|
|
Post by eskimoRock on Aug 26, 2012 15:45:09 GMT -5
Joshua smiled at the two before rolling his eyes at Amelia.
"Will you stop calling me a lord? I have no intention of ever being a lord, trust me. Anyway, what about this witch hunt? Can we stop it?"
|
|
|
|
Post by G. Novella on Aug 26, 2012 15:45:28 GMT -5
Amelia had heard the boy's name before. It was once again from gossip Victoria shared. She nodded politely to the boy, wondering if she was supposed to curtsy. Before she could decide, however, she saw Robert making his way up the road with a friend. Without a second thought, she stepped behind Lord Joshua to hide from her brother. She didn't want to talk to him, and he'd be angry she was speaking with strangers.
"Sorry milord," she said quickly, "I mean Sir Joshua, and I doubt we can, it's a nationwide hunt. Everyone seems eager for it."
|
|
|
|
Post by eskimoRock on Aug 26, 2012 15:54:35 GMT -5
Joshua frowned. Sir Joshua was just as bad! He opened his mouth to speak, but Amelia moved to stand behind him, and he looked up curiously to see two boys walking down the lane.
"If you're hiding, get behind here!" he muttered, nudging her slightly to the left so that she was hidden behind the crates piled by the market stall.
"it's sick..." Joshua muttered. "Everyone so excited about murder."
|
|
|
|
Post by G. Novella on Aug 26, 2012 16:01:51 GMT -5
Amelia couldn't help but shudder at those words from her position behind the crates. It wasn't just any murder that excited everyone, it would be hers too. She watched Robert, feeling miserable. He was definitely going to join the Witch Hunters. He loved adventure. And she was his target. She didn't know what she'd do.
"What are you going to do then?" asked Amelia quietly, "It's not like we can stop anything. I mean, I definitely can't. My brrother is joining the Hunters!"
|
|
|
|
Post by eskimoRock on Aug 26, 2012 16:09:56 GMT -5
"There is nothing I can do." Joshua sighed. "I guess I join the hunters and avoid actual killing for as long as I'm able. As for your brother, I'll watch out for him,but I'm sure there's nothing else I can do."
|
|
|
|
Post by G. Novella on Aug 26, 2012 21:56:30 GMT -5
Amelia didn't say anything to that. All she knew was that she'd probably have to avoid him in the future. In fact, she'd probably need to avoid her family too. In her head, a plan was beginning to form. Maybe, just maybe, it was time to leave her family for good. But where would she go? Her thoughts were interrupted, however, by the arrival of a man.
Henry had overheard the conversation with delighted excitement. He had fallen asleep behind the carts, only to be roused by voices. He was thrilled to find some muggles who were sensible! When he heard they boy's resignation, he decided to make himself known. He stood up, and crept behind the girl.
"Are you sure that's the only way out?" he asked brigtly, causing the girl to jump and spin around, falling over in the process.
|
|
|
|
Post by eskimoRock on Aug 27, 2012 1:38:44 GMT -5
Joshua jumped, but his arms shot out and he caught Amelia before she fell over again. She really was clumsy, wasn't she?
"What are you suggesting?" Joshua said suspiciously to the new boy. "We can't stop the decree."
|
|
|
|
Post by G. Novella on Aug 27, 2012 2:09:16 GMT -5
Henry grinned at the younger lad. He was enjoying this conversation. The little boy seemed to be confused as he watched the three, and the girl jumped when the boy caught her, as though she hadn't expected it.
"Of course we can't stop it," said Henry cheerfully, "Why would we even bother? The trick, my dear lad, is to know your predator, and let the prey become predator. Take wolves and sheep for instance. A stray sheep is always the one the wolf attacks, a herded sheep is free!"
|
|
|
|
Post by eskimoRock on Aug 27, 2012 4:03:47 GMT -5
Joshua frowned.
"Just tell me your suggestion? I honestly dont have the patience for riddles today."
|
|
|
|
Post by G. Novella on Aug 27, 2012 4:09:48 GMT -5
Henry pouted, but his eyes were lively.
"Is the answer not simple? If the Hunters are the wolves, then we must be the sheep!" said Henry exuberantly, "All it takes is a clever argument. If witches and wizards band together, they'll be left alone, of course. There's a power in numbers!"
Amelia frowned at the man's words, as she moved to stand on her own. While his idea seemed good, wouldn't they just be attacked in a herd?
"But there aren't as many witches," said Amelia, "And what if the Hunters continue?"
To her astonishment, the strange man just sighed, "It's a possibility, but when in a group, survival is much easier. All you need is to create a group, of course. A haven if you will."
|
|
|
|
Post by eskimoRock on Aug 27, 2012 4:17:07 GMT -5
"Are you suggesting that you're a... That you're a wizard?" Joshua said, whispering the last word so he could not be overheard.
|
|
|
|
Post by G. Novella on Aug 27, 2012 4:18:51 GMT -5
"Absolutely not," said Henry with a chuckle. The boy was perceptive, "Must I be a wizard to want to help them? By that logic, all three of you are!"
Amelia stiffened, and Henry noticed. He made a mental note to remember that.
|
|
|
|
Post by eskimoRock on Aug 27, 2012 4:25:02 GMT -5
Joshua grinned slightly at the mans logic.
