Book 1 - The Dragon Summoner - 10.2

--- page 1 ---

The

Dragon

Summoner

Book

1

of

8

-

Legends

of

Clal

Series

J.

A.

Holladay

Character

Ideas:

1990s

Role

Playing

Games

(Dragon

Warrior

III

or

Final

Fantasy

III)

Plot

Ideas:

Early

2000s

Major

World

Work

Done:

2014

First

completed:

October

6,

2021

Official

Rewrite:

August

19,

2022

Picked

up

again:

May

26,

2025

Plot

rewrite:

July

14,

2025

Full

rewrite

starting

July

21,

2025

Book

1:

The

Dragon

Summoner

Book

2:

The

Twisted

Peak

Book

3:

Skyland’s

Rising

Book

4:

Sands

of

Illusion

Book

5:

Kingdom

of

the

Tides

Book

6:

Wielders

of

the

Dawn

Book

7:

The

Stone

Seed

Book

8:

Book

of

Legends

1

--- page 2 ---

Prologue

“He’s

one

of

them.”

The

thin

man

spoke

as

he

walked

toward

the

others.

“How

do

you

know?”

The

large

man

cut

in.

“I

watched

him

do

it.”

The

thin

man

spoke

again.

The

large

man

stroked

his

chin.

“Under

our

very

noses

this

whole

time,”

he

said

pounding

his

fist

against

his

palm.

A

third

man

leaned

toward

the

large

man.

“But,

is

it

enough?

Will

he

do

our

bidding?”

The

thin

man

chuckled,

“He’ll

have

to

or,”

the

man

pulled

out

his

dagger

and

tossed

it

up

in

to

the

air

then

catching

it

by

the

hilt,

“it

might…get…complicated.”

“For

him,”

the

large

man

spoke,

“not

for

us.”

He

shifted

his

weight,

“because,

this

is

easy

and

he

is

weak.”

A

fourth

man,

with

a

raspy

voice,

spoke

next,

“Or

is

he

weak?

And

is

it

wise

to

assume

his

limitations

are…”

The

large

man

raised

a

fist,

“Not

now.”

The

fourth

man

tensed

his

jaw

and

folded

his

arms

slowly,

eyes

aflame.

“Then,

this

is

it.

This

was

all

we

needed.”

The

large

man

spoke.

He

spun

around.

“It’s

time.”

The

large

man

boomed.

“And…him?

When

do

we

tell…him?”

The

thin

man

spoke.

The

large

man

squinted,

then

turned

to

the

thin

man

“Go

to

the

place

of

the

7

stones

and

inform

him

of

the

finding.

Then

meet

us

in

Reubus

no

later

than

a

day

and

a

half

from

tonight.”

The

thin

man

nodded,

ran

toward

the

darkness,

then

disappeared.

“I

couldn’t

have

planned

this

better

if

I

had

had

all

the

magic

in

Illia.”

The

large

man

said

with

a

slight

smile.

“True.”

The

fourth

man

spoke,

“And,

if

our

plan

succeeds,

that’s

exactly

what

you’ll

have.”

2

--- page 3 ---

Chapter

1:

An

Old

Friend

Clal

burst

through

the

cottage

doorway

carrying

two

large

satchels

over

his

broad

shoulders.

He

threw

them

into

the

cart

loaded

with

barrels,

paused,

then

closed

his

eyes.

He

listened

to

the

breeze

move

through

the

nearby

forest.

It

sounded

like

the

ocean

waves

he

knew

so

well.

He

smiled.

“Yes,”

he

whispered

to

himself

and

nodded.

He

waited

another

moment

then

spun

around.

Tipoeing

past

the

open

doorway

he

broke

into

a

a

sprint

in

the

direction

of

a

patch

of

trees

against

the

mountain

side.

He

weaved

his

way

through,

what

seemed

like,

a

wayward

band

of

aspen

trees

that

has

strayed

from

the

rest

of

the

forest.

Alas,

arriving

at

bank

of

a

small

stream

at

the

base

of

a

mountain.

“Hello

there

Ole’

Crescent

Keep.

Sorry

to

keep

you

waiting.”

He

gave

the

a

boulder

jutting

out

of

the

mountain

dirt

a

hearty

pat.

“It’s

just

that

I

won’t

be

back

for

quite

some

time

and

there

has

been

a

lot

to

manage

lately.”

Clal

looked

up

shielded

his

eyes

from

the

morning

sun.

He

smiled,

then

found

his

footing

on

a

well

worn

path

that

paralleled

the

waterfall

riddled

stream

which

danced

it’s

way

down

the

mountain

side.

This

is

the

path

that

would

lead

him

up

and

over,

then

down

the

other

side

where

the

sand

is

white

and

the

ocean

waves

know

his

name.

He

bounded

up

the

mountain

side

and

stopped

once

he

reached

the

top.

He

looked

down

at

what

was

now

a

miniature

version

of

the

cottage

and

cart

squinting

his

eyes.

Seeing

no

movement

there

Clal

turned

to

the

endless

span

of

blue

and

ran

down

the

path

that

led

to

the

sea.

Gravity

got

the

best

of

him

as

he

ran

and

soon

he

was

taking

great

strides

to

keep

from

tumbling

over.

Narrowly

missing

one

of

the

last

forest

trees,

Clal

lept

onto

the

white

sandy

shore

and

ran

into

the

reaches

of

an

oncoming

wave.

It

was

a

small

wave

at

that

which

only

barely

came

up

to

the

middle

of

his

calf

muscles.

He

rolled

up

his

pant

legs,

took

out

a

small

leather

pouch

and

started

to

pluck

small

pebbles

from

beneath

the

surface

of

the

wet

sand.

He

crouched

down

and

toyed

with

a

sea

crab

for

a

moment

until

he

heard

a

familiar

voice.

“Clal?

Clal,

it’s

time!”

the

voice

of

his

sister

came

trailing

over

Crescent

Keep

Mountain

and

had

found

him,

as

it

always

does.

“Time.”

He

whispered

to

himself

shaking

his

head.

He

leaned

over,

confiscating

three

small

pebbles

from

the

white

sand.

He

poked

them

into

his

bulging

pouch.

He

looked

at

the

sun

and

squinted,

“Time?

A

thief

in

the

night…”

He

threw

his

pouch

up

in

front

of

his

face

then

caught

it.

“…but

this

time,

I’ve

got

the

upper

hand.”

Clal

turned

to

the

sea

waves,

“Farewell

old

friends.

Not

sure

when

we’ll

meet

next.

May

it

be

sooner

than

late.

That’d

be

my

wish.”

Clal

shoved

his

pouch

into

his

pocket

then

ran

up

the

mountain

path

straight

to

the

very

top.

3

--- page 4 ---

Just

as

he

was

about

to

descend

the

other

side,

he

heard

a

loud

crack

and

a

rustle

of

leaves

to

his

left.

Clal

froze

and

looked

out

of

the

corner

of

his

eyes.

“Young

lad.

Stop

right

there.”

A

high

pitched

voice

called

out.

“Why

are

you

in

my

woods?”

“Er…uh…”

Clal

turned

toward

the

voice.

“Well,

because

I

live

in

the

valley

down

their.

