Chapter 5: Overseen

  It had been a few weeks since I last entered the forest. In my father’s absence, my mother and I kept the house in careful order. Without Fang keeping me company, I spent more time with Jean-Pierre and Gaspard, staying out past the sunset unwilling to be alone with my thoughts. That afternoon I washed up and set out to meet them. I need the company they bring. The silence was growing to be unbearable.

  “I’m heading out for the day, ill return before it gets too dark.” I said, giving my mother a hug.

  “Please be safe son, don’t go into that dreaded forest again.” She said squeezing me tight. “I got news your father will be coming home soon.”

  This news was much needed. She was more anxious than usual, and she never seemed to stop cleaning.

  “That’s good to hear, maybe we can have a feast when he returns.” I said giving her a smile. “I won’t be going into those woods, we plan to go into town and sightsee. Jean-Pierre hasn’t been to the town before.”

  “Really, he hasn’t?” she said with a light laugh. “You keep odd company. Still, the noise will do you both good.”

  This got me to chuckle. “All right mother ill return shortly.” I gave her one last hug and headed out.

  We met in the fields where we always did, trading greetings and idle complaints. I hadn’t told anyone but my mother about Fang. After a while, we set off towards town.

  “How’s your tracking now, Lou?” Gaspard said, “maybe you can replace my hunting dogs, how does that sound?”

  I forced a smile.

  “You would do better as the servant, Gaspard,” Jean-Pierre shot back, clapping him on the shoulder. “All brawn, no brains” He added flicking his head.

  Gaspard knocked his hand. “And you wouldn’t last a day in the fields, my frail lord”

  “Yield, boys,” I said, stepping between them. “For I shall be the lord of these lands.” I raised my arms dramatically.

  There was a pause.

  Then they burst into laughter.

  "As if we would do that.” They said together

  “You would make a great jester, Louis.” Gaspard added, pulling Jean-Pierre and I under his arms. “Come now lads, Let’s see if the town has anything better to look at then you swine faced boys.”

  We made our way into town, through the market and into the square. Gaspard drifted toward the blacksmith. Jean-Pierre disappeared into a bookstall. I followed wherever the noise seemed loudest.

  My father had armed our house well enough to defend a siege, and my mother owned more books than the chapel. I needed neither steel nor scripture — only distraction.

  “Look at this blade,” Gaspard said, gripping a massive sword. “I could slay a whole battalion with this.”

  The weapon dipped dangerously toward the floor.

  “It weighs as much as you,” he added, straining, “and stands just as tall, Lou.”

  “Are you certain that’s the sword you want?” I said. “It looks ready to swing you instead.”

  “It’s not heavy,” he insisted. “Just poorly balanced.”

  His arms trembled.

  The sword crashed to the floor.

  We were nearly at the door when a voice boomed behind us.

  “I saw that, boy. You’ll be paying for that blade.”

  The blacksmith stood behind the counter, broad as an ox, arms folded.

  “I wasn’t leaving,” Gaspard said quickly. “I was just coming to find you.”

  “Fifty gold.”

  Gaspard blinked. “Fifty? It’s damaged.”

  “Thirty,” the blacksmith corrected. “Or you can work it off.”

  After a long pause, Gaspard reached for his coin purse.

  “I’ll take it.”

  “You’ll grow into it,” the blacksmith said, handing him the blade.

  Outside, Jean-Pierre was waiting with a stack of scrolls.

  “Did you check if it was actually damaged?” he asked.

  Gaspard examined the edge. It was flawless.

  Jean-Pierre began to laugh. I joined him.

  Moments later, Gaspard was thrown bodily from the shop.

  “Here lies Gaspard,” Jean-Pierre declared. “King of fools.”

  “Move,” Gaspard muttered, pushing himself up. “Frail lord.”

  “Now where too next, boys” I said catching my breath.

  “Let’s explore, I spent all my coin for today.” Gaspard said.

  “I agree, I got anything that interested me.” Jean-Pierre said following behind.

  We continued through the town weaving around buildings, amazed at how massive the houses were. Until we had stumbled into an area with an eerie atmosphere. There were no houses, only huts.

  “I-I don’t think we should be here” Jean-Pierre stammered out.

  “Don’t be a chicken, Frail lord.” Gaspard said clutching his sword tightly.

  “Both of you are chickens,” I moved them aside. “I feel like we are supposed to be here.” I said walking further down the road.

  “We don’t know what awaits us here, what if there are bandits ahead?” Gaspard questioned.

  Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

  “First time you and I agree.” Added Jean-Pierre who shuffled slowly behind me. “But I’m with Lou on this, lets push forward.”

