by JD Hart
“How can you expect to rule these people as their sovereign matriarch if you are not prepared to govern them wisely? There are reasons for the old ways, Veressa. A queen’s wisdom comes from observing her mother, as I learned from mine, and she from hers. It does not come from the back of a horse searching for tracks to the evening meal or for clues on some dangerous quest.”
Despite the queen’s rebuke, Veressa felt admiration for her mother. She nodded, not wanting to inflame the situation further, which disarmed the queen completely.
Izadora sighed softly and gestured toward the door from which two lords involved in a disagreement over the ownership of a horse had departed. “Despite the occasional bickering, they are a good people. They have endured centuries of hardship. Of the three Harmonic Realms, Griffinrock is responsible for the largest portion of the Borderlands. We must continue to remain vigilant against the evil that would destroy all we possess. These people deserve a matriarch they can believe in, someone they can turn to with confidence for steadfast guidance in times of need. As their queen, it is my responsibility to ensure you are prepared to assume that task.”
The queen waited for the words to settle into Veressa’s heart, then gave the girl a moment to prepare for what would hurt the most. Sensing the queen’s apprehension, her northern goshawk bond bobbed his head nervously. The queen rose, gently smoothing Tyresus’s feathers and soothing the goshawk’s desires to be in the open skies. “I feel obligated to remind you of what you already know. You are at the age of bonding, Veressa. Your thoughts of adventures are a distraction. The sooner you clear your head of such fantasies, the happier you will be when you assume the reins you were born to hold.”
Veressa inhaled her mother’s painful words. She let each syllable etch its way across her heart, feeling the gulf between what she was and what her mother wanted her to be. “Yes, mother. You are right, of course. I will try harder.”
Veressa forced a smile, attempting without success to convince her mother she would be happy. She willed herself to glance about the hall, noting the cold emptiness of the gold-and-white-marble floor. She studied the intricate wall patterns and the large colored rug in front of the throne where, in a few moments, those with the next High Law grievance would stand faithfully awaiting Izadora’s decision. Two guardsmen stood at wooden attention before polished mahogany doors. Were they there to keep others out or keep her in?
Karlana Landcraft
For three days, Conner floated on clouds. Master Cleaverbrook was to leave soon for Kallzwall Castle to acquire some necessary supplies; Conner would begin his training once the master returned and Conner bonded. Cleaverbrook promised to visit the Stonefields again to reassess the situation in early fall. Until then, Conner’s parents convinced him it was best to keep his plans for the future a family secret.
But as Conner walked south along the road into town with Pauli, he found it difficult to keep the truth from his best friend. The two shared everything. And Pauli was particularly sullen this morning, which was never a good sign. It was not until they entered Creeg’s Woods, the thick, pristine forest of walnut, maple, and evergreens forming a natural buffer between the small town and the world beyond, that Conner broke the long silence. “You got in trouble the other night?”
“You could say. Dad will have me doing double shift in the fields for a fortnight.” Pauli never shifted his dejected gaze from the road beneath his large feet, but a sly smile crossed his lips. “Of course Dad didn’t bother to tell Tobi I was being punished. So I convinced Tobi that I was doing him a favor taking his chores for a while. I got him to agree to return the favor later this summer.”
It was just like Pauli to find blood in a turnip. Not that it was difficult to draw blood from his younger brother Tobi. Gullibility was clearly a trait that ran thick in Pauli’s family.
Before long, the deep green canopy of trees above and gentle carpet of summer grass beneath faded away. Neither waited for more than a breath before taking to the Creeg’s Point cobblestones, marching south toward the town square where Tatem Creeg’s statue stood. Along the way, store owners on either side bustled about the densely packed buildings, shouting their good mornings to friends and early shoppers as they prepared for the day, their shops bursting with assorted wares of necessity and some of mere pleasure.
