Chapter four: Uncle Marr
Edward always remembered uncle Marr as his guardian and the only person who showed kindness to him. He has some vague collections of his terrible childhood; a child with no home, no friends, no one to trust or to talk with except uncle Marr. They were always traveling between the villages, hiding along the trails, sleeping at daytime and walking at night. He remembers more than once, a group of soldiers or guards following them, trying to kill the young boy who did nothing to them. He would be dead a long time ago, if uncle Marr were not with him.
Between these vague memories of his childhood, he remembers one night very clearly. He was nine years old. He was sitting beside a fire in a beautiful, cold night. Uncle Marr was lying on his back, staring at the stars.
"Uncle Marr, am I evil?"
Uncle Marr, startled by this question, sat up and looked at him.
"No Edward. Why did you say that?"
"Then why all these people are after me? Why everyone wants to get rid of me? "
"Who said so?"
"I’m not a child uncle Marr. I can tell these soldiers want to kill me."
"Have you done anything wrong to them?"
"No."
"Then, they are the ones who are evil. It’s not you, dear child."
"Why do they want to kill me? What did I do wrong?"
A single, warm tear reached his bony chin. Uncle Marr sighed.
"Listen boy. I always wanted to tell you this story, but I was waiting for you to be old enough to hear it. Since you said you’re not a child anymore, I’m going to tell you the story. There was, once, a strong, young king, known as King Richard. He married a very beautiful princess known as Princess Catherine. Nine months later, the young Princess who became a Queen, gave birth to a boy. King Richard summoned The Ten Gods’ Priest and asked him to read the future of this boy. The Priest told him this boy had an evil blood and carried a curse with him. The foolish King believed the Priest and asked his bodyguard to throw the baby to the wolves... "
Uncle Marr paused for seconds. He watched the reflection of the flames dancing in the boy’s clear eyes.
"What happened next, uncle Marr?"
"The bodyguard took pity of the innocent boy. He couldn’t abandon him. His wife died three years before giving birth to a baby as beautiful and innocent as this boy. The baby died two days after, following his mom. The bodyguard decided to take care after this boy. He bought some food and clothes, carried the boy on his back, and started traveling between the villages to find a safe spot where he could raise up the boy. The King knew there was something wrong when his bodyguard failed to come back. He sent guards and soldiers many times, trying to recapture the boy, with no success. Do you know why he failed each time, young boy?"
"Why?"
"Because the Ten Gods chose to protect the boy. Because He wasn’t evil as the Priest told"