Falling Out

To help him over, I put Ben’s arm around my shoulder and begin to walk him to the table in front of the fireplace. Davin pulls the chair out for Ben, and I sit him down. The swine must have felt disturbed, as he snorts a loud grunt and leaves the room to get peace. 

“Brother, you are unharmed.” Ben smiles that weak smile as he did before. Perplexed, he says, “Did you see of what happened? Bertrand killed one of his own. For what, I fail to see.”

I sit in a chair beside Ben as Davin sits opposite of us. “Indeed. I managed to approach them close enough to make out details of what transpired there.” The thought reminds me of the note the thief was meant to pass on to Milo. I reach into my pocket and reveal a piece of parchment to the group. “First and foremost, this is not some disorganized thieve’s den. Apparently, Bertrand is of high regards within his community of rebels, known as the Light Brigade. The poor individual that Bertrand disposed of was questioning the fighting. Bertrand remarked that he naught have deserters for fear of word spreading about plans their organization has conspired. That is when Bertrand rid of him.” I purposefully leave out the greater details of the conversation, so that I may speak to Ben about it once we have a chance alone. “This piece of parchment contains information that was to be passed from Bertrand to another high ranking officer within the faction, who’s name is Milo. The individual I shot was to deliver this parchment to Milo. I was hoping you could read it, Ben.”  

Davin turns toward Ben and interjects, “Ah, one who is able to read? Tell me, lad, are you knighted?”

“Well I-”, Ben begins, but I quickly interrupt.

“He helped the bookkeepers of the monastery. ‘Twas before his talents were discovered.”

Ben shoots me a quick look, and adds, “I started by helping with organizing bookshelves and such. Eventually I was taught to scribe.”

“Yes, I see. Quite an opportunity, yes?” Seemingly, Davin buys it. Gullible for one so wise. “Most do not have the privilege of being taught to read and write. I was privileged growing up, therefore was taught in schooling. That is a tale for another time, however, no? Please, resume.”

Perhaps Davin is more similar to I than previously thought.

Ben retrieves the parchment from the table and rolls it out. He begins reading:

Milo -

Seems the crown now plots against us, individually. They hope to fracture our organization by ridding of the leaders. Best be on your guard.

Cid has vital information to share with you. Approach him as soon as time sees fit. I dare not leave what he has to say in writing.

As for Count Ardula, he has men scouting our camps as they are now. We must move, and fast. Due to the serpent words of the crown, the Light Brigade has been deemed the perpetrators of laying to ruin many small establishments. Eaglewood and Greenway are two of the many. Not sure if you had heard, but even the destruction of Vale, our befallen sanctuary, has been pinned on us. We must recruit and act fast if we are to stand any chance of overthrowing this self-absorbed aristocracy, lest we crumble in the hands of the Count, much like Vale had under his fist.

Ben looks up at me from the scroll. I turn to Davin, “Mind if we have a moment alone?”

Davin nods and walks to the bedroom, grabbing a bowl of slop, hopefully for the pig, along the way.

Once Davin closes the door, Ben whispers, “What does this mean, Vale being crushed under Ardula’s fist? Do you buy this?”

“I hadn’t brought this up before, but Bertrand mentioned to the low-life he killed that the crown and the church is oppressing the people. Davin agrees with the viewpoints of the Light Brigade, though not their actions. That is why I did not want him to know of your knighting. You may never be sure of who is friend or foe. Much like the Count...”

“You aren’t really buying this, are you?” Ben interrupts. “These are rebel scum we’re concerning ourselves with. You said yourself - low-lifes!” Ben’s voice has escalated to a near shouting.

“At ease, Brother.”

“The Count took us in and provided us a life worth living. We had nothing and he opened his arms to us in our times of most desperate need. ‘Tis despicable you’d even consider such acts be condoned by Ardula, let alone perpetrated!”

“The very man you speak of, the ‘Priest of the People’, works in the shadows. In secrecy, he plots assassination and sends his ‘children’ to carry out the job to protect himself. Do you not see wrong in this?”

“You have believed the lies of the true serpent Isaac. Naught believe a word flitting from the rebel tongue, who kill and thieve from the good people of Yevelle, and conspire to overthrow the very people that have blessed them a city in which they have the opportunity to do something different for their lives.” Ben stands, rolling up the parchment and inserting it into his pocket. “I’ll see to it Ardula obtains this. The information regarding Cid must be of importance to him, do you concur?”

“You would turn in the very man who knighted you?”

“He conspired with rebels against the church and the crown. Far as I’m concerned, he’s a heretic.” Ben begins to walk away, turns and says to me, “Remember your lot in life. What purpose and duty you serve to have been blessed with living such as we have. Order will be the only way man progresses forward.” He walks out of the house, into the darkness.

