Further Tales From The Stream

Skip to Content

Home

Store

Portfolio

Author and Books

Further Tales From The Stream

Blog

0

Home

Store

Portfolio

Author and Books

Further Tales From The Stream

Blog

Further Tales From The Stream

Blog

Meet the Characters

A Tale of Gerough to Gruff

Gerough looked over the town from his guard turret, soon he could knock off. He’d only managed a few hours’ sleep between the tavern and his shift. Still without the tavern likely he’d not have slept at all. Stork, fellow guardsman, and friend woke him, they frequently shared shifts.

Stork walked over from his post at the rear-guard turret. “They’re late, bet they slept in lazy sods,” Stork grumbled. Stork was aptly named for his height, but even more so how prolific he was at supplying children, to various barmaids. It could be said they weren’t all his, but when the lasses realised, he’d help out with his meagre wages, he may have been ‘gifted’ some extra children.

Gruff nodded his agreement then something caught his attention. A glimmer of red in the bushes between the dormitories and castle wall, Stork followed his friends gaze then let out a laugh.

“Should we tell ‘em?” Stork asked.

“Nah, look at her, wee thing, what’re they thinking putting her in that place?” Gerough remarked. He’d heard the rumors of an orphan from the borderlands, it was said more gifted than they’d seen the likes of for a long time.

“They’ll be after her soon enough,” Stork said.

“Yeah, but she’s a wily one. Council guards spent the better part of yesterday looking for her.” Gerough remarked as this tiny little girl snuck out of the bushes and crept along to the wall surrounding the grounds. Grounds that encased the castle, dormitory, classrooms, and the tower that contained the Stream, and on the other side of the castle the guard barracks. This time Gerough let out a low laugh as her tiny body squeezed under the wall until she disappeared on the other side, somewhere in the town.

“Ah she’s like a fox, probably was a fox hole dug under, might not be safe for her venturing though the town by herself,” Stork remarked.

“Just like you said like a fox, canny for one so young, reckon she darts in and out places till she finds one safe and then hangs out there. Yesterday they found her at the stables, don’t reckon they reported her any sooner than they had to, being she was missing the entire day.”

“Yeah, that made for an amusing shift watching them special guards scour the grounds and then the town,” Stork said.

“Good thing they don’t expect us to keep track of the kids.” Gerough kept looking down into the town but didn’t see any sign of her.

“About time,” Stork said at the arrival of Blane a fellow guardsman.

“Yeah, yeah yah slacker get back to your post for change over,” remarked the newcomer. Stork nodded at Gerough before walking away.

“Anything to report?” Blane asked.

“Nah, I’m going to get some shut eye before drill, see you at the tavern later,” Gerough said.

He descended the turret steps and made his way to the guard barracks. The castle guards’ quarters and Council guards’ quarters sat next to each other, but there the resemblance stopped. He knew that inside the larger Council guard quarters they had separate and nicely furnished rooms. Regular guards’ quarters were two rows of beds, a dresser between accommodating clothing and sparse belongings.

Page 1

Castle guards had little in possessions, being a younger brother, paying the obligatory service to the crown. Demanded of all folk without titles, they may even be well to do folk, landholders, merchants, or businessmen, it didn’t matter the family must send a son to fulfill the requirement, the eldest would inherit and another must serve.

He moved quietly to his bed so as not to wake any fellow guardsman that had been on the first night shift. Unbuckling his sword he put it under the bed and without bothering to further disrobe lay down. He hoped this morning he could sleep, he was weary, his life had become a routine of work, tavern, sleep. Even teaching combat skills and training at endless drills didn’t spark his enthusiasm anymore. Once that was something that gave him a feeling of worth. It was all the same now years of the same since he’d become a guard.

Stretching out his large form on a bed that was only wide enough he stared at the wood ceiling above him, he knew every gnarl and cobweb covered board. The sound of another guard snoring was oddly relaxing, no doubt after years of living with such. He closed his eyes his last thought before drifting off the sleep brought a slight smile to his face, that little one sneaking off.

A Dream of Her

He dreamed, like many times, the same dream, part memory part fantasy, so long ago now it was to blurry to tell. They sky was blue as he lay in the field with her, some of her hair falling on his shoulder, silky soft and scented like flowers. Even in the dream he knew not to try to look at her, that she would fade away, but if he lay still like this, he could just be with her for a moment. He’d learned not to allow thinking to intrude, it would wake him to feel the sadness all over again.

