In Dreams: Red

Fight For Your Family

“Yes, it is true what you have heard!" I can barely hear my father at this distance. "The army will be here very soon, and they do bring great numbers!" There is a public outcry as the people begin yelling and shouting among themselves.

“Please, please!" My father calls, giving them time to calm down. "We are sending out riders to ask for aid from the neighboring villagers, but we also need your help!" Another cry from the public. I notice my mother is maneuvering us towards the podium, the people begin to part before her, seeing her coming, to mixed murmurs of "My Lady". This time my father raises his left hand to calm the crowd. “I understand this is very nerve-wracking, and yes, very fearful times for us all. Please, let us stay calm. There is a possibility we can still beat these invaders back-but we will need aid from anyone that can lend any help." He says. "If there are any with a strong back and strong arm willing to aid in the fighting, any fleet...” Here his voice is overrun by the outburst from the crowd. Mother had finally managed to place us directly in front of the podium. During the outburst, she steps directly up beside my father, pulling me along. I flinch at the looks of blatant fear and outrage on the crowd's faces. It only serves to feed my own, and my hands go icy. My mother raises her arms to the crowd, in a quieting motion, but she does it almost pleadingly and softly.

"Come now!" She calls to them like a mother trying to quiet the tantrum of a toddler. "Please listen to what we have to say." The crowd begins to quiet. These people know my mother very well and trust her. In a show of strength and solidarity, she grips my father's left hand and my right. “I am in your position as well. This is family I'm risking. You are my family. I am risking my family's lives! I know so many of you, I've worked with so many of you, cried with you, celebrated with you! We are not asking you to die for us. We are asking you to do what you can for your family. I myself will be helping in a makeshift medical tent. My husband will be leading many of you, my daughter will be fighting among you! Do not believe this is easy for any of us." His voice has been getting steadily quieter, and here it breaks, tearfully. "All that we ask is that those of you who can, lend your aid. How many farmers do we have here, who are willing to defend their families by wielding a sword?" She looks pointedly at several families of broad-shouldered men. “How many hunters can wield a bow or crossbow?" Another look at families she knows are hunters. "I know many of you ladies who are even better at it than your husbands!" Here scattered laughter meets her statement.

“And how many can aid me by making bandages, tending to the wounded, or helping remove the wounded from the battle? Many of you have medical knowledge far beyond my own-we can use your aid! What about messengers? We have many fleet-footed and very bright children here who could easily bear messages without ever getting near the battle!" Some assent comes from the villagers at her remarks now. “The point is, we need to stand together as a family to win this crusade." There is scattered chatter among the villagers, it appears to be favorable. My father now takes over where she has left off.

“We will be setting up stations around this area, to ask for and assign any volunteers..." He says as my mother quietly withdraws from the podium, gently plucking at my sleeve to get me to follow. I follow her along the edges of the crowd. People occasionally softly touch my mother's arm or say a soft word to her. She draws me to the back of the crowd where Helena and her family are waiting.

"Kennice" Helena says and leans in for a swift hug. The children are all subdued by their mothers but Tasha grins at me and Gaylen can't help but squeak out a quick "Keenny!!"

"I had hoped we'd have more time to meet up and discuss events, but it looks as though this invasion is going to happen much more quickly than we thought." Helena comments.

"Unfortunately, I think you are right." I respond grimly.

"Well the girls and I have decided we'll be helping out your mother." Feronia states. “And Peter wants to be a messenger, but I'm not too keen on that."

“Come on Mom-I'll be fine! The Queen said I could deliver messages well away from the battle!" Peter whines, but Feronia just looks grim.

“'Hush, child." Says Helena.

"How about this, Peter-if you mother and grandmother are ok with it, you can come work with me until the battle begins, and be my personal messenger? This is a very important job though, and not for just anyone, and as soon as the battle begins, I'll expect you to report directly to the Queen to help give aid to the wounded." I say sternly, looking to Helena and Feronia for approval. Peter immediately tums to them, clutching at his mother's arm.

"Please mom, please, please, please!!" Peter begs his mother. Feronia doesn't look too pleased about the arrangement.

"Well, I don't know..." She says quietly, looking at me thoughtfully. There is a mixed expression there, one that says she wants to protect her child, but is afraid to offend me.

