No land could be seen in any direction as Lucan looked for a sign that he was going in the right direction. Too impulsive, he thought as he sipped water from an old skin. There was no wind and no waves, nothing to help or hinder him from going to Storality. If he wanted to return, he would have to do all the work, as he had being doing for the last twenty years.
He decided that he had earned a break and began removing his boots. Taking care of his feet was important since walking seemed to be the only long-term reliable form of transportation. In all of his time away, he kept wandering because staying in one place too long always ended badly. Food was scarce, but people were fewer. Those he met never wanted him to leave, but he always felt compelled to continue moving.
The sun wasn’t too bright, so he decided to lie outside of his shelter on the raft and dip his feet in the cool water. As he relaxed, he remembered his youth as he drifted in and out of sleep.
“What is wrong with you?” Lucan’s father yelled as he shook Lucan violently.
“Leave him be,” Lucan’s mother said calmly as she knelt down beside the boy. “It was an accident, wasn’t it?” Lucan nodded. “You are sorry it happened, right?” Again, Lucan nodded. His mother stood up and pulled his father close. “Today is supposed to be a fun day,” she whispered softly to her husband.
“He’s nine and he doesn’t talk yet!” his father exploded.
Lucan looked around to see if anyone was listening. The noise from the King’s Tournament crowd drowned out his father’s outbursts; however, there was someone watching. In the distance an older man was watching the scene with a stern look on his face. When the man realized that Lucan was looking his way, he waved and then turned around to watch the tournament.
“Lucan, are you paying attention to me?” his father asked again. “I said I was sorry.”
Lucan didn’t care about anything except meeting that man. He felt like he knew him or that he wanted to. He hugged his father and pointed to where the man was standing.
“It looks like Lucan is telling you something now,” his mother said.
“Do you want to watch over there?” his father asked, trying to coax him to talk. Lucan nodded. “What’s happening over there?” Lucan pointed again insistently but did not speak. “If you could just tell me using words, maybe we could go over there.”
Lucan sulked and pointed. He looked at both of his parents and then back to where the man was standing. Again the man was watching. The man smiled and waved again. Lucan could hear a buzzing noise, and he turned around to see where it was coming from. He put his fingers in his ears, but the noise didn’t stop.
“Are you okay?” his mother asked as she leaned closer to her son.
The noise grew louder in his head, but it started to make sense. Talk.
Lucan looked at the man and saw him shaking his head slowly and pointing at himself. No, Lucan thought.
“Stop this nonsense right now, young man,” his father said through clenched teeth. “You are not going to ruin another one of our trips with your antics.”
“We should go,” his mother said as she reached for Lucan’s hand.
Now!
Lucan took his fingers from his ears. “Please,” he whispered. Both of his parents were overjoyed and looked at each other.
“That’s all I wanted to hear,” his father said as he rubbed Lucan’s head gently. “Let’s go see what is happening over there.” His father winked at his mother and beamed with excitement as they walked over to the crowd.
“Excuse me, can I let my son sit up front to see?” Lucan’s father asked as he arrived where the crowd was thickest. It seemed that no one was listening or, more likely, that there was no chance that anyone would be nice enough to give up their spot.
“He can sit in front of me,” the old man said to Lucan’s father. “There’s a spot just the right size on top of a rock. No standing and a perfect place to see.”
“Thank you so much,” Lucan’s mother said as she lifted Lucan into place.
Lucan looked at the man, returned a smile, and began watching the tournament.
“Where is your family from?” the old man started.
“The northwest, and yourself?”
“Northeast central.”
“Do you mean near the old Central Territory castle?”
“I have taken it over for myself, what’s left of it.”
“I thought that place was abandoned years ago.”
“It was, but I’m taking care of as much of it as possible. Not an easy task, but I don’t have much to do. You are always welcome to stop by anytime you are near there.”
“What is your name?” Lucan’s father asked.
“I go by the name Theterm, and it’s good to meet you.”
Lucan turned around and looked up at Theterm. “I’m Lucan. I want to win the tournament some day.” He pursed his lips and turned around. I want to rule them all, he thought.
Lucan took his feet out of the water, stood up, and stretched. The raft, something he had been building for a few months, was not as complete as he had wanted but was good enough to make the trip, he hoped. Several people had told him that it was pointless to cross the water, that nothing was alive in it or past it. That story, however, seemed to be partially untrue every time he crossed another body of water. There were always people to meet on the other side, but there really wasn’t anything left in the water.
He sat down in the shelter and removed his hat. After a few moments, a cool breeze blew across the raft. Rain most likely, he thought as he looked into the sky. There was definitely some darkness, but it was moving very fast. In a matter of seconds, everything was still. He had been told some stories about flying things and had even found some books with pictures of the like, but this seemed different.
Now he had to find something to take his mind off the situation. No point wondering what it was when there was no way to know for certain. While he was sure he brought plenty of food and water, he decided to test the waters for life. He took out his fishing pole and stepped out of the shelter again. While he was almost guaranteed to catch nothing, he used it as an excuse to relax again.
“I got another one!” Lucan’s father shouted.
Lucan looked over to where his father was holding a large fish and his eyes opened wide at the sight.
“We don’t need any more,” his mother called. “Why don’t you boys bring that over and get cleaned up?” Both of them begrudgingly complied with her wishes.
As they drew a bucket full of water from the well, Theterm walked up.
“I didn’t think you were going to make it this year,” Lucan’s mother said. “Dinner won’t be ready for a while, so make yourself comfortable.”
“Thank you so much,” Theterm answered. Lucan’s father patted Theterm on the back and walked away to help with dinner. Theterm looked at Lucan and whispered, “I’ve got a present for you.”
Lucan closed his eyes and put his hands out. What is it?
Have you asked your parents?
No.
Then I have nothing for you.
Lucan opened his eyes and stared at Theterm. Neither blinked, and neither looked away. “I can’t help you unless your parents say it’s okay. I also can’t help you unless you start talking all the time. No one is going to want a king who points and pouts.”
You know I can do it.
“We both know you can, but no one else does. Convincing me happened nine years ago. I heard what you wanted then. I can give that to you and more, but you have to change. Are you willing to do that?” Theterm continued staring.
Lucan looked away to his parents and then back at Theterm. Yes.
“Are you ready to tell them now?”
Yes.
“Say your words,” Theterm demanded. “I can’t teach you unless you speak!”
“I’m afraid.”
“Of what?”
“Of what people will think.”
“If you speak?”
“No, if I make a mistake,” Lucan said sadly.
“Well, if that’s all that’s stopping you, let me tell you, I’m a dismal failure, but I take every chance to fix that.” Lucan frowned. “Don’t worry about me now. It’s your turn. Go speak to your parents.” Theterm pointed Lucan in the right direction and gave him a push.
Lucan’s parents were busy preparing the meal when he walked up to them. They stopped what they were doing when he approached.
“I want to enter the King’s Tournament.”
Lucan sat up abruptly when he heard something. He looked around and saw a bird shrilling loudly near his shelter. Moving slowly so he didn’t scare it, Lucan watched the bird closely, hoping to catch it.
“You’re a long way from home,” he said soothingly. “Why don’t you stay awhile?”
The bird looked in his direction but flew off quickly as he dove frantically for it. It circled the raft several times, loudly calling out, almost mockingly it seemed, before it flew off in the opposite direction the raft was floating.
“I had better start paddling again, or I’ll never get there,” Lucan concluded as he put away his fishing pole and sat down to work again.