The Inheritance 5

Kain inspect around the Castle. The bailey of the castle was in a very poor shape. Most of the houses were half torn or in need of heavy repair, the roads were all worn away but most of all was the market area. It was in total disarray with only few shops, mostly essential shops like that of butchers, groceries and basic needs. The only proper structures were the wall, the garrison and the keep. Even these structures needed repairs.

Nobody recognised him on the street. The guards didn't bother them either as there were lots of unknown faces inside the castle. He drudge along, inspecting each and every thing inside the castle while heading towards the Keep. That was when he met the three of them.

Kain's attention was caught by a violent rattling and smashing noises coming from one of the shaded alleys. He glanced over curiously and decided to check it out.

In the alley, a small girl was standing with a large rat in her hand and her back to a wall. Three large boys had surrounded her.

"Its mine," Said the girl.

"Nope, its mine," Said the largest of the boy, "you caught it in my alley. That makes it mine."

"Street urchins fighting over a rat," thought Kain. He remembered the time his master send him to live as a street urchin in the City of Karos. Rats were pretty much of his diet.

"You are not the Lord," Said the girl,"so this alley is not yours."

"Listen here,bitch," Said the boy,"you better hand me that rat or...."

The boy never finished his sentence as a large wooden sword struck him on the back of his head. The boy swayed around almost tumbling down. Soon, the wooden sword were striking the three hoodlum in a flurry. They screamed and ran away.

A boy appeared from the shadow with a fine wooden sword in his hand. His eyes met the girls and he grinned widely.

"I told you it will definitely work," Said the girl,

"Look at them running away like rats."

"They deserved it,"Said the boy, chuckling, "Anyway, this sword Thomas made is something else. It fits right into my hand. You were right on your decision to invite him."

"I never judge wrong," Said the girl, huffing with pride.

"So the girl is the brain and the boy is the brawn," thought Kain,"And another brat called Thomas is their logistic support. A balance party if they were adventurers, I should say. Interesting."

They stopped chuckling as they saw the looming figure of Kain approaching them. They suddenly tensed and looked at him, possibly thinking of following the running rats.

"I meant you no harm. So don't run," Said Kain,

"If you run, then I can easily catch you."

"Who are you?" Said the boy, jumping between the girl and the approaching Kain holding to his sword tightly,"If you want to snatch our meat, then you have to get through me first. If you are here for Lia, then I will kill you."

"I am neither hungry nor do I assault comply. Streets urchins were distrustful of people and other people were distrustful of street urchins but some people employs street urchins for several errands. It was a common happening.

"Its okay, Harald,"said the girl,"if he wanted to harm us, he would already have. Follow me, Mister."

Kain followed the two street urchins. The boy did not let him closed him to the girl who was leading the group.

"This is our home," Said the girl as they came to a torn down house in the northern side of the castle. They step inside the overgrown garden of the house.The house was partially half burn and look unsafe. But they didn't enter it. Instead they went to the back of the house.

"Lia, Harald, you are back," Said a man's voice,"the two of you are ba...."

Kain was a little bit taken aback. He thought Thomas was a brat but it was a man, a little older than him, thin and scrawny wearing ragged clothes. He had no legs.What shock him the most was that the person was someone he knew. The person also seem to recognised him.

"Young master," Said the man, bowing his head,"its an honour, My Lord."

"You are Fat Tommy, aren't you?"asked Kain, recognising his eldest brother squire.

"I knew it," Said the girl, bowing low,"Welcome to our humble home, Lord Viscount."

"Yes, Young master," Said the man,"Harald, pay your respect to the Viscount."

"There is no need," Said Kain,"right now, I am not the Viscount."

"Understood, My Lord," Said Thomas the legless.

"You haven't lost your touch, Thomas," Said Kain, looking around,"I always told you that you were more of a craftsman than a soldier."

The back garden had became a miniature living space. The garden shed had been turned into a cottage, probably reinforced with planks from the broken down house. There were several work benches in front of the shed. Thomas was sitting on a chair before a fire where a pot of stew was being cooked.

"You always did. Only if I followed your advice," Said Thomas, bitterly,"then I wouldn't have lost my legs."

Thomas was three years older than him. He was Gerald, Kain's oldest brother's squire. Kain had always sparred with him as he was the perfect practice partner.

"I thought you were dead,"Said Kain.

"I lived but I lost my legs,"Said Thomas, "because Duke Malfyx wanted me to take my Knight head back to your father but not before he cut off my legs. Now, they call me Thomas the legless not Fat Tommy, My Lord."

"I see," Said Kain, calming down the anger swelling in his heart.

"So why are you here for, My Lord?" asked Thomas, looking at Kain quizzically.

"I may have some works which only the three of you can do for me," Said Kain.

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Kain open the trapdoor on the wall and entered back into his office. The night out had been successfully venture.

"I reckon you will be here," Said Kain, looking at a tall shadow figure.

"I don't recommend moving out alone, Young master,"Said a deep, calm voice," Especially at night."

"No need to worry, Uncle Robbie," Said Kain, taking off the disguise one by one,"I am not a child anymore."

"I know that but a Lord must always be vigilant," Said the old steward, appearing from the darkness,''The hunters can be hunted, Young master."

"Alright, I will be careful but still I like to operate alone when I want,"Said Kain, peering at the old man deeply,"Uncle, can I trust you?"

"Mine and my house loyalty to you and House Dyke is eternal and undying, My Lord," Said Robert,"You can trust me, Young Master."

"I know," Said Kain,"my father and his fathers before him had always trusted House Gryfe. In adhering to it, I will trust you as well."

"Thank you, My Lord," Said Robert,"I and House Gryfe will always stand with you and House Dyke," With a swift action, he cut his right palm with a dagger and raised it, blood dripping to the floor,"This is the blood oath of Robert Gryfe, the sixteenth head of House Gryfe."

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