Journey To Light: Part I of the High Duties of Pacia Read online

CHAPTER 32

  The Boy § 5

  The boy looked back through the dimming twilight to see that his aunt was ten lengths behind now. His horse still ran strong, but her gelding was failing and struggled to keep moving. The gelding’s end would come soon but it had a good heart and did its best to follow the powerful mare. The woman’s eyes met his and some wordless message passed between them. Don’t wait for me, she had said earlier, but she hadn’t finished talking. Something else had to be said and he knew what it was.

  His aunt raised an arm to point ahead of them and he turned to face forward. The trail approached the edge of a canyon and he could hear the roar of rushing water from below. He saw what the woman meant. A narrow bridge crossed the chasm, a span only wide enough for one to pass at a time. Moments later, the hooves of his horse pounded thunderously over the plank flooring of the bridge and he reined the mare in on the other side. When his aunt reached the bridge, however, her horse’s feet made different sounds as the poor animal stumbled and staggered across. The beast gasped for breath as the woman stopped by the boy’s side.

  “They’re not far behind,” she said.

  “Could you tell how many are following?”

  “Seven or eight Sarkonians and one Yuzoi, I think. But don’t interrupt. There isn’t much time and I want you to hear the true names of you and your parents from me and not just from the letter I gave you.” Despite her words, she hesitated a moment as she looked at him. “Let me hug you once last time, nephew, if that’s possible on horseback.” It was awkward but they managed to get some portions of their arms around each other without falling from their saddles.

  “Listen,” she said and she whispered into his ear. Releasing the hug, they both sat upright again. When he heard the words she had spoken, he felt like he had known everything all along. Memories of his mother saying his name in dreams were now clear in his mind and at last he understood who his parents had been.

  “And your name, my aunt?” he asked.

  “I am Andéra. Please remember me.”

  “I will always.”

  “Keep our names secret for a while longer. For now, call yourself whatever you must from necessity but you will speak your name loudly one day and everyone will recognize you. I’m certain of it. Now hear me; I can only say this once.”

  He nodded and she continued quickly.

  “Great things would be expected from any scion of your parents’ family lines, but you were special from the beginning. You can’t take credit for that, nephew, it came with your birth. That’s something everyone knew then. Anyone who saw your tiny face believed truly that you would be worthy of your inheritance and that you would be just as good as we imagined. Are you understanding what I’m saying, dear boy?”

  He nodded his head to answer. His aunt looked back the way they had come and listened carefully.

  “I think I hear something,” she said and she dismounted and drew her sword. As she stepped onto the bridge, she told him, “It’s time for you to do what you promised, my love. I know your heart tells you to stay by my side but your mind knows why you must go.”

  “I understand.” His voice was tight now but he spoke clearly. His heart pounded and he could almost hear the blood rushing through his veins. Tension and worry showed on his face but he was not forlorn or fearful. He really did understand now.

  “I can hold them here for a while. Even on foot I can cause them plenty of trouble,” his aunt said as she looked across the narrow bridge. Then she turned back to the boy. “I can’t tell you where to go anymore but the Hartgan Forest is due north from here. I don’t think you should stay on the trail much longer. Look for a place where you can go cross-country. After that, remember what I’ve taught you and make your own decisions. Everything we have that might help you is in the saddlebags.”

  Suddenly they heard hoof beats and rattling noises and the boy gasped. His aunt’s voice was louder and filled with emotion when she spoke this time.

  “In a few minutes you will be the last heir of our family and you have already been chosen. You must survive and become who you were meant to be. The fate of the world depends on it! Go NOW!”

  “I love you,” he said as he turned and spurred the horse. He raced away without looking back. He leaned forward in the saddle as the horse reached its full stride and spoke into the mare’s ear.

  “Run, Glori! Run and never stop!”

  *****

  The Story continues in:

  Return of the High Protector: Part II of The High Duties of Pàçia

  And concludes in Part III:

  And the Young Shall Lead You Home

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