Chapter 12: Chapter 12

THE APOTHEKER PANKETT

Arin had disappeared angrily. I already felt comfortable around him, but I found it wrong to sleep with him already. I didn't know how to sort my feelings yet. And something like that means more to me than just fun.

Feeling guilty, I started with the shirt. As I pictured what Arin would look like later, I remembered his chest. I wanted him too...

When it got later I changed into the better of my two dresses and styled my hair. I let them fall against my back as curled as they were.

When Arin came to pick me up, he didn't seem so upset. I was glad the shirt fit him and the seams held up. I was afraid that they would burst, I had to work very quickly.

"It looks good." Arin said, looking at the fabric.

"That makes me happy."

And I meant that seriously. It was small praise, but praise from my husband.

For his first shirt that I sewed for him.

"You look good too." He stroked my hair appreciatively.

"Aren't you mad anymore?"

"I wasn't... no, I'm not anymore."

He smiled and put his sword back on. He had taken it off when he changed his shirt. I consciously avoided looking.

He held the door open for me and showed me outside.

The banquet was held in the large village pharmacy. There were many people talking loudly and happily toasting each other.

Arin avoided eye contact and tried to steer me unobtrusively past the people. I was sorry he couldn't enjoy it. It was crowded and forced posh, but it was a mixed bag.

"That over there..." Arin pointed to a woman with long sleek hair and big, wise eyes. She radiated something intelligent as well as something playful. "Mrs. Meggy Brodwrick. The head of the pharmacy. They say she trained the princess after she met the prince."

"My lord knows the village gossip?" Arin laughed and nudged me lightly. It wasn't a no and it wasn't a yes.

Arin handed me a glass of alcohol, I didn't know exactly what it was, and ushered me into a deserted corner.

"You know, none of these people are nobles or anything like that. The villagers celebrate these festivals at this time of year to show travelers they have something to offer too."

"How do you know all this, my lord?" Again he just laughed.

"And that group over there is raising money for the next festival."

"My Lord, where did you get this information from?"

"What are you talking about? That was all on the invitation. And a lot of things the sparrows whistle from the roofs."

He smiled mysteriously. Oh. Understand.

"Shall we eat some of the cakes?"

Suddenly there was a commotion in the room...

Arin felt his stomach sink. At the door, soldiers quietly asked questions. Some of the people turned to him as the soldiers described one person.

"Elaine."

Elain didn't say a word. She had probably just noticed it herself.

"Go." Elain looked at him angrily. As if she didn't want to go without him. "Go immediately. Go to Syman, let him know and ride north. I'll meet you there. Syman will find me..."

"My lord."

"I don't argue. I don't know exactly what my brothers want from me and what's going to happen."

"Arin..."

He liked hearing his name out of her mouth much better than this formal stuff. Her eyes grew sad and she grabbed his arm with both hands. "Tell me I'll see you again."

Arin couldn't do that with the best will in the world... He stroked her face tenderly and kissed her. Then he pushed Elain away. She had to go, otherwise she would be taken away too.

"My lord..."

"Go to Syman. He needs to know what's going on."

Elain resisted. Reluctantly, she turned and disappeared into the crowd. Arin watched as she stepped between the people behind the soldiers and quietly slipped out the door.

Now he looked around the room. High locked windows, no other door. He himself could not dive into the crowd like Elain. At least one of those present would hand him over. What should he do?

There was no way out. Still, he wouldn't just let himself be dragged away. His pride was far too important to him to hide like a cowardly dog or lash out like a drunk. What was left? But did he want to make it so easy for his brothers?

Syman shooed me on Poket and spurred his bays. Pocket was not pleased with my presence and at first bucked around, huffing and stamping his hooves. But Syman, speaking calmly, dragged him behind him.

Somehow we managed to ride past the pharmacy. A whole crowd followed a squad of soldiers. Among them Arin.

"Syman!" The boy knew immediately what I meant and rode even faster. "What are you doing!? Should we-"

"You heard him Elain. He wants us to leave..."

"We can't leave him here alone! They caught him, he can't see us anymore."

"No fear."

Syman rode past the group, undeterred. Arin heard the horses' hooves and looked our way. He didn't seem worried or upset. He walked upright among the soldiers. Then he nodded to Syman.

"I have a plan..."

I was shocked and pissed off. We just left Arin behind. If Syman hadn't had a plan, I would have left Pocket. And would have made a fool of me. What could I do? But everything in me was now screaming traitor! I had left Arin behind...

Arin had not fought. He had pressed himself against the wall and shuffled unobtrusively out of the room. Had the main gate not been locked, he would have escaped.

Now Arin sat against a wall in a stone cell and cursed his brothers. Why didn't they finally let it go? For two years he could flee and hide from them, then something stupid like a door lock had to destroy everything!

