by Chuck Black
The corner of Tav’s mouth curled up. “It’s all right. I’ll keep the paytha. I just wanted to know what had happened.”
“Very well, then.” The merchant winked. “You gentlemen have a great day.”
Tav and Twitch left the shop and continued on their way to the haven.
“Twitch, the little one is yours if you want him—er, it,” Tav said.
“Are you sure?” Twitch asked. “I thought you might give it to Mirya.”
“I think you would enjoy it more, if it’s as smart as Disty.” Tav grinned. “I can’t wait to see what Disty can do on a hunting trip.”
Twitch smiled as he thought of it. “Fresh game every night … Thanks, Tav.”
A few days later, the new paytha, now grown to palm size, was perched on Twitch’s shoulder, making high-pitched chortles.
Tav chuckled as Disty talked back to the little creature from Tav’s shoulder. Disty’s sounds were deeper, but still every bit as comforting to hear.
“What are you going to call it?” Tav asked.
“His name’s Bli.” Twitch stroked the back of the paytha’s little head.
Tav laughed. “That’s a strange name, but it sure fits.”
Within a month, Bli was big enough to keep up with Disty. Tav and Twitch taught the two paythas how to hunt, and they seemed bred for the task, with keen eyesight and an uncanny sense of smell. The little animals made every activity outside the haven twice as enjoyable as before. They also continued to reproduce. Before long, in fact, nearly all the younger trainees and many of the older knights at the haven owned paythas, and those who didn’t envied those who did. Sir Edmund was at a loss as to what to do, even though the quality of the training declined.
“Hey, Twitch, what do you say we take Disty and Bli fishing after work to see what they can do?” Tav said one day during their noon meal.
“But we have a training session at the haven tonight,” Twitch half protested.
Tav swallowed a bite of food and nodded.
“Sure would be nice to have some fresh fish for dinner,” Tav’s mother said as she sat down at the table.
“Aren’t you going to be commissioned soon anyway?” Tav’s father put a succulent piece of venison into his mouth. “I’m ready for you two to be done with your training so we can get on with business. I’ve given up far too many jobs because of that haven.”
“I get commissioned next month,” Tav said. “Sir Edmund has asked what my plans are.”
Tav’s parents quit chewing their food and stared at him.
“Don’t tell me you’re planning on running off on some wild nonsense adventure.” Tav’s father said. “Your uncle Baylor did that, and we’ve barely heard from him since.”
“I knew this was a bad idea from the beginning,” Tav’s mother added.
Tav glanced over at Twitch, both remembering their decision to become knights. It had actually been Tav’s idea to join, but both boys had accepted the Prince’s story gladly. Back then, the prospect of serving the King on grand missions had seemed exciting and appealing.
Those days seemed a hundred years ago now.
“I really do think Disty and Bli would enjoy fishing,” Tav said to Twitch. “Don’t you think we could skip training just for the night?”
Twitch shrugged and nodded. It was becoming tiring to work all day and then train in the evening too.
Less than an hour after putting away their tools for the day, they were at the lake, enjoying the late afternoon sunshine and laughing at the antics of the paythas, who picked up the concept of fishing even more quickly than they expected. When Tav snatched the first fish out of the water, the two critters jittered about excitedly. They ran up and down the shoreline, searching the waters, then stopped and chatted back to Tav and Twitch. The men cast in their lines.
It was the best two hours of fishing they’d ever had.
Life was good. Life was easy.
MOUNT RESOLUTE
“What is this all about, Tav?” Twitch said, breathing hard.
“Who is this man you’re supposed to meet?”
Tav crested the last rise on Mount Resolute and held his hand down for Twitch to grab hold of. “He’s my uncle.”
“Seriously? The one your father’s not so fond of?”
“That’s the one.”
Twitch clambered up over the rise and let out a low whistle. “Whenever Baylor comes by, things get tense around the house. It’s a good thing it’s only once in a blue moon.”
Tav looked about the small clearing where they stood. From here they had a clear view of the peaceful city of Burkfield. Somewhere in the trees below them were their horses and the paythas, who had reluctantly obeyed orders to stay behind.
