Chapter 33: Chapter 33

THE CAMPBELL CHRONICLES

The hustle and bustle that morning when most of the Campbells ripped off reminded me a little of a swarm of bees. Horses were saddled and loaded with provisions and hunting gear. Avan gave instructions on what to do with the field and that I had to decide the rest. Ben gave firm orders to his knights while Eric plotted something with the three excited squires. Arin's mood was only dampened when he spotted Avan, otherwise he was almost more euphoric than the other two.

"Whenever he can get away from the castle, he seems to really come alive." Avan muttered, going through some papers. We all stood in the yard, yet his unnecessary advisers arrived with papers.

Last night Avan explained to me at length that he wanted me to stay here so that I could finally feel like the lady of the castle and not the kitchen maid. He also trusted me to stop Benedikt from forging papers and doing nonsense.

Benedict nodded sullenly. "Then we should do him the favor and finally send him away."

We both gave him an angry look. The old man in the light blue robe pretended not to see it. With an almost hateful look he looked at the three boys with Eric. I remembered ramming Kora's face against the wall and bile rose in my head. What else is he capable of?

Avan took me in his arms and kissed me lovingly. "Don't be angry with me, but you can see that I can't leave him alone."

"Don't worry. Watching your home when the white knight has a job is my job, isn't it?"

That adorable dimple reappeared. "I'll probably have to take quite a few cold baths to forget that disreputable grin."

Benedict cleared his throat. But this time he was the one ignored. "When are you coming back?"

"Two weeks at the most. I don't want to give up overseeing the fields for too long."

"Come on, Avan!"

With one last kiss, he mounted his stallion and raced away with his brothers. Benedikt sighed and then turned to me. I waited skeptically.

"Can I help you?"

"Indeed. But you would never fulfill my wish, therefore: You have to organize a replacement for you and Kora in the kitchen. After that there will be a meeting with Eldonaro about his damage. Avan said you would deal with this problem."

And how should I do that please!? I tried my best to appear cashed. "Is there anything else?"

"Well, if you want to know for sure, my lady. A dress comes closer to a damsel than the tight trousers of a groom."

I rolled my eyes and turned to go. The hall was empty and lonely without the noisy Campbells. The servants almost disappeared into the walls, it seemed to me. Because I couldn't find one... When I sat down at the blackboard with a sigh, Benedikt put a few sheets of paper in front of me.

"Be so kind as to give me your signature, my lady."

"What is that?" Benedict tried to wave it off. But I would read them anyway. "A power of attorney over the servants of this house and see Campbell's papers? What would that get you?"

Benedict put on a pious face. "Just to give you a hand, my lady."

Naturally. Ignoring his shouts of protest, I tore up both sheets and slung them carelessly over my shoulder. "Get out of the rat hole where you've been holed up for the past few days!"

Mumbling to himself, he actually wanted to leave. "Oh yeah, when can I expect Eldonaro?"

"Only after closing time." Far too loud to be unintentional, the door slammed shut.

Very good. I sat in my seat for a while and thought about what to do. Then I decided to explore the corners of the castle that I didn't know yet. I found a small library in the wing where the three youngest Campbells had their rooms. Then the locked treasury in the basement, above that the empty dungeons. The pantry, an almost empty room with instruments, a small garden full of flowers and a fountain... but the most interesting thing was a dusty room. A heavy dark wooden desk faced a wide window. Shelves lined one side of the room, and a painting hung on the other side. Including some dusty chests.

In the painting, a beautiful woman with blond hair was standing in front of buckets and pots full of colorful flowers. She smiled adoringly at a little mischievously smiling little boy who sat on her hip and adored her. Her face looked too much like Avan and Eric's to know: this was Elizabeth Campbell. Avan's mother. The blond curls framed her slender shoulders, the blue eyes fixed on the child. Her little one was white and cut like an angel.

A thick layer of dust lay on the small golden plate underneath. Elizabeth and Avan - may God bless you forever.

I looked at the boy again. The Campbell's dimple, blond streaks in his forehead, and those shrewd eyes that took in more than just good. Avan as a little boy... I smiled and looked at the chests. Was it reprehensible to look at me? Probably... but I was so curious.

In the first chest was a diary, some papers and a baby blanket. She was a little worn out, but still velvety soft. Wooden sword, wooden horse, wooden shield,... Memories of their children. In the next chest were faded clothes and a silver mirror with opaque glass. In the next chest I found some two more narrow pictures and one started.

