Every time I ask my father, Drew Linester, about his role in the Sophic War, he begins by telling me "it was nothing," but from the "nothing" he's told me, and from what I've read from Jake's journal and Mave's tidbits, I can't help but credit the three brothers with the peace we have enjoyed all of my years. I admit upfront my bias in the matter, being Drew's son, but I will do my best to tell the story as it happened. You will have to forgive me if I embellish a few details.
We'll start in Linester, our hometown.
* * *
Barely east of Linester Township, a small stream turned the miller's new waterwheel. Beside it, two young men sat and gazed at their handiwork.
"That took much longer than I planned," Drew sighed. His blond hair was a little dirty and clung to his sweaty head. His face matched his age, marking eighteen years in blushing white skin. "It is unusually hot for this late in summer," he continued. "I'm glad we have finished it. The miller will be pleased to have it running again."
"His mules will too," replied Jake. "Pushing that millstone must be worse than anything we ever do." Though Jake was younger, he was much bigger than Drew. No matter how much Drew trained, he could never build the muscles his little brother had. But, since Drew stood a full three inches taller, people rarely doubted who was the oldest.
Their clothes were simple, but adequate. Even in the summer they wore long sleeve tunics, as did everyone in the township. Their tunics were usually light colored and worn almost to the knee, partly covering their dark brown or black cotton trousers. The women wore simple dresses loosely following the shape of their bodies. Most of the people, however, didn't pay much attention to what others wore, so long as it covered them adequately.
The two brothers laughed, and continued their conversation. "Some would argue that school is worse than anything," said Drew.
"I don't mind it," Jake replied, "and I know you don't either. You've always got a book under your nose, except at the schoolhouse, where you are constantly staring at the teacher's daughter."
"Miss Carpenter?" retorted Drew defensively. "I have no idea what you are referring to. Why would I be looking at her?"
"You tell me, Drew. I caught you the other day; you were looking right at her," laughed Jake. "You were anything but subtle. Don't worry though, I won't tell her nothing."
"There would be nothing to tell." Drew replied. Though his tone was matter-of-fact, his face turned redder than a sugar beet.
Jake conceded. "Okay, so you say you weren't staring at Alice."
The two young men watched the waterwheel slowly turn, and a minute or two passed before Jake spoke again.
"Should we head home now?"
"No, the miller will be here soon."
Again, a few minutes passed as they watched the wooden wheel turn, and then again, Jake broke the silence.
"Is there a waterwheel at the University where you studied?"
Drew smiled. "No, but they gave me plenty of books and taught me enough of engineering to keep the miller grinding wheat." Neither of the brothers had taken their eyes from the wheel.
Jake, turning optimistically to his brother, asked, "Do you suppose that Papa would have sent me to the University to learn like you, had he not passed on?"
"Now that, Jake, is a question I dare not answer." Drew smiled, and ruffled Jake's dark chestnut hair. "I would like to think that he sent me so that I could teach you and many others the way of things. There is always work to be done, and so not everyone can dedicate time to such study. Perhaps Papa would have wanted you to as well, but it does us little good to suppose what would have happened. The way things are now, Mama needs both of us to take care of her and Lizzy."
"It's too bad," Jake sighed, "I want to learn everything. I want to leave our island one day and visit the cities of the continent."
"Someday you may have that chance. Until then, let's keep our family and the orchards well tended. When apples pick themselves, they are not much good to eat."
Drew turned to lie down on the grass and dipped his hands into the clear water. He raised the water to his lips several times, until his thirst was quenched. Jake got onto his hands and knees and stuck his whole head into the water. Bringing it out quickly, he splashed water all over Drew's face. They both laughed and welcomed the refreshment. As they looked toward the rest of town, they expected to see the miller coming down the road, but instead they noticed a great number of people passing towards the Town Hall. It was only then that they noticed the bell ringing.
Linester's buildings were built mostly of wood and stone, with thatch covering the angled rooftops. The entire town was little more than a few square miles, and was surrounded by orchards and wheat fields. In the center there were two buildings that stood much taller than all of the other homes and shops, namely the town hall, which was also the schoolhouse, and the holy place. The town hall was the taller of the two buildings, and was made entirely of wood. At the top, a steeple held a brass bell, which signaled the town meetings, and at the front, two large doors opened to the one great room. The holy place was built of white stone with a few decorative engravings, and housed the always-burning fire.
Jake and Drew followed the crowd up the street until they found themselves in the hall below the ringing bell.
"There you are, Drew!" the miller called, more loudly than was necessary to be heard over the crowd.
"What is this?" Drew asked.
"Emergency meeting," Mr. Miller replied. "Something happened on the continent, and I was told to make sure you came to the meeting."
