Villager

By Dennis K. Hausker

Aron's peaceful life on his father's farm is suddenly disrupted one day when the crown prince of the realm shows up. He sees the village darling, beautiful Coraline, and he arranges for her to come to the court at the palace far away in the capital city. Coraline has been Aron's heartthrob so he makes a rash statement and get's commandeered into the royal army along with his adopted brother. Another village girl joins them to start a new life under the control of the prince. A bad situation gets continuously worse for all of them, though in different ways. Aron must grow up in a hurry and deal with some very difficult issues as he tries to cope with impossible problems in a society warped by the total power of the nobles over the citizenry. They see them as pawns for their use. Aron's inner strength and his refusal to fail drive him to overcome terrible setbacks to him and his beloved. Traumas are powerful agents of change in their lives.

THE SHATTERED WORLD SAGA
1. Villager
2. Rebel
3. Savior

• Language: English
• Publisher: Melange Books, LLC
• Release date: Apr 18, 2013
• ISBN: 9781612355535

Dennis K. Hausker

Dennis K. Hausker is a retired financial consultant and Vietnam war veteran who graduated from Michigan State University in 1969. He is an avid fan of Spartan sports and enjoys traveling, attending family events, and savoring good food. Dennis met his wife, who hails from Maine and was a warm and nurturing teacher, while they were both in college. They have been happily married ever since. Dennis is known for his positive attitude, which he believes is the key to a fulfilling life.

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Villager

The Shattered World Saga

Book One

by Dennis K. Hausker

Published by

Melange Books, LLC

White Bear Lake, MN 55110

www.melange-books.com

Villager, Copyright 2013 by Dennis K. Hausker

ISBN: 978-1-61235-553-5

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Names, characters, and incidents depicted in this book are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental and beyond the intent of the author or the publisher. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.

Published in the United States of America.

Cover Art by Caroline Andrus

Villager

Dennis K. Hausker

Aron's peaceful life on his father's farm is suddenly disrupted one day when the crown prince of the realm shows up. He sees the village darling, beautiful Coraline, and he arranges for her to come to the court at the palace far away in the capital city. Coraline has been Aron's heartthrob so he makes a rash statement and gets commandeered into the royal army along with his adopted brother. Another village girl joins them to start a new life under the control of the prince. A bad situation gets continuously worse for all of them, though in different ways. Aron must grow up in a hurry and deal with some very difficult issues as he tries to cope with impossible problems in a society warped by the total power of the nobles over the citizenry. They see them as pawns for their use. Aron's inner strength and his refusal to fail drive him to overcome terrible setbacks to him and his beloved. Traumas are powerful agents of change in their lives.

Table of Contents

Villager

Chapter One - Stolen Lives

Chapter Two - A New World

Chapter Three - A Rising Tide

Chapter Four - The Lessons of the Masters

Chapter Five - The King's Will

Chapter Six - The City of the King

Chapter Seven - A Royal Wedding

Chapter Eight - Princely Problems

Chapter Nine - Rescue

Chapter Ten - Abdurka

Chapter Eleven - Necessary Actions

Chapter Twelve - Royal Rage

Chapter Thirteen - Gambit

Chapter Fourteen - Uripeans

Chapter Fifteen - Allies

Chapter Sixteen - Secrets

Chapter Seventeen - The Chase

Chapter Eighteen - Royal Pain

Chapter Nineteen - Dual Threat

Chapter Twenty - Unexpected Discoveries

About the Author

Previews

Chapter One

~ Stolen Lives ~

Aron yawned and stretched, gazing out the open barn window at the setting sun across the recently harvested fields. A warm breeze drifted gently through the structure stirring up loose straw on the dirt floor in little whirlpools, but it felt cool on his damp brow. It was a cloudless sky and a perfect fall day.

He was fatigued from his long and hard day of work on the family farm. His parents weren’t wealthy, but were prosperous enough by village standards. They were well respected in the community and generous as a family to those less fortunate. His parent’s lives spoke loudly to Aron on what kind of person he wanted to be.

