* * *
In the first few years of their lives, the two Feldonian boys were kept apart from the rest of the city. However, as they grew, it became increasingly difficult to isolate them from the inhabitants of Hamal. They grew up alongside Siri, who, at four seasons older, proved to be both a protector and source of guidance. Kera had insisted that they retain the names that had been sewn into their clothing when Reinar had found them. Those clothes, long disposed of, had shown Reinar different family names. Yet he had deemed it safer to raise the boys as brothers, withholding their separate heritage from them. He had reasoned that life in Hamal would be difficult enough for them. As brothers they would, at the very least find strength in each other. Reinar had had no way of knowing that the boys in truth shared the same lineage.
Thibalt and Christill spent their time inside or near the family house, having quickly learnt their status within Hamal. Yet in that home they found a level of happiness. It did not take long for Kera to feel as though the boys were their own. And for that Thibalt and Christill were thankful. Reinar, on the other hand, attempted to keep a distance between himself and the boys, choosing to remain a strong source of discipline and authority. As was customary in Hamal, males were taught from a young age the harsh reality of life in Miirvk. The land gave little to its people and oft took everything. Survival depended solely on the strength of the community, and the Miirvkin would not suffer their people to show weakness under the watchful eye of Beon.
Their contact with children other than Siri was all but forbidden by Reinar. This was the most difficult for them, as they were forced to watch as Siri left their home, to attend her lessons and play with her friends. The reason as to their seclusion from the other children was then revealed to them.
According to Miirvkin tradition, males that had seen their ninth passing of seasons would begin their training. The lessons would teach them the skills and knowledge that Beon deemed necessary to make them worthy Miirvkin. Those unworthy individuals, that failed to pass their tests, were cast out from Miirvkin society. Sent to the wastes to fend for themselves and die undignified deaths.
Thibalt and Christill had been in Miirvk for nine summers to the day when Reinar sent them to the city centre. At first hesitant, never having been allowed out of their home alone, they sprung to the opportunity. They ran through the tightly packed walkways and eagerly pushed past the Miirvkin in their way, oft drawing jeers and threats.
They finally reached the large open area in the centre of Hamal known as the Mul'Pha Square. Here Hamal's young boys were gathering in a large group. Almost four dozen youths were huddled together in the northern side of the square, many looking upset, others excited. Reinar had provided them with no explanation or instructions, and they had known better than to ask, so they did not approach them.
Thibalt, utterly confused, turned to Christill, who was a good hand shorter than he, and saw that he was no wiser to their purpose here. The gathered men and women in the busy square soon began to stare at them, whispering amongst themselves. Not knowing what to do, they waited in the centre of the area, standing tightly side by side. Neither of them had the courage to join the larger group of boys who were now pointing and laughing at them.
It did not take long for the crowd to grow, along with their anxiousness. More of the onlookers began to point at them with unwelcoming looks, several even daring to throw stones at them. The brothers, lacking the bronze Miirvkin skin, and significantly smaller in frame, stood out starkly amongst those gathered.
After what seemed an eternity, the crowd turned silent as three men approached from a large mud brick building at the eastern end of the square. One of the three men wore a thick brown robe. Thibalt and Christill recognized him as the Disciple. The two boys had never seen the well muscled man in the centre of the three before, but when they glanced at the third man they were surprised to see Reinar walking towards them.
The three men walked over to the huddled group of boys and then turned to look at Thibalt and Christill standing by themselves.
"What are you waiting for, you ignorant fools," the Disciple screamed at them in his shrill voice.
The shout shook them out of their trance, and they ran to the group of boys as fast as they could. As they passed the three men, they were both struck across the back of the head by the Disciple. The Miirvkin boys chuckled and cheered. Standing beside the taller Miirvkin, Thibalt and Christill instantly felt uncomfortable and huddled more closely together.
The Disciple clapped his hands loudly to stop all the laughter and gain their attention. The irritation on his face shocked the two boys down to the very marrow of their bones. His brow was clenched so tightly that his eyes were barely visible through his wispy grey hair.
"I want complete silence!" he roared. "Today you stand before us, to present yourselves to great Beon. You are all now old enough to begin your training. To demonstrate your worth." He paused for a moment, taking in the boys before him. "I have been given the mortifying task of beginning the lessons that will teach you the knowledge you will require in your miserable lives. You will meet me here every morning at sunrise."
Loud groans erupted from the group after this last comment. Thibalt looked at Christill with wide eyes. "Sunrise!"
"Silence!" the Disciple shrieked. "You will do as you are told or I will see that you are sent to the wastes."
The comment had the desired effect, bringing the group to stunned silence.
"Reinar will collect you at midday and take you into the wilderness. He is better suited to teach you the skills that a Miirvkin warrior possesses. Once done, you will return here for Beanon to collect and take you to the forge for martial training."
