For @Kalmar (Lowell). Surprise! For your patience.
“Artham! Come on! We’re going into the town!” A young Esben ran through the halls of the Castle Rysen looking for his elder brother.
Esben was 15 and his older brother, who you have already heard of, Artham, was 17.
“Artham! Artham! Where are you?”
“I’m here!” A call came from the library.
Of course! Esben thought, I should have known. The library! He practically lives in there!
He walked into the castles library and immediately spotted his brother. He walked closer. He noticed his brother had a book on poems. His brother always liked writing poems. Artham usually showed his brother poems he had written himself. But lately, the newest poem he had been working on was kept from Esben’s sight.
“Common! We’re going to town!”
“I don’t know if I want to go.”
“Why not? We can see all the people, and smell all the smells, and explore!”
“Those are exactly the reasons why I don’t want to go! I don’t really want to interact with people, some of the smells are weird, and adventure to you, is work for me! You know I have to protect you, and when you get a smell of adventure you go off on the most wild and mischievous excursions. So, I want to stay here.”
Esben thought of a way he could get his brother to come with him. It suddenly hit him.
A sly grin came over his face. “Arundelle will be there!”
Artham quickly lifted his eyes from his writing. He thought for a minute.
“Ok. I’ll go.”
“Yes!”
The walk to town was pleasant. It was a sunny summer day and the breeze flew through their hair, tossing it this way and that.
When they made it to town, Artham immediately headed for the library.
Smart Arth. Smart. Esben thought. Arundelle is probably in there.
The library was dim and relaxing. It was cool and comfortable. Arundelle was in a corner reading. She looked up and noticed the pair. Artham and Arundelle locked eyes.
“Es. Go over there and find a book or something.” He said without taking his eyes off Arundelle.
“Sure. Sure. Have fun love bird!”
Artham walked over to Arundelle.
“Um, Hi there!”
Arundelle looked up from her book.
“Hi Arth. What brings you here?”
“Es wanted to come. He wanted a book on-“ he glanced at Esben who was at the closest book shelf pretending to read a book but was really watching them. Artham read the title. “He wanted a book on- ra-rashes.”
“Rashes?”
“Um… yeah.”
“Ok.”
“So, what are you reading?” Artham asked, trying desperately to change the subject.
“This book by a holish author. It’s about a warrior group.”
“Oh! Is that the new one?” What do you think?”
“I like it! The author has such a strong but eloquent way of saying things. It just pulls me in. Shows me another time-”
As Arundelle spoke, Artham watched her deep green eyes. They told a story all their own. They showed the innocence of her being. They showed the heartbreak of her life. They showed the strength she displayed daily. She, at a young age, was forced to grieve her father’s passing, and had always carried that burden gracefully. Artham had known her his whole life. They grew up together. And he was prepared to help her carry that burden if he could.
“Wow! That sounds like a great book! I’d love to read it sometime!”
Arundelle read her book while Artham wrote down some more lines of poetry on his paper.
Esben got bored reading of neck rashes and walked over to them. “Hiya!”
“Hi Esben! How are you? How was your book?”
“Oh! I’m great! And I had no idea how riveting that book could be! I’m itching to read more!” He gave a wink to Artham.
“How about we go to
Kyleriam’s* Tavern for some good food!” Artham suggested, wanting to leave, but wanting Arundelle to come with.
“Sure!”
“We‘ll pay!”
“No Artham! It’s fine I can pay for myself!”
“Please Arundelle. Let me pay.”
“Oh, alright.”
When they got to the tavern, they all sighed with hunger. They were greeted by Kyleriam.
“Hi you three! Where do you want to sit?”
“Where ya got?” Esben asked timidly. He was always timid in public.
“We’ve got your regular booth! Right this way!” Kyleriam strided across the big room, weaving through tables and dodging under trays of food being delivered to tables.
“Here ya go! I’ll be right back!” She bounded off. Her curls bouncing with every step.
Once they got settled, they talked about their plans after their meal.
Kyleriam quickly came back.
“Alrighty! What’s your pleasure? Wait! Wait! Papa’s been teaching me how to know what people want by just looking at their faces.” She studied Esben’s face first.
“Toothy cow burger, with starch fries!”
Esben looked surprised. “Yes! How did you-“
Kyleriam continued.
“Arundelle! You want… Cheesy Chowder! I just know it!” Again, she was right.
“And Artham….” She studied his face harder than the others. “You want Limpny stew. Am I right?”
“Yes! How do you do that?”
Kyleriam grinned. “Practice! Lots of practice!” She quickly left to get their food.
After their meal, Kyleriam got permission from her father to go with Esben, Artham and Arundelle. They all agreed to go to the shore and look for adventure.
The day faded quickly, taking the sun with it. And as the four friends stood hand in hand on the shore watching the sun go down, each of them counted their blessings of which there were many to count.
*Kyleriam was a feisty, redheaded girl Artham and Arundelle’s age, with hazel eyes who ran a tavern with her father on Hapney road. It was famous for its Bumpy dig road legs and Limpny stew. She was a good friend of the three and sometimes went on their adventures with them, making them an even four.
I really don't have any critiquing to do on this one