Kill the boy Part 1

Roy fed us some beef jerky, it was the first time I had tasted it, it really wasn't too bad, if only it wasn't so salty, I think I would even like it.

Lay didn't move from my side, we didn't talk much more, but he really took his job seriously, in fact I think if he was given the order to jump off a bridge, I'd bet my remaining beef jerky that he would.

Before long I fell asleep leaning on Lay's shoulder.

I had a strange dream where I was drowning at the bottom of an angry sea, when I reached the bottom of it a crow came out of my mouth with difficulty squawking the word "the diary" repeatedly, then I changed scenery, I was in the middle of the forest in front of me appeared the girl with pointed ears who shot me the arrow, I remembered well that arrow for some reason, a purple feather and a black feather were tied to the end of the arrow, without thinking about it she shot me in the chest causing me to fall, the silhouette of a girl appeared in front of my eyes.

-Why did you abandon me Gran?

-I didn't leave you Hero.

-You left me alone in the forest Gran, Gran, Gran....

I felt like I was being shaken a little.

-Wake up Gran.

I was sweaty, the nightmare had left me affected, my whole body felt hard, tired, almost as if I was a rusty iron. The morning was freezing, there was some mist and through the trees there were small rays of sunlight.

-Are you all right?

Lay looked at me with concern, I could tell he had dark circles under his eyes.

-Yeah, just a silly nightmare.... Couldn't sleep?

-I was ordered to keep an eye on you, I couldn't sleep.

Definitely if you were ordered to jump off a bridge you would do it.

-Sleeping beauty get up we'll continue.

-Good morning to you too Roy, you always so... wait you said sleeping beauty, the tale of sleeping beauty?

-Yes, La Belle au bois dormant (Sleeping Beauty of the Forest)

The tale of sleeping beauty wasn't invented in the 1600's by Perrault, and it was the Brothers Grimm version that went mainstream, how can they know that story 300 years earlier, first Lord Irish, then the popularity of the lead pot, and now this, what the hell is going on with historical events?

Lay got up and went to get the horse ready, but he took the blanket with him, causing the cold to creep into my body.

-Roy, may I ask who told you the story?

I'll tell you on the way, now wash your face and move.

Roy kicked me to hurry up.

-I'm coming, I'm coming.

The morning went on very fast, Sir WIllfest was giving orders all the time, for some reason they were all in a hurry, Wallet could hardly stand up in his condition he couldn't even walk, then Arthur put him on his horse, he took him as if he were a rag, without any difficulty he put him in front of him.

The rest were all saddled on their horses, all except me, the whinny of Lay's horse that passed by me scared me.

-Hey, take it easy, pretty boy.

I slowly stroked the horse's head, at first he hesitated to let me pet him, but after a second he changed his mind.

-Bonita.

-What?

-She's pretty, not pretty, she's a female.

I bent down to look at the horse's crotch, Lay was right it was female, now why I decided to look between the horse's crotch, even I have no idea.

-I said, "Get on, put your foot in the stirrup, then push off.

I followed what he told me to the letter, but failed miserably, I couldn't even lift my leg to pass.

Willfest was massaging his forehead for what he was trying to do.

-Arthur, tell me what I'm seeing isn't true.

-I'm afraid it's just the way you see it Captain, I think I was better off in the cell.

-I'm afraid it's just as you see it Captain, I think he was better off in the cell.

Willfest was annoyed, plus I could hear the laughter of the others, for not being able to get on the horse, something that normally wouldn't bother me, but with everything I've been through in the last while it was getting to me.

-Take my hand.

Lay offered me his hand, I didn't hesitate to accept his help, I took impulse with the stirrup again plus Lay's strength, it was clear that he was much stronger than me, I managed to get on the horse.

-Miracle," said Willfest with a hint of disappointment.

-Don't be... so mean... to him.

Son of a bitch if you're going to at least defend me, don't laugh in my face Roy.

-We're going at a fast trot so hold on tight.

