Castle Of Thorns [Mature] Visiting the Village

[Verzyne Duchy - In the outskirt of Barthof Village]

[The Montez Family Home]

In a little wooden house on the outskirt of Barthof Village, lived a pair of mother and son.

The mother, Mariya Montez, was a young widow in her thirty. Her brown hair was always neatly tied up under her headscarves; her brown eyes often looked deep with worry.

Her 10-year-old son, Raven, was a beautiful young boy with dark ebony hair and a pair of silver eyes, a unique trait that made the boy's appearance even more striking.

One day, Mariya fell sick from fatigue; she had been lying in her bed all morning, with the young Raven fussing about in worry.

Young Raven (ML)

Mother, are you feeling better?

Little Raven stood by Mariya's bedside. He put his little hand on her forehead, tried to feel her temperature - just like what he often saw the neighborhood auntie doing when her child was sick.

Mariya Montez

I'm fine, Dear. Just feeling a bit under the weather.

Mariya tried to sit, but Raven gently pushed her back.

Young Raven (ML)

No, Mother. You need rest. You seem to have a fever.

Mariya Montez

But I need to bring the apples to the village. I promised Madam Brinsley that I will give her this week's harvest.

Young Raven (ML)

No, Mother! You can't go anywhere in that condition. What if you collapse? I can just bring the apples to Madam Brinsley. You should stay at home.

Mariya looked terrified at her son's suggestion.

Mariya Montez

No! You cannot go to the village by yourself. The baskets will be heavy. What if you fall? What if you got lost?

Young Raven (ML)

Mother, I'm already ten years old! I know my way around the village, even though I always go together with you. And the baskets won't be that heavy; I can still carry them if I take the carriage with Mister Lowell.

Mariya Montez

But...

Young Raven (ML)

No buts! Even Thomas next door often goes to the village by himself; and he's younger than me by a full three months! The others will laugh at me if they found out I never go out alone at this age.

Mariya contemplated her son's argument for a moment. It was true that the boy had grown up; other children already running around the village without supervision by the age of five or six.

However, their house was a bit farther from the village; it was located near the forest. Besides, her Raven was so precious; she worried if anything happens to him.

Young Raven (ML)

Please Mother, I won't be away for long. I'll just drop off the apples at Madam Brinsley's store. I will immediately return after.

Raven looked pleadingly at his mother.

Mariya Montez

Alright... But make sure you don't wander around the village, especially near the castle!

Mariya finally relented. Her heart felt soft upon looking at his pleading silver eyes.

Young Raven (ML)

Oh thank you, Mother! I promise I won't wander around!

Raven giddily kissed his mother's cheek and ran out of the bedroom. Mariya just smiled softly at his antics.

In the kitchen, little Raven busily packed the harvested apples into two woven baskets. With some efforts, he picked up the full baskets and carried them to the front porch.

Outside their house, a middle-aged man wearing a merchant suit was patiently smoking his pipe among the patches of vegetable plots, already waiting.

Young Raven (ML)

Mister Lowell! I need your help in delivering these apples!

The man called Mister Lowell kindly greeted the young boy.

Bernard Lowell

Hello there, Raven! You're going alone today?

Raven noded cheerfully as he hauled the baskets toward Lowell's carriage, taking care not to damage the contents.

Young Raven (ML)

Yes, Sir! My mother is feeling rather unwell today.

Bernard Lowell

Ah, pity the Madam, it must be the blasted weather! Well, you're a big boy my lad, it surely will not be a problem delivering these tasty looking apples by yourself. Now up to the carriage you go!

Lowell easily hoisted the full baskets onto his carriage, while Raven quickly took his place beside the driver's seat.

Once the baskets were safely placed among the other goods, Lowell also took a seat and started commanding his horses to move towards the village.

[Verzyne Duchy - Barthof Village]

Bernard Lowell

Here we are lad! Do you want me to drive you up to the cook's house?

Lowell offered as they arrived in the village entrance.

Young Raven (ML)

Thank you, Mister Lowell. You can just drop me off at the nearest alley. I'm sure you have a lot more things to deliver.

Raven politely declined the offer.

Bernard Lowell

No problem at all. Go slowly, just take your time. Once I finished delivering all these stuff, I'll be waiting at the Golls Tavern.

The elder man replied kindly. He thought highly of the boy's politeness; not many of the village's children had manner as good as this one.

After a short while, they finally arrived at the nearest alley to Madam Brinsley house. Lowell helped the boy unloading the baskets from the carriage then continued his journey to deliver things around the village.

Raven struggled a bit in carrying the baskets; they were, indeed, quite heavy. However, he still managed to carry them up to Madam Brinsley front porch.

Young Raven (ML)

Excuse me, Madam Brinsley?

Raven politely knocked on the front door.

Julia Brinsley

Wait a moment!

Someone answered from inside. Not long after, there was a sound of latch being opened and Madam Brinsley came out of the house looking a little disheveled.

Julia Brinsley

Well? What's you business with me, little boy? I'm a bit busy this afternoon.

Raven pointed out to the baskets sitting outside the door.

Young Raven (ML)

I'm here to deliver the apples from my mother, Madam Brinsley.

Brinsley seemed to think for a while and exclaimed when she finally remembers her order.

Julia Brinsley

Aha! You must be Mariya Montez's precious little boy! Come in my child; it is rare to see you alone. Where is your mother?

Brinsley asked as she ushered the boy to come inside.

Young Raven (ML)

I came alone; my mother is feeling rather unwell.

He explained as he carried the baskets inside.

Julia Brinsley

Oh, I hope she doesn't catch the flu. It's horrible; I heard Penelope Emers had been bedridden for days when she caught the flu last month.

Raven looked rather worried when he heard the Madam's story.

Young Raven (ML)

It only feels like a mild fever earlier; do you think she may be having the flu, Madam?

Julia Brinsley

Well, it is always better to make sure. Why don't I go with you after I finished making these pies? Only a few more to go; after that we can visit your home to check if your mother has similar symptoms with Miss Emers.

Young Raven (ML)

I'd be very grateful if you can, Madam Brinsley. My mother has been looking a little weak since this morning.

Julia Brinsley

That settles it then. I'll start working on the new pies. In the meantime, can you help me to make delivery to the castle? There are only two pies in the basket; they shouldn't be heavy. I'll give you some coppers.

Young Raven (ML)

Sure! To whom should I deliver these?

Julia Brinsley

Just go up to the castle's gate and tell the guard that you're here to deliver Mister Bartholett's order. He's the gardener; they'll let you in.

Brinsley went to the kitchen and started packing the pies. Once they were neatly packed inside the baskets, she handed them over to Raven.

Julia Brinsley

Here you go. Don't run; you might fall.

Young Raven (ML)

I won't, Madam Brinsley. See you later then!