On one was a man who looked like Michel. Behind it stood Henry Campbell. The second stood Avan with an actual sword and armor and crest surkot, next to him stood Eric and Ben in the same armor. In the last picture, seven sons were sketched.

"Milady!" Startled, I closed the chest and wrapped around.

"Brend! What do you want?"

"What are you doing here? If Avan finds out, he'll beat you like shit."

"My husband doesn't hit me."

"Should he maybe..."

I spun around impatiently. "Just leave!"

But Brenda came in and studied the painting. She looked at Elizabeth almost wistfully and sighed. "She had suffered so..."

I watched Brenda's every move suspiciously. "Did you know her?"

Brenda nodded wearily. "When I was younger, I was her maid."

I stared at her spellbound. Never... Brenda nodded wearily. "Everything was different back then. Henry destroyed a lot..."

"Why did she die?"

Brenda sat down on one of the chests and looked down at her hands. "She was drained and sick. Always. Every flu, every allergy season... then the grief over those three needless money eaters."

I ignored that and let the rest sink in. "Avan said he hardly knew her?"

Brende made a face. "It blew Elizabeth away. At six, Henry started teaching Avan to read and write and do arithmetic. It wasn't so bad then. At nine, Avan had to be a page and serve his family, so I was just getting into the kitchen as a cook. Also she still saw him occasionally. But when he became Henry's knave at the age of ten, it stopped. If he was punished, he wasn't allowed to cry, if it hurt him, you weren't allowed to tell..."

She looked at me angrily. "Nevertheless, this bastard was a lout and knew how to soften his father. Since his eighth birthday, Elizabeth saw little more of Avan than any village rascal. After all, he spent his days here," she pointed to the heavy desk. "and learned to become a lord of a castle."

"Was he never allowed to play?"

"Yes. But here. Or with his father in the village. Or with his father at sword exercises. When Avan had had enough, he crept into the stable, like he often does today."

It was weird knowing that Branda had known Avan for so long. At the same time they hated each other like nothing good. "His father was a monster."

"Oh no, he was doing what he thought was right for Avan. Educating the firstborn son. Henry was just as sly as a rascal like Avan is today. Likeable, funny and extremely sweet. But he got bitter when the last three came. Enjoyed the middle ones himself, but never had time to bond."

"It must have been hard for Elizabeth to explain that to her sons."

Brenda made a sour face. "It was. And the boys loved him. Den Elizabeth managed to get her husband to teach the boys something. So the bond came naturally."

"Something like arithmetic?"

Brenda sighed impatiently. "No! Eric became a blacksmith, Ben a knight, Michel a hunter, Joe a kind of treasurer and Samuel a secretary."

Oh... what knowledge must Henry have possessed? I looked at Brenda in astonishment... it was all so contradictory...

"He made Elizabeth happy. She started throwing parties again, inviting friends and planting a small garden. Until Henry started to get angry with the three youngest ones. That's when she killed her. Especially her concern for that stubborn dog Arin, who almost opposed to Henry on principle. And that's when he most resembles Henry."

"Why was he so angry? After all, it was his sons? Whom he hardly saw!"

Brenda shrugged a shoulder at a loss. "He was adamant that he was doing the right thing. Henry thought the little ones needed education and just because he was getting old he didn't want to indulge in spoiling them. He overdid it..."

I raised an eyebrow dryly. "Even you admit it?"

Brenda growled. "I like spanking Kora, but I never locked him in the freezing cold, hungry and thirsty in the freezing, drafty library like Henry used to do. For hours. If Eric and Avan hadn't fed the little ones and smuggled them back to their rooms, one of them would have frozen to death . And that's when Avan started to get hard and sit down on his dad again. Which caused him a lot of problems and nights on his stomach."

My gaze went back to the painting. "Wasn't she getting desperate?"

Brenda snorted. "Yes. Because after Arin was born, she hardly left her bed. She only ever found out about the incidents caused by Ben. When Taran didn't wake up for two days, we thought Elizabeth was going to die."

"I think Henry contributed a lot to her death."

Brenda got up heavily and limped to the door. "Of course. But he didn't notice. He hardly noticed after running this castle really successfully."

"Do you think Avan could end up like this?" When I turned around, Brenda was already gone. And I was glad because the last question wouldn't have been good anyway... Still. What would happen if the most powerful Campbell lost track?

"Taran, get wood." Avan murmured tiredly.

Eric nodded. "Go with him, Arin."

Günt slid Arin from his saddle and followed Taran through the twilight between the solid and broad trunks of the oaks. They marched silently for a while, but eventually Arin found it too much. All day long he could feel the Taran watching him like a rare beetle.

