“You were about to explain that to us,” Judeen coaxed as she indicated the food the dragon had just inhaled.
“Actually,” Kade said, very much enjoying drawing this out. “It is something I just recently learned.” He hesitated for dramatic effect. His dad gave him that look that dads give their sons when they are starting to get out of line. Kade continued. “It is simple, really,” Kade said, dropping all pretenses. “The most difficult part should have been calling the Divine Power to do my bidding, but lately, it has been increasingly easy,” he said as a stray thought drifted through his mind. “It’s almost as if it seeks me out,” he said absentmindedly. Kade shook it off and continued with his explanation. “Basically, I call on the Divine and mold it to what I am trying to create. I make certain movements with my hands and speak the language. If I have done it right, the food appears.”
“Oh, don’t let him convince you it is that easy. He makes it look easy,” Darcienna said. “Just making food could kill him,” she said as she looked at him accusingly. It was almost a glare. Almost. Kade sensed there was a, “Be careful with that power” in her tone. He shrugged his shoulders casually, as if to downplay the seriousness of the issue and grinned sidelong at her. She threw up her hands and huffed in exasperation as she turned away and stomped over to a log, sitting down heavily. Kade turned his back and his grin spread from ear to ear. He had no doubt when she had her chance to repay him, she would and then some.
“Okay, yes, there is some danger, but we train constantly to keep safe. There is always danger, but Zayle taught me well. As for the Food Calling, it was a little work to get everything right, but I have a good handle on it now. It just takes focus,” Kade said as he smiled genuinely at his parents. Judeen returned the smile but Garig was not looking at him. Kade’s mother seemed pleased and at ease but Kade noticed that his father was not. Garig was trying to look everywhere but at him. Kade sensed that they were about to have one of those talks; a talk that a father has with a son who he believes is making a questionable decision or is showing poor judgment. Kade resigned himself to address what it was after everyone had a chance to eat and relax.
“I am sure you are hungry?” Kade asked his parents.
“Yes,” Darcienna said quickly.
“We could all use some food and rest,” Judeen put in smoothly. Garig said nothing. Kade studied his father, concerned about what could be troubling him. He sighed and then prepared to feed the group.
“Okay. Some meat, cheese and bread coming up,” Kade said as he moved into an open space for the calling. The dragon was right there with him as it eagerly licked its lips. Kade put his hands on the dragon’s chest and pushed. Rayden resisted, not wanting to move. Something hit Kade in the head, and he jumped back as he ran his hand through his hair. “Again?” Kade asked with frustration. “Would you please drool on someone else next time?” he asked as he wiped his hands on the grass. “Uggg,” was all he said as he wiped his hair with leaves until he was satisfied he had removed as much of the slime as possible.
Kade shook his head and returned to stand in the middle when he caught a look on Darcienna’s face. He turned to look directly at her while she tried to hide her mouth with the back of her hand. Her shoulders were shaking slightly. Kade glared at her but that only served to make it considerably worse as she broke out into laughter.
So, it’s going to be like that is it? he thought. But, seeing her happy caused the edges of his mouth to twitch just slightly.
“Someone is not going to get any food if they keep distracting me,” Kade said as he pretended to scold her.
“Well, at this rate, no one is going to get any, regardless,” Darcienna quipped back.
“Hush,” Kade said.
“Okay, okay. Sorry,” Darcienna responded, smiling sweetly.
Kade was about to start again when he saw a knowing look pass between his mother and father. They grinned and looked back at him. Kade glared at them as if to say, “Stop,” clearly getting the meaning that had passed between them. They both held their hands up as if to say okay, but the smile never left their faces.
Kade took an exasperated breath and let it out forcefully, readying himself. He prepared to start the calling, and for just a second, felt fear at the possibility of failing in front of his parents. He chastised himself for even thinking the thought as he had just performed the calling flawlessly moments before. Again, he shook his head and closed his eyes, focusing on the meat in his memory. Even though he was a bit more nervous under the watchful gaze of his parents, the food materialized perfectly. Kade let out a relieved breath. The dragon danced eagerly, waiting.
