Chapter 2

Chapter 2:
The “Preparation”

   Rain was pouring down on the straw roof of the stone cottage. Lighting struck, while thunder announced it with cracks and booms.

   Vill opened his eyes quickly without moving any other part of his body. He felt gloomy about the day, (probably because it was raining). He slowly rose, trying not to do anything but actions, (meaning he didn't want to think.) He then smelled something, something that he loved to smell: cheesy potato soup, with buttered crusty bread on the side. He saw his mother cooking supper, which seemed like it would taste better now than it had ever tasted before, (because if you are sick, everything tastes better.)

   “I’m glad you’re up, because I have something to treat that fever of yours.” She then took the big brass pot that the soup cooked in, and with Vill’s help, she slowly lowered it onto the oaken table. She then took the loaf of bread, broke it in two, and put one half on each wooden slate that was on the table; she poured water from a plain old pitcher, into the two wooden mugs present. Supper seemed ready, so they began.

   Vill was without a doubt, stuffed; his mother though, seemed to have been full before the meal had begun. This was no problem for Vill, as he had helped himself to the portions that his mother had interestingly refused.

   “Well, I best be out to work,” said Vill when the meal was finished. “There is a cold breeze coming, and though it is in the middle of summer, we shouldn't be caught off guard. The seasons are unpredictable.”

   “Well, okay. But don’t work too hard; that fever of yours is to be taken seriously.” Vill nodded, and headed to the barn, where he took an armful of logs from the corner. He took them just outside the barn, and dumped them right beside the stump that was used as a chopping block.

   The sun had just sneaked behind the Great Bluffs, causing pink to streak across the blue sky. Vill knew it would be pitch black soon and there could be some wolves out at that time. Not like the vargs of the Great Bluffs, but common wolves of very little intellect. Still, they were very dangerous, and that danger should be respected. Vill quickly split the logs. He raised axe… and swung it down; it made a split halfway down the log. Vill was extremely disappointed; his strength seemed only that of a small child! He took the axe that was embedded halfway into the log, and hit it against the stump; the halves separated. Vill tried again; he took another log and placed it on the stump. This time, he made his mechanics faster, stronger, and smoother. He swung it down; it split three quarters down the log. Vill was finished trying: this time, he would not try; he would “Do”. He was ready; he took a log, and placed it firmly on the stump. His arms were filled with a raging fire: “This time, we won’t disappoint you,” they seemed to say. Vill raised his axe for the death blow. He held it firm and swung it down at the log like a bolt of lightning. Not only did the axe thoroughly chop through the log, the halves went flying ten feet each way before landing.

   Vill did the same with all the other logs that he had done to the third log. Soon though, the time for chopping was over; the howling of wolves could be heard, and if one was not inside after hours, he was dead meat, literally! So Vill ran inside, thankful that he had a secure shelter.

   It was just then, that he remembered something: the cows were still tied up outside in the field! He felt so stupid to have forgotten them, during the time he was on himself. He thought it best to not tell his mother as she would be extremely upset and horrified. So he lit a torch that was stored in the barn, and headed out to the field.

   He got there just in time; the wolves were very close, perhaps just a good hundred yards away. Vill did not panic; he just calmly untied the ropes one by one, and let the cows run to the barn. (They were very frightened by the wolves’ howls.) Vill had to also admit, he was very frightened as well, maybe as much as the cows. But he chose not to panic, and to be calm.

   The wolves were even closer; Vill could see them running down the hill that was next to the one he was currently on. He then joined with the cows, running like a mad man. But something happened, that was very odd: Vill heard a howl, but this time, it came not from behind him, but ahead of him. Then another howl and another; it was then that Vill realized something: he was surrounded! He stopped dead in his tracks, not knowing what his next move should be. Then he saw the wolves, coming closer and closer, until he could see their white fangs, glistening in the moonlight. He was indeed surrounded, with very little chance of escape. So he thought quickly; all he had was a torch. Well, that was a start, as wolves prefer to avoid fire when possible. But would that stop their hunger? Vill thought some more; he only had a matter of seconds until the wolves made their next move. He had it; he took the torch, and slowly moved it towards the ground. The days lately, had been wet, except for the day present, which had been hot and dry. This made no difference to Vill, as he valued his life, as well as his mother’s. So he had no choice. Luck though, was on his side; the grass caught fire, and in a few moments, the ground was ablaze. The wolves turned and ran; they did not need to take the risk of burning, over a meal. Vill’s quickly thought of plan was a success. He quickly ran to the cottage, hoping his mother had discovered nothing of his own clumsiness of forgetting to bring in the cows before dark.

   He reached the house rather quickly, to find four cows, groaning restlessly into the night; his mother was present.

   “Well! These cows have done enough groaning for one day!” she exclaimed. “We best get them fed and off to bed. Same with me I suppose." She chuckled to herself and started towards the door.

   “You should be off to bed too,” she advised. Vill nodded in agreement, but said nothing. He and his mother headed to their beds, (after Vill had put the cows down for the night of course). Vill thought about the night, and hoped that the experience would be an assistant to his victory in the tournament. He closed his eyes, and slowly drifted into sleep.

   He woke up to the whistling of birds, and the cool morning air blowing in his face. He arose and continued his daily routine, but challenging himself more than usual. For example: after he was finished milking the cows, he took two buckets in each hand. He spilled one, but the other three made it to the kitchen safely. And when he took the cows out, he secured the stakes by using the dull end of his axe to hammer on them.

   The day was the same as usual, save the fact that the next day the tournament would take place. Vill had at first acted like the impossible had happened when he received the message, but now, he had calmed down. This was good, because Vill would have no victory in the tournament if he acted like he had just seen a ghost.

   Vill was now down by the river, fishing for breakfast, (and lunch.) He was very bored, since his catch was not so far succeeding; so he decided to think. He still had the message with him, written on the scroll in his pouch. He retrieved and opened it; the words sparkled in the sunlight, staring out at Vill. Vill studied the words slowly, hoping to find something that he had overlooked. And there it was: “You will immediately be transferred to the Warriors’ Guild if you succeed in winning the tournament.” Vill studied it again, and stared blankly once realizing something; if he won the tournament, then he would never see his mother again, just maybe on very rare occasions. This was a new barrier between Vill’s desire for glory, and a life with his mother. Vill would in the end have to decide what to choose; for his mother needed him to take cheese into town, and to catch fish for their meals. Vill knew not what to decide; he desired both.

   The day was ending, Vill had brought in the cows, (this time,) and the sun was setting behind the great bluffs. Vill’s heart was torn between his two desires: his mother, and glory. To make matters worse, Vill couldn’t stall anymore; he had to decide tomorrow, and that was soon.

   Vill was lying in bed when he made his decision; and tomorrow, it would be revealed.