XV: the BANDAGED HAND
by Abbie Farwell Brown · from Kisington Town
Adapted Version
Harold goes to see the War-Lord. His friends walk with him to the gate. They are very excited. They help Harold carry his things. One friend carries his heavy coat. Another friend holds his book bag. One friend carries a basket of food. Another friend holds a white flag for peace. Richard carries a big book for Harold. All the children cheer for Harold. "Good luck, Harold!" they shout. The big gate opens. Harold waves goodbye to his friends. He walks outside the city. It is a quiet, scary place.
Red Rex sits on a green hill. Harold sees Red Rex has a bandage. He has a small cut near his eye. "You look hurt," says Harold. "But we have a truce." "It was an accident," says Red Rex. "Do not ask about it. I am busy today. Tell me your story now."
"Yes," says Harold. "I have a story about a pie. I wanted to bring you a real pie. My mother made a yummy pie. It was big and tasty. But a bad person took it last night. I am sad I cannot share it."
Red Rex smiles a little. "Maybe I like the story more," he says. Harold looks confused. "What do you mean?" he asks. "The pie was so big and tasty!" Red Rex licks his lips. He moves on the grass. "Tell the story," he says. "Do not talk about the pie."
Harold opens the big book. He starts to read the story. Harold thinks Red Rex looks guilty.
Original Story
XV: THE BANDAGED HAND
As soon as school was over on Thursday afternoon, Harold started once more on his errand to the War-Lord. As usual, he was accompanied to the city gate by a crowd of schoolboys and girls who envied him his luck and wished that they could go all the way with him. But this, naturally, the City Fathers would not permit. One boy carried Harold's coat, and another his strap of schoolbooks. A third brought the basket with Harold's luncheon, while Robert carried the flag of truce,--proud boy! But Richard, Harold's special chum, was the proudest of all. For he was trusted with the precious volume from the library containing the story of the King's Pie, which Harold was to read to the War-Lord on that day. All gave a great cheer when the gate was unbarred; and all the little girls waved their handkerchiefs when with a gay shake of his hand Harold stepped out into the danger zone.
Red Rex received him as usual, sitting upon the green hillock. Harold noticed straightway that the War-Lord's hand was bound up with a bandage, and that he had a cut over his left eye, which made him look fiercer than ever.
"But I thought there was a truce!" exclaimed Harold, gazing at these tokens of trouble. "How came you to be thus hurt, Your Majesty?"
"Nay; it was an accident," said the Red King gruffly. "Say no more about it, pray. Well! I have no time to waste to-day. Things are coming to an issue. Let me hear your story as quickly as possible,--if you have brought one, as I think."
"Yes, Your Majesty," replied Harold. "I have brought you the spicy story of the King's Pie, which I think you will like. I had meant, in order to illustrate the story, to bring you also one of the veritable pies. But that, alas! I am now unable to do. My mother made a pie especially for this purpose; but it is gone with others which were to be mine, and for which I grieve on my own account. A wicked thief stole them all during last night. So I fear you will not appreciate the story so well as otherwise you might have done."
"Perhaps I shall," said the War-Lord whimsically. "Perhaps I shall appreciate it all the more."
"Now, what means Your Majesty by that?" cried Harold, wondering very much at these strange words. "It was such a fine pie! A large, fat, juicy, rich, crisp, crusty pie,--just such a one as the King enjoyed in the story."
"Yes, I know!" said Red Rex. "Go on with the story, right speedily, with no more details of that tantalizing, vanished pie!" And he licked his lips and shifted his seat as he sat upon his hillock.
Obediently Harold opened the book which his chum Richard had handed to him just inside the city gate, and began to read the toothsome tale of The King's Pie.
Story DNA
Moral
Even in times of truce, underlying conflicts and deceptions can persist.
Plot Summary
Harold, a schoolboy, embarks on his usual errand to read stories to the War-Lord Red Rex during a truce. Upon arrival, he notices Red Rex's bandaged hand and cut eye, which the War-Lord gruffly dismisses as an accident. Harold then explains he couldn't bring a pie to illustrate his story because a 'wicked thief' stole it last night. Red Rex's strangely pleased reaction, licking his lips and shifting uncomfortably, strongly implies he was the thief, leaving Harold to begin reading the story of 'The King's Pie' with a sense of unease and dawning suspicion.
Themes
Emotional Arc
curiosity to suspicion
Writing Style
Narrative Elements
Cultural Context
Reflects a period where children's stories often carried subtle moral lessons or allegories, sometimes related to conflict or social dynamics.
Plot Beats (10)
- Harold, a schoolboy, sets off for his regular errand to the War-Lord Red Rex, accompanied by an admiring crowd of schoolmates.
- His friends help him carry his belongings, including a precious library book for the story.
- Harold passes through the city gate into the danger zone, cheered on by his peers.
- Red Rex receives Harold on a green hillock, but Harold immediately notices the War-Lord's bandaged hand and cut eye.
- Harold expresses surprise, questioning how Red Rex got hurt during a truce.
- Red Rex gruffly dismisses it as an accident and urges Harold to begin his story quickly, stating things are 'coming to an issue'.
- Harold explains he brought the story of 'The King's Pie' but couldn't bring an actual pie because a wicked thief stole his mother's pie last night.
- Red Rex responds whimsically that he might appreciate the story more without the pie, which puzzles Harold.
- Harold describes the stolen pie in tantalizing detail, prompting Red Rex to lick his lips and shift uncomfortably.
