Dawn of Man (Thanos Book 1)

by Watson, Thomas A

  Ahnon held up the bow. “This bow is made of yew ash and a dragon rib fused to the riser. The string is troll hair, and I’ve told you how tough that is. The elves designed this bow thousands of years ago, and I’ve seen one that was two thousand years old. It has never been let down, and believe it or not, the elves tell me the bow is harder to pull now than when it was made.”

  “How far can you shoot it?” Jedek asked.

  “I’ve hit a man before at two hundred and eight paces. As far as straw targets, I’ve hit them at three hundred.”

  “Will we get to the village today?” Kenna asked.

  “We’re already there,” Ahnon answered.

  Kenna jumped up. “What?” she almost shouted.

  Ahnon pointed off to the left. “Kenna, it’s barely a mile away. There’s a farmstead half that distance from us.”

  “How are we supposed to act when we get there?” Kenna asked.

  “Oh, that’s easy,” Ahnon said. “You two aren’t going with me. You will sit right here inside this shield till I get back. You will not leave it for any reason.”

  She dropped down. “Yes sir,” she said.

  Ahnon smiled at her. “Don’t worry; you will get to see villages later, Kenna. I’m going to try and fix it this trip. People would remember a man coming in with two kids,” Ahnon said, and she nodded in agreement.

  Ahnon gathered his stuff and left them as the second sun rose over the horizon. When he was gone, Jedek looked at Kenna. “Kenna, it’s just a village,” he said.

  “I’ve never seen one,” she said, taking him by surprise. “The only other city I’ve got to see is Velham,” she said then jerked up. “Oh, I did get to see Jaclom as we flew over, but that doesn’t count.”

  Jedek patted her hand. “Don’t worry; you will,” he assured her. “Kenna, don’t you think it’s weird that Ahnon answers questions we have in our mind?”

  “No,” she said, looking at him. Jedek gawked at her. “Jedek, we wear his amulet,” she said as if that made sense. Seeing him not make the connection, she continued, “It lets him know when we are scared or in danger. If you concentrate hard on your amulet, you can do the same.”

  “Wow, I just thought he was really smart and could read my mind,” Jedek admitted.

  Kenna fell over, laughing. “He is really smart,” she said. When she finished laughing, she sat back up and held his hand. “That’s what I’m worried about, Jedek,” Kenna said. “Ever since Ahnon put this amulet on me, I can feel your anger.”

  “Kenna, they killed everyone,” he moaned, fighting the tears.

  “I know, Jedek, but you have to control it. I can feel the anger, and at times, I have to tell you, it’s hard to think. We will get them; I promise you. That’s one reason I wanted to stay close to Ahnon. I don’t want him running off and starting a slaughter,” she mumbled.

  “How do you know this?” Jedek asked.

  “You know Michi was teaching Karme?” she asked, and Jedek nodded. “Michi told her what the Grand Mage of Nazar told him about the amulet, and she told me. Michi doesn’t have one, so he asked. Haven’t you ever wondered why a sho-ka’s amulet is under the skin?”

  “It’s part of the infusion.”

  Kenna shook her head. “No, it’s so our thoughts and fears are put before theirs,” she said. Jedek broke out in a cold sweat. “Don’t, Jedek; he can feel it,” she said with an alarmed voice, and he started taking deep breaths, calming himself down.

  “What do you mean running off?” Jedek asked.

  “The day we left the coast and I saw that ship, just mentioning it might be Multar. The anger you let flow out, I thought Ahnon was fixing to blow it up,” she said. “Please, Jedek, keep control of it. He is going to teach us and will come with us to set the scales straight again.”

  Jedek nodded at her, giving a weak smile. “Kenna, they gave up so much for us,” he mumbled.

  “I know, Jedek,” she said, thinking about Karme still fighting as she drew her last breath.

  “More than that, Kenna,” Jedek said, making her jerk her head toward him. “What you told me… They will give their life, but they already have before they even put the amulet on us. They never got to have fun just to have fun. Now, I find out my fears and thoughts come before his own. That’s not right.”

  “That’s the way it’s always been,” Kenna said.

  “Kenna, did Karme ever say she wanted to be a sho-ka?” Jedek asked.

