Seth’s stomach grumbled, yearning for lunch, or at least a snack. Pain shot through his feet with every step on the hard dirt road heading into Crey Village. Jena’s hand occasionally took his. She had not been the same since he almost lost control of his new power. Did he blame her? Was anyone more scared than him? The hatred and rage took over, merely hiding the terror that engulfed his heart. Maybe that’s what it was like on the battlefield.
Ellis twirled his daggers and dropped them into their sheaths. “All this walking, damn. If I’d known, you’d have gone by yourself.” He tried to hide his smile.
Jena squeezed Seth’s hand. “We’ll be home soon.”
“Yeah, I guess,” Seth said.
Jena’s deep blue eyes softened as she looked up at Seth. “He’ll understand.”
“No, he won’t. I stormed out, and my last thought about him was hatred,” Seth said. “I can’t forgive him for not trying to avenge my mother’s death.”
“She’s not your real mother,” Ellis said.
Seth glared at him. “She was the only mother I ever knew. I may not be her son by blood, but I will always be her loving son.”
Ellis backed away from Seth. “Sorry.”
Jena's hand shook as she hugged Seth. “You can come home with me if you like.”
Seth drew back. “Jena, you’re shaking. Why are you still shaking?”
“I—” Jena turned away. “I’m still not—I don’t know.”
Seth pulled her in close to his heart. “Do I scare you?” he asked softly.
Jena tightened her embrace. “Some, but I know you’d never hurt us. I—I just never saw a boy do that before.”
“I had a birthday, you know,” Seth said. “I’m no longer a boy.”
Jena opened her mouth.
Seth put one finger over her mouth, motioning her to be still. “I love you. I don’t know what this is either. I think Father knows.” He continued down the road.
Ellis blinked. “You want to tell people?”
Seth shook his head. “No, that could make us more of a target. I—I just don’t know what to do. I wish that dwarf was Dane.” His eyes narrowed. “I want him so bad, I can smell it.”
Ellis pointed down the road at the small collection of simple buildings. “Crey Village.”
“Are you coming with me?” Jena asked Seth.
Seth sighed. “No, I have to talk to Father about this. Meet me later?”
“Sure,” Ellis said as he started to run towards the village.
“I thought he hated it here,” Seth said.
“Only when he has to work at the bakery.” Jena kissed him. “After dinner?”
Seth beamed at her. “I’d love to.” Hand in hand, the couple walked into the village.
About ten minutes later, Seth and Jena stopped in front of his home. He sighed.
She embraced him. “I can come in with you. Maybe it won’t be so bad if I’m there too.”
Seth sighed. “No, I have to do this alone.” He kissed her forehead. “I’ll see you later. Okay?”
Jena nodded. “Yes. Remember, I love you.” She kissed him.
Seth watched Jena stroll towards her house. Yeah, he was alone. He stared at the door. Brock was either not home or didn’t see him outside. Once he opened that door, there was no going back. He took a step. His throat began to dry up. Seth picked up his pace towards the door. Maybe the faster he got it over with, the easier it would be, right? His jaw clenched tightly as he pushed the door open.
Seth closed his eyes as he entered the door, as if that would soften Brock’s screams. He stepped inside. Nothing. He opened his eyes and saw a once proud man sobbing on the couch.
Brock looked up. His cheeks were red and wet as if he’d been crying all night. “Where have you been?”
“We went after Dane,” Seth said as he sat down next to Brock. “We didn’t get him.”
Brock’s face tightened, but cracked as soon as more tears flowed down his cheeks. “My Sally will have died for—for nothing if you get yourself killed before you take back the throne.” He put his hand on Seth’s shoulder. “I know she wasn’t your real mother, but did you love her?”
Brock’s tenderness pierced Seth’s heart. His fear and anger for Brock melted away. “I loved her so much.” Seth hugged Brock.
Brock looked right into Seth’s eyes. “I—I know you did what you thought was right. I don’t blame you. I wanted to kill him too, it’s just that, I have to protect you.”
“Have you eaten?” Seth asked. “I’ve been gone for more than a day and the house looks just like I left it.”
Brock laughed. “I don’t remember when I ate last.”
Seth walked over to the cupboard near the window. He found a loaf of boule bread inside. “Split it?”
