To Love

Sorry for the late update. Two of my grandparents died; one in early November and the other at the end. It's been a hard time but things have been getting a little easier. Hope you like this update, still no beta.

EDIT: I fixed the mistakes and changed a little around. Again I'm sorry for not checking before posting. I'm hoping that it wasn't too terrible to read.

I also wanted to bring up the fact that this is only the start of the story. Ceiro is a young boy here, but he'll be growing up soon via a time jump.

And 'Tad' is a form of 'Father'. If anyone was curious.

- - - - -
Ceiro.

Come to me, Ceiro.

Come to me, Ceiro, and begin your task.

Ceiro!

A young boy of only eight, wakes gasping, sweat on his brow and shivers shaking his small limbs. Again the poor thing had dreamed of that woman calling for him in a darkness that would not dissipate. It would consume him as she called over and over. This dream that he had as long as he could remember, haunted him even during the day. The woman’s voice called from the stone of his uncle’s home, the fields, and the stream he and his cousins would often play near.

Ceiro of course told no one, fearing he would be feared as possessed or crazy. He already battled the stigma of his dark eyes. Eyes that though they were blue, were so dark they looked almost black. One of the marks of the Fey, a child of the wood dwellers.

The servants would often gossip and say terrible things about Ceiro and his deceased mother. Aunt Glewna would tell him to ignore them, that he got his eyes from his father, just as he inherited his mother’s curly black hair. That he was a normal human boy and not a child of the wood.

Still shaking from left over fear, Ceiro digs, searching for the the doll his mother had made while she had been pregnant with him, hoping he would be a girl. It was buried some where in the sheets, lost from his tossing and turning in dreams and nightmares.

It doesn't take long to find it, tangled around his knobby knees. Long limbs of cotton stuffed cloth and bits of leather. The doll was meant to be his father, with wild black hair made out of yarn and two dark blue buttons for the eyes. It was dressed in a purple tunic with black pants and boots.

He pets the yarn hair back and untangles the twisted strings, "Morning, Tad," he whispers to the doll, giving a kiss under one button eye. He then brings it his chest and snuggles his face into the thing. The smell of lavender and clove teases his senses, and the shakes disappear along with the fear reseeding enough that he can breath easier.

Burrowing into his covers, doll secure in his arms, Ceiro concentrated on the tales of the Fey to take his mind of the dream. He thinks of his favorite story about one of the great trees, Derfael. The stubborn prince of the wood, that fell in love with Avalon, the great apple tree who was married to Bedwyn the birch wood warrior.

The tale tells of how he was banished to his tree body for the rest of time, after he tried to trick Avalon into thinking he was Bedwyn. Derwena feeling sorry for her son, tried to send one of her seeds to keep Derfael company in his lonely prison. However the great Geraint, the father of all, would stop each attempt to deliver the seed.

Every five years during winter Derwena will attempt to send her lonely Derfael one of her seeds, and Geraint spends the time until spring stopping them all. This war continues on, even after all the centuries that the great trees had been growing and standing watch over their creations and human children.

Finally calmed, Ceiro climbs from his bed, doll in hand and takes a soft knitted blanket with him to a small bench in front of the only window in his room. The sun is barely cresting over the small rolling hills as Ceiro sits to watch the sunrise.

The chill in the room begins to warm as the rays of gold slowly seep into the room and Ceiro starts to feel less cold and worried. He can forget the strange dream and focus on the joys of the day just starting.

Autumn had come early this year, the trees had changed in a range of reds, yellows, and oranges. Ceiro liked looking out his little window to see them, their colors bright against the dull grey stone and the boring brown of the muddy fields the stretched as far as his eyes could see.

There were servants down below, doing the morning chores before the lord and his family woke. Chickens clucked and scurried about, stable hands were moving the horses to a field to graze, and Ceiro could make out the head servant Iola scolding one of the younger boys, Dyfad. Silly thing was always causing mischief and then getting caught.