A perfect example of their generosity was Brock. He’d been orphaned at an early age when his parents were lost to raiders and never heard from again. Aron’s parents took him in and raised him like an older brother for their son. For Aron, it had been both a boon and a curse. Brock was protective of Aron in public among bullies and with strangers, but at home battled with Aron, constantly competing for his parent’s attention. A bitter sweet relationship developed where they would die for each other against outsiders, but at the same time felt like they could pound each other down into the dirt with their sibling rivalry at home.

Their greatest point of contention growing toward manhood was Coraline, the darling of the village: a breathtaking blonde beauty drew the notice of everyone who met her. She acted mature beyond her years with most things, but in some ways still childish. Demure in her outward mannerisms, but for Aron who saw himself as her beau, he sensed more beneath the surface which she chose to hide from curious eyes. As much as he loved her, he could never quite come to peace about her feelings for him.

Are you waiting for me to finish stacking these hay bales? asked Brock tersely.

I got most of them done, he replied. Stop complaining, little sister.

Brock grimaced and growled, then tore after Aron who raced out of the barn toward the house laughing loudly.

You are done, Brock bellowed. I’ll beat you to a pulp.

You can’t catch me, Aron taunted. I’ve always been faster than you.

Aron ran to the wood frame farmhouse and hurried into the kitchen. Brock was close behind him. His mother was at the stove and turned a stern look to them.

Hi Mom, said Aron innocently.

What are you boys up to? she asked suspiciously.

Nothing, he lied.

Brock glowered.

You need to stop tormenting each other, she said prophetically. You’ll find that you need each other in this life. There are few enough people in this world we can depend on when things turn bad. Now go wash up before we eat. You smell like the barn.

Yes ma’am, they mumbled. When they went to the wash basin in the bathroom Brock smacked Aron on the arm.

Ouch! he squawked.

You deserved it. Don’t be calling me a girl or you’ll get a lot worse than a smack.

His father walked in to wash up so the boys quickly nodded and left the room.

They sat down as a family for the evening meal - a family tradition jealously guarded in order to have closeness and sharing that meant so much for family unity.

I saw Coraline in the market today, said mother. She’s such a beautiful young woman. She causes a stir wherever she goes.

Brock looked at Aron who smiled triumphantly.

I’m taking her to the harvest dance.

That’s nice, said Brock mockingly.

Enough…, said mother. That’s exactly what I’m talking about, boys. Aron, I want you to apologize to Brock.

For what…?

I’m not sure what you did, but I suspect you have the fault here.

Brock smiled broadly.

Sorry, Aron mumbled softly.

Tomorrow I need to go to the village to stock up on supplies, said father. You boys will come with me to help load the wagon.

Yes sir, they answered in unison.

After the meal, the boys went back to the barn for another routine which was to practice fighting. They didn’t have swords, but could mimic those strokes using stout shaved tree branches. Over the years, they had battled enough to develop a certain level of skills. Neither of them had ever been tested with real combat in a deadly situation. Their father did have a sword, but didn’t allow them access to it, nor would he make any attempt to teach them to fight. His explanation was brief:

You should enjoy your good life here rather than dream about adventure and battle. It’s neither glorious nor fulfilling. Dying a pointless death at the whim of some petty aristocrat for no good reason is not a good life goal. We settled here to get away from that very thing. We have dangers here on the frontier, but no worse than the dangers of the kingdom.

Neither young man fully accepted his opinion, but bided their time.

* * * *

The following morning they got up in a driving rainstorm to ride into town. Dim and gray, unbroken clouds stretched across the entire sky. The road was a quagmire of mud and puddles. The horses strained to pull the heavy wagon through the mire and took twice the normal time to get to the village. Few people were outside in the inclement weather when they stopped at the only store in the village to get supplies.

The boys followed their father into the building. A dark haired girl was eyeing some trinkets on display in a case.

They cost too much Tasha, said Aron walking over to her.

She turned to him and smiled warmly.

I know, but I can still look.

If I was the storekeeper I’d check your pockets before you leave, Tasha.

Shut up, Brock, she huffed.

Brock laughed heartily.

So Aron, about the harvest dance…? I’m still available. Some boys asked me, but…

I’m sorry, Tasha, but I’m taking Coraline.

Tasha got a look of genuine distress. It struck Aron in a deep place. He cared for Tasha, but he’d never thought about her romantically. She clearly thought about him in that way and it surprised him. He was a little taken aback.