“We shall wed soon, and this will be all ours, and our children’s,” her voice was as gentle as a breeze.

And he couldn’t help it, he turned to see her and remember that moment—when everything had been so perfect, and she was gone, like she had been for many years, the feeling of her pressing against his side, the softness, and the smell of her all gone.

Page 2

Fellow Guards

He opened his eyes, the boards almost seemed to stare back at him. So many years now, and a few lovers to fill the void, but not for many years, when that made him feel even emptier. He sat up just as weary as he laid down. Retrieved his sword. He headed to the rear castle, guards could get food at the kitchens. He met Stork on the way.

“Been with one of your missuses, how’s the kids?” Gerough asked.

“Ahh there’s some gooduns,” Stork smiled fondly, not a care really for whether they were his or not. Most castle guards didn’t take on family, nor stay in touch with those they left behind. It was too hard on everyone concerned, the one obliged to be a guard and the family who had to let them go. They weren’t banned from having families, but it wasn’t encouraged or made easy. At a whim they could be sent to a different post. Gruff and Stork felt lucky to have been in Galen for five years, and likely to stay due to their commander, he liked to hold on to his men, if he thought they did their job well and didn’t cause trouble.

Half a dozen guards were already seated in the large kitchen at the long scarred wooden table. They weren’t served the finer food they could see being prepared for those who lived in the castle, but they didn’t complain.

“Here you go then,” cook ladled stew onto their plates with a chunk of bread.

“Thank you,” Gerough said, she looked fondly at him and added another scoop of stew to his plate.

“Big man needs a big feed,” Cook said.

“Oi, I’m a big man too, what about me,” a guard from further along the table called.

“It’s the name mate, Gerough, makes him special,” the guard opposite him said.

“Yeah, what’s it with that, sounds upper crust,” the previous one said.

“No he spilled his guts in his cups one night he’s first born meant to inherit the family horse breeding property.” He shut up instantly when Gerough’s chair scraped back and he stood.

“I’m an idiot, shouldn’t have flapped my mouth, guards honour I—”

“Shut it, and keep it shut,” Gerough slowly sat back down again.

“Yeah man, don’t give him crap,” a different guard spoke up to nods and murmurs of agreement.

“Men,” rumbled the Cook before putting the ladle down to fetch a rough bag filled with food items and handed them to Stork. “The breads a bit stale but still good, and there’s a few bits and pieces of leftovers that need to be used up.”

Page 3

“Kids will appreciate it thanks,” Stork took the bag.

“How many is that now?” The guard next to Stork joked, only to have the cook whip away his plate before he finished.

“One of em would be my nieces littlun, and she be lucky to have a guard that owns up to his responsibilities.”

“Look Cook, sorry, truly, can I have my food back?” He pleaded, a couple of other guards smirked but didn’t dare laugh.

“Here tis then, just mind your joking.”

“I will,” he agreed.

The guard next to him gave him an elbow nudge, then filled his mouth with the last of his stew covered bread and mumbled out around the food, “you’d think though he could just chose one of them.” Several guards guffawed with laughter.

The cook grabbed her ladle threateningly, “Right you out, and be thinking twice about getting on my bad side if you don’t be wanting rat stew.”

The guard arm up to protect himself from the ladle, almost choked, his face showing he’d just realised the folly of upsetting the cook. “Sorry Cook, you’re right he’s doing a real honorable thing, and look here to help him out.” He rifled his trouser pocket and put a few coins in front of Stork.

“Good man, now if all could be so generous.” Cook turned her ruddy cheeks and fierce eyes on the other guard sitting at the table, a few grumbles and a few more coins materialised in front of Stork. At that point, the guards seemed to think it best to eat fast and get out before the cook remembered who said what, who laughed, or who didn’t offer coins to help out. Once all were gone but Gerough and Stork, she let out a raucous laugh, before plonking cake in front of them. “That’ll teach em.”

“Thanks Cook,” Stork said.

“Ah ye be spoiling us,” Gerough said.