Aprubt Arin stopped and stared at his brother, who was a year older than him. "What are you trying to read on my face, Taran!?"

He shrugged his shoulder mischievously. "Nothing at all."

"I know that the whole castle is talking about the fires and that Avan gave it to me properly. So don't play the innocence! Especially not you! So what do you want?"

Taran sighed and took a forgiving step towards Arin. "Are you very mad at Avan?"

"No."

"Now you're playing me something..."

"No, I don't. I expected it... I just don't understand him. He made it very clear that he knew."

Taran fumbled until Arin snapped at him impatiently. "Well, you know... Eric was far more angry... Before Avan enlightened him, he wanted to get at your throat a lot more."

"And that excuses... what exactly?"

Taran made a nervous score. The light seemed to be gone for good and Arin didn't recognize the face of his opponent that much anymore. "I don't know, you should know..."

"Nice, now I know. Well, I'd be grateful if you didn't keep reminding me for the rest of the hunt, would you? Even Avan doesn't harp on about it!"

"Promised..."

In fact, Taran kept his promise as long as they gathered the wood together. Only on the way back, when they heard the murmuring of their camp, does Taran Arin hit back again.

"Arin, you have to promise me something too..." Before Arin could say anything, Taran continued. "Don't see Benita anymore. She's really not good to you and every visit from her ends with something like yesterday..."

"How dare you be so mean!? Benita is all alone and scared of her father!"

"Oh, Arin! Why do you think she's all alone in a village full of children!? Because she's mean and sneaky!"

"You talk like-"

"-And scared of Eldonaro? You know that man doesn't even hit his ass!"

Arin's voice trembled with anger. He was about to throw down the branches in his arms and claw Taran's eyes out...

"You never know how a father would treat his own child."

Taran saw the light. His heart clenched as he finally understood why he couldn't turn his back on this little bitch... "Eldonaro isn't like father, Arin. And Benita isn't like you..."

Arin felt her thunderstruck. He was grateful that the darkness hid his expression. Taran started again, but Arin stepped through the trees to his brothers and didn't speak another word to Taran...

The negotiation with Eldonaro went surprisingly quickly. He said he didn't want any money. "If you get me a new wagon and a gentle young mare for my daughter, then we'll settle the matter."

I told him that something as expensive as buying a horse should be approved by Avan first. Then he made his way to his lover, who lived in the courtyard of the castle and who treated and cooked for Ben's knights.

I sank wearily into a chair in front of the cold fireplace and thought of Avan. At his broad, strong shoulders, his muscular back, the dimple and the deep cheeky laugh when he was alone with me. It was the first time he wasn't with me and it felt awful...

Michel sat down on a stool across from me and gave me a smile. "You look unhappy."

I waved him off. "How's it going on the field?"

A shiver ran down Michel's spine. "I hate Avan for letting him hunt in my forest and for me having to shovel away bloody morass mountains..."

I grinned wistfully, remembering Avan's gloating. "I don't think it's any different for the other two."

Michel nodded and scratched his chin. "People say you were in dad's study?"

"What!?" Where did I live!? In a castle or in a laundry room!?

"They saw you disappear there. They admire your courage."

"Why is that? Is there supposed to be a tiger living there?"

Michael smiled. "When Avan finds out about this, he resembles a wild beast. Indeed."

Somehow the people in this castle seemed to know their brother really badly. Avan a beast? Angry because I was in a dusty room?

My brother-in-law interpreted my expression. "For Avan there are many important things in the chests. If you will, everything that he has from our mother is in the chests. There are hardly any memories."

I felt nauseous. How hard he tried to get close to his mother...

"I saw a picture of her and Avan. She was a beauty."

Michel nodded sadly. "That was her..."

Benedict suddenly appeared behind Michel. He seemed oddly happy.

"There she is. Lady Bea, this is Baker Anders and his wife Renta."

The string made a noise when I stretched it. My lower back was arched, my breathing steady... I locked onto my aim, let the arrow fly, and just very missed the deer.

"Damn crap..."

Ben clicked his tongue in disapproval. "This is going to be lame prey..."

Eric nodded at him with a grin. "Probably a while ago, huh?"

He could say that out loud. Almost two years.

I jerked the strap of my quiver and shifted uncomfortably in the saddle. "How about a swim in the river over there? It's damn hot..."

Eric and Ben exchanged one of their famous looks. Sometimes I felt almost left out when they did that.

"You just want to stop because you missed the second goal today!"

