The group has been riding for hours. Stephan’s goal was to outride any pursuers that may come once they find that Prince David is missing. Aero voiced his concerns about David’s presence, but Stephan knew he could protect David in the wilderness better than being away from the capital.
Deep down Ser Stephan knows he made the right call; everything just adds up too well. Marco wanted David in the Capital without him. The revelations of Aero’s encounter with Marco confirms Stephan’s rash decision, but the knight is troubled that Aero refused to speak about what happened with him and Prince John Henry.
Stephan is suddenly pulled out of his deep thoughts by Aero calling out to him.
“We have to take a break; I’ve been awake for nearly two days.” Aero states.
“We do need a break… but just a break. When we start back up, I want you to be in the back of the wagon. We have to get further away from the capital than this.” Stephan responds.
Aero thinks about making a protest, but he knows Stephan is right. With David with them, they must push themselves while they have a head start. So he gives in to the order.
“Understood.”
They ride a few more miles before finding a creek to water the horses. They pull over and dismount as dusk begins to fall. The creek area is lush with green grass and wildflowers. White buds in bloom all around them. A lone willow tree marks the location near the creek.
While Will tends to the animals, Stephan calls for a meeting under the willow tree just to the side of the creek bed.
Before they reach the tree, Matthew grabs Aero’s arm pulling him aside.
“I need a drink. Where are we? Is there a tavern or inn nearby?”
“No Matt. We are in the middle of nowhere. We won’t find a town for another sixteen hours of hard riding.” Aero responds trying to hide his amusement. In truth, Prince Aero has just been following the horse in front of him. Exhaustion is setting in and he isn’t sure where he is right now. “But my friend, if you need a drink that bad, I’ve heard that if you drank the night before then you can drink your own piss and it will be even stronger than a normal cup of ale. So, if you’re desperate, you could try that.”
Matthew just stares into the honey eyes of his friend, he’s unsure if he was joking or not.
“Let’s go see what Stephan wants.” Aero says as he pats Matthew on the arm.
As Aero turns away a huge smile breaks out across his face. The way Matthew was looking at him made Aero think that he had considered doing it for a split second.
As Aero and Matthew steps up under the tree, Stephan and David are whispering to each other. Aero has seen them do this hundreds of times, so he thinks nothing of it.
“I was just telling Dave here, that we need to continue on. I want to be three times further than anyone would think to look by lunch tomorrow. Then we will find a hidden spot and rest up; until then, we are going to continue at a slower pace. We will take rotations sleeping in the wagon. Aero and Will will take the first sleep rotation. We will continue until everyone has had four hours rest. Shortly after that, we will camp. “
David raises his hand “I am pretty tired, I was hoping to sleep first.”
“No, you and I are going to be on the same rotation. It’s my job to protect you; besides, Aero has been awake twice as long as you.”
While the discussion is going on, Matthew excuses himself.
David asks a few more questions about food and shelter. The prince is not used to skipping a meal, or not having the comfort of his own bed. After each question, Stephan answers with patience. Finally, Stephan stops the Prince and tells him he can ask his questions on the road.
Will, having finished placing the horses by the creek walks up.
“So, where are we? Where are we headed?”
“There’s a small community about five hours away called Clipton, we will stop there briefly to get supplies. We won’t send a letter back to the capital just yet, we are too close. I think we should get off the main road as soon as possible. We will have to look at alternate routes tomorrow after we rest. For now, let’s give the horses a few minutes before we head out.” Stephan responds.
“Yes Sir.” Will replies.
“For the sleep rotation, Aero and Will will go first, Matthew and Rich will take second, and Dave and I will take last.” Stephan commands.
“But I am tired, I don’t want to take last.” David protests.
Stephan snaps his head around to the prince in anger, David braces for chastisement but before Stephan can speak, Matthew calls out from the wagon area where he is rummaging through the supplies.
“I’ll take last rotation; I’m used to pulling all nighters.”
“You okay with that Rich?” Stephan asks
Aero instantly catalogs his name in his mind, Rich… For the life of him, Aero could never remember it.
“A squire doesn’t get a vote.” Matthew yells.
Rich just smiles and nods his head. Knights hazing young squires is just a right of passage. The group laughs, except for Will, he doesn’t seem to have a sense of humor.
“Aero, Will as soon as you are ready head to the wagon, Matthew, Rich and I will take care of the horses and get us back on the road.”
Will nods his head and turns to the wagon. As he does so, he passes Matthew carrying a bowl he recovered from the back of the wagon.
Aero, pulls David aside to check on him, David insists he is fine. Aero doesn’t believe him. But nonetheless, Aero gives in and makes his way toward the wagon. As he approaches the rear of the wagon, he sees Matthew’s silhouette in the darkening distance. He is pissing into the bowl he was carrying. Aero laughs to himself in disbelief as he crawls into the back of the wagon. He takes a moment to adjust the supplies so he can have room to sleep. Will didn’t bother. Finally after the longest day of his life, Prince Aero is laying down. He gives little thought to the danger as he closes his eyes, ready for some rest.
“That’s disgusting!” Matthew screams!
A smile comes across the prince’s resting face…
Relics of the Old Age 