The Unassuming Stranger

By Leo Chace Norfleet

For centuries the conquered  lost tribes of history unite in a secret Druid brotherhood in search of the thirteenth of the lost daughters of the lost tribes. Kate, is a single mother,   and over worked waitress with life pressing down on her with little hope, when she is found by the Druids. At first she can't believe her luck, suddenly all her troubles are gone, all is provided for her. Then the secret of the brotherhood is revealed to her, Kate is the key to their plans to take back the Earth. To change the Greek and Roman ways and the modern institutions based on them. Suddenly Kate is thrown Into an epic battle with in the brotherhood and for the Earth's future in this  Eco- thriller that will question the very nature of human kind and the Earth from which they came.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Leo Chace
• Release date: Aug 31, 2017
• ISBN: 9781386487661

Leo Chace Norfleet

This is my first novel. I truly hope you find this a enjoyable and thought provoking book that delves into the lost tribes of history and the modern institutions based on the Greek and Roman systems and their effect on nature.

Book preview

Chapter One

Kate’s Story

IT FELT LIKE THE HOT days of summer would never end, Kate dampened her farrowed brow with the ice cold water bottle she had bought at the school commons. Kate pulled her long strawberry blonde hair from her neck and leaned on her elbow on the bar top to steady herself chilling her neck with the water bottle. When summer ended, Kate knew all things must change, at least she hoped so. The dreams that haunted her most of her life were returning, but something besides the glaring red eyes at the end of her dreams had changed. Her dreams she knew also had also started for her little Abi as well. Abi was constantly asking her  something about a grey eyed stranger man who with loving hands made the scary dreams go away. Kate felt a calming presence but had never seen this grey eyed stranger in her dreams, which she was a little envious and pleased Abi had some sort of comfort.

Kate quickly shoved her purse along with her book bag into her locker, hoping the restaurant manager didn't see her come in ten minutes late. Because of the new parking rules that only the clients could park in the adjacent parking lots nearest the restaurant, which meant the employees had to park at least four to six blocks from the restaurant, unfortunately due to Kate's late lunch schedule, she usually had to park even farther away on the back side streets near the park. Kate quickly pulled her disheveled, long, strawberry-blonde hair back into a ponytail, trying to cool herself from the heat of the Indian summer the city was enjoying. Kate frowned her bottom lip pouting toward the already bustling late lunch crowd. She was already hot and frustrated from to running to work, trying to register for her night classes, and the prospect of having to be at the restaurant for two shifts today made her feel more tired then she already was. Kate cracked the seal of the water bottle and took a long slow pull of the cold water her neck arching back. She had half drained the bottle as she eyed Benny coming back into the locker room.

Benny laughed as he leaned back on the lockers, watching Kate’s hurried pace with amusement. Don't worry, the manager has been up in his upstairs office for most of the morning  meeting with the head waitress, but it looks like your favorite client is here early already.Benny pushed his chin in a nodding gesture over toward booth number one behind the lockers toward the late thirties, portly gentleman who always sat in Kate's section that had an open view to the back lockers.

Tim Airers watched Kate hurry his eyes dancing with a  solicitous lear. He was mesmerized at her simple beauty, as she pulled her lovely hair back. He liked the length of her neck and the way she wrapped the band around her long curls, the action accentuating her ample bosom. He cocked a pleasing eye brow  towards her as she wrapped her black apron around her narrow hips. He smiled and gave a little nod when she turned back  towards him. He patiently waited for her to come to him so that she could serve him.

Tim Airers was a semi-successful realtor who did a lot of work with Kate's brother in law, Brian in property management. He was first introduced to Kate here in this very booth by  Brian, and he was instantly smitten by Kate's beauty. Her wit and how hard she work impressed him. He knew she worked double shifts at the restaurant plus night school two times a week. He wanted so much to help her. He wanted to impress her in any way. If only he could talk with her, get her alone for only a few minutes, then he could convince her he was right for her. He thought as he continued to stare at his Katie.

