Serra walked the streets saying hello to many as she went. Everyone was generally friendly toward her, save for the ones that had encountered her and Norryn on their “off-days.”. However, even these people scowled playfully in her direction. Serra quickened her pace then, anxious to spend time with her father before he headed to work.
Bannar was a robust and flourishing capital. Serra supposed it could even be called a city, but the word seemed too impersonal to her. The word town did a better job at defining her home. Despite its size, the warmth and comradery of Bannar could not be denied. Serra was warmed by this and the spectacular job Alderich Ashener had done in uniting the people under his leadership. His methods of diplomacy and fairness had intrigued her even at her young age, and Serra couldn’t imagine any place being maintained differently, especially the region of Thorne.
Serra had heard stories about the north and of the cities of Thorne. While only few of Vallance had ever ventured past the Passing Plains and into the region, the stories that had returned had been disconcerting at best. Each traveler had gone on about cities of steel and a populace that took more from the land than they returned. Each of these stories had been greatly filled with the consequences wrought of such a life, including amassing pollution and neglect.
While it was not Serra’s place to judge, she had to wonder how any country could be content with such a life. Bannar itself was just the opposite. As far as the eye could see, there was not one building or establishment that utilized any type of metal. Taking mounds of soil and mixing it with select plant extracts created a malleable and durable substance for building. It could be shaped into any possible structure and applying a special coating on the finished product tempered it, making it quite strong and able to withstand decades of wear and tear.
The process gave Bannar quite a pleasant and natural feel. For outsiders from the far reaches of countries like Thorne, it would be difficult to imagine that Bannar's elegant simplicity could carry such strength or advances. What separated each residence or business were the creativeness and individual tastes of its inhabitants. As far as the eye could see that individuality was clearly and colorfully abundant.
Serra made her way down Bannar's streets under the bright blue sky as the aroma of fresh baked bread beckoned from a nearby bakery. She then set her sights upon Bannar’s Gate, the capital stronghold, town hall and home Norryn and his family. Taking nearly an entire year to build, the hall dwarfed every other building in Banner. Banner’s Gate was a hulking masterpiece of craftsmanship, standing firmly as a proud sentinel over the entire town. Upon its creation, Alderich marveled at the finished product, referring to it as “an open gate of freedom and justness in all.” The concept had stuck, and Banner’s Gate was born.
Bannar’s Gate was more than just a simple keep. Along with housing the Ashener family, it catered to other prominent families of the region. Guests to Bannar’s Gate were welcome warmly and treated like royalty. Weekly town meetings occurred and Alderich rarely missed them. An extensive library took days to explore fully. The banquet rooms were without peer, carrying a variety of delicacies able to stave off the hunger of any palette. In fact, many of the feasts had become quite legendary stories across the region.
Serra then passed one of the true breakthroughs of Bannar, a large sprawl of an estate in the middle of town called Solace. Alderich and Norryn had come up with the idea as an attempt to counter hardship, welcome new citizens and offer space for an influx of visitors. Bannar was a place of limitless opportunity, but even the most fortunate could fall on hard times. And so, Solace was born.
Spanning considerable distance, Solace contained residence halls, supplied food, medical treatment and most basic needs to the downtrodden or up and coming new citizens. In addition, it cost nothing so long as you earned your keep and put back to the cause. Many had their starts at Solace. Others had chosen to remain, work and help new arrivals get on their feet as well. Solace was indeed a major success and triumph for all concerned.
Serra finally made it through the bustle to her home. It was located north in town, just a few stone’s throws from Bannar’s Gate. Her father was a successful executive advisor and representative of the citizens of Bannar and one of Alderich’s closest friends. Alderich had, in fact, discovered her father early on, making him a voice of the people. Serra found her home to be truly cozy and just the perfect size for her and her family.
Serra slipped into the door and looked about. A wonderful smell poured from the kitchen, caressing her noise and awakening her appetite. Serra smiled, grateful that her mother was such a masterful cook. Serra followed her nose and soon heard her parents Cethric and Nilanna. The tidbits of their conversation became clearer as she got closer.