Brock wiped the tears from his cheeks. “Sure.” He joined Seth at the table.
Seth broke the bread in two and handed a half to Brock. “Are you really not mad at me?”
Brock’s tired eyes surrendered. “I’m furious, but—you’re home now.” He munched on some bread. “What happened?
“Me, Jena, and Ellis went out, not too long after I left here.” Seth studied Brock. Should he hide what happened until he’s stronger? No, that would only make things worse. Was he strong enough for the news that his adopted son can wield magic? What choice did he have? “We found Dane with the other knights.”
“Which knights?”
“The ones you’re hiding. They all thought he was lying about being a knight,” Seth said. “Something about—damn it. I don’t remember exactly. But, they chased him off.”
Brock frowned. “Really?”
“We followed him to the bridge. The funny thing was that he seemed to be running from a dwarf,” Seth said. He nibbled on his bread.
“Dwarves? This far south?” Brock rubbed his chin. “They’d have to cross the River of Souls and the Wailing Mountains to get here. Dwarves come from Shumnar.”
“Where’s that?” Seth asked.
“North of Nightfall Meadows and Tarc. About a 4-week ride from here,” Brock said.
Seth swallowed. “We lost Dane and decided to catch up with him at Qrento.”
Brock sighed. “That’s a real rough town.”
“I know. After we crossed the bridge, the dwarves attacked us and—that’s when it happened.” Seth's stomach danced, sapping his strength to continue.
Brock put the bread down. “Did Jena and Ellis survive?”
Seth nodded. “Both times.”
“Both times?”
Seth frowned. “Please, Father, let me finish.”
“Sorry.” Brock tossed a piece of bread in his mouth.
Seth swallowed. There was no turning back now. “When the dwarf attacked Jena, I—I got so angry. That’s when I felt it.”
“Felt what?”
“A tingle, in my chest, and then—small lights, like the lightning from the sky, covered my body.” Seth’s eyes dropped as Brock sighed. “I’m telling the truth.”
Brock leaned forward. “Human males cannot use magic. It is a well-known fact.”
Seth glared at Brock. “Then how do you explain the dwarf turning into dust when the lights went through my sword and hit him in the chest?”
“What?”
“You heard me. That wasn’t the only time. A group of goblins did something to make us fall asleep. When we escaped, I grabbed one by the shoulders and he—died. His eyes popped out of his head.” Seth’s eyes welled up. “I—I—I had to expend the—whatever it was on the campfire not to hurt anyone else. I can’t explain it.”
Brock hugged Seth. “I’m sorry for doubting you. What did the goblins want with you?”
“They mentioned the same name in the letter, Shania. They said there was a bounty for me,” Seth said. “One thousand crowns.”
Brock blinked. “Wow.”
“This—power scared Jena and Ellis, but not as much as it scared me,” Seth said. He tossed a piece of bread in his mouth. “Do you have any idea what’s wrong with me?”
Brock started to pace around the room. “Not too long after Staerdale Castle fell, me and your mother were in Iprand.”
“Where’s that?”
“It’s just south of the main bridge crossing the River of Souls, near Port Shapus. Anyway, we heard a rumor of a boy who would unite the world against the Darkstriders and destroy them. The boy is human, and the only male that can wield magic.” Brock sniffed. “We always thought it was a nice story to give the people hope. It never occurred to me that—”
Seth leaned forward. “Is it me?”
“Probably not, but they might think you are. That puts you in even greater danger.” Brock sat back down.
“Greater?”
“Yes, now instead of looking for King Galin the IV’s heir, they’re looking for the prophesied king who’ll destroy them. It doesn’t matter what I believe or if it is even true, as long they believe it.” Brock’s face went white. “We can’t stay here. We have to leave.”
Seth blinked. “If we pack to leave, why wouldn’t they come after us, like they did before?”
Brock sighed. “They will, of course.”
Seth’s eyes widened. “What if they think we’re going to stay? Then they’ll think they have all the time in the world.”
Brock beamed at him. “Brilliant.”
“Father, if they attack us, should I use my power?” Seth asked.
Brock grimaced. “Only as a last resort.”
Seth looked out the window at the afternoon sun. Where will we go?