Near the square, the two boys steered clear of the marketplace busy with merchants in their colored wagons. They turned west, Hemera casting long shadows before them; the sounds of merchants arguing over the best spots around Creeg’s statue receded behind. At street’s end, the boys came to a stop and stepped into Karlana Landcraft’s home.
Most had a problem calling Karlana’s place a home, since only the eastern side was walled, and that wall was simply part of the adjacent building. Thick woods to the west and north did afford some privacy for the living space. The tightly slatted hardwood floor was littered with wooden benches, tables, and chairs of every shape and size. No two pieces of furniture could have possibly come from the same woodworker. And over, under, and around this furniture scurried, crawled, hopped, fluttered, and slithered a menagerie of every creature Conner could name, and a few he could not. Several were in cages and containers—the most dangerous ones, he hoped, though eyeing the brightly striped snake slithering over his shoe, he was not so certain.
Pauli leaned close. “See? I told you she’s bonkers,” he whispered, waving at the scene with vindication.
At a table near the back sat two girls the boys’ age, their expressions of distress slowly transforming into ones of relief in having friends with whom they could commiserate. Pattria Morelace offered Conner one of her infectious smiles that never seemed to fade, while Moni Treelore contrasted Pattria’s smile with a perpetual frown, especially long at the moment. With the flair of youthful bravado, the boys strolled in, sidestepping any creatures they thought might bite or kick.
Before Conner could ask if the girls had seen Karlana, a thin, middle-aged woman jumped from behind a cabinet near the stairs, brandishing a red book. “Found it!” Animals scattered in every direction at her abrupt proclamation. Immune to the chaos rippling through the room, Karlana Landcraft eyed the new arrivals. “Well! Conner and Pauli! I was about to give up on you two. I should have expected you to be together. But amazingly, you are both on time.” Smiling, she combed long fingers through frizzled hair, then waved ceremoniously at two chairs across from Pattria and Moni.
Each checked the seats for anything living before committing their backsides.
Karlana did not wait. Flourishing her forgotten book, she leaped into a lecture she had clearly given many times. “Welcome to you all! It’s so nice to know you are interested in learning about your wonderful adventure ahead.
“I have heard all the fables about bonding and bonds, so I want to make sure that you understand everything you need to prepare for the Calling you will receive sometime in the next year. So if you have any questions, feel free to stop me.”
Without pause, she promenaded about the room, touching every animal she came near. “Let’s start with a brief history that will answer some questions you may have.” Karlana stepped behind Pauli and he reminded Conner what he thought of history with an exaggerated roll of his eyes. Karlana slapped Pauli’s shoulder with her book. He winced in response.
“In the age before our forefathers arrived in these lands, it is said Cronoans had no bonds. In that time, our ancestors were reckless, selfish people, with no regard or care for other creatures, even to the very brink of destroying their homeland.” She lifted a mouse sitting on a table nearby, closely examining a paw wrapped in cloth. Squeaking to it softly, she set it down. “It is for this reason, so it is written, the Cosmos brought a great calamity upon them. Many perished. Those who survived sailed south across the Antaric Sea to start again here in the land of the Modei. But the Cosmos was not done, for the One knew Cronoans would need help reestablishing their connection with the natural world. That is why, according to legend, ev
ery person, without exception, is given the gift of a bond.
“It is not known when the species and gender of a bond is determined. Some believe this happens before the human’s life begins, others argue it happens at birth, and yet others say it is decided at the time of the Calling. But when this happens is not as important as the effect such beliefs have on how we prepare for this wondrous event.
“And this brings me to one common mistake about bonds that we will dispel right now. Unlike what some of you have been told by your parents to keep you in line, bonds are a gift.” Karlana gave Pauli an especially stern look that made him blush. “They are not a punishment for any unlawful, immoral, or unkind acts you have done or will do in the future. I know of no one whose life was filled with suffering or remorse due to their bonding.”
Moni’s sigh of relief made Conner chuckle, earning him flagrant stares from both girls.