A few people turned to Drew, and whispered among themselves as he pushed through to where the miller stood.
"Well, here I am." Drew replied awkwardly, trying not to notice the attention he was getting.
"I think the mayor's about to speak," Mr. Miller said, again far louder than was necessary. Sure enough, at the front of the hall the mayor stood and held his hands in the air. At this, the noise began to quiet, until his voice could be heard in all the room.
"My friends and neighbors," the mayor began, "We have news from the Kingdom of Crescent. Can everyone hear me?" A murmur flowed through the crowd and replied positively. "Good, I'll get to it then," he said, placing both hands on his rounded belly.
He was not very fat, but certainly more so than anyone else in the room, and his booming voice was loud, but not confident. Up on his balding head were the remains of once proud gray hairs.
He continued, saying, "This is very important. Our friends on the continent have given us word of a new king in Crescent. The old king has died, and another has assumed the throne. Sophus, the new king, has sent every region an official decree inviting all people to join him in cleansing the world. He declares himself not only king of Crescent, but god of the whole land. I don't know how long it may be that he ignores us, so I have called you all together today that we may arrange a way of learning more about this religious kingdom and be well decided what we shall do."
Everyone began speaking at once, but the mayor continued to talk over the clamor. "I know what you all are thinking. Is this Sophus the One we have waited for? That I cannot answer, for we do not know enough of him to say whether he fulfills the prophecies."
This immediately grabbed Drew's attention, and he strained to hear the mayor, but could not understand any more. The crowd was too loud. Everyone was speaking to those around them about their free choice and the consequences of being subject to a king. The arguing became overwhelming before Drew shouted at the top of his lungs.
"Quiet!" he cried. His voice commanded respect, and the crowd obeyed.
"Mayor, what did you say?" Drew asked, pushing his way toward the front.
"Who is that?" the mayor asked. Then, upon seeing the blond hair pushing through the sea of men and women, he answered his own question. "Drew, how good of you to be here. You have been to the continent. You studied at the University, right?"
"This is true," Drew replied, reaching the mayor.
"Did you hear about this there? Do you know anything of this Sophus?"
"I have heard very little," Drew admitted. "That is why I ask for all to listen as you tell us what has been told you."
The mayor retrieved a document from the pouch at his waist and gave it to Drew. Even more self-conscious now, the blond young man swept his eyes across the elderly council seated at the front. It was only after realizing that everyone looked at him that he unrolled the paper and read the report, which bore the mark and signature of the Freemen.
As Drew read the document, the mayor summarized out loud, "In Twenty Fathoms, and other Crescent ports, the people have been instructed to observe seasonal feasts and give fire and drink offerings to Sophus. Those professing magical powers, as well as those caught performing enchantments have been taken, and their possessions have been redistributed. The king's guards call them demons, and declare that all uncleanness will be purged from the land."
Jake and Drew, like many of their friends and neighbors, were taught to believe in one god that would one day destroy all the wicked by fire, but most people in Linester knew little or nothing of magic, except Drew, who had learned about it at the University. The news astonished Drew, and he handed the letter back to the mayor promptly. Jake watched as Drew pressed his eyebrows together and shook his head. The rest of the crowd was also watching and waiting for Drew's response.
"This all feels very strange," Drew said. "There must be more than the Freemen have reported."
"I agree with Drew," the mayor replied. "There is more to know than they have told us. That is why the council has called this meeting. Our brothers in South Linester have sent word that West Port united with Crescent to continue trade. I do not know how long West Port will continue to trade with South Linester without their allying with Crescent as well. Our time is short."
"What are you suggesting we do?" Drew asked, the crowd behind him murmuring the same question.
"What I am suggesting," the mayor answered, "is that someone travel to West Port and find out more about this. The question for all of you is: whom do I send?"
Drew bowed his head as the crowd gave the inevitable answer. Jake smiled as he along with many others called his brother's name. No one but Drew had left the island except the mayor, who had done so decades ago. Who else could do this task? Disappointed, but hardly surprised, Drew looked up at the mayor and council. They awaited his response with eager smiles. His heart sank.
"Will you do it?" the mayor asked.
Drew sighed and replied, "Who will take care of the orchards? Harvest season is almost here. I have been home little more than a year, and am in no haste to leave again."
A moment passed before any reply was made. Jake saw the mayor nod to someone in the front of the crowd, and then the tall man wearing dirty clothes said, "My wife and I can help Drew's family this year. They've always been awful good neighbors to us."
"That's very generous of you, Thomas. Thank you," the mayor said.
