Tales Of Corinthia

Another update of the short stories series based in the same setting as Castle Of Glass. All of these stories are written as prequels to that story.

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Grand stone guard walls surrounded the keep of Yhiset the harsh weather of the area leaving cracks spanning most of the wall. On the rare sunny day around a dozen guards would rest atop the walls keeping an eye out for errant thieves.

On days like today they would hide in spires watching through clouded windows the fireplace filling the guard rooms with warmth. The shield from the weather gave plenty of people chance to sneak into the castle but no one dared fare the weather.

Well usually no one would. Today Ripley after an argument with Raine, stormed off and was now desperately looking for shelter. Having noticed an alcove atop the wall the nimble ten-year-old had decided to climb up. No one was around to stop them after all or at least they couldn’t see anyone.

The argument had been something ridiculous about a book the younger of the two had taken without permission. Ripley wasn’t even angry anymore just too embarrassed and scared to go back. Fearing that Raine and by extension his family wouldn’t want them back. So, they ran until the weather became too much to bear.

Hoisting themself up onto the wall they crawled into the alcove. Pressing their body against the rough stone as their body shook violently in the cold. The old hand-me-down clothing drenched and clinging uncomfortably to damp skin.

 Wind howled through the valley drowning out any other noise as it whistled through gaps in the battered stone. The alcove proving to be a failed endeavor continuing to be battered by wind and rain from every direction. Only a small amount of warmth transferring through the stone wall.

Not wanting to get down after such a difficult climb Ripley just curled up more against the wall. Small clouds of steam appeared each time they pushed out a breath their nose too blocked to breathe properly.

They checked over the area to make sure Lauren couldn’t see. Never having been in real trouble with the woman and not intending on starting now. The quick look around the area missed the guards who had noticed the small child and were making their way down from their tower.

Two young guards rushed out onto the wall quickly approaching Ripley as they shivered against the stone. Their breathing was ragged as one of the men knelt at her side with a kind smile his jet hair clinging to his face, “Are you okay, why are you up here?”

Ripley looked at the two men in fear backing somehow further into the wall, “Trying to get away from the rain,” they mumbled keeping an eye on their hands. The terrifying realization they were unarmed and would stand no chance of escaping the men causing them to back up more.

“Come on let’s get you inside where it’s dry then we can find your family.” The stood man left no room for argument as they hauled the child from the wall and into the spire. Sudden warmth causing burning to bloom across their skin before the men even gave them a blanket, “Where are you from anyway? You don’t seem local.”

“Miss Lauren calls it the caravan… I don’t know where I was before that.” The two men looked down with what could only be mild shock neither saying anything.

The guard room was a sauna the foggy windows being wiped by a young lad with a long scar cutting through his left eye. He also seemed to be responsible for keeping the fire going despite wearing the same uniform as the others. When Ripley was pulled into the room, he was quick to find blankets and what he referred to as ‘squire cloth’. A basic set of spare light clothing that they quickly changed into before being set in front of the open fire.

When the group was sure they were warm enough to make the trip, they led the child outside to a small horse draw cart. The cart consisting of a single bench with a hood to protect the driver and single passenger it made space for.

The black-haired man that had found her on the wall drove the cart seeming to know where the caravan was. Not stopping talking during the entire ride even explaining the scarred lad to be a knight’s squire on loan. His tutor being required at a gathering the boy couldn’t attend due to being common born. A term Ripley didn’t really understand.

Despite the bitter weather the man seemed nothing but cheerful when he escorted the young child home. Ripley’s own worries on the situation being pushed back as she listened to his tales of adventure. At one point becoming comfortable enough to start asking the man questions as he told of his own guard training.

That feeling of comfort was quickly replaced with dread when the man dismounted the cart Lauren storming up a tight frown tugging at her lips. Not even looking at Ripley as she spoke to the guard who explained the situation. Watching her become increasingly upset as he explained the kid had scaled the castle wall for shelter.

During the entire conversation Ripley sat frozen in place unable look away from the terrifying woman. The fear of being rejected or kicked out overwhelming them more as the guard prepared to leave. Lauren leading them away from the cart and into a tent a bag of the child’s drenched clothes in one hand.

“What were you thinking!” Lauren yelled the moment they entered the tent her eyes softening when the child flinched back guarding their face. With a sigh the woman sat down opening her arms to Ripley allowing them to relax before she continued, “Do you realise how dangerous climbing that wall was. Especially in this weather. What if you fell?”

Taken back by the concern from the older woman Ripley just shrugged looking at the ground. There wasn’t anything to say they knew they messed up and were preparing themselves to be kicked out. The thought brought an intense yet dull pain to their chest as they were held close by the woman.

“Please tell me you understand how dangerous that was.” The woman continued a bit softer than she initially had, “I need to know you understand, you won’t do it again.”

Gently she began rocking the child in her arms soft sniffles coming from them, “I’m sorry, please don’t leave me.” Was the quiet response that made the woman still.

“No ones leaving you. You made a mistake it’s okay we were all worried.” Lauren was quick to reassure seeing her son peek in through the tent’s fabric entrance.

“But I messed up and I had a fight with Raine…” The child trailed off as a small hand was pressed against their back.

Raine gently rubbed their back looking at his mum with tears in his eyes, “No leave… I’m sorry.”

The small voice was enough to draw Ripley from their hiding place in the older woman’s shoulder. Quickly turning to a tearful Raine and tackling him with a hug ignoring the other two figures joining them until the eldest of the siblings joined the hug. “We’re glad you’re home, Ripley.” The doctor said as the children laid on the ground in a cuddle pile. His wife now stood at his side with a smile their hands interlaced as they watched their children.