Chapter 39: Chapter 39

THE PARCHMENT SHEET

Arin stepped over the threshold of his dungeon and sighed furtively. "And? Are you handing me over?"

Eric gave him a rude headbutt. "Don't even think about that!"

I leaned against the opposite wall and handed him a sheet of parchment. Arin stared at it for a moment, then at me, and then shook his head almost imperceptibly.

"Have it, man..." I murmured and grinned as he tentatively reached for it and smiled broadly.

"Avan... I..." he looked at me shyly. "I didn't really deserve that."

"Give it back, then." When I reached for it, Arin pulled it aside, smiling.

Syman placed her on tiptoe and pulled himself up a little by Arin's forearm to peer at the bow. Such a skinny little fellow, a squire? God help the boys.

"What's that, Arin?"

But Arin just stared at the scroll. expressionless.

"Avan, I swear to you, someday, I'll pay you back every penny..."

"Forget it. Consider it your share of your father's inheritance." Actually, Arin had hardly inherited anything. Just like Taran, Kora and Samuel. Hardly anything was left for them.

Arin swallowed hard. "No."

Not the least bit surprised, I rolled my eyes.

"I would have been surprised if you'd just said yes."

"Arin, what's that!?" Syman tugged at his forearm for Arin to notice.

Arin pushed him away slightly and clicked his tongue in annoyance. "Money, you little nuisance!"

Eric smiled. "What are you going to do about it?"

"To build a house."

Eric and Syman exchanged a confused look. "And you almost wet yourself for that? Are you serious?"

Arin glared at both of them and lifted his chin in defiance. "A problem with being grateful?"

But that wasn't all that was going on in Arin. By giving him money for his house, I sort of allowed him to go.

So he wasn't holding a contract, but his freedom, which was so precious to him. He had asked me to do this months ago. Simply to finance his gypsy existence.

In reality, he didn't want to build a house either. But apparently he didn't think it was anyone's business. And he was completely free.

Arin looked at me again. "I'll pay you back."

I nodded, grinning. "I know. And there's time."

Syman reached for the bow to read it, but Arin hit him over the head with it for fun. "Keep your paws with you and make me something to eat, squire."

Syman tilted his head sweetly and narrowed his eyes smugly. "Yes, sir. Criminals, Sir."

I had heard enough and raised a hand in greeting and said goodbye.

I found my wife in the kitchen. She was cutting up cherries and making compote out of them.

Her long black hair was gathered in a ponytail, long strands of black hair hung over her forehead as she kneaded dough.

She was standing directly under the window, so that the sunlight once again caught her in a cone of light like an angel. But she was a devil. Absolutely.

"Hey." I stole a cherry from her and leaned against the floured countertop.

"Hey. You're getting dirty."

"I am dirty."

She looked up and raised an eyebrow provocatively.

"Your good mood is getting scary."

"Do you find?"

She grinned and bit her bottom lip. Of course not. Hell, I told you. I tucked a long strand of hair behind her ear and looked at the dough in her hands.

"Are you making cherry pie?"

"Yes, my king."

My face flushed again at the nickname. She just looked at me out of the corner of her eye and then laughed slyly.

"It's not funny at all... I won't be able to pay my respects to my king without thinking about before!"

Bea laughed again and pushed the dough into a pan.

"Tell Edward what it's all about. This thief will surely be happy about such a story."

"What do you mean by that?"

She smiled knowingly and spooned compote into her mold.

"We all know that our king doesn't want to defend himself against the ladies..."

"Nicely put." I stole another cherry.

"Did you give Arin the money?"

I nodded and had to smile again. Although I had lost something, so to speak.

For years I had fought not to lose Taran, Kora, or Arin. Tried to root them here and give them a home somehow.

But Arin just didn't want it. With that contract, I gave Arin the opportunity to leave. In many ways, this fact bothered me. Because I knew Arin only came home every now and then because he knew I demanded it. With this money I gave up all claims.

Who knows when I would see him again?

Bea eyed me furtively and handed me a cherry.

"Do you want?"

When I shook my head and looked down, she gently stroked my cheek.

“You are a good brother, Avan. And you know the saying. What you love you have to release so it can come back."

That's where the hack lay. He would probably never come back...

Bea's small arms wrapped themselves around my neck. Pressing her forehead against mine, she sucked in air. "Whatever he does, he will be happy about it. And that's important, isn't it?"