“Nah don’t be thanking me, you do good by those girls, when others take, and leave em, and it’s no secret to me that you help out too. Beckie said that you helped Stork fix the thatch roof,” the last she directed to Gerough.

“Gives a man something to do off duty,” Gerough replied.

“Which isn’t now man, come on your leading drill, can I pick this up later?” Stork indicated the sack.

“Sure, maybe even find some more to add to it,” Cook said.

Page 4

The Orphan

Gerough, Stork, Blane and another fairly new guard Sleet headed to the tavern, for lunch and drinks. Market Inn was aptly named for its position near the markets. They were hot and sweaty from practice. More so than usual with the commander watching the training of new recruits.

They chose a spot just inside the door with a window facing the marketplace. The tavern maid came and took their order. Gerough looked around seeing the normal mix of lunch crowd. It was a large tavern, opening up to tables scattered around the room and the bar straight ahead. The lighting was dim, the front verandah shielding the sunlight from entering, and no windows to the side or back. Towards the rear were private booths, these tended to be taken by merchants, wealthier residents from nearby homes, and even the council guards. They paid extra for the privilege, and could reserve booths, sometimes as permanent availability. Added to that they were served first. There were also gambling rooms on the next level, but too rich for a guardsman’s salary. It was the open space that served the less discerning crowd, regular guards, market holders or nearby small businesses.

Gerough preferred Jenna’s Inn at the onset of the town, it tended to have more ordinary folk, farmers and workers. However his one was convenient when one had a shift straight after lunch. The conversation went from the new recruits to general remarks and observations on today’s lunch crowd. Gerough had finished his meal and was lifting his ale for a swig when he saw a flash of red out the window, the littlun had just ducked under a market stall. A glance up showed him why several council guards were scouring the market. Gerough gulped down his drink, grabbed Stork’s.

“Oi, what yah doing?” Stork demanded.

“Going to bother some of them guards that are more special.” Gerough said then started sculling Stork’s full tankard.

“What the hell man, you know they can do that lie detecting woo-woo stuff, I’ve been warned about messing with them,” Sleet whispered.

“Then you haven’t learned the best secret we guard share, and you must solemnly promise not to tell anyone else, on threat of your life,” Stork said grabbing Sleet’s drink and guzzling it down.

“I promise, now what the hell,” Sleet said as Blane put his hand up indicating 4 fingers to the barman.

“Another just to be safe,” Blane said.

“So you’re all coming?” Gerough asked.

“Sure are,” Stork replied and took one of the large tankards from the tray the serving lass brought over. “Drink up man, if you’re coming.”

“I will, but the secret?” Sleet asked and took a tankard.

Gerough finished his first and leaned in to say quietly to Sleet, “the booze it does something that stops them being able to do ‘woo-woo’ stuff as you called it, but you need to be at least part way tanked man, so I hope you can hold your liquor, now come on before they upend all the stalls.” A glance outside showed the council guards pushing marketers out he way and rifling around their stalls. It wasn’t market day so fortunately there was less, but those few there were becoming very disgruntled, but too scared to protest. He quickly headed out the door, the effects of alcohol barely affecting him, he drank too much. He could see they were approaching the stall he’d seen her duck under, he went straight there and stood in front of it, and three fellow guards joined him.

“Out the way guard, we’ve important business to attend,” the council guard said.

“Oh yeah sorry, can we help, you seem to be looking for something,” Gerough said.

“That orphan Sarian, have you seen her,” the council guard spoke brusquely trying to push past them.

“That little red-haired one, we heard of her haven’t we men?” Gerough asked his friends.

“Yeah, we have, did she run away again?” Stork asked.

Page 5

‍ “Is that the one that keeps making a fool of the guards, oh that’d be you,” Blane said and then let out a massive burp in the council guards face who reached for his sword.

“None of that, sorry, we’ve just been in the tavern,” Gerough said raising his arms to surrender.

“I can tell that, you guards are the lowest form of kings men,” the council guard hissed.

“Don’t we be Lord Kirran’s men?” Sleet said.

“Well, as he’s a lord to the king then that makes us—” Stork waffled.

“Shut up, and let me past,” the guard snarled and tried to push past.

“What’s the problem?” A second council guard came over.

“The drunken fools are blocking the way,” the first replied.

