The Heritage

Chapter 12

The man swore aloud and hurled the bottle across the clearing into a boulder. A shower of dark liquid and shards of glass sparkled for a moment in the sunshine, a brief display of dancing light. The other men spread around the clearing reacted with a mix of anger and annoyance, shouting him into a sullen silence. Gaspar limped into the centre of the group waving his ugly hand for attention.

With an angry curse, he adjusted the new patch over his right eye, another combat souvenir, and this time from the fight with the two strangers on his ship. After the collision, a splinter of wood buried itself in his face as he slid down the deck. He turned slowly, glaring his crew into silence, then spoke so softly they had to lean closer.

"This has not been one of our better efforts, lads. Save the man we hung for a message and the attack on the village, we've nuthin' to show for our miseries." He yanked at the uncomfortable patch again. "We know those two landlubbers stayed with the Jappos in Caval, and that they left with a guide to the place on the map the soldier carried. What we don't know is where that place is and if they found it yet."

"Whyn't we just storm that Jappo village and do them all in?" A huge, big-bellied man with a flowing, red beard stabbed his sword into the earth in front of where he sat as an underline to his question. "There's some fine females wot dwell there." A loud murmur of lascivious agreement arose from the group.

"Storm the Jappo village is it? Do 'em all in you say." Gaspar lumbered over to the big man and swatted him mightily across the side of his head. "You'd do better to find somethin' fine to dwell in there!" He shouted, whacking the man once more. "How many times have we fought the Jappos?" He glared about the group again. "Too many to count, you sorry wretches! And each time we've left with our tails between our mangy legs!"

"So wot's your great plan then?" The rebuked man scowled.

"There's only two ways back to Terrault: one is a long and arduous climb over the Thunder Mountains and the other is up the coast by boat back through Caval. We've got Donnie Hauspie and his gang scouring the foothills for any sign, and we're coverin' the coast from Caval, so sooner or later our good friends will turn up and when they do..." He tugged at the patch again and slammed his artificial hand into the bark of an innocent Birch tree, twisting a gaping scar in the pink wood. "Meanwhile, we set a spy to keep an eye on the Jappos. That'll be you three," He said, pointing to the three closest men. "And don't be getting' caught."

*****

Jak sat on the grass outside the cavern dwelling, next to his friend. Three days had passed since the revelation about Jared's real identity and the acceptance was a slow process. Hannah and Hamus had fallen over themselves being kind and accommodating to Wyeth, using his real name and suffering the ensuing debates until finally, he began to accept his strange situation.

"You know that Queen Primula and the ministers in Dramin will give you all the help and advice you need, Wyeth. Dramoraine will unite once again under your leadership."

"What can I lead? I have no skills for such a task." His voice stretched with stress.

"You have youth. You have enthusiasm, and you possess a goodly amount of common sense. All you need is a lesson or two in patience and humour." Jak grinned and pushed the boy's shoulder. "Look at my Queen. She is but a few years older than you and she-"

"What! I don't believe that for a minute," Wyeth blurted. "She- she looks so- so... regal."

Jak laughed again, louder this time. "Regal! I must tell my Queen your perception of her, she will surely enjoy the compliment."

Wyeth blushed angrily. "Well she does, and she's too- too mature to be nearly as young as I, besides, how could one so young become a Queen?"

Jak raised an eyebrow in a silent question, watching the blank expression on Wyeth's face. "That you should ask?" He said finally.

Wyeth blinked, his mouth moving silently.

Hannah emerged from the hill abode and approached the two men. "I have had a long talk with Jared and we have decided that you should have this as a keepsake. It was his father's." She handed Wyeth a small golden medallion on a thin leather strap. "I know he wasn't your real father, but for so many years you believed he was... I think he would be proud to have you wear it."

Wyeth stood and accepted the present, gulping an emotional breath. He slipped the strap over his head and let the medallion hang glinting in the sun. Hannah reach out and straightened it, stroking the metal with a gentle hand of fond memories.

"We will always think of you as our family, Wyeth. You will always be welcome in our home-as will you Captain," She added politely.

Jak bowed his head and thanked her. "Hannah," he began, "are you certain this mark of birth on Wyeth's leg will be accepted as true and authentic?"

"Nothing nor anyone can discredit the symbol. It is not a natural mark, it is a tattoo showing Lazzard's own royal seal, applied in the presence of his ministers and your Queen's uncle."

"Yes but he is dead and who from Moraine is left to support its authenticity?"

"Among the papers your Queen received is an affidavit signed by Lazzard, bearing the same seal. Trust me, Captain, no one will deny Wyeth's right."

"We must return to Terrault immediately then." Jak took Hannah's hand and bowed, thanking her for her hospitality and understanding. "Come Wyeth, it's a long way home."

"How will you go?" The voice belonged to Hamus; he stood by the entrance to the hill, watching them with concern. "The trails through the mountains are plagued by pirates, led by a particularly mean scoundrel named Donnie Hauspie, and back the way you came is equally dangerous."

"We managed to get here, my friend, we'll find a safe way back." Jak accepted a bundle from Jared who had come out to join his mother. "This is very generous, Hannah, our meals on the way home will be greatly improved." As Jak spoke, Jared moved around to Wyeth, offering his hand and a slight smile.

"I will think of you as my brother, Wyeth. I hope your feelings toward me can be the same." The two shook hands and embraced; four watery eyes moist with happiness. Wyeth shared the same warm embrace with Hannah, thanking her and assuring her that he would remember her always as his mother. Before everyone broke down, the two mounted the horses Hamus had brought around, paused for one last look, then turned and rode swiftly out of the commune and into the field of grass still damp with the morning dew.