“Yes, I was afraid it would come to this,” said her father. “I tell you it has the whole town spooked, Nilanna,” said Serra’s father.
Serra could hear her mother still preparing breakfast as she replied. “You mustn’t let it unsettle you too much, Cethric. You’ll get that stomach of yours into knots and waste a really good meal if I do say so myself.” Serra smiled at the response, for her mother had always been that way. It was not that she didn’t care about what was happening. She just was not going to waste time worrying until she could do something about it.
Cethric pushed on stubbornly then. “But I’m telling you that a war could erupt at any moment and that tensions between us and Thorne are thick enough to slice. The whole town is in a blooming uproar while we try to smile and reassure them through gritted teeth and here you are still trying to fill my belly. Now how am I supposed to eat with that kind of load on my mind?”
Nilanna turned and pointed the large wooden spoon in her hand at her chosen threateningly. “Oh, you’re going to find a way, good sir. A day worried is a day wasted if you ask me. Besides, you always think better with a full stomach. So, you are going to sit there and wait for me to finish and when I put a plate before you I will either watch you clean it or force feed you myself.”
Cethric planted his light frame smartly in a chair. He rubbed his hand over his thinning hair. “Hard woman,” he grumbled. “Shouldn’t you save some of this energy for lecturing for our child? She gets into more trouble than me, for the record.”
Nilanna shook her head as she returned to cooking. “She has no need for it right now. The trouble she gets into usually occurs after lunch. Right now, my energies are focused where they need to be, on a grumpy old worry-wart who better find his appetite quickly.”
Cethric crossed his arms, laughing. “Okay, okay. You win,” he said gruffly. “Speaking of our daughter, I do believe I heard the door.”
Nilanna called out, wiping her hands off with a cloth. “Serra, is that you dear?”
On her cue, Serra went into the kitchen. “Yes mom, it's me. Hello. You too, pa.” She kissed both parents. “It smells really good.”
Nilanna smiled, going back to her work. “Why thank you.” She began adding the finishing touches to the meal before portioning it onto plates. “Did you and Norryn have fun this morning? And more importantly, did you stay out of trouble?” On the last bit, she pointed the spoon at her daughter.
Serra blew flustered hair from her face as she slumped in her chair. “I think so, mom, but we had a bit of a run in with Vonack again though.”
Her mother shook her head as she added a final pinch of pepper. “I swear, that boy wants to be more trouble than he’s worth. I just don’t understand what got into him.”
Serra’s father shook his head. “Spoiled, vile child. His parents are to blame. I’ve wished to set him straight a time or two,” he said
“Now, dear, let’s not go and make assumptions.” Said Nilanna as she turned back to her daughter. “So, what happened?”
Her parents listened as Serra recounted the morning’s events. She recounted everything, including how Norryn had handled the situation. Nilanna finally put her hands on her hips, scowling fiercely. “That spoiled, vile child!”
Nilanna’s attention went back to Serra. “Was Norryn hurt?”
Serra shook her head, still remembering the morning’s events vividly. “That’s the strange part, ma. He was just fine. When it was all said and done, he got up like it was nothing. I still don’t get it.” Serra slumped down in a chair, her confusion and frustration still evident. She then looked at her father as he chuckled.
“Well that boy has many talents I would say, but that one in particular came with the help of his dad,” said Cethric.
Serra placed her head in her hands, her elbows on the table. “But how?”
“Well hon, it is part of his fighting skills, passed to him by his father, passed to him by his. Alderich explained it to me before, though I had a hard time grasping it. While a form of it exists even in our Vallance military, the only way you are going to see that kind of skill outside of Alderich and his sons would be to head to Axiter. The Ro’Nihn were created through Alderich and Wyndall, many of them personally trained by them both. Through practice and application, they perfected the principles that you see through Norryn. I can tell you this, outside of the Ashener family and Wyndall’s Ro’Nihn, you will not find better fighters anywhere in this world.”
