The Way of Mathias E-Book

Robert McDermott

• Herausgeber: Robert McDermott
• Sprache: Englisch

Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2018

Beschreibung

The Empire caused the death of his parents... Mathias intends to get revenge but can he get to the highest target of them all?

Mathias, a young man and a keen farmer, has a peaceful life. One day a ranger called Alexander appears at his parent's house and shows interest in him. The following trouble that ensues causes the death of his parents and all he loves. Mathias sets out on a mission of vengeance against the Emperor that ordered his death. Meeting a redhead along the way called Fayette with a similar purpose, the two of them and Alexander meet many trials along the way.

Leseprobe

The Way of Mathias

Swords clash and the sounds of men crying in agony fill the air. A withered man sits down on a golden throne and hisses commands to his generals.

Far away in Lutum a young farmer called Mathias looks after his parents land. Mathias loved his trade; it was all he had ever known, his father was a farmer before him and his father also. In fact, every man in his family tree was a farmer. Mathias was a quiet lad, he found the lifestyle of a farmer left him with few companions for conversation.

Lutum was a quiet little country town, you wouldn’t think there was anything amiss about it. People in Lutum were typical of what could be seen as “country”. What I mean is they kept up appearances and didn't want to be looked down upon. Yes, they were farmers, but they were farmers making a living.

Yet, life goes on outside villages and towns and cities. We all get caught up with ourselves; we forget there is a big world outside that needs to be explored with adventures and suchlike to be had. Lutum was part of a continent called Contritum and in Contritum were three countries called Fidem, Gault and The Black Massif. Gault was a very mercantile country where money was government, king, judge, jury and executioner. Given that fact it was still very civilised. The Black Massif, known by its mountain range; which is as its name dictates; black. Consisting of many miles of mountain range, it is a pilgrimage site for many cults and religions. It has been a place of turmoil for many decades with a government in place that struggles to say the least.

Fidem is where Lutum belongs to. It is part of a strict Empire ruled by Emperor Ludicious III; the capital of which is Maiestate. In some ways, Fidem works like a well-oiled machine. As long as you don't challenge the rules or step out of line you were ok. If you did you the military silenced you in a quick manner.

Chapter 1

Mathias was having a long and difficult day. Someone had been stealing his crops the night before; he believed it was a band of Loose ones, from outside town. "Loose ones" was the name given to those with no home. The name might imply they were promiscuous but I assure you whether they were or not is not a matter that was public news.

He heard the sound of footsteps that night, launched himself out of bed and grabbed the first thing that came to his hand which was an old boot. Out he ran; swinging the boot like it a battle axe before throwing it in a rage as hard as he could in the direction of the thieves. As they promptly scarpered they took with them three cabbages, a handful of carrots and some other odds and ends. It took him an hour to find that boot in the end and he was furious. His father met him at the door.

"What is it Father?" he said in a piercing tone, due to the fact he was the only one out, chasing the thieves.

"I have farmed a long time son. I have had thieves and do you know what I have found out? I have found that they steal food. Many times I chased them off when I was your age. I broke my rake one night over one of their backs and knocked them clean to the ground." His father said, his voice gentle and calm.

"And then what? Did you lock them up after you knocked him out or did you hang them for being thieves?"

"She"

"What?"

"She. It was a woman"

"And?" Mathias replied a hint of intrigue in his voice.

"And she looked up at me with tears in her eyes. The tears began running down her cheek, I could see the moonlight glisten in them. I felt so much pity for her. She begged for mercy and forgiveness and I couldn't speak. I had just battered a young woman about my age trying to get food for herself and her parents."

Mathias looked at his feet feeling somewhat guilty for the way he had spoken to his father.

" Father I understand people need to eat but we aren't Lords or Barons, we can't afford to feed every stray that comes at us for food."

" Son do you want to know what happened after?"

