Twelve years, it was twelve years ago, the Belmont boy was found on the side of road an early fall morning. He was tired, dirty, smelly from lack of hygiene, covered in patches of scraps and scratches and it looked as though his nose was broken.
In short he wasn't in the best of shape for fourteen year old.
It was a sympathetic sight, truly. And because of such emotion a kind patron can across the boy. Their heart wept seeing him and without a second thought, scooped him in their arms, laid him in the back of their wagon among the items. Made sure the boy was fine, then went and collected his this to bring back.
The smell, it was warm and robust and smooth, filled the Belmont's nose waking him. At first his vision was fuzzy, he could barely make anything out other than he was some place indoors. A cottage maybe he saw wooden support beams, the hearth just a couple feet away as his vision became clearer.
Over the cracking fire hang over and giving off that delicious scent that erupted a growl from his stomach, a iron lidded pot.
Next to it three bowels stacked on one another, with three spoons.
"Ah, you're awake!"
A bright chimed. "I'm so glad."
The boy went stiff for moment, whipped his head around find the owner of the voice.
A girl. At least twelve. She was lean, wearing a simple brown long skirt and a white blouse. Her brown feet where bare, she was completely brown skin wise, not really brown but it reminded him of same color of a tree.
She had the biggest smile he'd ever seen, stretching from ear to ear on her face, it lite up her cute heat shape face and her bright amber eyes that twinkled. Her thick bushy dark wine colored hair was pulled back into bun with some loose strands framing her face.
The boy continued staring at her, his eyes and head followed her walking to the hearth, open the lid, pick up the ladle that hung on a hook outside and next to the hearth, dip it in and began filling the bowls.
All while talking.
"You must no doubt be hungry," she said, "when father brought you back, I wasn't sure if you'd be alright. But, father's faith and blessing brought you well. It was quite a miracle really. Father's prayers always work. He-"
She was quite a talker, the boy took notice. He felt she was drowning him with her words. It was hard for his face not to fall, so he lowered his eyes and noticed right away his clothes! They've been changed! Into a long tunic.
Startled by this finding didn't got unnoticed. The girl finished filling the bowls, turned around with both in hand, saw his reaction.
She giggle. "Oh, don't worry. You're clothes are just being cleaned. I washing them. They are quite dirty. Smelly too. Like a tavern."
The boy's cheeks went a burning red. She laughed, walking over, and handed him his bowl.
He took, it was so warm, bits and pieces
Potatoes and other vegetables bobbed slowly to the top of the creamy white soup. He caught a few chunks of meat that smelled heavenly.
When was the last time he had a meal like this? Oh, that's right.
With his stomach growling wanting the food, he took the spoon, filled it, and in gulp swallowed it. It went dow rich and taste red remained permanent on his cheeks. In a matter of seconds he finished the whole thing.
"You must have been hungry," she laughed. "I barely started. It's alright," she rose taking his bowl. "I'll get you some more."
He watched go back to the pot, during which he looked around. It was a cottage, the interior was homey and comfortable, a table a couple of feet away for dinner it was a decent size sitting up to four maybe six, it had a basket of hearty apples and greens in bowl to decorate the middle. A bookshelf moderately filled with books. Some he couldn't make out.
Taking up some of the empty space on the shelves odd shaped glass wear.
Moving on there was a small hall that divided into two rooms. The walls of the cottage where decorated with interesting looking symbols, one resembled a cross but had a loop at the top instead of a arm. It was in gold. Quite a few where placed around. There was one that was a eye with a lapis middle that hung over the door.
Weird.
Especially the bottle one.
There where some musical instruments in the corner, some other things, what looked like a bible rested on a table up against the wall, a cross hung over it so that had to be it. The windows lined with blue short drapes, he managed to see it was now night.
"How long was I out," he spoke to himself.
"A few hours," the girl answered, coming back, handed the bowl back.
He took it. She also handed him a cup of something sweet to drink. There was more meat this time in the stew.