She turned her face away.

I’ll take you, Tasha, said Brock quickly.

You? she questioned, as if it was an affront to her dignity. I don’t need your pity.

I don’t pity you. I want to take you, Tasha.

I’ll have to think about it, and then she walked away.

Damn it, said Brock. You’ve got all of the girls after you, Aron. It isn’t fair.

Aron failed to keep a smug smile off his face.

Let’s go boys, said his father abruptly. We’ve got work to do.

They carried the heavy supplies out and filled the wagon. The rain had tapered off to a mist, but the roads were still a mess.

We’ll wait until things firm up a bit with this heavy wagon load, boys.

They walked over to the assembly hall which served as the social gathering point for the village. It was mostly full as many villagers were waiting to escape the rain storm. It was fairly noisy with conversations punctuated with sharp laughter.

The building was sizeable, the largest in the village, built over a wood frame with planks for siding and a sloping steep roof of wood shingles. There were two stories with a kitchen downstairs to serve the eating area and a sizeable space to dance upstairs where harvest dances took place.

They were subjects to the king, but he was far away in his capital city, Nephora. They didn’t bother to fly his standard in the village as they never saw his soldiers in the borderlands. A representative was sent periodically to pay their taxes at one of his regional centers.

They were comfortably isolated far from the turmoil of the king and his retinue. Rumors were that life was hard in the cities and over most of the kingdom. The royal family were said to be selfish and insensitive to the plight of their subjects: odious overlords skimming the wealth of the land for their lavish lives while leaving their people struggling to survive.

The villages on the fringe of the realm generally escaped royal notice and therefore were able to fend for themselves. They weren’t wealthy and had little of interest to the royalty. Although free of imperial depredations, they weren’t free of danger. Beyond their nearby border were the wilds, populated by cutthroats and criminals, raiders and a variety of deadly animal predators. As a result, they were forced to be on guard constantly for signs of attack from across the border. The villains had no fear of the king as he didn’t post soldiers this far out and had no forts or outposts in the area. Because they weren’t of sufficient strength to threaten his realm, he turned a blind eye to their disruptive actions. It fell upon the villages to provide their own defense. A mutual defense alarm system using loud bells was set up where each village would send fighters to nearby villages being attacked. The system had worked well up to this point.

Aron and Brock often pleaded with their father to be allowed to join the defenders.

Father, we’re older than many of the others who’ve been accepted, said Aron.

I don’t doubt your ability, boys. What worries me is this idea you both have that battle is some wonderful thing. It’s ugly, it’s brutal, it’s deadly and the end can come at any time no matter how skilled you are.

I don’t understand, said Aron petulantly. You’re a farmer. How would you know about battle?

His father got very sad at his son’s rude remark.

I wasn’t always a farmer. I was an imperial soldier, an officer actually. It’s not a part of my life I’m proud of, so I don’t talk about it. I was ordered to do things for which I still feel terrible guilt. When I completed my term of service, I left the army and moved as far away as I could. I didn’t want you to face what I did, son. I wanted you to have a chance at a decent life. Perhaps this seems boring to you, but believe me the alternate is reprehensible. I pray you’ll never experience it.

Aron felt ashamed of his brash outburst. Brock had said nothing at all.

They went into the assembly hall and sat down to have a brief meal. Each turned their heads along with everyone else towards Coraline when she entered. She looked about with an aloof expression, clearly pleased by the attention.

Coraline, said Aron, waving and standing up.

For a moment it appeared she would shun him, but she noticed his father sitting at the table. She smiled and walked over.

Good morning, sir, she said, nodding to the father.

Hello, Coraline. Have you managed to stay dry in this deluge?

Yes sir, she replied smiling demurely. Hello Brock, Aron.

Will you sit with us? asked Aron.

She paused a moment, but Tasha came in the door at that instant. She eyed them sullenly. That made Coraline smile.

Of course I’ll join you.

Aron felt conflicted when he saw the reaction in Tasha as she walked upstairs without looking back.

Aron tells me you’re going to the harvest dance with him, Coraline?

She looked at him in confusion and then looked at Aron, his face flushed with embarrassment.

Remember, I asked you? he asked hesitantly.

Oh yes, I remember. I didn’t remember that I’d agreed. I’ve been invited by a great number of people.

