The group had ridden well into the evening before setting up camp in a meadow of taraxacum flowers near a small stream for watering the horses. It was a somber ride without much conversation. The constant wails of the widow from inside the wagon was the primary sound.
David who has been her constant companion since she joined up with them, has offered her his tent. He tells her that he will bunk with one of the other guys. Stephan offers his tent as he is his sworn protector.
Once Matthew started the fire, the group gathers around it as a stew is being cooked. They sit quietly until the stew is done. Everyone eats in silence. After dinner, Aero breaks the silence.
“Roasa, we will take you wherever you need to go; if it’s not along our way, then we will get you a carriage ride… Where do you want to go?”
Roasa, sitting close to David looks at him “I am a Durrie; I don’t have a home. I’m nothing but a road rat as they say.”
“You don’t have a home?” David asks in disbelief.
“My husband was my home, and they took him from me.” Roasa replies with tears flowing down her face.
Everyone can see the heartbreak on her face, and no one knows what to do. They sit quietly for a while to respectfully allow her to continue to mourn.
“You can stay with us as long as you need, we are dropping Aero and Will off at the old Palace by the dried-up sea so he can visit Meego, the rest of us will return to the capital after that.” Says Stephan.
“What I want to do is kill every knight in the land!” Roasa shouts.
The group is shocked, they have all heard of the fiery hearts of the Durrie women but to see it manifest in the grieving widow so quickly was a shock to them all.
“Every one of them bastards that turn wives into widows, or robs from the poor, or abused children! I will dedicate my life to ensure that it doesn’t happen to the next woman! Or family, or child. I will fight them at every turn from this day until my dying day! I swear this on the oath of my ancestor’s memory. I will not be a victim again!” The passionate widow yells with a fist extended toward the heavens.
David stands up beside her, places his hand on her shoulder and speaks “Don’t you need to mourn before making any vows. You don’t have to rush into anything that has lasting effects on the rest of your life.”
“I have spoken my vow! I will mourn through my service and will rejoice with every victory. None of the royal’s care about the common people or they would have dealt with this problem already. Since you won’t I will.” She states pointing at Aero.
Aero is once again shocked by this woman’s boldness and passion. She called him out in front of everyone. In certain places in the kingdom, that would be a death warrant.
“Prince Aero has been fighting these knights, Ser Stephan as well but his Father, the King called him in from the field to do this duty. You saw when we first found you it was he that first wanted to chase down the knights that wronged you.” David replies.
“Is this true?” Rosa asks Aero.
“It is my lady, Ser Stephan first brought me into the struggle about four years ago. There is a small number of people trying to deal with the problem, but they are many. They are spread out over thousands of miles. We need more fighters.” Aero responds.
“Then train me to use a sword. You know I can use a bow.” She replies.
“How exactly did you make that shot?” Matthew blurts out between sips.
“Bloodline magic, I never miss.”
This revelation is an epiphanous moment for the soldiers. That shot had been on their minds since she hit it earlier. None of them could make that shot, yet this little woman could. The revelation of magic helps each man’s egos somewhat.
“It’s a hard task training to fight. Are you sure you can handle it? Life on the road, from skirmish to skirmish can be very difficult. I don’t want you romanticizing this new journey you want to take; it will break you if you’re not ready for it.” Aero replies.
“I am sure, my hopes and dreams died today, I will do everything I can for as long as can to save others. Train me!” Roasa demands.
Aero looks to Stephan, then Matthew looking for guidance.
Matthew speaks first. “Lady Roasa, I vow to train you to the best of my ability. I make this solemn vow before my mentors and friends, I will teach you everything I know, and I will assist you in your fight against these false knights.”
“As will I.” says Ser Stephan.
“And so will I, as long as I can.” Aero states
“Thank you. When do we begin?” Roasa asks
“Once we arrive at Bellum, we will acquire a sword that is weighted for you, until then we can train in other ways.” Aero says to Roasa.
“We begin in the morning, an hour before we leave camp.” Says Stephan “So let’s get some rest to be ready in the morning.”
“Thank you, thank you all. I look forward to the morning.” Roasa says as she turns toward David’s tent to get rest.
“I think we should all turn in soon as well, except Matt, we know that he isn’t going to sleep any time soon.” Aero says as he looks at Matt filling up his glass from the barrel of ale in the back of the wagon.
Matthew looks at Aero and raises his glass with a smile.
“He earned it today.” Stephan says. Aero nods.
“Where is what’s his name? You’re squire?” Aero asks Stephan
“He said he was going hunting.”
“In the dark?”
“Maybe he is putting traps out. I told him not to stay out too long. I’ll wait up for him, go ahead and get some rest, we have work to do.” Stephan tells Aero.
Aero agrees and heads to his tent, he pats David on the back in passing.
“Good night, brother.” Aero says
David smiles and nods at his little brother before entering Stephan’s tent.
The long day has finally come to an end.
Relics of the Old Age 