I nodded silently and played with the ends of her hair in her back. "Yes this is important..."

I hadn't heard him coming, but suddenly Syman was standing next to us. Discreetly he had singed his gaze. As Bea took a step back, Syman looked up.

"What do you need?" I hoped he hadn't heard.

But Syman swallowed and suddenly clutched me.

I went rigid with shock. He's never done that before...

"Thank you Ava. Arin will never forget that..."

I hesitantly put a hand on his back and looked up at Bea. Their eyes were as big as mine.

"It's okay, he should just build his house."

"Yes... but that makes him so happy..."

Apparently, Syman really had no idea what the actual facts were. And when, embarrassed, he pulled away from me and stole some bread and bacon, I realized he hadn't heard from our conversation either.

Bea smiled and put a hand on my neck.

"Apparently you make two people happy with your sacrifice."

Arin left the very next day. And I shouldn't see him again for a long time...

54

THE RELIEF

"And with your arms, Helena! At the same time, otherwise you'll go under!" advised Avan and watched his daughter try to swim. He slowly waded behind her and pushed her up from below with his hands when she threatened to go under.

"Please, father, let me go back to shore!"

"No, you're learning now. Come on."

I sat on the bank with the pregnant Tessa and laughed with her, at Helena's whiny whining and Avan's stern looks.

Helena was three years old, but she was already of the opinion that what doesn't work right away will never work. So she never tried anything twice unless it was so important to Avan that she had to go through with it. And swimming was probably close to his heart.

"Father!"

"Stop whining right away, otherwise something will start. Do you understand?"

Helena whimpered again and kept swimming.

Her rarely strict teacher shook his head in disapproval. "Now take a good breath!"

She stubbornly decided against it and had to realize that she was sinking. Her gaze resembled a command as she looked at Avan.

Then he lowered her a little.

"Help! Father help me!"

"How so? I said take a deep breath."

"No!"

Avan jerked the patience cord and crossed his arms.

Tessa shook her head, grinning. "My goodness."

"It's his own fault." I bit into my apple and placed a hand on Tessa's tiny baby bump.

She looked at me proudly. "Can you see it already?"

"A little." Grinning, I handed her an apple as well.

She made a face. "No thanks..."

"You have to eat, Tessa. The baby needs food."

Michel junior threw them on the meadow next to his mother and wearily snuggled them.

Suddenly Helena howled and stepped out of the river dripping wet next to Avan. Huffing and angry, the dripping Avan sat down next to me on the blanket.

"Had enough fun?" I grinned.

Avan watched the weeping Helena angrily. As usual when they argued, Helena didn't run away but sat right behind Avan and sulked. She would probably prefer to sit on his lap. But when he got angry, even she preferred to keep her distance.

"They're both amazing." Tessa tried to hide a grin.

In the distance we could hear the mares and their foals grazing in the spacious paddock a little to the side. Helena jumped up, grabbed Avan's upper arm and pulled. "Will you go with me to the foals, father?"

"No..."

"Oh please..."

Junior struggled to his feet and staggered to Avan, who almost incidentally caught him as he stumbled. "Helena, why don't you go alone?"

The girl pouted and twirled her little chubby foot in the grass. "I am sorry. Next time I'll listen to you..."

Aven grinned. "You're a bitch, Helena."

She knew she had her father back in her pocket. She grinned sheepishly.

"Then then, ladies." He stood up and looked down at his nephew. "Shall I take you with me?"

Immediately, the one-year-old reached out to him. So Tessa and I were left alone.

After she had obediently eaten the apple, she pushed me lightly. "What are you up to?"

"The usual."

"For us too... Michel is building a room for the baby. But otherwise..."

"It's boring without Arin, huh?"

Tessa nodded and studied my expression. "It hits you harder than expected."

"To be honest... just because of Avan. Of course I like Arin. But in recent years... Well. Somehow, Avan is beginning to settle down and Arin is getting his long-awaited freedom."

"Don't you miss him?"

But... But little Arin. The quiet little boy who could have everything from me with one look. The already...

But did I miss the grown-up, perpetually rebellious and angry Arin, who took it as a hobby to argue with Avan and only do what he wanted on principle?

Well... not yet...

Tessa was slightly shocked. "I have to tell you, I really thought Arin was like a son to you."

