Cookies & Axes

Before the sun could rise from its slumber, Bonham carried himself strong like the warrior he once was.

He greeted the month of Eloy with doubt and stood guard by the fireplace in silence. Cold crept up the streets of Evermoor, paving them in a blanket of white snow. The frost bitten air was no match for his tough and weathered skin, at least that’s what he still believed in. He sat in the living room, hoping today would be the day when his aid would be called, hoping to be back on his feet to start a brand new adventure.

His sharp yet sunken eyes fell on his battle axe displayed on top of the fireplace. The curved blade at the end glimmered like the stars hidden by the misty clouds that hung above. The shaft had symbols from ancient times etched on Birchwood.

All he needed was a signal or a disturbance of peace in Evermoor. He hoped it might give him another reason to be out there, to be where he was supposed to be. Bonham shivered excitedly, wrapping himself tight with a dark brown cloak.

Minutes passed and no creature from old myths rose from the snow underneath. No red smoldering eyes would linger where bright decorated street lights couldn’t reach. However, Bonham stayed adamant and refused to drop his guard.

“Curses,” He grunted, voice deep like a wild boar while fixing his thin ivory hair. “Just give me a sign or a sliver of movement,” He mumbled—keeping his senses sharp—focusing on the outside rather than the inside.

His prayers would later be answered when he heard a clang. Bonham’s fingers dug deep into his leather seat, the recollection of his youth resurfaced through his old weary bones.

***

Their steps were quick and silent. Three siblings escaped the comforts of their warm beds and braved the perils of the dark in search of quenching their rumbling stomachs. All except for Ethan.

How he had wished to be in his bed, furled up with a soft woolen blanket, dreaming without having shivers prickle through his pajamas. But no. Instead he had to accompany his two siblings in the middle of the night.

“Ser Mason, what’s the status?” Elena, the youngest of the three and the brains behind their master plan, asked her brother. She stepped away from the guard rails and stuck close to Ethan.

Mason smirked and drew his mini flashlight clipped to his utility belt. He rolled in front of them and shined it on a narrow path that stretched to the first floor of the house

“Captain Frey, the secret lair’s opening is all clear!” he said as he moved forward, taking the lead. Mason swiveled the head of his flashlight, lowering it to its lowest setting, and clasped it with both hands. He was wielding a sword that could pierce through the dark of night.

“That’s just a staircase, this looks nothing like a secret lair,” Ethan blandly said, rubbing his eyes.

Mason turned back and frowned at his older brother. “Can you just use your imagination? It's been a long while since I,” —he points at himself—. “Ser Mason got the chance to go on an adventure.”

“You can become a knight tomorrow,” Ethan complained while flailing his arms. “Can I just go back and sleep? I don’t want to get in trouble if someone wakes up.”

“But we need you.” Elena pouted, taking a piece of crumpled paper in her pocket. “This is the plan, and it wont work without you.”

He took the piece of paper and looked at what appears to be a map scribbled on with crayons. It contained about three major landmarks, their bedroom, the staircase or rather an entrance, and a giant red X marked on the bottom right of the paper.

“Is this-”

“A treasure map!” Elena still couldn’t believe that she made a perfect map that replicated the one Frey found in Treasure Seekers. It didn’t have much detail but it was enough to tell them where they needed to go.

“Okay, but what do you need ME for exactly?”

“We can talk about that later,” Elena tugged her brother's pajamas and stuck close beside him. “It's too dark, I hate it.”

Ethan took a deep breath and gave back the map to Elena.” Don’t worry, I’ll keep you safe.” He kept his sister closer to him, letting her head rest on the side of his leg. Ethan guided her through the dim-lighted staircase and kept his balance strong enough to not miss any steps below. Before Ethan could hold on to the hand rails for support Elena yanked his arm.

“No holding, might cause a creak.” she said, “I learned it from a book, creaking will wake up monsters.” Elena bit her lips and held Ethan’s hand tight.