Karlana stopped to give a seed to a large, brightly colored bird perched on a wooden bar. The bird skillfully rolled the seed in its long curved beak. Satisfied with the offering, it bobbed at Karlana several times. This seemed to delight the woman.
“The animal bond is, in reality, a surrogate for the Physical plane to the human. To be more precise, bonds fulfill an inner part of the human psyche needed to maintain an understanding of his or her place in, and link to, the Physical. This is one of three Cosmic laws about bonding.
“This brings me to the second common misunderstanding about bonds. If you see a serf slaving hard in the fields bonded to a lowly mouse or sparrow, you might think the lowest of creatures go to the lowest of people. And if you see a nobleman bonded to a wolf or fox, you might think the more intelligent animals are given to those of higher social ranks. But you would have the logic backward.” Karlana padded Pauli’s head as if forgiving him for some error in thought.
“If bonds are what we need to stay connected to the Physical plane, then it seems clear the peasant, who toils in the fields planting and harvesting does not need the strength of a wolf or fox bond to be reminded. The wolf is better served bonding with those who are not so grounded in the Physical.”
Karlana paused again as a fawn pushed its nose into a pocket of her bright green robe. Behind the fine rows of white dots speckling its rump, its short tail twitched, greedily eating whatever treasure it had discovered. Karlana giggled, stroking its forehead. The fawn’s ears jerked nervously, but it refused to back away.
It was several minutes before Karlana remembered she had pupils. “By the stars, where was I?” She reached up to scratch her head, surprised she was holding a book. “Oh, it will come to me in a moment,” she said, sounding more hopeful than realistic. “Does anyone have a question?” She smiled warmly at the group.
Pattria spoke tentatively. “I am not sure I understand how I will communicate with my bond. Could you explain it better than my parents did?”
Karlana patted Pattria on the head as she had the fawn. “Why of course, child.”
Astonished at being treated so, Pattria glared at Conner, her cheeks reddening.
“You and your bond will not converse as we do. You will communicate on a more subtle level. Your connection is a Mental link between two Physical beings. Each of you will sense the feelings of the other. At first, this will be disconcerting for you both, even a bit disorienting. However, over time, you will learn to discern your feelings from those of your bond.
“Nor can you convey thoughts through the link with your bond. You may get a feeling that your bond is suffering or hurt, but you won’t be able to identify the thoughts or feel the pain that is the source of your bond’s distress. All of this, as I said before, is to help us stay connected with the Physical plane.” Karlana absently stroked the scaly back of a large gray lizard stretched across the table next to her.
“Karlana, could you describe the Yearning?” Conner interjected.
Karlana examined Conner closely, her smile fading. “Yes, Conner, good question. I think I should tell you a little about the Yearning.” She cleared her throat. “If your bond is far away, the Mental connection you share weakens. Yearning is the feeling you get when the two of you are separated.” Her eyes lost focus as she continued; her voice became hauntingly vacant. “This feeling is like a loss, or maybe a hole or gap in you, something missing or sucked from your memory.” She placed the tip of her forefinger to a point behind her ear, rubbing the spot gently, then continued with a look of concentration. “You can’t quite put your mind to it. It eludes you somehow, but you feel the loss, the Yearning always there.”
Karlana stood motionless, her students once more forgotten. Amid the long, uncomfortable silence, tension grew. Then just as quickly, the calm was broken. “Bonding requires physical contact with the animal. And your one bond is for life, so the lifespan of a bond is the same as humans. If the human dies unexpectedly, the bond will often return to the wild to live its remaining days. But not all go back.” She gestured at the large bird she had fed earlier. “Ingress here is a macaw.”
At the sound of her name, Ingress let out a piercing squawk, ruffling a colorful plume of bright blue feathers on her crown. Karlana cooed lovingly at the bird. “She was the bond to a close friend of mine who died in an accident several years ago. She chose to stay with me.” She gestured at the menagerie about her. “Several of these were bonds of those who lived in this area.”
