Gaiagon

Chapter 4: The Calling

Mentally exhausted, Seth started walking home. He was too tired to think, and too tired to run. Trying to figure out what happened that day was the last thing he wanted to do. As he walked through the dark, yet peaceful forest, the only thing on his mind was dinner and bed.

Seeing his house in the distance, Seth tried to walk a little bit faster, using his bed as motivation to keep going. As he approached his house, he noticed three shadows in the window. For caution’s sake, Seth looked through the window before entering. At first, the shadows were the only thing he could see, but as he raised his head more and more, he noticed that the third person was his Aunt Gloria. Aunt Gloria was Seth’s father’s sister. She looked a lot like him. They both had dark brown hair, brown eyes, and usually had a smile on their face. This time, however, Seth could tell Aunt Gloria was not happy.

            Seth, trying to avoid his normally energetic Aunt, sneaked into the house and tried to tiptoe to the stares. Seth’s mother saw him instantly and motioned him to come and sit down next to her. Not being the kind of person to be rebellious, even when tired, Seth obeyed and walked to his mother’s side. Everyone in the living room could see that Seth was tired. Seth’s mother, father, and aunt let him rest for a few minutes before inserting him into the conversation.

            Five minutes past, but everything Seth heard was slightly fuzzy. If he were asked what someone just said, it would have been safe to assume that he couldn’t tell them. Seth’s mother went into the kitchen and brought out something for Seth to drink to help wake him up. As if his tired state were caused by dehydration, Seth was instantly awake once the drink was finished. With a smile on her face, Seth’s mother calmly asked Seth, “Were you in town mid day today?”

            Seth took a deep breath, as if releasing the last of his exhaustion from his mouth. He thought carefully, trying to think of how to say ‘yes’ without telling too much of his conversation with Malcolm and the Forgon father. “Seth?” his mother repeated. “Yes, I was there today.” “Did you happen to hear a man named Malcolm?” “Yes, he was a traveling storyteller, wasn’t he?” “Yes,” his aunt interrupted. “Your father and mother were here all day, so I rushed over here and told them everything I heard.” “You did, did you? How soon after he spoke did you run over here?” “I ran here as soon as he walked down off of the town statue.” “Your mother and I are worried that this could spread to our kingdom soon,” Seth’s father began. “The kingdom that was attacked was two kingdoms away, but if there were enough demons to take a kingdom, they likely have enough to invade the neighboring kingdoms. If their army gets any bigger, we may be next after that. Your mother and I are alright with you wandering by yourself in the woods for now, but if the neighboring land is invaded, I will keep you home and begin to accelerate your training. Should an army rise, you and I could become important.”

            Seth shook his head in agreement. As soon as his father was done speaking, Seth’s mother motioned to the other room and said, “Dinner is almost ready. How about we finish this at the dinner table?” She looked to Seth and saw that the drink was only a temporary pick-me-up, so she didn’t ask him to help her prepare the table. Instead, Aunt Gloria offered to help. Once the two women left, Seth’s father motioned to him to sit across from him. “Seth,” he began, “I realize that hearing all of this may be a little too much to hear in a day. However, I just want you to know something. I know your dream is to go on a great adventure, but I’m sad to say that you may have to put that dream on hold for now.” The effects of the drink were wearing off, so Seth could only show his sadness on his face. “You know that I’m getting up there in my years. If we do get invaded, I may be too weak to fight back. I will need you here to protect your mother if that is the case.”

Seth, both sad yet understanding, nodded and walked to the kitchen. Because his mother and aunt were working together, they finished dinner faster than expected. Seth’s aunt called out to her brother than dinner was ready, and sat at the table. “If I may,” Aunt Gloria began, “the food looks better than anything I ever made for my husband, Elisa.” “Thank you, Gloria. I try to do my best for my family. Speaking of family, how is your husband, the blacksmith, doing?” “Oh, Henry is doing fine. We were together when the storyteller gave the news. When I ran here, he ran back to working, thinking that people might start wanted him to make weapons after the news broke out. Otherwise, he is doing great. How are you doing, brother? Training Seth well?” “Ah, yes, I am. Even though he is gone most of the day these days, I still find that he has gotten very strong and skilled. The sword you husband made for him on his eighteenth birthday was very well crafted. Give your husband my regards.” “I will. He always loves to hear that people loved what he made. It is what keeps him going. I swear, positive feedback is like fuel to his fire.”