I…”

“You

dare

to

cross

these

borders

and

run

among

my

trees

with

no

thought

of

who

is

the

keeper

of

this

forest?”

The

voice

continued.

“Well,

I

never

really

thought

of

it…”

“I

hereby

banish

you

to

the

apple

cart,”

the

voice

commanded,

“which

is

leaving,

even

as

we

speak.

I

sentence

you

to

an

indefinate

span

of

months,

or

years

as

apprentice

to

the

blacksmith

of

a

distant

city.

And

this,

because

of

outrageous

impertinence

and

disrespectful

trespassing

in

my

forest

disturbing

it’s

most

joyous

tranquilities

and

delights.”

The

voice

stopped.

Clal

shook

his

head

as

a

smile

graced

his

countence.

“And

you

shall

be

under

the

custody

of

your

sister,

Ansa,

after

which

you

will

serve

her

endlessly

until

arriving

to

your

apprenticship

destination.”

Clal

leaned

over

toward

the

voice

then

whispered,

“I

bet

I

can

beat

you

there,

oh

fair

and

noble

mistress

of

the

forest

abode.”

He

turned

and

darted

down

the

side

of

Crescent

Keep.

“Now,

really,

Clal,

without

any

warning?”

Ansa

called

after

him

as

she

burst

through

a

cluster

of

bushes

and

ran

after

him.

Despite

her

more

practical

nature,

there

was

a

bond

of

shared

mischief

between

them

that

no

amount

of

seriousness

could

ever

dim.

Clal

reached

the

front

of

the

cottage

first—a

sturdy,

stone-built

home

with

a

thatched

roof

and

ivy

creeping

up

the

walls.

Ansa

collided

into

him

moments

later

which

caused

a

fit

of

laughter.

A

burly

man

with

a

grizzled

beard

and

thin

woman

carrying

two

small

wooden

boxes

exited

the

cottage

and

walked

over

to

Clal

and

Ansa.

“This

year,

Willa

and

I

will

be

staying

behind

seeing

as

Turl,

Gree,

and

Mina

can

manage

without

us.”

Goran

announced

looking

at

Willa

beside

him.

“The

yearly

Advantis

celebrations

will

be

like

any

other

year,

a

marvel

I’m

certain,

except

for

the

two

of

you

and

the

starting

of

your

apprenticeships.”

“Thank

you,

Uncle

Goran,

for

working

that

out

for

us.

We

are

so

very

grateful.”

Ansa

said

putting

her

hand

on

his

shoulder.

“These

are

for

you,”

Willa

stepped

forward,

her

voice

shaking,

“Things

from

your

parents

we’ve

kept

safe

all

these

long

years.”

4

--- page 5 ---

Both

boxes

were

adorned

with

carvings

of

mythical

creatures

and

intertwined

ivy.

“You

should

wait

to

open

these

until

you’re

further

along

in

your

journey.”

Willa

added

looking

at

Goran.

“We

don’t

know

what’s

inside,

but

we

know

that

there

is

something

important

there

for

the

both

of

you.”

Her

voice

almost

whispered

the

last

of

it.

“They’ll

guide

you

in

ways

we

cannot.”

Goran

smiled.

“Stay

true

to

yourselves.

Though,

I

haven’t

any

doubts.

They

say

you

can’t

separate

twins

no

matter

how

far

apart

they

may

wander”

Ansa

and

Clal

exchanged

glances,

a

mix

of

curiosity

and

reverence

passing

between

them

as

they

held

the

wooden

boxes,

Ansa

hugging

her

box

to

her

chest.

Clal

looked

up

into

the

eyes

of

the

only

parents

they’ve

ever

known.

“We’ll

miss

you

both.”

Ansa

said

wiping

her

nose

and

sniffling.

“We’ll

be

sure

to

come

back

and

share

many

stories.”

Clal

smiled.

Then,

the

twins

embraced

their

aunt

and

uncle,

feeling

the

weight

and

wonder

of

what

would

surely

lie

ahead.

They

turned

to

the

cart,

a

sturdy

wooden

vehicle

hitched

to

two

strong

horses,

waved,

both

still

holding

their

wooden

boxes.

“Are

we

set?”

Turl,

the

oldest

of

Goran

and

Willa’s

three

children

said.

Clal

nodded.

“Gree.

Mina.

Hold

tight.

We’re

on

our

way.”

Turl

announced.

He

cracked

the

reigns

and

urged

the

horses

forward.

Gree,

was

sitting

on

the

outside

while

Mina

sat

between

him

and

Turl.

They

were

seated

at

the

bench

and

Clal

and

Ansa

were

in

the

back

of

the

cart.

The

two

youngest,

Gree

and

Mina,

could

barely

contain

their

excitement.

As

the

cart

rolled

away,

the

twins

glanced

back

at

the

cottage.

The

familiar

sight

of

their

home

grew

smaller.

The

time

to

leave

and

move

on

for

them

had

come,

as

it

were,

in

a

single

day.

And

now,

Clal

felt

as

if

he

was

being

swept

away

from

a

life

he

had

once

grown

to

love

so

much.

The

new

path

ahead

was

unknown,

but

Clal

faced

it

with

a

sense

of

adventure,

as

with

all

new

things.

Clal

tucked

away

the

cherished

gift

from

the

parents

he

had

neither

seen

before

or

knew

whether

they

live

now.

Then

he

looked

back

at

the

cottage

now

far

down

the

dirt

road

that

cut

through

the

thick

forest.

Ansa

looked

up

at

Clal

and

reached

out

to

put

her

hand

on

his.

As

they

turned

a

corner,

their

home

vanished

from

view,

leaving

behind

a

landscape

filled

with

tall

aspen

trees

and

a

world

of

possibilities,

the

unspoken

promise

of

a

journey

that

now

awaited

them.

As

the

cart

rattled

along

the

path,

the

countryside

unfurled

around

them—forests

of

white

aspen

bark

and

tall

pine,

fields

of

golden

wheat

swaying

in

the

breeze,

clusters

of

wildflowers

dotting

5

--- page 6 ---

the

roadside.

Clal

kept

his

eyes

on

the

road

passing

under

their

dangling

feet,

but

he

couldn't

help

but

wonder

what

was

in

his

wooden

box.

Ansa

leaned

toward

Clal

and

whispered.

“I’ve

been

thinking,

Clal,”

she

wrapped

her

arm

around

Clal’s,

“what

if

Gwynn

doesn’t

like

the

way

I

sew?

Or,

what

if

I

talk

too

much?

And,

what

if...”

“What

if

you

absolutely

amaze

her

with

how

fast

you

learn.”

Clal

said,

“What

if

she

adores

you

before

the

first

week

is

over.”

Clal

winked,

paused,

then

leaned

forward

whispering.

“What

if

after

a

month

she

says,

‘How

ever

did

I

get

along

without

my

Ansa?’”

Clal

laughed.

Ansa

scowled

then

shrugged

Clal

with

her

shoulder.

“You

make

fun,

Clal.”

Clal

chuckled,

“I

do

not.

Everything

I

just

said

will

come

true

and

you

know

it.”

Ansa

allowed

a

slight

smile

to

grace

her

lips.

“You

really

think

so?”

Clal

nodded

then

plucked

a

leaf

from

a

nearby

tree

passing

by

and

blowing

it

from

his

palm

in

Ansa’s

direction,

then

smiled.

