The Heir of Dominion: The overcomer

Heir of Dominion: Chapter 4 (Free Sample)

Chapter 4: Shore Up

Over the course of a few weeks, and with much care and affection Eobar and his family nursed Virhos to health. Virhos still had some injuries that were recovering, but it was his mind, heart and spirit that nearly broke to the point of being without recovery. When he and Eobar were traveling, Eobar was able to keep his mind occupied. Now that Virhos was forced to sit and rest, everything under the surface was laid bare. Gahilda was able to reach him the most as Virhos seemed to open up to her. This was likely because Gahilda was a very strong, nurturing, and motherly figure and Virhos was close to his own mother. Once Virhos' mind was well enough, Eobar began to teach him all manner of things. First, he showed him what maps were. From there, Eobar showed him old relics of things from a past long ago and how people used to live in cities and how people were greater in number. He showed Virhos about reading and writing so Virhos could see for himself the things they said. Eobar promised once Virhos was well enough, they would travel again and go to the old places were men-built cities. Eobar had under a roofed shelter a work station with a big hearth and a big stone that came up to about Eobar's waist. He had all kinds of tools he had made hanging on the wall of the shelter. Eobar built a small mound hearth where he put in rocks into the roaring fire spewing from the top. He kept stoking the fire until the flame turned green. He showed a very white and shiny looking thing and dropped it in from the top and stirred and then he let it break the bottom and this dull orange liquid poured out. He collected out of the center of the hearth an earthen, thick, tall cup until it filled up to the top, then he plugged the bottom of the hearth again and let the fire die down. He poured the contents of the cup into an encased frame. After some time, he took the frame and it came apart in two pieces, and on one side there was a brazen sword. Eobar spent the rest of his day honing the edges and polishing the blade. He would pour water on the rock and scrape the blade at an angle to get the jagged pieces of the edge, which he collected in a bowl where he had other pieces just like it. He took another clay vessel and put all those collected pieces in it and set that in the hearth, the he replaced the two-piece frame with a much smaller one and then he put finishing touches on the brazen sword. With a chisel and hammer he inscribed along the blade by the hand guard and showed Virhos. "You see this Virhos," asked Eobar. "It is writing, I think," said Virhos. "What does it say, Eobar?" "I belong to Virhos," Eobar said, "This is for you, and I will have a few more things for you, one of them in a short time." He handed Virhos the blade. It was one piece, the handle, the guard, the blade and the pummel. It did not feel too heavy, but it had weight. Virhos was very grateful. Finally, he had a means that was designed to defend himself from harm. Eobar pulled out the second vessel and poured it into the other frame. Eobar called them casts. When it cooled enough, he pulled it apart. It was an odd shape, but Eobar went to work right away. He scraped along the stone edges like with the sword which Eobar called grinding. He then grabbed a pole made of oak that stood about half Virhos' height above him. When Eobar was finished, he presented it to Virhos and said, "You made something similar in the cellar at the old house. I had not seen one in a very long time, and yet you made one without knowing what this is, didn't you?" "No. What do you call this, Eobar?" Eobar extended it out to give to Virhos and said, "This is a spear. It is the most useful tool you could have young man, and I will teach you to use these things as I was taught. It will keep your foes distant and keep you away from the claws, tusks, and antlers of any game you might hunt. With this, you control the situation. I was extremely impressed that this is what you thought to make, and quickly I might add. If somehow a foe or game gets too close, you have the sword. I have a shield I am going to make you, but that will have to wait as the day is spent and the stars will soon show. I will show you everything I know. There are important, pressing matters I wish to discuss with you, but it is not quite yet time, young man."

Eobar put a great deal of effort into making the weapons for Virhos. The spear was riveted into the pole with a brazen ring placed right in the center where the spear balances. As night began to arise, and the sun hid behind the mountain, the low cry of the wolf could be heard in the distance. "Let us wash and eat, daylight is almost gone and we have had a long day," said Eobar. Patting Virhos on the back they went and washed their hands and faces and got ready for supper. They all sat in what was once a large dining hall. "Virhos, what adventure did you go on today?" Fraehast asked enthusiastically. "I helped Eobar turn rocks into a sword and a spear." Virhos responded. "Isn't it fascinating when Father does that? I still cannot understand. The man who taught Father was a very wise and good man," Fraehast said. Eobar paused for a moment, smiled then gave Fraehast a look. Virhos not paying attention to Eobar was instead dumbfounded by what was said. The thought that knowledge of this kind that was learned and passed down was mind boggling to Virhos. Before Virhos could even ask Eobar, Eobar changed the subject, "Ghiert, how did they day fair for you? How goes the flock?" "Eobar! Who taught you how to do that? How many others do you know? Where are they now? Could we -" Virhos interrupted the pseudo-conversation until Eobar sighed, nodded and gestured with his hand to demand his attention, but gently. Eobar paused, took a breath then answered, "I learned how to smelt and smith from a dear friend of mine. A very brilliant man named Torc, whom I knew life times ago. Of all the men I have known, and I could not count them, I never knew a man like him. They have all passed by the manner of the haebeorgen who did what they do. Now, let us reserve this conversation for some other time. There is much I wish to explain to you first." "Yes sir," Virhos acquiesced in a deflated tone. The other three looked at Eobar and in unison with their eyes they communicated across to him without saying a word. "May I ask one more thing, Eobar?" Virhos softly pleaded. "Of course, lad. You have done nothing wrong, nor are you doing anything wrong. To be perfectly honest, I have just been a little cautious because I do not want to hinder the mending of your mind as you are healing. Does that help?" asked Eobar. "It does," replied Virhos "But may I ask my question?" "Yes, of course Virhos, my apologies," Eobar said with a chuckle. "How did you bring me here so fast? How far away was the old home?" Eobar took a breath, sighed and said, "I am sure this question has been on your mind since waking here." Eobar paused for a second as if listening to something, then looked at Ghiert. Ghiert seemed to know exactly what Eobar's concern was and got up and went outside. "Virhos," Eobar said "I am not trying to avoid your questions. Something is going on outside. I need to go with Ghiert." He stood up and continued "Everything is alright," Then a rhythmic thundering began to grow louder and closer. "You are safe, do not worry. Everything will be explained" The thundering seemed nearly overhead. This was not the pace of a Haebeorg, this sounded like.... The flapping of wings, Virhos thought to himself. Then it stopped, and a rumble went through the ground. Eobar quickly looked at Gahilda, then went outside.

