Sky Child

by Brenner, T. M.

  "I will try, Helm. I want us to be better, not just as hunters, but as people. And I can live with making mistakes, if they are my own mistakes. Thank you for the advice," I say.

  "That wasn't advice. That was me telling you to ignore advice."

  I laugh.

  "I guess that is true. Well, thank you then for the not-advice."

  "You are welcome, Sam."

  We reach the mouth of the Crag, and Helm follows me to my room. He stands guard outside. Inside, Flot is working on his armor.

  "Flot, where is Jet?" I ask.

  "Oh, he's probably watching that girl he likes," says Flot.

  "Till?"

  "That's the one."

  "Do you know when he will be back?" I ask.

  "No, I have no idea," says Flot.

  "You aren't very helpful," I say.

  "Well, if you're going to be mean about it, I won't tell you that someone came by."

  "Someone came by? Who was it?"

  "Not telling."

  "Really? Do you want me to tickle it out of you?" I ask.

  "Haven't I seen too many snows for that?" asks Flot.

  "Apparently not, because it still works."

  "Do your worst!" says Flot, challenging me.

  "Fine, I will!"

  I slowly creep up to him. He drops his armor on the ground and curls up into a ball. I have to move slowly, because it is the waiting that makes it worse. Finally I reach him, and I start to tickle his sides. He writhes around on the ground, trying to avoid my tickles. He laughs until his face turns red.

  "STOP! Stop, I can't take any more. You win," says Flot, trying to catch his breath.

  "So who came by?" I ask.

  "It was Anchor. He says they need you to try on your new armor, so that they can make the final adjustments. He's waiting for you in his room."

  "Thank you. Now was that so difficult?"

  "Yes! It was!" says Flot.

  "Well you deserved it," I say.

  "Just go away," says Flot.

  "Fine," I say, leaving the room.

  Helm follows behind me.

  "Where are we going?" asks Helm.

  "Anchor's room," I say.

  "Have they finished your armor then?"

  "They need me to try it on to make sure it fits."

  "I'm excited to see what it looks like," says Helm.

  "So am I," I say.

  It doesn't take us long to reach Charm's room, which is how I found Anchor's place before. Thankfully, from there, Helm knows which tunnel to take to reach Anchor's room.

  We walk down the narrow tunnel, and I try to keep my eyes closed, feeling along the walls to know where I'm going. I have to open them sometimes just to make sure that I don't run into a curve in the wall, or scrape against a rock that is sticking out. It's not as narrow as the cave that leads to Harness' room, but it still bothers me. The feelings of panic seem to be worse now. I eventually make it out of the tunnel, and into Anchor's room, but it takes me a moment to calm down.

  "Sam, you made it! Great, I am very excited to have you try on your armor," says Anchor. "Also glad to see you, Helm."

  "Hmph," is all Helm grunts.

  "Right, anyway. Sam, have you ever met Jib and Stanchion before?" asks Anchor.

  "No, I have not," I say, reaching my hand out toward Jib.

  I notice her hair is the color of bread, and even though she has tied it back, the tight wavy curls stick out in all directions. She barely comes up to my shoulders, but is thick in the arms and legs. Jib shakes my hand.

  Jib is very sturdy looking. She is not a gray one yet, but there are streaks of gray in her hair. She looks old for the number of snows she has probably lived through.

  "And this is Stanchion," says Anchor.

  Stanchion is not at all what I expected. He is very tall, and thin, and hasn't seen many more snows than me. His short black hair is smoothed back. His face is clean, which isn't normal, because most men in the Crag wear hair on their face. He smiles a very big smile. I suddenly feel very awkward around him.

  "Sam," says Stanchion, reaching out his hand.

  I shake it, but maybe a bit too roughly.

  Stanchion's hands are strong, but they do not feel rough like mine. I can tell that he uses them a lot, but not for things that require pulling or lifting or throwing.

  "It's an honor to meet you," I say.

