Vernon is up and about early, he heads for the square to check out the fort. He knows it's not going to be easy to gain access but he may find a weakness somewhere in it's design.
The square is busy, people are setting up stalls and decorations, as he walks around he's not watching where he's going and bumps into a young man.
"Oh I'm sorry," he apologises and looks straight into the saddest biggest eyes he has ever seen.
"Please sir, I'm hungry, do you have any bread I can have?" the man begs in a very faint voice.
Vernon looks at him, all he is wearing is a piece of cloth around his waist that is torn and barely covers his groin, there are scars all over his body. He is painfully thin, almost emaciated and his face looks tired, his hair long and matted and he is filthy, Vernon guesses him to be about 30.
"Oh for the love of Aljeron, what happened to you?" He asks stunned.
The man backs away suddenly looking scared.
"No please, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to scare you," Vernon suddenly feel a wave of pity wash over him. "Look you want some bread? I don't have any but I'll buy you some, come with me."
Vernon looks around and see's a stall that is selling baked items, he turns and starts to walk towards it. He looks back but the man seems reluctant, Vernon beckons him and the man starts to follow. Vernon purchases a roll and hands it to the man, he quickly makes short work of it almost devouring it in one go.
"Thank you," he says shyly his head hanging down.
"You're welcome, you look like you needed it," Vernon say's patting him on the shoulder.
Vernon walks off and begins to check out the fort. There are two soldiers guarding the main gateway, a courtyard lies just beyond them. He looks up and the walls are high, too high to climb. Above the gateway is a tower that overlooks the square. Vernon rubs his chin.
"You won't get in there from out side," a voice says just behind him. Vernon spins round to see the man he gave bread to standing directly behind him. "It's too well guarded."
"Do you know of another way in?" Vernon asks. The man nods his head. "Would you like to come with me, I have some questions I'd like to ask." The man backs away again suddenly looking very scared. Vernon has to know what this man knows and he's obviously terrified of something. "I promise no-one's going to hurt you, look are you still hungry, would you like a proper breakfast?"
The man cautiously nods his head.
"Follow me," and Vernon walks off.
As he walks through the crowd the man follows keeping his distance. Vernon finds a grocers and enters, he buys bread and fruit and as he leaves the man is standing outside. Vernon heads off towards the inn and surely enough the man follows. When they reach the inn Vernon waits outside the entrance but the man keeps his distance. Vernon walks up to him and the man backs off a little.
"I'm staying here with some friends, I would like you to meet them. I give you my word that no harm will come to you but I need to talk to you in private. If you come up with me you can eat as much as this food as you want," Vernon says.
The man eyes the food in the sack hungrily, he nods. Vernon heads into the inn and the man follows close behind.
"Hey you can't come in here!" The barman shouts. The man suddenly freezes.
"It's ok, he's with me, he's a friend," Vernon shouts back.
He takes the man by the hand and leads him up the stairs.
As they enter the room he sees that Kian and Bain are fast asleep in each others arms and Rafael is looking out of the window. Rafael turns round and sees the man that Vernon has just bought in and his face drops when he sees the scars.
"These are my friends I told you about, Kian and Bain are asleep on the bed and this is Rafael," Vernon says.
Rafael slowly gets off the bed and walks up to the man, the man backs up against the door, he seems terrified.
"It's ok, he wont hurt you," Vernon reassures him.
The man looks at this beautiful naked boy walking up to him, his instincts scream at him to turn and run but he is entranced by Rafael's eyes. Rafael stands in front of him and touches his scars, the man draws a quick sharp breath, his scars are a painful reminder of a horrible past. Rafael gently strokes each one, Vernon is surprised that his eyes are filling with tears, it's as though Rafael is reliving the pain and suffering when the man first got them. Rafael looks into the mans eyes his own streaming tears now, then he wraps his arms round him and hugs him tight. The man suddenly starts to cry too, it's as though Rafael understands all the hurt and pain and wants to take it away. He has not had any intimacy for as long as he can remember and the warmth of Rafael's body feels so wonderful he starts to break down. Emotion suddenly washes over him and he sobs heavily on Rafael's shoulder.
They stand like this for what seems like an eternity, Vernon decides to leave them for a moment and places the food on the dresser. Bain and Kian are now awake and watching.
"Who is he father?" Bain asks.
"Someone that may be able to help us get in the fort," Vernon replies.
Eventually the mans sobs subside and Rafael takes his hand and leads him to the bed.
"Here eat this," Vernon says handing him some bread and fruit.
The man gratefully takes it and devours it almost immediately.
"How did you get your scars?" Vernon asks.
"I don't want to talk about it," the man replies.
"Ok, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to pry," Vernon apologises. "I'm Vernon, what's your name?"
"Ellit," he replies.
