by Wark, RM
CONTENTS
Title Page
Copyright Page
Prologue
Chapter One - The Steward Isaiah
Chapter Two - The Mark of Fallon
Chapter Three - The Debate
Chapter Four - The Messenger
Chapter Five - The Start of Gentry's Journey
Chapter Six - The Start of Fallon's Apprenticeship
Chapter Seven - The Journey to Mt Xavier
Chapter Eight - First Impressions
Chapter Nine - The Journey Home
Chapter Ten - Trust Your Instincts
Chapter Eleven - The 14th Year of Fallon
Chapter Twelve - The 15th Year of Fallon
Chapter Thirteen - The 16th Year of Fallon
Chapter Fourteen - The 17th Year of Fallon
Chapter Fifteen - The 18th Year of Fallon
Chapter Sixteen - The 19th Year of Fallon
Chapter Seventeen - The 20th Year of Fallon
Author's Note
The Stewards of Reed
Volume I: The Rise of Fallon
by RM Wark
For JP and his endless encouragement,
without which this story would never have been written…
*************
A special thanks to:
D. Mason and his keen insights
J. Bailin and her careful eye
P. Wark and his artistic hand
*************
Copyright © 2012 by RM Wark
All rights reserved.
PROLOGUE
The old man stared at the dancing flame. This being the 73rd year of his life, he was well acquainted with the ritual of birthday wishes. But there had been years – decades even – where he had gone through the motions of extinguishing the flame with a single breath without bothering to make a wish. What was the point? He had known then that there was no real magic behind the ritual, that it simply served as a signal for everyone else to cheer and start eating the birthday treat, which in this case happened to be a delicious apple pie that his daughter had made earlier that day.
But things were different now. He was desperate. So this year, as he had done for the previous ten years, the old man closed his eyes and made a wish: Please let this be the year that the boy finally arrives. I am running out of time. The village is running out of time. The boy must come soon, or all may be lost. Please.
And with that he blew out the candle to the cheers of his family and tried his best to smile and pretend for the sake of others not to be troubled. This being the 73rd year of his life, he was well acquainted with the art of pretending, and his family suspected nothing.
CHAPTER ONE
The Steward Isaiah
Watching from a window as his grandchildren played with his dog, Isaiah’s thoughts drifted back to the morning of his 13th birthday. Finding his chest marked with the Steward’s sign was not something he had been terribly excited about. He knew the role of the Steward was an important and prestigious one, but he also knew it required a tremendous amount of dedication and sacrifice. The onus of keeping the Village of Reed safe would rest primarily on his shoulders.
In truth, Isaiah entertained the notion of keeping the mark a secret. Perhaps there would be an unfortunate accident in his father’s blacksmith shop…an accident which would result in a rather large burn mark upon his chest, providing a permanent – albeit painful – cover for the mark. It was but a fleeting thought, however, and Isaiah soon found himself walking into the kitchen where the smell of bread and porridge filled the air.
“Happy birthday, son!” his parents said in unison.
Isaiah remembered how he smiled faintly in response, uncertain how he would broach the subject of the mark. Eventually he took a deep breath and simply said, “I have been marked.”
As they turned towards him, Isaiah slowly opened up his shirt and revealed his chest. He remembered how his parents caught their breaths and exchanged worried glances. He remembered the tears filling up in his mother’s eyes before she turned back to the fire.
“I see,” said his father finally. “Come. Let us enjoy our breakfast now. I suspect it shall be a long day – for all of us.”
Isaiah remembered the silence that filled the air during breakfast that morning. All these years later, the memory still filled him with sadness.
*************
It was only a twenty-minute walk to the Council Chambers, but on the morning of his 13th birthday it felt much longer. Isaiah remembered how the air was particularly cold and still; not even a bird chirped.
The Council Chambers were (and still are) in an old stone building in the center of the Village Square. The building is not adorned with any special architectural features – there are no ornate decorations or high columns to announce its importance – but it is round in shape and therefore somewhat hard to miss.
His father knocked on the Council Chamber door and spoke in hushed tones to the man who answered. The man’s eyes grew large for a moment and he shot a quick glance at the boy. He opened the door and invited Isaiah and his father to sit in the entry hall while he gathered Steward Benjamin and the Elders.
The entry hall did not have any windows, works of art, books, or anything else to keep Isaiah otherwise occupied, so he found himself squirming in the uncomfortable wooden chair, impatiently waiting for something to happen. Nearly an hour had gone by and in that time not a word was spoken between Isaiah and his father.
The double doors finally opened and an older gentleman emerged. Isaiah’s father rose from his seat. The older gentleman gave his father a knowing look. He turned to Isaiah and held out his hand. “Hello, Isaiah, I am Steward Benjamin. I have been waiting for you. There is much I shall teach you, and so much more for you to learn.”
Isaiah shook the older gentleman’s hand but did not say a word. He had seen Steward Benjamin a few times, but never up close.
