Chapter 4 - The Emergence of Philip

Gregorex watched as Philip, the son of Samek, approached the council. He marveled at Philip’s audacity. The boy that wanted to live as a virtual recluse--who lived on the outskirts of Cliffton and who hadn’t bothered to see his father for weeks--now wanted to be at the center of everything.

Philip walked up to Korbi and started to whisper. This was just too much. “Didn’t your mother teach you not to whisper?!” he growled. Then, as soon as he said it, he inhaled deeply in a futile attempt to suck the words back into his mouth. It was to no avail. The words had been spoken, and Philip’s head abruptly turned.

*********************************************

Gregorex knew that the topic of Philip’s mother was extremely sensitive. In years past, Philip had spent many hours in the fields with Gregorex--Philip working as a son, Gregorex as a servant. Philip had never particularly enjoyed manual labor, and he wasn’t particularly good at it, either. Whether it was planting or harvesting, Philip took twice as long as Gregorex to do anything in the fields. But he did it anyway. And, for a few years, the two had worked amiably together. They swatted flies, exchanged jokes, and developed the unique camaraderie that accompanies hard work in the hot son.

But when Philip’s mother disappeared on the day that Slumbutter and his depraved cronies had passed through their fields, everything changed for Philip. He became very quiet and withdrawn. There were days when he either wouldn’t leave the house, or when he’d disappear into the woods. His countenance was permanently soured, and his spirit became bitter. Samek, who was not particularly adept at dealing with emotions, didn’t know what to say. So, for the most part, he said nothing.

A short time after the disappearance of Philip’s mother, King Maximilian himself had paid a visit to Samek’s farm. Samek was flustered; he had no idea how to behave in the presence of a king. So he stared for a few moments, abruptly laid face-down in the dirt, and then shouted to Gregorex and Philip, “For goodness sake, boys, put your faces to the ground! It’s the king!” Subletly was not one of Samek’s strong points. If he’d bothered to look, he’d have noticed that Gregorex had bowed the second that he caught sight of the king’s robes.

King Maximilian quickly had put everyone at ease, “Please stand, my friends,” he’d interjected. Then he asked, “Samek, may we sit down in your home for a few minutes?” Samek instantly vaulted to his feet and, without looking, said, “For goodness sake, boys, get up! Didn’t you hear the king?” If he’d bothered to look around, he’d have noticed that Gregorex and Philip had actually already leapt to their feet and headed inside.

Gregorex recalled the conversation that had followed around the table. It was at this time that the king had asked Samek to go to Cliffton. He had said, “Samek, you’ve been a farmer for many years. Now, I need you as a guardian. The enemy that has passed by will some day rise again. If he ever chooses to attack, he will do so from the south. You are a leader and a warrior, and I want you to be my eyes and ears in the village of Cliffton. Will you do that for me? Will you watch the southern woodlands and alert me if trouble arises? And will you be my first line of defense if the enemy ever approaches? I would be honored if you would serve me in that way.”

Gregorex would never forget Samek’s reply. “Well, Your Majesty, I’ve sure learned a lot about farming over the years. I’ve developed a bit of a green thumb, if I do say so myself.” Samek had then paused to stare at his thumb, which was not the least bit green. “But...well, I suppose anyone can use a change of scenery from time to time. I accept!” The king then extended his hand, and Samek shook it heartily.

However, the brief exchange had been abruptly interrupted by Philip. “Father, have you no courage? Why won’t you stand up to this king!” he cried. Ever since the disappearance of his mother, Philip addressed Samek as “Father” rather than “Dad”, a change that Gregorex had noted immediately. Then, to everyone’s shock, Philip had walked over and stood between his father and the king. Pointing his finger in the face of Maximilian and with a tone of sheer belligerence, he asked, “Why didn’t you stop them? If you’re such a great king, why did you let Slumbutter go? Why didn’t you just kill the wretched rebels when you had them in your grasp? They spit on you, and you let them go! And now I don’t have a mother or a sister any more! What good are you? You aren’t strong; you are weak!”

Gregorex had turned his face away from the outburst. He couldn’t believe what he’d just heard. Whoever spoke to the king like that? Gregorex had waited for the wrath of the king to descend on Philip.

But the wrath never came. Instead, a gentle voice replied, “My son--some day you will understand. But not today. Today, I just ask for the three of you to follow me. I hope that is enough for now.”

It had been enough for Samek and for Gregorex. Within a few days, they had packed up their meager belongings and moved to Cliffton. But it simply wasn’t enough for Philip. Though he accompanied Samek and Gregorex to Cliffton, he refused to live with them. Instead, he’d chosen to live well outside the center of town. He only came into town when absolutely necessary, and he only spoke with his father if he had to. The tension had grieved his father for four years. But Samek had a job to do for the king, and--despite the disdain of his only son--he’d served the king to the best of his ability.

*********************************************

So that is why Gregorex wished he’d never uttered those words about Philip’s mother. But that is the way it is with words--once they are spoken, they become eternal and unretractable. That fact had driven Gregorex crazy for years.

Gregorex waited for an outburst from Philip, and he tried to muster up the courage to utter some kind of apology. But before he could say a thing, Philip surprised him by saying, “Ah, Gregorex! You are so right. I apologize for my rudeness.”

If there was one thing Gregorex hated more than Philip’s rudeness, it was Philip’s fake politeness. Gregorex made a mental note to not bother with the planned apology.

Philip continued. “I was just telling my good friend Korbi that the mission is too much for one person to handle alone.” Gregorex bristled and shook his head while Philip spoke. “The mission is exceedingly dangerous, yet it is exceedingly important.” Then turning to Samek, Philip said, “Father, I propose--indeed, I insist--that I accompany Gregorex. If both of us go, one of us will be sure to make it through.”

An awkward silence ensued. Gregorex wanted to speak, but he couldn’t quite form the words in his head. Finally, Old Ferd spoke up. “Sire,” he said softly, “I fear that young Philip is not proven.” Gregorex nodded in agreement.

Samek replied quickly--too quickly, in Gregorex’ estimation. “You are right, Old Ferd. But he is right as well. It is too risky to send only one. And since I can’t go myself, my son shall go along as well. Get ready, boys.”

Gregorex could tell from the tone of Samek’s voice that the matter had been settled. Once Samek set his mind on something, there was no detering him. For the most part, Gregorex was quite impressed with the wisdom that Samek displayed. But as is so often the case with wise men, they have blind spots. In this case, the blind spot was his own son.

Gregorex could see trouble coming from miles away, and he saw it now. And there was nothing he could do about it. He began to walk away to prepare for the journey.