"Thank you," Drew repeated, though he realized this destroyed his excuse. After he thought for another moment, he folded his hands in front of his face. "I will go," he answered.
"Good," the mayor replied. "All in favor of sending Drew to search out more about Crescent raise your hand." Everyone raised their hand. Addressing Drew, the mayor continued, "Now I suggest you go talk to your mother, and I'll be in my office later to tell you a little more about it."
Cheers flowed from the crowd as Drew passed through to the back and out the door. Jake followed his brother and heard the mayor close the meeting as he slipped out the wooden door.
Drew noticed his brother behind him and began to speak his mind. "I should have known something was wrong when Mr. Miller said he was supposed to make sure I was in the meeting."
"I thought you loved the continent?" Jake asked, confused.
"I loved the University, but I need to be with my family, or at least what is left of it." Drew's words were tired and heavy. "I left the University when Papa passed, and I came home to find Mave gone as well. For all we know the rumors are true and he has been drinking and rioting in Twenty Fathoms. Mama has lost her husband and eldest son, and needs the company of what family she has left. I cannot help but wonder if our family would have broken this way had I stayed home in the first place."
Jake struggled to keep up with Drew's pace across the dusty streets. "Why is he always so dramatic?" thought Jake, dodging a shop's sign. "Drew," he said, "it's not your fault Papa died. You didn't make Mave leave either. Why do you blame yourself?"
Suddenly Drew stopped and turned to his brother. "Did you see what just happened, Jake?" Drew asked piercingly.
Startled, Jake nearly fell over himself. He then composed himself and replied, "I did."
"What was it, pray tell?"
"The people of Linester asked you to find out about Crescent for them, and our neighbors said they would help out during harvest season."
"The mayor knew that the people would choose me. The meeting was only designed to put public pressure on me, so I couldn't refuse. Just because I studied at the University, everyone expects me to know and do everything."
"You're exaggerating, Drew."
"Am I? The mayor told Mr. Miller to make sure I came to the meeting. There was no council vote. They had already voted beforehand. There was no other nomination, and I had the stupidity to go to the front the hall because I couldn't hear what was happening."
Jake stared at the ground and sighed, "You don't think you can do it. That's what is bothering you."
"Perhaps," Drew mumbled, still fuming.
"I know how you feel about never finishing your training, Drew. I know that you sometimes wish Papa had never sent you, but he did. He knew you could help this town. He knew you could help this family," Jake said, confidently. "Papa saw it. I see it. So does everyone else."
Breathing deeply, Drew looked up at the horizon. The sun was beginning to set beyond the wheat fields. A small green hill was all that stopped his view of the great sea, where the sun would sleep until morning.
"I am so sorry, Jake. I know your heart is right and I should not abuse its trust," Drew whispered. His voice returned to a normal tone as he continued, "You always have to hear my frustrations and fears. You have been a better brother than I ever could have asked for. Thank you for being here. Thank you for your faith in me."
"No problem," Jake replied. "It's okay that you tell me when you're upset. You usually look it less after saying it anyway. Besides," he continued, smiling, "You really are the best person to send."
"I do feel better now," Drew said with a smile, "but I suppose Mama may not take it so well, unless she already knows."
"I wouldn't be surprised if she did. Mama seems to know everything."
Both smiling, they began again to walk toward home. Few buildings cast shadows across their path as they passed. It was only a few moments before they arrived at a wooden home near a large apple orchard. There were many red and green apples on every tree, though all too small to eat. The last few rays of sunshine for the day reflected from the greenery behind their blue house. Near the ground the paint was flaking off in chips, and gray-brown stains discolored the planks underneath.
"Mama," Drew called.
"I'm here," his mother replied from inside.
Jake went straight up the stairs to the loft, while Drew stopped in the kitchen where Mama was cutting carrots into a large black pot. "We went to the meeting in town, but Jake and I didn't see you there. Did you hear the bell?" he asked.
"I heard the bell, but I that's what I have sons for. Besides, I didn't want to go find Lizzy, or go without her."
Drew laughed, "You didn't miss much."
"And the mayor stopped by before to tell me the news. Congratulations."
Sighing, yet still smiling, Drew picked up an onion and a knife. "Mama, do you ever miss anything? I suppose you know when the world will end too."
"I wouldn't stop planting apple trees just yet," she replied with a smile. "The sky hasn't yet begun to fall."
"But the apples soon will, Mama. Will you be okay with Thomas's help at harvest time?"
Mama finished cutting her carrot and took the onion from her son. "Were you about to cut it, or play with it?" she asked.
"I hadn't decided," Drew said as he set down the knife.
"We'll be fine. If you want to go, it's a great opportunity to travel. Besides, it seems pretty important that somebody go, and who better than Drew, Robert's son?"