"Sure"

"I brought the woman in and nursed her to health. Then... I married her and she is sleeping in my bed currently"

"Mother? Was Mother a loose woman? You never told me"

"Generally there is no need to tell shameful things unless they are going to be for a useful purpose. She's actually quite proud of the woman it made her even though she never speaks of it."

"Grand and Gram?" Mathias’s pet names for his grandparents

"Well, I'm old-fashioned. I had to ask her father’s permission" he said with a wink.

"So Grand and Gram were Loose also" Mathias shook his head like someone had removed a blindfold.

" Next time consider how you treat people son"

"One of these days father your softness will be the death of you"

Mathias hadn't slept well the rest of that night. He had dreams and he never dreamed. Not once in his life had he dreamt and so come the morning he felt disturbed. On he got with his work for the day putting any emotional thoughts of the dreams or the unusual night behind him.

By lunchtime, the day wasn't getting any better. He had broken some tools and to top it off a cow died. There it was it four hooves in the air. It might sound silly but it was his favourite cow. Cows don't generally smile but he was sure that this one smiled at him every day and so he had called her Beth which isn't a normal name for a cow.

Leaving in a rush that morning he forgot to bring any lunch with him. He kicked over a stool and got back to work in a temper and working the rest of the day without lifting his head.

When Mathias got back to his house that evening there was a horse tied up outside the door. A leather saddle was on it but not any saddle, a ranger’s saddle. He walked into the house hugged his mother who was working in the kitchen and he went on to what could be called the sitting room. Not because it had any glory but because that's where they sat. Country people were pretty straightforward with their names for things... they called a spade a spade. In the sitting room, his father sat with a stern look on his face, at the fireplace there was a man standing looking down into the fire.

"This must be Mathias" The man boomed in a loud voice. Mathias could sense the man wasn't local or even from Fidem.

"Mathias" His father said "This is Ernest Alexander, he prefers to go by Alexander. He is your… um… uncle" Mathias could tell his father was lying. His father was too pure to be a good liar. Anytime he lied he would always pause and say something like "um" or "hmm" and yet never seemed to pick up on it himself.

"Alexander will be staying with us for a few days" His father looked down, something was wrong but Mathias knew the time was not right to ask.

"That's fine father he can help with the farming tomorrow" Mathias jested to test the water with this new guest. Alexander didn't say a word. He didn't smile, he looked at Mathias with a straight face and so Mathias left the room and went to bed. He had a long day and needed sleep. Life was getting complicated with things and cows dying. "Beth" he muttered as he drifted off to sleep. He was dreaming again he was sure of it. He could hear voices raised and they were full of anger. One was definitely his father, he had to be dreaming as his father was gentle, a big man, but gentle.

He awoke the next morning and staggered out of bed before dressing and proceeded to start his day's work. He was the first up and out, as was his way. His father was old and most of his responsibilities were on the near lands to the home as his health wasn't what it used to be. Mathias's work took him over the hills which caused him to spent most of the day away from home. His mother kept the house and helped with his father's duties.

"Mark!" his mother shouted across the yard

"Yes Anna"

Mark was the name of Mathias father and Anna his mother.

" If you think..!!

Mark looked at Anna with a look so steely it would cut you in two and it brought her to silence.

"My dear don't speak a word. If I knew what or... could... I would do something but I can't"

Mathias’ mother and father embraced and a tear could be seen coming from his mother's eye.

Chapter 2

The day had been good and he remembered his lunch so in the simple life of Mathias all was well in the world. He finished his labour early and took the long route back to the house to check on the calves which were in fine health. He loved those calves; something so small and innocent brought a sense of calm to him.