Their steps were careful and silent, Ethan watched his little brother act and move like the brave and honorable Knight George from the last movie they watched together. Mason adored the movie to bits and oftentimes wouldn’t even stop talking about it. Now, no matter how nonsensical this night had become Mason never dropped his stance, he always had his arms raised high, beaming a small ray of light on the ceiling just like George. On the other hand, Elena’s eyes were sharp, always on the lookout if the situation ever goes awry.

The little knight guided them through the tight long hallway—filled with paintings and family photos—until the very end where the walls break off into corners on each side.

Mason crept up with caution, inching himself to the left side of the hallway. Everything went according to plan but they forgot something that they should have known from the very start.

“Halt!” he whispered, gesturing to Ethan and Elena to not take another step. He caught a faint glow of light on the right corner of his eyes. The fireplace kindled with life and a figure, faced themselves on the window leaving only their frail hands visible for any onlookers from behind to see. The figure grunted like a boar guarding the entrance of the treasure room. Someone was still awake, or so it seemed.

“This wasn’t part of the plan,” Mason panicked, fear swallowing his stalwart composure. “You never mentioned this on the map. “

The troubled little Elena quickly hid behind his older brother. She made a grave miscalculation, she forgot about the monster. Plans wouldn’t always go as smooth as one would imagine, in every adventure that occurred in the books she read and movies she watched there will always be that one huge monster that the heroes will have to face. She overlooked this problem and failed to create a plan to solve such a problem.

“Elena what do we do?” Mason, in a panicked state raised his voice and crept back up near the staircase.

“Hey stop it,” Ethan furrowed his brow and shushed Mason. “Can't you see she’s also scared?”

When Mason realized the annoyance that coated his words the little boy stood firm. A gallant knight must not give in to fear. A gallant knight must face the toughest of monsters, and a gallant knight knows when to back down if the path is too treacherous. That is their duty.

“I’ll keep my eyes open but if push comes to shove we have to retreat.” Mason said. He puffed his chest and kept his chin high.

When the Boar grunted louder Mason turned around, gripping the hilt of his sword as tight as he ever could. “Just give me a signal.”

Ethan patted his little sister's head, “You heard him El, I think we can just do this tomorrow, I can get the food and we can have a little snack upstairs, what do you say?” Ethan showed concern, at first he didn’t like this escapade but a part of him wanted it to go on. Until now he didn’t know his role, he didn’t know why they considered him important. They had no reason to ask him, their brother who lacked the knowledge of the world his siblings could imagine.

Elena shriveled, she could feel her heart cave in against the darkness but it's too late to give it all up. They are close, too close to turn back around with an empty stomach. With heavy determination she grasped the piece of cloth wrapped around her waist and used every second she had to come up with a plan despite fear petrifying her in place.

“Think Elena.” She mumbled and raised her head to catch a glimpse of the current situation. Towards the left corner is where they needed to go but the faint glow on the right corner signaled that something knew that they were coming.

“What would Captain Frey do?” This situation felt familiar, almost as if she had seen it from somewhere. Then, something clicked, she had seen it somewhere, all she had to do now was to recreate the scenario.

“No,” her eyes flashed with a sudden surge of brimming confidence. “I have a plan.”

With a firm nod Ethan released his little sister from his hold. She strode into the fray and loosened a spare shirt wrapped around her waist, draping it over her shoulders and securing it around her neck. Her make-shift cape fluttered like the wings of a wind rider before falling flat on her back. Elena pushed through the chill air, pointing her index finger towards Mason. “Young knight, do you remember George the Brave?”

When he heard the name of one of his favorite characters he couldn't help himself but nod multiple times in excitement. “Of course I do! It's the movie that we all went to see in the theaters a week ago!’

Elena gave out a sly grin, “in order to get past the beast without being seen we have to do the thing George did when he accidentally sprang the traps.”