"Thanks, Mama."
Jake came back down the stairs with his sword and bow and said, "Speaking of traveling, I'll be hunting with Alex tonight."
"I should go speak with the mayor," Drew added. "He is expecting me."
"Even when you two are here, you find a reason not to be home," Mama complained. "Lizzy and I can't eat this dinner all alone, you know."
"I'll be back for supper," said Drew, "but Jake should be on his way, or the hunting party will leave without him."
"I ate a few hours ago, too," Jake added. "Where is Lizzy anyway?"
"She's playing with Sarah, she promised to be back soon."
"I better get going."
"Okay, you two. Be safe, Jake. I love you both," Mama said.
"Love you," her sons replied in unison. After each kissed their mother's cheek, Drew and Jake were out the door again.
With a half smile, Drew tried to roll his eyes as he said, "Mama already knew."
"I overheard."
"I told you that the mayor knew beforehand."
"You did. Can we talk about it later, though? I've hunting to do, so I'm off to the south gate," Jake declared.
"We'll see what else the mayor has to say about Crescent."
"Good luck."
"Good hunting."
Jake separated from his brother and followed another dusty street southward. As Drew passed out of view, Jake saw the smile disappear from his brother's face. With the sun completely set, the yellow glow began to fade beyond the wheat fields, and Jake could see the shadows swallow the forest in the distance.
* * *
"I'm sorry that there isn't more to tell," the mayor apologized. "That's why we need you to go. We're all in the dark here."
"Let me understand," Drew said, "I am to take 15 weights of silver and travel on foot to South Linester. From there, I will buy passage to West Port. Once I arrive, I am to absorb all of the knowledge I can about Crescent and their church, without being too conspicuous."
"I don't know what conspicuous is."
"Suspicious. I shouldn't stick out or act weird."
"Yes, of course not."
"The most important thing is how subjection to Crescent and their religious practice affects the lives of the common people every day." Drew paused. "Have I missed anything?"
"That sums it up nicely, I think," the mayor replied. "Do you have any other questions?"
Drew nodded his head. "I do," he said. "Why didn't you call me here first to ask in private if I would do this? Why did you have the public meeting before I was warned, when the council intended to nominate me in the unlikely case that the townspeople did not?"
A little flustered, the mayor made no reply at first. He sat back in his chair and stared at Drew. Drew's eyes glowed in indignation, and the mayor shrank in the face of them. "I... um..." the mayor stammered, but quickly regained his composure. "You know you wouldn't have accepted. You know as well as I do why you were informed publicly. This town is not old you know. We have little more than two hundred people, including the children, nearly all of which are related to those who came with your great-grandfather from the continent. Though I do not doubt the intelligence of these people, not a single one of them has ever left this island save you and me, and it has been half a lifetime since I visited Sylos. You have more education than our school teacher."
Drew's expression softened and he asked, "Why then do you not give them that opportunity? I am sure there are others willing to go. My brother, for one, dreams of visiting the continent and seeing the great cities of our land. I have no doubt others feel the same."
"Why not take Jake with you?" proposed the mayor.
"Wait, did I say that? I can't do that. Jake needs to help out Mama."
"Why not let him go with you? You would enjoy the company, and I know he would be very..."
"Shall my mother lose all her sons?" Drew blurted, interrupting the mayor.
The mayor stopped mid-sentence, and smiled. "You make everything so dramatic. If anyone can survive this journey without so much as losing his smile, it's Jake. You know that the journey is hardly dangerous, especially if you leave before autumn. Your worry is about your mother, which would be a valid concern, but I talked to her this morning and she claims you two keep so busy that she should not even notice your absence. Of course, she loves you and wants you to be with her, but she is strong, and you needn't worry."
Drew sighed in exasperation. "You know, for how much everyone claims to value my learning, no one seems to listen to me when I speak."
The mayor gave a hearty chuckle and took Drew's hand across the table. "Here is your chance to have something everyone will want to listen to."
Drew faked a smile and shook the mayor's hand. He then rose to his feet. When the mayor calmed from his chuckling, Drew asked, "Is there anything else that you'd ask of me?"
"You will do great things for Linester. For now, go home and have supper. I'm sure your mother is waiting."
"Thank you," he replied. "Good day. I'll take my journey in the morning."
"That's fine. Good day."
* * *
"Thank you for the supper, Mama. The stew was delectable."
"I'll assume that you meant it tasted good," Drew's mother replied with a smile.
Drew smiled back as he walked out the door and went to clean his bowl in a basin beside the house.
"Would you do my bowl too, please?" asked a tow-headed girl.