‍

“No sir, just trying to save you time, saw the littlun scoot from one stall to another and scamper off back there towards the warehouses,” Gerough said. “But since your liking to look under the stalls let my check and all since, I’m right here.” As Gerough stepped back to look under the table his friends closed the gap. He bent down lifted the cover over the table and there amongst the boxes was a little face staring up at him, he smiled and dropped the cover. “No man, you’re wasting your time only empty boxes, but if you hurry you might catch her.”

“I’m going to report you for wasting time, come,” he turned heel the other council guard following. He let out a piercing whistle and the rest of his troop followed.

Gerough and his friends watched them go, before another check under the stall, “they’re gone.” Her little head popped out amber eyes looked up, then she darted off down the street.

“You reckon that was a good idea?” Blane asked.

“I for one do, did you see the bruising on her little arms?” Stork asked.

“There was bruising?” Gerough demanded, “I was too taken by those unusual amber eyes, but bruising, who’d do that?” Gerough stood tall like a great angry bear.

“They aren’t easy on those kids I’ve heard,” Stork replied.

“But she’s near a baby,” Blane said.

“Tell you what any time we can help her out let’s do it,” Stork said.

“Misdirect, block and hide whenever we see her,” Gerough said.

“Agreed, no one likes those who hurt kids,” Sleet added.

“Now we’d best go on duty, see you two later.” Stork said. Blane and Sleet went back to the tavern and Gerough and Stork headed towards the castle.

“Was starting to think you didn’t like kids the way you avoid mine,” Stork commented.

“Course I like kids just haven’t had much to do with em and don’t want to start, I’m not the kid kind of person.”

“If you say so,” Stork said.

Page 6.

Of Misleading & Meetings

Gerough and his friends continued, whenever they had the opportunity, to support the little girl’s efforts to escape the dormitories. Gerough had learned her favourite haunts were the stables, a bakery, and more recently in the back streets. The latter worried him a bit, but on one occasion of following her she met with another little girl and they played together, and one of the older boys seemed to watch over them.

What worried him more is that Stork was right, she often had bruised arms, looking like they were made by adult hands. At first, he was angry with the Council Guards, but he had watched them when they escorted her back to the dormitories, as much as she hated them, biting, kicking, and struggling, they actually managed her quite gently.

He turned from his post when he heard steps behind him Blane was approaching.

“Did you see her? I thought I saw her just behind the tree over there.”

“No, and she’s usually off as soon as the other kids leave for classes.” Gruff looked out to where Blane had pointed. She was there just peeking out from behind the tree and looking right at him, she stepped out and stood in the pose of attention, actually turned did a little march, turned again, before fleeing.

“She didn’t did she?” Blane asked.

“Aye, she’s been watching drills, which means she’s been watching us, and I thought we were looking out for her,” Gerough said. Blane laughed.

Over the next few days Gerough caught her doing the same, just popping out from behind the tree for a moment to copy his stance, or do a quick march before running off. One time even pretending to shoot an arrow.

He started trying to spot her during practice. Held in the field just outside the barracks and castle grounds. It was there they would do combat training and formation marching, and battle arrangement, not that there’d been a war for many years. However he king liked guardsman trained for such, even if it was mostly for show when dignitaries visited.

He guessed she must watch from the nearby forest, he’d started to linger after training, taking on the chore of bringing in equipment. Today he thought he’d caught a glimpse of her on the tree line. Casually moving closer and then feeling like a right idiot he marched and turned, keeping an eye out, nothing, he continued the drill.

Then she popped out of the tree line and parodied his steps. Now she was there, he didn’t know what to do, or even why he thought this was a clever idea.

Then she stopped and looked up at him, she pointed at herself and slowly drew out the word “Sah ree an.” She took so much care to say it that Gerough smiled.

He pointed at himself, “Gerough.”

She turned her head questioningly and then the sound of a horse drew his eyes. It was the stablemasters lad riding bareback towards them. She laughed and clapped her hands at his arrival. The lad looked at him warily and then reached down a hand to the eagerly stretching up little girl and hauled her up.

“Sorry sir, my sister, she runs off sometimes,” the young lad said lifting his chin.

“Aye she does, but I know who she is,” Gerough said.

“She just needs some time, with people who care,” the lad put his arms protectively around his charge.

“I can see that, you best be getting on with it then,” Gerough turned his back and started to walk towards the castle.

