Free Bound to Survive (The Magic Within Book 1) by Sharon Gibbs

took a last look around. How lonely he’d been without his beloved Eleanor and his children. He now faced the journey to be reunited with his grandson Christopher. Would his grandson be ready? He wondered if Christopher would accept his part in all this. He’d had to flee from his home at such a tender young age, and thank goodness for Albert and Rose, at least Christopher was loved and with his aunt and uncle.
    Henry mounted his horse and turned her head towards Corn Fallow. He’d travel through the village, turn left and head on to Thomas and Mary’s house. He had to see them before he left otherwise they’d worry and search for him. He’d tell them the truth about what had happened. How he’d been forced to flee the Keep and about his wife Eleanor, his family and finally about his journey to be reunited with Christopher. He was sad to leave them, but felt sure they’d see each other again and hopefully it would be under happier circumstances.
    Henry passed through the village. Oppression hung heavily in the air. Soldiers patrolled the village of Corn Fallow and made sure their presence was seen and felt by the people. Henry scowled as a troop on patrol passed him by. People hurried about their business so as not to draw attention to themselves. An old man sat under a tree by what used to be a thriving trade house. Now it was used as an armoury to store the weapons of battle the invaders had brought with them. As the village was under Lord Arnak’s rule there was no need for the soldiers to carry the heavy weapons of war anymore and a soldier now only needed his sword, knife and cudgel to instil fear into the citizens who remained in the village. The patrol stopped and began to harass the old man.
    ‘Why do you loiter here, old man?’
    ‘It’s hot today and I sought rest under the shade of this tree,’ he said.
    ‘Well on your way now,’ the soldier said as he stepped forward and reached out towards him. The old man had begun to rise when the soldier’s hands grabbed at his cloak and dragged him roughly to his feet. Henry feared what could happen. The soldiers were known to become heavy handed when they dealt with people who didn’t jump at their demands.
    Henry rode his horse closer to the soldiers as they surrounded the man. ‘There you are, Joseph! Sorry I’m late. Old Betsy here had a stone in her hoof. Took me quite a while to sort her out it did,’ Henry said. He didn’t know this man and his name certainly wasn’t Joseph. The man looked at Henry and knew his game. He’d become worried himself when the soldier had grabbed him. ‘Well come on, Joseph, I haven’t got all day to dilly-dally around while you converse with your friends here. We’ve things to do you know.’
    The soldiers pushed the old man forward. He was glad to be away from them and he walked towards Henry. Henry ranted on again, and as he steered his horse and the man away the soldiers lost interest and continued on their way.
    Henry and the old man moved on down the road away from the Trading House, before Henry stopped and dismounted.
    ‘Thank you, Sir. You saved my skin,’ the old man said and he reached out to shake Henry’s hand. ‘I’m Frank Lounder.’
    ‘Pleased to meet you, Frank. I’m Henry. You need to take care while you rest in the shade.’
    ‘Well I sometimes forget about it all when I come down to the Trading House. I used to own and run the place. Still do I suppose, except there’s no trade anymore. Not since they came and took it all,’ he said. ‘Yes, she used to be a hive of activity she did. People would come for miles around and trade their wool and grain within her walls. Our home was built at the back of her, but now they have it all. My wife and I have to live with my sister now,’ Frank said. His sadness showed as he spoke about what he’d lost.
    Henry felt this man’s sorrow. Many people had lost their homes and businesses—unless it benefited the army or you were lucky and they