Chapter Sixteen

Since he had escaped, Tristan's men had been patrolling the surrounding lands looking for Symon. It was only a matter of time before they found him and one morning they did. Storming into the house the soldiers dragged him out. "Symon!" Emelia shouted as she ran out of the house after him. He was struggling with the soldier until he head Emelia. "Go back!" he shouted at her. Thomas came out right behind her and tried to lead her back inside, but it was no use. As the manacles locked around his wrists, he looked to his wife. With the slighted nod of her head she steeled her emotions and watched as they led him away.

"Emelia, it's time to leave."  "Just one more moment father." Emelia said leaving the home she had grown up in. "I had hoped to raise our child here." "I know dear. Perhaps one day  it will be safe to return." Emelia and Thomas started out for Tigo, the last safe haven from Tristan. Symon had told them long ago if the soldiers came for him to leave and head for Tigo. Locking the door to their home for what would probably be the last time Thomas asked, "Symon doesn't know about the baby, does he?" "No, he doesn't."

When the soldiers stopped for the night, they removed the manacles and tied Symon to a tree keeping him under guard. Symon waited until all the other soldiers had fallen asleep, very quietly he removed the dagger he kept in his boot and cut through the ropes holding him. Once free he turned his blade to the guard, Slowly lowering his body to the ground as not to alert the others. Fading into the dark forest, Symon circled the camp and stole one of the horses that were tied there. As soon as he was on the horse he took off full speed, hoping to put some distance between the guards and himself.

When morning came Symon dismounted his horse and sent it off the opposite direction he intended to travel. He returned home to Arda. deciding to set up camp in the woods beyond the ruins of his home. As he neared his former home he was overcome with memories. This was the only home he ever known, his father had built it with his own hands. Kneeling down in the overgrown grass surrounding his parents graves he began to cry, sob after sob racked his body, he cried till he could no longer.

When he had regained composure, he walked over to the charred ruins of the house. Picking his way through the debris, looking for anything that might be salvageable. The food had long since rotted, and scavengers had taken anything of value. He came to where the kitchen used to stand, the old stove still stood. He went to light a fire figuring he could at least have a hot meal, but the stove pipe was clogged, reaching up into the pipe he couldn't believe what he pulled out, it was a small silver box containing mother's ring and folded up inside was the letter the messenger had sent. Mother must have hidden these items, just before the soldiers arrived. Symon could feel his eyes tearing up. He wanted to stay longer, but knew it was not safe for he was a wanted man, so he headed off to the woods.

After he had eaten, he sat down to read the letter, he couldn't believe what he was reading, there was no way this could be true. Symon was the son of the king and Tristan was his brother. He was instantly filled with anger, Tristan would pay. He would pay dearly. Not only had he killed Symon's parents, but worse he had stolen his life, his family, his destiny. Reading this letter just added fuel to his desire for revenge. He would start with Marius, and work his way up to Tristan. Symon knew the art of the sword, yet how does one kill the darkness? He vowed to find a way.

Once he had read the letter Symon tossed it into the fire, making sure every last word burned, no one need know the truth, not yet anyway. Maybe one day, but not today. Once the letter had burned into the ground he rolled over and got some sleep, it was late into the night and he planned to be on his way before dawn.

Symon wanted nothing more than to rush to Marius' home and kill him where he stood, knowing now that Marius' wife was his sister. He wondered if she knew the truth this whole time or if she was just as much in the dark as Symon was. Putting his plan into action, he purchased some dye from the local seamstress and went down to the river where he dyed both his hair and his beard, hoping this combined with the jagged scar across his face that he would bear the rest of his life would serve as a sufficient disguise. Once finished he headed to Marius' house to put his plan into action. Symon had heard through the villagers that Marius had an opening in his house as a servant, this would be the perfect way to get close enough to study his kind for weakness.

Chapter Fifteen

Symon awoke to the sound of footsteps, afraid to open his eyes for fear that he would find himself back in the cell, or worse be greeted by his executioner, he squeezed his eyes shut as tight as he could, when a woman's gentle voice spoke to him telling me he was safe here. Where was here? he opened my eyes slowly and looked around, having not seen sunlight in so long he was momentarily blinded by the brightness. Quickly he shut his eyes once again, turning his head away from the light. The woman who spoke earlier asked if he was alright, he told her it was too bright. Through closed eyes he could see the room get darker, the woman had pulled the curtains closed, and lit candles instead. Symon very slowly opened his eyes once more, this time he was able to see that he was in a small cottage. The woman who had spoken before came over to him and asked it the light was better now, she was the most beautiful woman he had ever laid eyes on. The light was much better. She introduced herself as Emelia, she and her father Thomas lived here in this cottage. She told Symon that he had had been here for nearly two weeks, and was unconscious for most of that time. She brought him a bowl of broth saying he must be hungry, which the growling of his stomach answered before he could say yes. After helping him sit up, she gave Symon the bowl. He was so weak he could barely lift the spoon, after just a few bites he was exhausted. He could tell Emelia wanted to ask me something, so he told her to go ahead and ask. Just as she was about to say something the front door opened and he could hear a man's voice call out. Emelia left Symon telling him to rest and went out to greet her father. As He listened to their muffled voiced he dozed off, soon falling into a deep sleep.

