by MJ Schutte
‘Coward!’ Graham snapped at him.
‘The boy might be powerful but everybody has a weakness,’ he shouted at nobody in particular.
‘What could be his weakness?’ Lars asked. ‘He killed more than thirty guards with a mere thought. He is invincible.’
‘No, he is not. When I was first elected to be the leader of the High Council, Brighton was there. He killed three Dark Ones with his bare hands,’ Graham replied.
Everybody knew Graham was not elected as their leader, he had simply assumed the position, but nobody argued.
‘Even more reason to fear him. It would be best to just do as he says,’ Lars argued.
Graham had an evil smile on his face.
‘That day he showed us that even the most powerful person in the world is still human. A knife through the heart works on anybody. For now we will play by his rules but one day he will be sorry. Brighton is going to die, I will see to that,’ he snarled.
Lars was still not convinced that this was the best course of action but didn’t argue any further.
Graham got up and addressed the Council.
‘Travel to every city, town and village. Gather all the Justice Squads and bring them here,’ he ordered.
‘What are you planning?’ Lars asked quietly when Graham was seated again.
‘We’re going to put them on trial just as Brighton ordered,’ Graham said.
A little smile crept across his lips.
The newly weds strolled hand in hand into the centre of Zedonia. It had been fourteen days since their wedding.
Another trial was taking place. They stood for a while and watched the proceedings. As with all the others, the members of this Justice squad were sentenced to an undefined period in a prison camp. At the first trial, Graham suggested that their lives be spared. He argued that perhaps they could be imprisoned in a special camp outside the city and be taught the value of human life.
Brighton agreed with this.
Construction of fences around the prison camp just outside Zedonia had already started. After some time in the camp these men might learn to respect life and they could be set free to join the community again.
The former council hall had been hastily converted into a makeshift prison. Brighton stuck his head through the door, and saw that there were five more Justice Squads, who arrived the day before, and were now awaiting trial.
The couple walked closer to where the trials were being held.
Lilian didn’t like watching the trials.
‘Brac once said that hunters respect all forms of life. How come these men are such cold blooded killers? They were hunters once,’ she asked Brighton.
‘That’s what power and greed will do to a person. Look at Graham. He was a simple baker when we met him. Having too much power twisted his morality,’ Brighton answered.
‘I’ve seen enough. It looks like the Council is keeping their promise. Do you want to leave?’ he said to Lilian.
‘Go back to camp or leave Zedonia?’ she asked hopefully.
‘Leave Zedonia. It’s time we get a house built in Four Mountains,’ he said patting her belly.
Lilian smiled and nodded enthusiastically.
‘Let’s go pack up and get going,’ Brighton suggested.
The couple turned around and headed out of town.
‘Aren’t you going to tell the Council we’re leaving?’ Lilian asked.
‘No, they can work it out for themselves,’ Brighton answered.
He was still a little worried that they might revert back to their old ways as soon as he was gone. Better to make them think he might return at any moment.
Brighton tried to stroll at a leisurely pace but Lilian pulled him along.
‘Come on, why are you walking so slowly?’ she complained.
‘I’m not. It’s you that’s running,’ he defended.
Lilian slowed down slightly.
‘I don’t want to stay here longer than is absolutely necessary,’ she explained.
Brighton already knew that. Over the last few days she asked often when they were going to depart.
‘We won’t be travelling today anyway, it’s already too late,’ he said to her.
She looked disappointed but didn’t argue. Brighton was correct; they wouldn’t get far before sunset.
Their camp was quite a far way out of town. Brighton insisted on staying in the woods. He was still concerned about the safety of the group. Brac was in his element in the forest and Mischief could stay close to them so it suited everybody.
The couple reached a narrow but relatively deep stream.
‘How about a bath before we go back to camp?’ Lilian said suggestively.
Brighton quickly used his sense to scan the area. Certain that nobody was close he agreed.
‘I get the feeling bathing is not really your first objective,’ he said with a sly smile.
‘Clever boy,’ Lilian replied as she stepped close to him.
She turned around and leaned with her back against him.
‘Help me get out of this dress,’ she whispered.
Slowly Brighton started undoing the buttons.
The two lovers returned to camp well past sunset.
‘I was just getting worried,’ Brac scolded them.
‘We…uh…we had a bath before we came here,’ Brighton said sheepishly.
Adri shook her head and said, ‘Should you really be doing that? Lilian is pregnant you know!’
‘I can’t get more pregnant,’ Lilian giggled.
Adri giggled with her and said, ‘Yes, I suppose that’s true.’
Brighton gave her a tap on her bottom with his bow.
‘One day when you have a husband, and I will remember this teasing and give it all back to you,’ he joked with her.
Brac looked from face to face. He was completely confused.
‘Why should pregnant women not bath?’ he asked.
Adri rolled her eyes and mumbled something.
All Brac caught was “men” and “blind”.
Brighton slapped him on the back.
‘Don’t worry my friend, I don’t always understand what they are talking about either,’ he laughed.
Adri had just finished with supper.
‘Who is hungry?’ she enquired.