"I'll come to help you and the Queen as soon as she sends me, please!" Peter wheedles.

"I know how very much your family has already suffered." I tell her softly "On my honor, I would in no way put Peter in danger, only send him with messages to my men before the battle begins and send him straight to you as soon as the fighting has commenced. It would make him very happy to feel as though he has been a big aid during this crisis and keep him occupied while preparations are being made to receive the wounded."

"Well..." Feronia hesitates, looking down at Peter, who is still begging.

"Oh let him go Feronia-she's babysat the child before and he's come out unscathed." Helena remarks with a smile. "Besides, look how much it would mean to the boy. It's a story he can brag about for years, being aid to the Our Lady-Warrior." Peter now has his eyes squinted, fists clasped in front of him, whispering “please, please". His mother briefly smiles fondly at him.

"Oh alright." She says, and follows it up with a stern '”But you have to come straight back here the moment she tells you to.

" YES!'” Peter whoops, jumping up with his fist in the air, then at the firm expression on his mother's face says very calmly and politely "I promise, I will." But he can't help capering about me in joy.

"I must ask, how bad is it really, Kennice?" Helena questions me.

"I can only tell you what I know, and that isn't very much I'm afraid. Our forces are very outnumbered by the invading force. We don't have enough men by far, and are unlikely to receive aid in time from the outlying villages because the force is right on our doorstep, in essence. We stand a much better chance of defending ourselves with the aid of the villagers, I suppose we'll see how that works out." I respond, to which the ladies look grim. I turn to watch as stations are being set up around the courtyard. Small tables are brought out swiftly, soldiers stationed at each one. Swords, bows, crossbows, axes, and an assortment of weapons are swiftly stacked behind one of these tables. I watch this table carefully to see if there will be any volunteers. The villagers mill around, but no one seems like they want to be the first volunteer.

"Ladies, I think we have a chore ahead of us." My mother states with a look of determination. “Helen4 will you help me?" At a nod from Helen, my mother pulls her forward. They begin walking among the crowd, my mother is chatting animatedly at Helena. She suddenly nods fiercely and they part, each stops at different villagers. My mother has stopped at a couple and talks to them urgently. Helena is currently talking to a rough-looking gentleman. Suddenly the woman nods at my mother, and grabs her husband's hand. They step with determination towards the table with weapons. At the same time, I see the rough looking man do the same. My mother and Helena continue to work the crowd, Helena comes back to fetch her daughters to help with the efforts. Before long a steady trickle of people are moving towards different stations. I overhear part of one conversation, as my mother talks to a villager, reminding them of why they should take a stand and help with the efforts. With some it appears to be easy, others cannot be convinced. My mother stops back at my side for a brief instant.

"It's been good to see you, Kennice-I suppose your father has other tasks for you to perform, however?" She asks me.

"Unfortunately. I've been asked to make special arrangements for the war effort myself, and really should be going very soon to a meeting." I respond. The words almost choke me. My mother leans in for a quick hug.

"Then go, and may the gods be with you, my child." She tells me, holding a hand on my cheek. “And don't you dare do anything foolish and get yourself killed, because I swear by the Gods’ names I will dig you up and kill you myself for it." She says harshly.

"I promise." I respond with a smile. It's a promise I know I am to be breaking shortly. My mother seems to see this though, and gently pats my cheek sadly. I watch her move back into the crowd, wondering if it's the last time I'll see her. Then Peter pulls on my arm to get my attention.

"What do I have to do first?" He asks excitedly.

“Well, first I have a little bit of time to waste, so I thought I might get something to eat-how does that sound?" I answer.

"I can get it! I can get it!" Peter calls, jumping eagerly. I can't help but giggle at him.

“Alright, I know you know this castle almost as well as I do, so how about you go down to the kitchens and fetch us both something to eat? Don't be afraid to ask for help if you need it, now do you hear?" Peter nods at me. "Ok, I'm going to the Library-do you remember the way there?" Peter enthusiastically nods again. “Perfect!" I say "Then, I'll meet you there, ok?"

"Yes!" He cries out joyfully and repeats to me "Kitchens: food for both of us, then the Library?"

“Exactly." I say, he whoops again excitedly and races off. The boy is fast, I have to give him that much. I tum to watch the action in the courtyard a few moments more before starting on my way to the Library. I wonder if I have time for a brief detour.