My Confession to Sir Pelican

“I stood in front of a full length mirror suspended by a gold platted swivel stand marked with rosary casting and admired the fine pressed petticoat and slacks I was wearing. The mirror was in the corner of my new bedroom. Hammock not included.

“‘Not bad at all,’ I said as I hooked my thumbs into the front pockets of the navy petticoat and lifted the heel of my new rider boots to get a gander at them in the mirror. ‘Of course, I have never ridden a horse, but, although there may be a proverb about a horse and a cart, there is nothing noted about the riding boots, now is there?’

“Not to sound elitist, but this get-up felt right. I know that, often, those who have been raised first in poverty or a rat infested orphanage like yours truly tend to carry their bitterness towards the rich throughout the rest of their lives, but not me. As I had touched upon before, I was always curious rather than resentful of the privileged. Sure, I had to smirk at the spoiled little brats that would lift their already upturned nose as they strolled through the market square, but I saw it as an opportunity. If there was one thing I have learned during my street hustling days, it was that people who took their possessions for granted made for the easiest marks. Deep down, I had the feeling that I would someday make their privilege my plunder.

“Such thoughts did remind me of a certain amount of lingering uneasiness that I had felt during my introduction to Sir Pelican and his shiny hallway. I had never felt such, well, loss of control before. When I thought about it some more, I realized that, before that moment in the hallway, I had never seen such shiny and polished riches up close. Even the coins in my pocket, which was often stolen from the purses of merchants, were never truly shiny. I had felt an urge---an overwhelming impulse---to pluck those silver buttons from Sir Pelican’s person. It was hard enough to repress my physical shaking.

“True to my cynical nature, one uneasy thought lead to a darker one still. Dandelion. Sir Pelican had to be told that there was a good chance that she saw me intercept the message.

“‘First thing’s first,’ I said and slipped the dagger out from my left sleeve. Using its blade, I dug out the diamond set at the apex of the mirror frame. ‘This,’ I continued as I slid it into my pocket, ‘is going to have to tide me over.’



“I found Sir Pelican reading from some dusty book in his personal library. That is not to say that the library was small by any means. I had never seen so many books in one place my entire life, but, then again, Philip the Fool was never much for reading.

“‘Sir Pelican, may I have a word with you?’ I asked and bowed. I was not told to bow but, somehow, it seemed appropriate.

“‘Why certainly, Garland,’ he said, closing his book. He took off his bifocals and laid them upon the table between him and an open chair. Again. Shiny. ‘Have a seat, my dear boy.’

“I complied and tried to not look at the glasses. ‘I have something to confess, and I think it is important, perhaps even necessary to your safety. I think I was observed while intercepting your message from Knight Di ‘Lando.’ I waited for him to interrupt me and wave off my concerns like Philip the Fool repeatedly did. Sir Pelican said nothing and continued to wait for me to finish with an attentive look. ‘Well, I believe I was observed by a female apprentice of Di ‘Lando by the name of Dandelion. She had claimed to tail me all the way back to his residence.’

“‘That is interesting news, indeed,’ Sir Pelican said while pulling at his gray, short beard in thought. ‘It would mean that Knight Di ‘Lando knows that a third party is involved. Yes, it was good of you to bring this to my attention.’

“‘I can start by tailing Dandelion immediately,’ I said.

“‘No, no, we must not let folly be delivered through haste,’ he said, and I could have sworn I saw a shadow of a smile beneath his hand. ‘Before I send you back into harms way, you must train. Garland, you are a smart lad---far more articulate than other children with your background. But you have much to learn, and much to practice in regards to the skill of sword and fisticuffs. Tomorrow, you will begin your daily regiment of intellectual study and physical training.’

“I waited for him to continue. He didn’t, but he did put back on his oh-so-shiny bifocals and reopened his ancient novel. Taking the hint, I stood up, bowed, and left feeling a little confused.