Huguel

2

“So, how does that sound? Are you guys ready for a rescue mission?” Hector asks excitedly. The others cheer excitedly, clearly wanting to know which direction to start looking for information from.

“Yeah, sounds fun.” Hector turns towards the boy beside him and grins happily, “Let’s go get started!”

Chapter 9

The three of them spend the rest of the day talking amongst each other about different ideas for finding out about these bandits that the other three were planning on capturing. Hector tells the boys that there is a good chance that they can still find some of the bandits without much trouble considering that they haven’t really moved out of their tents yet, but they still have to be careful because they might see the other bandits approaching them, and they can’t afford to have to hide in fear while dealing with them. Hector suggests that they go to the river and start investigating it for clues as to where the bandits came from and went, and also how they ended up getting lost in the forest. The other three boys quickly agree and decide that they can start investigating the river first. They agree to meet at the riverbank in the afternoon and head into the forest together so that they’ll get there as fast as possible before anybody sees them.

As the sun begins to set, Hugo and Hector make their way back towards the main road and towards the river. They walk through the trees slowly, listening out for the sound of footsteps behind them. Once they are a fair distance away from the camp, they begin running. Their boots crunch on dead leaves, twigs, branches, and mud in order to propel them faster.

They continue running until Hugo starts to feel his body grow tired from exertion and then, he decides to stop walking. He looks around for a place to lay low until nightfall before lying on top of the bushes beside the trail. His eyes close as the adrenaline rush subsides from his mind, making his eyelids heavy and threatening to fall closed. But just as he’s about to lose consciousness a strong smell of smoke enters his nostrils and wakes him up immediately.

‘Damn! Why are there fires burning?!’ Hugo thinks as he looks towards the camp. Smoke rises into the sky as orange flames flicker against the black of the night sky. Before the fire can burn completely out, Hugo quickly grabs hold of Hector’s cloak. With his free hand he pulls him along to a nearby bush while holding onto Hector’s sword and his daggers. As soon as they reach the bush they both collapse inside of it silently. A few seconds later a loud explosion occurs, causing the bushes that surround them to shake. Hugo’s eyes widen as he holds onto Hector’s cloak tighter, praying that nothing falls on his head. After several moments of complete silence, Hugo finally opens his mouth to speak.

“

Did you hear that? Sounds like they’re getting closer.” he mumbles quietly as he stares ahead intently, waiting to see if anyone tries to follow them once more and if not, for a good opportunity to attack them.

After a minute of tense silence, the sound of approaching footsteps becomes clearer and louder. “We need to move fast if we want to make our plans work. We should get out of here as fast as we can.” Hugo says as he turns towards Hector, motioning for him to crawl out of the bush. The man obeys without question and stands next to Hugo as they wait for the intruders to approach.

It takes longer than usual for the footsteps to get close and the two of them are practically trembling with anxiety when they finally notice the person stepping out of the woods, his hand clutching his dagger tightly as he scans the area, making sure that nobody is around before he comes nearer to the bush where the two of them are hiding in. He glances upwards briefly in Hugo’s direction, only to narrow his eyes slightly at the sight of Hector beside him.

He continues walking until his attention settles on Hugo again, “What do you want, you brats?” he asks coldly, his voice dripping with anger and disappointment.

The other men behind him step forward into view and start to circle the bush, their weapons raised and prepared to strike. Hugo feels his heart sink when he notices that they’ve surrounded their hideout and they’re unable to leave. He doesn’t know what to say. All they want is information, but they obviously already know that they won’t give it to them willingly if they have any other choice.

“Ugh, what did you do now? Did you kill them all? Are you stupid? Why would you bring them back to the village if you’ve already killed them? Do you think that I won't find out you were responsible?”

"You've brought too many people back!" Hugo yells at him, hoping his words will cause the men to listen to him. "How can we get them back?!"

"We have to find out if we can trust each other." The man responds simply as he steps closer to Hugo. "If we trust each other to not betray us, then maybe we wouldn't have to hurt so many of my men." He looks down at Hugo. He’s almost tall enough to look him directly in the eyes, so he does, staring defiantly back. "Now answer me."

Hugo shakes his head. "No! You're wrong. None of the people who have been captured are innocent. And none of them deserve death."

"Oh come on! How can you be so blind?" the man asks impatiently, raising an eyebrow, "You've already seen the evidence that they’re guilty."

Hugo doesn't reply. He knows deep down that the others aren’t innocent since they could easily recognize some of the people, and they could probably prove that the bandits have done something terrible to the rest of the townsfolk.

"There's no proof that they're innocent." Hector interrupts them from behind Hugo, his tone laced with contempt.

"Are you saying that you don't believe us?" the man sneers, looking back at Hector before turning his attention back to Hugo.

“I didn’t say that." Hector answers as calmly as possible.

"Then why did you say that they’re not innocent? Are you stupid? Look, we don't have time for this. Let's just-" he pauses, glancing down at the ground as his brow furrows. It takes him a couple of minutes to regain his composure and speak, "Look. This isn't about whether or not they were guilty. It's about you." he points at Hugo with his index finger and scoffs before taking another couple of steps forward. "I'

M sick of being followed by a bunch of kids who don't even understand what the hell they're doing out here anyway." He stops in front of Hugo as he looks at him expectantly, waiting for a response.

Hugo looks over at Hector for a moment. He knows that the other boy wants them to stay calm; they don't know anything about this situation. He has no idea what to say either; he doesn't know what to believe anymore. If they're not innocent then what are they doing out here? If they aren't guilty then they couldn't possibly want them dead, right? Maybe they can help them get home.

He thinks for a moment as he turns around to face the man that he's been following, "Hey, can we ask you a question?” the man raises an eyebrow, but Hugo ignores his expression as he continues: “Who are you?”

“What do you mean, 'who am I'? I'm your father's brother." the man says. "And you, young man, should take care of your manners." Hugo frowns at his father's brother as he speaks to him, feeling confused.

"Is that true? Is that really what happened? Wasn't my mommy with her family in the castle? I thought she was coming with Papa?" Hugo asks.

"Your mother wasn't going anywhere. Not unless you tell me that she is. She might have escaped to the castle but she's still in the forest and I know that she's alive.” The man replies, looking annoyed. “Don’t waste my time asking stupid questions. Where is your mother?”