A6: The Young Man

Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five

Chapter Six

The tavern was dimly lit and filled with people and smoke. Tim, the inn keeper, was smiling and glad for the storm outside and all the business it brought him. He was, however, carefully watching a mysterious trio of suspicious looking men sitting at a table in the corner.

The trio had been arguing for some time and hadn't ordered much. Tim worried. He could not afford a fight on such a busy night. And so, behind his smile he paid close attention to the table in the back corner. At the first sign of violence he would summon his men and kick those ruffians out. He would have done it sooner, but he was anxious for their money, and hoped his instincts were wrong.

The three men were worn and rough from their journeying. The man currently thumping his fist on the table was an older man, with shoulder length white hair and a beard that struggled to stay out of his ale. His very white eyebrows grew like bushes above his heavy, dark eyes. He was the loudest of the trio and his name was Kalvero. His deep voice was thunderous and his heavy arm threatened to break the table in half:

"There is no other way! When will you stop fantasizing? When will you see the reality of the situation? Or is it that you are a coward? (Here, he lowered his voice to a strained whisper) While we sit here and wait, some other war lord is planning his attack on Kaufa the Crazed and we will be subjected to an other wicked man's rule!"

"It's not that simple, Kalvero. You make it sound as if every one in the land is ready to unite and take up arms against the Aurians. Or that the Aurians don't already have a huge army in place with vast resources, " replied the small, blond haired man named Jasper in an equally desperate whisper.

Jasper was thin, and pale. His voice was much softer than Kalvero's, yet he spoke with as much earnest. He was a very learned man and much respected in the land. What he lacked in stature he certainly made up for with knowledge and cunning. Now, he was trying to convince Kalvero, who lead a band of about 1000 rebels, to hold off his suicide attack on the Aurians until he had more support. Particularly, the support of Soondra, the mystic.

Most of the people in this land were superstitious. There had not been a unifying leader since, Vinominen, many, many years ago. There is no one alive who remembers that time.

Except, maybe Soondra. No one knows how old she is exactly. But she remembers much more than anyone else in the land. So she is feared and respected.

Jasper was aware of the knife's edge that Soondra walked. The people's fear, that gave her some power, could easily turn against her. She had remained fairly quiet on the issue of the rebellion. Always quoting some ancient text that stood on the brink of everyone else's memory. A rhyme their grandfathers may have told them :

Darkness ebbs and flows
Giving way to light of day

When the shadow grows
Chasing sun and warmth away

Deliverance will only come
When shadow's powers are all undone
By the vessel of the ancients choice
By the everlasting clarion voice

Chasing dark and cold away
When the bright life grows

Giving way to light of day
Darkness ebbs and flows

Jasper, being probably the most learned man in the land, sought out the book in which this text was written. He never found it. But its message was troubling, like a puzzle that is missing pieces.

For the last few months he followed Soondra around. Quizzing, studying, and finally begging her to explain the text to him. He was only ever given cryptic responses, which naturally fueled his curiosity. It was during this sabbatical that he met Soondra's loyal friend, Edgar, and learned of their silent quest for "the chosen vessel." Jasper had come to understand that the shadow was upon them and would only be growing darker. He had been witness to some of the atrocities of Kaufa's strong arm. Obviously, Kaufa was not going to unite the people in any way except to over throw him. But he was not the main source of the shadow, either.

It began before. Discontent, greed and plundering had begun plaguing the people before the Aurians showed up. Which was probably why the Caleans were so easily conquered. He feared Kalvero's prophesy of a new power taking over the struggling one now in place.

"If you are fool enough to lead your men into battle now," Jasper continued, "you must accept the responsibility of their deaths. And what will be accomplished by that?"

The two, very different men now stared intently at each other. Glaring, until a quiet cough from the third party broke the line of daggers protruding from their eyes.

Both Kalvero and Jasper turned their gaze to the handsome young man sitting beside them. His hazel eyes commanded their attention and despite his youth, Kalvero and Jasper felt compelled to give it him:

"Kalvero makes an excellent point, Jasper. Time is not on our side. You forget, that I also have at least 1000 men willing to follow me. As for resources, I think you will be surprised with what we have already. And when the people learn of our cause I predict our stockpiles will be over flowing. As for the support of Soondra, I am leaving tonight to talk with my father, who, as you know, is her most trusted friend. Consider it a done deal."

Daniel was very compelling. He was young, full of fire and purpose, and thoroughly convinced that he was the chosen one of the ancients. He acquired many of his father, Edgar's, traits; Large build, jovial nature, handsome square jaw, thick dark hair and above all, an honest disposition--everything the people would expect in a leader. He was committed to the cause, and was sure that he could make his father (and Soondra) see that this clearly, is what the ancients had intended.

He would vanquish the enemy, restore peace in the land, unite the clans, and for all his efforts, they would make him king. Which he would reluctantly, but naturally accept.

After a few more drinks and pounding fists, Jasper agreed to leave with Daniel that evening to the village of Turtu, to see Soondra. It was a five days ride and Daniel hoped to make it there in three. Kalvero was returning to his village and would quietly move about the land soliciting more support. They agreed to meet in a fortnight to make further plans for the uprising.

Tim, the inn keeper's, smile grew even wider as the men paid him and left out in the wild storm. He never wondered why they left so late at night and in so much haste. He was only glad they had gone without a fight.