“You’re right about that.” Tav took a deep breath. “It’s why my parents were hesitant to let me join the Knights of the Prince. They consider my uncle a little crazy.”
“Why?” Twitch asked.
“Because I believe that following the Prince requires sacrifice,” a deep voice boomed from behind them.
Tav and Twitch jumped and whipped about.
“Uncle Baylor,” Tav said without smiling.
“Hello, Gustav.”
Sir Baylor was a broad-shouldered man with black hair and a short black beard that was just beginning to fade to gray near his chin. Most of his knightly attire was black or dark brown leather. He cast a quick scrutinizing glance over both young knights but then focused on Tav. “I’m glad you decided to come. I thought perhaps your father had persuaded you to the contrary.”
Tav stiffened. “My father doesn’t know I’m here. I’m my own man now.”
Sir Baylor squinted and lifted a gloved hand to his chin. “Yes, I can see that. Sir Edmund tells me you have done very well in your training. You don’t know this, Gustav, but I’ve been checking up on your progress this past year, which is why I wanted to meet with you privately. Hello, Twitch.”
Twitch’s right cheek jerked a couple of times as he nodded a greeting.
“Why did you want to meet with me, Uncle Baylor?”
Baylor’s eyes narrowed as his gaze returned to Tav.
“What are your plans when you are commissioned?”
Tav looked off to the woods. “I hadn’t thought about it much. For now, I guess I’m planning on staying in Burkfield.”
Baylor looked disappointed. “Why?” he asked bluntly.
Tav seemed a little agitated. “Burkfield’s a great city. We have a good business, and I have a lot of friends here.”
“Comfortable, are you?” Baylor asked.
Tav eyed his uncle suspiciously. “Yes …”
Baylor put a hand on Tav’s shoulder. “Do you understand what it takes to truly follow the Prince?”
Tav squirmed and glanced at Twitch, who was closely watching the exchange.
“Of course I do,” Tav replied.
“Tav, there is a war raging all around us.” Baylor’s hand tightened on Tav’s shoulder. “I want you to come with me, to help me fight it. I’m looking for knights who are willing to ride far, fight hard, and sacrifice everything for the cause of the Prince. Such a life is not easy, but it is full of purpose. Aren’t you looking for more purpose than a comfortable living and a few friends?”
Tav seemed to struggle for the right words. He walked a few paces toward the ridge line, then turned back.
“I hardly even know you, Uncle Baylor, and I’m not sure what you’re asking of me.”
Baylor smiled. “I’m asking you to give up everything you know here, travel from one end of the kingdom to the other, and carry the truth of the Prince to all people.”
“And we would leave right after my commissioning?”
Baylor hesitated. “Unfortunately, I can’t wait that long. It may be months before I return. We would leave the day after tomorrow.”
“Day after tomorrow?” Tav’s eyes widened. He stared at his uncle, then at Twitch. Finally he shook his head. “I have to think about this.�
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Baylor frowned. “I’ll be here for the next two evenings if you choose to follow.” The veteran knight began walking toward the tree line. “Gustav, you should know that I am not here simply because you are my nephew. I was sent for you.”
The two men locked eyes; then Baylor disappeared into the woods.
Twitch came to stand by Tav, who seemed lost in thought.
“Come on, Twitch,” Tav finally said. “Let’s get out of here.”
That night neither Tav nor Twitch slept well, and their paythas seemed as agitated as they. In the morning the two young men worked in near silence. When they finished early, Disty and Bli scurried over to their fishing rods and chortled excitedly. Much to the creatures’ disappointment, however, Tav and Twitch went to the haven instead.
Late in the afternoon when the training ended, Sir Edmund gathered all of the knights and gave an impassioned speech on the need for each of them to commit fully to the Prince’s call. On the way home, neither Tav nor Twitch broached the subject of Sir Edmund’s speech or the previous day’s encounter with Sir Baylor.
The next day was much the same, but instead of going to the haven, they arrived home for an early supper. Afterward, Tav went to the barn and began to saddle Valiant. Twitch followed him, his right cheek in near constant spasms.