“I will give you some shortly. Rayden, you will have to wait your turn,” Kade said to the dragon while it looked from the meat to Kade’s eyes then back to the meat again. “Shortly,” Kade repeated, allowing the thought to travel through the mental link they shared. The dragon seemed to be pained by this as it emitted a pathetic whine. He shook it off and turned to hand the meat to his mother but Judeen waived it over to Darcienna.
“You take it,” Judeen said politely as she stared at the food, clearly eager to have a piece of the juicy meat. Darcienna saw the look in Judeen’s eyes and held her hand up, refusing the offer.
“It would be rude of me and I would take offence if you were to think I would be so uncivilized to eat before the elder female that is present,” Darcienna said smoothly and elegantly. Kade was stunned at what appeared to be much practiced etiquette. He got the image of someone sitting proper and straight backed while they adjusted their dress to ensure an appropriate appearance. Judeen was caught off guard, not expecting such a perfectly worded response. Kade grinned as Judeen reached out for the food.
“If you insist,” Judeen said evenly.
“I do,” Darcienna responded with a glint in her eye. It was all Kade could do to keep from laughing out loud. It was rare that anyone every outmaneuvered his mother in conversation.
Kade closed his eyes and performed the calling again. Shortly, he had another piece of steaming meat almost too hot for his hands. Kade went to hand it to Darcienna who again held up her hand to refuse. Kade glanced at his father and saw him cock his head, ready for what was to come.
“Your father is clearly next,” Darcienna said, expecting nothing less than for Garig to take the food.
“Oh no,” Garig said as he fixed her with a stare. “It would be rude of me and I would take offence if you were to think I would be so uncivilized as if to eat before any female that is present,” Garig said, tossing her words back at her. She tried to find an argument but did the best imitation of a fish gaping that Kade had ever seen. Garig raised his brows as if to challenge her and the contest was over instantly. Darcienna smiled a warm smile and there was an instant connection of affection between the two. Kade grinned as he prepared to return to what he mentally called his kitchen. He almost laughed at his own joke and then created another piece of meat. He handed it to his father and then created bread for the boy.
Rayden danced every time the Apprentice Chosen performed the calling, but Kade kept him at bay with mental reassurances that he would get his share. He made sure never to promise to fill the dragon until it was stuffed as he was not sure if that was even possible. Kade created cheese and handed it around to everyone in the proper order, since that was now established and then created bread. He moved over toward his dragon to feed the endless eating machine and glanced back at Darcienna as she let out a musical laugh. He looked on proudly as his parents and Darcienna were engaged in animated conversation while they ate. Darcienna was describing something she found exciting and would gesture grandly with her arms as she spoke. His parents would then look at him briefly during the story and laugh. It was a good laugh. Obviously, he was the main character in the story. He made a mental note to ask her about it later. He could not be happier at that moment, and he soaked up every bit of it.
Seeing that everyone was content, Kade turned to his beautiful, silver dragon,
with the huge golden eyes, and smiled widely. Rayden huffed and danced from side to side, eager for what was to come. Kade created chunks of meat over and over until he felt sweat start to form on his shirt. He had lost count but the dragon was always ready for the next piece. When Kade felt his breathing start to pick up considerably, he held his hands up in surrender and patted the dragon on the neck as if to say, “You are done.” Rayden moved to the edge of the clearing, and after making several circles, dropped to the ground and curled up.
“Kade, you need to eat,” Darcienna said
Garig and Judeen had finished their food and were wiping the grease off their hands onto the grass, but Darcienna still had a good amount of food left. He smiled and felt such a fondness for her because she was waiting to eat with him so he would not have to eat alone. That little act of consideration made such a difference to him that he could not even begin to put it into words. He decided, at that moment, no matter what it took, or who this guy was that she had fallen in love with, he would do what it took to win her heart. With this, failure was not an option. This stranger had had his chance and blew it.
