“Why?” asked Kael shrugging off Eidyn’s hand. “Because I was born with some mystical pedigree I don’t even want? Because I helped lead his true son to an untimely death? Because I have every servant of Amird poised to kill anyone in contact with me? How does that make a father proud?!”
Eidyn stepped back and sat against the edge of the table. The Elf prince slowly stroked his chin.
“You’re right. You’re absolutely right!” mocked the Elf. “Why would a man be proud of an honest, trustworthy, hardworking son? A son brave enough to face an uncertain future with an unknown past. I mean, if he’s not some kind of larger than life hero, some savior, some incredible soldier, why would a man have any interest in his son?”
“That’s not what I meant!” snapped Kael. “All I’m saying is that I have no role. No idea of what I’m supposed to do and no way to....”
Kael’s chin dropped to his chest.
“...to make your father proud?” finished Eidyn softly.
Kael narrowed his eyes and nodded in agreement.
“I feel lost.” whispered the boy. “Lost in a world I know nothing about.”
“While all the familiar faces in your life change roles?” questioned Eidyn. “Even Flair?”
“Exactly.” muttered Kael.
Eidyn rocked forward onto his feet.
“Well, I can’t tell you how to completely solve your problems, Kael.” smiled Eidyn. “But I know one thing you can stop doing.”
The Southland boy looked up at the Elf.
“You can stop sitting back and feeling sorry for yourself.” stated Eidyn with a raised eyebrow. “The only person harmed by that action is you.”
Kael set his jaw and stared at Eidyn.
“Sad but true.” laughed Eidyn. “Self-pity is nothing but destructive.”
“Well,” interrupted Kael. “What do you suggest I do?”
“Me?” scoffed Eidyn. “I suggest you figure out what it is you want to do, or more to the point what it is you were meant to do. Perhaps with some direction you won’t be so depressing.”
The Elf prince turned and marched from the room.
“I believe this blade needs a little sharpening as well.” Kael heard the Elf call back down the hallway.
The boy lit a candle, washed and dressed for the day. By the time he entered the yard, Brelg had the recruits solidly entrenched in their morning training session. Kael stepped from under the hallway ceiling and his eyes quickly scanned the rooftop above. He established this habit after the failed attempt on his life. He breathed a sigh of relief as he saw several familiar green garbed recruits strolling back and forth across the rooftop.
“Ho! Boy!”
Kael looked across the yard to see his father smiling and waving to him. Brelg stood near the archery range surrounded by recruits. The entire group halted and stared toward the boy. Kael returned the wave and smiled back. His father waved him over, but Kael shook his head and motioned toward Brelg to continue. Kael reddened. He didn’t want to interrupt the recruit’s training just so he could take a moment with his father. Brelg frowned then glanced over his shoulder at the waiting recruits. The old sergeant shrugged his shoulders and smiled.
“Duty is a demanding mistress!” shouted Brelg across the yard to his son.
“Here! Here!” called a sweating drill sergeant swinging a blunted ax at two struggling recruits.
Kael shook his head and smiled. He turned and crossed the yard toward the far stairway. He hadn’t left the Hold since the attempt on his life and took to walking the rooftop to get a sense of freedom. Kael found it amusing. The rooftop was now the safest place in the Hold. A dozen recruits constantly patrolled it since the incident, and Cefiz could be found sitting atop the rooftop scanning the turrets and towers around the city.
Kael hit the stairs running and bounded up them two at a time. Since he couldn’t leave the Hold, the boy found this to be his only means of exercise. He hadn’t realized how much he enjoyed running until his imprisonment in the Hold took it from him.
He rounded the landing on the forth floor and flew to the rooftop. When he leapt onto the roof, two startled recruits jumped and quickly raised their blades.
“Sorry.” heaved Kael leaning over to catch his breath. “I didn’t mean to alarm you.”
