Glad you're back, my husband. Bless the Land gods" Surri said, observing her husband, while he quickly gave Harry a sharp look.
"Where did you find him?" Surri asked as she locked the door.
"At the orchard....in the midst of the village kids" Bekker replied.
"What took him so far East?" Surri bent over the lad and felt his body. "He is running temperature. I will prepare him another herb. It should help him regain himself" She rushed to the kitchen.
"Harry, I'll need you to go with me to announce to the villagers of the barbarian emperor's arrival. We must have a meeting at the village square before nightfall. The vultures are coming. Hollow beasts are coming to this land of ours. We have nowhere to go from here, and we must protect ourselves from them all." Bekker said in a battle-ready manner. Harry had nodded, but he realised he was forgetting something.
"What about the rogues ...the mysterious white wolf? Don't you think the villagers need to know?" Harry asked in a childish manner which caused Bekker to give a growl.
"Yes, if anyone raises any issue about them, we shall find appropriate answers to give. Although, Blake and Slake won't be coming anytime soon, if they do, the village will protect them." Bekker said and Harry nodded again before they stepped out into the street, sounding a gong, assembling all the villagers to assemble at the village square before nightfall. They walked all over the whole village, and as it was almost nightfall, they went home to get prepared. Bekker returned to find Surri sitting beside the lad in their parlor.
"He's awake!" Bekker expressed shock.
"Aye, my husband. You lied about his eyes. They are not wholly blue. In fact, as you can see they are not blue but brown. Brown beautiful eyes, Bekker". She said, faking a smile, then continued, "I don't know what is wrong with you these days. You were never like this. When you were younger your eyes burnt with strength and ambition despite your undeniable stature. You did things then that made people see you beyond this urchin you are" She said.
"Now you call me an urchin too? Interesting, but at least lower your voice. You are shouting." Bekker managed to chip in after a minute of shock.
"Am I now?" Surri asked.
"Come, follow me. We need to talk" He grabbed her hands forcefully and dragged her with him to their bedroom.
"What was all that about? Uh? Why would you say things like that in front of him? What do you want him to think of us hearing those things you said? Aye, his eyes were wholly blue yesterday; I saw them. You didn't. Now, I came back home to find you sitting next to him like you were his babysitter or something.... and trying to put words in my mouth to make it seem like I lied. No, I didn't." He pushed her towards the wall, and then he continued, "Now tell me. What have you two been talking about? What have you been telling him about us?" Asked Bekker as he moved about in the room, kicking out whatever was on his way.
"You're angry?"
"Yes, I am. Felix Town is about to be burned to the ground, and here you are saying things anyhow to strangers like the village plight does not affect you. I really want to know that thing of great importance you two have been discussing"
"Nothing" Surri replied to her furious husband.
"Nothing?" Bekker stopped walking, and then chuckled.
"Yes, nothing. He can't speak. He can't hear. I got close to him to make him feel comfortable" Surri replied.
"He can't speak?"
"He can't"
"He can't hear?"
"He can't"
Bekker turned restless once again moving left and right scratching his hair, and then biting his thumb.
"Basically, we won't be able to know anything about him?" Bekker asked.
"Basically, we won't" Surri replied.
"Ugh! That's the bell for the meeting. I'm going to the village square. Stay indoors and don't come out" Bekker said as he stepped out. The village square was crowded with every family fully represented. Bekker was overwhelmed with the crowd and asked the women and children to leave so as to create space for the adult male only.