Aron felt like slugging Brock for the look of pleasure on his face.

These situations are difficult for me, Coraline added. I don’t wish to hurt the feelings of any suitor, so it causes me to procrastinate about making a choice. I’m afraid it’s one of my weaknesses.

It’s just a dance, Coraline, said Aron’s father. Pick one of them and stop worrying about it.

She smiled.

I guess we have a date, Aron.

Aron sighed in relief.

Perhaps I’ll dance with the other boys too. Thank you for helping me to decide, sir. It was weighing on my mind.

I’m going to go ask Tasha again, said Brock. He got up and went up the stairs. He came back down later walking with Tasha and they sat down at the table.

Tasha glared at Coraline who smiled back sweetly.

Are you going with Brock? asked Aron.

Apparently, she replied, shrugging her shoulders.

They shared a brief meal of roasted meat, vegetables and chilled berry wine. Coraline chattered ebulliently while Tasha sat in relative silence. It was hard not to be drawn into Coraline’s charm and delicate way. She seemed dainty while Tasha was none of those things. She was attractive, but sensible, hard working and tough but didn’t spend any time trying to look alluring. Aron was the only one who didn’t realize she wanted him. Being around Aron and Coraline together was galling. She nearly got up to leave the table sickened by their banter and she would have if Aron’s father hadn’t been present.

Aron wanted to impress Coraline, but he was never sure how. She always acted above everyone else. It was disconcerting. Instead he ate his food while Coraline chatted with his father. The only other person she tried to engage in conversation was Tasha who wanted no part of her.

Tasha hurried to finish her food and excused herself from the table.

I’m sorry everyone, I’ve got some chores to take care of.

Nice seeing you, Tasha, said Coraline.

Aron recognized the crocodile smile and feared Tasha was going to go after Coraline. Tasha paused looking at Coraline darkly before turning and walking to the door.

Aron continued to watch her go. The discord between the two young women wasn’t something he’d dwelt on before. This episode disturbed him.

Tasha opened the door and started to step outside, but suddenly stopped with a look of astonishment on her face.

Tasha? called Aron.

The sound of many hoof beats came from outside in the street. Aron jumped up and raced over to Tasha. The other men were close behind him.

They all looked out the open door. A large column of imperial troops were riding into the village. Incredibly, the flag bearer held the standard of Prince Agar, the Crown Prince of the realm.

The soldiers stopped in front of the building, dismounted, and pushed inside forcing back the curious villagers. His highness, Prince Agar, entered the building haughty and disdainful. He looked around the room like he was in an animal pen. His personal guards surrounded him with a ring of swords.

Aron felt panic. He grabbed Tasha by the hand and tried to draw her back over to his father away from the soldiers.

The prince spoke softly to his guards. They chuckled and it appeared like they would turn and leave the building, but the prince noticed Coraline and did a double take.

Rather than ease back out of sight, she remained standing prominently and smiled at the prince.

Agar walked boldly over to Coraline. She stood just long enough to eye him before she dropped to her knees. The rest of the villagers slowly followed her example.

Rise, said the prince.

I’m sorry, your majesty, said Coraline. We’re untutored in the proper decorum for royal persons. We seldom get visitors this far out. I hope you’ll forgive us.

He looked at her contemplatively.

I like your spirit. This is your lucky day, maiden. I can offer you a place at court for a refined life rather than this obscure pointless existence in this backwards village.

You honor me, your highness, she answered sweetly.

Coraline, said Aron, without thinking. Every head turned toward him. Aron could see the look of alarm on his father’s face, but it was too late.

Well, well, said the prince. I think you have someone with romantic designs, young maiden. What’s your name, sir?

Aron...

Well, Aron, I think perhaps we can find a place for you also, training for the imperial army.

I’m going too, said Brock abruptly. He’s my brother.

The imperial soldiers chuckled.

Very touching, said the prince. See men, here is loyalty, just what we need to bolster morale in our fighting corps.

I wish to go also, said Tasha impulsively.

The prince eyed her closely with a look of curiosity and calculation.

I think there’s more to this matter below the surface that bears my personal investigation. You may join us too, maiden. What’s your name?

Tasha, she said curtly, her eyes snapping with defiance at his frank stare.

