I sat at the family table, like most of the things I knew it is rough hewn and slightly stained. But solid and sturdy. Made years ago from a tree that had fallen on the edge of the forest.
I had helped your father cut it into useful lumber, then assemble it.
There were marks there from my inexpert hands. From dinners past, knotches from me and my sisters when we were younger..
Your father looked at me, almost expressionless. But I could see the dread in his eyes. My mother was equally expressionless, but had turned pale.
They had both listened quietly as I repeated to them what Argamir had told me.
The only reaction was a sharp intake of breath from my father as I told him what the Baron was planning.
"Argamir is right, the Baron is a fool." my father said, rising from the table.
"Come, we must get you ready. I still remember what is needed for a man to travel. It is three days travel to get out of the barony, another four to get to the nearest city. We can spare enough supplies to get your out of the barony on into Rendig's lands at least. You'll need to hunt for the rest. Take two gourds and..."
I interrupted him.
"Father, must I leave?"
"I have only known Argamir to panic once, when the nacken had nearly stolen Avice away. If he told you the baron seeks war, the baron seeks war. No insult between barons is so terrible as to cost the lives of young men in reparation. Even more so when they are so mismatched. In a year, perhaps two, return after this foolishness. But for now you must leave. We old men will be safe, but should you stay... boy, I would not lose you. Nor would your mother. Not in such a senseless way!"
As he spoke the last sentence, his voice rose, anger giving it an edge I'd not heard before.
He had raised his temper to me and my sisters, but this was rage.
I knew in the war, like every man fighting he had lost compatriots to action.
Sometimes as harvest, he would drink to them and curse the fool generals who had blundered into traps or sacrificed men for scarce gains.
"If you and Ake travel hard, you may even reach the King's city. It may happen you can stop this foolishness."
He walked to the back of our home, where the shelves were, and pulled out two travel sacks and my cloak.
"If nothing else, you will be far from this foolishness."
He handed the sacks and cloak to me.
I reached to take them, but he held his grip.
"Son, war is an evil. Even if you are fighting for your home and kin, even if you fight for your life, it is an evil that marks you. I will never forget what I did, what I lost. Or, what I gained. Safety, for my family. This land. Which brought to me this land, your mother, and you and your sisters. Our king knows the cost, and rewarded us who served the best he could."
He let go of the bags and cloak.
"The Baron, apparently, does not know, or does not care the cost. I saw men like that. Generals, who lead for glory and not their men. The men rarely survived. The generals survived more often than the men liked."
He started pulling out dried meats and preserved vegetables from the shelves, loading one sack.
He paused, then went to the bedroom, and pulled his service sword from under the bed.
"I know you've not used this, but you're a strong lad. Strength can cover for skill for most times you face danger. It should be in good condition, but have Argamir make sure of it." He handed me the belt and sword, then showed me how to strap it to my side for ease to draw it.
"I hope I've taught you well boy. Only draw when needed. Keep your temper about you. Do not be like our baron and meet insults with death. There are greater things in this life to be concerned with than words of spite."
He stared at me then.
"You're a fine son, a man couldn't be prouder. Do not feel shame for leaving, just return home when this is over."
He wrapped me in a great hug, strength from years of farming life almost crushing me.
My mother put her hand on my shoulder, and I turned to face her.
There were tears in her eyes, but she didn't shed them.
"Your father is right. You will be a fine man soon. The Baron is a fool to spend lives so cheaply, and I know Aya and Argamir are telling their son the same."
She pressed a small but heavy sack into my hands.
"This is some of the coins we've saved. You'll need it."
I moved to protests, but she shook her head.
"I wish we had more time to get ready, but you will need this coin more than we will by far. It's to pay for your return. And, perhaps if you still seek Katie's favor when you return, you might buy her a gift perhaps."
A bit of a sparkle came to her eyes, something apart from the tears.
"I'll make sure she knows. Now see to your sisters, your father and I will finish the preparations."
The sword felt heavy on my right side, and the coin purse felt as heavy on my left.
Both were gifts of importance to my parents. My father had kept the sword after service, kept it clean and in fair condition. But he had kept it hidden, not in pride of place like some do.
And the coin was what little my family had raised for whatever needed supplies. New cattle or seed or something to be repaired or built we couldn't ourselves.
It also cemented the fact I was leaving.
As my parents gathered what they could to pack, I left the home and walked towards the stream, where my sisters were cleaning the cookery and clothing while watching the cattle drink.
"Adie! Bailes!"
"Simon? What's wrong? why do you have father's sword?" Adie said, looking up from her work.
"Yes, what is the matter?" said Bailes.
"Something has happened, with the Baron. Mother and father know. I have to leave."
"Leave?" they both said.
"Leave home?" said Bailion.
"I must leave the Barony entirely. I will be traveling with Ake. Before the Baron can take us."
"Have you done something wrong?" asked Adela.
"No, but the Baron will do. I have to leave here before then. Mother and father will explain, but I must leave."
I gave them both a fierce hug, and they followed me back to our home.
"I love you, I promise I'll return as soon as it's over."
"Mother, Simon said he's leaving!" cried Adela as we walked inside.
"It's true," she said.
"We've packed the sacks. Head out now, best to get to Argamir's smithy as soon as you can. Make sure he checks the blade." said my father.
I put on my cloak, and slung the bags over my shoulder. They were heavy, with food and other supplies.
"There's tools for fire, and I added your bowstrings and fletching tools. Grab your bow."
I stood there for a moment, the weight of it pressing on me.
"Go, son! Now!"
I walked out of my home, not knowing if I'd return.
A thought struck me as I did, that even if I did, I might not find my family.
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