Smiling Ceiro is interrupted from his watching by a knock on the door. Cadi, a servant in charge of his care, was here to wake him up and help him get ready for the day. She was only on of the few employed by the family, not bothered by his eyes. Thus the reason Ceiro was her charge.

“Come in,” he called out and turned back to look out the window again, just in time to see Iola pulling Dyfad over her knee for a good spanking. He covered a giggle with a small pale hand over rosy lips.

“That boy had it coming to him,” Cadi says, she is looking over Ceiro’s shoulder. Her golden mess of locks and curls are pulled in their normal bun, but as always strands stick out here and there. Her honey brown eyes are squinting, something that is a little comical with how much her freckles are wrinkling on her cheeks and nose. She is a little plump, but Ceiro knows that she has plenty of men chasing her, he hears her complain about them often enough. She always commented how foolish men could be, and reminded Ceiro not to be the same when he grew to be one.

"What has he done this time," Ceiro asks, his giggles all but gone. They watched on until the poor lad was released and sent to the stables. Iola marched back into the servant entrance that lead to the kitchens.

With her hands on her curved hips, Cadi leans away from the view and looks to Ceiro, “He put a rat in Ebrilla’s cot last night, had her screaming and whimpering for most of the night,” she tells him, a grin showing off a pretty set of dimples, “kept up half more than half of us up for most of the night, until they found the retched thing and killed it.”

Ceiro laughs, he can imagines what Ebrilla, the mouse maid, looked like screaming and crying over a rat, “I suppose Iola was the one that had to deal with the rat, while you weren’t bothered a bit,” he winks at her, “not with how you sleep.”

“Shush you!“ she chides, he laughs ducking from her swinging hand, even if it was not really aimed at him. She laughs as well, and walks long steps to Ceiro’s largest wardrobe and starts to pull out his clothing for the day.

“Lord Belth wishes for you to keep to yourself for now, Master Ceiro,” Cadi tells him, frowning and looking a little sad, “your cousins’ tutor is coming back from his holiday away and his lordship doesn’t want them distracted.”

Ceiro nods and ignores the pity radiating from Cadi, this happened every year. Later his aunt would come to him and give her little speech, that while Ceiro’s uncle his uncle did care about him, he also had to make sure his own children came first. Then they would spend a hour or two working on his letters and reading.

He would not lie and say he was not jealous, in fact he was annoyed greatly that he was not allowed to learn as his cousins did. However, Aunt Glewna would remind him that they kept him in their house and gave him more privilege than most. Ceiro did not agree, and it did not change how he felt.

It was clear that Uncle Ivor did not like him, and it was only because of his aunt that he wasn't either doing servant work or thrown out to fend for himself. Ceiro did not understand why the old knight did not care for him. At first he thought it had been his dark eyes, but as he grew he learned that Lord Belth did not have silly superstitions. There was a reason that he did not know of and that it was kept secret from him.

This attitude effected the rest of the family. His cousins while nice and willing to play with him, would keep their distance and treated him as a guest of the family, rather than part of it. The twins Nimue and Betrys, usually only paid attention or played with him if Taran did, and Taran would only play if the youngest Berwin suggested it.

The twins were almost 14, Taran 12, and Berwin just turned 10, which made Ceiro the youngest. The older ones remembered his mother and would always comment how much he looked like her. This was why Taran would call him a girl, from time to time. Berwin was just a baby himself, and didn’t care what Ceiro looked like, as long as he could boss the youngest around.

Ceiro didn’t mind the small amount of bullying, Iola said it was how children played, and Iola’s word was law as far as the eight year old was concerned. Everyone listened to the old woman, even Lord Belth. It is hard to say no to the person who was your old nanny.

“Master Ceiro,” Cadi’s hand is waving in front of his face, “I’ve been calling for ages now,” she huffs when he finally looks at him, “daydreaming again?” she teases.

