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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
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- Everything Begins
Chapter 123
"I am fine, Frank, but I am very hungry." She smiled up at him. "Just like you always are."He frowned and ran his hand over her hair. "Not always, Sophyra. Not after the Dirack." He took her hand and led her out of the room, shutting the door behind them to let his son sleep. They went down to the main room, and Frank eyes went wide when he saw Telantes sitting at the bar talking with Luija."Telantes, my friend. Why are you here?" Frank kept his arm around his wife but walked up to the Debaduta and clasped his forearm."I am here to tell you where you are to go next, Frank."With a skeptical look, Frank eyed his friend and tightened his grip. "Why did Yisu not just tell me Himself like before? Why are you really here?"Grinning sheepishly, Telantes released the Sainika's forearm. "That is one reason, Ga'briyel. I cannot lie; you know this. But there is a second reason. You and your family..." The spirit looked at Sophyra. "I hear congratulations are in order again, Sophyra. Another
- Everything Begins
Chapter 122
"He is dead!" he announced, and the soldiers carried him into the same room as his supposed victim and laid him on the floor. Captain Panakari followed them, shooed them out of the room, and shut the door. "You can get up now, Captain Mistri." Frank opened his eyes, took his sword belt from the other captain, and stretched with a smile before strapping it around his waist. "There is a back way out of this room, Captain, but you must make your way to your inn on your own. Try not to let anyone see you, or they will know I lied, and then I will find myself in the noose."Frank held out his hand, and the other clasped his forearm firmly. "Thank you, Captain. I appreciate everything you have done for me tonight. Please know that everything I did was for the good of your people. They may not understand that, but it was. My family and I will be gone in the morning." He followed Captain Panakari to the door in the back of the room, and after it was unlocked, slipped out into the darkness of
- Everything Begins
Chapter 121
"Benefits of being friends with a Debaduta, daemon!" Then Frank stopped talking, swung his sword, and began the deadliest dance known to man with the daemon in front of him. Dolsaya's eyes went wide, and he tried to flee, but Frank was too quick, and soon the daemon was backed up against his storefront. With a single swipe, Frank removed the daemon's head from his shoulders, and with several others, dismembered it. Then he turned to the daemon behind him and resumed the dance. It seemed as if it only took a few minutes before Kaysaya's head was rolling along the middle of the street, caught in a rut formed by hundreds of carriage wheels, but when Frank had hacked the third daemon to pieces, he realized that it was dark, his muscles ached, and he stank like rubbish that had been sitting in the summer sun for a moon. He looked around and was surprised to see several people standing on the wooden walkways watching him. Most had torches, and he walked to one, grabbed his torch, and applie
- Everything Begins
Chapter 120
Adama grinned and slid out of their bed. He went to the chest of drawers and pulled out a white linen shirt, black breeches, and a red coat. He dressed himself quickly, and then looked at his parents expectantly. "Come, Baba," he said, excitement flowing from him and covering Ga'briyel, as he held out his tiny hand to his father.With a smile, Frank stood, held out his hand to Sophyra, who took it and joined him, and then took his son's hand in his. They went to the main room where Luija already had first meal on the table. The Debaduta was standing by their table, a worried look on his face."Are you sure about this, Ga'briyel? It will be dangerous at the docks. Two of the daemons have shops there, after all.""How did you know?" Sophyra asked him. Luija just looked at her, and she nodded. "Yisu told you, yes?""Of course He did, and I do not think this is a wise move to make, Sainika. The daemons will be waiting for you to bring your family out of the inn. I have a very bad feeling
- Everything Begins
Chapter 119