"Yeah, I like a lot of meat," she said simply taking a seat on the floor, right to him on the sofa he laid. "It's like I'm sucking out all it's juices." She giggled, putting a spoonful in her mouth.
A weird thing to say, but the boy paid no mind.
"So why where you on the side of the road?" She asked. Eating another spoonful.
His second delayed response prompt her to keep talking.
"You're quite young to be on your own. Did you get into a fight? I ask because of the weapons you had. That short sword, whip and daggers. You know violence's the good. It doesn't solve anything. Well, for the most part. My father taught me to be calm. We pray all the time, he's really at that did I say that already?"
"Yes, you did," he said flatly.
An embarrassed smile spread itself on her. "Oh, forgive me. You're more than welcome to stay here if you'd like. Father said it was alright. Also winter is coming soon so-"
She talked quite a lot, as if he and her had been old friends. He slowly began tuning her out when he had a question.
"Where is your father?" He asked.
She stopped and give it a thought. "He went out for a bit, he'll be back soon. Anyway," she started up again.
Before she could say another, to the boy's relief, the front door opened, a cold air swept in quickly. Taking some warmth with it, a man stepped in, shut the door quickly.
He was robustly build. Even in the large coat he wore. A bit rugged looking for a man his age. Which seem to be early 50's or so by the crow feet on his blue eyes. And the slight grey that crept on his woolly black bread and black straight hair that was a bit messy.
He locked the door behind him before turning around, shivered off the cold, took notice of the boy. Their eyes meet, there was glimmer of familiarity the boy saw in the man's eyes for a moment as he braced himself for the man's reaction. The rather brooding look the man gave was strong. Even when he walked over his steps where heavy.
This man was tall, nearly towering over The boy, who did his best to remain unnerved. Stared hard back at the man, who lifted a hand, rather large, hovered it over the boy, and dropped it kindly on crown of his head.
Patting him. Heartily, with a smile.
"Oh blessed be you are well my boy," he said in rough yet joyous tone, the wasn't expecting him to have.
It left him stunned for a moment. That broke when the girl sprung to her feet like rabbit.
"Father!" She burst, throwing her arms around the man. "Welcome home!"
The man's eyes soften on her, there was wanting sparkle in his eyes.
A deep throat laugh rose from the man. "I apologize if I worried you, my flower."
She smiled. "Not all, father, I know the words you speak keep you from any danger. Oh," she turned back to the boy, " he awoke about an hour ago. He doesn't talk much really."
"You kept talking," the boy scowled. "So I couldn't get a word in."
Laughter erupted from the man. "That's true. My flower can be that way, I'm glad you're well and belly is full. I was quite surprised when I found a Belmont on the side the road."
The boy was shocked and instantly narrowed his eyes causally at the man.
"How do you know my family name?" He demanded.
Before answering the man took off his coat and hung it. Went to the hearth and filled his bowl with stew.
"I saw your family crest," he said matter of fact facing the boy, "it surprised me really. I'm glad I found you, I can't imagine what would happen some else did. Oh, I didn't introduce myself, I'm John Bishop."
"I'm May Aurora Bishop!" May exclaimed. Throwing her arms to the ceiling, hopped back over to the boy. Leaned inward, her nose nearly touching his.
The boy instantly jerked his head back. Red dusted on across his cheeks.
"Do you have to be so close?" He snide. Covering the lower half of his face with his hand.
May moved back laughing a little. "You're quite grumpy like a toad. You even look like one when you make that face. I'll call you Toadface."
The boy narrowed his eyes at her. Wanting to say something, but didn't. He could see how these two where related, even if the man had fair skin.
"Whatever," the boy sighed. Lowering his hand. "God, you're a pest."
"Aw, well that isn't a nice thing to say," May pouted playfully. "So, what's your name?"
He couldn't lie now. "Trevor, Trevor Belmont."
"Well, Trevor," John came over, extending a hand, smiling. "Welcome to our family