Chapter 22 - Decisions

Matthew and Alexander walked back towards the house on the top of the hill. After two days of riding, Matthew had not been eager to return to the back of a horse. Alexander had all but put him on the saddle, repeating that it was important that Matthew learn to ride properly and control his mount.

The sun stood directly above them, but Matthew felt as if it was much later in the day. They rose early that morning, Alexander’s father, Theman, waking them to begin the morning chores. Theman believed that if Alexander was home, he could work. He also believed that Alexander’s two young friends could help.

Matthew had trouble not grinning at Jaron’s reaction to working on the farm, though he doubted that his initial reaction was not much better. They had begun by feeding the few animals on the farm. The chickens that wandered the area nearly overrun Matthew as he scattered a grain of some sort on the ground near the barn. Jaron found himself learning how to milk a cow, and then doing so. Alexander and Theman busied themselves caring for the horses, both the ones that had arrived with the group the night before and the pair of massive horses that had been out grazing when they had arrived.

After the animals had been tended to, every member of Alexander’s family, as well as the three guests, made their way out into the crops. The women busied themselves in the garden, picking vegetables and pulling weeds that had grown up around the plants. Even Kari helped in the work.

Meanwhile the men went out into the fields, armed with hoes. The spent what seemed like all morning, the sun still barely above the horizon, removing weeds. Eventually Matthew did not even have to think about what he was doing. Pull the weeds out with the hoe, pick them up, throw them in the canvas bag that hung from a strap over his shoulder, move to a new spot and do it all again.

It all made Matthew a little glad that he had not been able to find work on a farm when he was younger. He supposed at that age, he would have grown use to the work. But even the life of hardships he had lived was easy compared to working a farm.

They remained in the fields until Anara called from the top of the hill. They left their work and returned to the house. They entered the kitchen to be greeted by the aromas of breakfast. On the table before him was what Matthew would have considered a small feast of bread, fruits and vegetables, dried meats and other various foods.

Matthew ate until he felt like he could not eat anymore. He was astonished at the empty table before the group of people, surprised that so much food could be eaten. Everyone seemed to be pleased with the meal and Matthew was content to remain in his seat and fall asleep. Alexander had other plans. That was when he took Matthew out for his lesson.

Matthew was told to saddle Belle without any instructions. Alexander did the same with his horse, Cirrus. They two then found a flat, open area of land and began their lesson. Alexander began simply teach Matthew proper vocal instructions. When to whistle and when to click; what words would get what response from the horse; and other various things that would come in handy while riding.

They then covered the proper way to sit in the saddle. Matthew had thought that Alexander looked uncomfortable in his saddle when riding, back straight and arms hanging at his sides, bent at the elbow to rest on the horn of the saddle. When Matthew took up the same position he was surprised with how comfortable it was. It shifted his weight off of his thighs, which were still worn from the riding they had already done, and even with his arms loose, he still had complete control of the horse with the reins.

The lessons grew continually harder until the call for lunch came from the hill. It had surprised Matthew how quickly the rest of the morning had vanished, but he was glad to get off the horse. His thighs, though better than they had been the day before, still ached and the sun had been beating down on them for some time.

Lunch consisted of bread, cheese and a soup broth. After they had finished eating the light meal, Alexander asked Matthew and the others to join him in the living room. Theman seemed disappointed at loosing some of his work force, but Alexander assured him that they would join Nathan and him in the fields as soon as they finished their discussion.

Matthew enjoyed being in the living room. It was a bare room mostly, a single book shelf and rocking chair in one corner, a bench and chairs surrounding the fireplace, and a single, small table decorated with simple flowers sat under the single window of the room. The night before everyone had gathered in the room and Theman and Miktan took turns telling stories. Miktan’s stories were much more elaborate, but Theman’s had an air about them that drew you into listening.

Matthew, Jaron, Miktan and Alexander all sat in chairs around the fireplace, arranging them so they could see each other. They all knew the reason they had taken the time to meet alone. They needed to discuss their next course of action. Where they would go next.

“We need to leave here tomorrow I think,” Alexander began, “Any longer and we may draw attention to ourselves, and worse, to my family.”

“I agree. If we wait too long to leave someone will be bound to notice us, and I’m sure there is at least some search for you three going on in Garlin,” Miktan explained.

“So where do we go?” Jaron asked, “I am not even sure there is anywhere we can go. At least not anywhere that someone could help, or that they would even listen.”

“As much as I hate that we may have to go there,” Miktan started, “but the Weaver’s Guild would probably at least hear us out. They may even have knowledge regarding the Threads of Creation, and if that is really what you unleashed.”

Matthew cringed at the idea that they had released the supposed Threads of Creation. He was not sure how much of the theory he believed, but he was sure that someone powerful was contained and they at least began it’s release into the world.

“Are you suggesting that we travel to Aldrath and ask the Weaver’s help?” Alexander asked.

Miktan nodded, “It is the best course of action I can think of. They are most likely to know anything, or at least have a theory regarding the situation.”

“It sounds like a logical course of action to me,” Jaron chimed in.

Matthew felt obligated to break his silence, “If this Weaver’s Guild is what you said it is Alexander, I think Miktan might be right.”

Alexander stared at the floor for a moment before nodding, “I think your right too Miktan. There is too much that we don’t know right now and the Guild is the most likely place that we’ll learn anything.”

“So we leave tomorrow?” Matthew asked.

Alexander nodded, “Tomorrow morning would be best. I would say that we leave this afternoon, but by the time I convinced my mother and we were all prepared, it would be too late in the afternoon to truly get any good time made,” Alexander paused, “That and if we can help my brother and da get ahead on some of the chores, it would make things easier for them.”

Jaron groaned, “I guess that means we are heading back into the field?”

Miktan barked a laugh, “This is honest work boy. It’ll do you good to understand what it is that the farm folk have to endure.”

Matthew eyed the older man. He seemed to have a reason for everything. It seemed that his reason however was always just a slight twist on the last one he used.

——————-

“Are you sure you have to go?” Anara asked.

It was not the first time that she had asked that very question. The first time it was said, Matthew knew that it was meant for all of them, but most of all for Alexander. They had announced during the evening meal that they would be leaving in the morning. The announcement had hardly even stunned Theman and Nathan, though Kari and Anara took it hard enough for everyone.

What hurt Matthew the most was that they could not reveal to them the real reason they had to leave; they could not inform them of the danger they would be in by their staying. Matthew had never known what it was like to have a real family, but the short time he had spent with Alexander’s had taught him many things he never would have realized. Things that would stay with him for a long time.

“Yes mother, we have to go,” Alexander explained for what seemed to be the hundredth time, “We only really stopped here to rest and plan out the next leg of our journey.”

Anara looked disappointed, “I know. I only hoped that maybe you would stay a bit longer this time.”

Alexander finished tying his saddlebags to the saddle and walked to his mother, giving her a hug, “I will try my best to visit again as soon as I can and make it a worthwhile visit.”

“Try to make it around harvest time,” Theman commented from beside his wife.

Alexander laughed as he released from his hug and shook hands with his father, “I’ll try my best.”

Everyone exchanged their farewells and once again they were headed off into the unknown. It all worried Matthew, not knowing what was waiting for him. It was not that he always knew what he was going to experience, but this was all so new to him; all so foreign that he could not even begin to imagine what was coming. He only hoped that he was strong enough to survive it.