by Matt Moss
“Anna, what’s wrong?” Levi asked.
Trembling, she could hardly speak. “A stranger all dressed in black came to the tavern. He said he was looking for you.”
“Anna, calm down,” Levi said. “What happened?” He put both hands on her shoulders to comfort her.
“Mad Jack hit him,” she said, stammering a bit. “Then the man in black grabbed Jack by the throat and threw him across the room with one arm.”
“Just breathe,” Levi consoled.
Arkin edged towards them, suddenly nervous.
After a moment, Anna began to calm a bit. “It was impossible the way he tossed Mad Jack around,” she said and her eyes went distant.
“Describe him for me,” Levi said. “You said he was dressed in black?”
“Yes, he wore a cloak with silver embroidery. It had a symbol or something on the back.”
Levi took pen and paper from behind the desk. His hand quickly sketched a symbol, then handed it to her.
“That’s it,” she said.
Levi’s face went stark. “Go out through the back, Anna, and make your way home.”
She nodded and left.
Levi turned to Arkin. “Listen to me son.”
“LEVI!” A booming voice came from outside.
Arkin turned toward the door, frozen.
“Son, pay close attention.” Levi guided Arkin back to the table and pressed The Path of Man to his chest. “I need you to take this book and find the Prophet.”
“LEVI!” The voice drew closer.
“Father,” Arkin pleaded, shaking.
“Tell him the Garden of Stones is near. Go to your aunt’s house in Hayfork,” Levi said then hugged his son. “Take your horse out back.”
“LEVI! Come and accept your fate.”
Levi held Arkin at arm’s length. “Go son.”
“But father.”
“GO!”
Confused and shaken, Arkin turned and ran to the back door.
Levi reached behind the counter to remove the sword that was strapped beneath. He saw Arkin look back at him as he stood in the doorway. Levi’s heart filled with love and hope as he looked at his son. He confidently nodded for his son to go. As Arkin left, Levi whispered a prayer. “Please God, watch over my son.”
Levi turned the familiar blade in his hand and cleared his mind.
A strange twinkle set in his eyes as he walked out into the fading sunlight.
Levi met the stranger outside on the main street in The Crossing — a simple dirt road lined with shops.
The two men stood facing each other twenty paces apart.
“I see you still have that limp,” the man in black mocked. “How long has it been? Seventeen years now?”
“Eighteen,” Levi said. “I see you still bear that scar on your face.”
“Thanks to you. Seems some scars never fade, as we both well know.”
“Lucian,” Levi said, calling the stranger by name, “I know we have a past, but you can still change. You can still be a better man. I forgave you a long time ago.”
“I loved her too, you know,” Lucian said. “But you just had to take her from me.”
“She chose me by her own free will,” Levi contested.
“Horse piss!” Lucian spat. “You brainwashed her just like you do everyone else. But enough of the past. Give me the book.”
“Still taking orders like a dog I see,” Levi said. “Tell your master that he’s going to fail, like usual. The book is safe.”
Lucian drew his sword. “Always the fool, Levi. My master cannot be stopped, and neither can I.”
“I hope that your skills have improved after all this time,” Levi said. “You never have been on my level.” He turned his own sword in his hand.
“Say hello to your late wife for me,” Lucian said, stepping towards Levi. “And tell her that I was the better man.”
Arkin ran the horse up the hillside just behind the shop. Jumping to the ground, he tied the horse to the large pine — the one that his father hung a rope swing from years ago. Looking down, he saw the town empty, save for the two men in the street. They were talking.
What are they talking about, Arkin thought? Do they know each other?
He crept back down a bit through the bushes, careful not to make any sound. He had to get close enough to hear what they were saying. Sunlight on the horizon, red and orange, caught his eye as a cold chill ran down his spine.
Close enough, he thought. As best as his tall and lanky frame would allow, he hid behind a patch of blackberry bushes. The sweet smell reminded him of the first taste of homemade wine he had a few years back with his cousin Malik.
