"So, Willock, I hear you are on a search for by our dearest King," Armstrong stated. I was not quite sure about all this interrogation. I thought my father had told him what he ought to do with me without questioning me so much.
"Jaykim stated that I should see you. For you shall show me the way," I stated, which made him chuckle a bit.
"Why do you think I would take orders from a manager and a stupid Duke?" Why would he call my father stupid? Was the first thing that rang into my mind, and I suddenly knew something was off. This man might actually, decide to set me up for the sake of the thousands or millions of coins that were promised to whoever brought me, or rather stated to have seen me. I wanted to say something, something like 'okay, why would you call a duke stupid,' or something like 'I don't understand your utterances,' but my mouth was left with no words, no statements to speak.
After a long silence, he stated, "I don't involve myself in the wrangles between royals. I told the Duke of Bavdon a long time ago, and yet he does not seem to understand. Protecting you will be like setting my whole phase of life on fire. This business and everything." As if stating to the intimidating man, he added, "Go bring him his bag with which my lousy men had tried taking. And make sure everything is inside." With that, the man left, and we were left the two of us. I saw him eye me, keenly looking at me, as if studying my features from a closer view.
"You sure have the eyes of Lady Isla; she was a very beautiful woman, one whose features would leave any man stunned... oh well. But your voice reflects the king, and your ears, and the brown color of your hair…, Stunning, indeed. " he stated, studying me, which in some way felt daunting. I suddenly felt like a woman being checked out by hungry men who want to do nothing but rip her clothes off for their pleasures. Pleasures, the word my best science teacher always used when referring to men's urges towards women, to fulfill their pleasures. They are just vessels, that carry our children, fulfill our pleasures, and later on, are laid to rest as their work on this earth is done, and we then inherit the next vessel.' Words he loved using, words which seemed poetic by statement, but sharper than the sharpest blade, words showcase the deepest cuts. I was, however, quite dismissive, or rather, quite cynical about these utterances. Trust me when I say I hated the talks my professor had about women. I used to imagine my mother, whom I had never seen. I would imagine what made her, or rather what words had made her fall into the trap of the king. I knew women fall in love with words. Maybe the king had promised her a hand in marriage, told her they would share eternity together...
"What are you thinking?" Armstrong detached me from my dazed thinkings.
"Nothing," I stated as fast.
"You daze out so fast, not quite sure which of your parents does that, but not Lady Isla." He stated
"You seem to have known my mother; you quite call Lady Isla, how?" I asked, which made him laugh.
"Everyone knew her. She was the diamond of the season…, she was really beautiful, perfect figures, until someone knew she was carrying a baby. She lost all honors." He stated, looking up his roofs, down his floors and rolling his eyes, and I couldn't miss the little smile that came off his big mouth, when he stated beautiful; it felt as if she were in front of her, describing her..,. He also liked her, were the words that formed in my mind. But like is a very intimidating word when it comes to a woman. Just 'like', like I loved the princess. Just 'like'.
"Have you heard of the princess? Princess Diana?" I asked, changing the topic and for the first time showing clear intentions of yearning to know the truth.
"Princess Diana… why? You have a liking for the girl." He asked, quite looking at me in some suspicious eyes.
"No,,..no.. forget if I asked." I stated removing my eyes from his.
"Small boys with love. You should let her go, you stand no chance. I hear she is to be the princess of Russia, the family has already accepted the hand." He stated that quite simply, as if it meant nothing, but it meant everything to me. She is already to be married, soon will become the Queen of Russia, and here I was asking about her. I suddenly felt my heart ache, something unfamiliar but something that pained from the words. It was me who walked away yes. But I did not want her to be married off that fast. It was not worth it. But it was worth it, after all who found a man, a prince on top, not to have an idiotic bastard like me. Who dwelled on nothing but hope that tomorrow..it would be sunny, who dwelled on nothing but hope… hope of no death, hope of an uncertained future… oh dear Willock. She would be queen, maybe when I hear the day she will be queen, I will write to her, not sure how long it will take for her to read the letter, or if she will read it, but I will write. As I thought, the intimidating man, entered, with him my bag.
"Here, sir, I believe everything is inside," he stated, opening the bag for him. "I have added the landsome that you stated, I believe it is enough." With all the words, Armstrong just nodded as he started checking the bag.
"He needs all the gold coins, for a longer journey than ever awaits him." After finishing checking, Armstrong looked at me, giving me the bag, and stated, "I cannot protect you, boy, in as much as the Duke begged for it. Here, I have added more gold coins, with which you shall use on your adventures. The lands are not quite peaceful or rather not quite luxurious, as what you were used to, but I believe in you. Goodbye." And with that, I knew he wanted me to leave, as the intimidating man looked at me with his bloodshot glare. I stood steadily, suddenly not feeling my feet, and made my way outside the little room, and the man closed the door behind me. I heard them laugh, stating, "He can die for all I care. Tell the Duke the boy never arrived..." They stated with the laughs being heard, and suddenly, I felt anger and fury as I left the hotel.
I knew I had to find Ezron, and maybe, just maybe, destiny had brought me to Ezron, one who understands the lands. I was suddenly afraid, afraid of my death, afraid of the troubles I would face throughout the forest. The question was, where should I head? I was never a historian; I had maybe traveled, but traveling in luxurious ships was not something that would make someone experience hardships. As I thought, I saw Ezron, packing something in his large bag. He seemed ready, and it seemed he had already told his mother of his adventures, for she was helping him with the bag.
"Hey," I stated, as both looked up to face me.
"My boy," the elderly stated and continued, "he has always wanted to travel, just like his father. I give you two all my blessings. Here, let me give you this." She entered the house as if wanting to give us something and came out with two sharp swords, each rightfully placed on their respective bags. "Fear nothing; animals are to be slain and eaten. When it gets tough, please return back." And with that, Ezron caught my arm, and we started walking as the elderly entered her hut and closed it.
It was quiet, with the barking of dogs, the wailing of wolves, and the quacking of frogs. "You know how to use a sword?" I asked Ezron.
"Yes, my father had taken me on some of his adventures; he was quite a master with swords," he stated and then added, "how about you? You actually have lots of stories to tell me."
"Yeah... yeah," I added, "I am not sure where to start; maybe I should first ask you, where are we heading first." This made Ezron look at me and then chuckle a bit.
"Are you... have you never come these routes?" He questioned.
"Never," I stated. I felt maybe I would trust him. Of course, why wouldn't I trust him? He protected me from the police. One whose mother gave me a place to sleep.
"Well, now you should have told me that. There is a thatch forest we can use, for I am sure you aren't quite ready to use the town's roads, for God knows why you are being looked for."
"I will tell you the story," I added, trying to make him understand why I had not yet given him a story. Patience, maybe... a little patience.
"Ever been in love?" Ezron asked.
"Depends on your definitions of love," I stated, which made him just nod, and as if in thought, he continued, "your English, quite clear... you seem to have gone to school. Your English accent is quite dominant, more likened to a noble, a baron, duke, or a Prince; but you seem to have quite a good understanding of words. You know when to say the right words, especially when faced with a challenging question. How is that?"
"I don't know, Ezron. I don't understand your statements. I am still Lock," I stated. We were walking for quite some time as we spoke. I was not sure even where we were heading; all I knew is I had some gold coins returned to me in my bag. I wished I had a map; maybe I would know where I was heading easier. I state as if I am a historian; I hated history classes. Literature made me arrive... only that.