- Harold, obediently but still wondering, opens the book and begins to read 'The King's Pie'.
Characters
Harold ★ protagonist
A young boy, likely of average height and build for his age, with an energetic demeanor. His movements are quick and confident, reflecting his important role.
Attire: Simple, practical clothing suitable for a schoolboy in a medieval-fantasy setting. Perhaps a tunic and breeches made of sturdy linen or wool, in muted colors like brown, grey, or forest green. He would wear practical leather shoes.
Wants: To fulfill his duty as the city's emissary, deliver stories to the War-Lord, and maintain the truce.
Flaw: Naivety; he doesn't immediately grasp the War-Lord's hints and is genuinely puzzled by his actions.
In this segment, he begins to notice inconsistencies in the truce and the War-Lord's behavior, hinting at a growing awareness of the complexities of the world.
Responsible, brave, observant, articulate, and a bit naive. He takes his duties seriously but is also easily surprised by the War-Lord's unusual behavior.
Image Prompt & Upload
A young boy, around 10 years old, standing upright, facing forward, full body visible from head to toe. He has short, light brown hair, round blue eyes, and a fair complexion. He wears a simple, knee-length forest-green linen tunic, brown breeches, and practical leather ankle boots. He holds a large, thick, leather-bound book in both hands, open and ready to read. His expression is earnest and slightly curious. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
Red Rex (War-Lord) ⚔ antagonist
A formidable and imposing figure, likely large and robust, befitting a 'War-Lord'. He has a fresh cut over his left eye and a bandaged hand, suggesting recent combat or injury. His presence is gruff and intimidating.
Attire: Practical, military-style attire, but perhaps with some elements of authority. Not explicitly described, but would likely be sturdy leather or mail armor, possibly with a dark, heavy cloak or tunic. His clothing would be functional for a leader on a battlefield, not ceremonial. Perhaps dark, earthy tones.
Wants: To achieve his military objectives ('Things are coming to an issue') and to be entertained by stories, possibly as a distraction or a means of psychological warfare.
Flaw: Impatience and a possible gluttony (implied by his reaction to the pie). His injuries suggest he might be reckless or prone to accidents.
His character is revealed through his reactions and injuries, suggesting he is not fully adhering to the spirit of the truce and has a hidden agenda or recent conflict.
Gruff, impatient, cunning, and somewhat whimsical. He is a man of action, easily irritated by delays, but also shows a peculiar appreciation for stories and a sly sense of humor.
Image Prompt & Upload
A large, burly adult man with a stern, weathered face, a fresh red cut over his left eye, and dark, short-cropped hair. He has a thick white linen bandage wrapped around his right hand. He wears a dark grey, heavy wool tunic over a chainmail shirt, and a dark brown leather belt. He sits with a powerful, slightly hunched posture on a grassy green hillock. His expression is gruff and impatient. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
Richard ◆ supporting
A schoolboy, Harold's special chum, likely of similar age and build to Harold. He would appear proud and responsible in his task.
Attire: Simple, practical clothing suitable for a schoolboy in a medieval-fantasy setting, similar to Harold's but perhaps in different colors. Linen tunic, breeches, and practical shoes.
Wants: To support his friend Harold and contribute to the important errand.
Flaw: Not explicitly shown, but perhaps a bit over-eager to please.
No significant arc in this short segment, serves as a loyal friend.
Loyal, proud, supportive, and responsible. He values his friendship with Harold and takes his assigned duty seriously.
Image Prompt & Upload
A young boy, around 10 years old, standing upright, facing forward, full body visible from head to toe. He has short, dark brown hair, brown eyes, and a fair complexion. He wears a simple, knee-length blue linen tunic, light brown breeches, and practical leather ankle boots. He holds a large, thick, leather-bound book carefully in both hands, close to his chest. His expression is proud and serious. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
Locations
City Gate
A fortified entrance to the city, likely made of heavy timber and stone, with a mechanism for unbarring. It serves as the boundary between the safe city and the 'danger zone' outside.
Mood: Excited, bustling, supportive, a sense of anticipation and slight danger.
Harold departs the city for his errand to the War-Lord, cheered on by his schoolmates.
Image Prompt & Upload
A sturdy, weathered timber and stone city gate stands partially open, revealing a glimpse of a green, open field beyond. A crowd of medieval-era children, dressed in simple tunics and dresses, are gathered around the gate, some waving small white handkerchiefs. The late afternoon sun casts long shadows from the gate's archway onto the cobblestone path leading into the city. no border, no frame, no watermark, no text, no signature, edge-to-edge illustration.
Green Hillock
A distinct, elevated mound of earth covered in green grass, serving as the War-Lord's usual meeting spot. It is located in a 'danger zone' outside the city.
Mood: Tense, slightly intimidating due to the War-Lord's presence and injuries, but also a place of negotiation.
Harold meets Red Rex, notices his injuries, and begins to read the story of 'The King's Pie'.
Image Prompt & Upload
A solitary, gently sloping green hillock rises from a vast, open field under a clear afternoon sky. The grass on the hillock is vibrant and well-maintained. On its summit, a stern, imposing figure, the War-Lord, sits, his hand conspicuously bandaged and a fresh cut visible above his eye. The golden afternoon light illuminates the scene, casting soft shadows across the rolling landscape. no border, no frame, no watermark, no text, no signature, edge-to-edge illustration.