice the carriage that Lady Isabel was on, and all her luggage packed in the back. I glanced at her and as she notices me, she just stared and smiled. My horse was already packed and prepared for me and my sword anchored at my side. I climbed on the back of my horse and got ready to leave out. Her carriage started moving and my worse went with.
It is now about midday, and we have road for several hours. At this time, we are riding through heavily wooded forests that can be very dangerous. Many times, along these trails there have been murders and robbers usually from gangs or deserters of war. The sun is at its peak and with that I need to stop to water the horses. As we do, in the corner of my eyes I see what I believe is a small child running through the woods, somewhere highly unsafe.
"Lady Isabel, the rest of my men will stay with you. I'll be right back." I say hurried.
I begin to chase after the small child and through the heavily wooded area, I almost begin to lose sight of her. I continue running straight in what I believe is where she went. I come up to a cave, dark and damp seeing the child as if she's almost see-through. Almost like a ghost. I continue walking towards her and it feels as if she gets further and further away as the cave grows more dim. While I continue walking, I hear a loud shriek that's almost ear deafening and I fall to my knees. I end up passing out what only feels like for a few seconds. The next moment I wake up, I'm still in the cave but there is no little girl to be seen. I walk out of the cave, and I'm surrounded by trees. I begin walking back towards where the carriage was and come upon a stone half-wall that has a fence in front of it. I think to myself, "how odd is that... there wasn't a wall or a fence here earlier..." and I look up spotting a little cottage with a beautiful garden and a woman dressed in a blue short silk dress with long blonde hair. Now I'm very confused but I proceed to walk up to her anyway.