"I apologise. I just thought because you said 'we' when talking of wizards, but it does not matter. And you seem to be another logical person...it's a pleasure to find so many of them in this village."
|
|
|
|
Post by G. Novella on Aug 27, 2012 4:33:09 GMT -5
"I'm a traveller, my good fellow," said Henry with a smile, "A musician, if you will! And a treachorous bastard to the King's reign for speaking deceitful words with you. Ah! I've done it again, a song in the making. I'll have to remember that. My name is Henry Tailor, Henry for my mother's father, Tailor since she weaved cloth."
|
|
|
|
Post by eskimoRock on Aug 27, 2012 4:43:17 GMT -5
"I only see something as treachery if you act upon it." Joshua smiled wryly. "But the name is Joshua Herdman. I'm sure you understand where the Herdman part comes from, not that we do any of that anymore."
|
|
|
|
Post by G. Novella on Aug 27, 2012 4:48:37 GMT -5
"The Earl's son," said Henry with a nod, "I believe I've been asked to come sing for him tomorrow night. So, what do you three plan to do to escape this treacherous plight, if you do?"
|
|
|
|
Post by eskimoRock on Aug 27, 2012 5:05:46 GMT -5
"Thats very unlucky for you." Joshua scowled. "I try to avoid my father if I can help it. But I don't see anything I can do! I can't refuse to join the witch hunters, it will get back to the king and that won't be good for me. I'll probably be kicked onto the streets or locked in the cellar, something ridiculous like that to teach me a lesson. He wouldn't want me to ruin his families honour..."
|
|
|
|
Post by G. Novella on Aug 27, 2012 5:13:59 GMT -5
"I'll have to stay at home," said Amelia quietly, "Probably stay in the house, and eventually watch my brothers hunt witches."
Until it's my turn to be hunted, she added mentally.
"How utterly devastating," said Henry with sympathy, as the younger boy quietly eyed him, "I wish I knew how to help, but perhaps the easiest way is to recommend you stick to a group. I, myself, plan to find friends and allies. Eventually, I may be able to create the haven."
|
|
|
|
Post by eskimoRock on Aug 27, 2012 5:18:38 GMT -5
Joshua eyed Henry suspiciously.
"Why would you create a safe haven? That would simply put you in danger of being killed, and suggest that you yourself are a wizard. They wouldn't understand you just protecting them out of the goodness of your heart."
|
|
|
|
Post by G. Novella on Aug 27, 2012 5:27:08 GMT -5
Amelia felt her eyes widen. Maybe she could go to this Haven! She opened her mouth to suggest she'd help, when Henry answered Joshua.
"I said may," said Henry with a heavy sigh, "It's a gamble, and I want to be certain I can handle things. Of course, I can't say I'll keep it forever, but there will come a time when people need a place to go. Maybe I'll be the one to open those doors. Anyways, my good fellow, I shall see you tomorrow night, music awaits me! If you ever need me, just ask people my name, I'm rather famous, you know?"
|
|
|
|
Post by eskimoRock on Aug 27, 2012 5:34:21 GMT -5
Joshua frowned as the man skipped away, before turning to Amelia.
"Do you ever get the feeling that people are hiding things from you?"
|
|
|
|
Post by G. Novella on Aug 27, 2012 5:38:11 GMT -5
"Only when my father is hiding possible betrothals from me," said Amelia simply, "Do you think he's hiding something? He seemed rather genuine."
|
|
|
|
Post by eskimoRock on Aug 27, 2012 5:49:07 GMT -5
"I just had a feeling...I don't know." Joshua sighed. "I just get it sometimes. Are you okay now? I could tell you were rather upset before."
|
|
|
|
Post by G. Novella on Aug 27, 2012 5:58:04 GMT -5
"I've never really spoken with people outside my family," explained Amelia, "So I wouldn't know. Thank you Sir Joshua. I'm fine, I think." She smiled a slightly forced smile.
|
|
|
|
Post by eskimoRock on Aug 27, 2012 6:13:24 GMT -5
"For goodness sake, Amelia! It's Joshua! I am not a sir. And anyway, you don't look fine. Would you like me to escort you home?"
|
|
|
|
Post by G. Novella on Aug 27, 2012 6:14:45 GMT -5
"Escort me home?" squeaked Amelia in shock. She could just imagine what Vicky'd say! "Are you sure? It's a bit out of the way after all."
|
|
|
|
Post by eskimoRock on Aug 27, 2012 6:29:05 GMT -5
"I don't mind, honestly. I'd much rather waste as much time as possible before going back and listening to my father boasting about the wonders of the king and his new decree."
|
|
|
|
Post by G. Novella on Aug 27, 2012 6:58:21 GMT -5
"Ah, of course, Sir Joshua," Amelia said, feeling a bit embarrassed that she was being escorted home by a lord. "Shall we go then?"
|
|
|
|
Post by eskimoRock on Aug 27, 2012 7:15:57 GMT -5
"Joshua, and yes, okay. Are you coming with us?" He turned to speak to the boy standing behind him.
|
|
|
|
Post by Miss Wings on Aug 27, 2012 7:21:08 GMT -5
"Oh no, you go on ahead of me. I need to get back to my Brother" John stammered.
|
|