As if on queue Mischief appeared out of the bushes. He started sniffing at the food.
Adri swatted him on the nose and said irritably, ‘Wait your turn Mischief!’
Obediently the cat sat down and waited.
‘Do you think he even remembers how to hunt?’ Brac asked.
‘I don’t know. He certainly understood exactly how to hunt the Dark Ones though. That panther saved our lives a number of times,’ Brighton replied.
Graham was in a good mood. Brighton and his followers were seen travelling towards Brasten earlier.
‘Lars, come here,’ he shouted.
Lars came running from where he was overseeing a Justice Squad trial.
‘Stop that stupidity. Get these men to the training camp,’ he ordered.
‘But…’ Lars started.
‘Do as I say!’ Graham shouted.
‘Yes Graham…I mean High Councillor Graham,’ Lars stuttered.
Graham walked into the hall.
‘Everybody out,’ he screamed.
As the Justice Squads made their way out he pulled a fierce looking man aside.
‘Lars will take you to the training camp. When you get there, kill him,’ Graham instructed.
The man responded in a deep voice, ‘As you wish High Councillor Graham. What about the rest of the Council?’
‘Do as we discussed,’ Graham replied.
The group travelled fast. Brighton didn’t see the need to hide any longer so they used the roads. When they neared Brasten, Lilian carefully enquired from Brac whether he would be staying there.
‘There is nothing for me here. I would like to continue on with you, if you’ll have me,’ Brac replied.
The travellers didn’t spend any time in Brac’s hometown or Avarya, there was no need. More days passed and soon they were standing in the clearing where Brighton used to bring the goats more than six years before.
‘So many good memories here,’ Lilian mused.
Brighton smiled and said, ‘Yes, this is the place where I fell in love with you.’
He looked around.
‘Does that look like a good place for a house?’ he asked pointing to the western side of the clearing.
‘Yes, that would be wonderful,’ Lilian replied happily.
‘So, where is the town?’ Adri enquired.
‘Just up that path,’ Lilian replied pointing to the north.
She got a serious look on her face.
‘I suppose I should go and see my parents,’ she sighed.
Lilian had never had a good relationship with her parents, especially her mother.
‘I’ll go with you,’ Brighton offered.
‘Thank you,’ Lilian said gratefully.
‘Why don’t you do that and we’ll set up camp?’ Brac said.
He didn’t bother telling Brighton where the camp would be, he knew Brighton would use his sense to find them.
Brighton and Lilian walked towards town while Adri and Brac looked for a good camping spot. Brac didn’t like being in the open so he insisted that the camp should be in the woods. Adri didn’t care, as long as it was close to the river.
They found a spot that pleased them both.
Brighton knocked on the door and stepped back. Lilian knew Martha was home, she sensed the older woman. Lately Lilian hardly used her sense; she preferred to think of herself as a normal person.
The door swung open.
‘What do you want?’ Martha barked.
‘Hello mother,’ Lilian said.
Martha staggered back.
‘Get away from me!’ she shrieked.
‘Mother, it’s me,’ Lilian said softly.
‘Get away!’ Martha shrieked again.
‘Where is father?’ Lilian sighed.
‘Dead. Now leave before you bring more trouble into this house!’ Martha screamed as she slammed the door.
Brighton gently pulled Lilian away.
‘I’m sorry,’ he said to her.
‘Don’t be, she never loved me anyway,’ Lilian answered.
‘I wonder why?’ Brighton mused.
‘Think about it. I’m Seth’s daughter. How did that happen?’
Realization hit Brighton.
‘Oh, Seth must have…’ Brighton trailed off.
‘Yes, raped my mother,’ Lilian finished for him.
They walked away from Lilian’s old house.
‘I’m sorry about Markus,’ Brighton said.
‘He didn’t love me either but at least he was kind,’ Lilian replied.
Brighton put his arm around her and pulled her close.
‘You know I love you more than anything in the world,’ he said.
‘I know,’ Lilian smiled.
They walked through town back to the clearing.
‘Brac and Adri are over there,’ Brighton said pointing towards the river.
‘Let’s go and see the place where our house will be, before we join them,’ Lilian suggested.
Brighton took her hand and led her west towards the trees.
‘I was thinking we could build it just between the trees over there. That way we will have shade but also a very good view of the clearing,’ Brighton said excitedly.
‘That will be great! We could watch the twins play in the clearing from the porch,’ Lilian said.
‘Porch?’ Brighton asked.
‘Yes, I want a porch to sit on,’ Lilian demanded playfully.
‘Yes dear,’ Brighton said with a wide smile.
They started walking to where Brighton sensed Adri and Brac.
The men worked hard to get the house finished before Lilian gave birth to the twins.
Lilian invited Adri and Brac to stay with them once it was finished. Adri eagerly accepted but Brac gently declined the offer.
‘When we’re done with your house, we’ll build one much deeper in the woods for me,’ he said to Lilian.
Brighton urged Brac a few times to get started on his own house but the hunter refused. He insisted that Lilian must have a proper house by the time the twins are born.