Kate feigned a small, somewhat condescending smile from the back of the bar toward Tim trying to be polite, which made him sit up and smile a goofy grin back at her, making her regret her attempt at being nice.

Kate rolled her eyes at Benny as she turned away from the  intrusive stare of Mr. Airers. Just once could someone else sit there? She lamented to the toothy, grinning cook.

Benny continued laughing, in a teasing way at Kate. He came in an hour early today to get that booth. I've even seen him pay someone fifty bucks last week to let him have that booth.

Kate was unsure how many times she had to send back the unwanted flowers, embossed invitations to some realtor’s social events of Young Professionals, and the multiple polite yet  persistent dissuaded attempts to ask her out.

The manager came finally down from the upstairs office, poking his head in the locker room tucking in his shirt tale as he walked into the bar. I think you have a client waiting. Chop, chop, Kate. The manager had already reprimanded Kate for trying to change tables with the other waitresses; even once having to pull her back into the locker room since she was  bullying Mr. Airers, telling him to stop bothering her. As if serving and offering the client basic courtesy was some kind of inconvenience. He repeated to Kate who was getting more  annoyed, posting on her hip and folding her arms in a silent  denial as she half listened to her prattling boss.

Kate walked away from her boss ignoring his badgering out from the back of the bar and finished tying her apron, as the manager wagged his fore finger as if to say, Behave yourself.

Tim straightened up and grinned as Kate approached.

What do you want, Mr. Airers? Kate asked her unwanted  admirer, knowing the manager was still eyeing her from behind the bar. Kate took a deep breath, trying to control her temper.

Well... Kate stared directly at her ordering pad, avoiding eye  contact with the ogling client, who was purposefully delaying his order to maintain Kate’s presence for as long as possible. Hmmm, what would you suggest? Is there anything special today?

Kate cocked an eyebrow and a hip, forcing her to look at the insipid Mr. Airers. Same menu as yesterday, Mr. Airers.

Hmmm... He continue to smile up at his Katie, enjoying the smell of her perfume that mingled with the tiny beads of sweat that had formed on her forehead and breasts from running to work today. Ah, lets see, I think I'll have a double single malt, straight, and a Philly. Tim proudly snapped the needless menu shut. The same order he did every time.

Kate pretended to scribble his order, writing instead,  F- You! Mr. Ass Hole/Airers several times, stabbing at the pad and turning back to the bar, but before she could get away Tim gleefully called her back, watching her turn as her ponytail flipped over her shoulder. Could you make that with chicken? Kate didn't reply just tried to turn away again. No wait! Tim enjoyed playing with his Katie in such a way. Maybe make it with steak?

Kate huffed. That will cost extra. She stood defiantly halfway between the bar and Mr. Airers’s table, keeping her back to Mr. Airers.

Well, Katie, you know that wouldn't be a problem, Tim’s lips smiled a thin toothless grin. Kate started to go again.    Oh, Katie? Tim called after her. Didn't you forget something? Mr. Airers gestured to the table before him.  "No cutlery, nor water for moi?"

Kate stopped and straightened up, her posture rigid, not  wanting to turn again towards booth one Kate instead closed her eyes, and attempted to breathe. Benny, will you help the gentleman in section 1, he needs silverware and  water? She walked past Benny in the kitchen, shoving into  Benny’s chest Mr.  Airers’s ticket.

Benny pulled the paper off his chest and read the ticket, laughed as he put it in his pocket. Sure thing, Kathryn, Benny drawled back at her and winked.

