Neil felt overwhelmed at the moment. If someone had told him a week ago that he would be in a cozy apartment, resting on a comfortable armchair with the softest quilt wrapped over his body and sipping warm cardamom tea, he would have called that person a lunatic.
But here he was, doing those exact things in a huntsman's home after rescuing him and his son from a ferocious tiger in the forest.
"Excuse me? Is he okay?" Neil asked, his voice quavering upwards by a decibel on the last word. His gaze fell upon the still unconscious boy, a pair of claw marks adorning his left cheek, blood oozing out from the marks, and his dark brown curls disheveled.
The sight of the injured boy stirred a mix of emotions in Neil. Gratitude welled up within him, knowing that he played a part in saving this young life. At the same time, shyness washed over him, making him hesitant to impose further on the huntsman's family. He felt conflicted, torn between his desire to help and his internal worries about overstaying his welcome.
The huntsman wiped the sweat accumulated over the boy's face and spoke with a cool, authoritative voice, "I think it's time we clean his wounds. Azealia, come outside and help me with your brother."
A young girl stepped out from an adjoining room, wearing an apron with a smudge of flour on her cheek. Her hair was tied in a tight bun, and she was holding a knife and a potato in her hand.
Observing the girl's busyness with supper preparations, Neil realized that she was already working strenuously, and it would be wrong to disturb her further. With empathy and consideration, Neil stood up to volunteer in her stead.
"Mr. Knight, I'll help you with your son's wounds," he offered, his voice carrying a mix of determination and compassion.
"No, but you're our guest," Azealia spoke up.
"It's alright, I insist," Neil pressed on, his gratitude towards the family driving him to take action.
Eventually, both of them agreed.
Neil carefully placed the ceramic cup on a wooden table nearby while neatly folding the quilt and draping it on the armchair, displaying his appreciation for the comfort he had been provided.
Without looking back, Mr. Knight positioned himself, turning away from Neil, and laid a sterile towel on the floor of the tokonoma alcove. He meticulously arranged his tools upon it, a sight that piqued Neil's curiosity. Suppressing his urge to inquire, Neil decided to remain silent, not wanting to disrupt the unfolding process.
Following Mr. Knight's guidance, Neil carefully removed the linen shirt that concealed Eryx's wounded torso. A wave of timidity washed over him, causing a slight tremor in his hands. Momentarily uncertain, he hesitated, his palms hovering tentatively over Eryx's injured upper body. Despite his initial hesitation, Neil summoned his resolve and embarked on the task of cleansing the wounds with unwavering delicacy. Every touch was infused with tenderness and attentiveness. With each motion of the towel, Neil grew increasingly cognizant of the pain Eryx had endured, and an overwhelming sense of compassion enveloped him.
As Mr. Knight brought the ointments to relieve Eryx's wounds, Neil stepped aside, his mind now occupied with thoughts of where he would stay when darkness fell.
"Mr. Knight, would you guide me to any good lodgings available for the night nearby?" Neil inquired, his voice tinged with a mixture of gratitude and concern.
"Lodgings? Why? You're staying here, lad," Mr. Knight replied.
Neil's internal conflict resurfaced. He didn't want to burden the family or take advantage of their kindness and hospitality, but at the same time, he couldn't deny the warmth and comfort they offered. Neil found himself torn between his desire to preserve his independence and his need for support.
After some deeper reflection, he agreed.
Mr. Knight turned his back to him and unfolded a sterilized towel upon the floor of the tokonoma alcove and put his instruments out upon it.
Neil raised his eyebrow seeing that but did not comment upon it.
He instructed Neil to remove the linen shirt over his son's body.
"Mr. Knight, what's your son's name?"
Mr. Knight smiled. "His name is Eryx. If you want to help me, you should start cleansing the upper half of his body. I'll bring the ointments that will help bring some relief to those wounds."
As Neil undressed the upper portion of Eryx's body, a sense of shyness washed over him, causing a slight shiver. Eryx possessed a physique that, while not particularly muscular or chiseled, exhibited a toned appearance. A prominent scar marred the lower left section of his torso, its path tracing a testament to a past injury. Intrusions of tiny rocks and dirt had embedded themselves within the wound, intensifying the infection.
Carefully grasping the sterilized towel, Neil proceeded to wipe Eryx's face, his touch gentle and considerate. Pausing briefly, Neil approached the scar with meticulous caution, ensuring to clean it with utmost care. The towel absorbed the blood that emerged, staining a portion of its fabric. Shortly thereafter, Mr. Knight emerged from his absence, expressing gratitude to Neil as he began applying ointments over his son's body. Stepping aside, Neil contemplated his own lodging arrangements for when darkness descended.
"Mr. Knight, would you guide me to any good lodgings available for the night nearby?" Neil asked.
"Lodgings? Why? You're staying here, lad," he replied.