"Yes, I would Lizzy," Drew answered. "I am glad you asked me so politely."
The little girl smiled and left her used bowl beside the basin where Drew was now scrubbing his dish. With a giggle she ran back into the house and whispered rather loudly to her mother, "It's like magic. Every time I say 'please', he does whatever I want!"
From just outside the window, Drew could still see into the kitchen where his mother and sister finished cleaning off the table. He sighed to himself as he picked up Lizzy's bowl and washed it. The light from the lamps in the house spilled out over the table with the two basins. It was more than enough light to clean dishes.
As he washed, his thoughts wandered. The events of the day weighed heavily upon him. Everyone in Linester had the same faith. It was what he had heard all of his life. It is true that in the University he had learned things that had never been spoken by his parents or local priests, but nothing that had conflicted with what he always believed. The thought of a new religion was foreign and frightening. Especially alarming was the idea that this religion would be imposed upon him and everyone he knew. He believed in a just and loving god, who wanted his children to chose and learn and love and live happy lives, not a god who forces all to do his every whim.
Also, the idea of enchanters being taken from their homes and families, to be most likely jailed or put to death seemed extreme to him as well. At the University, he had learned about magic as a power separate and inferior to God's. Learned mages would speak in the ancient tongue, and their commands would be honored. It was important that the mage understood the language fluently, or he could not use magic at all. To most people, including the population of Linester, that was all there was to magic. Flames, lightning, or other elements were summoned and controlled. Supernatural healing or illness could be given simply by a spoken word in the ancient tongue.
Drew had learned that there was more than this, however. Though it appeared that men controlled the elements, it was really the work of hundreds of spirits, invisible to mortals. Through this archaic language mortals simply communicated with the spirits.
Though language was important, it was even more a science of things too small to see. The unseen spirits in the land would respond to those who spoke the ancient tongue, and work upon the smallest pieces of matter otherwise imperceptible to mortals. The effect was a physical change in the things mortals did see and interact with. The more learning a man had in the invisible, the clearer and more precise could be his requests to the spirits, and therefore he had greater control over the change wrought in the visible.
As he reviewed these things in his mind, Drew wondered at how magic could be considered the work of demons.
"Are you done out there?" A nine-year-old voice inquired, quite impatiently.
Quickly he finished rinsing the bowl in a second basin and set it aside to dry.
"I will be finished shortly," Drew replied, his attention suddenly returning.
He dumped both basins at the base of a tree, and then after placing them back on the table, he went inside. As he entered the house he felt the urge to run back outside. His mother looked up and saw the strange expression on his face.
"What is it, Drew?" she asked.
"I need to find Jake. I just feel it, Mama."
The sudden urgency startled Lizzy, and she became very still.
"Don't worry, Lizzy," Drew said. A rush of confidence filled his voice. "I'll return before you know it. Jake is probably fine. I just want to check on him." Drew bounded up the stairs and returned wearing his sword. "I love you Mama."
"Be safe," she said, kissing his cheek.
Drew disappeared out the door into the darkness.
"Boys are so dumb," Lizzy said sourly. "Now who's gonna scare the dream eater from our room?"
* * *
I never could get Papa to tell me what happened in the forest. I suppose for your benefit I should call him Drew from here on. I wouldn't want to confuse you. Anyway, I had to look through Uncle Jake's journal to find out what happened before they left Linester.
* * *
"What was that?" Jake asked nervously.
The shadows in the forest played tricks on his eyes. He could have sworn he heard a snarl, but as he turned there was nothing. Alex, Jake's best friend, was behind him. The two of them were alone: Alex with his sword drawn, and Jake with a bow.
"How did everyone else get so far away from us?" Alex moaned.
"Let's talk less next time," Jake replied. "If we had kept up and paid attention we'd be with the rest of the hunting party."
"Too late for that now. Do you know the way back home?"
"The forest isn't that wide. We could just pick a direction and then we could find where we are from there."
Another snarl and Jake accidentally let go of an arrow. "There it was again."
"Maybe we could build a fire," suggested Alex, "Wolves are afraid of fire, right? We could also use the light to let the others know where we are."
"That could work," Jake responded. He then traded his bow for his sword and with his free hand collected sticks and threw them onto a pile Alex had begun.
When the pile was big enough, Jake gave Alex a look to keep watch, and picked up a couple of sticks to start the fire.
"Now what did Drew say the word was?" he mumbled to himself. Drew wanted Jake to be able to read the books he had brought home, so he had spent a great deal of time teaching Jake the ancient language. Little did Drew know that his brother was trying to use it to do magic.
Remembering the word, Jake struck the sticks together and confidently said the word for 'burn' in ancient, "Brenna."
