Talent

Chapter 4 a

CHAPTER   4

The boy wakes with Marcus at his side.

"I'm glad to see you awake.  You have been sleeping for many nights."

The boy sits up and sees not only Marcus but also Lucas, looking bored.

"How are you feeling?" asks Marcus.

The boy looks down at his hands and arms.  The burns all healed.  Blisters gone.  He looks up and sees Rosa in an office talking with Niobe.

"Better," the boy says, finally.

"I'm terribly sorry for my lateness," Marcus tells him.  "We were wondering if you felt well enough to travel a bit?"

The boy nods.  He looks toward Lucas to see him already standing.  They must have been waiting for many hours.

"You see my home is out of the city.  Makes it better to be away from the noise and things."  The boy understands that Marcus is talking about getting away from certain vampires without saying it.  The boy opens his mouth but Marcus holds up his hand.

"Your questions will be answered soon.  Not here," Marcus whispers.  "The walls here have ears."

The boy closes his mouth and nods again.

"Time to go, Niobe," calls Marcus.

"Come and visit soon, sweetie," says Rosa, holding both Niobe's hands.

"I will, Mama." says Niobe.  Her eyes moist.

"Thanks again, Rosa," says Marcus.

"Yes," interrupts the boy, giving a large bow.  "Thank you very much Madam."

"My pleasure," Rosa says sweetly with a smile.

They leave down the street and out the gate of the large wall.  They all walk silently.  The boy notices something different about Lucas.  A change in his walk or something.  But the boy can't figure it out.  It takes a few hours of walking until they arrive at Marcus' home.  It is just a small cottage.  Terribly inferior to the mansion where the boy had been kept.

A giggle makes him glance at Niobe.  She is staring at him.  "You'll see," she promises.

They go into the house and it seems even smaller on the inside.  But the party continues to the back of the shack.  Marcus opens a door that gives way to a staircase leading down.  Stairs that continue deep into the thick black darkness.

After many minutes of descending, the stairway opens wide.  The boy stares at a grand open space with a tall ceiling.  It is a monstrous underground room.  At the bottom of the staircase are rooms divided by stone and earth.  The boy marvels at the sight.  Lucas immediately rushes into one room and closes the door behind him.  The boy follows Marcus and Niobe into a sitting room.

"First, please let me ask: Where do you come from?"  Marcus requests.

"I was imprisoned.  All humans were," begins the boy.

"So you do come from the North," interrupts Marcus.

"I'm not sure," says the boy.  "I hardly know anything of where I was.  I can't remember my time well.  The last thing I remember of that place was a tournament."  The boy breaks off.  He can't stand talking about Rugar.  "There was a battle that upset everyone and . . . I escaped in the confusion."

A grin shows on Marcus' lips.  "You know, there was a rumor of a human prisoner who cut the master in a tournament a long time ago.  Most of the stories say that human was tortured and killed.  But a small hint of rumors popped up saying that human survived and was exiled.  If you believe such things."  Marcus watches the expression of the boy carefully as he speaks.  "But that was a good ten years ago."  Marcus' eyes dig deep into the boy's soul.  "So that rumor couldn't possibly be about you."

The boy's eyes widen in surprise.  Ten years?  His last memories were of Rugar.  How could it have been ten years?  What has happened?  Where has he been all that time?

"No," lies the boy.  "That wasn't me."

"Regardless, I am very happy you are here."  Marcus smiles.  "So you have answered my questions.  I'm sure you are bursting with your own questions."

"What is this place?" asks the boy immediately.

"This is my home.  It is also where I train for the war."

"What war?"

"Well, no beating around the bush with you.  I guess we should start over a century ago.  Vampires lived together in a Sacred Land.  A Civil War broke out and many of my friends were killed.  The battle dust settled and not many of us remained.  That is when the Werewolves attacked.  The Werewolves forced the Vampires out of the Sacred Land.  Since then we have rested and regrouped.  We have struck back at the Werewolves but we still cannot compete with their numbers. War has been ever present and continues.

"Your skill as a human is remarkable.  One I wish to use in this war.  I believe after training, you will become an exceptional warrior.  But this is my will.  You have been forced to do things all your life.  I would enjoy training you but I will not force you into this fight.  You are welcome to turn my offer down."

"I want to fight," declares the boy.  "I must become stronger."

Marcus stands up and places his hand on the boy's shoulder.  "This is my house. A house of order and a house of honor.  This is where I will train you.  I will hold you to your word.  If you fight for us, this can be your home.  If you fight for me, you shall be my son."

The words Marcus speak echo through the boy's chest.  Resounding inside his spirit.  Connecting to his soul.  The boy feels a deep, powerful bond forming with Marcus.  He feels his great power.  He can sense Marcus' pure heart.  The boy can feel it through Marcus' hand on his shoulder.  "I would be honored to fight for you," he chokes a little, "to be your son."

"As your father, I will give you a name.  You are the most talented human I've ever seen in my long life.

"Therefore I name you:  Talent."

The boy's head bows and a warm comfort soothes over his heart.  Warmth in this cold world.  The boy finally has a Name.  He finally has a Home.