The pair nodded awkwardly and backed away. They turned from the boy and continued their patrol. When they were out of earshot, they began an animated conversation and stole a few glances back toward the panting boy. Kael narrowed his eyes and silently cursed. This was also part of his imprisonment. Ever since his display of power in the hallway several days ago, the recruits avoided Kael at all costs. He couldn’t blame them really. In a detached sort of way, what he accomplished that day frightened him more than anyone else.
“A look I’ve seen countless times over my many seasons .”
Kael turned and saw Ader leaning against a stand of chimney pipes. The boy frowned. Ader moved away from the pipes and approached him.
“I know.” continued the Seraph. “Not very comforting is it.”
“No.” muttered Kael shaking his head.
Ader stopped next to Kael and clasped his hands behind his back. The Guide smiled.
“I didn’t think so.” said Ader. “But it’s true nonetheless.”
Kael shrugged.
“You know, Kael.” said Ader. “It’s not that they dislike you or think negatively about you. It’s just that they don’t understand you. You’re a being they find incomprehensible, and men don’t warm quickly to things they don’t understand.”
“Fine.” groused Kael. “But it wasn’t that long ago when I was easily understood. It’s just recently that I’ve become a mystery. Even to myself.”
Ader nodded his head sympathetically.
“You know, my boy, I can’t help them understand you.” began Ader. “But I can help you understand yourself.”
Kael raised a questioning eyebrow.
“Well.” continued Ader. “Perhaps the first step in getting others to understand you is a healthy knowledge of self. Perhaps you need to know what you can do, before you can begin to explain who you are.”
Kael thought on it for a moment.
“Perhaps.” he replied.
“Unfortunately, I’ll be stuck here for several weeks while plans I’ve made begin to firm up.” said Ader. “I’ll be on this rooftop everyday about this time. If you feel the need to ask more questions or explore other .... possibilities. Feel free to come up.”
Kael smiled and nodded his head.
“For now I will leave you with your thoughts.” added the Seraph.
Ader turned and strode down the stairwell. Kael followed the Guide’s progress for a moment then walked to the rooftop’s edge. The Southland boy stared into the yard below, watching his father and the other sergeants put the recruits through their paces. Once more Kael’s thoughts wandered to questions concerning his place in all this. Where did he fit in?
Perhaps Ader was right. Maybe he needed to dive into who he was in order to determine what he was supposed to become. One thing was for certain. If he continued to sit around the Hold and feel sorry for himself, he would accomplish nothing.
Kael looked to the archery range and saw Eidyn standing amidst a group of recruits. The drill sergeant moved aside and allowed the Elf prince to demonstrate his technique. The wide eyed recruits stared in wonder as the Elf put shaft after shaft into the heart of the target.
Eidyn hung up the longbow and retrieved a short bow from the rack. He cleared the area around the range and began a sprint across the yard while demonstrating firing on the run. Next, he stood several brave recruits ten paces in front of him and lobbed arrows over their heads directly into a target. The applause and cheers grew louder after each display. Many of the other sergeants broke off their lessons and crowded their groups around the archery range.
Kael’s mood soured. Another member of his company displayed his worth while Kael sulked. As the boy st
ood on the rooftop growing discouraged, he glanced to the third floor balcony across the yard. There in the shadows of one of the great stone columns stood Granu eyeing him. This was Kael’s life over the past several days. Either Granu or Cefiz shadowed him as he moved about the Hold. Ridiculous, thought Kael. Two experienced soldiers, forced to wet-nurse a grown man. The Southland boy scowled. Was he a grown man? He certainly didn’t feel as if he were acting like one. Kael stalked to the stairs and returned to his cell.
One morning Kael awoke to find Flair gathering his belongings. Kael yawned and threw his legs over the edge of his bunk.
“What’s going on?” asked Kael.
The Southlander turned in surprise.
“Oh,....uh.. sorry, Kael. I hoped I wouldn’t wake you.” mumbled Flair.
“What time is it?” yawned Kael, rubbing the sleep from his eyes. “Shouldn’t you be training?”
Flair looked sheepishly at his friend.