“I’m

sure

you’ll

quickly

be

a

favorite

among

the

blacksmith’s

customers.”

Ansa

smiled.

“Is

it

true

that

Talon

is

the

very

best

blacksmith

in

all

of

Illia?”

“Yes.”

Clal’s

tone

become

more

subdued.

The

pit

in

his

stomach

returned

as

he

thought

about

his

new

path.

He

looked

down

at

his

hands

and

wondered

if

he

was

strong

enough

and

how

hard

it

would

really

be.

He

looked

up

into

the

forest

moving

by

and

squinted

balling

his

fist

and

setting

it

on

the

wall

of

the

cart.

Ansa

put

her

hand

on

his

shoulder.

“I

know

it’s

all

new

and

we

don’t

know

how

things

will

fair,

but

I

believe

in

you

too

Clal.”

Clal

placed

his

hand

on

hers

without

looking

and

squeezed

her

fingers.

“Thanks

sis.”

Clal

had

always

wanted

to

be

part

of

adventures

in

one

way

or

another.

Now,

he

would

be

forging

swords,

axes,

all

kinds

of

weapons

for

the

castle

men

and

others

who

wish

to

pay

the

high

price

that

Tallon

exacted

for

his

wares.

It

was

as

if

Clal’s

very

childhood

dreams

were

being

realized

and

he

almost

couldn’t

wait

the

day

and

a

half

to

get

there.

Clal

and

Ansa

remained

silent

for

a

long

time,

their

bodies

moving

with

the

sway

of

the

cart

as

it

jostled

over

uneven

ground.

The

aspen

trees

waved

at

them

as

they

traveled

through

the

forest.

The

autumn

breeze

carried

with

it

the

scent

of

vegetation

in

full

bloom.

The

forest

was

bustling

with

the

sounds

of

nature;

crickets,

birds,

and

the

wind

in

the

leaves.

Clal

was

abruptly

shaken

from

his

daze

thinking

about

future

days

ahead.

He

just

realized

that

this

was

where

they

usually

turned

into

the

woods

from

the

road

when

visiting

Clal’s

friend,

Ruth.

“Ansa,

this

must

be

the

place

where...”

Clal

and

peered

into

the

forest,

“Wait.”

He

stood

up,

almost

losing

his

balance

as

the

cart

rolled

over

the

uneven

road.

He

walked

to

the

side

of

the

cart

then

gasped.

“Hey!

Hey!”

he

yelled,

waving.

“Ansa,

look.”

Ansa

sat

up,

“Rythe.

Yes.”

She

jumped

up

to

her

feet,

“Turl,

stop

the

cart.

We

have

a

new

visitor.

It’s

Rythe.”

In

the

distance

a

young

lad

with

dark

brown

hair

and

a

pack

on

his

side

was

bobbing

up

and

down

waving

his

arms,

his

voice

barely

audible.

Then

faintly

they

all

heard

Rythe

calling

out,

“Clal!

Clal!”

Turl

stopped

the

cart

and

they

waited

for

Rythe

to

arrive.

Rythe’s

figure

shot

from

the

forest

to

the

road

where

Rythe

failed

to

communicate

any

words

as

he

gasped

in

great

gulps

of

air.

He

leaned

against

the

cart

for

a

span

then

began.

“Clal,

Ansa,

how

fortunate

I

am

to

have

caught

you.”

He

gasped

another

gulp

of

air

with

one

hand

on

the

cart

and

the

other

on

his

chest.

“Turl,

thank

you

for

stopping,

by

the

way.”

Rythe

smiled.

6

--- page 7 ---

Turl

smiled

back.

One

of

the

horses

whinnied.

“Don’t

suppose

you

have

room

for

another

passenger,

do

you?”

“I

don’t

see

why

not.”

Clal

said.

“We’re

stopping

at

Eldan

Vyum.”

Rythe

walked

over

to

Turl.

“Mind

if

I

ride

along?”

“Not

at

all,

Rythe.

You’re

practically

one

of

the

family,

or

at

least

it

seemed

in

times

past.”

Turl

smiled

and

pointed

with

his

thumb

for

Rythe

to

climb

on.

“Hello

Gree,

Mina.”

Rythe

said

as

he

ran

to

the

back

of

the

cart

and

climbed

in

as

Clal

helped

him

up.”

“Thank

you.”

Rythe

said,

tossing

his

pack

onto

the

cart

sitting

beside

Clal.

Clal

clapped

Rythe

on

the

back.

“I

wasn’t

sure

when

I’d

ever

see

you

again.”

Clal

smiled,

“It’s

been...”

“...too

long,

friend.”

Rythe

said

with

a

smile.

“What’s

the

news

with

you

two?”

he

said,

settling

back

against

his

pack,

folding

his

arms

and

stretching

his

crossed

legs

out.

“You’re

heading

in

to

market

to

sell

apples

like

every

other

year?”

“We

are

going

to

Eldan

Vyum

for

six

months

to

learn

a

new

trade,”

Clal

started.

“I’ve

been

invited

as

an

apprentice

to

a

blacksmith

that

my

father

knew.”

“That’s

a

high

honor,

Clal.”

Rythe

said

with

raised

eyebrows.

Clal

nodded,

“To

think,

making

swords

and

armor

for

the

finest

men

who

walk

this

land.”

“Nails

and

locks,

furniture

and

horseshoes

too.”

Rythe

added.

“It’s

an

important

job.”

Rythe

turned

to

Ansa,

“And

you,

Ansa?

What

lies

in

store

for

you

in

Eldan

Vyum?”

She

hesitated,

“Well,

mending

and

sewing

clothes.”

She

smiled

only

slightly.

“That’s

it,

just

a

clothes

shop.”

“I

see,”

Rythe

said

hesitating,

“...which...”

he

leaned

forward,

“...means

that

you’ll

be

crafting

enchanting

dresses

for

royal

ladies

while

Clal

is

pounding

out

iron

swords

for

epic

battles.”

He

smiled

a

wide

smile.

“Who

could

ask

for

a

more

exciting

way

to

end

the

year?”

Clal

had

never

thought

of

their

apprenticeships

in

quite

that

way.

It

was

just

what

Ansa

had

needed

and

Rythe’s

presentation

of

their

future

appointed

stations

even

brightened

Clal’s

spirits.

“It

sounds

like

you

two

are

off

to

new

adventures.”

Rythe

concluded.

“Which

blacksmith

are

you

going

to

work

with?”

Rythe

leaned

closer

to

Clal.

“I

think

there

are

three

in

the

city.”

“Yes,”

Ansa

agreed.

“Perhaps

we

are

after

all.”

She

smiled.

“Talon.”

Clal

said.

“The

one

that

is

contracted

with

the

King.”

Rythe’s

demeanor

immediately

changed.

He’s

heard

that

name

before.

Rythe

looked

down

for

a

moment

then

recomposed

himself

with

a

inhale

and

a

smile.

“Rythe?

What

brings

you

to

Eldan

Vyum?”

Clal

said,

head

cocked

with

squinted

eyes.

“The

Adventus

and

the

Examinations,”

Rythe

said,

“I

turned

seventeen

three

and

a

half

months

ago.”