  “I wont be bested by you lot, I’ll lead.” Gaspard boasted, quickly pushing forward.

  The air was dense and smelled horrid, the chatter from the town square was deafened by the cries of babies and the sickly coughs of man. Our steps grew more cautious with each corner we crossed, we were huddled together making sure none of us were left behind. There was one hut with an odd glow that caught our eye, as we stepped forward, we could see a dirty sign that said Fortune Teller badly written on the side. Before we could move a withered hand with long black nails poked out of the hut.

  “Come in, Boys.” Croaked an old voice, her words shook with anticipation. “I have been waiting for you”

  “I don’t think we should go in there,” Jean-Pierres said standing behind me. “Gypsy’s shouldn’t be trusted.”

  “What a surprise the Frail Lord says we should run.” Gaspard taunted. “I say we go in.” He stepped towards the hut.

  “There is three of us and one old hag, we can defend ourselves if this is a trap.” I said, coaxing Jean-Pierre to follow.

  “I’m only going because its more dangerous to be alone.” He huffed before following after.

  We stepped inside the hut, it was more spacious than it looked from the outside. On the inside there was one large table with dim candles surrounding an odd symbol. One none of us had seen before. Sitting in front of the table was an old woman, her face was covered by her tangled hair that was pale white. Her hand were decrepit, the tips of her fingers were tar colored like her nails.

  “Come closer, children.” Her mouth wrinkled into a grin showing her rotting teeth. “I will tell you all that is to come, for the price of one silver.” Her hands beckoned us closer.

  “who goes first?” Jean-Pierre whispered.

  We stood silent for what felt like ages, The old woman stood statuesque.

  “I’ll go first,” Gaspard sighed, “ you lot are too cowardly.” Making his way across from the old woman.

  “Good, let me see your hands.” She said her excitement overflowing.

  Gaspard slowly laid his hands on top of hers, she moved her hands swiftly feeling over his palms. Her head lowered as she began to mumble.

  “Yes, Yes very well.” Her head snapped up as her grin grew wider. “Your story is one of humble beginnings, your family came to this land long ago in search of freedom the names of those who have fallen etched into the stone.” She took a moment scanning Gaspards hands once more. “You will stand tall and proud commanding fleets of men, who would follow you through hell if needed. The champion of the people, they will look to you as a deity and your foes will cower in fear at your name.” Gaspards eyes gleamed, a smirk growing bigger on his face. “History will know your name, child.” She took her hands away from his. “That is all I can say my child.” Gaspard left the table and galloped to our side.

  “You hear that, Lou.” He chirped “I will become a general.” He pulled me under his arm.

  “You do know this is just a game.” I moved away from him. “Nothing is set in stone.”

  “Don’t ruin his fun, Louis” Jean-Pierre said. “The foolish cant think that far ahead.” He added walking to the table

  “Read mines next.” Jean-Pierre commanded.

  “Of course, child.” She said, raising her hands.

  The smirk Jean-Pierre had faded as she scanned over his hands.

  “I see, you are from a long line of farmers. The only inheritance you will receive will be fertile soil.” She smiled. “But you crave more, you want knowledge.” She chuckled before continuing. “The knowledge you seek is not far from you, the horizon you create will be magnificent.” She bowed her head. “The scholars from the past and the present will study your findings, not only will you be unmatched in knowledge your war strategy will topple kingdoms and carve a path for your desires.” She clutched his hands. “That is all I can say for you, dear child.”

  Jean-Pierre scoffed as he rose from the table.

  “All of that was vague,” He wiped his hands on his coat. “This has me intrigued, I will continue my quest for knowledge and return at a later date.” He said standing tall.

  “It seems fate has given me three future lords of this land.” She laughed to herself. “Let’s see the last child.”

  “I assume she means me.” I blurted out, parting with Jean-Pierre and Gaspard. “Let’s see what lies she has for me.” I spoke.

  “No lies dear child,” Her hands raised. “Only unknown truths.”

  I placed my hands on hers. Her deathly cold hands fell over mines as she began to scan my palms. Her smile faded as she felt over my hands, she was mumbling something to herself. I couldn’t make out what she was saying. Her head shot up to the roof of the hut as she began to convulse. Her grip on my hands tightened, her nails digging into my palms.

  Her fogged eyes quickly shot to the floor.

  “What is my fate?” I asked, the silence was deafening.

  She shook her head, swiftly taking her hands away as if she was burned.

  “I-I don’t see a path for you, my child.” Her face softened. “You shouldn’t have listened, dear child.”

