Book One: Rise of the King

Chapter Nine

 Clea devised a plan that he took to the war council. Although several of them made complaints, as always, the plan was agreed to in the end. He had Tanish take to the strangers the battle clothes that he had made for them. They would need something better than the lightly-colored clothes they wore. The tunics and trousers had been dyed black, an honor for the newly-dubbed Night Guard. The blacksmith had been given Gauran swords to repair and sharpen for them. The scabbards had been fashioned so that they mixed the traditional motifs of the plains, river and sea. The bows that had been hand-carved for the Night Guard were of the same unique design. The beasts that had been let loose in the woods but hadn't wondered very far were caught and brought back to the strangers, who delighted in their return.

The night before they were to leave, Gray had taken a piece of parchment and in the dark ink of the black dye used a feather to write a note. If there was ever a chance that their own people would come looking for them, he wanted there to be a message. If none of them returned, there must be a record for their people to have, to know of their fate. At the bottom he signed his name and wrote the names of his brothers: Eli, Nate and Charlie. After all of this, Charlie was their brother, just as if he had been born of their own mother.

He let the parchment dry and handed it to Amara, who looked at the indecipherable writing.

"What is this?" she asked, looking up confused.

"If strangers like us should come, give them this. They will know our fate, that we are friends of the village."

Amara nodded, carefully folding the paper. She stowed it in the heavy trunk in the bedroom. Later in the night, laying with the moonlight coming in the open window, his breathing shallow with sleep, she wondered what words he had put on the paper. What story did it give? He had never told her anything of himself. She knew only the man of the village, not a real clue of his life before had been given. She knew only that he walked with his brothers and that the four of them spent much time together. His brothers had spent many evenings in their home. Sometimes they spoke in their strange language and she would wonder what was said, but thought better than to ask. It was some time before she was able to sleep, with all these things milling about in her mind.

When Gray rose before dawn, he stirred her. She rolled over and he smiled. He dressed quietly and went to Aria's room. He woke the little girl and ate while she talked excitedly, asking a million questions. When he had finished his meal, Aria cleaned off the table. He went once more to wake Amara. She lay there, the upper half of her supple body filling his gaze. Her auburn hair lay in a pool around her pretty olive face and he gently stroked her cheek, her jaw, lower. He just wanted to touch her skin. It was like silk. She stirred, her green eyes opening sleepily.

"It is time." He whispered.

She nodded, pain filling her eyes.

"No fear." He told her, lowering to kiss her lips. "I will return."

He left her there, stealing one last look from the doorway before picking Aria up and carrying her out the door.

"You come home?" she asked, her arms around his neck.

"Yes, Aria."

"Please come home, Father." she whispered in his ear.

Gray hugged her close, nearly choking on the lump in his throat. "I will."

When he reached the end of the village that was closest to the trees, he hugged and kissed the little girl he loved before setting her down on the ground. He wiped away her tears and gave her a smile.

"I will return before you miss me." He promised.

Aria sniffed, wiped at her running nose and nodded, trying to be brave like Gray. She watched as he mounted his giant beast, who he had told her was named Horse. She had a hard time with the word, but had promised herself she would master it for when he came home. Within minutes there was only the crowd of weeping women watching their husbands, sons and fathers disappear into the trees.