Kate flashed him a low glare and crooked smile as she slammed the employee bathroom door behind her. Kate leaned  forward onto the small sink, forcing herself to look into the rusted mirror before her. Kate slammed her fist against the sink and turned on the cold water to splash her face, trying not to cry out of frustration and anger. What the hell? Kate thought. Not only did she have to deal with her brother-in-law and his cronies, but even now her professor at school was hitting on her, blatantly calling on her in class, asking if she could stay a moment after class. Kate stared in the mirror, trying to regain her composure. Kate pulled her phone out of her pocket, a hand-me-down from the latest model from her sister, as it buzzed and flashed. It was her little sister, Caitlyn, leaving the twelfth message in the last hour. Caitlyn, ever since their parents had passed, seemed to think she was the surrogate mother to Kate, often trying to coach, dictate and run Kate’s, the screw up life. Kate wearily called her sister back, not bothering with trying to sift through the voicemail messages that more than likely held first hollow salutations, then angry "Why did you not answer?!", and finally outright demands and orders.

Hello, hello, hello? Caitlyn repeated loudly, interrupting Kate trying to talk to her little sister. Kate! Thank God you called. You should answer your phone more often. What's a cell phone for after all? I wanted to remind you by the way...look, please don't be late tonight. Okay? I let the help go this evening. Caitlyn was not going to let Kate get a word in edgewise before she hung up. Also don't forget about the party. Caitlyn insinuated that Kate would forget her own daughter’s birthday party that was a few weeks away.

Like, as if! Kate thought, trying to listen to her sister’s constant barrage of missed guided advice, reminding Kate for the umpteenth time not to forget the party that her sister insisted on throwing for her daughter Abi's fifth birthday.

A banging on the other side of the bathroom door startled Kate from her thoughts. Okay, I’ll call you later. Love you bye. Kate hung up the phone cutting off her sister even as she continue to try to talk.

Kate? Ms. Shier? You have clients waiting! the manager exclaimed, his irritated attempt at micro managing Kate.

All right, all right! I'll be right out, Kate growled back.

AN ELDERLY GENTLEMAN sat behind booth number one that held the annoying Mr. Airers. His hands grasped in front of him in a tight white knuckled grip, but he looked up kindly at Kathryn, his soft, glowing, blue-grey eyes gazing up toward the clearly flustered waitress.

Sorry, crazy day already, Kate apologized. She liked his handsome, careworn face; a distinguished gentleman with a soft Gaelic accent who dressed smartly in a tweed sports coat, wool sweater, jeans, and boots that were popular with the much younger crowd.

No worries, Miss. Just tea for now, Garron reassured Kate. She smiled warmly down at the man who reminded her of someone in a dream or repressed memory of some kind. Though in his sixties easily, Kate could see the man was well built with iron-wrought hands. Kate enjoyed listening to his little stories of the old country and the lush green forests. He expressed them in such a way that made Kate miss a place she had never been.

Katie? Katie? Tim craned his head over the raised back off his booth, disturbing Garron's story. Kate and Garron stopped talking they both turned their heads towards the  obtrusive man narrowing their eyes back at Mr. Airers as he shook his glass loudly. I am empty Katie. His speech slurred.

Kate ignored Mr. Airers tilting her head down at Garron. I'll be right back with your tea, Garron. Kate smiled again at her favorite recent patron, knowing by calling him by his first name seemed awful informal to the gallant man, but doing so would irritate Mr. Airers to no end, which pleased Kate more than it should. Garron gritted his pearly white teeth in a smile toward the drunken man opposite him. He looked like he was about to throttle Mr. Airers, who was now kneeling with his elbows on the back of the booth, clearly drunk after his third double. Kate had no doubt that the senior gentleman, with his steely stature that he tried to hide under the tweed coat and sweater, could take the realtor in booth one despite the thirty year  difference.

Kate grabbed the glass from Mr. Airers, ordering him to sit down. Kate returned with Garron's tea, adding some small shortbread cookies to his plate she had bought at a little Irish shop down town, while snubbing Mr. Airers.

The bartender, a young college grad student and NCAA basketball player at the nearby University, sat the crystal glass in front of Mr. Airers. Yo! This is your last one Tim. You're cut off.

Tim startled back into his booth, breaking his gaze from Kate, blinking up at Mike the six foot six guard. But, I, ah... Tim Airers stammered, trying to look around the large man before him for the manager, a close friend, to make his plea to stay.