Nilanna came over with two steaming, hearty plates. “There you are. Now you can do something more constructive with that mouth of yours than talking our ears off.”
“It is darn good that you cook so well, woman.” Cethric winked at his daughter as he spoke.
Nilanna went back to the counter. “Feed your face love.” Her tone was light and motherly.
“Planned to,” Cethric said, diving right in.
Serra was a little more reserved in her eating but loved it no less than her father. She just had to make sure the curls of her hair didn’t try for a taste. Between bites, she asked more questions. “So, all that time Norryn was being hit by Vonack, he was just making Vonack think he was hurting him when he actually wasn’t?”
Between swallows, her pa answered. “That is about right. Alderich says it is about teaching your body to ‘think and feel on its own,’ though I can’t see how you can do that. Somehow, they do though. I have seen many forms of fighting in my day, but I have seen nothing more effective than the little glimpse of what you saw today.”
Serra played with a bit of her greens with a fork. “I still don’t see why Norryn lets that bully do that to him. I hate it. They called him a freak and things much worse than that.”
Her father put his hand on her shoulder. “Try not to dwell on it. Norryn allows it because he chooses to. He is not flinching over Vonack’s little outbursts from what you say. He’s better than that. Norryn accepted that he was different from most folk a long time ago. I have seen a lot of things in my day, a lot of things. Norryn Ashener takes the proverbial cake. Every time I see him, he surprises me with some little feat or insight. He has all the makings of a great leader, like his father. I still can’t believe the little bugger is only 11 years strong. Besides, I have no doubt he could throttle Vonack if he really wanted to.” Nilanna elbowed him to keep eating as she sat down with her own plate.
“That may be true, but he still can be so frustrating at times!” Serra blew at her hair once more.
“That is just the way that he likes it, Serra,” Cethric said. “And I think that is an aspect that you, his friend, are stuck with for as long as you both shall live.”
“Oh wonderful,” said Serra glumly.
{6}
All was blissfully quiet in the park, and Alderich Ashener smiled at the revelation. The park was built without his knowledge on the east grounds of Bannar’s Gate as a show of thanks to Bannar’s chosen ruler. The park itself was elegance through simplicity, a small retreat that made the most of its space. Luscious plant life from across the region was gathered for the park, complimented by a calming pond and fountain. Alderich could think of few places he would rather spend some quality time with his son.
As if on cue, Norryn appeared. Alderich should have sensed him over by the water but had not. His boy was good at hiding himself and his feelings when he chose to. Norryn got to his feet, allowing his presence to be felt as he approached. He walked to his father and embraced him, smiling the entire distance. Alderich grin matched his son’s, as he patted Norryn’s back. “You are here early, my boy. I would have expected you on some sort of adventure already.”
“I know you’re busy father,” said Norryn as he released the embrace. “I didn’t want to keep you waiting.”
Alderich squeezed his son’s shoulders as he locked eyes with his boy. “I will always have time for you, son. Always. Remember that.”
Norryn looked back up at him with all seriousness. “But I never wish to take that time for granted.”
Norryn’s father ruffled his boy’s hair, chuckling warmly. “Fair enough, son. Fair enough. Shall we get started then?”
“You bet,” said Norryn with a grin.
Without another word, the two took a few steps back and proceeded to start stretching in unison, something they had done countless times over the years. After some unorthodox stretches, they began partner work. Back and forth, they took turns helping the other loosen up. That ended with Norryn and Alderich facing each other, taking turns pushing and lightly striking the other in different areas of the body. As they were pushed or struck, Norryn and Alderich each focused on going with the movement, rather than resisting its impact, thereby “absorbing” the motion.