That made the Prince smile.

A spirit that requires taming, I do like that. Why did I wait so long to visit our frontiers, men?

Again they chuckled, gazing at Tasha disrespectfully. It irked Aron, but he knew enough to keep his mouth shut.

Aron looked at his father who was desolate with misery. Aron went to him.

Son, this is a terrible mistake you’ve made, but it cannot be undone. You must find the strength within to withstand the ordeal which lies before you. I would trade my life to spare you this trial, but it would make no difference, only another meaningless death and a new widow created. You and Brock must watch out for each other. There will be no other friends to aid you. Do you understand?

Yes father, said both boys simultaneously. Aron was starting to feel alarmed as he realized his old life was about to end.

Be strong, my sons.

Come, said the prince. We’re moving on. I have other business to attend to. There are other villages to see.

Brock looked ill; Tasha remorseful and worried. Even Coraline seemed shaken at the sudden change in her life.

Soldiers took Tasha away along with Coraline. Aron and Brock were led into the custody of a grim burly sergeant showing no sign of compassion. The village was silent, like a wake. With no illusions of a better life, to watch four of their brightest led away by the prince toward an uncertain future was appalling.

Aron looked back at his father as long as he could. Eventually the village disappeared from sight along with feelings of safety and security. Heading for the unknown wasn’t a comforting thought. He gazed at his pseudo-brother, Brock who had a resigned look on his face. Tasha and Coraline were at the head of the column so he couldn’t see them.

I’m sorry Brock, he whispered. I’m afraid I’ve made a terrible mistake that will cost us both dearly.

There’s nothing we can do about it, Aron. We wanted adventure. Now we’re going to get it, like it or not.

I didn’t mean for this to happen, Brock, and I didn’t want to drag you along into my mistake. I just couldn’t let them take Coraline away.

I’ve been watching out for you most of my life, brother. What would be different now?

Brock, you’re my brother, as if you were born to my mother. I swear I’ll always treat you that way.

Brock was silent a moment then glanced at Aron.

Thank you, I’ve always felt loved in the family, but at the same time I was still an outsider. I appreciate what you said, Aron. I see you as a brother too.

We’re going to survive this and find a way to get back to our parents. I feel so badly for mother. She’ll be devastated when she hears what happened, and we didn’t get a chance to say goodbye.

She’s the only mother I’ve ever known. I was too small when I lost my parents to remember them.

We wanted to prove to father we were men. Now we’ll have to actually be men, Brock. I have a bad feeling about what lies ahead for us.

We’ll help each other, Aron. I’ll have your back.

As far as I’m concerned, the bickering is over. I’m sorry how I’ve treated you. It will be different from now on, I promise.

I think bickering will be the least of our problems. I don’t have a good feeling about this either, but thank you anyway.

I’m going to try to keep my mouth shut. When I talk it seems to lead to trouble.

That’s a great idea. I would have suggested it but you wouldn’t have listened to me. I’m not a talker, as you know.

Quiet, you two! yelled the sergeant.

* * * *

Instead of heading back toward the heart of the kingdom, the prince led his horde along the border toward the nearest villages. In each stop, the group caused the same surprised reaction in the villagers followed by consternation when they took away young men and women. The newly claimed village youths sat together in relative silence each night when camp was made. They segregated the men from the women and didn’t allow any contact with each other.

Aron saw Coraline in the company of the prince a great deal. She didn’t act distressed after the initial shock of being ripped away from her family wore off. Tasha, however, made no attempt to hide her turbulent emotions. She was angry and dismissive in the presence of the prince to the point of rudeness. It surprised Aron that when his staff reprimanded Tasha, the prince buffered the punishment.

Aron was never allowed to get close enough to either Coraline or Tasha to speak with them. Amongst the men there was a great deal of confusion and worry. Some of the young men who resisted were forcefully subdued by the brutal sergeant and his troops. One young man was severely beaten and was simply left sprawling on the ground. Aron waited until the attention turned elsewhere to slip over to the victim.

My name is Aron. I want you to know my brother and I are here for you. It serves no purpose to fight them here. Let them have their moment. We’ll protect each other as a group. If they wish to make us soldiers, let’s take that training to become more than we are now. We’ll become a force like no other.