It was slowly getting dark, only the pale moonlight coming through the barred windows. He thought about Elain and Syman. Damned! He had to rely on his ten year old little cousin to take good care of his wife until he got back. God knows when that would be... His chances were bleak.

"Campell! Your brothers will be here tomorrow to pick you up." The soldier waited for his answer, but Arin had nothing to say.

It had been clear to him earlier that these bastards wanted to get hold of Arin as soon as possible. It didn't surprise him that he would only sleep here.

"Eat." The soldier demanded and pointed to his cheese.

He would rather choke on that. Damn it, he felt too good to eat here. The soldier understood and left. What else should he do? Arin was stubborn and there was nothing a bastard could change about that. After eight big brothers, nothing could break him so easily.

Syman was determined to bring Arin back.

Elain stomped around him restlessly. "We left him behind!"

She repeated that over and over again. Talked more to himself than to him.

"Easy Elain, I know what we're doing."

"Then finally enlighten me!"

Syman got nervous sometimes when Arin wasn't around, but right now he felt like a real man. He was taking care of one woman and he was about to rescue another.

Admittedly, he felt damn good.

"We'll get the key to his cell and get him out of there."

Elain stared at him. "And?"

"And? What do you think?"

"It's probably not going to be that easy."

"Let's just wait until morning. You'll see how easy it will be..."

The night was long. Neither had slept or made a fire. Syman was impressed that Elain was so worried.

At dawn a group on horseback approached. his cousins. And here his plan began. He had hoped that the eight brothers wouldn't take too long for his plan to work out.

"Who are they?"

"Arin's brothers."

"What, everyone!?" Elain was suddenly wide awake. Well, the Campells have always had a lot of offspring...

"They are important to the plan...one at least."

Elain was shocked as the giant guys rode past them on horseback. Arin himself was very young, and yet he was already tall and impressive in strength. However, Eric or Avan was far more impressive. And god damn giants!

His cousins tied their horses to a pasture outside of town. They set up something like a makeshift camp.

Most of the brothers spread out, why didn't matter to him. Eric and Avan were the two he was looking for. They stayed with the horses with Taran.

So they were already counting on him. Elain suddenly grabbed Syman by the collar and pulled him close to her, not taking her eyes off the Campbell brothers.

"Milady?"

"So these are all his brothers? Eight brothers?"

"All older than him, yes." Elain paled. "They are all far nicer than Arin."

Elain looked confused. Of course, he was nice to her too.

"At least they never hit me..." Elain giggled and eyed Taran.

"This is Taran. He's only a year older than Arin and like his twin brother."

"Why does he look so angry?"

Taran had his sword on his lap. As always, his black hair was slightly tousled. He ran his fingers through his hair all the time. His dark eyes seemed to have spotted Syman, but he said nothing. So it was he who held Eric and Avan by the horses...

"He must be waiting for us."

"I beg your pardon!?"

I felt a little sick at Syman's words. Those were Arin's brothers!? And then eight angry giants!?

"Elain? You're turning pale."

"Surely you don't intend that I fight with these men for Arin? We lose the Syman."

Syman laughed hard. "Believe me, I'm not fighting with them for a long time."

"Arin isn't much older than me, is he?

"First is twenty-four. His eldest brother is thirty-five. His name is Avan. The blond guy who looks like Hercules. He's a tough guy. Taran handles him best."

"Indeed?"

"The other blonde is Eric. He's thirty-three. He always softens around Arin."

Aha... Syman the little rascal. That he hasn't been crushed between these guys yet. He would definitely grow up to be a strong and hardened man.

"Let's go?"

"Why are the other two blondes?"

"Like her mother. Everyone else has black hair." Syman explained a little indignantly. Then he tugged at my hand. "Let's go Elaine!"

This time Syman and I swapped horses. He was now sitting on Pocket. I was so thankful I didn't have to tame that bastard.

As soon as we rode out from between the trees, Taran got up and drew the attention of his brothers to us.

"He knew exactly where we are."

"Is it bad?"

"No idea." Syman muttered.

Taran looked like Arin's good twin. He was just as tall, but there was something more elegant about him.

Arin wasn't a stomping monster, but he had a more distinctive face. Taran looked like the perfect villain.

"Syman!" one of them yelled. It sounded like a lion's roar. But the boy didn't answer.

He jumped off Pocket and gestured for me not to get off. Eric came to him immediately.

His steps were heavy and he looked like he had ridden all night. Long legs, strong arms and a charisma that made me lose my voice.

Monster. Those three men were big handsome monsters, dammit!

---

BEAUTIFUL MONSTERS

I thought it would throw me off my horse when Eric looked at me. I wish I could trade places with Arin. I in the cell, he on the horse.