His father was the first to speak. “Steward Benjamin, his mother and I…we do not…he is our only child…”
Benjamin smiled and nodded. “Do not worry, Thomas, I shall take good care of your son. And Isaiah shall return to you and Aria in time for the winter solstice celebrations – for a short while, anyway. We have much to do between now and then.”
This was unwelcome news. The winter solstice was nine months away! Isaiah could not imagine being apart from his parents – and the only home he had ever known – for that long.
His father seemed to share this concern and he glanced woefully at his son. He picked Isaiah up and held him close and tight. “Listen to Steward Benjamin, son. Remember we love you always.” With that, he set Isaiah down and walked out the door.
“Please, follow me.” Steward Benjamin beckoned Isaiah into the inner chambers after the door closed behind Thomas.
Isaiah finally found his voice as he followed the Steward. “How did you know my parents’ names?” he asked.
Steward Benjamin smiled. “I know many things – and soon, so shall you.”
*************
Isaiah reflected upon all that had happened since the fateful morning of his 13th birthday. The seven years he served as an apprentice to Steward Benjamin, a quiet soul with a sharp mind and occasionally sharp tongue, and an exceptional way with animals. Isaiah’s formal inauguration as the Steward of Reed, and the irony of Benjamin’s passing on to the next life the following morning. The Komanite raids that happened shortly thereafter. The Great Flood of 1044 that destroyed a third of the village. His marriage to Nora and the birth of his children. Lady Dinah and the other refugees from the Second War of the Wizards, who took refuge in Reed for a short tim
e. The Plague that followed. The birth of his five grandchildren. The random threats from various pillagers that would occasionally stumble across Reed, and the continued raids by the Komanites.
Isaiah wondered how his trials and tribulations compared to those faced by the Stewards who came before him. He wondered what sorts of challenges would face the next Steward.
Where is the boy? He should have been here years ago. The Komanite raids…they are only getting worse. I am getting too old for this. Where is he?
It was rare for more than fifty years to pass before the arrival of another marked boy. Only forty-eight years separated the arrival of Steward Benjamin and Isaiah. Yet it had been more than sixty years since Steward Isaiah had first arrived at the doorstep of the Council Chambers.
“Patience, old Isaiah,” he muttered to himself, “the boy shall come.” He tried his best to ignore his growing sense of doubt.
CHAPTER TWO
The Mark of Fallon
The winter snows had finally melted away and it was time to tend to the fields. Tobias guided the ox along the field while his two sons followed close behind, scattering barley seed in the tilled earth.
“Watch where you throw the seeds, little brother!” Fallon said sharply as he noticed the seeds flying everywhere but the tilled earth in front of them.
“But I like to see how high they go,” explained Zeke.
Fallon shot a stern glance at his little brother.
Zeke sulked in response, but only for a moment. His face soon broke out in a wide smile. “I know something that you do not,” teased Zeke. “I know about your birthday present.” With a devious sparkle in his eye he asked, “Do you want to know what it is?”
Fallon just smiled and continued to scatter seeds.
Zeke was genuinely surprised by the lack of response from his older brother. How could he not be curious about his birthday present? Especially this one – it was a big surprise.
Fallon kept quiet.
“Hmph, well, I shall not tell you anyway. It is a secret.” Zeke pouted a little and started throwing the seeds hard at the ground.
Fallon ruffled his brother’s hair, and all was forgiven for the moment.
*************
The typical dinner at the Tobias household consisted of meat and potatoes with some vegetables and a loaf of bread. The boys did not mind their father’s cooking, but their eyes always brightened when they heard knocking at the front door, as they did this night.
“Miss Elizabeth is here!” they shouted and ran to answer the door.
There was little doubt it was anyone save Miss Elizabeth. With Littlebrook being a fairly remote area of Reed, one’s neighbors were usually the only visitors. Elizabeth and her husband Jonas lived on a farm about a half-mile down the road.
As expected, Elizabeth was at the door with a bright smile on her face and a large basket in her hands. This night she had also brought along her daughter, Talia. The young girl was somewhat shy and hid behind her mother’s dress.
“I have brought you boys a strawberry pie and some sweet bread,” said Elizabeth as she made her way into the kitchen. “Hello, Tobias,” she said nodding in his direction. “How are you, this fine evening?”
“I am well, thank you.” Tobias smiled as he watched his boys eagerly grab the basket of treats. “And you?”
“Fine. It was a good day to do a little baking. Talia actually did most of it though.”
Talia’s face turned bright red at the unexpected attention.
“Then I am certain everything shall be absolutely delicious. Thank you, Talia.” Tobias smiled kindly at the blushing girl. “Would you care to join us for some tea?” he asked, turning his attention back towards Elizabeth.
“I suppose we can stay for a bit. I must admit I am curious to see if the pie tastes as good as it smells!” Elizabeth sat down at the table while Tobias lit a fire under the tea kettle.