He glanced around. The other young village men were eyeing him determinedly.

We’ll not give them cause to attack us. What do you say?

They nodded in agreement. With a few glib words, Aron had become their de facto leader. He hadn’t sought to lead, or necessarily wanted it - just a reflexive action in response to a trying situation.

As they continued to stop at other villages, their ranks swelled until there were over a hundred young men and a comparable number of women. The Prince tended to pick the beauties of the women from each village, like collecting flowers from a garden.

With the captive men, each of the newcomers was quietly told about their informal villager hierarchy and Aron’s decree to remain passive. The sergeant, suspicious of the sudden controlled actions of his new captives, instigated brutality, but none of the men fought back. The sergeant was no fool and recognized the unity amongst the prisoners, but couldn’t determine their leader. He put extra surveillance on them each night.

Amongst the women there was no such unity. There was a great deal of emotional outburst, bickering and squabbling. When they finally turned to travel back to the kingdom, the women became even more troublesome. One evening the Prince took some action against them that changed the attitudes in the women’s camp. None of the men knew what it was as it was done in secret. The women no longer cried out and displayed tantrums. Instead they showed fear uniformly, quaked at the approach of any soldier and huddled together at night in silence while the men waited helpless bidding their time.

Chapter Two

~ A New World ~

Leaving the sparsely populated region of the borderland and entering the towns and cities in the kingdom was eye opening for the villagers. None of them had ever traveled into the more populated areas. To see the products of commerce and industry in the construction of elaborate buildings was dazzling, but the plight of the citizens living there was unmistakable. Though more prosperous on the surface, the people they saw looked downtrodden and defeated in spirit. Few of their young people moved about, mostly just older folk or little children. Each town they saw the same sad eyes, which affected them emotionally and increased worry about what awaited them at their destination.

Aron made note of everything around him, not only about the oppression of people, but also where they were coming from and where they were going - like he was drawing a mental map for future reference.

Uniformly, in every settlement entered, he saw the people eyeing the prince with fear but also with revile. Imperial patrols became more numerous and larger in size the farther they traveled inward toward Nephora. The patrols openly leered at the beautiful captive village women as they passed and smirked at the men. It was offensive, galling and though it was difficult, Aron maintained a look of indifference. His men followed his lead.

Brock always rode at Aron’s side. He was never far away. The other young men formed up into columns behind Aron, mimicking the formation of the imperial soldiers. They didn’t speak to the imperials. They responded to the orders from the sergeant, but always in silence. At night, they would whisper to each other softly, out of earshot of their guards.

One night the sergeant walked over to Aron and Brock who were eating with several other young men.

You may think you’re clever, Aron, and I must say it’s unusual and possibly a little impressive the control and command you’ve established so quickly, but don’t delude yourself that you’re the measure of what awaits you ahead. When we arrive at Nephora, you’ll meet Relak, the lash master of the king. He’s charged with the training of the imperial host. You’re beneath his smallest of concerns. He’ll teach you humility and he’ll take away your contentious spirits. Oh yes, I know what beats in your heart. I’m here to tell you to abandon your foolish hopes. There’s no miracle awaiting you, no magical respite. There’s only the king and his will, nothing else. You’ll do his bidding and you’ll sacrifice your life if he so orders. You’ve made my job easier by keeping these peasants mollified. That will gain you nothing at all in Nephora. I was once where you are now. I entertained silly ideas, but those ideas had a very short life. I learned the hard way that I’m a soldier and the only way I could prosper was to embrace it completely, to become ruthless and even driven to advance myself. Now I’m a sergeant. If you learn that lesson, you may work your own way up in the army. If you stubbornly hold onto your past and to your silly hopes, you’ll be crushed into the dust. You can’t save those two girls from your village, or any of the other village women. Their fates are sealed as is your own. The sooner you understand and acknowledge that the better your future life will go. I do what I must. You’ll be in the same position in Nephora. You’ll do what you must or you’ll perish. It’s as simple as that.

Aron didn’t reply and simply looked at the sergeant. He didn’t ignore his words though, he’d been thinking about that very issue. Advancing in the army was nothing more than a peripheral step toward his real goals, the very things the sergeant warned him against, rescuing Coraline and Tasha and escaping back