  Kenna thought for a minute. “Well, kind of. She wanted to make her father proud of her. After she fought in the garden, her father had a statue of her put up in the house,” Kenna said.

  Jedek nodded. “Get your components, and start on your light spell,” Jedek said, still thinking. Kenna let out a sigh, pulling out the folded packet. “Remember to view the light away from you when you say the words,” Jedek reminded her, bringing his mind to the here and now.

  For two hours, he watched Kenna recite the spell, and nothing happened. Jedek could feel the anger building in her and kept telling her to be calm. “That is determination,” he heard behind them. Turning around, he saw Ahnon standing inside the shield.

  “How on Thanos did you do that? I never heard you, and Minos never moved,” Jedek said.

  Ahnon shook his head. “If I can’t sneak up on two young adults and a stupid dog, we’re in serious trouble.”

  “Okay, you got me there.” Jedek nodded then saw a mule outside the shield loaded down with supplies. “Only a mule?” he asked.

  “Hey, beggars can’t be choosers. It’s all that was in the village,” Ahnon said. “We at least have more supplies now. I was getting tired of wild potatoes.” Bending down, Ahnon turned the shield off as Kenna let out a shriek, making him drop to his knee and pull out a throwing knife. Spinning around, he looked for the attacker and saw Kenna staring at the small packet.

  Blowing out a lungful of air, Ahnon collapsed on his back. “Kenna, if I didn’t love you, right now, I would bend you over my knee and wear your bottom out,” he said, gasping for air.

  Kenna looked over at him and blushed. “I’m sorry, Ahnon. I just got mad,” she said.

  Ahnon sat up, taking off his hat, mask, and glasses. “Kenna, come here,” he said, crossing his legs. Slowly, Kenna got up, thinking a spanking was coming. “Kenna, you know better than that,” Ahnon snapped at her. “Sit.” He patted his lap. Kenna sat down, her back to his chest.

  “Clear your mind,” Ahnon said, and she forced her mind to clear. “Now, picture the ball of light two feet over your hand.” Kenna closed her eyes and did what he told her. “You’re doubting yourself, Kenna. I know you can do it, so you have no reason to doubt unless you know more than me,” Ahnon said as he closed his eyes and reached around to touch her amulet.

  Jedek watched, spellbound, and when Ahnon touched the amulet, he felt his get hot. Reaching up, he grabbed it and could see inside of Kenna’s mind as the last doubt left her mind. Then he heard Ahnon in his mind.

  “Kenna, say the words, and know it will happen.”

  Opening her eyes, Kenna spoke. “Mollis tepidus lux lucis.” The packet disappeared in her hand, and a small ball of light formed over it. Kenna dropped her hand to her lap. “I did it,” she moaned feeling drained.

  Jedek could feel the joy she felt, like he was inside her mind, till Ahnon took his hand off her amulet, and the door slammed shut. He could still feel she was happy but not from inside her mind as he let go of his amulet, smiling at her accomplishment. Ahnon grabbed her and picked her up so she could stand. Letting her go, she wobbled for a second then found her footing as the lightheadedness left.

  “See, you just had too much doubt,” Ahnon said, getting up.

  Jedek looked at him. “Could you have done the same thing for me?” he asked.

  “Yes, but it is a bit intrusive.”

  Jumping to his feet, Jedek yelled, “My mother washed my mouth out with soap for all the words I said before getting the spell right!”

  “Sire
, I told you several times you shouldn’t have yelled out those words,” Ahnon pointed out. “That’s why I didn’t want you around those other kids. The language you picked up was ghastly.”

  Jedek smiled. “I guess that was a lesson learned then,” he said. “I should’ve listened to you.”

  “I guess so, sire,” Ahnon said and looked down at Kenna, who was just staring at her ball of light. “Sire, I’m sorry I did that,” he said.

  “Hmm,” she said, smiling at her light and dropping her head on his chest.

  “Entered your mind,” Ahnon continued.

  “Oh, it’s okay, Ahnon,” she said in a dreamy voice, never looking away from the light.

  Shaking his head, Ahnon said, “No, it’s not okay, sire, but you scared a hundred years out of me with that scream.”

  “I’m sorry, Ahnon,” Kenna said, still smiling at the ball of light. “Did you see my light spell?”