Sure there was no grammar, or even a sentence, but the intent was simple enough. The two sticks burst into flames. Useful as it was, that was the full extent of Jake's magic.
Alex, who hadn't been paying attention, thought nothing of Jake being able to start a fire quickly, and wouldn't have suspected that Jake could do magic. He brought over some more sticks and added them to the flames, and they soon had a notable fire burning. Jake smiled to himself thinking, "I'm the only one in Linester who knows how to magic."
After a half an hour, their fire began to attract attention, just as Alex predicted. However, it wasn't the attention he had hoped for. Dozens of glowing eyes peered at the two boys, coming from all directions. A snarl startled Jake to his feet, and he could see the shadowy form of wolves. He told me there were at least twenty, but he does tend to exaggerate.
"You said wolves were afraid of fire," Jake hissed. He brandished his sword in front of him and backed up against Alex.
Alex also kept his sword before him and put his back to Jake. "I thought they were."
All at once the wolves pounced and the two desperately warded them back with their swords. Stroke after stroke missed the swift animals, and Alex began to panic. Caught off balance by another miss, Alex toppled over, and a wolf leaped upon him.
Immediately the beast was thrown by a mighty heave of Drew's blade. With the flash of his sword, Drew began knocking back the wolves one by one. By using the blunt of his sword, he batted away the beasts without killing them.
"Drew, thank heavens you're here!" Alex sighed.
Jake, pushed back by another wolf, toppled into the fire and yelped. In one motion Drew tossed the attacker away and plucked his brother from the flames. Still saying nothing, Drew scared the last wolf away with a kick.
After a hesitating moment, Jake asked, "How did you know to come?"
"Papa told me."
Jake had heard this answer before. He knew it wasn't true, since their papa had died, so he always assumed it meant Drew just had great intuition.
"Are you hurt?" Drew asked Alex.
"I'll be fine, but Jake's the one who fell in the fire. Are you okay, Jake?"
Jake smiled at Drew, who rubbed his nose and looked away. Jake replied, "My clothes are just dirty, that's all."
"Jake you were in the fire. I saw you in the flames. Let me look at your arm," demanded Alex.
Examining Jake's arm, he found it bruised and blackened, but unburned. He touched it seeing if Jake would shrink in pain, but Jake did not. Then Alex's eyes widened.
"That's your blessing!" Alex exclaimed. "Have you ever been burned?"
Jake smiled.
"Incredible!" Alex exclaimed, and then he began rambling less than coherently.
Rather than try to repeat Alex's ramblings, let me explain what he meant by "blessing". Some people in our land have unusual strengths, which we call a blessing. These blessings usually come in the form of resilience to some form of hurt. Jake, as I've shown, cannot be hurt by heat or fire. As I'll show later, his brothers shared the same blessing, as these things tend to run in families.
"Don't go telling folks," Jake pleaded. "This is private stuff, you know."
"No worries," Alex replied, "I'm as silent as a ghost."
A smile stole across Drew's face as if to say, "You'll need to be quieter than that."
Kicking the burning sticks away from each other, and rolling them in the dirt, Drew quickly put out the fire, and shook his head. "Wolves usually avoid fire," he mumbled.
"I told you wolves are afraid of fire," Alex said obnoxiously. And he pushed Jake a little.
Again Drew shook his head. "Let's just go home. I don't understand why your friends always hunt at night anyway. You never seem catch anything worthwhile."
Jake opened his mouth to defend himself, but Drew didn't give him the time. He began striding away and said, "We need to hurry before those wolves come back. I scared them, but if they weren't afraid of your fire then they are likely to come right back."
Alex and Jake shrugged and followed Drew as quickly as they could back to the township. With the moon high over the trees, enough light spilled in to keep them from tripping over the branches littering the ground.
* * *
A dark, but penetrable mist clung to Jake's clothing. He was cold, wet, and dirty, but his brother was close by. The jagged and broken rocks bit at their ragged boots, and just to their right was a steep drop into the unseen. Groping at a rock face to the left, Jake found a hand hold and pulled himself onto a landing a hundred feet wide. Drew followed silently behind.
Let me warn you here that this is not a continuation of their rather leisurely walk home from the forest. I'm sorry if my jumping around in the story confuses you. It's important that you get this part before I get too far ahead.
Wincing in pain Jake coddled his leg, which was bandaged tight over a deep wound. He hobbled with Drew to where a man sat with a young woman laying across his arms. As they approached, Jake's heart sank. The man wept inconsolably and Jake also felt to weep.
A cackle rent the grief in the air, and Jake turned to see its origin. The sorrow quickly turned to despair as a shadowy figure crept out from the mist.