“It’s nearing midday, Kael.” stated Flair embarrassedly. “The early training session is over. You’ve slept most of the morning away.”
Kael flushed with shame. Not only did he spend two weeks sulking over his life, now he became a lay about. He grimaced when he thought of old Brelg training in the yard all morning while his son slept the day away.
“What are you doing?” questioned Kael.
Flair bit his lip and looked to the belongings he carried in his hands.
“Um ... moving. I guess.”
“What?!” exclaimed Kael. “Why?”
Flair hesitated for a moment, then the words spilled out with excitement.
“I’ve been given my own cell, Kael! It’s a real honor. Only given to certain recruits. I mean, at first I was shocked but now I’m overjoyed. I never thought it would be me, even though Eidyn and Brelg kept telling me what a great job I was doing. The sergeants told me this morning. Of course, it comes with a lot of responsibility. I mean, men’s lives are at stake. I need to work twice as hard....”
“Hold on! Hold on!” interrupted Kael. “What is a great honor?”
“I’ve been named recruit leader!” smiled Flair with excitement. “I’ve been commissioned, Kael! I’m a corporal!”
Kael sat on his bunk expressionless. Conflicting emotions tore at one another. Flair, his friend, told him wonderful, exciting news. News that should make the Southland boy burst with pride. All Kael could feel was disappointment. Disappointment with himself for feeling directionless. Disappointment in his attitude. Disappointment that Aemmon wasn’t here to compete for the honor in front of Brelg. Overwhelming disappointment.
Flair sensed his friends emotions and the horseman’s face fell.
“I knew you would be unhappy I was moving.” said Flair. “But you are pleased by my success?”
Kael blinked hard and shook his head. What was he thinking? Once more caught up in self pity.
“Of course ... of course I am Flair.” spluttered Kael. “You’ve earned it my friend. You’re the hardest working recruit in the Hold, with the most talent. A combination they crave. Congratulations, my friend.”
Flair hesitantly smiled and nodded his head in appreciation.
“The new cell isn’t much.” smiled Flair. “Way up on the fourth level, outer wall. Still no window, but it’s an honor and I cannot refuse.”
“No. No. Of course not.” laughed Kael. “And I can’t wait. Finally, I’ll be able to sleep without your snoring keeping me up!”
“I thought you’d be pleased.” laughed Flair clapping his friend on the back. “Well I’ve got to run. I’ve got to get settled in before the afternoon training session. And old Brelg wants my input on the recruits. You know, who has the most talent and in what areas.”
“Go then. Go.” laughed Kael. “You’re a busy officer now.”
Flair smiled at Kael one last time then ran from the room. Kael let the smile fall from his face and sat on the edge of the bunk once more.
“What am I doing here?” whispered Kael to himself.
CHAPTER 7: THE ENEMY OF MY ENEMY
For several days Kael spent little time outside his room. When he did, the Southlander stalked the halls of the Hold in a permanent scowl. Recruits and staff avoided him at all costs. Often it seemed that the young man was talking to himself as he ordered some unseen assailant to leave him in peace.
Kael laughed to himself. These recruits thought him crazy, but if they knew the Keltaran lurked just round the next corner they might think differently of the boy’s demand.
Three weeks after the attack, Kael exited the main hallway of the Hold and entered the yard. The sight of Granu standing amidst a group of recruits stripped to the waist and holding a pike shocked him. Brelg stood off to one side smiling smugly. The Keltaran awkwardly fielded questions concerning his fighting technique from the respectful recruits.
Kael wandered over to his father.
“What’s going on?” asked Kael quietly.
Brelg turned and smiled at his son.
“I just initiated one of my finest training tactics to date.” laughed Brelg.
Kael gave his father a puzzled look.
“I manipulated the giant into demonstrating his skills for the recruits.” said Brelg. “I’ll give him this. Granu son of Grannak is a respectful man. When a request is made of him, he does his utmost to fulfill it.”
“But why do you want him to demonstrate?” asked Kael.