He shakes his head and gets up, leaving his doll on the bench and continue enjoying the beautiful view of fall. He lets Cadi help him remove his night cloths. She then leads him to a steaming bowl of water and precedes to give him a quick sponge bath. The blond is quick and gentle, knowing that the water will cool quickly. By the end Ceiro has goosebumps and a small shiver to his shoulders and arms.

“Quick, let us get you into your unders,” Cadi says, rubbing up the left over moisture with a small cloth. He lifts his arms and she pulls a white thick cotton long sleeved over his head. Tilting his head down he watches as nimble hands tie the small opening on the front closed.

She holds out his underpants to step through, “What plans do you have for today, Master Ceiro?” she asks, letting him keep his balance with a small hand on her forearm.

It is a moment before Ceiro gives a answer, he is too busy concentrating in getting his feet into the leg holes. “I am going exploring today, before Aunt Glewna calls on me for studies,” Ceiro tells her, contemplating some places that would be fun to visit today, “Maybe the horses or the woods? I haven‘t decided.”

Cadi pulls the pants up, tucks the under shirt in and lets him tie them himself, so when he needs to he can untie them later. “Then I’ll have to get your wool stockings out,” she gets up and goes back to the wardrobe and pulls out a pair of dark brown thick wool stockings.

“Here we go,” she says, as she kneels once again and rolls up one of the stockings. Ceiro lifts a foot and holds onto her right shoulder. The stocking is rolled up his leg and tied to his underpants’ ends. The motions are repeated again with the other stocking.

“Why not do both, Master Ceiro,” Cadi suggests, filling the silence, “Visit the horses first, maybe with few apples and carrots as treats, then go to the woods and play,” she grabs a russet cotton over shirt, pulls it over Ceiro’s curly head, “I'll let Lady Belth know where to send Cefin once she needs you.”

His arms are pulled through the wide sleeves, and the ends tied closed around his wrists. “Alright, that sounds like a good idea,” he nods his head, and watches again as the front of his shirt is skillfully tied, “Thank you, Cadi.”

A bright smile brings out the dimples on Cadi’s plump pink cheeks, “Your welcome, Young Master Ceiro,” she holds out his pants, a dark brown pants, made from a stiffer wool than the rest of his cloths. They are easy enough to put on, tucking in his shirt, again having Ceiro tie them closed.

Next comes a small leather vest died a dark green and leather bands to keep the sleeves of his shirt from catching on anything. A dark leather belt is added with his matching boots, easy to slip on and buckle close.

“Now, lets try and manage those pretty curls of yours,” the blond servant says, and stands to get the small comb next to the bowl they used for his sponge bath, the water now cold. The comb had no handle, only made of it’s teeth. It was made of smoothed bone with a little scene of a forest carved into, it had dear, rabbits, and a large grizzly bear. Though Ceiro liked the image of the Great Tree Bedwyn standing guard in the back, his branches and ivory leaves giving shelter, the best.

Bedwyn was Ceiro’s favorite of the great gods. While Bedwyn was mostly seen as the protector of warriors and hunters, he was also the teacher of young boys and men. He watched over and guided them until they became men. He was the one that received most of Ceiro’s prays, besides the great mother Derwena.

Ceiro stands patiently as Cadi dips the comb in the water and starts to comb through the tangles of his raven curls. He grits his teeth and listens to her hum in the hopes of soothing him, knowing how much he detested his hair getting combed. His scalp was sensitive and he wasn’t that good with pain yet, still being a little boy.

It is a while before she is done. Once finished, Cadi puts the comb back and opens a smaller wardrobe next to the little table the comb and bowl were on. She digs out a dark earthy green cloak and folds it over her arm,

“Here we go, now let us have breakfast, and we can ask Iola for a few treats for the horses!” she says with joy and her dimples grow deep into her cheeks again as she smiles at the small boy.

Ceiro smiles at her excitement, even if he knows she only has a lot of cleaning to look forward to after she sees him off. It is nice to see someone so happy and interested in what he does with his time, besides his aunt.