“I

remember

the

year

Turl

went,”

Ansa

said,

“he

had

some

interesting

stories

to

tell

when

he

came

home.”

“It’s

a

tradition

that’s

been

around

since

before

the

oldest

man’s

great

grandfather's

time.”

Rythe

said,

“Some

say

no

one

knows

when

it

all

began.

But

I

hear

that

every

year

they

rehearse

the

reason

why

and

conduct

an

examination

because

of

it.”

As

Rythe

was

speaking

he

also

continued

to

think

about

Turl,

the

blacksmith.

Something

was

formulating

in

his

mind.

“What

kind

of

examination?”

Ansa

said.

“To

see

if

one

of

the

sons

of

Illia

is

the

chosen

one,”Rythe

said.

“The

chosen

one?”

Clal

said.

“For

what?”

“Well,

some

believe

that

the

evil

in

Illia

will

reach

a

tipping

point,

that

a

hero

will

need

to

lead

the

people

to

overthrow

an

ensuing

threat.”

“And

what

do

they

do

to

examine

you?

Turl

never

talked

much

about

it.”

Ansa

said.

“How

could

someone

possibly

find

out

who

the

chosen

one

is?”

Clal

said,

puzzled.

“How

would

that

work?”

7

--- page 8 ---

“That

too

I

don’t

know

much

about.

I’ll

surely

find

that

out

soon

enough,”

Rythe

smiled.

“Well,

tomorrow,

to

be

exact.”

Rythe’s

demeanor

changed

again.

Rythe

began

to

feel

overshadowed.

A

memory

kept

haunting

him

as

he

thought

about

the

blacksmith

once

again.

They

were

silent

for

a

time,

Clal

was

still

trying

to

solve

the

riddle

of

how

the

chosen

one

was

to

be

discovered.

His

thoughts

turned

to

Rythe

and

how

they

used

to

meet

up

and

spend

so

much

time

together.

Then

Clal

turned

to

Rythe

and

said,

“It’s

been

almost

two

years

since

we’ve

spoken.

Tell

us,”

Clal

smiled,

“where

have

you

been?

We

used

to

gallivant

all

over

the

countryside

together.”

“Right.”

Rythe

said

quietly.

Smile

now

gone.

“We

did.”

Ansa

was

also

watching

Rythe.

She

wondered

if

he

was

hurt

by

the

look

on

his

face.

“Rythe?

What’s

wrong?

Are

you

feeling

okay?”

She

placed

her

hand

on

his

arm.

Rythe

looked

up

at

her.

“No.

I,

mean,

sure.

I’m

fine.”

He

said.

Rythe

looked

down

at

his

hands

as

he

picked

at

his

fingernails

for

a

moment.

Then,

he

breathed

in

and

sighed,

“I’ve

been...around,”

he

said,

“just

staying

closer

to

home.”

“Clal,

I

meant

to

stop

by

a

while

back.”

Rythe

said

continuing

to

look

at

his

hands

then

brushing

one

hand

through

his

curly

brown

locks.

“I’ve

taken

trips

to

the

sea

and

have

visited

the

Eastern

shores

too.”

He

looked

up

at

the

sky

and

squinted,

“And...there

was

a

visit

from

my

aunt,

hunting

season,

we

cleared

another

section

of

our

land

for

farming.

That

was

a

chore.”

Rythe

was

struggling

to

come

up

with

something

interesting.

“Rythe,”

Clal

said,

“you

don’t

sound

like

yourself.

I

don’t

know

what

it

is

but

you’ve

changed.

What’s

going

on?”

Rythe’s

face

turned

pale

for

a

moment.

He

started

to

shake

his

head

slowly.

He

looked

up

at

Clal

then

to

Ansa.

His

gaze

turned

to

the

open

valley

they

were

passing

through,

sun

rays

poking

through

clouds

that

were

scattered

across

the

blue

sky.

Then

his

head

froze

as

he

looked

in

the

direction

of

the

north.

Clal

knew

that

his

friend

was

troubled.

“Rythe?”

Ansa

said

finally

breaking

the

silence.

Rythe

jumped

then

looked

at

Clal

and

Ansa

again.

“Okay.

Okay.

I

will

tell

you.”

He

adjusted

himself

in

the

cart,

shifting

his

weight

and

leaning

forward.

They

all

followed

his

lead

and

huddled

together.

“I

will

only

tell

you

because

you

ask,”

Rythe

began

to

say

slowly,

“and

only

because

I

know

you

will

keep

what

I’m

about

to

tell

you…”

Rythe

leaned

even

closer,

“…with

utmost

secrecy.”

Clal

and

Ansa

both

looked

at

each

other

then

back

at

Rythe

and

whispered

in

unison,

“We’ll

keep

it

secret.”

“Good.

Okay.”

Rythe

breathed

a

long

breath

in

and

a

long

breath

out.

Then

turned

to

Clal.

“Yes,

Clal,

you

are

right,”

Rythe

continued,

“I

have

stayed

away

these

past

several

months.

I’ve

been

hiding.

I’ve

become

a

recluse

of

sorts.”

“Hiding?

Why

have

you…”

Clal’s

voice

faded

away

as

Ansa

gently

touched

his

arm.

“And

for

that,

I

am

truly

sorry.”

Rythe

said,

tightening

his

lips.

“For

the

missed

adventures

we

could

have

had.”

Rythe

paused

and

shook

his

head,

then

leaned

in

closer,

“Earlier

this

year

I

took

a

trip

to

the

North.”

He

was

struggling

to

say

the

words

as

if

his

mouth

didn’t

work

right.

Rythe

pointed

north.

“It

was

just

me,

through

the

woods,

though

I

took

the

plain

road

most

of

the

way.

Mother

and

I

had

agreed

that

we

needed

a

new

ox

to

pull

the

plow.

Migg

was

getting

too

old

and

wouldn’t

be

useful

to

us

for

next

year’s

farm

work.”

The

distant

look

in

Rythe’s

eyes

returned

as

he

looked

out

into

the

woods

gathering

his

thoughts.

Rythe

jumped

slightly

then

squinting

his

eyes,

looking

like

he

was

in

a

sudden

fit

of

pain,

but

that

disappeared

as

quickly

as

he

had

started.

8

--- page 9 ---

“It

was

on

the

second

day,

just

a

half

a

day’s

walk,

that

I

was

walking

along

the

road

in

plain

sight.

I

had

just

passed

an

apple

tree

and

had

plucked

from

its

branches

one

of

the

biggest

apples

I

had

ever

seen.

I

thought

of

you

right

then,

Clal,

I

want

you

to

know.”

Rythe

chuckled.

“No

apple

could

taste

as

good

as

yours,

you

know.”

His

smile

faded

away.

“I

was

eating

that

apple,

walking

down

the

wide

road

when

I

heard

thundering

behind

me.

Normally,

I

would

watch

whomever

was

on

horseback,

move

out

of

their

way,

then

continue

on

my

way.

But

not

this

time.”

Rythe

shook

his

head,

“No,

this

time

I

felt

a

fear

that

I

had

never

felt

before.

The

moment

I

heard

their

horse’s

thundering

hooves,

I

knew

that

some

great

darkness

was

upon

me

and

it

was

approaching

fast.”

