Turn II -- Spring, Age 6
With only a slight pause to register your deep respect for learning as an abstract concept, you quickly decide that the tedium of learning in its actual practice is not well-suited to your temperament on a fine spring day. You throw your shoulder into boosting Hammy up and he flops out the window with a thud, closely followed by you with much greater agility. The two of you race away into the gleaming brightness, laughing, with nary a glance back in regret. It is a choice that you have made often on recent sunny days, earning you the camaraderie of the other local boys and a well-toned but rather scrawny body.
While knowledge of letters continues to elude you for the moment, you realise that your habitual truancy has taught you many practical things about the castle and its inhabitants. The forty local children are split into several loose social groups: the children of guardsmen tend to follow Cadmon's lead and are usually up for rough games and sports, sometimes even bullying other children; another group around Harry prefer sly mischief, often tweaking the noses of adults; and the third group comprises well-behaved children usually led in regular children's games by a bossy girl called Queenie--or now and then by Hammy Cook, who uses his stoutness and kitchen privileges to drift through all the groups unopposed.
Still, in quiet times, you occasionally brood in frustration at the incomprehensible scribbles in the book that you retrieved from the attic. The first week of school, you gave the book to Brother Herman and asked for his help; but after giving you a questioning look, he told you it appeared to be the private journal of Aaron Foles, who had ruled as Count for most of Herman's life. The elderly monk was tempted to take the book from you, but ultimately shrugged and returned it, declaring that it was not for him to prevent one Count spying on the thoughts of another, but he would not be party to the act. Without rapidly improving your literacy, you still haven't decided your next move.
"Huh... huh... Okay, we shook him." Hammy pants when the two of you round the corner to the courtyard, and you share a chuckle at the imagery of the elderly monk tottering after you in a chase. "Ah! Now I'm fair famished! I'm hitting the kitchens."
As Hammy stomps off on his quest for nourishment, you survey the sunny courtyard and mull over the usual things you do. You could visit Luther and the guardsmen drilling near the training fields, who always receive Little Lord Fence Post warmly. Hammy would welcome your company in the kitchens. Cadmon and his rough gang are wrestling each other near the stables. A tall girl is leading other children in a roundelay, or a dancing game. You spot Harry running away with dried goat's blood still smeared on his face, his friends laughing at his trick, and a part of you is curious to join them for additional escapades... although another part of you itches to lead your own "gang" of children altogether, just like Cadmon and Harry, but what would you do together?
Alternatively, you can strike out alone on your own quests. There's the ghost of Jack Scamp to hunt down, or you could seek out someone to help read your recently acquired book--but who? You could impose your presence on the courtiers again and watch mother rule. Or visit Father in his crypt. Spring-time is the awakening of a whole new year, and there would be unlimited other options, if only you could imagine them.
But first, you sit down, rest a little, and take stock of how the last year has formed you...
Coat of ArmsParty per bend azure and vert,
dexter, a sun in splendor or and argent,
sinister, a bear rampant or, armed and langued gules."Strength from the Earth" Physical ConditionAged of Six Years
Above Average Health
Above Average Fitness
Physical SkillsBudding Horsemanship
Fledgling Swordsmanship
Conceptual Lancer
Intellectual SkillsBudding Observation and Awareness
Improved Childish Speaking
Rudimentary Literacy
Conceptual Battlefield Organisation
Social SkillsFledgling Leadership
Fledging Man of the People
Rudimentary Court Etiquette
TraitsGrowing Assertiveness
Commoner's Speech and Manner
Nagging Fear of Dark PlacesNagging Fear of GhostsItemsToy Knights and Horses
Wooden sword
Hobby Horse
Ball
Journal of Aaron Foles
Old Map from Journal
Caretakers
Mother -- Maternal
Nanna -- Caring but Exasperated
The Court
Lord Chancellor Thomas Scale -- Gruff
Lord Treasurer Barachiel Lope -- Indifferent
Lord Chamberlain John Bergamot -- Cowed
Lord Chandler Symeon Daffinois -- Friendly
Other Courtiers -- Cowed
Guards and Troops
Luther -- Zealously Protective
Retainers -- Fond
Curbiston Levies -- Known
Local Children
Hamden Cook -- Friendly, Status-Unconscious
Harold Noughting -- Accepted, Status-Unconscious
Cadmon Pike -- Accepted, Status-Conscious
Gervaise Lescrivain -- Neutral, Status-Conscious
Other Children -- Accepted, Status-Unconscious
Other People
Perry -- Protective
Denny -- Protective
Finn -- Zealously Protective
Oswald -- Fond