Work Text:
Warnings: Roan/Wolf, Roan is 17
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Harsh sunlight beat upon Roan's back as he stood shirtless in the field. It had been a year since he arrived at Cardios Ridge, a small farming village along the river. A year since he left Lumpy behind in the forest. In the time he had grown four inches and gained a significant amount of muscle. This was due to the amount of farm work he did.
When Roan arrived the village had been immediately suspicious of him. They had been visited by the Brothers just two days prior. Some wanted to send for the Brothers and turn him over. There was a decent-sized bounty for his capture. It was the village council however that decided against it. Partially because of the hooksword he carried. Partially because he was just a boy in their eyes. They couldn't believe that he was dangerous.
It was Tam an older man with greying brown hair and brown eyes. He had a son who died at five years old and his wife died before that. So he had plenty of room and work to be done.
Tam was a taskmaster but he wasn't unkind of Roan. He treated Roan as if he was any other farmhand and always made sure the boy ate. There was a good bed for him every night and a warm bath. It was all Roan could have hoped for.
After a month Tam had come to find him on his day off for lunch. Roan had been out practicing with his hooksword. Despite the stability he gained here he was afraid of becoming complacent. The Brothers would come back for him for what he had done. It had been a surprise when Tam brought a sword out and joined him.
It was only after six months that he slowly tapered off with the training. Instead of every week, it became every other. Then recently it became once a month. In town, he had made friends and began spending time with them.
Roan took a sip from the flask of water that he kept with him. Cool water ran down the back of his throat saying his thirst. As he replaced the flask a familiar sound. Horse hooves hitting the ground heading towards them.
Curiosity filled his eyes as he looked up from the crops. Six horses were heading towards him. At this distance, Roan couldn't tell who they were. He let out a sharp whistle alerting Tam they had company. The farm was too far away from the village for it to be a simple visit. With that many riders, it had to be important.
Tam's head popped up from the other side of the field. It turned towards where the riders were coming. From the look on his face, he wasn't expecting these people either.
Horsely he asked, "Do you want me to go get my sword?"
Tam frowned his eyes sharp before he answered, "No we don't know who they are. Or why they are here. Though you should go for now. Hide until we know they aren't here for blood."
"You want me to leave you?" He asked incredulously, "Tam I can't just leave you here. What if they want to hurt you?"
Tam went to open his mouth as he turned to look at Roan. Only for his eyes to widen in shock. Roan was about to roll forward to get away from whatever was behind him only to feel the touch of cold steel. All of his muscles locked up as he recognized the feel.
Slowly he raised his hands to show that he didn't have any weapons. Tam was startled towards him but Roan shook his head. There is no point anymore. If Tam tried anything the person behind him could remove his head from his shoulders.
A low voice said, "Don't move Roan of Longlight. The Prophet has been looking for you."
Roan's shoulders slumped as he said, "Wolf. Is that them coming now?"
"It is," said Wolf the blade retreated slightly to give him breathing room, "Are you going to try and run again, Roan?"
Roan considered it. Then he shook his head, "I have nowhere to go."
"Where is your sword?"
"In my room," he replied truthfully.
Wolf hummed. Tam glanced between them but made move to help. Roan watched as the riders drew closer. He could see Saint's immense figure leading the way. Six horses five riders. Wolf must have scouted ahead to ensure Roan was here. Had someone sold him out? Or was it just chance?
When the group saw that Wolf had him contained they spurred the horses faster. It only took them a few moments to reach the trio. Saint, a bear of a man with red hair and hazel eyes was even taller on his horse. A faded scar on the man's neck was prominent a reminder of what Roan had tried.
Next to him was an older man with grey hair and blue eyes that crinkled around the edges. Brother Asp, he was fairly close to the older man but not quite as close as he had been to Wolf or Saint. Roan swallowed and looked down at his feet. He couldn't meet those blue eyes knowing what he had done.
The rest were nameless Brothers to him. No one he interacted with regularly though he thought he might have recognized one from his training with Wolf. Speaking of the older brother he felt the steel be fully removed and heard it being put away.
Saint said in his rich baritone causing Roan to look up briefly, "Hello little brother."
For a moment he considered not answering the man. Then he bowed his head and said, "Saint. Brother Asp. It's been a little more than a year."
He could feel the man's eyes boring into his head. Silence seemed to echo around them and he waited. Wolf silently moved so that he stood at Roan's shoulder.
Saint said with a nod, "That it has. Do you plan on running again? Or to attack me?"
Roan winced at the reminder of what he had done. Tam startled and looked at the young man he had taken in. Tam never asked why the Brothers were looking for him. Or why they had placed such a large bounty on him. A bounty that clearly stated he was to be taken alive and unharmed.
He asked, "How did you find me?"
Asp replied softly, "I was in the village yesterday giving them a new idea we had. Only to see you with the blacksmith boy. I alerted Saint and a plan was formed."
Roan took a breath and released it. If he had stayed at the farm rather than giving in to his loneliness he might have been able to keep out of their hands for a little while longer. Then again Asp could have come to talk to Tam. Tam was a member of the village council and they would have needed a conversation at some point.
The only chance he would see Asp before he was seen. Then he would have to run again. Run and hope he got away before Wolf was on his trail. But he was tired of running. Of looking over his shoulder hoping that he could stay one step ahead of Saint. He was done running.
Saint's warm hand came under his chin and firmly raised it so that Roan was looking into his hazel eyes. There wasn't any anger in them just a hint of disappointment. Roan's eyes trailed down so that he was staring at his shirt.
After a moment he said, "Go get his things then we will leave."