The Old Friend who comes bearing gifts*
The Old Friend who comes bearing gifts*
In many eyes, they had failed epically at doing so. Who would not suspect them after their son had been like this for three years? After Phillip had displayed knowledge that he had known about Rassa's condition before the rest of the town found out. They were, to say the least, outcast from their social circles.
Those who had once called themselves friends now paid the pair no mind. In their work they were held to unreachable standards, and shamed for their lack of results. In the grand scheme of things, the only thing that they were better off for than their son was that they were at least still allowed to eat.
It was in this poor condition that Knight General Turney found his old friend in. He arrived in the evening, a single rider dressed in travelling clothes and carrying a broadsword. He'd asked a question to one of the men passing on the street, and the man had cautiously pointed him in the direction of Phillip and Anna's house. Turney arrived at the house, lit dimly from the inside by candlelight, and knocked on the door.
"Oh for the love of the gods, leave us be!"
Phillip snapped as he swiftly opened the door. Phillip's angry expression dropped instantly into that of shock. Turney looked older. Nearly seventeen years older, but it was still his old friend. Phillip recognised him in an instant.
"You came".
"I'm assuming that at least I am welcome then?" asked Turney, taken aback by Phillip's rage.
"Come inside," Phillip sighed, "I'll explain over dinner".
Turney was not going to refuse a meal. He tied his horse to one of the posts outside then followed Phillip inside. Their house was small, the main room hosted the kitchen and dining room in one, and the bedrooms through the doors to the rear of the house. Anna was busy at the stove. Turney had not ever had the pleasure of meeting Anna, he knew only that she was of common birth. Regardless of such circumstance though, she was very beautiful, more so than he had been led to believe. It was no wonder Phillip had fallen for her.
What amazed Turney more however, was the difference between the life Phillip was born into, and the one he led now. It was such a drastic change, and Turney couldn't help but question if it was some kind of joke. After all, what noble-born prince would want to choose such poor conditions over his lavish birthright?
But then again, it was Phillip. He'd never been one to follow the majority.
"Anna," Phillip spoke softly. Anna turned from the stove to look at the large man whom Phillip had brought inside. He was older than Phillip by at least a decade, his muscles and skin more worn with age. Despite this however, the man looked strong, perhaps even on par with her husband in terms of skill, "Anna, this is Knight General Quince Turney of Fountain Ridge. He's an old friend".
Anna looked over the Knight General for a moment, and Turney had to admit there were few times where he'd felt such a discerning gaze before. Anna then turned her gaze to her husband.
"You contacted your family?" asked Anna.
Phillip sighed, "Not exactly".
"He's from Fountain Ridge, your family will know either way".
This woman was perceptive, and clever. It was rare Turney had ever seen Phillip struggling for an answer. Phillip sat down at the table.
"The Anthrite, I had no choice," Phillip said.
Anna's eyes narrowed, "You told them?"
Phillip shook his head, "Just that I needed the metal for a beast that was plaguing the town".
Turney noticed that Anna still seemed annoyed, but dared not speak further. It made him wonder what they were hiding that they hadn't risked putting into the letter.
"Come and sit, Knight General, we were just about to have our evening meal," Anna continued, still looking judgingly upon her husband. Phillip chose not to respond as Turney gave a half smile and did as told.
"Quince is fine," Turney replied, "I'm not on duty".
An awkward silence feel over the room for a moment as Turney appraised his surroundings and Anna turned back to her cooking. After a few moments of that, when Turney could bare it no longer, he spoke.
"You mentioned you had a son?"
Phillip's expression turned grave, and Anna paused in her cooking, turning again to her husband.
"You told them about Rassa?!"
Phillip sighed, "I know my father, he wouldn't have wanted to cooperate with us for any other reason. He is too proud".
"But if he is dragged into-"
"He won't be...definitely not now," Phillip admitted. He looked at Turney, his expression grave, "I was not entirely truthful towards you in the letter. But understand I only sent the letter in the first place so I could get what was needed".
Turney was silent as he waited for Phillip to explain, it was not as if he weren't used to the troublemaking methods of the Duke's third son. But from Anna's rather instinctual motherly reaction, it was clear that she wanted her son to place no part in the whims of the Kildare family. Turney, despite his loyalty, could understand that. He'd watched that family tear apart too many lives without a care in the world, then sweep the evidence under the rug and continue on. If one could spend their life away from the Kildares, it would be a far more carefree life. Turney waited patiently for Phillip to go on.
"The monster I talked of in my letter...the reason I know the Anthrite chains are the only way...the monster is Rassa," Phillip stated.
"My son is not a monster," Anna stated lowly.
"You're right, it was a poor choice of words on my part," Phillip admitted, attempting to appease his wife, "But even you must admit that he is vastly different now.
Turney was silent as he observed the interaction between the couple. His expression remained unchanged however, one of the few qualities that Phillip disliked about his friend. It was too hard to get a read on the Knight General. Finally, after some thought, Turney spoke again.
"Then he is...adopted?"
"No," Phillip said, "He is my son, my blood. But an accident happened just over three years ago in Greenvale. He entered into a cave that had not been there the previous day, and was possessed by whatever evil lay within. It has changed him. He even has Life Lines now, though they are unlike any Life Lines I have seen before. From what we have witnessed, the changes are only physical, Rassa is still my son. He is still intelligent and kind-hearted. He has never touched any human, except for just after his capture a few days ago when I offered him blood willingly after he'd starved himself in an effort to wait out the tension in the village. I have spent years training him so that he knows his limits. But nobody else has or will see it that way".
"They captured him, then?" asked Turney.
Phillip nodded, "Ten days ago. He's been in a cage in the Knight encampment on Greenvale's border the whole time. Though I know he is more than capable of escape, he hasn't attempted to break out. And even worse, they refuse to feed him anything. He will starve soon, and I honestly don't know in the end what will win out. His will to do no harm, or his hunger".
"Is this hunger really so bad?" asked Turney.
Phillip sighed, "He tries not to let on, but we've both seen the struggle he goes through, the strain it puts on him to push down whatever instinct drives him to feed. I suppose we cannot blame him for that. The stories of the Edinbar Riots are proof enough that hunger can do terrible things to anybody. But with his body…his power…I doubt we'll want to see what comes of releasing that".
The Edinbar Riots, the event that brought down the last Empire and sent the continent into civil war. It was a well-known story even amongst the commoners of what happened when a leader didn't listen to his people.
"So can he control himself?" asked Turney, "Are you confident in that?"
"He hunts only what he needs from animals in the forest. After he is full, if he is given a certain amount a day he has no problems controlling himself," Phillip stated, "But the Hunger...it's unpredictable. So far he's held it in, but I don't know what will happen if it gets worse. I also cannot judge when it will get worse as they won't allow me to see him".
"Then can we-"
Another knock sounded on the door. Phillip held a finger to his lips as he stood and walked to the door. Then answered it with a frown.
When he met no one immediately in front of him, he looked down, and found Jane standing nervously in front of the door.
"Jane?" asked Phillip, his voice and expression softening as he stepped back to look at her better, "What are you doing here?"
"I..." Jane paused, unsure how to go on.
"Look, you should get back to your parents, they won't like it if they find out you're-"
"I want to know," Jane said.
Phillip paused, "Sorry?"
"About Rassa," Jane clarified, "Please, tell me about him".
There was silence for a moment before Anna appeared at the doorway, looking down at the girl, "Come in, Jane".