Ansa

slid

closer

to

Clal

and

clutched

his

arm.

“And,

so

I

immediately

hid

as

fast

as

I

could,”

Rythe’s

voice

got

quieter,

“behind

some

nearby

bushes.

In

the

process

I

dropped

my

apple.

I

had

only

taken

a

few

bites.”

“They

appeared

in

the

distance

almost

as

soon

as

I

left

the

road.

I

watched

them

approach

and

thought

that

I

could

endure

their

passing

and

be

on

my

way.

But

to

my

great

alarm,”

Rythe

paused,

“the

large

rider

in

front

silently

lifted

his

fist

in

the

air

and

the

riders

slowed

and

stopped

right

in

front

of

where

I

had

found

cover.”

“There

were

three

riders

in

dark

clothing.

Two

of

them

dismounted.

I

froze,

barely

breathing.”

Rythe

paused.

“It

was

hard

to

take

it

all

in

really.”

Rythe

continued.

“Just

moments

ago

I

had

been

enjoying

my

apple,

walking

along

the

road,

thinking

about

some

of

the

best

things

in

life.

Truly

wondering

what

this

new

ox

would

even

look

like.

I’m

kind

of

fond

of

animals,

well,

most

animals.”

Rythe’s

voice

spoke

the

following

words

even

softer.

"But

now,

I

feared

for

my

safety,

my

future,

my

very

life,

but

not

understanding

why.”

By

this

time

Ansa

seemed

to

have

melted

into

Clal.

She

realized,

however,

that

she

was

acting

less

like

a

sixteen

year

old

woman

and

more

like

a

juvenile

girl.

And

so,

she

straightened

up

her

back

and

smiled

slightly

even

though

her

muscles

were

tense

and

she

would

be

content

not

to

hear

how

Ryth’s

story

would

end.

“They

were

all

searching

the

surroundings”

Rythe

continued,

“looking

here

and

there,

like

the

skill

of

a

hunter,

I

recognized

it.

The

rider

who

seemed

to

be

the

leader,

the

largest

one,

was

standing

closest

to

me.

He

searched

the

ground,

spotted

my

apple,

then

picked

it

up.”

“‘What

is

it?

Must

we

delay?’

one

of

the

riders

still

on

their

horses

said.”

“‘Quiet,’

said

the

leader.

‘There’s

someone

here...and

they

think

to

hide

from

us.’”

Rythe

stopped

speaking

as

his

head

slowly

shook

back

and

forth.

He

looked

deep

into

Clal’s

eyes

then

into

Ansa’s.

“No…these

men

were

no

ordinary

men.”

He

continued

to

shake

his

head.

“I

wanted

to

crawl

into

a

hole,

disappear.

The

feeling

that

I

felt

while

in

their

presence

forced

the

most

terrible

thoughts

into

my

mind

and

heart.”

“Then

the

large

one

spoke

again.

‘See

here,’

he

said,

pointing

to

the

ground.

‘These

tracks

are

fresh.

And

this

apple

here,

not

five

minutes

ago

it

was

plucked

from

that

tree

over

there.

A

few

bites

and

abandoned

on

account

of

our

arrival.’”

“‘A

pity,’

another

rider

said.

‘It

looks

like

a

good

one.’”

“Then

the

leader

took

the

apple

in

his

massive

hand

and

crushed

it

in

his

grasp.

He

looked

in

my

direction

and

started

to

inch

his

way

toward

me

with

the

other

one

close

behind.

The

third

one

on

horse

back

dismounted.”

Rythe’s

face

became

pale.

Drops

of

sweat

were

beginning

to

form

on

his

forehead.

Ansa

noticed

this

and

felt

a

rush

of

sadness

pass

over

her.

“I

wondered

why

three

men

would

pay

attention

to

and

even

torment

one

who

was

alone

almost

in

the

dark

of

night

in

the

middle

of

the

forest.”

Rythe

clenched

his

fist,

head

shaking

faster

now

as

9

--- page 10 ---

he

hit

his

palm

with

his

fist.

“I

soon

found

out

the

answer

to

the

riddle.”

Rythe

was

talking

faster

now.

“They

had

come

behind

and

were

headed

north

also

and

had

seen

my

tracks

for

miles,

I

was

sure

of

that.

And

when

the

tracks

left

the

road,

I’m

guessing

it

was

only

because

I

heard

them

and

could

not

be

far,

they

probably

guessed.”

“‘We

know

you

are

here,’

the

large

one

said,

‘and

we

would

have

you

show

yourself.’”

“The

other

dismounted

rider

walked

over

to

a

rider

on

horseback

and

whispered

something

to

him.

The

other

two

now

striding

next

to

the

leader

and

I

found

no

comfort

in

staying

hidden

any

longer.”

Rythe

looked

up

at

them

with

a

stone

look

on

his

face.

“There

was

no

use.”

He

said

with

an

empty

and

distant

voice.

“And

so

I

did

what

I

thought

would

be

the

only

reasonable

option

if

I

wanted

to

save

my

skin,”

Rythe

leaned

back

and

threw

his

hands

up

in

the

air,

“I

leapt

out

of

my

hiding

place

and

ran.”

“I

jumped

over

bushes

and

darted

past

trees.

Clal,

you

know

how

fast

I

am?!”

Rythe

added.

“But

it

wasn’t

fast

enough.

I

figured

they

wanted

money

or

information,

but

I

didn’t

know

exactly.”

Rythe’s

said,

“I

didn’t

have

either

and,

you

know

me,

I

wasn’t

about

to

give

them

anything,

those

sniveling

thieves.”

“I

must

have

only

taken

ten

strides

when

I

was

hit

from

behind

and

tackled

to

the

ground

by

one

of

them.

It

was

like

he

had

jumped

from

a

tree

the

way

he

collided

into

me.”

Rythe

looked

up

remembering

the

details,

“He

wasn’t

behind

me,

it

was

as

if

he

had

been

in

front

of

me,

but

that’s

not

possible.”

Clal

looked

at

Ansa

then

back

at

Rythe.

”It

was

one

of

them

on

pinning

me

to

the

ground

while

the

other

two

ran

to

where

I

was

being

held.”

“Why

are

you

telling

us

this,

Rythe?”

Ansa

said,

shaking,

“This

isn’t

one

of

your

tall

tales?”

“No.

Sadly,

it

is

not,

though

I

wish

it

were.”

Rythe

had

that

distant

look

in

his

eyes

again.

He

looked

at

Clal

and

Ansa

then

said,

“I

tell

you

this

because

this

is

a

riddle

half

solved,

and

of

all

of

the

people

I

know,

you

two

are

fit

to

help

me

solve

it.”

Rythe

sighed,

“I

never

intended

to

tell

a

soul.

But

you

asked

why

I

have

not

been

around,

and

I

feel

you

ought

to

hear

the

truth,

especially

since

you

mentioned

Talon.”

“Talon?”

Clal

said.

“Was

he

there?”

“No.”

Rythe

said,

“I’ll

get

to

that

part.”

Rythe

leaned

back

close

to

the

twins,

“With

three

of

the

men

pressing

in

I

couldn’t

think

of

anything

to

do

so

I

said,

‘Hello

friends.

It’s

a

beautiful

night.

Care

to

join

me

in

a

stroll?’”