I didn't quite know where to hold on, so I assumed she meant her hips, so I gently grabbed her waist.

-Not like that.

She grabbed my hands and made me hug her around the waist.

-Like this.

They left at the speed of a horse's trot, I felt embarrassed to be holding Lay by the waist, it was strange I felt like a 13 year old kid when I'm already 21 years old, I didn't like Lay either, but still the situation made me feel embarrassed.

-Lay, could you put us next to Roy?

Without saying anything she did as I asked.

-What do you want sis?

-Not me, Gran.

-Ah, he's an expert rider, then tell me.

You bastard, I'll take revenge for this.

-Who told you about sleeping beauty?

-Ah that, the story was told to me by King Edward's personal organist, at a party a long time ago, you should hear her organ playing, it's amazing.

-And the name?

-What? -The bloody name, Roy.

- The bloody name, Roy.

-No idea, I have barely spoken to her on 2 occasions, she is hardly ever seen, she only appears at the King's private parties, on the occasions I saw her she was introduced as the organist, when I asked her name she only gave me evasive answers, besides she always wears a mask that hides her face, but the second time I saw her, I managed to see her face, she was a real beauty, I think she is French.

And I only asked her name.

-Excuse him, my brother fell in love with her.

It's like Lay read my mind.

-But why did you do that to him.

-I don't like you making fun of my friend.

Both Roy and I said a What? in unison, although he shouted it out.

-So buddy...

Lay picked up the pace of the horse leaving Roy behind, but I could see Roy smiling.

-Friends then?

-Don't regret it later, I warn you that you probably don't want to be my friend.

-You made your decision, I'll make mine, so thanks for....

Fress's betrayal came back to my mind, I didn't want to be hurt like that again, but, I want to be friends with Lay, she's the only one who has kept me from falling apart completely.

-Hey if there's time before or if I make it out alive after my sentence let's go grab a beer.

-I don't like beer.

He was silent for a while.

-That you can have whisky instead of beer.

-I think it's great.

-Make sure you survive your sentence Great....

Both Willfest and she slammed on the brakes, the atmosphere became tense, and in the middle of the road was a hooded man, his face covered with cloths that barely showed his eyes.

-Well, well, what have we here, the mark on his breastplate tells me that they are Englishmen lost in foreign lands.

Sir Willfest stepped a little closer to the fellow.

-I assure you we are not lost, Irishman.

-I see, but what bad manners of mine my Sir, let me introduce myself, my name is Jack the artist.

Jack made a very exaggerated bow, but with very subtle movements.

-I am Sir Willfest de Poart knight of England in the service of King Edward and Lord Irish, Jack, let me tell you that I did not quote any fourth rate artist for today.

Lay carefully unsheathed his sword, at the same time looking at the two edges of the forest.

-Great unsheathe your knife, we are surrounded.

From the edge of the forest appeared a dozen men all hooded like Jack, wearing almost the same uniform, green with black, clothes that seemed to be quite comfortable and wide.

I just listened to Lay and waited for his instructions.

Shit, not another slaughter again no... fuck besides they are twice as many as us.

-Oh sir del Orto, I assure you I'm not a fourth rate artist, no you guys.

-No, boss, you're the best actor I know.

-And you know another one?

There was laughter from the bandits.

-Tell him to dance the tutu.

The Jack men laughed along with him.

-I'm in a good mood, so leave me all your belongings, and the girl over there, and I promise I won't make you....

Willfest lunged at Jack, lunging at him with his sword, Jack barely dodged it, from his sleeve Jack pulled out a strange knife with a spiral shaped blade that ended in a point.

-I don't like to be interrupted when I'm talking, sir.

The bandits rushed towards us, I could barely get off the horse when one that surpassed me in height attacked me with a sledgehammer, to my surprise I dodged it easily, he attacked me again and again I dodged it without problems, without a doubt if I had to compare him with John this bandit was far below the level, there was no technique in his attacks, they were very open blows to the air.

But even so we were in trouble, we were outnumbered.