It was midday of a two day ride by the time the king’s servant reached the far end of the valley where Thadius and his family lived. His particular mission required the cover of darkness, so he stopped at a farm not too far away and requested lodging for the night. Strangers were rare, but not unwelcome as long as they paid by work or coin, and the servant had expected this. So he made his meal with the kind family and said few words, going directly to his room after supper and closing the door securely behind him. There he stayed until it was quite dark and quiet out. Once all was quiet, he opened his window, crawled out and headed into the darkness. He found his way to the farm and headed straight for the barn, being careful not to wake the goats that were gathered in the pen and ready for shearing. The servant crept into the barn and went to the wall where all the shearing equipment was hanging. He carefully and quietly took down each piece and wrapped it in cloth and placed it in a large bag. Then he turned and left with the bag over his shoulder and not a sound did he make out of the barn, past the goats and on until he reached the farm down the road and crawled back in the window.

The next morning, Thadius and his father were up before the sun, for today was shearing day and they had much work ahead of them. His father came back from the barn grim and somber and told his family they had been robbed in the night. Nothing like this ever happened in their valley and they were at a loss what to do. Finally, the father determined that he would have to make the trip to the neighboring farm, to see if he could borrow their tools. Alas, they were mysteriously gone too, so he had no choice but to travel to the city to purchase what he needed. He bid his family farewell, charging his son with the care of their flock until his return.

His father gone, Thadius was kept very busy keeping their goats in water and feed, and out of mischief. They did not care for the confines of the farm and did their best to escape back to their beloved meadows in the hills. The servant watched until he saw the father leave, for this was what he had planned and sprang into action once night fell. Now under cover of darkness once again, he made his way to the flock of goats. The servant grabbed one of them and quickly slit it’s throat, and let the blood spill on the ground. He ran with the goat straight towards the forest, leaving a trail as he went, along with heavy footprints. He entered the forest and went a short way, making sure to leave a trail of blood. Then he buried the goat and hid in the forest, waiting. The next morning, Thadius was up early to check on his unruly flock and found to his dismay the blood and missing goat. His mother was not up yet, so he followed the trail on his own and soon entered the forest, still following the tracks left for him. When the trail stopped cold, he was puzzled and walked this way and that, trying to pick up the trail. He finally stopped to rest by a tree and soon fell asleep.

 The servant had been waiting for this opportunity and fell upon him, tying him with rope and covering his head with a cloth. The servant tied a very long rope to the tree and the other end around his waist, then picked up the helpless boy and plunged straight into the heart of the forest. By the time the servant reached the end of his rope, there was nothing to be seen but trees in every direction. He dropped Thadius, still bound and head covered, then merely grabbed his rope and followed it back, making sure to cover his tracks just in case the boy managed to get loose.

Thadius sat there for a long time, struggling to free himself. Finally, cold and tired, he curled up on the ground and fell asleep.  While asleep, he dreamt that his father found him, wrapped him in a warm blanket, picked him up in his strong arms and carried him out of the woods into the sunlight.  Thadius woke up and found himself being carried, not into sunlight, but down a well-lit hallway.  Further, he realized that he was being carried in a sack, with his hands and feet still tied, slung over a broad shoulder.  At last the stranger stopped at a door, unlocked it, tossed his bundle on the dirt floor, and closed the door behind him, locking it.

It took some time for Thadius to wiggle out of the bag and work loose the crude knots, but finally he stood and surveyed his surroundings.  There was absolutely nothing in the room, save the wood door.  The walls, ceiling and floor were packed dirt, with no windows or openings anywhere, and only a faint light coming from underneath the door.  Thadius pounded the walls, hoping there might be a soft spot or a crack, but everything was solid.  Finally he gave up and sat by the door, determined to attack the next creature that came through.

STAY TUNED FOR CHAPTER THREE, COMING SOON!