The shouting. Screams. Sound of battle. It was all gone. Erik removed his hands from his ears. He expected to hear awful things outside his carriage and was prepared to cover up again. Fear hit him with the silence. His heart pounded as he stared at the door. Someone should be checking on me, he thought.
Erik tried to be weightless as he shifted from his seat, moving into the far corner. Each creak of the axle worried him. He looked around to see if there was anything he could use to defend himself. Not that he would be able to do anything. His weapon lessons were ignored. He would rather study for his future role as Duke.
He spotted his books on the ground and grabbed one. His hand trembled as he held it up. There was no sense in waiting; he had to see if he was safe. He held up his makeshift weapon, ready to throw it at anyone he encountered. He stood up and approached the door. Since he hit 12, he had to start ducking to avoid hitting the roof of the carriage.
His fingers unlatched the door and threw it open. Nothing in his life prepared him for the sight or smell. His stomach tightened, pushing his recent meals up. Erik hunched out the door, knowing his mother would kill him if he made a mess inside. He chuckled after feeling empty. With his life in danger, he still thought of pleasing his parents.
Lying there, not wanting to move yet, he wondered about what to do next. I could finish the journey home, maybe, he thought. He leaned down to see under the door. One horse lay on the ground with a gash to its throat. The other wasn’t in sight. He tried not to see the carnage around him. Blood and gore stuck in his mind as he closed his eyes.
“Okay, Erik. You can do this.” His voice squeaked as he spoke the words aloud. He pushed himself up, still feeling weak. The ground had some clear spots. He vaulted out of the door and landed on the dirt road.
There appeared to be no survivors. His men in their armor bled the same way whoever attacked them did. Peasants of some sort. Plain clothing with no insignias that he could see. Swords and daggers were scattered across the skirmish.
“It’s just a few days’ walk. No need for a weapon.” Erik kept hold of his book as he started to walk down the road.