by Mike Morris
In the center was a large stone cauldron, about four feet in height with flames burning from the heart of it. Words were carved into the stone but Jack couldn't read. Several men stood around it with heads bowed.
Everyone ignored the cart as made its way to the eastern side of the main building. They passed people working in gardens before coming to a halt in front of a barn.
"Here we are, laddies," said Smythe as he hopped off the cart. A stable lad pushed open the doors revealing stables. He took the reins from Smythe and waited while the man unlocked the cage. "Jump out and be quick about it. Welcome to your new home."
The boys looked at each other. Now that they had arrived, they were reluctant to leave the cage. One by one, they stepped into their new world. No chains waited for them. Jack smiled. Soon he’d find a way to escape.
"Follow me," said Smythe and led the group through the stables into another, smaller, enclosed courtyard. They entered one of the buildings and walked down a long corridor. Jack tried keeping track of the route but he was soon lost in the twists and turns. At least the stone floor was gentler on his bloodied feet. They saw lots of other boys of all ages, identical in appearance — shaved heads and immaculate uniforms. One grey shirt after another. Some carried books while others had weapons. Jack did not know what amazed him more. He didn’t know anyone who owned a book, they were just rich men's follies. Weapons he knew and understood but why would they arm the children? Surely they had all been dragged to this place the same way as he and Brendan had been.
They passed doorway after doorway and Jack found it impossible not to look inside each one. Some were empty apart from tables and chairs aligned to face front, whilst others were full of boys listening to a Black Dog lecture them.
The group found themselves in a quiet corridor with a counter at the far end. A much older man, bald except for a few tufts of hair above each ear, stood behind it. He was squat but broad of shoulder. He reminded Jack of a bulldog that used to prowl his old street one summer. He knew the man wasn't someone to cross.
The man tipped his head in greeting. "Hello Smythe. Weren't expecting you back for another day or so."
"Alright Jacob. We made good time getting here. Aidan didn't want to hang about, did he? Could have done with a day or two extra to enjoy myself in Arbour but that's not his style."
Jacob smiled. "Nah, not that one. Takes his vows very seriously."
"Well, I'm not one of you priests, am I? I just take your coin and try and earn a living. It wouldn't hurt him to let me have a chance to spend some of it. God knows, there's no one around these parts to have some fun with."
"No one you haven't already spoilt your chances with anyway, that's for sure. He was doing you a favor. Stopped you wasting whatever you earned." Jacob leant over the counter and inspected Jack and the others. "Hello puppies."
Jack did his best to show he wasn't intimidated, squared his shoulders like his dad used to and stared back at Jacob.
Jacob laughed in return and glanced over the bruises on Jack's face. "You do this?" he asked Smythe.
Smythe clipped Jack around the back of his head. "This one’s got anger on the brain but they're good lads on the whole. And now they're yours."
"Alright, Smythe. Off you go then. See if you can find some poor fool of a girl to get into trouble and I'll deal with the pups."
Smythe gave Jacob a mock salute, snapped his heels and turned sharply to head out the door. Jack couldn't say he was sorry to see the man go. One less pair of eyes watching him.
Jacob lifted up the counter top and stepped through into the corridor. His shoulders seemed to fill the space between the walls. He snatched up a piece of wood with paper attached to it. "Right," he said, licking a pencil on his tongue. "Give us your names, then we'll sort you out with some new clothes, some grub and a bed."
He chewed on his tongue as he wrote the boys' names down. "Now come back here and let's see what size you are," said Jacob when he was finished. Jack followed his brother and the others into a room filled with shelves, all of which were filled with clothes like the other boys had been wearing and racks of boots.
"Line up, lads. Let's have a look at you," said Jacob.
Bryan was first.
"You're a bit of a scrawny one." The Black Dog gave him a quick glance before grabbing some clothes off a nearby shelf. He gave the boy a pair of black trousers and a grey shirt. Not the dust grey of Brixteth either.
Jacob pressed the sole of a black boot against Bryan's foot to see if it was the right size. Matching, the man smiled to himself and passed Bryan the other boot. Jack looked down at his bare feet; cut up skin, ingrained with dirt. He'd never owned a pair of shoes or boots before. Couldn't even imagine what wearing a pair would be like. This wasn't what he’d expected.
Bryan clutched the clothes in his arms as if he was afraid to let go. "Wait over there while I deal with the others," said Jacob with a final gift of a pair of socks as he pointed to the far corner.
He moved quickly through others until only Brendan and Jack remained. "You brothers?" Jacob asked, passing a shirt to Brendan before changing his mind and swapping it for a slightly larger one.
"Yes," replied Brendan, looking only at the clean clothes in his hands.
"Thought as much. He's like a mini version of you. Well, your family is going to get a lot bigger now. We're all brothers here."
"I have only one brother," said Jack.
"Maybe by blood, for now but we're brothers in a cause, before God. And we'll all share our blood one way or another by the time we find ourselves before Him," said Jacob.
"My Mum said there was no such thing as God."
"I don't know your mother so I can't comment on how clever she is but I'll let you make up your own mind. Let's see what you think in a year or two. You'll experience many things that might get you thinking differently."