  "And what, it isn't an honor to meet me?" says Jib.

  "Uh... "

  She just laughs.

  "Don't worry Sam, I'm not offended. Most people react that way when they meet Stanchion. He is very famous for someone that tries to hide from everyone," says Jib.

  Stanchion's cheeks turn red.

  "I'm really not famous," says Stanchion.

  "Of course you are, boy. People always talk about your creations, saying this and that. I'm kind of sick of it, really," says Jib.

  "I will try to do worse then, so that you do not have to hear it as much," says Stanchion.

  "No, don't do that. Your skills are too important to the Crag to have you hold them back. But you sweet thing, you probably would do that just to make me happy, wouldn't you?" says Jib.

  "I do like to make people happy, when I can," says Stanchion, smiling at me.

  I don't really know what to say. We are quiet for an uncomfortable moment. Finally, Anchor breaks the silence.

  "So Sam, are you ready to see your new armor?"

  I nod.

  Anchor walks over to what must be the armor, which is covered by a blanket. Jib and Stanchion each put a hand on my shoulders, waiting for my reaction. Anchor finally pulls away the blanket.

  The armor looks better than I could have hoped for. It is a deep green color, very close to clover. In the middle of the chest is the symbol of the Crag. I can tell by looking at the symbol that it is Stanchion's work. It is made of metal, and it looks like a very pale gold color, almost white.

  "It's incredible!" I say.

  "Of course it's incredible," says Anchor. "We wouldn't have made anything less for you."

  "I will wear it with pride, and with honor," I say. "Can I ask a question about it?"

  "Of course," says Anchor.

  "What kind of metal is on the symbol?" I ask.

  "It is a blend of gold and silver. Do not worry if the symbol gets damaged, because I have much more of both. It is too bad that gold is so soft, and that silver tarnishes, because I have more than I will ever need of both. All I can make is beautiful things with them. Nothing useful," says Stanchion.

  "Sam, you still need to try it on," says Anchor.

  "Oh, right," I say.

  I take my clothes off and they help me into the armor. It fits differently from my other armor. It is a bit heavier, and this one has long armored sleeves. My normal armor does not have sleeves, so that I can still use my sling.

  "How will I use my sling if my arms are bound?" I ask.

  "I've made a few changes to the armor," says Jib. "Your arms should be able to move as if you weren't wearing any armor."

  I try it out for myself. I can move my arm in any direction: up, down, sideways, twisting. I cannot believe how well it works. I even spin my arm as if I had a sling in my hand, and I can do everything I normally would. I may have to practice to get used to it, since it does add weight to my arm. But once I get used to it, I shouldn't have any problems.

  "I can feel that. It feels almost like the armor is a part of me," I say.

  "There are a few other things we added," says Anchor. "There are sheaths on each side of you that we placed near your stomach. They are meant to hold these knives."

  Anchor hands them to me. Both are very sharp, with edges on both sides. They have the Crag symbol on them as well, with dark green handles. The blades are colored with the gold and silver I have on my new armor. Their shine is so bright that they don't seem real. I carefully slide them into their sheaths.

  "I made the knives so that you can protect yourself up close, but they can also b
e thrown if necessary. They are meant to protect you as much from wolves as from people. I heard that you'd been attacked, and I wanted you to be able to defend yourself from anyone, and any thing," says Stanchion.

  "I also made some changes to the armor to help protect against knives and spears," says Jib. "That is why the armor is a little heavier in the chest. There are thin pieces of metal between the layers of leather that should keep it from being damaged by most attacks. The only thing that might get through the armor is a big spear, and only the strongest person would be able to pierce it."

  "I added pouches to the tops of your legs," says Anchor. "You can carry your sling and rocks in them. There is also a sheath on the back for holding a pair of sky spears."

  Anchor picks a pair of sky spears up from the ground, moves to my back, and slides them into the sheaths. He must have made the holders fairly long, because I can feel as the tips of each spear hit the bottom of their sheaths.