“Nor should you, my child.” Frank looked at his son, forced his eyes to dim, and smiled. He sat down next to Sophyra on the bench she had chosen, pulled her close, and kissed her softly. “Later, my heart.” He groaned softly when her heat almost smothered him. “Please, Sophyra, stop. Not now.”She rested her hand on his thigh and began to trace small circles on it. “I will try, my love, but it will be difficult knowing what you have planned for later.” She smiled coyly at him as Luija entered the room with a platter full of food. He set it on the table, smiled at Ga’briyel, and spoke softly.“I would love to speak with your son later on, Sainika. I think we could speak together for several hours. You and your wife could retire early to your room, I think, if you would like that.”Grinning and letting his eyes flare once, Frank answered, “I would like that very much, Luija, thank you. I was going to ask you if you would watch him for a while.”“Watch him? There would be no watching, Ga’
- Everything Begins
Chapter 118
“It is, but they know you are here, and they will block your ability to sense them. I will do my best to help you find them, but I am at risk if I leave this building, as well. I do not wish to be banished, and so I generally stay here. They know of me, of course, but there is nothing they can do about it.” Luija came around the bar, gestured over his shoulder, and walked toward the hallway that led off to the right of the main room. “I assume you would prefer a ground-level room, Sainika?”Frank did not move. “Why would you assume that, Debaduta?”The man smiled as he turned to face his newest boarders. “Stairs can slow you down if you need to leave the inn quickly, Sainika.”“Nevertheless, I would prefer a room above ground. Stairs may slow me down a bit, but I do not want anyone to be able to reach our room while we sleep. I will not risk my family like that, Luija. They are my life, and if I lose them, I cannot be responsible for what will happen.”Luija frowned at that last state
- Everything Begins
Chapter 117
There were several villages through which they rode where Frank and Sophyra were given distasteful glares when adults saw the tiny boy riding alone on the large bay, but while Sophyra took each look to heart, Frank ignored them completely. He could not ignore Adama’s innocent question the first time it happened, however.“Baba, why is everyone so angry?”“What do you mean, my son?”“When we enter a town, people stare at me as if they are angry.”Frank smiled. “They are not used to seeing such a small boy riding alone without support. They do not understand that you are not like other boys, Adama, and they disapprove of what they do not understand.”“I could make them understand, Baba. May I try, please?”With a shrug, Frank acquiesced. “You may try, Adama, but I do not believe you will have much success.”They had stopped at the first inn they had come to, having been in the saddle and sleeping on the ground for the past four days and nights, and Frank dropped from his saddle, helped
- Everything Begins
Chapter 116
"A fool am I?" Frank snarled. "And what is it that makes me a fool, Daitya?"The man laughed. "Anyone is a fool who tries to fight Sayatan and his sons."Ga'bryel grinned, but if a human had seen that grin, they would have screamed. "And yet I have killed three of his sons already, Daitya. Dismembered, they are rotting away as we speak, never to come together again. Soon they will be only bones." He shrugged as if it mattered not a bit to him. "I assume their souls are gone as well. That is what Telantes told me."At the name of the Debaduta, every Daitya recoiled. "That interfering spirit!" the spokesman said with a snarl. "He has been far too involved in your life, Sainika. Sayatan will deal with him in time. We may be able to banish him for a year or so, but Sayatan can destroy him as easily as you can destroy us.""Speaking of," Frank said, taking a step closer to the Daitya and readying his sword, "I am going to destroy you all right now.""You would fight unarmed men?""You are
- Everything Begins
Chapter 115
Unknown to the kosmar, Frank was fighting her in his mind. When she stripped him and herself bare, he battled with the vision of her and forced himself not to react. Devina noticed this and growled softly. She tried everything she could to stimulate the Anmah, but he struggled through it all and kept Sophyra in the forefront of his mind. With his wife's face emblazoned on his subconsciousness, he was able to resist everything Devina did to him. She became more and more frustrated as time went on, and then Frank slowly became aware of a voice in his mind.Baba! Wake up! Fight her, Baba!At that, Frank opened his eyes, and Devina jerked away from him. When he slowly stood, she backpedaled until she was against the door of the room. "How?" she asked softly."My family," Frank said quietly. "They protect me. Even from myself sometimes." He walked toward the kosmar until his sword's tip was at her throat, and then he grinned without humor. Devina's eyes went wide, and she raised her hands