This was what the boys had wanted to hear, and they could not help but begin chattering away excitedly. Christill however noted the blood rushing to the Disciple's neck.
Before he could quieten Thibalt, the Disciple moved up and swung his hand in a wide arc, smacking Thibalt in the back of the head and sending him to the ground.
"I told you insubordinate children that I want complete silence. You will learn your place. I will see every one of you tomorrow at sunrise," the Disciple yelled. "And may Beon protect you if you are late."
The three men then strode back towards the large building that they had come from. Slowly the Miirvkin boys began to leave, talking excitedly. Christill helped Thibalt up off the ground and found himself wondering why Reinar had not stepped in to help. They both moved to walk home, but as they headed out of the square they were stopped by a group of boys that they had been standing with. They surrounded the brothers, towering over them, and began to poke and prod them.
"They are so small," one of the boys teased.
"What about ugly," laughed another.
Christill lowered his head in shame which caused the Miirvkin boys to laugh at him.
"Leave him alone!" Thibalt shouted, putting his arm around Christill's shoulder.
One of the largest boys stepped forward. He was wearing thick furs over his shoulders, a luxury in Hamal, and a sign of his family's standing. He looked down at Thibalt, being close to a head taller, and spat on the ground. "How dare you talk to us like that, slave," he said, gripping Thibalt by the collar of his top. The boy raised his hand behind his head and formed a fist. "I will show you your place," he added, swinging hard at Thibalt.
Thibalt instinctively closed his eyes and tried to twist out of the way.
The impact never came.
He waited a moment before opening his eyes and did not expect the sight revealed. The boy's fist had stopped mere inches from Thibalt's face and was being held around the wrist by a slender hand. Thibalt looked for his saviour and was shocked to see Siri, blonde hair tied into a bundle behind her head, scowling at the violent boy.
"Do you young children have nothing better to do than fight? Go home before I tell your mothers," she scolded. She then let go of the boy's wrist, freeing Thibalt, and moved in front of her two
brothers.
The group looked to their leader, who was not pleased with the treatment he was being subjected to. Yet the boy was not foolish enough to hit Siri in the crowded Mul'Pha Square. He backed off grudgingly and turned to walk away. The look he cast at Thibalt told the brothers that the matter had not been settled.
Once the Miirvkin boys were out of sight Thibalt and Christill let out deep breaths.
"Thank you," Thibalt said, embracing Siri in a hug. "That would not have ended well without your help."
"You have to be careful now, little brothers. I suspect you will be the target of many more attacks like this," Siri said.
"We never did anything to them," commented Christill.
"That is of no consequence to them. The blood in your veins is enough reason for most of this city to hate you."
Christill shrugged. "I thought they would at least try to talk to us first. See that we are no different to them."
Siri forced a smile, but they could both see the concern in her features. They all knew the truth, yet did not wish to speak it. Reinar had kept them isolated from the Miirvkin for this very reason. "We are a proud people. It will take a long time for most of us to see beyond the hatreds of our past."
"Don't worry," replied Thibalt, wanting to lighten the mood. "Christill and I will manage."
"If you can, take Jin with you when you are leaving home."
Christill's eyes brightened at the name and he looked around eagerly. "Where is he?"
Siri winked and put her fingers to her lips, letting out a high pitched whistle. From the street to their right came a huge figure, seven feet long with thick brown fur. It charged towards them at an astonishing speed and then leapt almost ten feet into the air, landing on Christill. Its massive paws pinned him down to the floor and it let out a growl that shocked many of the Miirvkin in the square. Jin was one of the Irian, a Miirvkin cat, caught in the wilds as a pup and trained by Reinar to be a hunting companion. Having been confined to their home, the brothers had formed a bond with the cat that few Miirvkin could rival. It gave out another joyous roar and began licking Christill's face. He tried to break free, but his attempts fell feebly against Jin's sheer strength.
"All right, all right, that is enough. We should to go home, mother will be worried," Siri said happily, pushing Jin off of them. The cat playfully rolled off Christill and crouched low, casting a threatening stare at Thibalt.
Thibalt raised his hand, the laughter draining from his face, and said, "Jin, don't..."
His call came too late as the cat leapt from the floor and wrapped him in its grasp.
Christill wiped the remaining drool off his face and watched gleefully as his brother was subjected to the same treatment.
Siri shook her head and turned towards home. "Fools, the lot of you," she called back at the boys.
The brother's did not hear the comment though, as Christill jumped onto Jin's back, sending the three of them into a rolling tussle. Siri left them there, content with the thought that they had all the protection that they would need.
Dawn of the Valiant (The Valerious Chronicles: Book One) Page 7