Mike bent over the booth, making it clear that no one was going to come to Tim's aid. Drink up, Mr. Airers. It's time to go.

Tim slammed the double, quickly gulping it down; a small brown trickle of the scotch ran down both sides of his mouth as he attempted to slowly turn over the crystal glass to place it upside down in defiance of his expulsion from the bar. It almost fell to the ground since he had missed the side of the table as he drunkenly slid out of the booth, but the quick hands of Mike snatched the glass in mid air. Tim smiled at Mike's speed before returning his gaze to Kate, who stared annoyingly back at him along with the old geezer that Kate seemed to like. Tim straightened his coat, revealed a crisp fifty dollar bill he handed to Kate as he passed her, attempting to lean in toward her in his drunken stupor, but both Mike and Garron, who had risen to stand by Kate, pushed him back. Tim stumbled back trying to regain his balance. I’ll be seeing you Katie. He shouted as he stomped out the restaurant.

Kate turned away from Tim along with Mike and Garron ignoring the drunkard. Thanks, guys. Kate offered a shy smiled, giving the fifty dollar bill to Mike, Take it you deserve it more than me. Kate weary from all the day's events sighed. Though she couldn't afford giving the fifty away, Kate couldn't bring herself to accept it either. The three turned back and  watched, the listing Mr. Airers exit.

And it was only the start of my second shift, she thought. "Split it with Benny, will ya, Mike? Thanks for the help with him." Kate didn't have to say his name.

Tim stumbled out of the restaurant door, into the crisp night air, which woke him up a bit. He thought to himself, half muttering aloud, I'll make sure to comment to the manager about Mike and his rude behavior. He half slumped then fell into his silver Mercedes, exclaiming, I'll just wait here for Kate to be done. He determined this to make sure he spoke to her alone tonight without interruption. He settled into the narrow racing seats that didn't fit his portly frame, but they were the best after all. He smiled to himself adjusting the seat all the way back.

Garron, now assured that booth one was on his way, excused himself graciously to Kate, not wanting to cause suspicion or outstay his welcome. It was truly lovely seeing you tonight Ms. Shier, and thank you for the cookies, Garron said with  gratitude and familiarity in his voice.I hope it wasn't any  inconvenience? he asked. He bowed his head slightly out of  respect for the thought and the gift.

Kathryn smiled and nodded in return. Garron then took out a waxed sealed letter from his breast pocket addressed to her. He gave it to Kate bowing ceremonially as he presented it to her. For your trouble, Ms. Shier. I won't be seeing you for a while. Garron gestured around the restaurant. I've been called back, you see, for urgent business at home. He ended with a sad downward smile.

Kate without thought suddenly hugged the old man that she thought of as a grandfather or great uncle. I'll miss you, she whispered over his shoulder. Kate knew that the stoic old man never said or offered exactly what he did or where he was going, she felt his serious tone before reluctantly releasing her hug of the old Gaelic man. Garron at first stiffened, then softened as he hugged Kate back find it hard for him to let her go.

The bar patrons and staff were all mesmerized by Kate's  unusual affection toward one of the clients, since usually she kept herself at a polite distance, and always professional in her service and mannerisms. Garron smiled as he forced himself from Kate with his clear, blue-grey eyes sparkling with tears that he refused to relinquish, for if he did he knew he could never part from Kate's side.

Kate tried to hug Garron again, sensing somehow his  hesitation to leave her, but he smiled, grasping her hands that still held the letter from him. Be well, be strong, Ms. Shier. You are very special, indeed. Garron quickly turned and gestured with a side nod to Harrison, who was in one of the back tables to go. A small gasp and murmurs came from the bar as the movie star departed with the stately, mysterious gentleman. The two men strode quickly together down the long corridor that led to the parking lot.

