Moss grew seemingly everywhere. In retaliation, I kicked a moss-covered rock and it clinked as it flew and then bounced across the landscape and into the distance. Thinking I’d found a new way to pass the time as Arty and I roamed, I reared my leg back again for another strike. I put power behind this kick and screamed as my toes smashed into the immovable hidden boulder.

“Oi! You there! What’s all this ruckus?”

My head turned from where I was bent over, holding my foot as I watched a lanky fellow walk towards us in what could only be described as full plated armor.

I stared. I couldn’t help it.

Behind the man was an opening that mimicked the entrance to a medieval castle. Just a weird utility tunnel with one of France’s famous quirks, right?

I glanced at the man in armor up and down, my mind beginning to question the logic I’d so easily built.

My friend, Arty, came stomping back from the brush as if my scream of pain had summoned him, “Aye, why’d you go and have to scream like that - you injured?”

My attention split for a moment and my head tilted to look at Arty, “What kind of friend walks that far ahead when there’s only two of us?”

“The kind that is looking for something and not out here to kick rocks…”

The armored man spoke again, his voice rising, “If you’re not here for tryouts, I’ll have to ask you to leave. King’s business and all that.”

I stood up finally and crossed my arms, my head nodding towards Arty, “Yeah, he’s here for tryouts.”

Arty squawked, his eyes flitting between the man in armor and me, “Absolutely not. Nice joke, Phil. However much he paid you, your job is done.”

The knight had come up right beside Arty, judging him with a once-over, “Lad, you’re late and I won’t accept the wool ye be trying to pull over my eyes.”

I watched, dumbfounded, as Arty was pulled towards the darkened gate and whatever lie past it. He pulled and yanked but the knight’s grip held fast.

Fear and confusion had made me a deer in the headlights and it wasn’t until Arty’s voice cut off at the threshold, no echo beyond, that I began to think something very wrong had just taken place.