“What was that for?” wailed Albornoz, who by full title was Gil Álvarez Carrillo de Albornoz. His head was spinning from the vicious blow inflicted by his elder brother, Fernan.
“You cheated! I told you to count to twenty before opening your eyes, but you must have cheated to find us as quickly as you did,” Fernan answered, rubbing his sore hand.
must “I’m sorry, Fernan, but — ”
“Right! And this time wait until you get to twenty. Understand?”
“I do.”
Fernan and the other brother, Alvar, scampered off through the trees. Hide and seek was their favourite game.
“One, two, three…” Albornoz counted. "I must do it correctly this time." The boy sniffled. Eight years old, but he already understood punishment, whether meted out by Fernan or his father. He was determined to improve his behavio