"I wasn't old enough for that at the time. Just six years of age difference doesn't make me a mother..."

"Secure?"

I nodded. “Each of the guys is close to my heart. And I will miss Arin sometime. But at the moment I don't think it's that different than usual. He's hardly ever been to the castle. Or?"

"But now he's really gone. Not just escaped."

Who knows. Maybe things will work out between Avan and Arin if they don't see each other that often...

We also ate lunch outdoors and laid the children down on the blanket to sleep. When it got dark we hiked back to the castle.

After dinner, Avan crawled into our room with me and attacked me.

The next morning, when Avan was back in his study, I brought him fresh blueberry pie.

"And? What are you working on?"

"Melvin..."

It took me a moment... "The boy who worked for the miller back then?"

"He was Arin's best friend. At least for a while."

"And what's the matter with him?"

"He was arrested... And he wrote to Arin for help."

"Did Arin see it before he left?"

"No..."

Aha... I ran my fingers through Avan's still thick hair. "So you're thinking about how to help this lout?"

"Well, they want to hang him up."

Oh my goodness. So had Melvin taken it this far...

"Why?"

"He was hunting in the king's woods. You know it's forbidden... But we know Melvin. He's a rascal, but not a thief."

A suspicion struck me, but I forced myself to keep my mouth shut and nodded. "So it's a lie?"

"He must have poached. But out of hunger..."

After I nodded silently, Avan lifted his head. He studied me for a moment. "What? What do you think?"

"Nothing..."

He sighed, slightly annoyed. "Beah..."

so please If he wanted to hear it: "Melvin isn't Arin..."

Avan's face was expressionless for a moment. "Are you serious?"

"Yes..."

He grinned. "I know... But he's my serf. So I should take care of him, right?"

I cocked my head. "Secure?"

To my surprise, his gaze wandered to the window. He thought for a moment before nodding. "Secure. And while you might think every tough case reminds me of Arin to keep me busy, I've got another project idea."

"Indeed?"

"A school... In the village church. I'm looking for a teacher." Now he grinned at me.

"You sure don't make any friends among the kids."

Avan laughed cheerfully. "What the hell?"

A school. A school? "But why?"

He raised a shoulder. "Why not? I think nothing is more important than justice. As you know, there are already schools in London and Canterbury, but only for the children of rich parents and lords. In this church school, the village children should also have the opportunity to learn."

"So they can read to their cattle?"

Avan arched an arrogant brow. “So that they can no longer be ripped off. And not just any Latin should be taught. We'll leave that to the priests. But things about the economy. About the history of kings and the Bible, if you like."

Not a bad approach... "And don't you think the parents can teach all that themselves?"

“They hardly have time to teach their heirs. They're probably happy when they have the kids out of the way for a while to teach the older ones the most important things."

"Do you really think farmers see it like you do?"

Avan shrugged. "Allegedly. When they hear what is taught there, they probably do. A lot of people, even if they're farmers, don't think education is necessarily a bad thing."

"But a waste of time."

"On Sunday when no one is allowed to work?"

"aha... rascal."

Avan grinned and bowed his head in thanks.

"And where does the income come from? Hardly sounds like you want money from people."

"No. It's not going to make any real money either."

"So you want to offer it for free?"

"Clear. Otherwise I wouldn't need to open it."

Now I looked at him pretty stupid. Those people in the village had made it as difficult as possible for Avan to settle things with Mitch. You were so ungrateful. So unfair. And he gave them such a chance?

"You're crazy..."

He smiled and pulled me onto his lap. "Maybe."

EPILOGUE

I watched my child as she happily chattered her marzipan and kept beaming at me with thanks.

"Avan it's serious... what should we do?"

Wanted letters and circulars lay on the desk in front of me. Black Knight - Arin Campbell - Murderer - Thief - Outlaw - ...

Eric tore his hair. "Where is the boy..."

"No idea. According to the warrant, he was last seen in York." I growled, looking at the cursive writing of the Sheriff of Westminster.

Ben twisted his face into a mirthless grin. "Somehow it was clear that it would end like this. He's always been aiming for that over the past few years, isn't he?"

Bea swallowed. She was visibly disappointed in Arin. "What are we going to do with you now, Arin...?" she murmured softly, running her finger over a sketch.