“Davin, would you care to accompany me?” I ask from the table. 

The door swings open, and Davin states, “Not the quietest lot, no? Could hear your discussion despite my best attempts to ignore it.”

“Saves me the time of explanation.”

“Aye, it does,” Davin sits beside me and peers at me with understanding eyes, “and what is it you intend on doing, lad?”

“I’m not sure. Bertrand would have no reason to lie. The attack on Vale was sporadic, seemingly unprovoked. I fear Ben puts too much faith in those who’s plan it is to use him. If the attacks were perpetrated by Ardula, why were we spared? And our parents...”

“Aye, we have a lot of commonalities regarding our past times. Best it time I tell you my story, yes? I grew up within castle walls, similar to you, lad. My father was seated amongst leaders in the Council of War, yea, and my mother lived a commoner, provided serums and potions for the unwell, yes? The leaders of the castle welcomed her despite the class difference.”

“‘Tis unheard of to see commoners to be wed to those of noble standing.”

“Aye, ‘tis indeed. ‘Twas, too. Regardless, not a person had a problem with her presence, yes? She was a boon to the knights, providing them with potions that would seemingly boost their prowess in battle. As for the higher elites within nobility, they could see their troops morale greatly endured due to a sense of invulnerability given any necessary cure, yea? One night, the castle hosted an event for the neighboring kingdom to join in festival. Leaders from the castle Ichmund were showing up in droves! One of ill intent took my mother hostage, mistaking her for the princess.”

“One of Ichmond’s leaders?”

“Aye. Apparently one of the nobles, I suspect more than just he, conspired with a group to start a war between the two cities, yes? Graav, a viscount of Ichmond, was the culprit behind this. At war council, King Drake II issued command for my father to take a group of troops to attack the abandoned fort in which the rebels reside. He was directed to attack from the south end, yea, and the Commander in-training, Blackburn, to attack from the west. The second hand to the King accompanied Blackburn to the fort, no? My father arrived shortly after with his faction, only to witness the standoff between Blackburn and Graav. Graav held my mother in his clutches, unaware she was not the princess, assuming to have leverage in the situation. Per order by the King’s second hand, Blackburn impaled his sword through my mother, piercing Graav behind her. My father broke down that day, yea? Was killed himself by the same man who killed his beloved. My father’s second hand, Ivan, was traveling with him that day. Witnessed the killing and fled to a place out of sight. Yea, he then made his way back to the castle wherein he brought me up. Official word of the crown, and what I believed at the time, was that my mother and father died valiantly in the name of justice, no? ‘Twas not until I was much older he told me of the truth behind my parents’ passing.” Davin sighs. His eyes glisten as tears begin to build up in them. “Pardon, lad. Despite how long ago it occurred, the betrayal hurts, yes? As a lad myself, I’d oft wonder why ‘twas I who had no family, no loved ones.” He wipes his eye using a skinny, boney finger. “‘Twas naive then, no? These happenings of my life were of no mere coincidence, yea, and put me where I am today.” He chuckles and holds up his arms, presenting the room, “Mayhap ‘tis no abode of luxury, but no longer do I live in a use and be used environment.” 

I glance around at the humble house once more, taking more notice to the beauty behind its simplicity. I turn to Davin, “Do you not seek vengeance upon those who have wronged you?”

“‘Tis not vengeance I seek. Aye, ‘tis to see equality reign. No longer do I wish for the majority to be expendable to push an agenda, no?”

A wave of silence washes over the room, leaving me to reflect on the wise man’s words. Since Ben and I have come to Yevelle, life of squander has been a thing of the past. Many relish the idea of living such as we have, this life that Ben says we are blessed with. These “blessings” are nothing more than another man’s curse. Apathetic to the lot, we are handed everything on a silver platter. Of course, we must also bend to the whims of Ardula, as our lives are in debt to him. My past resurrects into thought, as I am taken back to the day Ardula found Ben and I cowering in a closet. What is it Ardula gains from having us around? Certainly hiring a sellsword to fight in the name of “righteousness” would be easy to come by, and require much less attention and dedication on his part. Suddenly, I feel the overwhelming urge to discuss with Davin my current predicament. 

My thoughts are interrupted as the pig from the bedroom lets out a loud, satisfying snort. Davin looks over toward the bedroom with a grin too big for his face, and then directs his attention toward me. “Bertha has finished her supper,” he states plainly. “Something on your mind, lad?” My look of perplexity must be apparent.

“It’s... nothing. I must take after my brother. Your help has been most fortuitous for me, Davin. You have my appreciation.”

“Aye, lad. Go find that big boy. Certain things take precedence with time dwindling, yes? Return to me if you feel inclined to do so.” The smile he bore before has returned, overtaking a majority of the scrawny man’s face. “It would be nice to have a friend visit me in these woods now and again, no?”