"No, it's alright. I don't want to cause more trouble." It wasn't that Neil trusted them; it was the opposite. He felt like he was taking advantage of their kindness and hospitality.
"You saved my son's life. It's the least I can do for you. I won't force you to stay for a long time, but at least stay with us until you find a stable job in the city, alright?"
That didn't seem so bad. "Okay. I'll stay. Thank you, Mr. Knight."
A few days passed by in a blur as Neil tried to acclimate to his new surroundings, his emotions in a constant whirlwind.
It was early 5 in the morning, and Neil was in a blissful stupor when someone flicked his forehead roughly.
"Mmph. Ouch." Neil mumbled when he heard loud, raucous chuckles escaping from Eryx's mouth.
"Wake up, sleepyhead. I want to show you something," he said.
Neil cursed silently but forced himself out of bed, his mind still heavy with sleep. He reluctantly trailed behind Eryx as they stepped out of the house, the early morning light casting a warm glow on the world, dispelling any remnants of his dreams.
Eryx disappeared for a few seconds and returned with a white Friesian horse. Neil's earliest memories had been memories of horses, and he had longed ever since to ride on them. But he was always too poor to be able to do so.
"Do you know how to ride a horse?" Eryx asked Neil, who shook his head shyly, his lack of experience evident in his downcast gaze.
"Do you want to learn then?" he asked, and immediately Neil nodded his eyes sparkling in a similar way that toddlers' eyes did when they were offered candy.
"Follow me then." Behind the Knights' house was the city, and ahead lay a picturesque landscape of vineyards, orchards, and winding country roads. The air carried the scent of fresh earth and growing crops as they arrived in less than 5 minutes.
"This is Khisfire Lane," Eryx said, answering Neil's unasked question. The air was new and lovely to breathe.
"Let's start the show then. Watch me." Eryx said confidently. He kicked his heels into the horse and shouted, "Run!"
The majestic horse reared up on its hind legs, emitting a powerful snort before unleashing a burst of breathtaking speed. Neil found himself captivated by the sight, as it was a rare and beautiful display. Eryx skillfully guided the horse, urging it to race across a field covered in dry grass, their movements harmonious and exhilarating.
Together, they swiftly traversed an irrigation ditch, skillfully crossing its expanse while maintaining their momentum. After a brief absence of five minutes, they returned, Eryx now drenched from their watery adventure. The sun was beginning to ascend the sky, casting its gentle rays upon the scene.
"Will you let me try alone?" Neil asked.
"For your first attempt? I am not so sure. It's all up to my horse, I guess," he answered.
"The horse will let me ride," Neil said with determination, his voice filled with a mixture of shyness and anticipation.
"Well, I have a way with her," Eryx said, affectionately patting the horse's fur, "you don't. But you ought to learn and make mistakes as well. So, I'll let you."
Eryx got off the horse he offered his support to help Neil sit on the horse. Neil leaped to the back of the horse and for a moment knew the most awful fear imaginable. The horse did not move.
"Kick into his muscles. Do it fast. We haven't got all day. My father's training starts in an hour," Eryx yelled.
Neil kicked into the muscles of the horse.
Once more, the horse lifted its front legs and emitted a spirited snort, signaling its readiness to embark on a swift journey. However, Neil found himself at a loss, unsure of how to respond to the horse's invitation. Instead of galloping across the field towards the irrigation ditch as before, the horse veered down the road, its hooves pounding against the earth. It led him towards a lush vineyard, where it gracefully leaped over the rows of vines.
With each bound, the horse effortlessly cleared four vines, displaying remarkable agility. In an unfortunate turn of events, Neil lost his balance and tumbled to the ground, prompting Eryx to burst into hearty laughter, thoroughly enjoying the unexpected outcome of their adventure.
He then pressed his nose against the horse and patted it until the horse neighed in delight. Neil glared at him as Eryx continued laughing throughout the entire while they walked towards the barn.
Eryx then placed his hands over Neil's shoulders, "Don't be so glum. Today was just the beginning; she's still not used to you. It took me a few months to learn this skill. What I'm trying to say is that it takes time. I know you'll be able to do it. After all, you have the most patient and wise teacher, me."
Neil, feeling a surge of frustration and embarrassment, swatted Eryx's hand away with a mixture of resentment and wounded pride. He retreated into the sanctuary of their house, seeking solace and a moment of respite before the upcoming hunting expedition with Mr. Knight and Eryx.
It seemed to Neil that he had just closed his eyes when Mr. Knight's voice thundered inside the house, "Rise and shine, my lads."
Neil groaned and rubbed his eyes. Even as he made his way to bathe, he was very irritable and apathetic due to his lack of sleep. Once all of them were ready and had breakfast, Mr. Knight made Neil and Eryx carry two buckets of water each as they went outside.