“We only have a little way to go,” Garig said.
“To where?” Kade asked as he sat on the log next to Darcienna.
“Your mother and I bought a piece of land that is so secluded only the previous owner knows where it is. We built a cabin there. It took us years, but it’s perfect.”
“We bought the land two years ago when your father decided to quit being peace keeper. He would have quit sooner, but we could not decide where we wanted to live. It had to be somewhere safe and somewhere secluded,” Judeen said.
“What happened to your land up north?” Kade asked around a mouth full of food. Judeen gave him a look that Kade instantly recognized, even though it had been so long since he saw it last. He definitely still felt like a kid in his parent’s presence.
“Sorry,” Kade said, hiding his mouth with his hands. He swallowed before speaking again.
“We decided we did not like the weather there. It is too cold,” Garig said.
“I guess Morg helped move those plans along,” Kade said, wanting it to be a joke but no one laughed.
Both parents gave a disgusted grunt at the name. Kade dropped the subject immediately. He took a huge bite of bread and chewed hungrily. He followed that with a large bite of juicy meat and used the juice to help the bread go down. He sat in silence while he pondered what he wanted to do next. Darcienna, Garig and Judeen were talking but much calmer now. Kade half listened but his mind was far away. As he finished his food and stood, so did his father. Kade stopped and looked at him, waiting for him to speak. It was no coincidence that his father had stood with him. Garig had a grave look in his eyes that put a knot in Kade’s stomach. He started to worry about what was on his father’s mind.
“Son, I would like a word with you,” Garig said as he headed across the clearing to the other side. Kade looked at his mother for a hint of what was troubling his father, but she just smiled at him while she sat straight and proper. Darcienna looked at Kade and cocked her head as if to ask, “What is happening.” Kade shrugged his shoulders slightly and turned to follow his father.
She could have been a queen with her mannerisms and posture, Kade thought as he glanced at his mother. Judeen sat with her hands in her lap and her back straight. Her facial expressions were always calm and easy, but she could convey anything with just a look in her eye. Kade turned his attention back to his father and continued to follow him.
“Kade,” Garig said and hesitated, trying to find the words. “Kade…I was against you going away with Zayle,” he said as he turned to look out over the land. Kade stood still, waiting for his father to continue. Garig was thinking as he searched the horizon, as if what he was looking for might be there. After a moment, he sighed and turned to look his son in the eyes. “I was against this because I knew it was too dangerous. We rarely ever saw Zayle. He used to tell us it was for the best. He used to say if he was around, he would only bring danger.” Garig took a deep breath and forged on, working his way toward what was bothering him. “He visited us one day and said you had a very dangerous path to walk in life, and for the sake of the world, you had to walk it.”
Kade got a sinking feeling in his stomach. His parents obviously knew things that he did not. He stood quietly, waiting, knowing that his father had much more to say. Garig gave Kade a chance to respond, but seeing that his son was content to stay quiet, he continued.
“He told us he would need to take you away and train you in the use of the Divine Power, when you were old enough. He said the Chosen had discovered that you had the potential to call on immense amounts of power but it could destroy who you are,” Garig said as a grim look crossed his face. “He told us the chance of you actually developing the ability was so slim he considered not even trying. It was the only reason I agreed. But, when he actually held you and looked into your eyes while you were still just a babe, he decided it was worth trying. I expected that since the chances of you developing this ability were so slim, you would just be returned. But, as he held you, I watched him, Kade. I saw the way he looked at you that day.”
Garig looked away and Kade got the feeling that his father was trying to decide how much he should tell. He got a sick feeling in his gut but still said nothing. Garig took another deep breath and continued.
“I did not see hope in his eyes, Kade,” Garig said and then paused as if he might stop there. After several long seconds of contemplation, he continued. “I saw fear,” Garig said as he looked his son in the eyes. “Fear,” he repeated.
Kade felt like everything was moving too fast. His head was starting to spin. He felt a pain begin to grow in his chest as a profound sadness descended on him.
