The Firmament Saga: Book I: The Rains of Sorrow

Chapter 4: He Who is Cursed

Chapter 4: He Who is Cursed (Kane)

Moonday, Week 20, Month Trinitus, Year of God 487

Kane of House Equus pressed his ear to the sturdy wooden door leading to the library. Unlike other buildings in the central circle of Urbs Sacer, Equus Mansion was built square, compact and efficient. No lavish artwork or gilded doors decorated the house that ruled half of capital territory. The library was filled with only books, not lavish sculptures and paintings. The door was thick, but not so much that he couldn't hear what was being said.

"Thone, he's only seventeen. Plenty of noble boys manifest abilities later."

"Wind Caste ones do. Never been a Rain Casteman that blooms later than fourteen. He's not blessed."

Kane recoiled in shock. He was well aware of the fact he had not yet manifested the ability to use Lux. While his peers had spent their recesses careening through the air, he had sat on the playground's stone floor with the little children. Even they had refused to play with him. His peers had relentlessly teased him, and his parents had so far resisted attempts to brand him Sun Caste. That might change, given the words being spoken. He pressed his ear to the door once more, sadness and eagerness guiding him at the same time.

"I suppose you're right, Thone," Kane's mother Rainlady Reen said. "But he's our only surviving son."

"Seth was sacrificed and Shane died in a freak accident. Makes me sad just thinking about the latter. Kane was going to be our military son. Now, he's our heir and he can't use Lux. To put it mildly, we're sunned." Thone sighed at this. Reen started sobbing, and sounds of sorrow emanated from Thone. They then began to move to the door.

Quickly, Kane pulled back and moved out into the hall, but it was too late. His parents saw him.

"You heard all that, son?" Thone asked.

"Y-yes, father," Kane said. His voice was beginning to tremble and quiver.

"I'm so sorry, Kane," Thone said with tears in his eyes. "Even if you're not respected in the eyes of God, you'll always be my son."

Reen hugged Kane, saying, "This is a tragedy. I hope God shows you at least some mercy." Kane had always been closer with his father than his mother, often going on hunting trips and food distribution runs with him. Mother had tried to educate him, but failed and sent him to the Rain Caste school instead.

"I'm scared..." Kane said. Scared was an understatement to the true terror he felt.

"Be brave, son," Thone said. "God has plans for you. We'll contact the Wind Caste people in the morning."

The three hugged for some time longer. Eventually, they broke off. "Get some sleep," Thone said. "It might be the last time you can enjoy your luxurious bed."

That night, Kane had an unusual dream. He was wearing elegant robes, similar to those of a Rain Casteman, but of a different cut, and colored green instead of blue-gray. He was walking down a hall open to the sky. There was no rain, and the sky was a piercing, alien blue with harsh light raining down upon him. At the end of the room stood a woman. She had dark skin, long green hair, and a kind, motherly face. She was clad in a dress made from various living plants, and small animals moved about on its exterior. In her right hand, she carried a long, straight stick with a perpendicular curved blade on the end. In her left, she held some sort of golden plant that looked like a straight rod with small protrusions coming out at odd angles.

"Greetings, my son," the woman said in a motherly yet assertive voice. "Survive."

"What?" Kane asked, but the dream was already ending. "Who are you? Where is this?" He slipped into dreamless sleep.