Everything Begins

Chapter 3

He calmly assured them, "I will not hurt you."He adjusted the position of his sword and fastened the belt around his waist.He grabbed the boy's hands and placed them on the pommel as he reached around him.Hold on to this.Shane went on to say, "I will not let you fall, little one," as the young man held on with white-knuckled strength.Just unwind.After grabbing the reins and squeezing his thighs, he started Gorshan trotting down the road.

After all, it looked like it might take three hours to get home.

Shane pondered his options regarding the boy all the way to the exit that led to his house.He eventually came to the conclusion that he had to take him to Ma'ikel and Torkeln, but first he wanted to take him home, feed him, and clean him up.He might be able to talk to him in the interim.Shane had wrapped his left arm around the boy's thin waist to prevent him from falling off the horse after the boy had fallen asleep as they began their journey down the road.Shane, on the other hand, gently shook him when they got to the turnoff.

"Boy, get up!"

The child shook violently and screamed incoherently.He is therefore not mute.That was not a good sign.A traumatic experience was the only other reason Shane knew of for someone not to talk, and he dreaded finding out if that was the case with this boy.As the child began to move around, he tightened his grip.He said it evenly, "Stop fighting me."You are secured.

The boy eventually settled down and looked around.There was no one on the road as the day turned into night.In the gloom that was only illuminated by the full moon and the stars, his eyes sparkled like violet torches as he turned his head to face Shane.

"Are you alright?"

The boy gave a nod.

“Good.This path is close to where I live.He led us into the woods.Would you like to spend the night at my house?You are able to get cleaned up and eat.You can come with me in the morning to Torkeln.

Shane turned Gorshan into the trees and toward his house with a second nod.Ten minutes later, they showed up.As his house's cheerful lights shone down on them, he let out a deep sigh.Millere stood frame in the light like an angel with her long brown hair that hung past her shoulders and her white dress as he stopped Gorshan in front of the door.When she saw her husband, her brown eyes lit up.

Father, Mother!She shouted, "Home is Shane!Shane pulled her to his chest as she stepped out as he fell from the saddle.

He took her face in his hands, kissed her, and breathed in her scent and taste. "Ah, I missed you."As his father and mother left the house, he reluctantly ended the kiss.

“Shane!”His father also clapped him on the back as his mother pulled him away from his wife for a hug.Shane grunted at the blow because Miva Johnson, who had served as General of the Crown's Guard for a number of years prior, had not diminished in strength.

"Who is that?"When Millere asked him a question, he backed away from his mother.He noticed Gorshan hunched over his blanket with his head down when he looked up at him.

Shane acknowledged, "I do not know."He was about eight leagues away from where I was standing on the roadside.That is all I know about his travels to Torkeln.Apart from the fact that he is Anmah.

“What?”His father shouted,However, he is so young!

Shane shook his head.That he is, though he is still Anmah.Eyes are not deceitful."

Shane's mother gasped and put her hand up to her mouth as the boy looked down at the three of them.Shane extended his arm over the boy's shoulder as he lowered the boy from the saddle.

Shane stated, "He needs food first, but he needs a bath and clean clothes."I can guess that it has been a very long time since he last ate, but I do not know how long.

Millere asserted, "I can see that."She sank to the ground in front of the boy, her eyes glistening with tears.Who are you by name?

The boy gave Shane a questioning glance as he looked up at him.

Millere, my wife, is shown here.Within fifty leagues of Torkeln, she is the best cook.She will make certain that you consume some food.

"He is speechless?"

I think it's more likely that he won't than that he won't.Since I found him, he has not spoken a word.

"Then how do you know he's going to Torkeln?" you might ask.

Shane said with a grin, "He is quite a decent artist," Millere said, "I see," and then she spoke with the boy once more.Would you like to eat something?”

He gave a firm head nod and his eyes got a little brighter.

Then, I'll get you both a new plate.At the very least, you two need to wash your faces and hands first."

During this conversation, neither of his parents said anything, but his mother quickly spoke up.

Millere, I will aid you.

Millere stood up and made her way toward the house, expressing her gratitude to her mother.

