Chapter One Rude Awakenings Part Fourteen

Day 880, 22:39 • Published in Philippines Philippines • by Josie Brooks
Time passed but he didn't notice. His thoughts were far away, as usual. Smiling from the doorway, Hekter's Grandfather wondered if the boy would ever live in the real world or if he was fated to always dream about a better, more exciting life.

"So, boy. Did you notice the sun coming up or was it as sneaky doing that as it was going down last night?"

Hekter tried not to look startled but he failed. "You know," Hekter replied "For an old man who can barely walk anymore you sure are quiet." he frowned at his grandfather, a little sick of always being made fun of by a man he so respected.

Nodding to himself, Grandfather came over to sit by his only grandson. Putting a hand on Hekter's skinny shoulder, he smiled. "Help an old cripple carry a trunk?"

"Sure," Hekter returned the warm smile. They both got up and Grandfather pointed out a medium sized trunk sitting by the door. "Where do you want it?"

"In the storm cellar would do fine, thanks. Don't want anything to happen to it. Precious treasures beyond count in that old thing." a mysterious smile lit his aged features.

Hekter bent to pick up the trunk and carried it outside as his Grandfather followed.

They reached the storm cellar and Grandfather opened the trap door leading down underground. Hekter set down the trunk and, about to climb down the ladder, he paused.

Looking up at Grandfather he said one word. "Treasures?"

Simple was the question, and simple was the reply. "Countless and Precious"

Curiosity ate at Hekter as he turned back to the trapdoor, still hesitating. Looking back at his grandfather, his features twisted with an almost agonizing need to know what was in the trunk.

His grandfather reached into his belt pouch and pulled forth a large key. Reaching out his hand he handed it to Hekter. Unlocking the trunk with hands that trembled with excitement and, he had to admit to himself, a little fear, Hekter could barely contain himself. The lock fell away and he opened the trunk and looked inside.

In the trunk was a small box, about the size of a jewelry box he saw in a shop once when he went to the city with Father, a longsword in a sheath, a large item wrapped in a cloth and an old leather travel pack, the kind designed to wear on your back.

Hekter reached in and took out the travel pack with an almost reverent look on his face. Running his hand over the leather lovingly he looked up at his grandfather.

"Is this.......?"

"The pack I wore on my back when I was a hero? Yes, it is. That is also the breastplate and cloak I wore, the sword I wielded and the box I carried my antitoxin, holy water and alchemist's fire vials in."

His eyes darted back into the trunk and he reached a hand in to touch the smooth wood of the box. Carefully setting the pack back into the trunk he lifted out the sword. It was heavy in his hand and was about two hands longer than his arm.

As he stood up, Hekter stood with his legs in a wide stance and held the sword in both hands. Hekter's fingers overlapped each other when he did that, but he wasn't sure how else to hold it. Laughing loudly as he swung it in a circle over his head, exhileration filled his mind with images of brave knights and deadly contests.

As he watched Hekter, so like himself at that age, and yet so different, Grandfather's heart almost ached to think of his young hero tilling fields for the rest of his life. As he looked back and remembered all the good times, the thrill of the open road, the chances for romance, the undeniable tug of adventure that he felt even now with a back bent from manual labor and an arm that could not lift a trunk let alone a sword...........Grandfather chuckled and shook his head saying, "Not like that boy, You hold that weapon in one hand, not two."

Hekter gave his grandfather a sheepish look and let go of the sword with one hand. His face a mask of surprise at the weight of it, his arm dropped and the tip of the blade hit the dirt. With a grimace he lifted it again and looked triumphant when he could hold it steady.

Setting the sword reverently back into the trunk he lifted the cloak off of the breastplate and, swirling it around his shoulders dramatically he fastened it and struck a most gallant pose.

Laughing, Grandfather said, "Shouldn't you put on the breastplate before you put on the cloak?" and pointed into the trunk with one finger.

His eyes alight, Hekter took off the cloak and lifted the breastplate out of the trunk. Setting it down on the hay piled nearby he looked surprised at how heavy it was.



Laughing, Grandfather said, "Heavier than you thought it would be isn't it?" At Hekter's nod he smiled. "Has to be heavy to protect you. If it was light, it wouldn't be able to do it's job, now, would it? Let's try this thing on, shall we?" Grandfather lifted the breastplate and put it over Hekter's head, settling the leather straps onto his shoulders and trying not to chuckle when the boy almost fell over.

Lifting it back off he put it back into the trunk. "Put it all back now, before your mother yells at me for putting ideas into your head." smiling indulgently Grandfather gave Hekter a slight push toward the trunk. Packing it all away again, Hekter closed and locked the trunk and carried it down into the cellar, his thoughts starting to wander already.

&quot😉on't you tell your parents I let you try that stuff out, they would be furious with me." he warned.

Shaking his head gravely Hekter responded, "I wouldn't dream of it Grandfather. I wouldn't dream of it."
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The Cast of Today's Episode
Hekter as Hekter

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