“What’re you gonna do, Tav?” He rubbed his cheek to soothe the muscles. Disty and Bli chortled back and forth, seeming to console each other for their masters’ apparent distress.
Tav cinched and buckled his saddle, then leaned against his horse and crossed his arms. Disty scurried up to his shoulder.
“I honestly don’t know, Twitch. What do you think about it all?”
Twitch’s eyebrows raised. “I … well … I guess I’m not sure.”
“My folks would have a fit if they knew I was even considering riding off with Uncle Baylor.” Tav shook his head as if he could imagine it, then gave Twitch a crooked smile. “Do you think my uncle is crazy? I mean, do you see any sign of a war raging around us?”
Twitch raised an eyebrow. “Well …”
“Me, neither. Why should I throw everything away to chase some crazy war concocted in the mind of my uncle? I think my father may be more on track about Uncle Baylor than I first—Disty, calm down. It’s all right.”
Tav reached up to pet the paytha, which was running excitedly from shoulder to shoulder. Then he shook his head again and reached for the reins of his horse. “He said we may not be back for months! How would I explain that to Mirya? She’s not going to wait around for me indefinitely.”
“You don’t really think your uncle is crazy, do you?”
Tav looked at Twitch and thought for a moment. “I guess not. I’m just not ready to accept his version of what it means to be a Knight of the Prince.”
Tav prepared to mount Valiant, but Twitch grabbed his arm.
“Do you remember when you asked me if I thought there was something more to being a Knight of the Prince than what we were doing here at Burkfield?”
Tav looked at Twitch and slowly nodded.
“Do you think this could be it? What if your uncle is offering the very thing you were looking for?”
Tav seemed stunned by Twitch’s questions. He looked out the barn door for a long moment, contemplating the two futures his next action would bring. “If it is,” he finally said, “I guess I’m just not ready to commit to it yet.” He smiled. “Besides, what would I do without you to keep me in line?”
Tav mounted up and settled into the saddle. “I’m meeting up with Mirya for an evening ride,” he said. “You’re welcome to come, Twitch.” Disty chortled excitedly, seeming to anticipate an evening of fun.
Twitch smiled sheepishly and shook his head. “Thanks, but no thanks.” Bli rested his chin on Twitch’s shoulder and chortled in low, somber tones.
Tav nodded. “I’ll see you later, then. By the way,” he said with a wink, “there’s more to you than most people think.”
Twitch patted the horse’s rump as Tav trotted off. He walked out of the barn and looked up to Mount Resolute, where his mind had been all day long.
“Something more …,” he murmured. Bli’s ears perked up as Twitch turned and headed for Kobalt’s stall.
DEFINING MOMENT
Twitch could hardly remember life without Tav. In fact, Twitch had never made any significant decision without first consulting his confident and sturdy friend. He almost felt as though he was betraying Tav when he rode alone to Mount Resolute that evening.
I doubt Sir Baylor will even talk to me once he realizes that Tav isn’t coming, Twitch thought.
All through the ride, he kept second-guessing himself. Once he even stopped and considered turning back, but something deep within kept driving him forward.
Bli seemed excited at first to be out with Twitch, but as they neared the base of Mount Resolute, the paytha began to flit nervously from shoulder to shoulder. At one point the little claws grabbed so tightly that Twitch had to stop. “It’s all right, Bli,” he told the paytha in a soothing voice. “Nothing’s going to happen to you.”
That helped until they reached the base of Mount Resolute, where Twitch tied Kobalt to a tree. He tried to make Bli stay with the horse, but the paytha wouldn’t leave his shoulder. Finally Twitch gave in and let Bli ride on his back as he climbed once again to the clearing atop the mountain.
Twitch reached the crest and walked into the clearing, feeling vaguely unsettled. He looked about for Sir Baylor, but all that moved were tree branches stirred by the cool evening breeze, so he sat down on a large rock and waited. Bli scurried down his arm, then jumped to the ground to forage for insects. Twitch watched the paytha for a long while, then finally decided he must have missed Tav’s uncle.
