Reality of Peasantry

Not being much of a drinker, Henry didn't know when to stop people from buying him drinks.

The three older knights simply sat back and watched with amused expressions on their faces. It was some kind of right of passage for them. They had all been in Henry's position at one point in their lives.

As the evening turned into night, Henry forgot all of his manners and he leaned into the tabletop with his elbow, his hand propping up his heavy head.

"At least the pain in my side is gone," he muttered, slowly blinking his dark eyes.

The pub was lit up by a large fireplace and candles were lit along the walls. There was still quite a crowd of people despite how late it had gotten.

It seemed to Henry that people within the walls didn't have to worry about going to bed early.

Henry ran a hand over his face and reached for his mug that was in the middle of the table.

"To the princess!" he suddenly shouted and finished off the last of his ale.

All throughout the night, people had been cheering for various things. Most of the cheers were about his winning or to knighthood, but his mind was going in a different direction.

The knights around him enthusiastically cheered and started drinking their drinks as well.

Trenton's hazel eyes widened and he couldn't help the loud laugh that escaped his lips.

"I think that means it's time for us to take you back," Trenton said.

As all of them stood, many around the pub raised their glasses and nodded at the group in a silent way of bidding them a good night.

Henry stumbled a few times, but they made it to the stable that was only across the brick road.

Each of them mounted their horses, Henry having to try multiple times to get on top of the steed.

As they slowly made their way down the brick road, happy to find that the streets were much less crowded, the group decided to speed up.

Going faster caused Henry to lean forward and wrap his arms around Axe's neck as he ran forward. His riding skill while inebriated was nonexistent.

Trenton who was riding behind Henry laughed.

"Axe did the same for me in my early knighthood," he said.

Alix and Maximus turned to see the commotion and they shook their heads in unison.

As they got to the gate, the road became cobblestone and dirt which was much of a rougher ride.

At the change, Henry instantly slid right off of his horse and flopped heavily onto the ground.

The knights immediately jumped off of their horses to aid the younger man, but he sprung up before they could say anything else.

"I'm fine!" he yelled with his arms raised.

The blood leaking down his side said otherwise and Maximus shook his head.

"You're going to die of blood loss before we even make it to your house."

The place to tie their horses was nearby and they all opted to walk the horses the rest of the way, Trenton taking the reins of Axe so the horse wouldn't be led by someone so unsteady.

The road to Henry's home was narrow and the knights were surprised at the state of the home he lived in. Many of the houses were shabby and dilapidated, but he was one of the worst.

The moonlight was guiding them, but they had to light a candle the moment they got to the front door.

As they made it through the doorway that Trenton had to duck in order to walk through, they went to Henry's room and he sat down heavily on the bed.

Maximus had a bag on his shoulder and he told the younger man to lie down.

He decided at this point he was going to stitch him or he was going to worsen overnight.

With all the knights in Henry's small room, they were shoulder to shoulder.

Trenton stood over Maximus with the candle so he could see what he was doing.

With Henry on the bed, he hardly had the energy to keep his eyes open. The knights, on the other hand, were wide awake, having gotten used to not sleeping for days on end if duty called for it.

He grimaced as he felt Maximus stitch him, but it was far less bad than if he were to be sober.

Alix couldn't help glancing around the house from where he stood in the doorway. His eyes were adjusting to the darkness and he could see the humble furnishings in the main area of the house.

"Who do you live here with, Henry?" Alix asked.

"My mother," Henry responded. "She's probably sleeping."

"And your father?" Alix asked.

"He passed away nearly two years ago from a cut on his leg. His blood went bad," Henry explained with his eyes shut.

Infection. The knights instantly understood what he meant.

The word that peasants couldn't afford the most basic medical care seemed to be true.

Trenton became more determined to change the younger man's circumstances.

After Henry was stitched up, he was slowly nodding off. The alcohol had made it hard to keep his eyes open and he was exhausted from a long day of strenuous activity.

They bid the younger man a good night, telling him that they would find him the next day after they finished their own duties.