Then, quicker than Arkin thought possible, the two men collided with steel on steel. The clash echoed off the town’s now empty shops. Arkin blinked and squinted, trying to focus on his father. The two men fought all over the narrow battlefield of the main street, their motions a blur.
How can my father move like that. Impossible.
Levi unleashed a flurry of strikes, catching the stranger off guard, and knocking the sword from his hands. The stranger quickly shot forward toward Levi, unarming him with the sudden charge. Both fought for holds until Levi dropped down and threw an elbow into the stranger’s thigh, dropping him to the ground. Levi wrapped both hands around his opponent’s leg and threw him fifty paces — sending the man crashing into the support beam of the town church.
How can father fight like this, Arkin thought. I didn’t even know he could fight at all.
Levi picked his sword up from the ground and threw it toward the stranger. Spinning through the air, it narrowly missed the stranger’s head, and sunk into the beam of the church with a thud.
“Lucian, stop this madness!”
Peeking through the bush, Arkin heard his father address the stranger by name.
The stranger laughed, deep and sinister, as he pulled something from his pocket. His hand grasped firmly around a stone as he stretched his arm toward Levi. An unearthly, bright green beam of light shot straight up into the sky. Arkin shielded his eyes from the sudden flash. The outside of the beam was enveloped in a dancing green flame. After a few heartbeats, the light vanished, and the stone began to glow.
Levi lifted from the ground as a swirling green light circled around his body.
Arkin’s eyes widened in horror.
“All your life you’ve been looking for these stones, guarding their secret,” the stranger said. “You really think your Order has the only ones?”
Levi strained against the bond of light. “As I said, old friend... I forgive...”
“Spare me your pity!” Lucian shouted — his arm straining from holding onto the power of the stone. He clapped his arm down against his side.
In response, Levi flew through the air at incredible speed, his arms and legs dangling behind his torso. His chest slammed though the hilt of the sword, impaling him face flush against the beam of the church. The hilt, now a bloody cross, protruded from his back as he hung there.
Lucian seethed as the stone faded to a dull glow, then nothing.
Arkin clenched his jaw to keep from screaming as anger poured over him. His eyes blurred. He forced them shut, praying this to be a bad dream.
Lucian, cocked his head and looked at Levi. Reaching up, he tucked the stone into Levi’s pocket. “A gift, old friend. You can stop searching now.”
Lucian turned and walked into the Whistlestop with the dying light of day to his back.
Eyes filled with tears, Arkin crept back up the hill. His hands grasped for claim on the ground as his body resisted. Looking back one last time, he climbed upon his horse and rode all night.
Two
The Prophet sat behind a desk littered with books and scrolls. He stared at the unopened note in his hand.
It was from his son, Levi.
After many years of silence between the two, Levi had recently rekindled the relationship. Paul, careful of the fragile line between them, treasured the c
onnection, thinking it had been lost forever.
With shaking hands, he opened the note.
Hello, Paul.
I have so many things to say to you, but that can wait. I have the book.
Paul dropped the letter. He closed his eyes, allowing tears to fall, and gave thanks to the Almighty. His smile quivered as he began to read.
I am sorry for keeping it a secret from you over the years, but I had my reasons. I remember what you told me — about the book containing secrets. Well, I have been searching for quite some time, attempting to unlock them. Did you know that there are different levels of soul tapping? In my research, I feel that we have only scratched the surface of understanding it. But we can discuss that at another time. I feel that I am close to locating the Garden of Stones. All this time, I thought it to be a myth, but I am now convinced that it is real. I am so close...
You asked about Arkin. He is a great young man. He has your attitude, God help us, and his mother’s eyes. I know it’s been eighteen years since you last saw him as a baby and for that I am sorry as well. But we both know what happened. We live with the choices we make.
Sarie would be so proud of her son. I miss her every day. Maybe someday soon, Arkin and I will come for a visit.