“Wait,” Ethan interrupted. He too had seen the movie but the method Elena suggested contained so much risk. “You want all of us to do the roll?”

“Not us,” Elena flicked her buttoned nose, “Only Ser Mason.”

Mason’s shoulders went tight. “But that won’t work, I, Ser Mason only did it upstairs because of the carpet.” Unnerved, he shook his head to escape the burden of carrying such an obligation.

“You have to believe,” Elena swiped her cape in a similar manner Captain Frey would do, quick and elegant. The young captain swiftly moved to the wall to her right, fingers pressed against the smooth concrete. She peeked through the room where the Boar slept. The giant axe displayed on the fireplace glimmered like the silver moon, flames danced in the heart of where embers cracked on maple logs. The Boar’s hands remained still, not showing any signs of movement.

Elena turned around to meet Mason with another sly grin. “Ser Mason, everything's all clear!” Elena gave him a hard salute.

Ethan, who has yet to figure out his role, dropped his jaw in awe, “Good luck.” Those were the only words that would escape his mouth.

A confident smirk cracks the boy's face. He only has to do one move. The famous roll George did to avoid the inescapable pillar of flames that spewed out from a hidden wall adjacent to the room full of treasure. George finished the end of his quest unscathed and Ser Mason would do the same.

Ethan observed Elena’s plan come into play. The motivation she gave to Mason changed his mood with a snap of a finger.

Elena silently cheered as the little knight slung back his sword to his belt. Mason kept his balance straight, he slowly crept into the left corner. He pivots to the left, and bent his knees low with arms loosely hanging to his waist.

The little knight could sense the cold sweat dripping from his forehead. He drew a deep breath, twisting his left shoulder, and in one swift motion he performed a near perfect side roll across the hardwood flooring that got him inside the kitchen.

Mason tumbled deep into the dark. Thud. A sudden sharp pain reverberated from his forehead down to his nose and cheek.

“Ow!” he clutched his forehead first, and then his mouth.

Ethan and Elena reeled themselves back to the shadows, away from the faint light and warmth swirling around where their The Boar slept.

None of the three siblings dared to move. For a minute their whole world stood still.

Ethan slid himself to the left corner of the hallway and guided Elena next to him, both siblings peeked at Mason who inched himself further behind the marbled countertop. “Are you okay?” Ethan whispered.

Mason’s breath shuddered in his throat. “Tis but a scratch.”

”Now go, and next time be careful.” Ethan exhaled a sigh of relief.

The little knight nodded, flashed his sword of light inside the treasure room, turned around and scanned his surroundings not for gold or coins but for a jar. The cupboards were all shut and were too tall for him to even reach, same goes with the marble countertops that overshadowed Mason. He hopped a few times to catch a glimpse of what lies on top.

“Please tell me we don’t have to do that.” Ethan grouched with pursed lips.

We don’t need to do that,” Elena said with a smug look on her face. “This is where you play the most important role, big bro.”

“Go on.” Ethan perked up and rubbed his chin in anticipation.

Elena spreads her arms to the side.

“You want me to hug you?” Ethan asked.

“No,” Elena chuckled. “George might be able finish his quest alone but what is a captain without her crew?”

“Just a normal person I guess.” Ethan said.

“Exactly, but Captain Frey always had her companion by her side and you big bro will be my companion.”

Ethan listened and found himself invested in his little sister's plan.

“You will be my guardian, my eyes above the sky. You big bro will be my wings that will help me soar the seven seas and guide my sails as we voyage through the perils of the blue.” Elena paused, hiding her dimpled smile. “You will be Silverwing.”

“So I’m a bird?’ Ethan winced and crossed his arms in dismay.

“Not just any bird but a giant feathered beast. In Treasure Seekers Silverwing is this huge,” Elena traced a big circle with her arms, “Sharp Talon that Captain Frey met on an island. They became the best of friends and they always have each other's backs.” Elena winked at his brother. “Tonight, you had our backs.”