“I

should

have

kept

quiet

because

I

was

shoved

to

the

ground

with

an

incredible

force.

But,

I

continued,

‘Now

really,

this

is

no

way

to

treat

a

complete

stranger,

or

anyone

for

that

matter.

The

name’s

Riggin.

How

can

I

be

of

service?’

That

didn’t

work

either.

It

just

made

things

worse

when

I

found

a

new

pain

in

my

ribs.”

“‘All

we

want

to

do

is

ask

you

a

few

questions...’

the

large

one

said’”

“‘...and

that

shiny

dagger

dangling

from

your

side,

I’d

like

that

too,’

another

one

said”

“‘...then

we’ll

leave

you

to

your

journey,’

the

large

one

said.”

“‘No,’

I

said.”

“You

told

them

no?”

Ansa

said.

“Yes.”

Rythe

folded

his

arms

and

nodded.

"I

wasn’t

about

to

let

them

take

anything

from

me

without

a

fight.”

“But

they

could

have

killed

you.”

Clal

said.

Rythe

paused

and

looked

into

Clal’s

eyes,

“I

felt

something

strange,

right

at

that

moment,

something

that

gave

me

the

strength

to

know

that

what

I

wanted

to

do

would

work

out

some

how.”

“‘No,’

I

said,

‘you

can’t

have

anything.

I’ll

be

answering

no

questions...and

this

dagger

was

left

to

me

by

my

father.

It

means

a

great

deal

to

me.’

Then

I

pulled

away

from

the

rider

who

was

10

--- page 11 ---

holding

me

and

yelled,

‘Why

would

you

chase

me

and

hurt

me

when

I

did

nothing

to

you?!

Cowards

prey

on

the

innocent.

There

are

three

of

you

and

one

of

me...’

I

said”

“I

was

shoved

again

but

that

time

I

shoved

back.

Then,

they

closed

in

on

me

inching

forward

like

before.”

“‘This

young

lad

here,

he

thinks

he’s

brave.’

The

leader

said,

then

continued,

‘First

I

thought

to

find

some

sport,

but

here

we’ve

found

the

budding

hero

of

Illia.’

He

laughed

a

cruel

and

wicked

laugh.

’It’s

clear

to

me

what

we

should

do

with

one

who

thinks

to

grow

so

brave.’”

“‘Do

you

not

know

with

whom

you

are

in

the

presence

of?’

the

one

holding

me

hissed.”

“‘Yes,’

I

said,

‘I

do’.

I

felt

as

if

these

were

men

whose

hearts

were

truly

black,

and

so

I

said

these

words

to

them.”

Clal

and

Ansa

leaned

in.

“‘You

were

men

who

were

once

noble

and

great,

but

who

embraced

the

evils

of

this

world

and

now

are

servants

to

it,’

then

I

added,

‘slaves,

you

are.’”

Rythe

chuckled,

“Then

I

spat

in

the

face

of

their

leader.”

“Rythe,

that

doesn’t

sound

like

you?”

Clal

said.

“Clal,

I

felt

something

there,

like

I

was

bigger

than

myself

somehow.”

Rythe

smiled

then

shivered

slightly,

“It

was

exciting

and

frightening

all

at

once.”

“Immediately

one

of

them

said,

‘Strike

him

down.’

The

rider

holding

me

released

his

grip,

stood

and

drew

his

sword

all

in

one

movement

then

thrust

it

towards

me.”

Rythe

leaned

in

again

and

the

twins

did

too.

“And

here’s

what

happened

next.”

“I

hadn’t

noticed

but

we

were

on

the

banks

of

a

river,

just

a

few

feet

away

from

the

water.

At

that

moment

the

river

began

to

glow,

a

light

deep

beneath

the

surface

started

growing

brighter

and

brighter,

though

the

river

was

shallow.

The

light

eventually

illuminating

the

entire

forest,

like

it

was

day.”

Rythe’s

smile

had

returned.

“The

three

riders

paused,

stunned

by

the

phenomenon.”

“‘Renthar,’

my

attacker,

yelled

out,

‘what

is

this?’”

“‘I...uh...’”

Renthar

said,

then

looked

at

the

third

rider,

“‘Imforo!’

He

said,

‘Lower

your

sword.’”

“I

ran

towards

the

water.

I

was

surprised

that

the

men

didn’t

follow.

I

felt

free

from

their

evil

intentions

for

a

moment.”

“‘It

seems

as

if

we’ve

mettled

with

the

wrong

lad

tonight.’

Renthar

said”

“Then,

they

slowly

walked

toward

their

steads,

all

three

of

them

keeping

their

eyes

fixed

in

the

direction

of

the

light.

They

mounted,

cracked

their

reins

and

disappeared

into

the

forest

shadows.”

Rythe

said.

“When

they

had

gone,

I

waited

and

watched

the

light

within

the

river

begin

to

fade.”

Rythe’s

voice

was

quiet.

“I

knelt

down

on

that

river

bank

and

spoke

to

the

kind

water

that

had

saved

me

in

that

moment.

My

tears

were

flowing

freely

as

I

had

at

one

moment

staring

into

death’s

face,

and

at

the

next

moment,

had

been

wrapped

in

the

most

exquisit

feelings

of

safety

and

peace.”

“‘Thank

you,’

I

said,

kneeling

down

close

to

the

water’s

surface.

’I

will

repay

you

somehow,

someday.

Thank

you.’”

“I

ran

all

night.

And

though

I

knew

somehow

the

keeper

of

the

light

in

the

river

was

still

with

me,

I

wrestled

with

the

fear

of

the

encounter.”

Rythe

shook

his

head.

“I

didn’t

continue

north

but

I

retraced

my

steps,

this

time

through

the

forest.

I

cut

much

time

off

my

journey

and

soon,

mid-day

the

next

day

I

collapsed

on

the

front

steps

of

my

home.

Luckily

my

mother

was

still

sleeping

or

else

she

would

have

been

worried.

When

she

awoke,

I

simply

told

her

that

I

was

unable

to

get

an

ox

and

returned

home

as

fast

as

I

could.”

Rythe

held

up

two

fingers,

“For

the

next

three

weeks

of

half-sleepless

nights,

I

had

only

two

questions

in

my

mind,

who

were

those

men,

and

why

did

that

river

shine

its

light

when

I

needed

it

the

most?”

“I

found

out

a

half

answer

to

the

first

question

only

a

few

weeks

later

when

I

went

to

Eldan

to

finally

buy

an

ox.”

Rythe

said.

“They

are

known

to

some

as”

then

he

leaned

in

and

whispered,

“...the

RISHK.”

Turl

turned

and

looked

behind

him.

“What

are

you

three

up

to

back

there?”

He

said.

11

--- page 12 ---

The

three

of

them

jumped

in

surprise.

Turl

laughed

and

wore

a

wide

smile,

“Telling

tall

tales,

eh?”

“Rythe

is

always

good

for

a

story.”

Clal

said.

Clal

was

still

captivated

by

the

story

Rythe

just

told

them.

It

was

mysterious.

Clal

knew

every

bit

of

it

was

true.

“I

believe

it

will

be

time

to

rest

our

horses

for

the

night.”

Turl

said.

“There’s

a

stream

just

up

ahead,

about

a

mile

or

two.