"I doubt it," replied Jack as he took the uniform from Jacob. He left unsaid that he didn't plan on being around too long.
The five boys stood in a line, boots stacked on clothes in their arms. Jacob swung two shutters closed over the counter top and locked them in place. It was the first lock Jack had seen since they had arrived. Jacob looked at him as if he could read his mind. "Even men of God can find a clean pair of boots hard to resist. Best not to leave temptation in their paths." He said as he walked passed the boys and opened the door behind them. "Follow me lads."
The procession moved deeper into the building before finally reaching a wooden staircase. They climbed up two flights of stairs and down more corridors.
"Whitehaven has stood on these grounds for three hundred years and has been home to our Order for that whole time," said Jacob as they walked. "Stephen, the First Knight himself, originally came from here, walked down these very corridors like you do now. A thousand brothers live here and some three hundred puppies like yourselves."
"It's still a prison," muttered Jack to his brother.
Jacob stopped in his tracks and turned to face Jack. "Prison? Who told you that?"
"We were brought here in chains, in a cage," said Jack.
"Nearly every man here arrived the same way but I'll tell you this: no door shall lock you in. If any of you pups want to leave, just put one foot in front of the other and march out the main gate."
"Why do you keep calling us pups?" asked Thomas.
"Because one day you'll be a Black Dog, once we've taught you what you need to know. Until then you are puppies to be taught how to shit and eat and much more besides." He resumed walking, the boys quickly following. Jack stood for a moment, watching them. Brendan glanced back at his brother and beckoned him to follow.
Jack waited, not wanting to give in, but when the others turned the corner and were out of sight his resolve broke and he ran to join them.
It took five minutes before they arrived at their destination. Jacob opened a large oak door, revealing a room lined with beds on either side. Boys of similar ages were scattered around. Some talk
ed in small groups. Others read books. Some were even asleep. All wore the uniform the group had been given. All had shaved heads.
"Marcus!" Jacob called out and an older boy broke away from a nearby group and came over. On his left arm was a red band.
Marcus bowed in greeting. "Yes sir."
"Marcus meet Bryan, Erik, Thomas, Brendan and Jack. Find them beds. Get them cleaned and their hair cut then show them where to eat. They meet the Abbot on the morrow so they need to be respectable," said Jacob.
Marcus gave another smart bow. "Yes sir."
"You lads just do what he says and you'll be settled in before you know it. He's been here awhile and knows what's what, does Marcus," said Jacob to his small little group. Then he lent over Jack. "And maybe you won't feel so hard done by with a hot meal inside you and a comfortable bed for the first time in your life."
"He's got a point," said Brendan as they watched Jacob walk off.
Marcus smiled. "I was new once too. I think it took me a year before I stopped getting lost around here."
"We're not going to be here that long," said Jack.
"Let me show you to your beds first and see how you get on, eh?" said Marcus, gesturing with his arm towards the interior of the room. Jack felt the attention of the room on him as they followed Marcus. He locked eyes with a couple of boys but none responded to the challenge like they would have done in Brixteth.
"How long have you been here?" asked Erik as they walked.
"Six years, I think," replied Marcus. "One more year to go. Then I'll be taking my vows and donning the black collar."
"Black collar?" said Bryan.
They stopped at three empty beds. "Part of the uniform is a black leather collar that all priests wear around their neck. We are called the Black Dogs because of it, because it looks like a dog collar," said Marcus.
"It seems a stupid thing to wear," said Jack.
"You may not think that when a Nostros is trying to rip your throat out and all that stands between your flesh and his fangs is that collar." The boys stared open-mouthed at him.
"You're just saying that to scare us," replied Jack.
"Why would I do that? Now, three of you take these and I'll find some more spots for the other two," said Marcus.
"Brendan and me will take two of them," said Jack throwing his clothes down on top of one.
"I'll take the other," said Erik.
"Now let’s sort out the last beds and get you all cleaned up. I'm not saying you all stink but the only thing special about you now is your smell. Follow me," said Marcus.
"This place doesn't seem so bad after all," said Brendan to his brother as they followed Marcus. "New clothes. Our own beds. Maybe it will be okay."
"I doubt it," replied Jack. "There's trouble here. We just haven't seen it yet."
9
702 PN
The next morning Jack stood next to his brother in a large assembly hall, filled with other boys. The air felt cool on his shaven head. The clothes were soft and the boots heavy. He didn’t recognize himself after they’d cut his hair and washed his skin. As he stood in his new uniform, he felt lost in the sea of bodies around him. The last few years of his life had consisted of him and his brother only. Now, wherever he looked, there were people.
The surroundings added to his discomfort. The great hall was unlike anything in Brixteth. Painted glass arched windows stretched upwards, depicting scenes of warriors and demons. Stone giants, with folded wings coming from their shoulders, were carved out of the columns spaced throughout the hall. Some bore swords in their arms. It was a different world than the one he came from. He was in a world he didn't understand.
But it was the age of the room that Jack was most aware of. When Jacob said that Whitehaven was three hundred years old, it hadn't meant anything to Jack. But standing in the hall, it did. More than the grandeur and the size, the room smelt centuries old.
