Chapter (22): Mortification

The snow began falling, and the wind ceased for a short while to come back again after another mere silence.

Three riders were arriving at Barson gateway. The horses' hooves were smashing the thin layer of snow on the road. They were similar to no one in that town, wearing dark leather outfits, their black cloak was hitting the air while the hoods covered the faces under dark shadows making them severely recognizable. Moving as black color stains that dropped inside the water.

A young guard who hadn't more than seventeen roamed to another one who was snorting on a chair outdoors, his chubby figure wrapped between bear fur and made him as if round fury ball, to make sure that the cold wouldn't bother his afternoon nap.

"Sir, three riders are getting close." He clasped his pistol because he disliked the way that they had put on clothes and remained invisible.

The chubby man opened his eyes in panic as the sharp voice of the boy brought a high voluminous tension into his deep dream.

"You heretic bastard, give me that pistol to release you from your dismal life."

He growled, shaking his head, then his head stopped at one point. The riders who halted as the guards of the gate waved a red flag and rang the bell inside of the cabin.

He gazed at that direction blankly. Leaning forward, he itched his beardless chin. The fire inside the oil tinware made him drown into sleep.

"Who are they?" He got to his feet, fixing his hat, tapping his hand in his stomach, "I will leave your punishment for some other time."

The young redhead boy groaned under his breath and followed the man. Curiously, he drew his strides to the strangers.

The man ahead of the riders turned his head to the left side where the guards' dwell was.

"We came from Bolington!" He took out a golden badge and showed him.

His face still was buried under the shadow of his hood and the chief of the guards tilted his neck to watch this man's face but when his eyes traveled on the glittering badge which was the head of an eagle, he steadied himself. Lowering his head, he punched his chest with his fist.

"Welcome to our bathetic zone."

The young watch was still stunned at who they were, he was uneducated and didn't know what the badge was.

"Open the gate!"

The guard shouted at those who were standing by the railing gateway. The guards didn't pause and obeyed the order. The groaning gate moved as one guard pushed a handle down.

The riders galloped inside and crossed the gateway. The head of the guards still was watching them getting further.

"Who are they, Sir. Richmond?"

The chubby man peeked at the young man, putting his thumbs inside his belt loops. Figuring like a master that he had a long way to reach out.

"They came from Bolington court, they were knights!"

Inside the city, the riders passed by the locomotive. All eyes drifted on them because no one in that town was like them. People were whispering their names, the famous eagle knights of Bolington came to Barson, to the boundaries of the western lands. What brought them here? When they showed up around it meant something was wrong that summoned them out.

"Why are they here, Mayor Reynolds?"

A man asked beside the mayor.

"We will find out soon, they are coming to meet us if not the Lord had brought them here."

He smirked, inviting Lord James to Snow feast had other reasons. He wanted to hear that from him, were they truly at war? Or it was just some rumors that came from Witchwood.

"Come, Simon! We have to get back to the office! I will stay there to be in touch."

His dark brown eyes sparkled, he drew the tip of his hat down and got inside his cart.

The center of the town was already illuminating. An adorning scene the workers had made for people to enjoy and the tents of food shops already were observed. The members of the circus also were entertaining people from tonight. At least the cheers coming out of their tent were saying that.

Was it a duty that dragged him to his office or curiosity? No one knew but the butler who followed him.

Near a small Inn, a young boy was inside the cold, puffing his warm breath into his hands. The sky wore a fresh tint color that soon would be replaced with a new one. The snowflakes were dropping lazily, but the breeze slowly showed up, it was the vanguard of a howling wild storm.

"Who are those freaks?" He jumped down the peel he had himself seated a second before. He walked forward and leaned on a pillar to see if they would have stayed in the Shadow Inn.

The riders stopped in front of the small Inn. Dismounting their horses, one of them dragged the saddles to the boy, handed the horses to him.

"Take care of them!" He declared and a gold coin glowed in his hand, then with a click of his thumb the coin danced in the air and the boy snatched it afterward.

"Yes, sir! I will stay with them tonight."

The eager boy said to that freak, he didn't mind anything as long as they were so generous to pay him gold. He saw a glint on those white teeth. Leading the horses to the stable, the way went clear for three of the knights.

People who were passing by in rush stood and gazed at them. The knights climbed up the stone stairs of the stone building and knocked on the door.

"Why they do offer themselves mortification to watch us?"

A soft but cold voice said the words. She was one of the knights who couldn't endure those meaningful glares. Pressing the bell, she closed her purple eyes, waiting to get rid of these folks.

"Calm down! They are wondering why we are here."

A hot and amusing voice answered her. He was slender and taller than the other male knight beside him who was a bulky man.

The door drew wide and a young Lady in maidens uniform greeted them in sympathy but seemed her eyes were closed, her smile wide.

"Welcome to the Shadow Inn!" She blurted warmly but as soon as she could see them clearly, she flinched.

"Oh, yes, sorry!" She was lost in confusion and stepped away letting them enter.