We’ll

stop

there

for

the

night,

set

up

camp

after

we

water

the

horses,

if

that’s

all

right

with

you

lot.”

“Is

anyone

hungry?”

Gree

asked,

turning

around.

“I

know

I

am.”

“I

have

some

bread

and

cheese…”

Mina

announced.

“Me,”

Ansa

stood

up

then

walked

over

to

the

front

of

the

cart

leaning

over

a

barrel.

Ansa’s

head

was

hanging

and

she

was

breathing

hard.

Mina

handed

her

some

cheese

and

bread.

Ansa

stroked

Mina’s

blond

hair,

turned,

then

sat

back

down

Clal

passing

out

the

food

to

the

others.

Rythe

held

out

his

hand.

“Thank

you

Ansa,”

He

said

smiling.

Ansa’s

cheeks

showed

a

hint

of

red

as

she

smiled

back.

“Wouldn’t

it

be

great

to

be

able

to

stop

men

like

the

ones

you

described,

stop

them

from

causing

trouble?”

Clal

said.

“I

fear

their

work

runs

deep.”

Rythe

said.

“My

thoughts

exactly”

Rythe

turned

to

Ansa

who

looked

back

at

Clal.

“So

the

RISHK

you

say?”

Clal

said,

confirming

what

he

remembered

about

their

name.

“Yes,”

Rythe

replied,

“that

is

their

name.

They’re

some

kind

of

clan.”

“And

if

they’ve

given

themselves

a

name

they

must

have

a

purpose,”

Clal

concluded.

“Right,”

Rythe

said.

“They

must,

and

that’s

what

I

thought.”

Rythe

smiled,

“So

I

had

to

find

out.”

Ansa

shook

her

head.

“You

mean

there’s

more?”

Her

face

looked

as

if

she

had

just

swallowed

some

moldy

cheese.

“I

mentioned

that

I

traveled

to

Eldan

Vyum

a

few

weeks

later,”

Rythe

continued,

leaning

in

again

and

speaking

quietly.

“It

took

me

that

long

to

find

my

courage

to

venture

out

on

my

own.”

Rythe

stared

out

again

into

the

forest,

which

was

now

growing

dark,

the

sun

having

melted

into

the

horizon.

“I

must

have

replayed

the

scene

a

thousand

times

since

that

day.”

Rythe

returned

his

gaze

to

the

twins.

"I

did

muster

up

my

courage

to

make

a

journey

to

the

eldest

city,

Eldan

Vyum.

I

found

where

they

sold

oxen,

which

was

what

I

was

in

need

of

like

before.

I

purchased

the

animal

and

told

the

merchant

that

I

would

return

in

the

morning

to

take

the

animal

home

with

me.”

“I

asked

him

where

the

closest

inn

was

to

which

he

directed

me

and

I

was

soon

at

the

inn

paying

for

a

room

and

a

hot

meal.

I

sat

down

at

a

table

in

the

corner

and

was

enjoying

some

long

needed

food

and

drink.

Then

a

group

of

men

at

a

neighboring

table

who

were

boisterous

and

beginning

to

make

much

noise

started

livening

up

the

atmosphere.

One

of

them

stood

on

his

feet,

wobbling

and

spoke.”

“‘He

was

large

and

rode

a

tall

stead.’

He

burst

out,

holding

his

hand

out

high

to

the

height

of

an

imaginary

horse,

kind

of

wobbling

back

and

forth.”

“‘Sit

down

you

old

fool.’

One

of

the

other

men

laughed,

'No

storytelling

for

you

today.’

They

all

burst

out

in

a

thunderous

storm

of

laughter.”

“But

the

man

continued,

‘I’d

never

seen

him

or

any

of

his

kind

before.’

The

man

continued

slowly

sitting

down

in

his

chair.

‘He

told

me

he

had

just

come

from

the

North

and

that

he

and

his

comrades

needed

me

to

forge

him

some

weapons

as

quickly

as

they

could

be

pounded

and

proved.’”

Clal

gasped,

“Talon,

the

Blacksmith.”

“Yes,

it

must

have

been,”

Rythe

agreed.

12

--- page 13 ---

“Then

the

old

man

told

those

around

him

that

he

kindly

told

the

man

that

he

would

not

be

available

for

three

months

as

he

was

behind

schedule

with

requests

for

tools

and

horseshoes

and

some

swords

for

the

king,

to

name

a

few,

and

that

he

had

no

time

for

his

request.

Clal

wondered

if

this

was

why

Talon

needed

an

apprentice

to

help

with

the

overload

of

work.

“Then

Talon

said

that

the

horseman

pulled

something

from

his

saddle

pack,”

Rythe

continued,

“and

threw

it

toward

Talon.

He

said

it

was

a

sack

full

of

gold

coins

and

jewels

as

big

as

his

own

head

and

that

the

man

called

this

quarter

payment

for

the

job

that

he

wanted

Talon

to

do.”

“Then

the

man

told

his

friends

at

the

table

that

he

did

not

agree

to

do

any

work

for

him

and

that

he

told

him

to,

as

he

put

it,

‘Please

be

moving

along.’”

“Then,

Talon

told

them

that

the

man

tossed

down

a

second

sack

of

riches

as

half

payment

and

told

Talon

that

he

would

return

in

two

weeks

to

provide

the

rest

of

the

payment

and

to

obtain

his

three

weapons.”

“‘Then,’

Talon

said

said

to

the,

now,

riveted

crowd,

‘Can

you

believe

that

he

turned

and

left

without

saying

another

word?!’”

Rythe

continued,

“It

sounded

like

the

leader…Renthar

was

it…from

the

description.”

“And

one

of

them

asked

for

your

dagger,”

Clal

said.

“Wasn’t

that

one

of

the

weapons

this

man

that

Talon

was

describing

asked

for

him

to

make?”

“Yes,”

said

Rythe,

“and

I

had

to

know

more.

So,

the

next

morning

I

left

the

inn

and

went

to

the

blacksmith’s

shop

in

the

city

which

was

nearby.

I

could

use

a

few

new

tools

anyway

and

thought

to

trade

some

information

for

the

purchase

of

a

tool.”

“I

found

the

blacksmith

at

his

shop

furiously

working

away.

I

could

tell

he

was

well

into

the

crafting

of

a

broad

sword.

I

asked

him

for

a

few

tools

and

he

sold

me

one,

but

said

that

he

did

not

have

the

other

tool

I

asked

for

and

would

not

be

able

to

make

one

for

me

for

some

time.”

Rythe

turned

to

Clal,

“The

old

man

looked

spent

and

it

was

only

early

morning

time.”

Rythe

shook

his

head,

“I

think

I

know

what

would

have

happened

if

he

had

said

anything

but

‘yes’

to…er…Renthar.”

Clal’s

brow

curled

as

he

imagined

the

stress

now

tripling

for

the

blacksmith.

“‘You’re

making

the

broadsword

for

that

man,

aren’t

you?’

I

asked

Talon

that

day.

Talon

stopped

working

and

set

the

tool

down.”

“He

looked

surprised

and

asked

me

what

I

knew

about

it.

I

told

him

I

was

at

the

inn

last

night

and

that

I

had

overheard

his

story.

I

asked

him

who

I

thought

the

man

was.

