Chapter 7

Laenas’s Cottage, Outside Freymount, the Kingdom of Wuthia, 1125

Mabel Laenas

We buried our father in the back of the house, near a single willow tree that has been on the farm ever since I could remember. If you were to look closer at the bark of the tree, you would see my brother’s initials carved at its heart.

I stared at that tree as Solomon placed the last dirt on our father’s grave. This will be the last time I will ever see this tree again.

Or this farm.

We left Sigric open and bare. He does not deserve the luxury of a burial after he took our father away from us. Now my brothers and I are all alone in this world. Burdened with the knowledge that we come from a lineage of evil and corruption. I wonder if that’s the reason mother had always made me do things myself, being tougher on me than my brothers, because she wanted me to become better than her if that darkness that was in her would one day awaken in me. It’s too bad I will be unable to ask her. While she is not dead, she has long gone from us now.

Solomon hasn’t said anything after we buried our father. Normally, I couldn’t get him to shut up about anything. Now, he is a mute. We all deal with grief and change differently. But we must not let heavy hearts dictate our next move. Like our father said, we must be strong.

“We need to find Richard and leave Freymount,” I started, heading to the stables. On my way, I opened all the pens of our other livestock on the farm. They were free to go wherever their animal brain led them. “Word of the death of the town priest won’t be long away. People, especially the authorities, would be asking and searching for answers.”

“You’re right,” Solomon said. “Sigric had too much influence in the town, while the Laenas’s family name is hanging on by a thread. No one would listen to our truth.”

“That’s why we’re leaving,” I said.

I led Willow and our father’s steed, Resen, out of the barn. I got their saddle ready while Solomon started to take things from our home, things that were easy to carry and could help us wherever we go. It was minutes later that he came out with three small sacks over his back. I helped him hook them to the horses’ saddles. He was still processing everything that happened. I placed my hand over his. “As long as we stick together, we’ll be alright.”

He nodded back in agreement. “Where’s to first?”

“We need to find our brother,” I said, getting settled on Willow. “He’s probably at the tavern. We get him and leave Freymount before anyone suspects anything.”

“Let’s hope he’s not deep in a barrel of rum or the bosoms of a woman,” Solomon said.

We both grinned.

At least some things are still the same.

We later headed out of the farm, but later stopped to look back at our farm one last time. We never truly left this place. Our whole world was on this farm. But our world is now gone, and we are thrust into a new world of many unknowns and untold dangers. Solomon and I looked at each other, nodded, and continued to ride to the town.

The Narrow Nugget, Freymount, 1125

Richard Laenas

The tavern roared with excitement as rum flowed into mugs, cards slammed on the table, old shanties were being sung by drunken fools, and maidens served all manner of goods, whether it be food, rum, or themselves. I downed the heady beer as the big-breasted tavern maid sucked on my cock and fingered her own pussy. I thrusted my hips, fucking her face as I shuddered in delight.

Mugs clashed in the air with each other nearby. A pair of drunken men brawled. Other drunken spectators watched. I savored their eyes.

“That’s it!” I moaned. “Suck my dick! Show me how much you love this dick! Oh, yes! That’s it! Mmm, you’re good.”

Her lips and tongue continue to pleasure my cock. Her large breasts heaved below her before me. My vest was open, my muscular chest exposed for all to see. Another slim maiden licked all over my chest, soon latching on to my nipples as if I was breastfeeding, her dark eyes flashing up at me.