As he prepared to leave the clearing, the setting sun captured his attention. The gentle breeze dissipated as if to give the glowing orb center stage for the day’s finale. Streams of sunlight seemed to beckon across the sky, and Twitch wished he could follow. For some reason his heart ached. Sir Edmund’s passionate plea to be serious about serving the Prince and Sir Baylor’s call for Tav to take up a mission of purpose had stirred his soul, and he could not remain still. He slid from the rock and fell to his knees.
“My Prince …,” Twitch began, but Bli scampered over and leaped up onto his chest, chortling in a low angry tone. Twitch gently pushed the creature back to the ground, but Bli dug his little claws through Twitch’s tunic and into his skin.
“Hey!” Twitch shouted. Normally this would have sent Bli cowering to a corner someplace, but not this time. The paytha scurried right up his chest and over his shoulder, then latched onto his back.
“Bli, get down.” Twitch reached over his head for the paytha, but the sharp claws dug in deeper. Twitch squeezed Bli just enough to let him know he was serious. Bli responded by biting Twitch’s thumb.
“Ouch!” Twitch yanked his hand away. Blood was trickling down his hand. “What is wrong with you?” he said angrily.
Bli’s chortles became low growls. “Get down!” Twitch ordered again, but Bli just growled more loudly.
Now Twitch was getting nervous, fully expecting the animal to chomp into his unprotected neck. He reached back again, and this time the paytha didn’t even wait for Twitch to grab him before biting the fleshy skin between his thumb and finger. One of the paytha’s hands reached around and sank sharp claws into Twitch’s right cheek. Twitch reached with his other hand and grabbed the creature by the back. As he yanked it away, Twitch felt the paytha’s claws rip small pieces of flesh from his shoulder, back, neck, and cheek. At that point, the creature turned into a snarling, wild-eyed beast.
“Bli!” Twitch shouted, trying to bring the animal to its senses, but it bit and clawed at Twitch’s hands until he was bleeding from a dozen places. Twitch finally threw the animal away from him and drew his long knife. Bli hit the ground and immediately turned back toward Twitch. It snarled as it flicked its tail from side to side, apparent
ly looking for the right moment to attack. Twitch stood up, and that seemed to cause the paytha to hesitate. Then it froze, perked up its ears, and scurried off into the woods.
Twitch was breathing hard, and his heart was racing. He took a moment to catch his breath, watching and waiting for another attack from the paytha, but it did not come. Finally he sheathed his knife and dabbed his bleeding wounds on his tunic, wondering what had happened. The only other time the paytha had ever growled was once when Sir Edmund came near to talk at the haven.
Rattled by Bli’s sudden vicious behavior, Twitch took a deep breath and turned to leave, but the beauty of the sunset once again captured his attention. His mind took some time to clear, but he felt better with each passing moment. Strangely, it felt good to have his shoulders free from the weight of the paytha, and his mind finally seemed at peace without the animal’s constant chortling. He felt … free, and his thoughts turned once more to the Prince. He knelt down.
“I haven’t much to offer, my Prince, for I am unskilled, ill-equipped, and unworthy.” Twitch opened his hands and spread his arms out before him. “Yet I offer myself to You. If there is something more to following You, then show me and I will see. Command me and I will obey. Lead me and I will follow. If my feeble life can be used by You, I give it. I am Yours, my King and my Prince.”
Twitch bowed his head. He had never dared speak such words before, for he knew such an oath demanded pursuit, but this moment and place had caused his heart to spill out. It felt good … and a little strange. Twitch shuddered with the sense that a curtain had been drawn open behind him … a curtain hiding another world.
Overwhelmed by the thought, Twitch ducked his head and glanced to the right—just in time to see Sir Baylor lunge straight at him with shoulder lowered.
Twitch tried to stand, but Baylor hit him square in the chest, and they careened to the ground, rolling perilously close to the ridge that fell off far below the clearing. Twitch gasped, his lungs collapsing from the force of the blow, as Baylor scrambled to his feet and drew his sword.
