Chapter 27: Axe and woods

She couldn't believe that the King wanted to test her if she was able to chop the wood in front of everyone. There were more than ten people in the courtroom, and she could feel the gaze of the men who were looking down upon her as she was a woman. The men couldn't help but chuckle that the King was humouring a village girl who had no stature either looks. It seemed that the girl didn't understand her place, but Madeline stood looking at the King in his eye.

"She looks like a pitiful girl who doesn't even know not to look at the King in his eyes and speak," a man to her right spoke, and it was then she realized what she was doing, and she quickly looked away from him. Coming from a humble household, a person like her didn't have the right to challenge him, but it seemed like he had taken upon the challenge, to only challenge her back.

"I believe it is her first time in the castle and meeting the King, which is why she shows such courage, not knowing how to respect," said another.

"People from the villages don't know things and are bumpkins who only know how to look after the house and warm the bed," other men hearing this started to laugh along with him.

"You are right, Benedict. Her speech appears to be direct to the King, where is the respect?" asked the first man who had started the conversation, "My King," he turned to look at Calhoun, bowing his head low to say, "We must have more interaction with the villagers."

Calhoun smiled, his eyes still on Madeline who noticed how she clutched the bottom of her skirt in worry and anxiety as she was in a new place. When the wood was brought into the room, Madeline could feel the palms of her hand, turning sweaty out of nervousness.

She had been brave, and she had bluffed, which now resulted in two logs of wood being brought into the courtroom and an axe that was carried by another servant. It was alright, said Madeline to herself. It wasn't anything complicated. She had done it two to three times for enjoyment; all she would need to do was exert enough pressure and strength to break the log of wood.

One servant placed a full trunk of a tree on the floor, and on that placed the log of wood. The servant who was carrying the axe didn't place it down but waited along with it for Madeline to pick it up in her hand.

Calhoun, who was listening and enjoying the words spoken in the room, said, "I would like to see how skilled a daughter of a woodsman is. Please," he said to Madeline, who turned to the King, who appeared to be smiling.

Exhaling the air, she turned and went to the servant who was carrying the axe. Taking it, her feet gingerly moved towards the wood that was placed upright, ready to be cut into a half. A few whispers of murmurs went around the room which fell on her ears as she readied herself,

"This will teach her not to speak back to the King again."

"It is why they say, girls are good only to pull up their skirts," this came from the same man who spoke about warming the bed, "I should probably take her to my room to teach her a thing or two." Everyone in the room looked at her mockingly, ready to feast on their amusement along with the King.

Madeline could tell that most of the men in the court where nothing but lowly scum who didn't know how to behave and were instead pointing their fingers on her that she didn't know how to respect. But she was in no position to speak, already stuck here, she didn't want to catch more attention than what she already had.

Clutching her hands tightly around the handle of the axe, she raised her hand, feeling his eyes on her before she moved it down for the axe to get stuck in the side of the wood. A small sigh of relief escaped her mouth, glad that she didn't hit the air and that the blade had gone through the wood.

When her eyes met Calhoun's, he didn't comment and only continued to look at the log of wood before saying,

"Benedict, why don't you try chopping the next one."

The man named Benedict bowed his head to Calhoun before going to take the axe from Madeline with a smirk. When the wood was replaced, Benedict raised his hands to strike at the wood with the axe into perfect two halves. The people around them clapped for the man who was able to cut the wood without breaking a sweat.

"Excellent! Nothing less to expect from Benedict," praised one of the men in the room.

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"He has the best aim, no wonder he handles the affairs in catching the bandits," said another.

Benedict enjoyed the praise and then took two steps towards Madeline, "A woman should know where her place is. Talking about cutting logs when you barely cut a full piece," he smirked, "My quarters is not so far, you can always find me," he looked at her lips, smiling at her.

Calhoun who saw Benedict step close to Madeline and speak to her, he stood up, clapping his hands that had Benedict step back with pride of him being able to cut the log of wood, "Bravo to the ones who took part in it," he then walked down, stepping down from the raised platform, "It had been a while since I used the axe myself."

The men stepped away, giving him the way to walk when he stood to look at the pieces of broken woods that laid on the ground. Calhoun raised his hand and Benedict, who was holding the axe, gave it to him not knowing what ill omen had knocked at his door after speaking to the girl.

"Milord, we are out of logs," said a man bowing his head. Only two logs had been brought into the court.

"That won't be necessary," remarked Calhoun, bringing the axe to look at it carefully he rolled the handle in his hand with a smile on his face, "Benedict," called the King and the man was quick to attention.

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"Yes, my King!" he answered ready to be rewarded until he heard Calhoun say,

"Place one side of your face on the surface of the trunk."

"Milord?" Benedict was surprised with the King's request, "But..."

Calhoun sighed, his eyes moving from the axe to look at the man, "I don't like to be kept waiting," the smile on his face fell, and when the people in the room noticed this, their smiling faces fell in a blink of an eye. No words coming out from anyone and silence filling up the court room.

Benedict genuinely didn't know what had happened in a slit minute. Was the King not happy with the way he cut the wood? He wouldn't mind doing it all over again. Seeing the man wait, Benedict unwillingly gulped and got down on his knees.

The man was a night creature who now slowly placed his head on the cut surface of the tree trunk. His eyes were wide, his blood rushing as the King held the axe and took his position. Everyone, including Madeline, looked at them holding their breath of what was going on.

Calhoun then moved his hand to hit the edge of the trunk of the tree, cutting the backside hair of Benedict who laid there frozen. The playful atmosphere in the court, which was there earlier was gone.

Benedict let an internal sigh, but it was short-lived as the glint in Calhoun's eyes changed to something malevolent, and he raised his hand along with the axe before running it down right on the man's neck. The head rolled down on the ground, blood spurting everywhere, leaving everyone stunned and shocked.

Blood was sprayed on Calhoun's clothes and face. He threw the axe which clattered on the ground, before walking back up to the platform and turned to look at the people.

"Speak to her using such a tone once more, and you will receive the same fate. Madeline shall not be touched nor spoken to," Calhoun warned to have everyone bow at him right away, "Now if that's clear get the head and body out of this court. He looks hideous even after death."

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