Free Raised By Wolves 1 - Brethren by Raised by Wolves 01

I met eight boys on the road between London and my uncle’s. Orphans and castoffs, they were homeless and unwanted. I could have slaughtered the lot of them, and even if someone by some odd chance ever traced the crime to me, I would not be punished. But in truth, they would never trace the crime to me, as it would not be seen as a crime, but more as clearing vermin.
    Yet, my cousin could do what he did and I cannot bring charges against him, because of the nature of the offense and because of our station.
    And I will be hounded out of England and hanged, if caught, for taking the matter into my own hands”.
    He smiled sadly and handed the bottle to me again. “I am sorry.”
    I shook my head. “Thank you. There were those who could have…
    interceded, and did not, but that is another matter. You were gone before the situation became… well, before it escalated into a war.
    Looking back on it all, it was always intolerable after a fashion. I was just too naïve to know.”
    “So what will…” He stopped and thought. “What did you do with those boys you met? Did you toss them a coin and ride on?” His gaze was almost predatory, and I recognized it from the classroom. He was testing me.
    “I spent the night with them in an abandoned barn, shared what food I had, and left them with some silver and a pistol. I do not know if I did them any great service by that. It was all I could conceive of at the time to ease their situation.”
    He chuckled ruefully. “I feel you have to arm a great number of sheep before they can save themselves.”
    “As do I.”
    “If… you are not irreconcilably estranged from your family – not Shane, but your father – then you will inherit his title, will you not?”
    I took a long pull on the bottle and felt the fool, as the epiphany exploded through my mind and soul. Many would find it very hard to believe, but I had truly not perceived the situation in that light in a very long time. I remembered thinking as a child that, when I grew up and became Earl, then my father’s peasants would be treated differently.
    But then so much had occurred to make that seem a hollow promise.
    Cynicism had taken hold, and I had watched men of that station get destroyed by monarchs and their own peers whenever they dared challenge the status quo. Yet, one Earl could positively affect the lives of at least his own people. If I were my father, or for that matter, even in his good graces, I could have found a place for those boys. I might not be able to make a difference in the lives of sheep everywhere, but I could save one flock. That was truly the duty and responsibility of my birth that I had forgotten.
    I smiled. “I have been told that I am not irreconcilably estranged from my father unless I wish to be, that the matter is perhaps in my hands. I will not know until he says he wishes to see me and we talk.
    And besides, I am his oldest and only son, even were he to adopt my cousin. So I will inherit... someday, as long as I outlive him, and fail to give him geat cause to be rid of me.”
    Rucker smiled. “I spend my days writing essays and political tracts, a dangerous pursuit in itself. Yet you may be by far the greatest contribution I have ever made to the welfare of others.” He looked stricken at his words. “I… What hubris I have.”
    I laughed. “You have shaped me well. I wish I could repay you in some fashion.”
    He shook his head. “You owe me nothing; and as we have discussed, I feel you will someday.”
    “Do you have any prospects?”
    “Nay, I spend much of my time writing and reading. There is much afoot in the world.” He sighed. “I have a small stipend from my father’s estate, and it serves to pay my way here.” He frowned at me, then smiled. “If you were able to gain some sort of stipend from your father and wished to donate to a worthy cause, I know of many.”
    “I would be delighted; but though I know he will support me, I do not know what allowances he will