My morning had started earlier than usual, there was hardly any sunlight, today I had already been beaten up by both Roy and Willfest, and now it was Lay's turn to train me.
-Can't I rest for a while, if I go on like this I'm going to die?
I was totally serious, I couldn't take any more fatigue.
-I would let you rest if there was at least a minimum of progress in you, but you are doing even worse than yesterday, what happened to the idiot who came straight to me with a knife in his hands a couple of days ago.
-Willfest, if you want that, then hand me the damn knife and I'll go again.
-Now you're holding a sword, learn how to hold a sword, no more talk Lay attack him.
Lay didn't hesitate to do it, she came at me like lightning, I could barely block her attack, but at the cost of leaving my guard open, she came to finish me off, but she hesitated, I didn't know what had happened, but she gave me time to block her, again she hit my sword hard breaking my guard, and the same thing happened as before, she hesitated, it went on like that for a while, until she just attacked only my sword.
-What the fuck is wrong with you Lay, stop coddling him, be tough with him for once.
She increased the rhythm of her attacks, but the same thing was repeated, attack only my sword.
-For fuck's sake, stop it you two, stop it, you're wasting my precious time, get ready we're going straight to the fort... for fuck's sake Lay I can understand the guy, but what the fuck is wrong with you today, did you get the bleeding, or did you fall in love with that idiot?
Lay was agitated with bated breath, but she didn't say anything.
Killer, that word kept repeating in my mind, maybe Gran is right.
-Willfest, I think you're going too far?
-Tsk, don't fucking lecture me, you brat.
-Gran advised you to stay out of his way when he's angry, otherwise he's going to take it out on your next training session.
-Nobody's asking for your fucking opinion Roy.
-That's what I get for talking.
Willfest remained in a bad mood throughout the camp pickup, insulting everyone he came across.
I still couldn't get on a horse by myself so Lay kept getting on his. We set off as soon as everything was ready, on the whole journey today we had barely come across an Irish family heading north.
-Lay, why did you hesitate to hit me in training?
-Who said I hesitated?
-Every time you broke my guard you could have hit me with the flat of the sword, but you didn't. -You did not.
Assassin
-Don't think about it, we all have a bad day Gran.
-I wish you would be at least a little more honest with me.
-Listen Gran, I'm fine, don't worry about me.
I was a little upset, it was obvious that she was hiding what was happening to her, but if she doesn't want to talk about it, it's better not to insist, I stopped hugging her, I just grabbed her waist, but a little further she grabbed my hand.
-Open up for me, please....
She wasn't one to ask for things like that, now she was even more hesitant, but she needed help, I didn't refuse and hugged her tightly.
Roy would take advantage of this attitude to tease us, but the joke didn't last long until Lay kicked him and knocked him off the horse.
After a few hours on horseback we had arrived at a... Renfrots a typical Irish stone circular fort, it was a nostalgic sight to see as my father and Hero and I had visited a couple of them when we were kids.
-Gran before you go in remember you are our prisoner, but they don't know that for now, I will only notify the captain in charge, we will say you are a squire in training, is that clear?
-As ordered Sir.
The guards immediately recognised Sir Willfest, they let us pass without any problem.
I still don't understand how I never heard of such a respected knight in all my time of study.
A man in black armour, standing out from the others, approached directly towards us, he had dark circles under his eyes as if he hadn't slept in weeks, and he also hid a limp in his gait.
-Sir Willfest expected you tomorrow, I see you had a quick trip?
Willfest -What happened to the other knights and guards?
-I'm afraid they are dead Captain Mullers, we were assaulted twice on the way here.
Mullers, as Willfest called him, seemed very calm at the news, in fact I would say he was a little disappointed.
Some guards entered a box that was open, I looked at it out of the corner of my eye, inside I could see some black and green clothes.
-Irish, I suppose?
Willfest just nodded.
Willfest, do you mind if we go and talk in a more private place, I think?
-It's an honour to meet you Captain Mullers,' I interrupted.
Mullers stood examining me.
-Boy, don't you know how to ride a horse that you ride with the squire without a knight? Your name?