You’re kidding, right? They are pulling you from Ms. Shier for real? Harrison leaned toward Garron as he attempted to match steps with his elderly mentor. Harrison was recruited by Garron years ago by his involvement with the Druids’ sister  corporation, Conservatory International. The two men had became first friends and with little persistence by Garron, Harrison was branded into the Druid Brotherhood. At first it was for the environment, and he liked the secret and ancient methods that the Druid brothers practiced as well as the little regard they had for Harrison's celebrity. Garron took Harrison personally under his wing and was like a brother to him. Harrison had never seen Garron ordered to leave Ms. Shier before, especially at this critical juncture, and the meaning of it confused and unnerved him.

Garron, irritated by the order of the Grand Scepter to  return home, gruffly pushed past Harrison. Do your job, Harrison. The two men squared off and stopped in the middle of the parking lot next to the black hybrid BMW.

Wait a minute. Harrison grabbed Garron by the shoulder  looking with concern at his friend and mentor of over ten years who had always explained to him with painstaking patience the Druid brotherhood's ways. What's with all the secrecy and change in plans?

Garron's anger rose for a moment, which made Harrison take a step back. It's not my doing, you see, Harrison? It's coming from the top, something about a spy, and that we are being surveilled by the FBI.

The FBI? Harrison repeated with a quiet, concerned sigh, looking down at his feet.

Garron put his hand on Harrison's shoulder. It's all right, Harrison, you are not being watched, Kate is, and by more than the FBI, it appears. He attempted to reassure his friend, though Garron couldn’t care less about the movie star's fame and stardom. Garron waved to Harrison to get going. Harrison quickly opened the back door for Garron then took the driver’s seat. Where to, boss? asked Harrison with some enthusiasm, looking over his shoulder, more at ease that it was not he who was being investigated.

Garron fidgeted in his seat, annoyed by his underling’s pleased demeanor. Take me to our private air strip, and take the back way, we need not be followed. 

Garron ordered Harrison to contact Thorne immediately so he could take over the surveillance of Kate Shier, for he was sure now the Brotherhood had found the final missing daughter of the lost tribes. Though it was his right to be her protector and benefactor, he was ordered by the Grand Scepter through the Great Mother herself to return to the homeland.

Garron had protested but knew it was futile. He had been tracking the Shier family for over ten years, and with the  coming of age of both Kate and her little daughter, Abi, the prophecy was confirmed. Garron had no doubt it was Kate, and it had taken every bit of his strength to tear himself away from her. Even Harrison being relatively new to the Brotherhood had difficulty parting with Kate's presence, even though he had never met her before tonight.

Thorne received the call from Harrison, who put the call on speaker in the car. Where are you, Thorne? You won't believe this, Harrison told his fellow Druid brother.

Thorne took the phone from his ear and looked questioningly at the tone of Harrison, who normally was as serious as Garron. Where do you think I am, Harrison? I am where I am supposed to be, in the shadows providing for the Thirteenth Daughter. Why are you calling me and not Garron? Technically it was the Druid's way not to have an underling ask a higher ranking  Brother any questions, or call them for that matter. Thorne was a true born Druid and had received his first brand of the  Brotherhood after his first year of life; since then he had been awarded over ten more brands from different tribes and as his rank improved by his strength and dedication to the Great  Mother, so did his brands. The brands were a power hierarchy that held the tribes together and allowed telepathic sensation between their fellow Druids. His Father was a protector sworn to give his life for the Grand Scepter and his Mother was a high priestess, who  provided for the Seasonals. The four beauties, daughters from the original four Ancestral conduits for the Great Mother and linked directly to the Grand Scepter. The Grand Scepter held the greatest of brands and communicated and could sense all. He was the highest-ranking Druid and closest to the Great Mother. It had been thought that Thorne would be groomed to possibly be a protector or, by the blessings of the Great Mother, even the Grand Scepter.

The mysterious death of his parents in Brazil from a fellow Druid brother had ended all that for Thorne. Their deaths were unthinkable, and more worrisome was the assassin had not been detected, nor ever found. Thorne's parents’ death shook the Druid brotherhood back into seclusion and made Thorne an  unwanted orphan outsider, thought to harbor bad aura. The rumors further led to suspicion that his parents may have betrayed the Grand Scepter or Seasonals in some way and it was the Grand Scepter who had slain them. Thorne, even though he had many brands, was forced away from his home land on the Island of Anglesey. If it were not for the kindness and generosity of the Grand Seeker, Garron, Thorne would have been cast out.

