He placed his head in his hands and sat down on the broken well.He remained steadfast in his refusal to cry, raising his head with a ferocious expression on his young face.He got up, removed his gloves from his tunic, and looked around.He saw a few things that he could use, though the village had very little left.He went around, grabbed things he thought would be useful, and stacked them in front of the dining hall.He took a sack from the wall and the thin blanket from his pallet before entering the hut he had been using.He proceeded to the items pile after putting the blanket in the sack.It included the metal plate, a knife from his father, stones from his brother's slingshot, a flint stone, a cloak from one skeleton and sandals from another.Except for the sandals, which he wore on his feet, the rest of this stuff went into the sack.He knew he had a long way to walk and didn't want to go barefoot, but they were too big.About a third of the way to its zenith, the morning sun caught h

As the boy took his final bite, Shane said, "You know, you can eat yourself to death unless..." He looked at the boy.Shane laughed as the boy shook his head.Unless, of course, it has already occurred.After giving a nod, the boy consumed the stew, a second slice of bread, and the third cup of milk.His stomach was bloated when he was done, but he looked a little better.Millere sat at the table and observed Shane's mother and father as they ate, but they had already gone to bed.She smiled at the boy when he finally put down his spoon and sat back in the chair."It's late, but would you like to take a shower?"Millere's heart clenched at the sight of the child in front of her as the boy nodded.She and Shane had attempted to have a child of their own for ten years, but it was not to be.She got up and extended her hand, saying, "Come on, then."She led the boy through a door into the bathing room after the boy took it.With a large kettle of boiling water, Shane followed them.Shane added th

"Oh, Shane, for the sake of Yisu, get up, come with us, and tell us what you are doing with this child," they said.Shane got up.The general placed his hand on the boy's shoulder as he followed, but he did not move to join the men at the table."I need to speak with Ma'ikel alone, if you please, Your Majesty," I said.The king raised his eyebrows.Oh?And what exactly are you prohibited from saying in front of your king?"This boy, sire, is the subject.I regret that I am unable to say more at this time.King Tomas looked at the youngster in front of him and grinned.The king had curly brown hair that fell to his shoulders and sparkling brown eyes. He was a handsome man."Who is he?""Your Majesty, I am unaware.I hope Ma'ikel can assist me in that regard.The king's scowl got worse."Kid, look at me."Shane quickly stated, "He cannot, sire." as the boy stiffened.He has been instructed to ignore everyone.“What?Why?”"Sire, I regret not being able to tell you."General, "You cannot tell me

"Captain Phransa!” he bellowed as he advanced on the man.The captain spun from his position on the edge of the wrestling ring and snapped to attention. “General!”“I will speak to each and every Chatra, starting with the youngest. Send him to the quartermaster’s immediately after I leave.”“Yes, sir, General! It will be done as you say.”Jarda said not another word but swiftly marched to the quartermaster’s. He told the man that he needed the space, and it was instantly vacated. He positioned himself so that he faced the doorway, and he forced himself to relax. It was the older boys he was angry with, and he did not want the younger ones to be scared to talk to him. Moments later, a small boy walked slowly into the room and stood stiffly, his hand on his heart.“Chatra Dinton Sekara reporting as ordered, General.”“At ease, Chatra,” Jarda said softly, and the boy dropped his hand, spread his feet, and placed his hands behind his back.The general pulled two chairs from behind the cou

Jarda took a deep breath. “Look at me, boy.” Glaucus’ eyes slowly came up, and Jarda saw tears in them, but whether they were from fear or guilt, he did not know. “I want you to know that you are the only one of the guilty ones who had the courage to tell me the truth. It does not mean that you will not be punished for your actions, but it does show that you have some integrity and honor in you.”The boy nodded, and his voice caught as he whispered, “Thank you, General. That means a lot to me.”Jarda tilted his head as he crooked his finger toward the shadows. Tero stepped forward with the other three guardsmen. Unlike with Juston and the other three, he merely gestured toward the door, and Glaucus saluted as the first tear trickled down his cheek.“I am sorry, General Mistri,” he whispered as he turned and trudged out the door.Tero started after him, but Jarda stopped him with a hand on his arm.“Let the others take him, Tero. I want to talk to you.”“Yes, sir.” Tero stood at attent