"Milady." he growled.

"Eric, listen to me!"

Syman tore himself apart, but Eric took his time. Avan came up behind him and stared at me.

"Who is that Syman?"

The boy fell silent and gritted his teeth. What did he have? Will they make me morels!?

"This is Elain, sir."

"And who is Elain?" Taran suddenly hissed. I was startled. He sounded like Arin.

Syman closed his eyes to slits. "Ask Arin yourself!"

"Just watch out!"

Threatened Taran and was about to grab the boy. But Avan interrupted both of them. He was wild just as quick as Arin.

"Would you please introduce yourself?"

Avan had an lofty manner. He didn't exactly come across as condescending, but like someone in charge. As calmly as he spoke, he almost frightened me.

"My name is Elain, Arin married me less than two weeks ago."

All three men gaped, eyes wide. Avan, of course, caught himself first.

"Never... never in my life." Taran muttered and absentmindedly grabbed Syman by the collar and pulled him to him. "Is that true!?"

"Of course it's true! Please let me go!"

Eric dragged Syman away from Taran and already dragged him to Pocket.

"Then take her home."

"We will."

Judging by the scowling faces, it wasn't just Syman and I that were being talked about.

"You will do this alone." Decided Eric.

"Eric, Arin must-"

Avan raised his voice slightly. "Arin must face up to his responsibilities. We meet, at the castle."

"Please, my lord! Arin doesn't want to go to the castle. He never did!"

"I don't want to hear any more. Bon voyage, my lady."

Avan had ended the call. Did you just have to be like that with eight little siblings? So serious and calm.

Syman did not advance. He looked at Eric pleadingly. He looked at him with the same expressionless face that Arin always did. Either I missed my husband or the brothers were actually very similar...

"Go Syman." Finally growled Eric and followed Avan to a horse.

"Arin can't always run away, Syman. He needs to take responsibility for it." Taran was no longer angry. Although he spoke to us, he looked at the dungeon behind the politics building where Arin had to sit.

"He doesn't want to go back, Taran. Nobody knows that better than you!"

"I know more than you think! Go away!" Taran's eyes were angry again as he yelled at Syman.

Finally the squire mounted and led me back into the forest. He cursed the whole way, quite urging Pocket. However, I had the feeling that the horse knew such a temperament from somewhere else, quite well.

Arin didn't know what to do with himself. How long would he have to wait for Avan!? He was enraged to walk around his cell and wait for his brother to come get him.

For the proud man it was like a punishment. And Arin knew that Avan had planned it as well. And that made him really angry!

"You're running around like an irritated animal." taran

He closed the door to the soldiers' room behind him and stood in front of his cell. two years It had been two years since he had seen his brother. A certain wave of relief came over him when his brother stood before him, well and apparently healthy.

"It's been a long time, Arin."

"However."

Taran smiled. "That's like you. Carrying you out until all eight brothers gather to look for you."

"Is everyone here?" Taran nodded wearily. Arin swallowed. All eight Campbells. All older than him. So much hassle for nothing... "I wish you'd stayed home."

"They're just as exhausting as they were then. Every night they pull out their swords and fists and mess with Avan. And they always pub me."

"Avan defeated them all, am I right?"

"I would be disappointed if not."

Then Taran grew serious and avoided Arin's gaze. "They will take you to the castle."

Arin couldn't breathe. No way, they couldn't do that to him. He had guessed it, but hearing it now was different. It was suddenly his immediate future.

"Avan absolutely doesn't allow himself to be talked about."

"I'm twenty-four years old! I don't even have to ask him!"

Arin nearly burst with anger. Yet again. When would Avan stop treating him like a kid! He could probably still move through the country on his own!

"You know it doesn't work like that. Otherwise you wouldn't be in here."

Arin was determined to fight back. Even though Avan would surely break every bone in his life, he didn't give in.

"Syman showed us your wife."

Elain. If Avan had been an ass to her...

"Take it easy, she seemed very cold, but Avan was nice. Syman should take her to the castle. Without you."

"How long does he want to let me stew here!?"

"He's up to something, Arin. Try to behave..."

"Oh, stop me!"

"Arin, don't mess with him! Make it up with him when you have something to say again..."

Taran broke off. The man knew full well that he had expressed the wrong word.

"I have nothing to say!?" Arin went white. Without seeing exactly where he was hitting, he swung back and hit stone.

"Arin! Stop it! He'll be here and talking to you soon. Do yourself a favor and shut up if you can't think."

"What did Eric say?"

Taran grinned slyly. "If anyone sticks by you, it's him."

That grin gave him something away. He would be ready. He wasn't just going to let Avan win. Not this time.