"Prepare yourselves for the eternal world," it hissed.
Before Jake could move the shadow was upon him. Helplessly he fumbled for his sword until the blow came. The shadow struck with such force as to leave Jake unable even to gasp for breath. He tumbled backward into Drew's arms, closed his eyes, and waited for death to come.
"Jake!" Drew cried. "Jake!"
He could not move.
"Jake, wake up!"
Jake opened his eyes. He took a deep breath and found himself in his bed, with Drew hunched over him.
"We have chores to do before the sun comes up," Drew explained. "Hurry up."
It was the second time that Jake had had that dream. He didn't dare tell it to Drew. He wanted to banish it from his mind, and tell himself it meant nothing. It was just his overactive imagination. Somehow, though, it spilled out of his mouth.
"Drew, I had the most horrible nightmare."
Drew raised an eyebrow. "Oh yeah?" he replied.
"It was dark and wet..."
Drew waved his hand and said, "Don't worry about it, Jake. It was just a dream. Everything is normal." He paused. "Except that today I'm leaving again."
The idea of brushing off the dream was gone. Now that he started, Jake was determined to get Drew to listen. "You were in it too," he stated, "and someone else, I couldn't quite tell who it was. There was a girl in his arms. I think she was..."
Jake stopped because Drew's face turned solemn. The wistful, blow-it-off attitude was gone.
"What is it, Drew?"
Drew shook his head. "I...it's nothing. We should get going."
"That doesn't look like nothing to me," declared Jake.
Drew hesitated, then asked, "It's not the first time, you've had this dream, is it?"
"No," Jake replied.
"You saw it last night too."
Jake nodded.
"We'll have to watch ourselves, Jake. I don't think we should go to West Port."
Pushing his eyebrows together, Jake asked, "What do you mean, 'we'?"
Drew shook off the solemnity. "I'm sorry, Jake. I was meaning to ask you. The mayor suggested you go with me, but I'm not sure that's a good idea."
For a second Jake's heart leaped to think that he could go with Drew to the continent. Then he connected the dots, and his hope was shrouded by fear.
"Let's get going on our chores," Drew mumbled, as he let himself down the stairs from their bedroom.
* * *
At breakfast, Drew poked at his oatmeal, but didn't get much of it into his mouth. His blank stare caught Lizzy's attention, and so she stole his bowl and ate his mush.
"Lizzy, don't be a pig," their mother said. She then turned to Drew and asked, "What's on your mind, son?"
"I don't know about this, Mama," He whispered. "It just feels too heavy."
Lizzy slipped out of her chair and out the front door. Jake scooped up the dirty bowls and followed Lizzy outside.
"I'm worried about you," Drew continued. "Will you be alright for the harvest?"
His mother sighed. "You're a terrible liar, Drew. You're not worried about me. You're worried about Jake."
"Is that so?"
Drew's mother sighed and took hold of Drew's hand. "What are you worried about? Please talk to me. Is this about your father?"
Drew shook his head and closed his eyes. "I don't know. I left once before, and we both know how disappointing that was."
"You loved it."
"Everything fell apart here while I was gone. Mave ran off to revel in South Linester, and the shame of it killed Papa. If I'd have only stayed then, maybe things would have been different."
"Robert loved your brother, and he never believed the rumors. You would do well not to assume so much. People love a good scandal, and will invent one whether or not it's true. Your father never cared what others thought, and he certainly did not die of shame."
Gripping his mother's hand, Drew half smiled. "I know you're right, mama, but it's hard to imagine I couldn't have made a difference."
"You have a chance now to make a difference for our community. Let Jake go with you. Find out for us what this business with Crescent will mean here in Linester."
"So you want me to leave?" Drew whispered, shaking his head.
"Stop it, Drew," his mother commanded. "It's shameful how you are behaving." Though her tone was scolding, she was still smiling. "You should be proud that everyone trusts you. You should be excited to return to the continent, instead of playing the martyr."
Just then Lizzy came skipping back in singing, "The prince is coming! The prince is coming!" She stopped in front of her mother and said, "I sawed him riding his horse. There was a big flag and soldiers!"
Jake came in behind Lizzy. Half of his lip curled in annoyance.
"What's happening?" inquired Drew.
"Nehori Zohon is coming through town," Jake explained. "He's making a big show of it, as usual." He then turned to go back outside. Drew and Lizzy followed.
"Are you coming, Mama," Drew asked. "Should we see what the high folk are up to?"
"No thank you, son. I'll just clean up around here."
"Okay." Drew paused. "I'm sorry I have been so sore about leaving. I'll not betray the vote of trust the community gave me."
