The Pain of a Memory - Part VI

Hi! I know that you guys are probably wanting some variety from Meet the Books! and story snippets at this point, and I'm sorry it's been so predictable around here. But, here's another piece of The Pain of a Memory, and I promise the next post won't be Meet the Books! or this. Sowwy! The last part may be found below.
Part I
Part II
Part III
Part IV
Part V
Hope you enjoy! :)

***

Echo limped through the streets into the town square. There it was - the scene that had called him from his home. A king's messenger, a trumpeter, and a company of the summoned knights were gathering there.

They were about to announce something. They wouldn't summon the knights and have a messenger sound the trumpet if they weren't. Echo hoped that - whatever it was that they were announcing - it wasn't another quest. He wanted to be home... But if they proclaimed a dire enough need, he knew he would volunteer. Maybe if he tried not to hear...? No good, he was already curious. No, no, no. Echo prayed only that it was nothing of too much consequence. He listened closer, though, relentless of the urge inside him to cover his ear.

The trumpeter blew his horn again. Echo held his breath. The messenger rolled out a scroll. "Hear, all knights of our king!", he cried. "There has been a decree of trouble in our fair kingdom of Belestine!"

Echo pressed his fingertips to his head in worry. So far this wasn't turning out so well. But he listened all the same as the messenger continued.

"There have been various raids on the forest border in our fair kingdom. The mountains seem to shadow a band of thieves. These bandits grow ever and ever more troublesome. Attempts of minor law-aids to catch or corner the rogues have been fruitless. So far they have mostly intercepted trading-carts to Nistria, but there is rumor that a slightly larger, foreign host was moving through our land and now is gone. The king suspects that if this small party ever really existed, they were overtaken by the vagabonds. We think that, with a small host our own, we may be able to track and apprehend these vagabonds to finally free our forest border. And so, we need a knight willing to aid our mother-country, Belestine. We need a knight to lead the host to the border and take the rogues - lest Nistria hold us responsible for their losses in trade. Who among you shall volunteer?", the messenger finished and looked about for emphasis. "If such a knight returns victorious, he will gain great reward. It will not be a thankless task, so who among you shall volunteer?"

Echo listened desperately for someone else to say something. He was already having to hold himself back from volunteering, and he wouldn't be able to refrain much longer if no one else offered. But a moment of silence defiantly reigned. The messenger glanced around at the knights, who in turn glanced at one another expectantly. It needs done... They need my help... No...! Please let someone else volunteer...

Still no one spoke. Perhaps the other knights were - like Echo - weary from the last journey. Perhaps they knew the peril of the forest border and its thieves. But, for whatever reason, still no one spoke.

Echo had to restrain himself harder and harder not to give in. He looked around hopefully at the other knights. Echo just couldn't do it. He was only a lesser knight, he had just gotten back from a journey, and he had two children to stay home with and take care of. He couldn't just leave them again so soon. Who knew if he'd come back this time? He just couldn't let them down like that. Why wouldn't someone else volunteer? Echo couldn't let Ariff and Orlania down... But, then, he couldn't let this country and its innocent people down either. They needed someone's aid, and who was Echo to refuse a need for aid? Echo set his jaw firm.

"I will go", Echo spoke up determinedly.

Everyone now turned to look at him. The messenger raised a brow.

"Are you a knight of the king?", the messenger asked suspiciously, perhaps doubtful of Echo's knighthood due to his very roughened garb.

"Yes" Echo stepped forward. "I am a lesser knight of the knights of King Ohelm", he said, showing a ring on his finger - the ring of Belestinian knights with common or foreign blood.

The messenger raised now both brows, perhaps disappointed that the only volunteer was a lesser knight. But, no one else spoke, so the messenger finally bade Echo come forth, seeming a bit reluctant.

"The leader of our host shall be the knight, ah...." The messenger turned to Echo questioningly.

"Ah, Echo...", Echo said absently.

"Echo? I know of no Sir Echo...", the messenger trailed off confusedly.

"Oh, ah, Torriven, Sir Torriven", Echo corrected himself.

"By the good knight Sir Torriven!", finished the messenger.

Echo stepped down afterwards, and started to head back towards the hut. A feeling of relief in conscience was in him, but it was accompanied by a sinking weight. He would have to leave the children again.

Echo just didn't know what to do with himself sometimes. He couldn't help doing these things - it was merely out of an overpowering conscience and a sense of duty. He would have to leave Orlania and Ariff again. He would have to go back and see their smiling faces and then tell them. He would have to tell them and watch Lania's face shade with worry and Ariff's smile fade with disappointment. They wouldn't say anything, but he knew they'd be devastated.

They hated it when he left, and Echo hated having to leave them. Why did things have to be like this? Poor kids...  Echo set his jaw firm. Whatever would be, would be, he supposed. With some prayers, it might turn out well in the end. But all the same, he hated to leave them again so soon...

***

Perhaps now my readers may guess at the connection of Sir Echo with Anwynne? I told you he would be relevant! ;) And soon enough, our Echo will meet with the troubles of Anwynne... But, for now, you can look forward to a post of something other than The Pain of a Memory! So, tell me, did you enjoy it? Have any critique? Comments? Suggestions? I love any and all input, providing it's civilly done, so chat with me!