  Ahnon picked her up. “Yes, I did, sire. I have to admit it was better than any of mine,” he said and hugged her. “I’m proud of you.”

  She wrapped her arms around him. “Thank you, Ahnon,” she cried with joy.

  Ahnon put her down, and Jedek walked over. “Kenna, it’s better than my first light spell by far.” Kenna gave him a hug and kissed his cheek then looked at her ball of light.

  “Now, make it go away and make another one,” Ahnon said.

  “Go away!” Kenna gasped. Seeing the look on his face, Kenna pouted and waved her hand. “Consistio,” she said, and the ball disappeared. She reached in her pocket and pulled out another pouch. “Mollis tepidus lux lucis,” she said with determination, and another ball of light popped up above her hand. Kenna smiled and dropped to her bottom.

  The world wavered in her vision, “Wow, what a rush,” she said.

  “Jedek, get her some water,” Ahnon said, walking back to the mule. As Jedek was helping Kenna drink, Ahnon returned with a bundle of clothes under each arm. Dropping the bundles, he said, “Put these on,” and started packing what was still out.

  When the mule was loaded, he looked at the kids, who were swallowed by the clothes. Raising both hands and pointing his palms at them, two puffs of smoke shot out and surrounded them. When the smoke was gone, they were dressed like small versions of Ahnon. The only difference was their outfits were deep black. “It’s kind of hard breathing through this mask,” Jedek said with a muffled voice.

  “Don’t take such deep breaths, sire. You’ll get used to it. Breathe in through your nose and out your mouth,” Ahnon said, reaching down and pulling out a dagger, handing it to Kenna. “I couldn’t find a sword small enough for you, sire, so keep this until I do.”

  Kenna took the dagger and pulled it out of its sheath. In her small hands, the dagger almost looked like a shortsword. “Thank you, Ahnon,” she said, putting the dagger back and sliding it in her belt. “You know my father will want to have words with you for teaching me magic and giving me weapons,” she said, adjusting her mask and glasses.

  “Don’t get me started, sire. When I see your father, I’m punching him till I turn his face inside out,” Ahnon said then spun around. “That was the doubt you had in your mind.”

  Jedek looked down at his new clothes. “Ahnon, they have stores in villages that sell hunter gear?” he asked.

  “Of course not, sire,” Ahnon said, leading the mule over. “It was a general store, and they buy what people sell. The hunters wearing those were killed by bandits.” He pointed at the surcoat over Jedek’s heart. “This one was killed by an arrow, and the other was stabbed in the back. The killers cleaned the clothes and sold them. Only hunters will buy hunter clothing, so there are usually a few around in each village.”

  Jedek felt weird wearing a dead man’s clothes. “Why would anyone want to take on a hunter?” he asked.

  “Jedek, think. Hunters carry lots of weapons and usually money from bounties,” Ahnon said. “A bandit is either very brave or very stupid for taking out a hunter. But those hunters were new to the trade,” Ahnon said, walking away.

  Kenna spun around but was still weak from the magic and got dizzy. She reached out, steadying herself on Jedek. “How can you tell?” she asked.

  “They dyed the outfits completely black. Even I did when I started. You would think black would hide you better at night, but it doesn’t. Then you have to see it really stands out in the daytime,” he said. “But on the plus side, it helps with our cover. You two are my apprentices; your family paid me to teach you the trade.”

  “Pay you to work for you?” Kenna asked, shocked.

  “Yes Kenna, but they teach you as well. It cost me two gold crowns a year for two years to become a hunter and get my seal.”

  Kenna leaned over to Jedek. “Let’s learn how to be hunters. I think it pays more than a king and queen,” she whispered.

  Ahnon laughed. “Not quite, sire, but it’s a good living—just filled with a lot of hazards.”

  They walked on till noon, stopping by a small stream, where Ahnon speared some fish. He would’ve gotten more, but Minos jumped in to help, scaring them all away. Ahnon cooked the fish as the two watched his every move. After eating, they left, following Ahnon. Kenna looked around. “What is that smell?” she asked.

  “Tiger,” Ahnon answered, not slowing down.

  Kenna sped up with Jedek until they were beside him. Minos sniffed the air and let out a whimper and ran to catch up to them. “How far away is it?” Kenna asked.