"I love you," she said.
"I love you," he replied, and went out the door.
As Drew made his way out to the main road, he saw half the townspeople lining it on either side. When he turned his attention to the south, he saw the soldiers that Lizzy spoke of, surrounding a white horse and marching into town. On the white horse was a tall young man with flaming red hair and bright green eyes. A purple vest boasted gold buttons and golden embroidery on top of the prince's white tunic, while his long purple cape draped across the horse and black leather saddle. One of the soldiers beside the prince carried a banner of purple with the image of a golden fox.
Prince Nehori's upturned, narrow nose gave him the appearance of a raptor, ready to swoop down and gobble up the mice far below. He wore an arrogant smile, as if he deserved the courteous bows of the people. Though he was not their prince, the people of Linester generally treated him with respect, and bowed as he paraded by. Nehori did not return this respect, but often lashed out at the people of Linester, such as the time he overturned a barrel of grain because "it was not worthy of my purchase."
When the prince passed, he waved and the people honored him, so as to gave him no excuse to be angry with them, not because they feared him and his childish temper, but because they dared not give a reason for the king in Zohon to break his promise to leave them in peace. Linester is a small island, making relations with neighboring cities all the more important. Should Zohon, to the north, decide to come down in arms, Linester township could do little to oppose them. South Linester, on the other hand, was a strong merchant city, and had a garrison on hand to keep the internal peace, so it could adequately defend itself should Zohon lose its temper.
Shortly before passing Jake, Drew, and Lizzy, the prince stopped and glared at a young man across the way, who remained standing while all around him bowed.
"Where is your respect, insolent boy?" Nehori snarled.
"We are not subject to you," the boy insisted. "Go parade somewhere else."
"How dare you speak to me that way!"
An older lady tried to silence the boy as Nehori's guards parted and let the prince ride over to the boy.
"Let me be!" insisted the boy, shaking away the woman's rebuke. He pushed her aside and stepped forward to meet the prince. No one else dared to say anything, as they watched the interchange between the boy and the prince.
"You will bow, boy, if you know what is best for you." Nehori's face twisted in contempt, his red hair standing on end.
Without another word, the boy spit at the horse's legs. This threw Nehori into a rage and he promptly drew his sword. Everyone gasped as the prince's eyes flashed and he lifted his hand to strike down the boy, who had barely enough time to be frightened, but no time to move.
Jake jumped forward from the crowd and yelled, "Brenna raudr der sverd!" With that, Nehori hollared in pain and dropped the sword. The hilt glowed red with heat for a moment, then slowly cooled.
"Demon!" Nehori shrieked, as he coddled his hand. He forgot all about the insolent boy, who quickly disappeared from view, and turned his attention to Jake.
They looked at each other for a moment, fire burning behind Nehori's green eyes. Seeing himself the target of Nehori's wrath, Jake quickly made his exit through the crowd and out of sight. The guards did not pursue him, but stayed close to their prince.
Nehori raised his red and blistered hand in the air for all to see, and shouted, "Let this be a witness to all, of the evil that comes among us with demons and their magic. Zohon will purge itself of such uncleanness, and soon I pray Linester will as well."
One of the guards retrieved the fallen sword and returned it to Nehori's sheath. Nehori whispered to the soldier and then turned north again. There was no more fanfare or waving. In silence Nehori and most of his guard marched through Linester and on towards Zohon. Two guards remained, and began speaking to some of the people on the far side of the road.
When Jake reached home, he found Drew filling a leather bag, and their mother watching silently.
"You've really got yourself into trouble now," Drew said. "Hurry, gather your things."
"What are you doing? I thought that you didn't think we should go?"
"I need to go to West Port, and you can't stay here," Drew said. "Nehori will have soldiers after you in no time. Where is your sword?"
"I'll get it."
"Hurry," Drew ordered.
Jake dashed up to the loft to fetch his things as Lizzy silently came in. She was trembling and pale, and her eyes were wide and blank. As soon as she saw her mother she ran and hugged her.
"It'll be okay," Mama whispered.
Jake bounded back down to the kitchen with his sword and some clothing. Within minutes, the two boys had packed their bags, kissed their mother, and left.
"I love you," she called out. "Take care of each other."
Lizzy hugged her mother's waist and said, "Jake made the prince's sword fall."
"I know," Mama replied.
"How did he do that?"
"I don't know, Lizzy. I don't know."
Shortly after noon, Drew finally took a break from his brisk pace. Jake smiled as Drew sat down on the grass just off the road.
Though he had lost his breath from the swift walking, Jake couldn't stand the silence."How long will it take us to get to South Linester at this pace?" he asked cheerfully.