I rolled my eyes impatiently. Why did I always have to explain myself!? If they didn't want to, they should just say so.

Eric raised his arms reassuringly. "Calm down, Avan. Sure, let's go swimming."

The three squires were almost thrilled when we told them. Kora and Taran tore off their robes and jumped into the cool water. Arin wanted to take care of the horses first, stable boy as he was.

We hunted trout wildly, wrestled and dived in competition. It was funny and doing well. It wasn't until dawn that we trotted to the shore and threw ourselves down on the warm grass. I slowly closed my eyes and enjoyed the quiet. It was the first time in two years that I didn't have to study, calculate, read or think.

"Arin!" cried Taran, stroking his dripping bangs. "Arin! Why didn't you come too!?"

Somewhere a bird was chirping, the trees were rustling in the warm summer breeze, the water was lapping... but no sound came from Arin.

"Is he maybe offended?" murmured Kora. I heard him get up, but forced myself to keep my eyes closed.

He'll probably be roaming around somewhere. Savor the moment and explore the forest on your own. A boy in a forest. Absolutely normal.

"Avan! Arin's horse is gone!"

Something about old Benedict's eyes told me he wasn't up to anything terrible. And it couldn't be a coincidence that he unwrapped that weapon after Avan left the farm.

I offered the guests a seat at our table and called for beer and bread. Then I took Michel aside. "Get Avan. As soon as you can, tell him something should be done behind his back and I don't know exactly what." He said goodbye politely and left immediately.

Baker Anders sat at the table with a frown. He looked to be in his mid-thirties, with a round stomach, large hands and strong arms. His hair was brown and his eyes were wise. His wife seemed as submissive as a devoted mutt. Her blond hair was in a bonnet, her gaze was always directed to her hands, her slim figure was young. Mid-twenties maybe.

Benedict was exceedingly happy and forgiving. It was spooky. When the beer and bread and cheese finally arrived, I pulled myself together.

"And what brings you here?" I smiled and folded my hands in my lap.

Benedikt wanted to answer, but Anders was faster. "We were invited here by the gentlemen. You should have sent for us yourself."

Renta smiled reassuringly. Her green young eyes looked at me. "We are very grateful to you for that."

"Shut your mouth." growled her husband harshly. She immediately lowered her eyes again.

Oh heavens, that's gonna be nice. Benedict rose slowly, crept around the table and handed me a sheet of parchment. "There you are, read it, my lady. You'll see, everything is legal on my side."

"

Arien!"

He was gone. His horse, some provisions and my wallet. I just didn't want to believe it. But Arin had run away. The shock crept into my limbs and into my gut. Why did he do that?

Taran looked desperate. He rode his horse like the devil to find him. "He didn't run away! Arin would never do that!"

But the rest of us had a different opinion. After all, it was no secret that Arin always thrived when he could be away from the castle. And after last night... maybe he took the opportunity.

"Taran, shut up." Ben muttered, stopping his horse.

"But his tracks lead to the village! He will probably ride through there! We have to find him!"

"Yes, but not today. Kora and Eric are already on their way, we are waiting for him here."

As if he hadn't been listening, he walked up to me and grabbed my shirt for help. "He didn't run away! You know it as well as I do! He-"

I put my hand on the back of his head and said nothing. I was just as desperate as he was. Of course, he wouldn't just bolt out of anger at me. But if that's exactly what broke the camel's back...

Taran's lips quivered, he bit down quickly and clutched me desperately. "Everything will be fine, Avi! Am I right?"

I exchanged a look with Ben, who was also biting his lip. None of us knew if everything would really be alright again...

I actually didn't know what to say. I looked in shock at the curved letters... the signature underneath. Henry Campbell. And the Seal of the White Knight. I sent a prayer to heaven... Please hurry up Avan. And come alone!

"Oh, you don't have to worry because our guest of honor isn't here. I made sure of that."

I heard Benedikt's habit rustle and a door squeak. I slowly lifted my eyes from the dusty parchment. Then I ran out of breath.

Benedict grabbed Arin by the hair and dragged him to the table. "Here he is already."

Anders turned and eyed the boy. Black hair, a stubborn, determined look and anything but a slender body. After all, the boy had always been a stable boy.

I didn't like the look. He was satisfied.

"This is Arin, Master Anders." Benedikt threw Arin a few steps forward. He stumbled a few steps but caught himself and stared at the two men with the disdainfulness that only a Campbell could.

I was surprised that the eight-year-old orphan didn't come to me for protection. He stood there, aged ten years and stubborn, as if he wanted to take on both of them. He looked so calm and provocative that Anders got up menacingly and stood in front of Arin.