  Ahnon stopped and looked down at her. “Judging by the smell now, it’s close. When you can’t get the smell out of your mask, that’s when you know.” Both of the kids became nervous and started fidgeting. “That is fear. Let it go,” Ahnon said. “Predators can smell it, and it makes them attack. Accept the attitude that if it attacks, we kill it and eat it, or it will do the same to us,” he said, looking behind them.

  “See, here is our guest; he smelled us and has tracked us,” Ahnon said. Kenna and Jedek turned around and saw a huge tiger a hundred paces away on the trail they had made. “Kitty, you really want to go away so I don’t have to kill you,” Ahnon said putting the mule’s reins in Jedek’s hands. The mule started getting nervous, but Kenna went over, talking to it.

  “That’s one big pussy cat,” Jedek mumbled, staring at the massive cat that was as tall as the donkey and much thicker and longer.

  “He’s not that big, Jedek. I’ve killed two bigger. They weren’t that good for food, but hey, they still got ate,” Ahnon said, stopping and pulling the sword out of his staff. “Would you like to try, kitty?” Ahnon asked.

  “Easy food,” the tiger grumbled. “Fear, smell it,” he said, licking his mouth exposing massive canine teeth.

  “Not from me,” Ahnon said. “Come on, then. There is barely enough day left for me to skin you after I kill you,” Ahnon said, twirling his sword and walking toward the tiger.

  The tiger let out a roar. “You can live. I will find other food,” he said and turned around, running off.

  Ahnon shook his head, shoving the sword back in the staff. “I hate cats. So independent it makes me sick,” he said, walking back.

  Kenna was still petting the donkey when Ahnon took the reins from Jedek. “You scared off a tiger,” she said.

  “Yeah, but cats are easy if you make them believe you are going to eat them. Canines are totally different, and they bring friends. The worst would be ilar tigers. They have two-foot-long canine teeth sticking out and grow to the size of a small horse. Then to make it worse, they are one of the cats that stay in packs like dogs. Not much fun trying to take them out. With a pack of dogs, you can climb a tree. Ilar tigers just follow you up,” Ahnon said as they walked.

  “Are there any around here?” Jedek asked.

  “Ilars are everywhere, thankfully not in large numbers though.”

  “Just to let you know, I believe you now. That you lied to your nephew, Tilbus,” Jedek said.

  Ahnon put his arm over Jedek’s shoulder. “Sire, everywhe
re is dangerous. We were in one of the safest places on the planet, and look what happened.”

  “Are all tigers evil like that?” Kenna asked, wanting to change the subject.

  Ahnon looked up as he continued walking. “They are not evil, Kenna. It’s just a wild animal that was hungry, and we came along.”

  “Well, some animals are evil,” she said.

  Ahnon shook his head. “Kenna, there is good and bad in all species. From what I’ve seen, the only species worse than man is orc,” he said.

  Jedek looked up at Ahnon so fast that his hat fell off. “Man is not as evil as orcs,” Jedek said.

  “Jedek, even orcs will kill their own kind, but man does it on a scale few other species do,” Ahnon said, making Jedek falter. “Orcs do get more pleasure killing than any other species I’ve ever met, but I have met some that are different,” Ahnon continued. The two followed along as he continued pointing out plants and animals.

  Chapter 20

  The next morning, they packed up and continued east with the small mountains giving way to large hills, and the trees were spreading out. Minos stopped, sniffing the air. “Danger,” he said, tilting his head, listening.

  “Just come on, Minos, but stay close,” Ahnon said, walking away.

  “What does he mean ‘danger?’” Jedek asked, taking deep breaths through his nose, trying to smell what Minos smelled.

  “We are getting close to the caravan trails of Rancor, and bandits love to hunt here,” Ahnon explained.

  They walked on for an hour when Ahnon stopped suddenly. “Jedek, put an orb around you and the group fast,” Ahnon said, drawing his sword from the staff, walking away from them.

  Jedek threw the powder down, saying the words before it even hit the ground. He could’ve put two wagon teams and ten mounted knights with them inside the shield he threw up. Ahnon turned around, looking at the massive shield that barely missed getting him inside as well. “At least you’re not floating in the air, sire,” Ahnon said, turning back around.