When next Symon awoke two days had passed, he could hear Emelia and Thomas talking. Though he was weak, he could no longer stay abed. Very slowly he made my way out of the room and into the kitchen where Thomas and Emelia were. Symon must have looked horrid since Thomas gasped and nearly dropped the bowl of porridge he was holding. Symon made a joke about how bad he looked as Emelia came over and helped him to a chair scolding him the whole way for being out of bed. Once Thomas composed himself symon apologized for frightening him. Thomas told him it was not the wounds that shocked him, but that for a moment he thought he was looking at Julius, King Merek's father. Symon ate the food that Emelia placed in front of him, and as he was eating they asked how he came to be in the woods. Symon told them of his parents death and his escape from the dungeon, leaving out the Queen's assistance. They told Symon how they had found him in the woods beyond the castle and brought him back to their farm. 

Once his strength returned Symon helped Thomas around his farm. This land was safe for now, Thomas' farm was all but forgotten, though Tristan's reign of terror spread across the land.
Tristan had to be stopped. Discussing this with Thomas one day Symon discovered that he used to be the weapon master at the castle under the reign of Julius. Thomas agree to teach him to fight, and his time was spent training and farming,

"Symon, may I ask something?" Emelia asked one morning. "Yes, you may ask anything of me." "I understand wanting revenge for the death of your parents, but what will that accomplish? Revenge will not bring them back."  "Emelia, I must avenge their deaths, they cannot go unanswered."  "Is that what they would have wanted, forgive me if I am too bold, but perhaps there's another option."  "What else is there?" Symon asked. "Honor their memory, but live your life." Emelia answered
"What life? I have no home, I'm wanted by Tristan, all those who cared for me are dead." Not all, I care for you Symon. You could stay here if you wish."  "Truly? I have cared for you since I woke up here, though I knew it was foolish to act upon my feelings. You deserve better." Symon answered pulling Emelia close. "Let me decide what I deserve." Emelia answered as they kissed.

Chapter Fourteen

The following morning Symon was awakened by a boot to the ribs. The guards were here. They shackled and him led from the dungeon. He was led through the waiting crowd stopping in the center of town. He was chained to a post and the flogging began.

When it was over Symon was dragged back to my cell and dumped inside. As he lay there, unable to move he heard the door to the dungeon open. Assuming it was one of the guards, he called out to him "leave me be". It did not matter at this point if he was fed or not. Footsteps advanced towards the cell, and Symon yelled at them "didn't you hear me? Leave me be" as he rolled over to face the door to his cell.

To his surprise it was not a guard, it was a woman. "Is that how you speak to your Queen?" She scolded. "My apologies your highness. Forgive me for not bowing, but I'm afraid I am unable to do so." Symon said as he dragged himself to the door so she could see him. To Symon's surprise she joined him on the cold, dirty ground. Never in his life had he imagined that he would be face to face with the queen, let alone have a conversation with her. When she saw him, there was a strange look that passed over her face, it was almost a look of recognition. She did not ask what his crime was, nor did she ask Symon's name. "I apologize for your current predicament, though I would help if you would allow me to." She said. "How will you help? Herbs to dull my senses so I will not feel my death?" Symon said harshly. "I Wish to help you escape."

Late into the night the queen returned as promised, she had in her possession the key to the cell. Symon looked at her in amazement. Who was this woman, that she would risk her own life to save mine? They both knew that if she was found out, her life was forfeit. Once the door was unlocked, she led Symon through the dark corridors of the dungeon to a small opening. She told him that this led out of the castle, it was an old servants entrance from years past that had been all but forgotten. As Symon pushed the door open, he thanked her for her kindness, and begged her to be safe. Unsure as to why, he felt a connection with her, and knew that if his escape brought her any harm he would never forgive himself. Symon left the castle as quickly as possible, which in his state was not very quick at all. having no plan, no idea where to go. He no longer had a home. Symon was in such a sorry state, due to his many wounds, and hunger that he did not make it far at all, just a few miles away from the castle He collapsed.


"Go my son. My Symon. Be safe, one day you will return and we will be together at last." Allinor said as she stood in the door way and watched until symon was out of sight. Closing the door and quietly making her way back up stairs. Waiting at the top of the stairs for her was Tristan. When she saw him all the color drained from her face. "What were you doing mother?" Allinor had no answer. "Check on the prisoner" Tristan told his guard. "He's gone." The guard said. "Find him!" Tristan hollered. Grabbing Allinor by the arm he growled "You'll pay for this" as he led her away.