Chapter 2: - Trouble’s Arrival.

-Harrison Ashborne-

Harrison Ashborne, once the esteemed head butler of the Silverhelm family, had found a semblance of peace in the secluded village of Eisklippe. Far from the capital of Arson and the turbulent politics that had torn his life apart, he had devoted himself to caring for Welkin. The boy had been wrongfully accused of his father's death, stripped of his titles, and driven into exile. For three years, they had hidden here, far from the reach of those who would do them harm.

The village, perched on the northern border of the kingdom, was almost isolated from the rest of Arson. Nestled in the hills and cloaked in perpetual snow, it was a place where few outsiders ventured. The villagers relied on hunting to survive, braving the harsh conditions to gather what little food the land could provide.

Harrison hummed a tune as he cleaned the wooden table, preparing for the evening meal. The fire crackled in the hearth, casting a warm glow over the cozy interior. Despite the scarcity of supplies, Harrison had managed to make their modest house feel like a home.

Suddenly, frantic knocks shattered the peaceful silence. Frowning, Harrison set down his cleaning cloth and hurried to the door. As he opened it, a blast of cold air rushed in, along with a familiar figure—Aru, one of the village hunters. But it wasn't Aru who held Harrison's attention; it was the unconscious form he carried.

"Welkin!" Harrison's heart skipped a beat as he recognized the figure. Welkin's clothes were singed and torn, but his body appeared unharmed. Panic surged through Harrison as he helped Aru bring Welkin inside, laying him gently on the table.

"What happened?" Harrison demanded, his voice tight with worry.

Aru shook his head, his expression bewildered. "I found him lying outside the village, just at the edge of the forest. He was unconscious but breathing. I have no idea how he got there."

Harrison's mind raced. He had seen many strange things in his lifetime, but this defied explanation. He thanked Aru for his help and assured him he would take care of Welkin. After some more hurried conversation, Aru left, leaving Harrison alone with his unconscious charge.

For three days, Harrison tended to Welkin, watching over him with the vigilance of a father. He bathed his brow with cool cloths, whispered reassurances, and prayed silently for his recovery. Memories of the past haunted him during those long hours—the fall of the Silverhelm family, the accusations, and their desperate flight to the north.

On the morning of the fourth day, as the first light of dawn filtered through the frosted windows, Welkin stirred. Harrison was by his side in an instant, gripping his hand tightly.

"Young Master, can you hear me?" Harrison's voice trembled with a mix of hope and fear.

A slight twitch from Welkin's hand sent a wave of relief through Harrison. "Please hang on, Young Master. Please wake up."

Welkin's eyelids fluttered, and with a soft groan, he opened his eyes. The room came into focus, and the first thing he saw was Harrison's anxious face. Tears welled up in Welkin's eyes, and soon they began to trickle down his cheeks.

"Harrison..." Welkin's voice was weak, filled with a profound mix of relief and gratitude.

Harrison's eyes glistened with tears of his own as he clasped Welkin's hand tighter. "Welcome back, Young Master. You're safe now."

Welkin struggled to sit up, his body was surprisingly fine but his mind still weak from the ordeal. Harrison quickly adjusted the pillows behind him, helping him into a more comfortable position.

"I thought... I thought I'd never see you again," Welkin said, his voice breaking.

Harrison shook his head, a reassuring smile on his face. "As long as I breathe, I will be here for you, you are not alone. never"

The two of them sat in silence for a moment, the warmth of their reunion warding off the cold of the northern winter. Outside, the snow continued to fall, a blanket of white covering the village of Eisklippe. But inside, the fire burned brightly, and in that small house, hope was rekindled.

Welkin asked Harrison, "I'm hungry."

Harrison smiled warmly, relief evident on his face. "Of course, Young Master. I'll prepare something right away." He hurried to the small kitchen, quickly assembling a modest meal from their limited supplies. The comforting aroma of stew soon filled the air, mingling with the warmth of the fire.

Welkin ate slowly, savoring the familiar taste and the feeling of safety that Harrison's presence always brought. The rest of the day passed peacefully, a much-needed respite from the turmoil and confusion of the past few days. They spoke little, content to simply be in each other's company, the bond between them stronger than ever.

As evening fell and the sky darkened, a sense of normalcy settled over their small home. Harrison tidied up after the meal, while Welkin rested by the fire, the crackling flames a soothing backdrop to their quiet evening.

But their tranquility was shattered by an unexpected disturbance outside. Harrison's heart skipped a beat as he exchanged a worried glance with Welkin. He moved cautiously to the window and peered out. At the entrance to the village, a group of soldiers clad in the King's livery stood, their breath visible in the cold air. The villagers had gathered there, the village chief standing at the forefront.

"It's the King's patrol unit," Harrison whispered, a note of alarm in his voice. "They're still searching for us, even after three years."

