I have no work for the day, mum and dad are both away with Lizzie to Bree for the big market. Once again dad had said no to me coming along, but I am 16 now and he did said that next time I can go. I can’t wait, I want to see the whole world, but why not start with Bree!
As I was on my own I ran round to the Hunters’ Lodge in the morning and helped them skin and cut up a deer. My knife work is improving, but I was still covered in blood, so by mid-morning I ran out to wash in the stream and dip my feet. The weather was nice and I was excited, I was meeting Toby and Blake at the Badger for lunch. I have no money for ale, but perhaps one of the boys will buy me one.
My hopes proved all in vain, neither of the boys had any money either. In fact, Blake brought disturbing news of how unsafe the roads are, so he has a hard time getting work. If it is as bad as he says, maybe dad will not let me go to Bree after all.
It has been a while since I have seen the boys. Growing up has meant we do not see as much of each other these days, we’re all busy. Blake is becoming quite a worldly man, he has been away so much and been playing at the Comb and Wattle down in Combe. He even has a beard!! He looks like a grown up. So does Toby, actually. He’s always been a big lad, the farm work does that, I guess. But more so, it is evident that his training for the Town Guard has turned him into a big lump of muscle. It is harder, being friends now… they are both such grown-ups and talk about grown-up things. Me, I don’t even know if I will be allowed to go to Bree. For the first time ever, I felt a little silly around my friends. I want to be a grown up as well. Perhaps if I tell the boys about how good I’ve gotten with a bow… or even better, if I show them. That might impress them.
I had been out at the Hunters’ Lodge all morning, but I had heard that some strangers had come into town… I heard mention that it was two of the travelling rangers, accompanied by two hobbits. How odd. Ann at the Lodge told me that the travelling rangers are good and trustworthy people… that’s not what I have heard in town, but Ann usually knows a lot, and Atli agreed with her also.
Toby said he had also seen them and had heard they were looking for help. The town folk are all too scared to help the strangers, so Toby asked if we should go and see if we could do something. Might prove an opportunity to earn a coin and buy a pint of ale later. I certainly am not one to pass on that opportunity! We left the badger and approached the two strangers sitting in the town square. One was looking mighty unwell, but I let Toby do the talking. He’s almost a Town Guard, so he has that sort of authority now!
It was much scarier than I had even anticipated. One of the rangers, the one not looking ill, told Toby that the Blackwold Bandits are planning an attack on Archet. I am not one to dismiss the words of the folks over at the Hunters’ Lodge, and I don’t see why the rangers would make something like that up, but I just can’t see why a group of bandits would attack Archet. Either way, the rangers want to rally the town folk to prepare a defence, but Captain Brackenbrook would not listen to them. I felt certain that if we spoke to him… or at least, if Blakeand Toby spoke to the Captain he would listen. Blake is so well-spoken and Toby knows the Captain a bit, so I thought for sure we could help the rangers… and perhaps save Archet if bandits really are coming.
Captain Backenbrook would not listen to us, that made me rather upset. He said we should speak to some of the townsfolk instead and see what they thought… Toby, Blake and I agreed to split up. I ran and spoke to Kate Henseed, as I know she is someone who speaks to a lot of people in town.
She dismissed it as nonsense though and was certain Captain Brackenbrook has the town safety in hand. Not knowing what to do next, Toby suggested we prepare ourselves for an attack… we can help the Town Guard if it comes to that. I certainly am not interested in fighting bandits, but if I can sit up on the wall and shoot them, then maybe… there’s no real time to think about that, if we get attacked, I hope I will do what I have to do! Maybe I was too quick to wish for a chance to show Toby and Blake how good my bow skills are!
I sprinted home and picked up my bow and when I came back Master Mills offered to look at my bow skills. I was pleased that I hit my mark 3 times in a row, and Master Mills said I had learnt well from the hunters… though he thought I should use a shortbow rather than a longbow until I had built up more strength. He gave me one and I surely felt the difference in speed. I could see that Blake was impressed with me too, which made me feel very proud. There was no time to wallow though, as Toby said he had overheard something when he ran home after his spear. One of the prisoners had been saying that it was only a matter of time before the Blackwolds would come and free him. I am starting to think the two rangers are right, Archet may be the target of an attack… why will Brackenbrook not listen. No wonder Blake thinks the Captain is an old stiff-neck!
What do we do now?!