Talon

hesitated.

Then

he

told

me

that

he

thought

that

the

rider

matched

the

description

of

what

one

of

the

RISHK

might

look

like.

Then

he

asked

me

what

I’ve

heard

about

the

RISHK.”

“I

told

him

that

I

thought

that

the

man

that

he

had

encountered

might

have

been

one

of

the

men

whom

I

crossed

paths

with

in

the

northern

regions

of

Illia

just

two

weeks

ago.

I

told

him

that

they

cornered

me,

then

attacked

me

and

tried

to

take

my

dagger.”

“Then,

he

told

me,”

Rythe

said,

“to

stay

away

from

any

of

them

at

all

costs.”

He

asked

me

to

move

along,

and

so

I

gathered

my

ox

shortly

after

and

returned

home.

That

was

almost

three

months

ago.

And,

since

you’re

going

there,

Clal,

I

thought,

perhaps,

I’d,

sort

of,

check

in.

See

how

Talon

is

fairing.

Clal

and

Ansa

remained

silent

for

a

time

as

the

cart

continued

to

creak

and

sway.

Soon,

Turl

was

calling

out

to

the

horses

to

slow

down,

then

the

cart

rested

well

off

the

road,

just

before

the

bridge.

Gree

unhitched

their

white

mare

and

Mina

unhitched

the

golden

brown

stud

then

led

them

both

one

after

the

other

to

the

river’s

edge,

as

they

did

every

time

they

passed

this

way.

Swallows

were

swerving

over

head

and

jutting

in

and

out

from

under

their

clay

nests

under

the

bridge.

Clal

jumped

out

of

the

cart

and

helped

Ansa

down.

Rythe

climbed

down

slowly

from

the

cart

then

motioned

for

Clal

and

Ansa

to

follow

him

up

stream.

Once

closer

to

the

river’s

edge,

Rythe

knelt

down

and

looked

into

the

water.

“It

was

a

river

like

this

one,”

he

said,

“where

the

light

shined

through.”

“It

must

have

been

so

beautiful,”

Ansa

said

trying

to

sound

brave

as

she

had

also

knelt

down.

Ansa

leaned

forward,

cupped

one

of

her

hands

and

dipped

it

in

the

water.

13

--- page 14 ---

She

pulled

it

out

and

let

the

water

stream

down

her

fingers

and

back

into

the

slow

moving

ripples.

Clal

was

standing

by

a

nearby

tree.

He

leaned

up

against

it

and

peered

into

the

water.

The

trees

in

the

distance

reflected

upon

the

water’s

surface.

Rythe

stood

up

and

turned

to

Clal

and

Ansa.

“It’s

a

strange

thing

what

happened

that

night

in

the

woods.

I

haven’t

been

away

from

home

since

returning

from

Eldan

Vyum.

How

ever

alarming

it

was,

I’m

going

to

find

out

more

about

the

RISHK.”

Clal

put

his

hand

on

Rythe’s

shoulder

and

said,

“If

I

can

help

you,

I

will.”

Rythe

picked

up

a

rock

and

tossed

it

into

the

water

watching

the

rings

spread

then

disappear.

He

walked

through

some

trees

and

disappeared.

“Clal,”

Ansa

touched

his

arm,

“I

don’t

want

to

hear

anymore

about

the...RISHK.

Can

we

try

to

find

something

else

to

talk

about?”

Clal

put

his

arm

around

Ansa

as

they

walked

back

to

the

cart.

“Sure,

little

sister.”

Clal

smiled.

“The

dark

things

of

this

world

don’t

deserve

so

much

attention,

anyway,”

he

said.

“No,”

she

smiled

back,

“I

just

don’t

like

to

see

you

so

scared

when

Rythe

talks

about

them.”

She

winked

at

him

then

ran

to

catch

up

with

Rythe.

Clal

watched

as

Ansa

jogged

toward

Rythe

who

had

already

disappeared

behind

the

tall

bushes

and

low

trees

of

the

Lyrune

Forest.

14

--- page 15 ---

Chapter

2:

Fireside

A

fire

was

growing

inside

of

Clal,

he

could

feel

it.

He

stoked

the

coals

of

the

fire

everyone

had

helped

to

build.

It

was

the

story.

Rythe’s

story.

Rythe

and

Ansa

hadn’t

talked

to

Clal

much

since

returning

from

the

river.

They

had

all

unpacked,

laid

out

their

sleeping

gear

and

were

now

watching

Turl

as

he

stood

up

in

front

of

the

fire.

“Well,

apple

mavens

and

maidens,”

Turl

held

out

his

hands,

“I

believe

it’s

time

for

some

stories.

Yes?”

“Horay!”

Mina

cheered.

Clal

and

Turl

broke

a

few

apples

in

half

with

their

bare

hands

and

passed

them

out.

Stick

were

provided

for

roasting.

“Come

on,

Turl.

Tell

us

some

good

ones.”

Gree

said

hitting

his

stick

he

found

against

a

half

unearthed

rock

by

where

he

was

sitting.

“Okay.

Okay.”

Turl

chuckled.

“Assuming

you

calm

down…”

“Now…Rythe

here,

he’s

new

to

our

little

tradition.”

Turl

steps

over

to

where

Rythe

is

sitting,

a

top

a

large

boulder

with

one

foot

on

and

his

elbow

resting

on

his

knee.

“Rythe,

welcome.

And

so,

every

year

on

the

night

before

we

begin

our

apple

selling

season

in

the

merchant’s

market

of

Eldan

Vyum,

we

do

a

little…”

Turl

looks

at

Mina

who

smiles

and

giggles,

“you

know,

kind

of

a,”

Turl

turns

and

looks

behind

again,

this

time

at

Gree

who

is

now

frowning

and

waving

his

brother

on,

“er…oh

yes,

we

tell

stories,

sing

a

song

and

roast

apples,

then

we

go

to

bed.”

Rythe

looks

at

Clal,

then

to

Ansa

and

smiles,

“Sounds

fun.”

And,

Rythe

meant

it.

This

was

one

kind

of

activity

that

he’d

never

before

been

a

part

of,

being

an

only

child.

In

fact,

as

he

thought

about

it,

he

really

had

had

to

grow

up

rather

fast.

Turl

spun

around

on

his

heals

and

clapped

his

hands

twice.

His

broad

torso

flexing

as

he

pulled

his

hands

to

his

chin

and

stuck

out

his

pointer

finger.

“Alright,

shall

we

go

top

to

bottom

or

the

other

way

around?”

“Start

at

the

top,”

they

all

yelled,

all

except

for

Mina

who

wanted

to

start

at

the

bottom.

“Okay.

Alright,”

Turl

said,

“We’ll

start

at

the

bottom.”

He

leaned

close

to

Mina

and

pulled

her

off

the

ground

onto

his

shoulders.

“Here

we

have

the

youngest

of

our

crew,

Mina

the

Marvouslous.”

Mina

put

her

hands

to

her

mouth

to

stifle

a

giggle.

“Rythe,

one

thing

I

didn’t

mention

is

that

these

stories

are

about

each

one

of

us

between

when

we

went

to

market

last

year

up

until

now.

So…”

Turl

closed

one

eye

then

turned

and

looked

up

at

Mina

with