  "I owe you each a debt. If there is ever anything I can do for you, let me know," I say.

  "You owe us nothing, Sam. Just be the leader you were meant to be. Knowing you are safer is enough for us," says Anchor.

  I place my hand on my heart, and slide it down to each of them. Jib, Stanchion and Anchor each return the salute. I pick up my clothes then Helm and I head back down the tunnel we came from.

  27

  "I want to test out the armor," I say.

  "I think that's a very good idea," says Helm.

  "We will need to stop by my room first, so I can leave my clothes there."

  "And maybe show it to Flot and Jet?" asks Helm, smiling.

  "Yes, maybe for that reason too," I say.

  When we arrive at the room, both Jet and Flot are there.

  "Wow, you look really dangerous!" says Jet.

  "I can't believe that's actually yours!" says Flot. "What is the symbol on it made from?"

  "It is a mix of gold and silver. Stanchion says that if it gets damaged he has more," I say.

  "Wait, you met Stanchion?" asks Flot. "I didn't think he ever talked to anyone."

  "What are those?" asks Jet, pointing to my knives.

  I pull them out of their sheaths and show them to my brothers.

  "I can't believe they made those for you. Now you're going to get a big head. I don't think there's enough room in here for your head as it is!" says Flot.

  I punch Flot in the arm.

  "Ow, okay, maybe I deserved that."

  "Maybe?"

  "Alright, I deserved that."

  "And don't worry, I'm not going to treat either of you differently, now that you have to obey my every command," I say.

  "Yeah, because you don't boss us around all the time anyway," says Jet.

  I raise my fist.

  "Sorry," says Jet.

  "So when are you going to test it out?" asks Flot.

  "Helm and I were just heading outside to see how it works," I say. "Did you want to come along?"

  The twins look at each other then hurry to put on their own armor.

  "Wait, why are you guys putting on your armor?" I ask.

  "Just in case something goes wrong," says Flot.

  "Yeah, with your aim, you might accidentally hit one of us with a rock," says Jet.

  I give Jet a deserved punch.

  "Ungh," he says, rubbing his arm.

  Helm helps Flot into his armor, while I help Jet get all of his straps tied. I take my sling and place it in the pouch on my right leg, and fill the pouch on the left leg with stones. Jet and Flot both pick up their big spears and carry them out into the tunnel. Finally we are ready to head outside. Flot and Jet run ahead, trying to be the first to make it to the mouth of the Crag.

  We go walking, not too far from the caves, just to make sure we don't run into any animals. We also make sure we aren't close enough to hit anyone coming or going from the Crag.

  The first thing I have them do is throw rocks at my chest with their hands. I put my helmet on backwards, so that even if they miss and hit my face, it will be protected. I can barely feel the rocks as they hit my armor and bounce off. It is much stronger than the old armor.

  I also have them hit my chest with the dull end of their big spears. The armor does such a good job at protecting me that I can barely tell I was hit at all. I don't have them hit me with the pointed part of the spear, because I don't want to ruin the armor. I also don't want to get hurt. I'm sure I will find out soon enough if it really is stronger than the old armor.

  "Looks like it will protect you, but how well can you use your sling?" asks Helm.

  I reach down and pull out my sling, and a very smooth stone. It should fly true.

  "Okay, everyone, you want to be behind me and to my left," I say.

  Once they are in place, I give the sling a try. It feels right. I launch a stone at a faraway rock, but one that I should be able to hit most of the time. The rock falls just a little short, but it was straight on. I try another stone, and the same thing happens.

  "It feels good, but it does weigh my arm down a little. I will try aiming a bit higher and see if that helps."

  I launch my next stone, aiming a bit higher than what I first tried. It works, and my stone hits the target exactly where it should.

  "I will need to keep aiming high, until my mind and my body get used to where the rocks are actually going," I say.

  "Still, not bad," says Flot.

  "Try throwing one of the sky spears now," says Jet.