It took time for Ethan to register what his little sister meant. He chuckled and swooped his little sister off of the ground, his arms were like steel beams supporting the tiny captain from under her arms.

“Just this once, then we go back to sleep.” Ethan whirled Elena and in her eyes she saw herself as Captain Frey, crossing through craggy mountains and ship eating waves.

Ethan turned one of her imaginations into reality. Her joy compensated for her weight and little by little he could feel his arms would fall apart.

Once inside the kitchen, Ethan rushed, light footed, lowering Elena next to Mason, and he bent low to his knees to catch his breath.

The brave captain asked if the young knight could entrust her with his blade of light.

“Aye,” Ser Mason agreed and placed it on her tiny palms with ease. “I’ll guard the entrance,” He pats the captain's shoulder with a smirk. Knowing that he could not do anything, the little knight volunteered to guard the entrance, to keep his eye on the Boar and alert his siblings if danger should ever come.

“I believe in both of you.” He stepped away from the towering marble walls and positioned himself on the right side of the entrance, keeping his head low and focused on the figure who had themselves seated onto the far left of the living room.

Elena flicked her buttoned nose and with the sword of light in hand Elena commanded his brother, “Silverwing! To the skies”

Ethan’s arms tensed up, he trembled but he paid it no mind. He knelt, ascending her off of the ground once more. From up above the captain’s vision was clear, she flashed Mason’s sword and recognized a few dozen treats stacked on top of one another. Some were leftovers from dinner six hours ago and some were a variety of fruits arranged in a bowl. Sure, they looked appetizing and she could pick one of the containers presented in front of her but she didn’t want anything heavy nor anything light for her appetite. She wanted something sweet and chewy.

Elena wiggled the sword of light and behind all these treats she spotted the jar she wanted to hoard. In it were soft, sweet, homemade baked cookies topped with chocolate chips.

“Found you,” she said in a hush tone. None of the cookies back home could beat the taste that this batch had to offer. These were special, hand-made only by their grandparents. They were scrumptious, chewy, delicious, and Elena’s stomach grumbled on the thought of her eating them again.

Elena flicked her buttoned nose. “Silverwing, lean in a bit further.” Elena bit the end of the flashlight and extended her arms outward, reaching for the jar. Closer, just a little more and her fingertips could already grasp the lid. Glass on skin and skin on glass. Until the fatigue from Silverwings wings finally gave in.

Ethan wavered and it caught Elena by surprise. The flashlight she had on her mouth fell on the countertop like sweat triggering a noticeable booby trap. Its metal body clanged against stone.

When Mason noticed a sliver of movement from the Boar his face turned pale.

***

Finally, someone had breached the peace and those who would dare enter his home uninvited would be vanquished with his sheer strength alone. The edge of his axe shall once again cleave the dark forces of Eloy. He gritted his crooked teeth and a grave smile hid behind his grizzled beard. He fixed his cloak, straggled towards the fireplace and curled his fingers around the leather grip of his battle axe.

He turned around and shot a glare of an exhilarated look towards a small figure, waiting for him by the hallway. “Stop you evil fiend!” Bonham said in a raspy voice.

The strength that resided within him returned as if he never aged. The thrill of combat forced him to seize his battle axe to protect his home and the town of Evermoor, though he found himself troubled with the newfound weight that surrounded his trusty weapon. When he lifted it away from the metal hooks his strength began to fizzle out. Bonham held his breath, arms and fingers trembled against its weight.

“Grandpa, wait, it's us!” cried the figure.

The voice Bonham heard wasn’t of snarling beast but rather it sounded less hostile, younger, deeper, and familiar. He squinted at the figure.

A young boy whose height surpassed Bonham carried a young little girl by the arms, munching a cookie from a medium sized glass jar wrapped around her tiny hands.