All the boys in his dormitory were with him. They’d arrived within days of each other, from all over Abios. Jack's group was the last. They were all unwanted children, offered up to the law or given away by their parents. Anonymous. Nervous of what would happen to them. They filled only the front section of the hall. Eighty small boys feeling even smaller amongst stone giants.
Everyone stared ahead at the raised platform before them. On either side of an altar sat a row of priests. They, too, waited.
A bell broke the silence.
The priests rose as one to their feet.
From a door to the left of the platform, an old man entered. There was a curve to his shoulders as if the years were pressing him down, hobbling along with the aid of a wooden cane. He seemed to take an age climbing the five steps to the platform but no one moved to help him.
Every eye watched him walk to the center. The man placed his cane on the ground and gripped the altar. He bade his fellow priests resume their seats with a wave of his hand before looking up and fixing the room with his gaze. Even sitting several rows from the front, the intensity of his eyes startled Jack. There was nothing old about the glint in his eyes.
"I am the Lord Abbot. Welcome to Whitehaven." The man's voice was deep, strong, and rich. Jack felt himself straightening his back as he listened. From those first words, everything else in the room ceased to exist. Jack's attention was focused solely on the old man.
"Welcome to the Order of The First Knights.
As strange as it may seem, I was once a boy standing where you stand today. I was scared, alone, missing my old life despite how miserable that life had been. And I listened to a man, as you are now, give a speech about the glory of God. He told me that I was going to join a war that had been going on for many lifetimes against demons that intended to destroy all mankind. He told me that most of the people in the room with me would never make old age. That I would see most of them die violently or that I be amongst the dead.
"He told me things that made me feel even more scared and even more alone.
But what I didn't realize, what he didn't say, was that, for the first time in my life, I was not alone. I belonged to a proper family. A family that would never let me down. A family that would give their lives to save mine. The man before me became like the father I never had as I hope to, one day, become yours."
The Lord Abbot smiled and wet his lips with his tongue. He was mesmerizing. His voice drew Jack in. As much as he didn’t want to like the man, he couldn’t help himself. His passion reminded him of Father Heath back home. He looked like a man who cared.
"Because the role of every father is to guide his sons into manhood. To teach them right from wrong. To show them how to look after themselves and others. To pass on the wisdom of those who have gone before them. To feed them, house them, nurture them until they can stand together as equals. To be proud of the men they have become.
"Myself, and my fellow priests here before you, promise to do just that — guide you into manhood. And on that day, if you so wish, you may take the vow that I took and join the Order of The First Knights. On that day, if you so wish, you may join the eternal battle against the demon hordes of the Nostros. On that day, you may fight the Holy War that rages here in Abios and across the ocean in the Middle Kingdoms. On that day, you may be asked to sacrifice your lives for your brother who stands next to you.
"On that day you will be men. And, on that day, I will be as proud as any father can be of his sons.
On that day."
The words hung in the air. Every eye was on the priest. Was this some trick? Was this a way of winning over the boys? Jack tried to hold onto his anger. He didn’t belong there, in that room and no amount of nice men and clean clothes could make him feel differently.
"Until then, just find comfort in your new home. Get to know the boys around you. Feel safe and no longer worry about the roof over your head or where your next meal is coming from. Simply enjoy being children.
"The men beside me are your teachers. Every day, they will teach you everything, from how to r
ead and write, how to ride a horse, how to fight with swords, pistols or just your bare hands, how to live off the land, they will teach you about the Nostros and they will teach you about God."
"What follows will not be easy. You will be challenged in every way. Your minds will ache with so much to learn. Your muscles will burn with too much to do. But it is only through adversity can you grow strong. Pain is simply the weakness leaving your bodies. Embrace it. Enjoy it. Grow from it."
"Finally, on this day, your first day, here in your new home, join me in saying Our Lord's Prayer. The words you will soon know as intimately as your very names. Words that will give you strength, resolve and courage. But today simply repeat them after me."
Again the priests behind him rose as one.
The Abbott signaled the boys to do likewise. Jack got to his feet, unable to resist.
"Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name."
Eighty voices repeated the words in unison. It didn’t occur to Jack to refuse, to not take part. Their words were uncertain at first, barely more than a whisper in the cavern of the room.
"Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven."
The hairs on the back of Jack's neck rose as they continued.
"Give us your strength in the night, and protect us from the darkness as we protect those who need our strength, and lead us not into danger, but deliver us from evil."
The choir of voices seemed to grow louder, stronger with each word.
"For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever."
Jack's heart beat in time with the words. He could feel them inside himself as he uttered them, becoming a part of him.
"Amen."
"Amen" chorused eighty voices.
Jack's face was flushed as he finished.
Without another word, the Abbott bent down, picked up his cane and began his slow journey back across the platform. The other priests filed out after him, leaving the boys to be taken back to their dormitories.
At dinner later that evening, Jack sat at a long table with his brother, Thomas, Bryan and Eric. They had just finished a meal of pork, potatoes and carrots. All freshly cooked and more than enough for all of them.