"Today we'll be visiting the ancient Khisfire waterfalls; it's the spot where three holy rivers - Yerex, Haalivara, and Gantrick - meet. We have to climb 779 steps to reach the top of the plateau and then visit the temple nearby where the waterfalls are present," he said enthusiastically, that both Neil and Eryx's jaws dropped open.
"So then why are we carrying these buckets of water with us if we were ultimately visiting the waterfalls?" Eryx asked.
"Well, that's just for training and my entertainment. Now get going, boys, and do not slack off," he yelled.
"Didn't know you had sadistic tendencies, Father," Eryx mumbled angrily.
"Quit talking and start walking. Hah! It rhymes too," Mr. Knight exclaimed.
Neil rolled his eyes, a mix of annoyance and weariness clouding his expression, and begrudgingly began ascending the stairs. Each step felt heavier than the last, his energy dwindling as fatigue settled in by the time he reached the 78th step.
But seeing Eryx, his inner competitive spirit flared and kept him going. Even when his legs started buckling, his shoulders slumped downwards from the weight, or his fingers became numb, Neil pushed himself and kept climbing. They reached the 220th step when Neil absolutely could not go on.
He could see Eryx fighting to keep carrying the buckets as well. He momentarily relaxed, letting his guard down, when the bucket from his left hand slipped through his fingers. Time seemed to slow down as he watched the bucket tumble down the stairs, water splashing and spraying in every direction, his heart sinking with each droplet lost.
He turned to look back at Mr. Knight and wanted him to scold him or yell at him, but instead, he just shook his head in disapproval, which somehow stung more. Eryx smirked and glared at him playfully when his bucket of water fell as well. He tried to pick it up, temporarily forgetting about the other bucket in his hand, and ended up spilling both of them on the stairs. Mr. Knight sighed.
"Okay, let's go back," he announced.
"Why? We didn't get to see the waterfalls," Neil said, but Mr. Knight interjected, "and we are not going to, not until both of you can carry your buckets till the 779th step without losing a single drop of water from it. Now it's time for the next part of your training, let's head to the barn."
Both Eryx and Neil's moods became sullen and dull, but they nevertheless climbed down and followed their teacher to the barn.
As they stepped inside the barn, Neil's gaze fell upon a group of grotesque scarecrows, their tattered clothes and weathered faces evoking a sense of eerie unease. Eryx couldn't help but stifle a snicker at Neil's unmistakable expression of disdain. Mr. Knight, sensing their need for a brief respite, granted them a momentary break before launching into his next round of instructions.
First, Mr. Knight made them do the most intricately prepared set of exercises, which consisted of crutches, squats, push-ups, and even positioning themselves as a chair using the wall support for ten straight minutes.
After completing them rather sloppily, Neil couldn't feel any of his limbs, but Mr. Knight was full of surprises. He set up the scarecrows and asked Eryx and Neil to take turns using daggers, bows, axes; or any available weapon of their choice to hit the center of the forehead of the scarecrow.
On the first attempt, Neil chose a dagger as he was already skilled in using bows. He was rather confident about this exercise until the dagger hit the barn of hay lying before the scarecrow instead of his forehead. Somehow he managed to make his second attempt even worse by hitting the wall behind him and completely missing his aim. Meanwhile, Eryx had the time of his life. But when it was his turn, he didn't perform any better, and his giant ego deflated in a matter of seconds.
Neil's face flushed with embarrassment, his gaze cast downward, but his spirit remained unbroken. Each defeat fueled a newfound determination within him, igniting a fire to prove himself to Mr. Knight.
Over the next three months, Mr. Knight wholeheartedly embraced Neil as his protégé, extending an invitation for him to live with him and his family. Azealia, treating Neil like a cherished younger brother, delighted him with his favorite meals every weekend, filling the house with warmth and affection. Meanwhile, Eryx and Neil's bond deepened with each passing day, solidifying into a steadfast friendship built on shared experiences and unwavering support. They laughed together, trained together, and confided in each other, their connection becoming an unbreakable thread woven into the fabric of their lives.
Everything was great till the next morning. It was a little after sunrise when the entire family was having breakfast together, and they heard a loud knock on the door.
It was a royal guard, "I'm here to escort an illegally entered Indian immigrant to the royal court where his fate will be decided."
The entire Knight family knew how the royal court's decisions worked. Sending Neil there would be equivalent to sending a goat inside a lion's den.
Neil's face visibly paled, and Eryx haughtily stood and marched towards the guard, "Neil's not going anywhere with you!"
"Well, then Mr. Knight, you do remember that you are still due to pay the land settlement fees of last year, right? The interest rate will be doubled. And fail to complete even that, then both of your children will have to be taken away," the guard answered.
"Taken away for what?" Eryx questioned.
"Service for the kingdom. You can never leave your service in the palace. Not until death, well unless you are granted a pardon by the royal family, and we all know that's not going to happen. So," he pointed at Neil, "it's up to you now, what will you do?" the guard smirked, challenging Neil to make a decision.
A/N
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