10-18-2019, 07:46 PM
Kal winced as he helped gather the wheat stalks. It had been about two weeks since Sister Monwere had given him the switch. He only saw her every other day now. It would be that way during harvest season. Relief came at the sound of a whistle. Kal fixed the basket strapped to his back and wiped the sweat from his brow. He milled along with the other kids back towards the plantation house, making his way up the ramp, and leaving his basket with the guards. He tiredly tottered over to one of the benches and hoisted himself on to it. They were having stew tonight, that was at least something to look forward to. A shuffling to his right pulled him from his thoughts, and his eyes fell on Briol Tirag. Briol was a year older than Kal at eight, and a head taller than anyone else near his age. Like Kal, Ashlynn was seven. He was covered in dirt and bruises, but all smiles. There were strands of wheat in his hair, and he had a bloodied lip that only just dried. Hiding in his shadow was a small and quiet girl. Even if she hadn’t been a girl, their childhood friend Ashlynn was everything Briol wasn’t. She was small, sickly, and where he tended to fill up a room, she went largely unnoticed in any capacity. Beneath the dirt and grime was a hauntingly beautiful girl who if not for her poor health and lot in life easily could have been the daughter of some noble. Like Briol she was an orphan. Briol hoisted her up on to the bench, setting her between him and Kal. “Fighting again?” asked Kal as he looked Briol over. Briol grinned over to Kal. If it’d been any wider, he might have split his lip back open. “Nah. Mash and Wyatt were hassling Ashlynn for her share.” Ashlynn was all scowls as she glanced between the two of them. Kal shook his head. “You’ll catch it for that later you know.” Briol scoffed. “Why? Because Mash’s older brother is off the plantation now and in with the Broken Glass?” Ashlynn nodded, before speaking up quietly. “You should have let them have it Briol. You’re just going to get in trouble tomorrow when his brother visits.” Briol laughed, reaching for a bowl as one of the older children set a large bowl down at their table, along with a tray of day-old bread. Today it was only a little stale. Briol’s grin only widened as he served out a couple of bowls for the two of them and passed out some of the stale bread. “Nah. I’ll fight him too.” Kal sighed and Ashlynn elbowed Briol in the ribs. “My sister will be here.” Said Kal. “They won’t do anything while she’s around.” Kal’s older sister Gavyn had left the plantation a year ago. She’d been taken on with an adventuring company, she was fourteen. “What about your father?” Ashlynn asked, looking at Kal hopefully.” Kal shrugged. “I don’t know. I haven’t heard from him in a long time.” Ashlynn frowned at that and dipped some of her bread into the soup to let it soak.
Kal’s father Kyle, was an adventurer. The kind that rarely came home. He left his children at the plantation. It had been several years since Kal had been off the plantation at all. At least for any mentionable length of time. Gavyn was actually his half-sister. Her mother had been an adventurer, but she’d died when Gavyn was very young. Kal’s mother, in contrast, was a tavern worker. She’d given him up to Kyle as he was passing through to Halfroad where he’d been already planning to leave Gavyn. Kal’s surname became Halfroad when he was declared at the gate the day they’d arrived about six years ago. That was common for bastards. With dinner finished Briol, Kal, and Ashlynn left for their bunkhouse. Children their age didn’t have separate bunkhouses. Victor, their bunkhouse guard, stopped Briol as they tried to make their way inside. He shooed Ashlynn and Kal inside but kept Briol for questioning. It was an hour, maybe a little longer, before Briol finally joined them inside.
“Trouble?” Kal asked, as Briol walked up. Still all smiles. “Nope.” Victor didn’t usually ask too many questions. It was front, probably. He’d have early work detail or something to that effect. Longer hours maybe. Victor might have been a good person, and he cared for those in his charge, but he had his own job to look out for. That was how things were in Halfroad. They stayed up talking for a while, Ashlynn passed out long before either of them. Dutifully Briol tucked her into bed heaping her under enough blankets that you thought she might be crushed. While he’d just as readily have had Kal’s back, Briol was especially protective of Ashlynn. They were already living here when Kal and Gavyn were brought here two years ago. Neither of them had ever lived anywhere else. Kal stretched as he got to his feet and groggily made his way over to his bed. “Staying up for a while?” He asked Briol as he noticed he hadn’t moved from his spot on the floor. Briol nodded, offering a tired smile. “Not too much longer.” Kal nodded as he rolled over to face the wall. He knew Briol was staying up to watch Ashlynn. Her health must have taken a turn for the worse. Kal knew that, but he never confronted Briol about it. Kal was tired. He knew hew wouldn't be able to stay awake much longer. He hoped Briol wouldn't either. Tomorrow he’d get to see Gavyn. With luck she'd bring news of their father, and in the three months since her last visit perhaps she'd have new stories to share.
Kal’s father Kyle, was an adventurer. The kind that rarely came home. He left his children at the plantation. It had been several years since Kal had been off the plantation at all. At least for any mentionable length of time. Gavyn was actually his half-sister. Her mother had been an adventurer, but she’d died when Gavyn was very young. Kal’s mother, in contrast, was a tavern worker. She’d given him up to Kyle as he was passing through to Halfroad where he’d been already planning to leave Gavyn. Kal’s surname became Halfroad when he was declared at the gate the day they’d arrived about six years ago. That was common for bastards. With dinner finished Briol, Kal, and Ashlynn left for their bunkhouse. Children their age didn’t have separate bunkhouses. Victor, their bunkhouse guard, stopped Briol as they tried to make their way inside. He shooed Ashlynn and Kal inside but kept Briol for questioning. It was an hour, maybe a little longer, before Briol finally joined them inside.
“Trouble?” Kal asked, as Briol walked up. Still all smiles. “Nope.” Victor didn’t usually ask too many questions. It was front, probably. He’d have early work detail or something to that effect. Longer hours maybe. Victor might have been a good person, and he cared for those in his charge, but he had his own job to look out for. That was how things were in Halfroad. They stayed up talking for a while, Ashlynn passed out long before either of them. Dutifully Briol tucked her into bed heaping her under enough blankets that you thought she might be crushed. While he’d just as readily have had Kal’s back, Briol was especially protective of Ashlynn. They were already living here when Kal and Gavyn were brought here two years ago. Neither of them had ever lived anywhere else. Kal stretched as he got to his feet and groggily made his way over to his bed. “Staying up for a while?” He asked Briol as he noticed he hadn’t moved from his spot on the floor. Briol nodded, offering a tired smile. “Not too much longer.” Kal nodded as he rolled over to face the wall. He knew Briol was staying up to watch Ashlynn. Her health must have taken a turn for the worse. Kal knew that, but he never confronted Briol about it. Kal was tired. He knew hew wouldn't be able to stay awake much longer. He hoped Briol wouldn't either. Tomorrow he’d get to see Gavyn. With luck she'd bring news of their father, and in the three months since her last visit perhaps she'd have new stories to share.