Why would he say that? Kade thought. Why fear? Who looks at a baby and sees fear? I thought I was supposed to be a savior. Kade found he was looking at the ground and lifted his eyes to find his father watching him.
“Why would there be fear in Zayle’s eyes, Son? For someone as powerful as Zayle to show fear…,” Garig said and then left it unfinished.
“I don’t know,” Kade said and broke eye contact with his father. “Is that why you reacted the way you did when we were on the tower?” he asked, as he kicked a rock around with his foot. Kade looked up, and for just a brief moment, he thought he saw an accusation in those eyes. It was gone instantly as if it had never been. Kade saw nothing but a loving man looking back at his son. Garig looked off into the distance again.
There is more? Kade thought to himself incredulously. He waited.
“I don’t know everything,” Garig said, still studying the horizon. “Zayle and your mother talked about it. Your mother was reluctant to tell me, and I did not want to hear any more so I did not push.”
“What else?” Kade asked quietly, afraid to know. Garig continued staring off into the distance for a long time. Kade did not look at his father, but instead, stood looking off into the same horizon. Garig could have stood there for hours, and still, Kade would not have moved one inch. “What else?” Kade asked and then added one word almost too soft for Garig to hear. “Father?”
Garig sighed and his shoulders slumped, as if in resignation. Kade could feel…something from his father, but he could not quite figure out what it was. It was not fear. What was it? And then Kade realized what it was. It was uncertainty.
“He stood holding you for so long, Kade. He looked at you as if he were holding the fate of the world in his hands. He stood for so long,” Garig said as he relived the memory. “He did not know I was watching from the hall. I stood completely still, afraid, hardly breathing. Zayle scared me. He still scares me,” he said as he swallowed hard.
Kade knew there was more, and he felt his father trying to work up the courage to say what it was. The suspense combined with the dread of what his father was trying to say was making his head spin faster. Kade was not sure if he wanted to hear it or not.
His
mind wandered back to a lesson Zayle had given him about knowledge. At the time, it was just babble, but now it hit home hard. “Knowledge is power, Kade,” Zayle used to assert. “Just one single thought can change the world. Just one small piece of information could change the course of history. An idea can save lives or take them,” Zayle would preach, but to Kade, it was always just talk. It was the next part that Kade thought was nothing more than the ranting of an old man, but now, it made more sense than ever. “Sometimes not knowing something can make more of a difference in a positive way than knowing something,” Zayle would say. Kade recognized that this was one of those moments and stepped forward, turned his father toward him and hugged him tightly. When he stepped back he looked his father in the eye and said, “I love you, Father. I always will. I think it’s time to get back to the women.”
Kade could see all the tension and stress melt out of the man he had not seen for ten years, as relief flooded out of him. Kade smiled at his father and Garig saw only his son standing before him once more. He reached up with his hands, squeezed Kade’s arms in affection and then turned to go.
“I take it you two had a good talk?” Judeen asked, as she barely gave Kade a look, her eyes locking with Garig’s. He hesitated for just a moment as he glanced at his son. Kade smiled at his father with admiration, respect and love. Garig eased a bit more. That seemed to quell any concerns Garig was having…for the time being.
“Yes,” Garig said as he clapped his son on the shoulder. “We talked,” he said with a smile. He nodded once while looking at Kade.
“Good,” Judeen said, but she did not take her eyes off her husband. She did not even blink. He sighed as he sat next to his wife and patted her hands. Kade could swear he heard him whisper, “It’s ok,” but was not sure.
He smiled warmly at his mother and was only able to keep that smile until he turned away. He walked over to his dragon with a heavy heart. He felt his head swimming as he tried to grasp what had just happened. He felt lost and more confused than he had ever felt at any other time in his life. He put his hand on the top of Rayden’s head and stroked his ridges absentmindedly. Rayden lazily looked up at Kade and then settled back down to sleep.
The Divine Apprentice (The Divine Series) Page 32