  “The voice craves more.” She coarsely said.

  “You think it can be left behind.” Her eyes hid from my gaze. “It already has you.” Her words shook.

  “Now begone, boy.” She shooed us away, “Before we both suffer.”

  What does she mean? How would this old hag know about what happened, she couldn’t know.

  I reached out to the woman, “Have you misread?”

  “Do not touch me, boy.” She shrieked “Those hands are stained already, I won’t be punished for you.” She said with her head bowed

  “I am just as frightened, please you must restate my fortune.” I Pleaded, “I must know what you saw.” Sweat was building on my palms.

  “No.” Her gaze remained on the floor “You are being overseen already”

  “By what.” I Hastily spat out. “What has me?” I begged

  “I am only a messenger of fate, I do not speak about the divine.”

  “Yield, Lou.” Gaspard said placing his hand on my shoulder.

  I tried to shake myself free

  “I just want to understand.” I said as they pulled me away.

  “Let’s leave, it’s like you said.” Jean-Pierre said calmly, “nothing is set in stone.”

  “We apologize for our friend,” Jean-Pierre said, “Thank you for your readings.” He added as they pulled me from the hut.

  The woman silently kept her head bowed. The howling of dogs welcomed us outside the hut.

  The wind whipped into us once we left the old hut, my mind was scattered as I tried to gather my thoughts. This fortune teller could see through me, what if those around me already knew?

  “What was that, Lou” Gaspard said tapping my shoulder. “I’ve never seen you react that way before.” He gave me a puzzled look.

  “Her fortune was odd,” I said rubbing my arms. “Her words were vague and felt ill.” I hid my gaze from Gaspard.

  “But why that reaction.” Jean-Pierre inquired

  “Her fortune was grim for me, compared to you both” I shot back quickly. “You both get grand fortunes, I was expecting something similar that is all.” I hoped this would get them off my trail.

  “That is fair.” Gaspard said tapping his chin. “Maybe she didn’t want to tell you, that you become my court jester to spare your feelings.” He added with a smile

  I scoffed.

  “No perhaps she was afraid to say.” I shot back. “Let’s go lads it’s getting cold and this area is grim company.” I said walking back towards town.

  We headed back towards town, Jean-Pierre and Gaspard went back and forth talking about their fortunes while I hung towards the back. My thoughts muffled their laughs and banter, the fortune teller’s words echoed in my head, “It already has you.”

  If it already has me, then what choice do I have? We continued past the shops making our way for the entrance, the sky was growing dark, and I could feel my mother’s worry. The journey home was silent, the jokes and banter stopped once we had left the town. Gaspard was the first to depart heaving the giant sword with him home, now it was just me and Jean-Pierre.

  “Is what the fortune teller said still on your mind, Lou?” He said, turning towards me.

  “It is, I’m more worried of my mother’s wrath.” I said, facing forward.

  Jean-Pierre chuckled. “If that were true, we would be running home, wouldn’t we?” He questioned. He could read people too well.

  I sighed.

  “No matter what she said, my fate is my own.” I said feigning courage. “She doesn’t decide for me.”

  “That’s stoic of you, Lou.” He said matching my stride. “Regardless of what she said, no friend of mine will suffer a grim fate.”

  I gave a weak smile.

  “Thank you, friend.” I replied patting his back. “Your home is near, Jean. Its best we part ways for now.”

  “Till next time, Lou.” He said as we parted ways.

  Mother was waiting anxiously at the gate when I arrived. She scolded me for being late, I made the excuse that there were musicians in town, so we stayed a bit longer. She ushered me to the dinner table. I couldn’t maintain focus on the conversation.

  “Is everything all right, my son?” Mother asked.

  “I’m okay, The food in town has upset my stomach.” I said prodding at my plate.

  “If you do not feel well, we can continue our conversation tomorrow.” She said grabbing my plate. “It’s important I tell you, but I want you in good health when I do.” She added brushing my hair back.

  “Okay, Mother.” I said weakly, rising from the table. “We can discuss in the morning, I’m off to bed for now.”

  “Goodnight, my dear boy” She said, embracing me in her arms.

  “Goodnight, Mother.” I said returning her embrace.

  I shut my door and leaned against it for a moment before crossing to my bed.

  I smiled at the thought of Gaspard’s ridiculous grin, of Jean-Pierre’s certainty — but the smile faded too quickly.

  The hut crept back in. Her hands pulling away.

  It already has you.

  I rolled onto my side and drew the blankets up over my head.

  If I couldn’t see the dark, perhaps it couldn’t see me.