“Gerruff, gruff,” a little voice called, he turned and she waved before the lad turned his horse back towards the stables, one more glance back before trotting away.

Page 7

Farewell to Drunken Haze

Gerough met friends at Jenna’s Inn for an afternoon of drinking. Two drinks in and he had an idea. “I’ve got something to do, catch you later.”

“Later then,” Blane replied.

First, he went to the market and purchased a few secondhand tools for what he had in mind. Then he headed into the forestry looking around to find an appropriate piece of wood. He found a nice clearing within the forest it had a stump of a large old tree central to it.

“Convenient,” he mumbled to himself settling down on the stump he started to whittle the wood away. He forgot how much he liked being outside like this, the soothing sounds of the forest around him, the smell and freshness of it.

It made him think back to a memory of Derok, second brother, and the one tasked with being a guard. His young face keen while Gerough shaped a practice knife for him from wood. Another memory flitting in of a later time, Derok’s despair when he was soon to leave his love to serve the kingdom as a guard. It had pulled Gerough out of his own grief, where he’d been numb to everything, and shaped his next decision. He told his brother and parents he couldn’t stay, his future there had died with her, whereas his brother had someone to stay for. Every moment of his life there was a memory of her, and one that caused him grief. His father insisted he would heal and find another, his brother said that he couldn’t let him take his place, but that was after a moment of hope had flared in his eyes. In the end he just packed up and left, this way they didn’t have to feel guilty about agreeing it was a better choice.

His brother was a gentle lad, he would do better by the farm, and there were the younger brothers, his parents, and his sisters all needing dowries. As successful as the farm was it had many to support, and all would be at risk if one didn’t accept the obligation to the crown.

When he left it wasn’t all altruistic, it was running away. Today for the first time he thought about it with rightness, with true happiness for his brother, and a sense of peace. He didn’t go back to the tavern that night. He carved the little wooden knife until it was time for a shift, and when he went to bed he slept deeply and dreamlessly.

Page 8

The Gift

“Do you want another?” Stork asked when he arrived.

“Just the one, I’ve ordered us both the roast,” Gerough answered.

“Ahh, you’re a good man, Jennis Inn does the best roast pork. I was just going to have a drink and go, kids need some new clothes,” Stork answered.

“I know the cook looks after you, but you deserve something extra,” Gerough answered. The serving girl arrived and placed two very full plates of roast pork, and vegetables in front of them.

“Will I be seeing you later?” She asked Stork.

“You will,” Stork replied.

“Good, you’ve got more than one family,” she reminded swaying her hips as she walked away.

“Don’t I know it,” Stork replied. “She’s a saucy one.”

“Perhaps you might visit the kids and avoid the mistresses’ bed. How many are there now?”

“Twelve kids to four lovely mothers, and I love all of them, how could I deprive myself or them?”

“By lack of coin to keep them all.”

“Tis just money,” Stork said digging into his meal. Gerough dug into his meal with relish, so much so it took him a while to notice he was being watched. It was the Stablemaster Lorel, who stood and came towards them.

“May I join you?” Lorel asked.

“Please,” Gerough indicated the chair.

“Can what we speak of stay private?” Lorel asked.

“We guards don’t have secrets do we Gerough, we be very simple men,” Stork answered.

“Then you won’t mind me saying something that has been observed, and something you should be very careful of,” Lorel said.

“Say what you’d say, we’ll not spread it.” Gerough eyed Lorel up and down, he had always found Lorel a man of good word.

“The child, Sarian, you’ve been watching out for her, and you’ve not prevented her— jaunts—nor guided others to find her,” Loril stated.

“A few of us have, all because of this big lug, but mostly him, I’ve got my own young’uns to mind, and best be off to them,” Stork said. They watched him go.

“He’s right to go, what we’ve done is a little bit of play, no harm meant,” Gerough replied.

“I’ve something more to ask of you, a small risk, if you’re willing, you’ve seen the bruises?” Loril asked quietly.

“I have, do you know who’s behind it, and what’re you asking?”

Page 9

“It’s the principal, and it’s getting worse, she’s getting more subdued.”

“Foul man, I don’t like it, not at all, but isn’t that what they do?”

“Not like this, she’s too young, and it’s too harsh, all I ask of you is to get a note to a council woman,” Loril said.