“What is for breakfast?” He asks, hoping that there isn’t any porridge, but knowing that is usually all the children is given to eat.

Cadi opens the door, holding it open for the eight year old boy. “I believe that there is some eggs and sausages with the usual toast and porridge today,” she looks up to her bangs as she tries to remember what Iola said was on the menu this morning.

Excited about the prospect of eggs with his toast, Ceiro bounded out of the room and the hall before Cadi was even able close the door. Chuckling to herself she fallowed the boy down to the cramped kitchen.

Ceiro did not eat breakfast with the rest of the family nor midday meal, only dinner and that was if Lord Belth wasn’t in a terrible mood. The staff could not understand the man’s behavior to the sweet boy, but Cadi had an idea the Iola knew. If the frown and glint in her eye was something to go by.

After all the strange behavior started aft Ceiro’s birth and the boy's mother’s death, when Lady Belth demanded that they keep the babe here instead of sending him to her older brother Rees. There were a load of rumors why the lady would make such a decision when she knew it bothered her husband and made the poor child suffer so. Cadi thought the woman terribly selfish, something she kept to herself, but it was there stewing.

Ceiro took is usual seat set up for him in the less stuffy area of the kitchen. The small round table and fancy chair would be put away after he ate to make room and to keep them clean. He’d run through the kitchens enough times to notice this little change.

Iola was already back inside, her grey hair in a tight bun under her usual scarf and her grey eyes as sharp as her nose. She was busy scolding one of the scullery maids, the poor thing was nearly in tears by the time she was sent off.

The frown followed the feeling thing, before the look was sent in his direction. Out of instinct Ceiro felt himself hunch down, even though he had done nothing wrong. She stocked up to him and her glare got darker.

“How long have you been sitting here?” she demanded, her voice deeper than one would expect from someone so frail. She watched with those eyes of hers as Cerio wiggled in his seat, “You’re not in trouble, Master Cerio.”

Cerio knew that he would be if he made her repeat herself, “Only a few minutes,” he tells her. She looks him up and then marches to where a few cooking pits hugged the walls.

“Ebrilla!“ she screeches, the bustle and clattering of the kitchen goes deathly silent, all eyes are on the angry old woman.

“Yes, Mamma?” Ebrilla asked, the maid was a rather plain looking girl that resembled a mouse, with her wide dark brown eyes and flat brown hair. She hunches over, knowing that she is about to be scolded.

“Did I not ask you to prepare Master Ceiro’s morning meal?” Iola demands, her hands fisted on her hips.

“Yes, you did, Mamma,” answers Ebrilla, her flour covered fingers clutch at her stain apron.

“Then why isn‘t he eating yet?” asks Iola, in a tone that is questioning the younger woman’s intelligence.

Ebrilla looks to Iola, then to Cerio; who is watching with wide eyes, and back to Iola, “I haven’t finished it, Mamma,” she finally confesses, after she sees that there is no escaping.

Iola’s hand snatches out and grabs Ebrilla’s left ear, and she pulls her down to eye level. She sneers and ignores the girl’s whines of it hurting.

“I told you hours ago to make sure it was ready on time! There is no excuse that Master Ceiro must wait for you to feed him, when is should have been finished and waiting for him!” she yells into Ebrilla’s face, ignoring the tears streaking down her cheeks and chin.

Huffing Iola pulls the maid by her ear to where Ceiro is sitting. His already wide eyes became wider as the young girl was pulled down so that she was staring into his eyes. From her gasp and the way she breaks the short bought of eye contact. She is scared of him. Ceiro’s heart drops.

Iola tugs on Ebrilla’s ear again and grumbles, “Just as I thought, superstitious wench!” She pushes the girl away, “Go pack your things, Ebrilla, I have no use for help that can not do their job correctly and effectively, because of their stupid prejudices! I'll have one of the men take you to the village once they have time,” she pauses when the girl opens her mouth, “I don‘t care what you have to say, I no longer have need of you."