Virhos looked at Gahilda and Fraehast. They did not seem too concerned. Gahilda put food into a new bowl and set it on the table, and Fraehast got water from the pitcher and set it beside the food. After a few moments the door opened and Eobar and Ghiert were accompanied by another man. He was not nearly as broad as Eobar and nearly skin and bone with a rugged, short, white beard and short grey hair. "Gahilda," the man said as he came in "it is good to see you again," and they hugged and kissed each other's cheek. "It is good to see you too," she said. Then the man's attention immediately went the other way, "Fraehast!" said the man with a smile and with a hearty embrace of his forearm he pulled him in for a hug. "It is good to see you too Uncle!" Then the man's gaze fell upon Virhos. Virhos could feel this man see into his very soul. It was a bit uncomfortable as he felt the whole room go dark with a ray of light only fixed upon him. Right as Virhos' thoughts were racing through his mind, as if all his recent life's events were being relived over again in the span of a few moments, the man spoke to Eobar, "This is he?" Eobar nodded and quickly interjected, "Virhos, this is my older brother, Hroth. A pleasant surprise to see, but a surprise nonetheless." Eobar gestured to the food on the table "Hroth, the journey was long, would you like to sit and eat with us?" Hroth sat and said, "How could I refuse your hospitality, brother? And with the company as great as this!" He said all of this with a very big smile. That familiar smile made Virhos feel more at ease. Eobar had the same warmth and welcomeness as did Hroth. "Your name is Virhos, is it?" Hroth asked. "Yes sir." Virhos replied. "It is very good to meet you, young man." Hroth took a drink then looking at Eobar grimly he continued, "I wish I came with good news but alas, I have not. Eobar, a trap is being laid for you and your family. The haebeorgen have found where you live. There is one, much smaller than the others, and the bigger ones seem to obey him. He has been watching from the forest to the south with wolves. My coming here is more than likely going to force him to show himself, however it is sooner than when he wants as the others have not arrived to meet him. A handful of them have died recently and now they want retribution. There is five of us now, and only one of him which gives us a greater chance of success. If he does not come tonight, I suggest we draw him out tomorrow." Sudden fear sank into Virhos' gut and panic began to wrap around him like a snare. Visibly shaking Virhos looked at Eobar, "Those were his wolves Eobar! The three at the homestead and the ones we heard in the forest." There was a noticeable shake in his voice. Hroth looked in amazement at the slight suggestion of a young man and nodded in agreement, "Those wolves did not behave nor did they look like wolves I have seen back home. The young man is right. He has a pack of wolves. He seems to be posing himself their leader and they seem to obey his commands. Eobar, where did you find this youngling?" Eobar quickly interjected "We do not really have time to get well aquatinted unfortunately, if this be the case. Hroth and Ghiert, could you come with me?" and the trio went outside. Fraehast and Gahilda stayed inside as did Virhos. There was a pause, and then Virhos began to ask, "Gahilda?" His mouth was open, and he was trying to speak, but there were just too many things he wanted to ask. Then he just sighed in frustration. "It is ok dearie. I can only imagine how every day, something new happens. Please bear with us sweet boy. We will tell you everything you want to know. Right now though, just know that we love you very much and we will do everything to make sure you are safe, alright?" "But what if you die?" Virhos asked with eyes wide. "How will I live if you are taken too?" Fraehast let out a hearty laugh. "I am sorry Virhos, I am not laughing at you. We are more than capable of handling a few flea-bitten curs. Especially with uncle Hroth here." "Do not worry Virhos," Ghiert said from the other side of the door. "I guard my flock every night. This is nothing new at all." Gahilda spoke up, "See? You will be safe." She said as she brought him to his bed and helped him lay down. She then sat beside him and began to sing to him. He fell asleep in complete peace.