4
4everDifferent
Guest
Original poster
The sun crested over the white capped mountains surrounding the valley. It rested just above the east tower of the castle Chedria. The beautiful sun crested shield resting on the crimson background waved majestically in the sky that was peppered with small puffs of white. Massive banners hosting the same crest draped heavily from the bulwarks as the guards, who looked like tiny ants, patrolled them. It was a beautiful summer scene that any peasant would enjoy.
Seth wiped his brow with the rag that he then tucked into his back pocket as he leaned on his hoe. It was hard work, to grow food for a castle and a village but the King took good care of them. Besides the natural barriers of the mountains, his soldiers and his defenses ensured that all the war that ravaged the rest of the world would stay far from them though some were beginning to doubt the distance. His white shirt was stained with dirt and sweat as he straightened up and picked up his tool. The Villager's Ball, a ball thrown by the king to thank the villagers for their contribution, was just a day away and there were many preparation that still needed to be made.
Stepping through doorway to the farmer's house, Seth leaned the tool against the wall and headed for the table where a bucket of water, with a ladle in it, awaited him. Taking a scoop of water, he brought it to his mouth and drank it allowing just enough of the cool liquid to run down his chin, neck and then down his shirt to cool his body. The summers in Aedwiseth were always hot but he tried not to complain. Overall, it was a nice village to live in.
"I don't know why you keep comin' to help him," the gentle voice of a woman fell on his ears as he turned to find the farmer's wife, "This ain't your life anymore, Seth," she teased as she passed him by gently placing a thankful squeeze on his arm.
"It's nothing, Selphi. You're family. If I can't take a moment to help my brother and pregnant wife with the farm work when he can, then what kind of brother would I be?" he asked as he watched Selphi instinctly rub her swollen belly at his words. A warm smile graced her face, "Besides, my nephew needs to know that he's got the greatest uncle in the world," Seth grinned as he moved to another bucket and dropped his hands in the water to clean them.
"Niece," Selphi corrected him with a wiggling finger, "We're having a girl. I'm sure of it."
Seth shrugged as his hands scrubbed together, "It's a boy. Daren is certain so I am certain," he could see the look on her face and he continued, "BUT, if it's a girl, she needs to know that she has a pretty awesome uncle."
Selphi chuckled and in walked Daren, "Now that is music to my ears," he said as he moved directly to his wife and wrapped his arms around her loosely for he stunk. Kissing her softly, he dropped one arm and let the other rest on her stomach, "Is she filling your head with thoughts of a girl?"
Seth chuckled, "She seems quite certain of it."
"Bah," Daren said, "He'll be big and strong like his father and uncle," Selphi gasped and then playfully pushed her husband away drawing laughter from both men. When it died down, Daren looked toward his younger brother, "I really thank you for taking the time on your day of rest to help me."
Seth shrugged, "It's nothing. I wasn't doing anything any way," Daren nodded knowing no words could really speak his full gratitude and Seth was glad. It was always weird when his brother thank him.
Truth was that the threat of war had really made life difficult for Daren and Selphi. Where workers were readily available before the threat, now people were too afraid to do it leaving many to till their farms alone. Selphi helped Daren until she was too big to do so. While Seth was busy at his post in the Castle, Daren would till the land alone. It was too much for any one man. So Seth would help as often as possible.
Stepping to the window, his gaze turned back up to Chedria, he wondered what events were unfolding there.
Seth wiped his brow with the rag that he then tucked into his back pocket as he leaned on his hoe. It was hard work, to grow food for a castle and a village but the King took good care of them. Besides the natural barriers of the mountains, his soldiers and his defenses ensured that all the war that ravaged the rest of the world would stay far from them though some were beginning to doubt the distance. His white shirt was stained with dirt and sweat as he straightened up and picked up his tool. The Villager's Ball, a ball thrown by the king to thank the villagers for their contribution, was just a day away and there were many preparation that still needed to be made.
Stepping through doorway to the farmer's house, Seth leaned the tool against the wall and headed for the table where a bucket of water, with a ladle in it, awaited him. Taking a scoop of water, he brought it to his mouth and drank it allowing just enough of the cool liquid to run down his chin, neck and then down his shirt to cool his body. The summers in Aedwiseth were always hot but he tried not to complain. Overall, it was a nice village to live in.
"I don't know why you keep comin' to help him," the gentle voice of a woman fell on his ears as he turned to find the farmer's wife, "This ain't your life anymore, Seth," she teased as she passed him by gently placing a thankful squeeze on his arm.
"It's nothing, Selphi. You're family. If I can't take a moment to help my brother and pregnant wife with the farm work when he can, then what kind of brother would I be?" he asked as he watched Selphi instinctly rub her swollen belly at his words. A warm smile graced her face, "Besides, my nephew needs to know that he's got the greatest uncle in the world," Seth grinned as he moved to another bucket and dropped his hands in the water to clean them.
"Niece," Selphi corrected him with a wiggling finger, "We're having a girl. I'm sure of it."
Seth shrugged as his hands scrubbed together, "It's a boy. Daren is certain so I am certain," he could see the look on her face and he continued, "BUT, if it's a girl, she needs to know that she has a pretty awesome uncle."
Selphi chuckled and in walked Daren, "Now that is music to my ears," he said as he moved directly to his wife and wrapped his arms around her loosely for he stunk. Kissing her softly, he dropped one arm and let the other rest on her stomach, "Is she filling your head with thoughts of a girl?"
Seth chuckled, "She seems quite certain of it."
"Bah," Daren said, "He'll be big and strong like his father and uncle," Selphi gasped and then playfully pushed her husband away drawing laughter from both men. When it died down, Daren looked toward his younger brother, "I really thank you for taking the time on your day of rest to help me."
Seth shrugged, "It's nothing. I wasn't doing anything any way," Daren nodded knowing no words could really speak his full gratitude and Seth was glad. It was always weird when his brother thank him.
Truth was that the threat of war had really made life difficult for Daren and Selphi. Where workers were readily available before the threat, now people were too afraid to do it leaving many to till their farms alone. Selphi helped Daren until she was too big to do so. While Seth was busy at his post in the Castle, Daren would till the land alone. It was too much for any one man. So Seth would help as often as possible.
Stepping to the window, his gaze turned back up to Chedria, he wondered what events were unfolding there.