Ebrilla begins to sob loudly, "I won't do it again! I swear it!"

Iola ignores the crying girl and motions for one of the men to escort Ebrilla out of the kitchen. She cries as she is picked up off the floor and pulled out by her arm, all the while begging Iola to forgive her.

"Don't you have things to be doing?" she asks her eyes trailing over the staff that was still watching, silent and still. The kitchen becomes loud and busy again, and the old woman turns her attention back to Ceiro.

"Master Ceiro, I'll have your morning meal to you soon," she tells the little boy, and bustles off to make Ceiro's food. Her figure disappearing from his sight.

Cadi with Dyfad in tow arrives a moment later, the poor boy's face is dirty with clean streaks marking where his tears from his earlier punishment. He had a pout on his face, but it perked up when he saw Ceiro.

"Master Ceiro, I spoke with Lady Belth and she agreed to let you explore the woods today," the blond woman told him, "Only if young Dyfad goes along."

Dyfad gives Ceiro a pleased smile, and pushes back his matted chestnut hair from his grey eyes. Ceiro smiles back, "I do not mind, it will be more fun if Dai comes along."

Cadi nods also pleased by how things had turned out, "It’s settled, I’ll let Iola know," she says dimples showing, before trotting off to find the head servant.

Dyfad smirks and leans to Ceiro to whisper, "Did ya’ hear what I did to that witch Ebrilla?"

Ceiro grins and nods, "Yes," he says, "you stuck a rat in her bed."

Dyfad leans back and sways on his feet, his hands tucking into the waist of his pants, "Indeed I did, and I'd do it again," he brags, "was worth all the spankings in the world."

"I am afraid that you will not get that chance," Ceiro informs, knowing the older boy will be disappointed by the news, "Iola is sending her away, something about her not doing her duties or something."

"Awe, Mamma Iola always has to ruin all my fun," Dyfad complains, he kicks the coble stones of the kitchens floor and pouts.

"I am glad my aunt said for you to come along," Ceiro confesses to keep Dyfad from putting his foot in his mouth, "would be terribly lonely without you, Dai." He smiles and secretly enjoys when the odd boy smiles back.

Dyfad was an orphan as well, he had been found by Iola a year after Ceiro had been born. The poor boy had been around three at the time and wondering up one of the main paths to the manor, muddy and crying. They believe that a body that they found later was his mother.

Iola having lost her husband and only son a few months before, decided to keep the boy and raise him as her own. She was happier and the manor would have one more helping hand. Dyfad did odd chores, the ones the other servants balked at or were too lazy to bother with themselves.

There was no lying that the boy wasn't a trouble maker through and through. He caused havoc every where he went if he could. Playing pranks or just letting his curiosity lead him astray. Something that Iola tried to smack out of him every chance she got. In the end, it didn't matter, Dyfad did what he wanted, no matter the cost.

Except when it came to Ceiro. Dyfad did anything Ceiro said, without question and with great pleasure. Ceiro was given permission to get close and grow a friendship with the recluse boy, even being allowed to give him a special name.

It was clear to the rest of the servants and family of the manor that the two were inseparable, and that Dyfad would do anything for Ceiro. It was encouraged by the lord and lady that they be allowed to play, if it was to keep Ceiro busy or Dyfad out of trouble the boys did not question or complain.

"We could play a game if you'd like," Dyfad suggested, leaning against the little table and showing off a toothy grin.

Ceiro tilted his head in thought, "We could, but I think I would rather just explore today," he confessed, not really interested in for much more. The day had already been interesting enough!

"Alright then, exploring it is, Master Ceiro," Dyfed says complying with a mock bow and a chuckle, his toothy grin still stretching his lips impossibly wide.

Cadi comes back caring a tray that has an assortment of dishes and food, Iola follows with a small kettle and tea cup. Dyfad moves out of the way with a wink to Ceiro, he laughs at the glare his guardian gives him.