Soon all five of them were happily eating and sipping their tea. As usual, Elizabeth and Zeke dominated the conversation. It did not take long before the subject turned to Fallon’s upcoming birthday.
“So I seem to recall that someone has a big birthday coming up soon,” teased Elizabeth. “It seems only yesterday you were just a baby, Fallon. I cannot believe you shall be thirteen!”
“Thank you for agreeing to host the party, Miss Elizabeth,” Fallon replied.
“Aye, we have been looking forward to it, have we not, Talia?”
The girl nodded her head and smiled.
“I have been looking forward to it, too,” exclaimed Zeke with his mouth full of pie.
“One would think you are more excited than your brother, little Zeke!” laughed Elizabeth as she started to rise from the table. “We must be leaving now. Our grey mare is expecting a foal any day now and Jonas has been reluctant to leave her side without someone taking his place.” They kissed their good-byes and headed towards the door.
*************
One’s 13th birthday is considered a significant milestone in the Village of Reed. At thirteen, one was no longer considered a child, and though not quite an adult, had greater respect and responsibility in the community. Many thirteen-year-olds, especially the boys, stopped attending school and starting working as apprentices in a trade or on the family farm.
Fallon had not quite decided his course in life. He rather enjoyed school and did quite well in the various subjects, but he also enjoyed working the farm with his father. For his part, Tobias did not pressure Fallon either way. “The farm shall always be here if you want it, son,” he answered whenever Fallon voiced his indecision.
As of late, Fallon had been leaning towards staying in school. In three years he would be done with his studies, at which point he would have the option to attend the university in Bartow. It had been a secret dream of his to see what life was like outside of Reed, a seed that had been planted two years prior when a wayward visitor from Jessum stumbled upon the schoolhouse and began telling tales of life in the mining town, much to the annoyance of Fallon’s teacher. Of course, Fallon was not certain he would ever go to the university; he did not know if he could leave his family and the only home he had ever known. These were the thoughts that filled his mind as he fell into a restless sleep that night.
*************
The following morning Zeke came barreling into Fallon’s room and jumped onto the bed. “Happy birthday!” he exclaimed.
Fallon was a bit startled by the rude awakening, but the sleepy haze soon left his mind and he smiled and hugged his brother. “Thank you, Zeke.”
“Do you feel any different?” asked Zeke, who began eyeing Fallon suspiciously, as if he expected to find that his brother had somehow changed overnight.
“No, I do not,” answered Fallon, stretching his arms high above his head as he yawned. He rose from his bed and began to undress.
It was Zeke who noticed it first. “What is that?” he asked, pointing to Fallon’s chest.
Fallon looked down and his heart skipped a beat. He walked over to the mirror above the wash basin and watched in the reflection as his fingers traced the design. He took a rag, wetted it, and attempted to scrub it off. But it was not dirt and he knew it.
“It is the mark of the Steward of Reed,” he said at last.
For once, his brother had nothing to say.
Fallon finished changing in silence and walked out into the kitchen with his brother. He thought of his dreams, of being torn between exploring life outside Reed and staying on the farm, and he thought about how different everything would be now.
He was so wrapped up in his thoughts that he did not hear his brother ask repeatedly, “Fallon, is something wrong?” He was so wrapped up in his thoughts that he did not notice Zeke run out of the house.
The sound of the front door slamming shut as Zeke returned with his father finally interrupted Fallon’s rambling thoughts.
“What is the matter, son?” Tobias asked. “Zeke says you are not yourself. Are you not
feeling well?”
His father was obviously concerned, but Fallon shook his head. “I am fine, Father. I have something to show you.” Fallon opened up his shirt and revealed the mark.
Tobias stared at his son’s chest. “Wizards be damned,” he muttered with shock. His father managed a small smile. “Aye, you shall be fine, my son.”
“What is the Mark of Reed?” asked Zeke, somewhat remembering what his brother had called it earlier.
“It is a special mark for special people,” answered his father after a pause. “Your brother has been chosen to be the next Steward of Reed, the highest honor of this village.”
*************
After a quick breakfast, Tobias and his sons packed up their horse, Sadie, and headed to Elizabeth’s house. Elizabeth saw them approaching and called to them from the front porch. “I was not expecting you so soon, but I am most pleased to see you. Our grey mare finally had her foal – just in time,” she said, winking at Tobias. “He is a beautiful thing.”
“Boys,” Tobias said, “I must speak with Elizabeth and Jonas for a moment. You should go have a look at the foal.”
Fallon and Zeke headed over to the barn while Tobias walked up the front steps of the porch. Talia soon joined them. “Papa sent me here,” she explained. “They must have something important to discuss.”
Fallon knew what they were talking about, but he tried not to think of it.
“Have you seen him yet?” Talia asked.
“No, which stall is he in?” asked Zeke.