Noting the shrinking shadows of objects in the street, Karlana exclaimed, “By the fire of Hemera! Where has the morning gone? I am sure your parents do not want me standing in the way of chores you have yet to complete today.” Again, Karlana rested her hand on Pauli’s shoulder. Pauli shrank at her touch, making his large, imposing frame melt into his chair.
“So let me mention one more important rule. Your bond has its own will. It is not a servant or slave. Do not think for a moment your bond has been given to you to do your selfish or foolish bidding. You cannot command it to do what it does not will itself to do.” She paused one more time, signaling to her pupils that they could rise, but giving each a stern look. “Do not let me hear you are attempting to train your bond like a pet, or you will wish you had never tried. Now, get out so that I can carry on with my other duties.”
They rose and she clasped her hands together, the book again forgotten, then slightly tilted her head as if admiring just completed artwork. “All of you will do fine if you remember what we have discussed.”
As Conner stepped past Karlana, eyeing the large lizard on the table, he felt the woman’s hand on his chest. He stared questioningly at her.
She searched his eyes for a moment with her perpetually warm smile. “Yes, Conner, you especially will do well with your bond. The important thing to remember is that there are no exceptions to the Cosmic Laws. Do not fight your connection.” She let her hand slip away.
Conner smiled back, always appreciative of her words of encouragement and guidance, and thanked her once again. Departing, he could not shake the feeling that her eyes were still upon him.
By the time Conner stepped into the street, Pattria and Moni were halfway to the marketplace, with Pauli nearly walking on their heels, as if farm chores were much more exciting than staying one moment longer around Karlana. Near the town center, Conner caught up with Pauli, who squinted under the bright rays of Hemera and glanced back toward Karlana’s home. “As sure as I walk on Gaia, that woman is disturbing,” Pauli remarked.
While Conner found great amusement in seeing such a big man so completely unhinged by someone as frail and unimposing as Karlana, he thought it best to find a new field to sow. “Are we on for tonight?”
“Sure!” Pauli’s eyes sparkled, Karlana forgotten. “I was surprised Dad gave me permission to be out, but I wasn’t about to debate. I think he knew someone needed to be there to keep you out of trouble.” He winked at Conner and elbowed him hard in the ribs. “I’ll come by right after supper.”
After trading their good-byes, Conner wove his way through the bustling marketplace
and found his mother bartering with several shoppers who had stopped to admire her baskets. After the last basket had sold, the two walked home, discussing the afternoon chores. All the while, Ignatius rode nimbly on his mother’s shoulder, squeaking defiantly at anyone who got too close for his comfort.
The Palaver Room
That evening, Conner leaned against the short stone wall forming the boundary to the Stonefield property. Pauli was late as usual, but Conner did not care. His pleasantly stuffed stomach almost made up for all the aches acquired from working extra hours to complete his chores before dusk. Erebus hung large in the eastern horizon in a sky littered with twinkling points of light. The air was cool for the first time in a fortnight. For the moment, he was content enjoying the tranquil night sounds.
Talking about the Calling at Karlana Landcraft’s home that morning had left Conner restless. Sometime in the next year, he would bond with an animal that would in some way alter his view on life and possibly change his course in it. There was not a time Notorius and Ignatius had not been around, so he could not imagine life without them. The two were, in every way imaginable, extensions of his parents. And though both could be quite frustrating in their own ways, they were as much a part of the family as his sisters.
The heavy crunch of leather-soled shoes brought Conner from his deep reflections. He glanced north as Pauli materialized at the fringe of his home’s pale porch light wearing his best freeman clothes and his usual toothy grin.
Conner hitched his stride to Pauli’s flank and they proceeded through Creeg’s Woods. The sounds of crickets and barred owls made for a perfect evening to converse. By the time they reached town, Conner had extracted every detail of the few slightly interesting events of Pauli’s afternoon. The town crier had lit the lamps lining the street, while a few exhausted merchants attempted to usher the last unflagging shoppers and their bonds from their stores.