"Don't you have chores that need finishing?" Iola asks grumpily as she sets the cup down in front of Ceiro and starts to pour him his tea.

Not bothered at all by her mood he merely laughs and salutes her, before jaunting off to where ever. Cadi watches, covering her grin with a hand. Ceiro does nothing of the sort, but does suppress the laughter that is threatening to bubble out.

"That boy is going to be the death of me one day," Iola mumbles to herself. She wipes her hands on her apron and she too is walking away, yelling at some poor soul. Now safe, the two left behind both start to laugh for a good while.

Once she is composed, Cadi starts to set out the plates of food in front of the young boy, "Here you go, Master Ceiro," she says grinning with a little wink, "the eggs you've been wanting."

"Thank you," he says before digging into the awaited eggs. He is starving and maybe a little greedy, but the food tastes so good. The eggs runny and the toast a soft crunchy brown, even the porridge looked appetizing, with nuts and brown sugar on it's top. Cadi bows and leaves him to eat in peace.

He finishes a little later and Cadi clears the table, all the time chatting gossip and odd things that happen during her day. Ceiro listens and laughs when he is needed too, sometimes he doesn’t understand why adults are bothered by some things and not others. It was a odd behavior Ceiro wished to never grow up into when he became an adult.

She escorts him from the kitchen and down a hall that leads to a side door that faces the stables and fields where the horses are grazing. The cloak swirls as she puts in on his shoulders, she loops the strings in their places and ties it off with a simple but pleasing to the eye knotted bow.

“Here are the apples and carrots I promised, Master Ceiro,” she hands him a little sack that does not weight to heavily, “Dyfad will arrive a little later with your mid day meal and a snack,” she tells him as she adjusts his cloak.

“Thank you, Cadi,” Ceiro says, looking into the sack to see the apples and carrots. The horses will enjoy these very much.

Cadi smiles and says, “You’re very welcome, young master,” she opens the door and motions him to step outside, “Now off with you, and don’t go off exploring without Dyfad.”

Ceiro does a little hop over the threshold, “I won’t,” he tells her, not looking back as he starts for the grazing field.

“Have fun, and keep out of trouble,” Cadi calls after him. He stops and looks back over his shoulder to see her waving from the door, one arm across her waste, and hoping in place. She was obviously getting cold, Ceiro smiled.

“I will,” he calls back waving swiftly and turns back to walking. The ground is hard from the frost last night, and only the rare lose stone hindered his trek.

He hums a song that talks of Brywen’s success in a battle with a evil spirit that was stealing away a village’s children. Ceiro has the edges of his cloak in his hands, and he swings them back and forth, enjoying the look of the flowing fabric. The sack bumps into his hip over and over with soft bounces.

There are three horses near the edging keeping them pined in. One sees him, its’ ears perk and it trots to the fencing. The boy smiles and digs into the sack and pulls out a small apple. The horse snorts and paws at the ground, a large head reaches over bumping into Ceiro’s shoulder gently.

“So impatient,” he giggles, holding out the treat and watches wide eyed as the creature quickly mouths it off his hand and starts crunching away.

The other two horses have joined the first one, both looking eagerly at the curly haired boy. Excited in only the way a young child could be, Ceiro reaches back into the sack and starts to hand out the rest of apples and carrots.

It is not long before the sack is empty and the horses have gone back to grazing after a bit of pettings. Ceiro watches, leaning against the fence. He imagines taking one and riding off into the sunset, taking Cadi and Dyfad with him. Never looking back, sending back letters of his noble deeds and dangerous adventures. He would miss his aunt terribly and she would worry for him after all.

Dyfad arrives, a bag hanging across one of his shoulder, the strap crossing over his chest. He waves with his usual smile stretching his mouth and wrinkling his eyes. Ceiro waves back, and turns back to the horses.

“Ready to leave, Ceiro?” Dyfad asks, climbing up the small fence and sitting on the top length of wood his back to the horses. One foot has a hold on the fencing while the other kicks up and down.

