Part XLVII

For the next three days Joel was hunted. He was in constant threat. There wasn't a single safe place for him. He couldn't stay at an inn, or even ask for help from any other person. The reward was too attractive. Joel was tired. There was even a moment he thought that he should claim the reward and give himself in. He was dirty, hungry and helpless.

The way back home was too long, he didn't have the means to go back to his home. Rowsburry was out of the question too. They could be waiting there for him as well. Right there was still the duke. Morrice was his friend though. What should he do?

Joel sat down, his empty belly was rumbling again. He saw smoke, there was a village nearby. Joel was thinking hard. They were looking for a man, what if he switched and wore a dress. That was a possibility. However, a young woman traveling alone? It's like asking for trouble.

Joel sneaked up to a farm at the edge of the village. Some clothes were still hanging to dry. Joel snatched them and even some eggs from the chicken coop.

Back in the woods Joel ate the eggs. Raw eggs tasted shitty but were nutritious. Joel washed himself and dressed in the female clothes. He covered his head with a handkerchief to hide his face and found a long stick. He was back on the main route. On the way as soon as he heard a wagon he bowed a bit pretending to be an old woman.

"Where are you going grandma?" A young man asked him.

"Just ahead, could you give me a ride." Joel didn't lift his head looking at the ground.

"Sure, need help?"

"No young man" Joel slowly took a seat at the back of the wagon filled with straw.

"Where are you going, young man?"

"Rowsburry."

Shit. That was so uncool. It was the first time Joel was given a lift, since his escape from the lord. He was tired and the wagon was swaying a little. Joel was about to fall asleep when he heard horses. Three men were passing them by. They slowed down looking at the young man and briefly at the old curled up woman, then the rode passed them. Joel almost shit for fear. They were lord's people for sure.

For the past few days he was picturing himself back at lord's castle. The things the lord might have done to him if he got caught gave him strength to move forward. However he was slowly at his limit.

Joel got off before they entered Rowsburry and that young man even gave him a piece of bread. Joel ate it, blessing his kindness. They were there. He noticed a few bulky looking men. Without thinking anymore Joel headed for the Blackwood castle. He knew the way. In three days time he might get there. He stayed off the road. From the woods he saw patrols riding that road. Were they duke's or lord's men? Joel wasn't ready to risk.

Joel spent the night shivering from the cold. He felt sick.It was a week since he ran away. He was without a fire, warm clothes and proper food. The duke seemed to be his last chance. Joel felt worse with every day, it was a pure miracle he managed to get back to the Blackwoodcastle, well almost. All he has to do now is to get inside. The moment of truth came. Joel approached the main gate. There were two guards standing there looking suspiciously at Joel wearing haggard clothes and well let's be frank, dirty and stinky.

"I need to see the duke." Joel started before one of the guards laughed.

"Yes old hag we all need that, now don't make any troubles and move away."

Joel took off the covering from his head.

"I'm not an old woman. My name is Joel and I need to speak with the duke. It's very important." Joel was tired and barely stood.

One of the guards stepped closer.

"We will be rich guys, that's the one the duke was looking for!"

At that very point Joel fainted.

***

Joel woke up feeling warm and cozy. He was on a bed with clean bedding and he felt better.

"He finally has woken up." Somebody said and Joel looked in the direction where the voice was coming from. Two men were looking at him. For a moment Joel felt panic choking him.

"It's all right, you are safe. You are in Blackwoodcastle."

Right, he managed to get here. He was at the duke's house.

"Where is the duke? " Joel asked consciously.

"The duke was coming here everyday, till you got better."

"How many days have passed?"

"Well sir, you have been sleeping for five days now."

Joel closed his eyes again as he still felt tired.

It took him another three days to get back on his feet. The duke never came to see him. It was clear Joel was hated. No, not hated, simply no longer loved.

Today Joel asked the servant to see the duke. He waited half of the day but there was no response. The duke didn't come. In the evening when the servant brought Joel the dinner, he decided to ska

"Is there any response from the duke?"

"I'm sorry sir but the duke said he hasn't got any time for the audience. Moreover he told me to inform you that if you want to leave there is a horse and a saddle for you prepared in the stables. You will also receive a pouch with money. The Duke added that there is no need for you to run away at night, you can leave any time you want." Having said that, the servant bowed and Joel sat down on the chair with a blank expression.

Technically yes, the duke was right saying all that, considering the circumstances in which he left this place previously. Still it felt so … unfair. He could leave, with a horse and money he would be able to get back home alas there was the lord. Joel would be haunted again without any doubts. That was not all, Joel felt uneasy. He felt bad about the duke. The duke helped him, cured him and now was telling him to leave. Joel felt the urge to clear everything between them and he wanted to thank the duke and well, he wanted to see him.