I finally woke up from my terror and stood behind my little brother-in-law. "Step back here, Master Anders."

The baker only reluctantly bowed to the instructions of the lady of the castle. Arin suddenly began to smile mockingly. Yes, can he be saved?

Before anyone could do anything, Arin caught a resounding slap in the face. Benedikt seemed to have trouble not clapping his hands like a delighted child and jumping in place. Arin only seemed to gather his senses for a moment, blood trickling from his nose, but he kept smiling. Didn't stagger a step.

"What are you thinking of!? Get out!" I tried to pull Arin behind me, but he resisted and shook off my energetic hands. He stood there rooted to the spot and provoked the baker.

Benedict gently waved his hand. His smile so wide I almost spat bile. "Then Arin must go with you. Consider what was recorded on the parchment."

Suddenly Arin laughed a harsh sarcastic laugh. His look dark and cheerful at the same time. Almost cold-blooded. "I should go with that? He can't even make me take him seriously!"

Anders grabbed Arin by the collar, gave him two more slaps in the face and pulled him towards him. Blood also ran from Arin's mouth. "It will be my pleasure to change this fact!"

His wife Renta stood behind him. Her expression twisted in pain. "Oh, please - PLEASE - different."

Benedikt almost made himself wet with joy. Leaned down to Arin and patted his head. "You must ask your father's forgiveness, Arin. Then he will surely show mercy."

Everything in the sentence seemed like a stab to this stubborn little buck. Father - pardon - mercy.

He bared his teeth again, smiled a bloody rebellious smile, and the next moment spat bloody spit in the baker's face.

"Not at all, Arin!" I tugged at Anders' arm to make him let go of Arin. What was the rascal up to!? Suicide!?

Suddenly Anders threw Arin to the ground and turned to Benedikt, who conjured up a flexible stick and handed it to Anders. Arin didn't let on how sick he was at the sight. Actually, I wasn't even sure if he was feeling anything but defiance.

Suddenly Renta fell down next to Arin and grabbed both of his upper arms. She tried to get him to look at him. In vain.

"Oh, please excuse me..." she pleaded in a tearful voice. Arin turned his head to her. "Please, Arin. Tell him you're just afraid. Tell him you're afraid of the stick. Please tell him!"

Arin shook his head almost imperceptibly. "But I'm not afraid. Neither of him nor of the stick."

Anders puffed like a bull. Benedict stepped under him. "Teach him that fears, Mast Anders!"

Renta shook her head and gently wiped the blood from the corner of Arin's mouth. At this maternal gesture, I recognized pain in his face for the first time. "You mustn't lie so cheekily, child. Everyone was afraid of the stick, every child."

Arin stood and almost gently brushed her arms off. "After my father, I'm no longer afraid of something like that."

Renata knelt in front of the eight-year-old. "Henry Campbell was a decent man."

Anders had had enough and grabbed Arin, threw the stick at Benedikt's feet and looked at me. "Says Sir Avan he can come and talk to me anytime. But I'll take the boy with me now."

I bit my lips together. disarmed. I knelt in front of Arin and put a hand on his shoulder. "Forgive me, Arin. But there must have been a loophole. But it won't be the last."

Arin said and did nothing. He just looked at me.

Renta stroked his black hair gently, almost flinching. "Please don't worry. If he bends down then he will have a decent father and teacher in Anders."

"Enough." threatened Anders. Apparently he wasn't done with Arin and his wife. I shuddered at the thought.

"Wouldn't you like to stay one more night, Master Anders?" Until Avan is back home and has slashed Benedikt?

However, Anders no longer listened to me. He dragged Arin laboriously out of the castle. I felt stunned and felt hot tears. I had handed over Avan's brother. Putting an 8 year old helpless and defiant in charge of a raging baker... It was all my fault...

The baker stopped in front of a small carriage with a loading platform. He dragged Arin onto the area and then sat down with his wife on the coach box. Renta seemed oddly happy. Arin sat stubbornly, not making a move...

The baker nodded goodbye and drove away.

I hardly felt the tears on my cheeks. I was stunned.

Benedikt appeared next to me. His smile is relieved and victorious. "Do you know how good it is to beat Avan? It's like a rush, Lady Bea."

My heart was racing. "You didn't care what happened to Arin, or what Henry actually wanted..." Benedikt smiled wider while the realization hit me hard. "It was all about tricking Avan..."

"I did a fantastic job, didn't I? Plus, that snotty rascal won't play tricks on me again. Never."