Now what the fuck are you doing Gran.
Willfest looked at me as if I was fucking up, but there was something very strange in all that, the few times I managed to beat Hero, which have been counted on the fingers of one hand, have been for following that little internal voice that tells you that something is wrong, and this time that little voice was shouting at me.
-I'm Sir Willfest's new squire, my name is Gran and to your question yes, I'm still bad at riding, but I hope one day to be as good as you Captain Mullers.
-Yes, Willfest I consider you as a squire, I imagine you must have talent, but I advise you to learn to ride quickly, it is a shame that you do not know how to ride a horse at your age, but it is more shameful to be carried by a woman as if you were a child.
How infuriating this guy is.
I patted Lay on the back, unnoticed by the rest, more as a sign of support than anything else, got off the horse, and gave the captain a little bow.
Willfest -Willfest, you've got a good one coming in, lad in etiquette.
-Emm... if Gran learns... quickly.
Shut up now boy.
-I will heed your words Captain Mullers I will focus on learning to ride a horse as soon as possible, do you mind if I ask you a question?
-Go ahead
-Why do you suppose they were Irish? -Why do you suppose they were Irish?
-Isn't it obvious, we're in Ireland, lad, what a question that is.
-But they could also be Vikings, couldn't they? -Great.
-The Vikings usually attack near the coasts and their hinterland, here we are quite far from them, it doesn't make sense what you say,' said Willfest to shut me up.
Don't help me so much, you idiot.
-You're right, but Captain Mullers is someone famous for his agile mind.
I hope I'm not confusing him with another Mullers and being the one I think he is, Mullers was clever, he took Irish work, to make his profits grow, always under the banner of King Edurard's cousin, Baron Mons.
-Boy, thanks for the compliment, but I don't think you're very clever, it's obvious, besides if it had been other people Sir Willfest would have notified me by now.
-Yes, I understand that the colours black and green belong to our country, to a small group chosen by some barons.
I looked at Willfest, with my eyes I signalled him to look at the box that the knights were carrying, but he didn't understand me.
-A, I understand, I'll explain, since apparently you're new around here, there is a group of bandits that usually wear those colours, they are full of Irish beasts, they usually use trickery, dirty if they faced them, now I understand why so many of your men died, Willfest.
Now let's see if he takes the bait.
-If one of those had a strange stinking knife, Willfest defeated him easily.
-I see, even Jack couldn't stand up to one of the King's best knights.
Bingo, now I just pray Willfest gets it and doesn't make a scene now.
Clever brat, now I understand everything, Mons has already got his claws into this fort.
-I'm not bothering you any more captain.
-It was no bother, now Willfest if you'll follow me.
Willfest got off his horse, called one of the guards to pass him the reins.
Before talking to you I would like to see my Hi....
-Dad, my brothers are here.
A blonde girl of about 12 came running straight towards Willfest.
I guess that's the other daughter.
-You fool, you idiot, I hate you, I don't hate you all, you left me stranded in this pigsty, I will never forgive you.
The little girl tapped her father's armour, Willfest hugged her happily.
-My darling you must understand that we couldn't take you, it was dangerous my princess, but don't worry daddy is already here to protect you, from these silly guards.
Who is he and what did they do with the Willfest I know, wait he could smile so much, he almost looks 10 years younger.
I looked at the guys waiting for an answer, Roy was nodding his head at me as if he was saying yes, that's him.
Unconsciously and surprised by what I saw I approached Lay to help her off the horse, when I realised what I had done it was too late to take it back, but to my surprise she took my hand and got off the horse.
The girl stopped her gaze on me.
-Dad, who is that?
-A... unimportant squire my darling.
So now it doesn't matter.
-What an ugly scar he has on his chin, it's ugly, I don't like it.
Fucking brat.
-Don't worry my dear, don't look at the hideous being.
Willfest lifted his daughter above the men.
-Excuse me Mullers, I'd like to talk to my people about a rather discreet mission Lord Irish asked me to do, do you mind if you let us talk, first, then I'll tell you all about it.
He's even more polite to talk to the others.