When the initial warm-up was finished, they then proceeded to sparring drills. Each took turns grappling the other with a variety of holds while the other escaped. Alderich would grab Norryn’s arm, and Norryn would use his body movements to free himself. Then immediately Norryn would lock up with his father in some way to have Alderich escape him. Sometimes they would just escape. Other times they would take each other to the soft grass, rolling to the ground and back to their feet. Back and forth they did this, escalating from grabs to punches and finally punches and kicks. They continued like this for at least 20 minutes.
The exercise ended with the combining of all the things they worked on rolled into one. Although it appeared much like sparring, they moved at a slower, steadier pace. The emphasis was on the motions and the work. Both father and son had built up a sweat, but were now relaxed and invigorated. Alderich put his arm around Norryn at the end. “That’s enough for now. I must get back soon. You did quite well today.”
Alderich’s son wiped sweat and hair from his face. “And you as well, dad.”
“Same time tomorrow?”
Norryn nodded. “Of course. Already itching for a rematch, I see,” said Norryn.
“Always,” said Alderich as he suddenly grinned. “Have you doused yet?”
Norryn’s shoulders sagged instantly. His body suddenly revealed exasperation, and his voice matched it. “No, not yet” he finally admitted dejectedly.
Alderich laughed at this. “Never did like that part of it did you?”
Alderich’s son shook his head. “Of course not. I mean, what sane person would?” replied Norryn, laughing. “Dousing” was another part of their family’s health regimen. It involved pouring a bucket of cold water over the head, followed by special breathing techniques. The idea behind it was that the dousing, with a regular use, boosted the immune system, purged out the body of impurity and energized the spirit. However, the body never really gets used to it, much to Norryn’s dismay. Moreover, the idea of pouring a bucket of cold water over his head didn't set well with him. Grudgingly, he had to admit the results, for Norryn never got sick. “I will do it before lunch. I just hope it doesn’t ruin my appetite,” he said gruffly with a grin.
Alderich offered a playful push. “Fear not, my boy. It would take a mountain moving phenomenon t
o do something such as that!” He slung his arm around Norryn’s neck and dragged him away from the cozy little park. He was truly proud of his young son. As trying as it was to admit it, it was already getting difficult to handle Norryn while sparring. Alderich still marveled at his son’s natural aptitude, for they were abilities that would only get stronger as he grew.
To compound Alderich’s situation Norryn still surprised him on a fairly regular basis. The boy was truly unique as people went, and his gifts were abundant. However, Norryn’s father knew it was important to remain casual for his son. Norryn received enough attention from others about such things. He knew his boy just wanted his father to be his father. Alderich looked up at the sky to gauge the time. Damn, I will be late if I am not careful. I need more hours in a day.
At last, Alderich accepted that the time to part was at hand. “I really do hate to cut this short, but I have some matters that need addressed before the town meeting. I am sure your mother would like to see you sometime today, preferably before you get yourself in any trouble,” he said.
Norryn feigned shock as he replied. “And why would you think I am going to cause any kind of trouble?”
Alderich eyed Norryn coolly. “Keep in mind that you are not the first young man your mother and I have had to keep an eye on. It’s in the blood, though I haven’t the slightest idea where it comes from.”
“I’m sure,” said Norryn knowingly. They walked toward the front doors of Bannar’s gate. Not too many people were around, but there were some children playing. Norryn watched two brothers wrestling each other for a moment. Instantly he missed his older brother. “Have you heard anything from Rhoneck yet?”
Alderich let out a sigh, shaking his head. “I’m sorry, Norryn, not yet. I’m sure we will get a letter from him before too long. As much as we don’t want to admit it, he’s an adult now and exactly where he wants to be. Trust me, I don’t like it any better than you do,” he said in reflection. At 25, Rhoneck had earned the right to command his own troops without any pull from his father. Rhoneck had earned every inch of the honor by his own accord. While Alderich was not happy about the danger it placed his son in, he could not help but be proud of Rhoneck. Right now, his oldest boy was north, near the borders of Thorne, and his family anxiously waited for his next message.
Ashener's Calling Page 6