“Ethan? Elena?” He struggled to form his own words. “So who’s the one that I-” A sudden flash of light blinded him and Bonham cocked his head backwards covering his eyes. The axe fell from his hands, muffled by the carpet underneath.

Ethan’s mouth went agape. He furrowed his brow and narrowed his eyes towards his little brother.

“I did it!” Mason celebrated, hopping up and down. “I took down the Boar!”

“Mason, what are you doing!” Ethan called out to his little brother with a hardened expression. “Grandpa, wait let me help.”

He lowered Elena next to Mason. “He’s not a boar!” Ethan pursed his lips and proceeded to assist his grandpa back to his seat.

“What?” Mason’s celebration was cut short when he realized who he pointed his mini flashlight against. His brother checked up on a person he knew and loved. He watched his grandfather grunt in pain. Mason winced, glanced down, and twiddled with his fingers.

“You’re in big trouble now.” Elena teased Mason with crumbs and chocolate smudged across her lips. She grabs another cookie in the jar and proceeds to stuff it again in her mouth. The chewy texture made the chocolate chips ooze and melt in her mouth. Despite it not being served right out of an oven Elena still enjoyed the batch she had acquired. None of this would have been possible if it wasn’t for her brothers. And she would do it all over again for the sake of adventure.

Bonham’s three grandchildren gathered around him, all sitting on the floor, their presence made the long night shorter than before. He still wished that he had the chance to face evil once more, except what is a warrior if one couldn’t even raise their weapon. Bonham tugged his cloak to cover his lap, his knees shook in a mix of restlessness and exhaustion. He gazed at his left, admiring the flames by the fireplace, then he narrowed his gaze at a tree decorated in a variety of trinkets. Bonham loosened his broad shoulders, thankful that his time had ended.

“I’m sorry grandpa,” Mason cuts off the silence, apologizing with a bow. “I thought you were a boar.”

Bonham cracked up, for a moment the creases on the edge of his cheeks disappeared almost as if he became young again. “It's fine Mason. You’ve brought back so many memories. They even used to call me the Boar back then too.”

Mason cheered up, scooting himself next to Elena. “Like what? And grandpa, why did you carry the axe?” Elena kept munching on another cookie.

With an unreadable expression, Bonham crossed his arms.

Both of the little ones leaned further, they were gravitated to what their grandfather would say, even Elena shared her loot with Mason giving him a few cookies to munch on.

“I used to be an adventurer whose muscles would topple even the strongest of beasts and titans.” He pumped both of his frail arms and smirked in front of the kids. He felt joy and strength coming back to his body but alas time stole it away.

“I cleaved the battlefield with my axe, hunted down every vile beast, and jailed every bandit we came across with. Together we were unstoppable.” He calmed down and grasped the leather handles on his seat, the excitement in his voice turned mellow and his face filled with wrinkles lost its once eager look.

“You really expect us to believe that?” Ethan wrinkled his nose, brushing his lap as he rose from his seat.

“Hey! you don't have to be a killjoy.” Mason chewed violently on a cookie.

Bonham gestured a dismissive wave “I don’t.” He paused in thought. “I would rather want you all to question the stories you know and learn the truth behind them. The fairy tales you’ve all listened to have importance since there are people such as me who have been there. Who had seen dragons, giants, and other creatures that would harm us. The old days may have been gone but it is our job to help inspire younglings to be what they imagined themselves to be no matter how absurd or childish it may seem.”

His two siblings stayed and gasped in awe as their grandfather told tall tales of his past. They were too absurd, way more absurd than the quest they had to go through tonight yet it entertained him. Ethan scoots next to El and at the same time asks for a cookie.

After Bonham recounted his tall tales Ethan yawned as slumber began to pull its rein on him, he stretched his arms and placed them behind him. He hadn’t known that his hands hovered over the grip of the battle axe.

Bonham tilted his head to the right and noticed the symbols etched on its shaft pulsating. A light once lost had returned.