Home Again

Ronald lay in his hospital bed gazing up at the ceiling. He liked the Princess Kayleen. Suddenly he began to envy the man that would marry her. “It’s not fair! Some knight will get her.” He muttered, “I stand no chance against a rich knight or noble.”

Then he thought of the final requirement for suitors of the Princess’s hand, “Climb the mountain Shiro and bring back the treasure of the ancient Shironian treasure.” He was a mountain boy! He had lived in the mountains all his life. He could win the Princess! Then he thought of something, he had to get the treasure too. He lay there gazing into the distance, thinking. He had to think of a way to find the treasure.

Kayleen visited him often, and Ronald had difficulty controlling himself. He wanted to tell her he loved her but was afraid that she wouldn’t want to believe him.

* * * * *

Finally, the month of recovery had been fulfilled. A wagon was filled with thick blankets and pillows. Ronald was carefully laid on these and tucked in gently. The weather had been growing colder, for it was fall. Ronald was wrapped up in many layers to keep him warm. He had many bandages wrapped around his chest to keep the jolts of the wagon from moving his ribs. The wagon started and off they went, going slowly so that they didn’t shake Ronald. As they drove farther and farther north, the air grew colder. That evening they stopped at an inn. The two men that had ridden with them for protection carefully carried Ronald inside. After securing rooms for the night they put Ronald in one. The nurse set up a cot in Ronald’s room. Ronald told her he probably wouldn’t need her, but she stayed anyway. Ronald slept soundly all night.

The next morning, they began to travel again. The wind was so sharp and cold, that Ronald felt it through all the blankets. As they rode along the day before, Ronald and the nurse had talked about their family and similar things. Now, they continued their conversation.

Late that evening they arrived in the village of Salen, near which Ronald lived. Ronald’s father had rented a house for them in the village. Ronald was carried in and laid on a bed.

That night was a happy one. Ronald had never heard his father talk so much. Major Milton told many stories of his childhood. He also told how he meet Rose Valton at a dance and had fallen in love. Soon they had married. Rose had been a knight’s daughter and had been brought up carefully. She taught Ronald all she knew.

Ronald had inherited his mother’s noble bearing and he acted like a gentleman, nothing like a mountain lad. Ronald never had many friends. Not many people lived in the mountains, and those who did, didn’t have children. So, Ronald spent his time, when not in the forest, reading. He enjoyed reading history. Until he had started reading books about wars, he had never known about his father’s experiences as a soldier. Now his father sat for hours telling Ronald about when he was a dashing young soldier in Queen Amara’s army. He told of the battles he had fought, and the people he had met.

* * * * *

Ronald soon was strong enough to go for walks in the forests.

One day his father was talking with him, Major Milton had just come in from visiting some of his friends in the town. “I just heard that several men have gone into the mountains. They are all trying to win the Princess’s hand.” he said quietly, “I fear that we shall never see them again.”

Ronald was silent.

“The Princess, you saw her, is she pretty?”

“Pretty! She’s lovely! She’s beautiful! She’s…she’s…” Ronald exclaimed.

“I get the idea. She’s the most beautiful girl you’ve ever seen.” Said Major Milton, laughing, then he grew serious, “Tell me, Ronald, do you like her?”

Ronald said nothing.

“Do you?” repeated his father.

There was silence for a moment. Finally, Ronald spoke, “Father, do you think that a man, who has grown up in the mountains, could succeed in climbing the mountain Shiro?”

“Ronald! Do you mean that…you want to…to marry… the Princess!”

“Yes, that’s exactly what I mean.” Said Ronald.

“I’m going to be the father-in-law of a Princess!” exclaimed Major Milton in amazement.

“Only if I succeed.” Reminded Ronald.

“Ronald?”

“Yes, father?”

“Do you actually love the Princess?

“Love her! I would give my life for her!” exclaimed Ronald.

“Yes, but the question is, does she love you?”

Ronald was silent. Then he spoke, “I will always love her, but I want the best for her. If she’s happy with someone else, then I wish her the best.”

“Nobly spoken, my son. I know I wouldn’t have been able to bear someone else marrying your mother.” Said Major Milton, “Well, son, if you wish to marry the Princess, you had better learn all you can, it will not be easy to find that treasure.”

* * * * *

All the time Ronald spent recovering, was also spent teaching him how to survive in the wilderness. Major Milton was said to be one of the best trackers, hunters, and one of the best mountain climbers, and he taught Ronald all he knew.

Ronald was soon able to slip through the trees like an Indian, track animals over bare rock and climb cliffs. It took Ronald some time to rid himself of his fear of cliffs. He took special care to see that his feet did not slip. During the first few weeks of his recovery, Ronald would wake screaming, dreaming that he was falling off a cliff. He still had nightmares and woke in a cold sweat. So, it was with difficulty that his father persuaded Ronald to practice cliff climbing. Once, Ronald’s foot slipped and he thought he would fall on the rocks below, but he caught himself in time. When he reached the top, he was shaking. He couldn’t bring himself to practice climbing for a time.

He had, with his father, gone over what supplies he would need to bring with him. Finally, Ronald was ready to go. He had a donkey and a horse to ride. The horse was one that Major Milton was going to loan to a friend. Mr. Wilks, the man that he was loaning it to, lived farther up the mountain, so it wouldn’t be out of Ronald’s way to deliver the horse. Also, he could ride it and save some time.

The next morning Ronald set off, while his father watched him go. Ronald felt excited; he was actually starting out to climb the Mountain Shiro! And, hopefully, bring back the treasure too. Though he might fail the quest for the Princess’s hand, Ronald could hardly believe that he was going to try to climb the mountain.

As he rode along Ronald saw deer bounding away at his approach. Birds sang sweetly in the trees overhead.

It was a two-day journey to Mr. Wilks’ cabin. Ronald would have to spend a night in the forest, but before he completed his quest he would be sleeping out many times. That evening Ronald made camp, ate supper and went to bed. He lay listening to noises in the trees and the birds saying good night to each other. After a bit, he fell asleep.

The next morning, he awoke and after eating breakfast, set off again. That evening he arrived at Mr. Wilks’.

He was invited in for supper. When they finished Mr. Wilks told Ronald stories. Ronald was dozing off when Mr. Wilks began another story. Ronald grew interested, it was about the mountain. “There was a report some twenty years ago that there was a Shironian Indian living on the mountain. It was rumored that he had a clue to the ancient treasure. A man named Kelton decided to find this Indian and get the clue. Everyone told him he was crazy, but he laughed and went anyway. Well, he was never seen again. Some people say that they saw a man roaming around up there.” Mr. Wilks paused, then continued, “It is said that he found the man and got the clue, but it was never proved. Some say he’s still up there looking for the treasure.” Mr. Wilks turned to Ronald, “Well, I expect that you are tired. There’s a cot in the corner. Call me if you need anything.” And Mr. Wilks went to his bedroom.

Ronald found the cot and got into bed, but he didn’t fall asleep for a while. He lay awake thinking about what Mr. Wilks had told him. “I wonder if I could find Kelton, if he’s still alive, and get the clue.” Ronald mused. Finally, he fell asleep.

End of Chapter Five