Welkin's eyes widened with fear, his mind racing. "What do we do, Harrison?"

Harrison took a deep breath, his mind quickly assessing their options. "Stay calm, Young Master. You must to stay hidden. I will do my best to keep us safe."

The familiar determination in Harrison's voice gave Welkin a measure of reassurance, even as the ominous presence of the King's patrol loomed over their fragile sanctuary. Together, they moved quietly to a hidden corner of the house, hoping that their years of hiding would not come to an abrupt and violent end.

_____________________________________

The village of Eisklippe was shrouded in the twilight of early evening when the first sign of trouble emerged. The village chief, Elric, was tending to his modest garden, hoping to coax a few more vegetables from the stubborn winter soil. It had been a hard year, but the village had persevered as it always did.

A hurried knock on his door interrupted his thoughts. Elric rose, wiping his hands on his trousers, and opened the door to find one of the village children, Edda, standing there, her face flushed with urgency.

"Chief Elric, soldiers are coming! They have the King's emblem!" she said, her voice high-pitched with fear.

Elric's heart sank. It had been three years since the arrival of Welkin and Harrison, and in that time, the village had grown used to their presence. They had become part of the community, and he had promised to protect their secret. The arrival of the King's patrol could only mean trouble.

"Thank you, Edda. Run along now and tell your parents to gather at the village entrance," Elric instructed calmly, despite the anxiety gnawing at him. He watched as Edda sprinted away, then turned to his own home.

Elric quickly donned his thick fur cloak and set out towards the village entrance. As he walked, he stopped by each house, urging the villagers to gather. His demeanor was steady and authoritative, hiding the turmoil he felt inside. The villagers trusted him, and he couldn't afford to show any sign of fear.

By the time Elric reached the entrance to the village, a small crowd had already gathered. The King's patrol was unmistakable, their gleaming armor and stern faces a stark contrast to the simple, weather-beaten villagers. The patrol leader, a stern-looking man with a scar across his cheek, stepped forward.

"I am Captain Merek of the King's Guard," he announced, his voice carrying authority. "We are here on official business. By order of the King, all villagers are to gather here immediately."

Elric stepped forward, standing tall despite the apprehension gnawing at him. "I am Elric, the chief of this village. Everyone is here.We are simple folk, Captain. May I ask what brings the King's Guard to our humble home?"

Captain Merek's eyes scanned the gathered villagers, his expression unreadable. "We are searching for a fugitive. It has been brought to our attention that he may be hiding in this area. Cooperate, and there will be no trouble."

Elric's mind raced. He knew exactly who the fugitive was, and he knew the villagers would protect Welkin and Harrison even if the found out there identity. But how to placate the King's men without arousing suspicion?

"We are law-abiding people, Captain," Elric said, keeping his voice steady. "We will do as you ask. All the villagers are here."

Captain Merek nodded, and one of his knights stepped forward, producing a rolled-up parchment. With a dramatic flourish, he unrolled it, revealing a portrait of Welkin. Silent gasps erupted from the crowd as recognition spread among the villagers. Elric felt a chill run down his spine. This could unravel everything.

But Elric was a man of his word. He had sworn to protect Welkin and Harrison, and he intended to keep that promise. Steeling himself, he gave a subtle, silent signal to the villagers, a signal that did not go unnoticed by Captain Merek. The captain's eyes narrowed, but he said nothing.

Elric took a deep breath and addressed the captain. "This is the first time I have seen this man. However, we will cooperate fully in your search."

Captain Merek's gaze remained fixed on Elric for a long, tense moment before he nodded. "Very well. Begin the search. But keep in mind if we found you lying, you won't be the only one to suffer."

As the soldiers dispersed to scour the village, Elric prayed that Welkin and Harrison were well-hidden. The fate of the entire village now rested on their ability to protect the young master and his loyal guardian.

After what felt like an eternity, the soldiers began to return, their expressions ranging from frustration to resignation. One by one, they reported to Captain Merek, who listened intently, his eyes never leaving Elric.

"The village is clear, Captain," vice caption said finally. "No sign of the fugitive."

Captain Merek turned his piercing gaze back to Elric, a sinister smile curling his lips. "It looks like you're quite lucky, Chief," he said, his tone dripping with suspicion. "However," he continued, his eyes glinting with malice, "it's already about to be night. It's not right to travel in the cold at night, wouldn't you agree?"

Elric's heart sank as he realized where this was headed. "Of course, Captain," he replied, maintaining his calm facade. "We wouldn't want you to risk traveling in such conditions. We have a few spare lodgings that should be suitable for you and your men."

Captain Merek's smile widened. "Excellent. We appreciate your hospitality, Chief Elric. We will be staying the night."

As the villagers dispersed, Elric's mind raced. He had to find a way to ensure Welkin and Harrison remained hidden. With the King's patrol spending the night, the danger had not passed; it had only grown more immediate.