His father took the reins of the horse and said, "And I will fix Gorshan up in the stable, Shane."You are simply fed and cleaned up.

Shane said, "Thank you, Father," and then led the boy around the house to the pump.Boy, get real;Let us see what we can do to get rid of some of that filth.

After a few minutes of scrubbing, the boy followed him, and Shane led the boy into the house after deciding that they were both clean enough to sit at Millere's table.

The fireplace's blazing fire kept out the slight nighttime chill.Millere was busy ladling stew onto two plates while his mother buttered thick bread while a black pot hung above the fire.Shane unbuckled his sword belt and hung it from a wall peg after closing and latching the door.Before hanging the new gold embroidery on the sleeve of his blue jacket next to his belt, he took it off.He then grinned, closed his eyes, and exhaled deeply.For the first time in eight moons, he truly relaxed as the familiar scents of his house filled his mind.He looked at the boy after a movement beside him forced his eyes to open once more.

He was fidgeting, and his gaze was fixed on the food plates.The boy followed Shane as he made his way toward the table in the middle of the room.

He softly said, "You can sit here, boy," and he pulled out one of the chairs.

The boy rushed into the seat, sat down on his knees, and held the filthy blanket in one hand for himself.

"Son, may I take your blanket?"Analy inquired.

He shook his head as his attention was drawn to her by violet eyes.Analy was confused as she looked at Shane.

Shane said, "I think it is the only thing he owns," before he knelt on the floor so he could be at eye level with the boy.He stated, "She will simply hang it by the door, near my coat."I swear you'll get it back.

The boy gave him an uneasy look before nodding, removing the filthy clothing from his shoulders, and he held it out to Analy.

She took it and hung it, softly saying, "Thank you."The blanket appeared to be nothing more than a rag that had been used well past its usefulness in comparison to the flawless blue coat.

Now all the boy had on was a worn-out tunic that barely covered his knees.However, a flying silver eagle hung from his neck.Shane raised his eyebrows when he noticed that the black leather thong that was holding it had evidently been tied several times together.He would guess that it was worth more than what most men would pay for a moon.Surprised, he also now knew where the boy had come from.However, he pointed to the eagle while keeping his thoughts to himself.

"The token from your family?"

As he nodded, the boy straightened his back and looked proud.When Millere placed one plate in front of the boy and another in front of the chair at the head of the table, Shane was about to inquire further.

She said, "No more questions, Shane."Allow the boy to eat.

Shane said, dropping into the chair, "Right."His mother set out two mugs, one filled to the brim with milk and the other with piping hot tea, on the table.Ah, Mother, I'm grateful.And you, my love, this smells wonderful,” he said, wrapping one arm around Millere and pulling her close.He laughed as he gave the child a glance.He would probably agree that it tastes pretty good as well.

The youngster had grabbed his spoon right away and was squeezing more food into his mouth than he could chew.With the amount in his mouth, his cheeks bulged, and he only occasionally stopped his spoon long enough to swallow.Analy took the seat next to Millere in the chair that was next to Shane's.

Analy advised, "Slow down, son, or you will choke."

The boy stopped eating and shook his head, surprising everyone.Shane laughed out loud as Millere and Analy gave him the impression that he was stupid.The women's eyes were filled with confusion as they turned to face him.

What is so amusing?Millere inquired.

"It has already taken place, hasn't it?"The boy responded to Shane's inquiry.

The boy resumed eating after the shaking gave way to a nod.

"Shane, what are you talking about?"Analy inquired.

"An Anmah is protected from that thing for ever after they die from it.The boy hasn't choked on anything before, so he doesn't worry about doing it again.It will never happen again to his body.

“Really?That is incredible!Shane turned to look at his father, who had just come into the house.What evidence do you have?

"I've met an Anmah.Ma'ikel is his name, and he resides in Torkeln.Tomorrow, I'm taking the boy to him.

At this comment, the boy stopped eating and looked at Shane with wide eyes.He pointed to himself after putting down his spoon.

Yes, boy, he is similar to you.He can assist you if anyone can."

Until Shane and the boy had eaten enough to satisfy themselves, that was the last thing said.That was two servings of stew for Shane, but the boy consumed four.