Once he left the calves, he passed through the woods that separated much of the farmland from his house. Making his way down the winding trail until he passed the river before the nestle of trees at the back of his house. As he got closer he could hear the sound of voices, raised voices. Mathias quickened his pace and the closer he got the louder the voices seemed to be. He recognised his father and mothers voices straight away. Were they fighting? Then he heard more voices. Voices of men so he ran with all his strength until he reached the nestle of trees and was within distance of the house. He moved like the wind and reached the last tree and something caught his throat. Flying into a tree and held against it unable to free himself a hand covered his mouth. It was Alexander; looking grim-faced. Setting Mathias down he motioned to him to keep quiet before pointing to the house and making a sliding motion across his throat with his thumb. Mathias understood what was meant. These men were dangerous. His heart pounded, he had to do something; his parents were old and needed help.

"Stay still" Alexander hissed.

He couldn't stay put. Darting away from the grasp of Alexander, he grabbed the shaft of a spade that was lying against a wall and0 swung it at the man standing guard. The man was a soldier wearing the royal garb of an Imperial Cadet. A Cadet would be the bottom rung of the ladder for the Emperors Select Few. The Select Few were a few hundred men. Their responsibilities could range from bodyguard to executioner depending on the Emperor's mood. The shaft struck the cadet’s back and broke. Unfazed by this the man turned around clashing his fist into Mathias's head sending him to the ground. With blurry vision, he could see the cadet pull out his sabre and swing for him. The sound of a musket fired and Mathias climbed to his feet staggering as he went. Alexander was standing there smoke rising from his musket, still no emotion on his face, not even a hair out of place on his blond moustache or beard. The eyes said it all; like a man that's been kicked in his manhood and doesn't want to show it. He walked past Mathias drawing his sabre "I said stay still! Foolish boy" Next a flurry of men exited the house in tow with Mark and Anna. Anna had been crying.

The sergeant looked at his dead cadet and then Alexander and Mathias.

"Sergeant your cadet was going to kill this boy. We were ordered to arrest him"

"We were ordered to keep safe the Emperor's name you filthy ranger. Men, kill the boy and arrest the ranger for disobeying the emperor's orders"

Three men pounced on Alexander before he could make any move. The Emperors Select Few were nothing if not quick and efficient. The second in command raised his sword to strike down Mathias and something happened that stunned Mathias to his core. His father looked at him and gave him a look only fathers could give, one of softness, one of rebuke and one of love all at the same time. Turning he grabbed the neck of the second in command with both hands and snapped it. "I may be old and gentle son, but I do what needs doing. Run NOW!!" Three men pounced on his father; each sent flying with his spade-like hands. The men holding Alexander let go to charge at Mathias's father. Alexander grabbed Mathias and looked at Mark; he nodded and started dragging Mathias away.

As he was pulled away by Alexander he could see what appeared to be a squad of well-armed men moving in. His father swinging his arms, each fist moving like a tree that has been thrown by a giant. His mother with a rake putting down any that tried to get up again. It looked for a moment as though this gentle giant would have the victory over these men. That was until a captain; calm and collected, mounted his horse and approached at a canter before finally stopping. He raised his pistol and fired. They say some men can be shot many times and still not be killed. Depends on where you shoot them I suppose. Mathias's father was hit in the head and went down in one shot. The captain got off his horse drew his sabre and walked over to the body.

"What do you want us to do with the missus Captain?" The bloodied and bruised sergeant asked.

"Kill her. And find me that boy and the ranger now" the Captain hissed.

They were almost out of sight when he saw the blade strike his mother. Emotions flooded him and he found himself seeking to put them to the back of his mind. He had lost his family in the blink of an eye.

“What did they want? WHY?!" screamed Mathias, his nerve finally breaking.

"You. And I will tell you the rest when we are safe"

"Go back; I WILL FIGHT THEM," Mathias said with gritted teeth.

"No. You'll die. Listen here you wee turd. I don't need to save you, in fact, I should have let you die but I didn't because I'm sick and tired of killing and I don't kill without reason. You will learn more when we are safe but for now, shut up or I will find the nearest object I can gag you with be it rat or raw sewage"

They moved on in silence. Minutes passed and then hours and what seemed like days. Finally, they came to a wood and then a cave. They sat down and Mathias; who was so weary; slept.