Your son, Levi
Paul pressed the letter to his chest before carefully storing it away. He sat for a time, pondering Levi’s words. Staring at a candle, he felt a chill and walked to warm himself by the fire. He threw a piece of wood on as a knock came at the door.
“Come in, Torin.” Paul said.
A tall man, broad as the doorway, entered the room. “How’d you know it was me?”
“I sent for you this morning, no more than an hour ago. Sometimes a man can predict the future and have no need of the Sight,” Paul said, smiling.
Torin eyed the littered desk and melted candles. “You haven’t slept. I’d say that you have a task for me,” he said, walking into the room.
“I should be calling you Prophet,” Paul said and slapped him on the back. “Come and sit. As you know, the Order is very particular about who they recruit. We have people in every school and guild in the land.” Paul sat as well, easing back into his chair. “Only the best and brightest are invited to join us here at the Grand Highlands.”
“And they must go through the Rituals and Trials to see if they make the cut,” Torin said in a flat tone.
“Yes, as you well know,” Paul grinned behind his gray beard.
The Prophet took a letter from the drawer and began to write.
“There is a young woman named Lyla,” the Prophet said. “She lives in Fortuna. This letter gives the details on her whereabouts. It authenticates her recruitment as well.” Paul placed the letter in an envelope and closed it with his wax seal. “Given that spring is almost here, you should be able to make good time.”
“Now that the pass is clear, I should make Fortuna in three days,” Torin said. “Granted, a hard three day’s ride, but I’m eager to get back on the road.”
Paul cocked an eyebrow. “You are aware of the unrest in the kingdom, I presume? There could be trouble on the road.”
“Yes, news travels to this part of the world from time to time,” Torin noted with a hint of irony and leaned forward. “Word is that the Dark Society is on the move.”
Paul nodded. “This is true. I believe they have been scouring the earth in search of Stones.” The Prophet paused for a moment. “God help us if they’ve found any.”
Torin noticed Paul growing more distant as the seasons passed.
The fire popped and hissed, drawing the Prophet’s gaze.
“The kingdom is plunging towards upheaval,” Paul said, gathering himself. “People in Kingsport are barely making ends meet due to King George’s taxes. Needless to say the Church and their new Religion are a factor in these troubled times as well.”
“High Priest John and the Clergy must be mad to think they can convert everyone in the world,” Torin said. “The people will never renounce their faith of old.”
“You would be surprised at what people will do when they are backed into a corner,” Paul said. “King George and his appointed government officials control the food. They oversee and regulate the farmers from seed to meat.” Paul rubbed his head, soothing an ache. “And they control the currency, so in order to make the people do as they say, all they have to do is squeeze. It’s just a matter of time before they get what they want.”
“So who is behind this and to what cause?” Torin asked. “Are you saying that the Dark Society has implanted themselves in the government and the Church?”
Paul nodded in affirmation. “I believe they have been there the whole time. Before the creation of the Order even! Planning. Waiting.”
There was a span of silence as both men sat deep in thought. The fireplace popped and hissed again.
“I believe we are living in the last days — the time as depicted in The Path of Man,” Paul said. “I have been corresponding with Levi. He believes that he is close to finding the Garden of Stones.”
“The Garden of Stones,” Torin said, then cocked his head, “I thought that was a myth?”
“It is real,” Paul stated. “Many of the secrets, guarded by the Order, were lost in the Rebellion long ago. All we have to go on now is faith in the book. In order to protect the Garden, they left clues for us to follow.” The Prophet handed the letter over to Torin. “If these truly are the last days, then time is of the essence. I believe this girl may be vital to our purpose.”
Torin secured the letter and stood. “What purpose is that?”
The Prophet stood. “To save man from darkness until the Almighty returns.”
Lyla counted the moments until class was over.
“Are there any more questions?” a middle aged woman with a prudish face asked, scanning around the room at her unresponsive students. “Then class dismissed.”
