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Everything Begins Chapter 81
“Of course not! We will stop at Torkeln on our way, and she will stay with my parents.”“No, Ga’briyel!” Sophyra said wide-eyed. “I will not leave you!”“You must, my heart. You cannot travel where we are going when you are with child. It will be bad enough getting you back to Torkeln.” He kissed her. “Do not worry. I will be back with you as soon as possible. I promise.” Dropping one hand to her belly, he gently caressed it. “I will not risk your life or the life of our child.”“I can help you with your journey, Captain Mistri,” Manali said as she reached underneath her cloak. She pulled out a scroll and handed it to him. “This is a map that shows the way to Neyagin. The Dirack eggs must be destroyed within the next five moons, and it will take you three to reach the volcano. Perhaps four. You must leave soon if you are to keep this evil from being born.”“I know, Manali, but I also need to rest. At least tonight and quite possibly all day tomorrow. As I said, we will leave the day a
Everything Begins Chapter 82
“Yes, Your Majesty. The other captains went home, but I have sent for them, sire. They should be here soon.”“No matter. You need to go home first, anyway.” Tomas smiled. “I can smell the horses from here, Captain.”“I am sorry about that, sire. I was told to come straight here.”“Who are these others with you, Captain?”Frank looked behind him and gestured for the other three to join him. Sophyra stepped up to his left, and the boys moved to his right. “These boys are Mathi and Zahin, sire. I have been told that Mathi is essential to my quest, sire, and Zahin as well.”“By whom were you told this, Captain?”“A priestess of Yisu named Nikale, sire.”“A priestess? So you are saying Yisu Himself wants these boys with you?”“Yes, Your Majesty. That is exactly what I am saying.”“Hmm.” Tomas’ eyes moved to Sophyra. “And this lady, Captain?”Frank grinned and took Sophyra’s hand. “This is my wife, sire. Sophyra Mistri si’Adama.”“Your wife? When and where did you marry, Captain?”“More tha
Everything Begins Chapter 83
"Just do what you must, Frank Mistri," Tomas said, laying his hand on his captain's arm. "I admit that I do not understand everything that you are or that you must do, but I understand enough that I will not stand in your way. Do you need any additional men?""I do not know, sire. May I think about it?""Of course. Let me know by tomorrow so that I can make plans.""Yes, Your Majesty."Tomas smiled then. "Now go home, Captains. Be with your wife, Captain Mistri.""Regretfully, sire, I cannot. I must speak with Ma'ikel. There is much he needs to know, sire.""Very well, but I would not keep that beautiful woman waiting too much longer, Captain, if I were you."Frank smiled as he and the other two dropped to one knee. "I will keep that in mind, Your Majesty," he said.When they rose, Jarda said, "If Your Majesty has no more need for me, I would like to go home as well.""Go, Jarda," Tomas said with a wave of his hand. "Get to know your daughter.""Thank you, sire," Jarda said as he also
Everything Begins Chapter 84
"How do you know, Frank?""How do I know anything, Siskaska? I just do, and I have a strong feeling it will be soon." He drew his sword slowly, and Ma'ikel gasped when he saw the glowing white light of the blade. "Yisu blessed my sword, Ma'ikel. It will absorb the flames of Dirack, but will it protect me from a Sarpa's venom? I do not think so. I think I must die in excruciating pain again. I just pray that when I wake up it is gone." Then Frank moved to the door. "I want to go home, Ma'ikel. I want to be with my wife and forget about what I am for one night. I want to be normal." He froze with his hand on the handle. "What would Yisu do if I just decided not to be Sainika anymore? Would He call someone else? Would I be able to have a normal life with my wife?""I do not think so, Ga'briyel. I do not think you can just decide not to be what you are. I am sorry, my young friend." Ma'ikel's voice was thick with regret, and Frank nodded once before leaving the room. He walked down the si
Everything Begins Chapter 85
"Yes, Captain Mistri?" The man's apprehension surrounded Frank and he scowled."Fix the bag." That was all that was said before the Anmah stormed out of the room, snatching a wooden sword and staff from their holders as he left. Sophyra and Dinton followed him silently. Frank stopped in the center of the grounds, dropped the weapons, and proceeded to work his way through the weaponless patterns. These were not the beautiful, flowing moves that Sophyra was used to seeing, though, and after Dinton kissed her cheek and left, she seated herself on the platform, her feet dangling over the edge, and watched her husband. Each move was clearly designed to hurt someone or something. Frank violently fought with his imaginary opponents, kicking and punching and throwing them with as much intensity as he had shown at the bag. When he completed all the patterns he started them over. Four times he went through the set until sweat was streaming down his torso and his arms and legs ached. Even then h
Everything Begins Chapter 86
“There is a company of soldiers to the north of here, Captain Mistri, about ten leagues,” Tomas had said. “Fifty men who will be waiting for you. I sent word to them yesterday. They are yours to command.” Frank had been unsuccessful at keeping the scowl off his face, and Tomas had frowned at him. “What is the problem, Captain?”“With all due respect, sire, they are fifty men who will probably die because of me. I do not want that responsibility, sire.”King Tomas had stared at his young Captain for several minutes without speaking, seeing for the first time the turmoil on Ga’briyel’s face. “You need more help, Captain, do you not?”“Yes, Your Majesty, I do, but--” Ga’briyel’s teeth had clenched tightly at that point, but he had taken a deep breath and tried again. “I cannot let them die for me, sire. I cannot.”“They are soldiers, Captain. They know that death is always a possibility for them.”“Not the kind of death that awaits them if they accompany me, sire. No one deserves that de
Everything Begins Chapter 87
Kajal started to scoff, but he caught himself just in time. "Enemies, Captain Mistri? What enemies are we supposed to be afraid of?"With a snarl, Frank turned from the man and stood in front of his company. "Starting right now, eight men will stand watch at all times. Four on the ground with swords and four in the trees with bows. Kajal, you will give me a watch schedule by last light. Include the three of us, yourself, and the boys, but do not put us together."Even the boys, Captain? Why them, sir?""Because I said so. That's why. You do not know what threatens this world, Kajal, but I do. I have fought it, and it has killed me. Several times. I did not want the responsibility of the safety of this company, but King Tomas commanded me to take that responsibility, and I will not disobey my king. Zahin will be one in the trees, and Mathi will be on the ground. He will have his staff, though, not a sword. There will be torches staggered around the camp when we stop at night as well. T
Everything Begins Chapter 88
"Yes, sir, I would, too," Kajal said with a return grin as he reached into the pouch at his waist. He pulled out two silvers and handed them to Ga'briyel. "Your boy earned them for you, Captain.""No, he earned them for himself. Zahin, come here.""Yes, Captain Mistri?" The boy was putting his arrows back in his quiver while Ipsit was still trying to pull his from the branches.Frank handed him the silvers. "These are yours. You earned them.""No, sir," the boy said, shocked. "It was your bet, sir, not mine.""Still, they are yours. I do not need them, nor do I want them. Take them, please.""Yes, sir," Zahin said as he slowly took the money, "but it is not right, sir.""Nonsense. Do not argue with me. Kajal, choose your seven men, and I will tell them what I want from them.""Yes, sir. Right away, sir."Moments later, Zahin and seven guardsmen were standing around Ga'briyel, listening to him tell them where he wanted them stationed. When they moved to their positions, Frank walked to