One evening, just as the house was almost finished, Brighton and Lilian were lying on the grass. Adri was in the house cooking. She insisted that the kitchen be finished first so she could make proper food for the working-men.
‘We should go have supper,’ Lilian said to Brighton.
‘Do we have to? I would prefer to stay here,’ Brighton said sleepily.
‘I’ll go get the food and bring it here,’ Lilian offered as she sat up.
Brighton also sat up and said, ‘No, I’ll go fetch it.’
‘I can imagine how difficult it must be for you to move around now. You’re almost as big as the house,’ Brighton teased her.
Lilian pulled a face at him. She didn’t mind the teasing.
Brighton got up and started walking towards the house.
‘BRI!’ Lilian screamed.
In an instant Brighton was kneeling next to her.
‘What’s wrong?’ he asked, concern filling his mind.
Lilian was holding her bulging belly.
‘Your children have decided it’s time to meet their father,’ Lilian said through clenched teeth.
‘What? It’s time? Oh no, OH NO! What do I do?’ Brighton screamed in a panic.
‘First you calm down, and then you go call Adri,’ Lilian said calmly.
‘I’m not leaving you here!’ he replied, still in a panic.
‘Bri, I’ll be fine. Now go,’ Lilian said as calmly as she could.
Brighton jumped up and turned towards the house. Adri was already running towards them.
‘Adri, we need you!’ Brighton shouted.
Adri didn’t answer until she was close.
‘Yes, I know. I heard your girlish screams,’ Adri replied dryly to Brighton.
‘What do we do now?’ Brighton shouted.
‘Stop shouting,’ Adri said.
‘Sorry,’ Brighton whispered.
‘Good, now carry Lilian to the house,’ Adri instructed.
Carefully Brighton picked up his wife and carried her as gently as he could to the house.
‘Amazing, isn’t it?’ Adri said to Lilian.
Lilian smiled despite the pain and nodded at Adri.
‘What’s amazing?’ Brighton asked.
‘You,’ Lilian answered.
‘Me? Why?’ Brighton frowned.
‘You ended the Supremes’ hold on the world, faced off against numerous Dark Ones and even more untalented people without any fear but childbirth scares you senseless,’ Lilian answered still clenching her jaw against the pain.
‘I’m not scared, I’m just concerned,’ Brighton defended.
‘He’s scared,’ Adri said to Lilian.
They reached the house. Brighton stepped inside and carefully put Lilian down on their bed. Since none of the bedrooms were finished yet they were all sleeping in the kitchen.
‘Go get Brac,’ Adri instructed Brighton.
Brighton shook his head.
‘I’m not leaving Lilian.’
‘Brighton, I need Brac here,’ Adri said as she pushed the big man towards the door.
‘I’ll be back as soon as I can,’ Brighton said and ran out.
He ran as fast as his legs would carry him.
‘BRAC! BRAC!’ he kept shouting as he ran.
Brac had made a camp for himself some distance into the woods.
Before Brighton got there, Brac heard his screams. He ran towards the younger man.
‘What’s wrong?’ he shouted while he was still some distance away.
&nbs
p; ‘Lilian is in labour,’ Brighton shouted back.
Brac broke into a dead run. Brighton started jogging back until Brac caught up with him. When he heard Brac right behind him he started running hard again.
Getting back to the house felt like ages to Brighton.
He burst through the door.
‘I’m back. Brac is here too. Are they born yet?’ he stammered.
‘No, it’s far too early for that,’ Adri replied.
‘What do we do now?’ Brighton asked as he paced from wall to wall.
‘You’re not doing anything,’ Adri responded.
‘And Brac? What do you want him to do?’ Brighton asked still pacing up and down.
Addressing Brac, Adri said, ‘Take him outside and keep him calm. I will call you if we need anything in here.’
‘Certainly Miss Adri.’ Brac replied.
Brac took Brighton by the arm.
‘Come my friend,’ he said gently.
Although Brighton was far stronger than Brac, he didn’t resist. He realized that he was probably just going to be in the way. Brac lead the young father-to-be outside. He sat on the ground and gestured for Brighton to do the same. Obediently Brighton sat down.
‘Brac, you had two children. What was it like when the first one was born?’ Brighton asked.
‘Nerve-racking,’ Brac answered.
‘And the second time?’
‘Nerve-racking,’ Brac said again.
‘You’re not helping much,’ Brighton complained.
‘Look, this is not something we can help with. All we can do is wait and let nature take its course,’ Brac offered.
Brighton got an idea.
‘I can help. I can give Lily some healing energy,’ Brighton said as he started to rise.
Brac caught his arm.
‘Brighton, don’t. This needs to happen naturally.’
Brighton sat down again. He knew Brac was correct.
The men waited outside for a long time. Close to midnight Adri came out of the house.
‘Is everything all right?’ Brighton asked fearfully.
‘Your children and wife would like to see you,’ Adri said with a wide smile.
Brighton stormed up to the house but caught himself just before the door. Slowly he entered.
Lilian was sitting up on the bed. She was holding two tiny little bundles, one in each arm. The babies were wrapped in small blankets. Brighton carefully sat down on the bed.