  I pull one of the sky spears off of my back. I grip it in the middle, start running, and throw it with all my strength. It goes very far, and sticks in a patch of grass.

  "Not bad," says Helm.

  I run and pick up the sky spear. After removing the dirt and grass from the tip, I slide it back into its sheath.

  "Try the knives now," says Flot.

  "Okay, but I need a target," I say.

  "Oh, what if we got a pumpkin from the garden?" suggested Flot.

  "I think Chaff would be unhappy with us, and I don't think the pumpkin plants have any large enough to use as a target," I say.

  "Well, do you have any ideas?" asks Jet.

  "What if we use a wolf skull," says Flot.

  "That would probably work," I say. "But where would we get one without hunting down a wolf?"

  "Easy! We just grab one from the boneyard," says Flot.

  "Good idea," I say. "Here, take a sky spear with you, and go grab a skull."

  I pull one of the sky spears out of its sheath and hand it to him.

  "Be careful. You don't know what kind of animals might be there," I say.

  "I will," says Flot.

  We watch as he heads toward the boneyard.

  "You think he will be safe?" asks Helm.

  "Yes. I also think it is good to give him a chance to face dangers alone. It teaches him how to be strong without help. It also gives him a sense of freedom. Flot is very good with a spear, and he's very smart, so I am sure he will be fine," I say.

  While we wait, I have Jet and Helm hit me on the legs and arms with the dull ends of their big spears. They don't seem as heavy as the chest piece, and I want to make sure that they are just as strong. After a few hits, I decide that the armor is the same across my whole body.

  I also practice with my sling more. After many tries, I am able to hit where I'm aiming, instead of having to aim high. It will still take me a while to hit the target every time, but for now, I am doing well.

  Flot comes back with a very white skull. It looks like the black birds had picked away the remaining meat, and the rains must have washed away the blood that had been coating it.

  He takes the skull and places it in the grass, not too far away from me. Flot returns the sky spear, which I slide back into its sheath. He then stands over where Helm and Jet are. I pull out one knife and throw it at the wolf skull.

  I miss, and not by a small amount. I throw the other knife, and it also misses my target completely.

  "Finally! S
omething you are terrible at," says Flot.

  "Did your arms break?" asks Jet.

  I stare at both of them until their smiles disappear. I walk over to the skull, pick up the knives off the ground, and go back to where I was standing. Instead of holding the knife by the handle, I hold it by the point of the blade.

  I steady myself, line up my throw, take in a short breath and let go. This time the knife goes deep into the skull, making a disgusting crunching noise. I hurl the other knife. This one lands just below the first, splitting the skull clean in half.

  "What, no words?" I ask.

  Flot and Jet stare at me.

  I walk back to the skull, pick the knives up then place them back in their sheaths.

  "I think I'm finished for today," I say.

  "Good, you were getting annoying," says Jet.

  "Isn't Sam normally?" says Flot.

  "I wonder how funny a pair of sore arms will be for both of you," I say.

  Both Flot and Jet start running back to the Crag.

  "Cowards!" I yell.

  Helm laughs.

  "It is amazing how well you take care of them," says Helm. "My parents did not care as much for me and my brothers."

  "I am sorry to hear that," I say.

  "Well, it made me strong, and independent. I never really had a father until Lagan. He would spend time training me when we weren't hunting. He was more than just a teacher, though."

  "I understand how hard it was to lose him, Helm. I cared for Lagan, too. He is the reason why I became so good with my sling. Like you, he spent time with me, helping me get better. He was the closest thing I ever had to a real father. So now you are not just my protector. Helm, you are my brother."

  I reach out my hand and place it on his shoulder. He places his other hand on my shoulder. We both do our best to fight back the tears, trying to stay strong, because that is what Lagan taught us to do. But it helps knowing that there is someone else feeling the same pain that I am.

  "Okay, enough of this. We should head back," I say.

  "Yes, we should," says Helm.