Ceiro looks up at the older boy, he nods but does not move, “Would you run away with me Dai?”

Dyfad’s foot stops swinging, and he turns his gaze over a shoulder to the grazing animals. He says nothing for a few moments, a frown on his face.

“Where would you want to go?” he asks finally, his eyes never looking to the younger boy eyes still on the field and large beasts of burden.

“I am not sure, just some where far from here,” Ceiro says, a booted foot digs into the ground, he watches it. The dirt covering the tip and dying the leather a lighter shade with dust.

“Hmm, we could go and visit that uncle of yours in Banwen,” Dyfad suggests his foot starts swing up and down again.

“I was thinking of going to Dyl. I have always wished to set my eyes on the ocean,” Ceiro says, not feeling comfortable with the thought of going to see his Uncle Rees. He had never met that man, only receiving a few impersonal letters and gifts.

“We could be pirates!” cries Dyfad, he jumps from his perch and pulls Ceiro from the fence. He was obviously tired of waiting for Ceiro. The boy never could stay in one place for long.

Ceiro smiles and allows himself to be tugged in the direction of the woods, “That would be fun,” he says.

Dyfad looks over his shoulder and his smile grows, making his eyes crinkle, "It'd be more than fun, Ceiro," the 10 year old chides him, "It'd be an adventure!" Ceiro feels his heart start to beat faster, something that is a normal thing when he is around the older boy.

“We’d be the meanest and most powerful pirates of the sea anyone has ever saw!” Dyfad crows. He starts a faster pace, pulling Ceiro behind him.

Ceiro can only laugh and enjoy his time with the other boy, his truest friend. They make their way into the woods, and after a short pray to Geraint the great father, start to play as if they were pirates. Ceiro the captain and Dyfad the loyal first mate.

This went on for a few short hours, they paused to eat their mid day meal before finishing burring their treasure of pretty stones and acorns, using the sack used for the apples and carrots. Ceiro was kind enough to share half of his sweet bun with Dyfad, knowing that the boy would only have the basics of bread, cheese, and a bit of meat.

After they buried their treasure and marking it so they could find it later, they finally set off to explore. Though they had done it many times before, nature had a way of changing and making something new for the boys to discover.

Excited with their finds of strange insects and oddly shaped stones, the boys continued their play. Never paying any mind how late it was getting and someone should have come to fetch Ceiro ages ago. It was way past time for his aunt to help him study his reading and numbers.

It was as the sun was setting that Cadi came upon them. They had found a puddle close to the small stream that ran through Lord Belth’s lands. Ceiro was watching as Dyfad made little boats out of the dead leaves and twigs they had gathered. A great battle was happening on the waves of that puddle.

“There you are Master Ceiro!” Cadi cried out, her hair was a wild mess and missing it’s scarf the servants were meant to wear at all times. She had on a knitted shawl that Ceiro knew to be Iola’s.

“Cadi?” Ceiro spoke confused, usually his aunt sent Cefin one of her personal servants to fetch him. Dyfad paused as well, his hand hovering over the brown muddy puddle a curved round leaf in his hand.

“Come quickly,” Cadi said, ignoring their confusion to take Ceiro’s arm in hand and pulling up from his crouched position.

She started pulling him behind her, paying no mind to Dyfad. He followed them, making sure to grab the bag that had carried their earlier meal, now a few odd pebbles and stones. He wisely keeps quite, knowing that his voice would not be heard nor welcomed.

“What?” asked Ceiro, becoming upset. He pulled against Cadi’s pull, “What is going on?” He tries to tug harder and is rewarded with almost tripping, ‘Cadi!”

“Hush, Master Ceiro,” is all Cadi says. Her pace quickens and Ceiro is forced to almost jog to keep from lagging behind or falling.

The young boy feels frustrated with no answers and fears that something awful has happened. Yet still he is ignored by the maid, and dragged almost harshly through the small wood, Dyfad following faithfully behind.