Chairs rattled against desks as the students began to exit the classroom.
“Not you Lyla,” the teacher said. “May I speak with you for a moment?”
Lyla turned and walked back to the teacher’s desk.
“You shouldn’t be writing about such things,” the teacher chided, throwing Lyla’s papers on the desk. “What would people say if they saw this?”
“You said to write about what we wanted to be when we finish school,” Lyla contested.
“Women have their roles, and men have theirs,” the teacher said. “It is forbidden for you to be a doctor, as you well know.”
“Yes, but I have studied anatomy, biology, and physics,” Lyla noted, twirling her hair — a nervous twitch. “I have worked with my father on the farm tending to the livestock for years.”
“Farm animals and people are two different things, Lyla,” the teacher said, then rolled her eyes. “That’s enough, I will hear no more of this. Do I make myself clear?”
“Yes, ma’am,” Lyla said, her eyes cast down.
“Now, run along,” the teacher said, waving her away.
Lyla gathered her papers and walked out of the classroom. I will be a doctor, she thought.
“What did she want?” Maya asked, leaning against the wall outside of the school.
“I wrote about being a doctor,” Lyla said.
Maya laughed. “But you’re are a girl. You can’t be a doctor.”
A boy bumped into Lyla as he chased his friends from the schoolyard. She scowled at him as he turned his head to smile back at her.
“I think he likes you,” Maya snickered, drawing a glare from Lyla. “Oh, cheer up. Don’t let that old hag bring you down.”
“I will be at doctor,” Lyla stated. “My father says I can be anything I want to be.”
“Well, I’m going to be a seamstress,” Maya said. “Maybe I can make you a nice little doctor dress one day,” she jeered.
A smile crept onto Lyla’s face as she shook her head. They both laughed as they strolled down the dirt road that ran through the town. Lyla
noticed that it was growing busier by the day as shop owners were making ready to open their stores. This winter had been worse than normal, and she knew that people were anxious for the trading season. She also knew that work was about to pick up on the farm.
“Hello, girls,” a man said, sweeping the steps of a shop called, The Trader’s Village. “Lovely weather today.”
“Hello,” Lyla greeted. “Yes, it is!”
“Lyla, would you be a dear and tell your father that we will be needing his services soon. I feel that it’s going to be a busy season,” he said with a smile.
“I will,” she replied. “I’ll tell him tonight!”
“Thank you, dear,” he said. “You two stay out of trouble.”
Maya leaned into Lyla. “He’s cute,” she said.
“I suppose.” Lyla blushed.
Maya looked at Lyla, puzzled. “You know he likes you. He’s only a few years older than you are.”
“He’s ten years older!” Lyla said.
“So?” Maya protested, running a hand through her hair.
Lyla shook her head. “Maya, I barely have time as it is. Any time that I can spare goes to school.”
“Why do you want to be a doctor anyway?”
“Because I want to help people. If I could make someone feel better, or save a life, what could be more important than that?”
“A pretty new dress.”
Lyla laughed.
“Seriously, it can make a person feel better and it can save a man’s life, if it’s laying on the ground next to the bed,” Maya said.
“Maya!”
Maya shrugged. “I’m just saying,”
“Ok, point made.”
“Well, this is my stop,” Maya said. “See you in the morning.”
“See you tomorrow!” Lyla waved and watched her friend enter the mansion of a house she called home. Cropped rose bushes lined the fence. Lyla couldn’t wait for warm weather to arrive. She loved walking by Maya’s house when the flowers were in bloom. Soon.
She walked past the last few shops in Fortuna with the cool, early spring breeze in her hair. Dust rose with each step as she made her way along the dirt road that led to her father’s farm.
I will be the best doctor Fortuna’s ever seen, she thought. Knowledge is strength her father once told her. If I can be more knowledgeable and capable than any man, then they can’t deny me, can they?