“Think about it, Kael.” said Brelg. “This group of recruits will more than likely be sent to the West to face the Keltaran threat. Who better to teach them how to defend themselves against the giants than a giant himself. And not just any giant mind you, but the Abbot of Awoi!”
Brelg was obviously pleased with himself. Kael turned and listened to the activity around Granu.
“.... but how would you defend against more than one assailant with such a long awkward weapon?” asked a stout, older recruit. “It’s too unwieldy to turn on an attacker who engages you from behind. By the time you get the pike turned toward him, he would be inside its radius and a short sword would fair you better.”
The Keltaran allowed a slight smile to play across his face, then it disappeared and he grew serious.
“I mean no offense, Master... ?” began Granu.
“Este.” replied the recruit.
“As I said, I mean no offense Master Este. But you allow a flaw into your logic.”
“What flaw?” asked Este respectfully.
“You look at the pike as a huge handle with a weapon attached to the end.” said Granu.
Este shrugged his shoulders and nodded in agreement.
“The entire staff is a weapon.” stated Granu. “The barb and the point are just a part of a much greater tool. I can inflict a great deal of damage on an enemy with that wicked looking barb, or ...”
The giant thrust the long shaft of the pike blindly behind him. The thick, wood handle rushed backward and snapped to a halt an inch from the nose of a startled recruit. The company surrounding Granu gasped and tensed simultaneously.
“....inflict an equal amount of damage with the handle.” continued Granu. “They are both suited for an attack.”
The group let out a collective sigh and several members of the party chuckled and winked at the frightened recruit standing rigidly only inches from the end of the pike’s handle. Granu lowered the pike and turned to the recruit as the man visibly relaxed.
“Pardon my display, friend.” said Granu bowing respectfully. “I merely wished to demonstrate a point.”
“No offense taken.” coughed the recruit clearing his throat.
Granu rose and turned back toward the eager recruits.
“He has them in the palm of his hand now.” whispered Brelg to Kael. “They’ll listen to whatever he has to say after that display.”
“The key, gentlemen, is to know your surroundings.” said Granu confidently. “Know where your enemies are and where they are coming from. You can keep several assailants at bay
if you use the pike properly.”
“Or if you have eyes in the back of your head!” shouted a recruit from the back of the assembly.
The entire group, including Granu, let out a hearty laugh at the quip.
“It may seem that way.” laughed Granu. “But truly I had made a mental note of those of you standing around me. As I spoke I was aware of those standing in front of me but also those standing behind.”
Granu turned to the tall youth he had thrust the handle at.
“ I might have bungled my display if you moved toward me in the few moments I took my eye off of you.” winked Granu. “However, from the looks I’ve received in these hallways over the last several weeks, I find it highly unlikely that any of you want to be any closer to me.”
Once again the entire assembly broke into laughter and Granu continued with his demonstration.
“How did you convince him to do this?” asked Kael.
“Quite simple really.” laughed Brelg. “When the prince is not following you, he skulks along the upper balconies eyeing the proceedings below. I noted that every time I saw him he took a particular interest in the pike training exercises.
Granu is a soldier at heart and being cooped up within this training facility must put a strain on him. Whenever I noticed him watching the exercise, I became purposefully vague and indirect with my instruction.”
“You did a poor job?” asked Kael in shock.
“Of course, in the short term.” replied Brelg. “But look at what it netted us. The man is an expert with the pike. I knew he would be unable to control himself. Granu is a natural born leader. A natural born instructor. Each day found him closer and closer to my group of pike men. Finally, today, he passed by as I began our training. I casually referenced the Keltaran skill with the pike and asked the prince his opinion on their superior skill. Before he knew it, and he still may not be aware of it, the Keltaran heir to the Granite Throne was instructing the soldiers of his sworn enemy.”
Brelg continued to smile and shake his head.
“.... perhaps one of you could come at me with shield and sword?” Granu was saying. “It’s only a simple demonstration.”
The Pool And The Pedestal (Book 2) Page 11