Gerough laughed, “As if the likes of them would come near me.”

“The Cook can get it to her, I had someone who could do this, but—never mind. Will you do this?”

Gerough eyed Loril again who met him with the same assessing look, “I’ll do it, I’ve seen her with your lad, taking it you like her spirit too. So the cook will know what to do?”

“Yes, just be careful no one else should see the exchange. One more thing I’ve this for you—wear it at all times, it’s much better than drinking to hide your truths, especially now you’ve cut back.” He handed over a little leather pouch on a long string. “Keep it out of sight.”

Gruff thoughtfully took the pouch and placed it around his neck and peaked inside and saw a small crystal. “You know a lot for a stablemaster, but I know it’s best not to question. I’ve seen enough in my time here to understand the less known the better, I’ll do this for her but that’s it,” Gerough said.

“Good, we need not meet or speak of it again,” Loril said. “If I’d not learned what you do for her, or been so worried—I’d not have asked, but I urge you go now, when they took her back today, she was really frightened.”

Loril scraped his chair back, nodded and left.

***

Gerough paced the castle wall in a manner unusual for him, until he ended up at the rear-guard turret. He’d done as Loril requested. When he had the chance to speak quietly to the cook, she took the letter and quickly hid it in her apron pocket. Then acted like nothing had happened, offering him a sandwich before duty. The whole thing was confusing, and he didn’t want to think about it, but he’d seen in Loril the same desire to protect that tiny little human with her bright way. He didn’t want them to crush it, but like all gifted her future wasn’t hers to choose.

He suddenly stopped his pacing he saw a glimmer of light, a candle lamp being held by a woman making her way to the dormitories in her night robe.

“That’s pretty unusual,” the guard at the rear turret said. He wasn’t one of Gruff’s circle of friends but was a decent bloke. “Something to report do you think.”

“What are we reporting, defenseless woman from the castle, going for a walk around the grounds?” Still both men stayed watching out for her. Gerough was about to return to his post when the woman reappeared and this time with a little bundle in her arms. Gerough’s thoughts soon confirmed as they got closer and the candle showed the glimmer of red hair. He didn’t realise how tense he was until he saw that.

“No nothing to report at all, I’d best return to my post.” Gerough smiled all the way to his post.

Page 10

The Teacher

Gerough didn’t see her for a few days and was becoming quite concerned about what he suspected his involvement had done. He finally heard news of her new arrangement at Jennis Inn. One of the stable hands was talking about fixing up the cabin near the stables for a teacher and the orphan from border country.

That settled his mind somewhat, but still a teacher. One that lived in the dormitories. Like many Protectorate workers they didn’t venture out into the town much, seeming to prefer the seclusion of life in the castle grounds and in the castle. Except for the upper-level readers with luxurious homes just outside the castle grounds. Still, they mostly went between those and the grounds. The held themselves apart from other folk, just as other folk kept clear of them if they could.

It was later that day that he saw her, and it must be the teacher they spoke about. A woman, he’d seen her before and thought her rather pretty. She often played outside with the young reader students. Watching he felt like he’d done the right thing, they walked from the dormitories to the gates. She carried a large bag on one shoulder and held the little girl’s hand at her other side. Stork came over to join him.

“There she be, and in good company I reckon,” Stork said.

“Yeah, and good they have a home to go too.” Gruff agreed, looking down as they approached. Then the littlun looked up, right at him, pulled her hand away and did a little march and turn to attention, then waved to him. The teacher with her followed her gaze up, before squatting down to speak to her.

“Ahh she really likes you,” Stork said.

“Gruff!” she called out. The teacher spoke to her, and she shook her little red head, and pointed up at Gerough, “Gruff!”

Stork was laughing, “yeah she really knows you well Gruff, you’d better say something back, she’s waiting.”

“Sarian, best be on your way,” he called and waved. Sarian clapped her hands together before taking the pretty teacher’s hand. The teacher nodded politely at him and they departed.

That day at lunch Stork spread the word he’d been renamed Gruff. It didn’t take long before all the guards with much humour and many jokes started calling him Gruff. But he didn’t mind, he felt like he’d left something behind at last, the past that haunted him.

Page 11

POWERED BY SQUARESPACE.