Part XLV

If Joel has ever had any doubts about lord Morrice they were gone right this instant. He didn't save Fin, Fin was bitterly punished because Joel was caught smiling at him. That's it. The lord didn't need any other excuses. That was enough. Joel was silent, he didn't feel like talking with the guard, it was pointless, he could only bring misfortune to people he talked with.

The kitchen looked simple, only women worked there and Joel noticed that poor servant sitting in the corner. He was watching Joel. God knows what this boy was through. Joel was lucky so far.

"Please prepare a few snacks, lord and I are going for a picnic today, so we need a blanket, some wine and delicious food." Joel smiled out of a habit but looking at the shocked faces his smile dropped.

"What is it?' He asked.

"Nothing, nothing sir. It's just the first time the lord was going on a picnic." The women started moving quickly.

"Oh, I see. Can I peel myself an apple?" Joel asked the oldest woman there.

"Yes sir, of course."

Joel took an apple and started peeling it. Then he sliced it and ate while all the others were working. The guard was for a moment talking with a blond girl preparing bread. Joel used that moment and hid the knife in his shoe. Then he noticed big deer - like eyes looking at him. The mute servant saw him. Joel smiled at him and the young servant nodded slightly.

Joel was ready to leave. He made a stroll to the stables and inform the stable guy about their plans, only to learn it had already been arranged by lord's order. Fine, that man was quick.

Joel was ready, with a basket, blanket and fake grin he was waiting expectantly for the lord to come back. Joel was nervous, he was trying to calm himself down by stroking the horse he has chosen for a ride.

"It seems you like that horse very much." The lord was finally here.

"I do my lord it is pretty." Joel smiled more to the horse than to that lord.

"If you keep touching the horse like that, I might be jealous." The lord smiled.

Joel looked at the man, not sure whether he was joking or not.

"I was joking." The lord added smiling again.

"I was looking forward to this." Joel was already in the saddle.

"I'm sure you were, as you forced yourself to kiss me so passionately." The lord's gaze reminded Joel of a viper. Something was off.

"You have chosen the fastest horse from my stables, but you must know I like this breed too. So I bought more of them for my personal guard." Joel followed lord's gaze. Six men on horses were standing ready to assist them.

"Now we may go." The lord was laughing

"Come my pretty one, let's enjoy our afternoon together."

Joel followed. That development was unexpected. He underestimated the lord's intelligence. The man was quick at catching up with any idea Joel had. Joel let his hair loose, he liked the feeling of wind. After all he had the fastest horse, well almost. He will enjoy it. It's not over yet. His father used to tell him: "It's only over when you are dead, my son." He wasn't dead. Not yet at least.

They went into the gallop, Joel leaned closer to the horse, he could feel that powerful animal moving under him. The air was brushing his hair for a moment Joel was feeling the animal, he knew how to control it with his legs only. Joel let the reins and stretched his arms, he had the feeling he was flying. Joel was laughing out loud.

"What are you doing?" The lord was right at his side.

Joel turned his head, his hair was partially covering his face.

"I'm enjoying the ride my lord."

"Follow me, I know a nice spot." The lord overtook him and soon Joel was following lord Morrice. Unfortunately they weren't alone. The remaining six people were always close .

The spot was really nice. It was at a river, not far from the main route, still surrounded by trees and some rocks.

"Bring some wood for a fire." The lord commanded as another man was spreading the blanket.

"So much for the intimacy." Joel noticed.

"You wanted to be intimate with me?" The lord looked at Joel.

" Well it doesn't look like a picnic, rather like a war camp." Joel pouted.

The lord approached one of the men and told him something, the man nodded acknowledging and soon it looked like they were alone here. All the men seemed to disappear, well almost. Joel noticed them watching over from a distance.

"Don't worry, they won't look at us. You can be … intimate with me." The lord smiled and Joel didn't like that smile.

Joel sat down and took out the food and some wine. He poured the wine into two cups and handed one to the lord.

"To our first picnic." Joel drank a bit, the lord did the same.

"This is the first picnic in my life." The lord admitted.

"Oh, I guess it's something poor people do more frequently than those rich ones."

"Were you poor?"

"Not really my lord, I had a home, enough food and clothes. My parents loved me. I had a happy childhood."

"Are your parents alive?"

"Yes, the are."

"Why aren't you with them?"

Joel sighted and looked at the river. That was it. He was a good swimmer and the current seemed fast. That might be his way out.

"I didn't match my father's expectations."

"That's surprising. Why?"

"For the obvious reasons my lord, I look too … fragile. He wanted someone like one of your guards." Joel looked in the direction of a single black clad silhouette.

Joel took a small piece of cheese and fed the lord who took it with his mouth and even licked Joel's fingers.

"I might like having a picnic." The lord said out of the blue.

"Glad to hear it." Joel stood up and walked slowly to the river bank.

"Watch out, the water in this river is very cold, it comes from the mountains and there is a waterfall, just one mile ahead." He heard the lord informing him that this wasn't his way out.

"My lord, sorry for interrupting but a group of horsemen is approaching us." One of the guards reported.

"How many?"

"About twenty."