The Son of Thunder

Chapter Seven

Magpie hated days when she was stuck at the front desk. She couldn't tolerate boredom and standing still. The front desk had marks from guests signing bills directly on the wood. Even though Lorid had stained over the signatures, they were still visible. Magpie traced the names with her finger. The inn was fuscous from age and wear. They couldn't afford to replace all the furniture every annum. Lorid would select the most aged and either repair or replace them.

People were always milling about the lobby, but the front desk had few responsibilities. If Magpie couldn't be out hunting at this early hour, she'd rather be in bed. No one required her to accept payment for the room or needed keys. The front desk was primarily for security, to make sure no one left a tab. She hated service duties more, scrubbing the floor, washing dishes, but she hadn't had to do that since she'd become a woman.

This day wasn't as bad because Lorid came down and sat at the hearth in the big chair. Another patron joined him and they chatted about Warrior. All of Thundonia was abuzz with his return. The old rumors were alive again, revamped so the younger generation felt them.

"Shawna would never allow her son to go up against the same man who defeated her," Lorid said as though he believed the Son of Thunder was born of Shawna's loins.

"You said the reason Warrior left was because he failed in his challenge," Magpie said.

"Ah, yes, well," Lorid said to her, sorry his daughter had spoken up. He encouraged Magpie to be independent, but some of the other patrons were cruel to his beloved little girl. "Let me clarify. He bested Shawna in the Playground. A humiliating day for her. Shawna was closeted away for many moons after that."

Magpie hadn't been told the story. She shook her head, unaware of any of the details.

"Warrior wished to take Shawna as a bride," Lorid explained. "When he won the challenge, Warrior became the rightful ruler of Thundonia. He commanded Shawna to marry him. She refused. Warrior was likewise humiliated. He completely disappeared."

Magpie knew as well as Lorid did that Warrior was not the Son of Thunder's father, but now she understood why others believed it. To Magpie, it was obviously false, but Lorid insisted Shawna circulated the rumors intentionally to protect the Son. Most Thundonians weren't as loyal as they were. But it was easy for them to remember. Warrior was gone before Magpie was conceived and she was a full seven moons older than the Son. Lorid pondered only vaguely of the Son's true history. But the land was wrought with orphans.

"When Shawna finally reappeared, she presented Beast," the patron said, taking up the story. He leaned in and whispered, as if he didn't want Shawna to hear him questioning her. "Gruesome creature. Takes too much pleasure in the execution. The Son never plays with them like that."

"His face reflects his soul," Lorid said, turning Beast's welts into poetry.

Magpie wondered what kind of poetry was hidden by the Son of Thunder's mask. No imagination could conceive why Shawna guarded his face so closely. She wished she understood Shawna's motives better. No one would care if he was an orphan. Magpie shook the thought away.

"I agree that demoting Beast was a wise decision. I shuttered many nights before the Son came of age that Beast might inherit the land," the patron said.

"I would never name Warrior Chief Advisor," Magpie announced. "What is to stop him from stealing into the night and slaying the Son? Or Shawna, for that matter?"

Lorid said, "Why would you think Warrior would do that?"

"Well, because he's jealous that Shawna took a lover, gave birth to the Son."