Tired, I ran my fingers through my hair... Yes... what am I going to do now? They're going to hang him, flog him first, and god knows do everything to him before he's allowed to die. dying... murderer...

Eric glared at me. "Say something..."

"What else can I say?" A faint threat lay in my voice. If he wanted to fight, I'd have no hesitation in breaking his nose today.

Bea put a hand gently on my shoulder. "Arin isn't a murderer. Or a thief. Or?"

Ben shook his head. "No. But apparently he's a Black Knight now."

The name was like mockery to me. The Castle of the White Knights. And then something like that. That was definitely his intention. To distance yourself a little further from the castle. A little provocative.

"Avan." Eric murmured, a little friendlier now. "You won't spare him. Am I right?"

"Hardly likely..."

Bea visibly swallowed. "This can not be true."

Yet. Unfortunately.

I felt my wife's eyes on me. Then she cleared her throat softly. "Come on guys. Helena. Let's let him think..."

God bless you, Bea.

The boys followed Bea outside and Helena waved at me again. Then the door opened to us I felt hysteria in my throat.

I stood up slowly as if my limbs were made of stone. As in an echo, I heard voices.

"What are you saying? Do you want me to drive?" Arin shrugged and slowly leaned into my side. "It's okay, I won't be mad if you say no."

"I'm not afraid of you."

"Not?"

"No never!"

I looked at the sketch, the newsletter... murderer. Thief. Lawless. Black Knight...

My fist smashed the table and I gasped for air.

Why don't you ever listen to me!? Why couldn't you just listen to me and just build a house!?

What did I do wrong!?

Arin stared at me from his warrant... They're going to hang you, you idiot...

You fucking idiot... And what should I do now? Tell me! Exasperated, I stomped to the window and stared out.

I looked at the horse stable and swallowed hard... Arin's hand grabbed mine and tugged. "I beg you, Avi..."

That stupid horse...

"Are you blaming me that he's sick?"

"No. But you don't want to help him."

"Arin, I just want to save you a lot of pain..."

I was able to see that little boy of seven years in despair... Whose biggest worry was the loss of his foal.

"I thought Pocket."

"The name is good."

What I would give that it could only be about such a stupid animal and not about its collar.

But then we came up with a solution. And it would today too. Especially since it wasn't just about such a stupid animal. It's about my stupid little brother.

I grabbed my sword and cloak before I could even put one and one together.

"You're such a shit, power-hungry tyrant that's pathetic."

"Eric, Ben, Bea!"

I stepped out into the hallway where all three of them came running.

They eyed my sword and swallowed.

"What are you up to?" Eric mumbled. But he walked alongside me with no effort.

"Do you want me to shut your mouth again?"

"Sure, that's what you do best, isn't it?"

"Gather every penny you have and saddle up your horse. Ben you stay here and take care of the castle."

Eric nodded and Ben said goodbye to Joe and Samuel. Bea didn't say a word yet.

In the courtyard I crossed the courtyard and entered the stable. She watched me as I saddled my stallion. "How long will you be looking for him?"

"Like I'm scared of you."

I swallowed and grinned at the same time. "Until I get my hands on it."

Bea forced herself to smile. "It's been quiet for too long, huh?"

I put my arms around her and hugged her to me. I kissed her, held her and kissed her again. "I'll come in two weeks and let you know what I find out."

Bea ran a hand through my hair and grinned, eyes sparkling. "Kick his butt."

"I'll do it..."

She followed me outside. Ben stood with Helena in his arms and handed her to me. "Are you going away?"

"I'm looking for Uncle Arin." I kissed her small frown and hugged her to me.

"Is he alright?"

Still... "Of course."

I passed them on to Bea. She tried to be strong. Only with her and Eric we went to the gate.

Clouds pushed in front of the sun...

"What's the plan, Avan?" she murmured, grabbing my hand.

"Because I failed... But I'll be damned if I don't do what I can to fix my mistake."

I looked at the sky. "I have to find him before the others do..."

Eric and Bea grinned at each other. She kissed me again.

"Are you sure you want to do this? He's not going to make it easy for you."

"It was a duel, Avi... I didn't want it..."

I climbed into the saddle and nodded. "I am here."

Eric did the same.

I turned to Bea in the saddle. Her black hair that swung around her waist, her tight trousers that still looked so good on her and her typical white shirt...

She smiled proudly. "Have a good trip then. My white knight."

END