Thorne knew Kate well, he had grown up with her, but always in the shadows he had watched her alongside Garron.

Harrison laughed, You wont believe this shit and what's happening. 

What is it, Harrison? I am in the restaurant doing my job. Thorne had always enjoyed hiding presents for Kate Shier, it was a hidden perk for being the adopted lost child to the Grand Seeker.

Garron grabbed the phone from the back seat console and switched off the intercom. He glared at Harrison, who sheepishly shrugged his shoulders. Thorne, it's me, sorry about that.  Harrison is a bit giddy about being anonymous still and that he gets to go to motherland. Garron winced when he realized he had admitted to Thorne that Harrison was going with him.

He? What? Why? Is he going? Thorne voice said in a child like consternation and knew the questions would be considered disrespectful. Thorne had not seen the motherland since his eighth year, when his parents had last been there. The vacancy burned in Thorne's heart.

Garron heard the pain and confusion in Thorne's voice, which pained him as well. You will have to be strong now, my son. The word he had never used before, but it seemed relevant at this point. I am being called back home and Harrison is  going with me.

Harrison giggled with excitement as he turned into the  private, camouflaged airplane hanger that looked more like a cave.

Shut it, Harrison. Garron covered the receiver of the phone so that Thorne could not hear Harrison's excitement any further. Make sure she fueled sufficiently. I don’t want to make any stops along the way. Garron ordered Harrison. Harrison bounded out of the car seat, he was an experienced pilot and loved the super hydrogen-fueled jet when he got to fly it.

Yes Sir-re, boss. Harrison winked as he left the car sprinting towards the plane. 

Garron rolled his eyes and thought, Actors. He turned his attention back to his increasingly irritated apprentice on still waiting on the phone. Thorne was stealthily placing a cashmere cardigan into Kathryn's locker, narrowly missing the restaurant manager. Thorne gasped a whisper, since he had to hold his breath as he hid behind the swinging door, then he slipped out the back before it closed. What's going on? He hated questioning his senior Druid brother who had never before, in over ten years had, called him son.

Garron patiently waited for Thorne to get back to safety and away from the restaurant. Thorne, come to the private air strip.

Thorne asked, "Now? But Kate— Thorne stopped himself and bit his lip and said in a low professional tone, I'll be right there."

The guards had been doubled at the airport, and Thorne also sensed that a few more of his Druid brothers had arrived at the restaurant to cover his duty. Thorne resented being called away like a school boy from his duty. The questions kept building in his mind, but Thorne knew better than to question the Grand Seeker any further or he would get a severe reprimand from his mentor and guardian. He pulled his black BMW next to Garron. The back seat window rolled down halfway, and Garron ordered Thorne to get in the back seat with him.

Thorne knew something was up, and it had to be big. Thorne got in the back seat, looked around, but did not say anything as Garron stared him down.

It seemed like an eternity before Garron finally spoke. I am sorry. Garron took Thorne's hand in an unfamiliar gesture of intimacy. Thorne was surprised at the supplication; he had thought he would be punished for stupidly questioning an order from an elder. Thorne knew now the tables had been turned, and Garron was not one to apologize for anything. The act unsettled Thorne even more than the punishment he expected.

Garron repeated, I am sorry, my son.

There it was again, the word son. Thorne’s inner voice screamed making him scared of what could be next.

Garron sensed in his young apprentice his fear and  confusion. It’s all right Thorne, it appears we have a spy or multiple spies in our midst, and the FBI somehow got wind of Kathryn Shier. We must be more diligent, and I am afraid we will have to centralize our work at Harrison’s house in Beverly Hills. He already has security, and we can disguise our  movements more easily there than bringing more attention to Kate.

Thorne began to weep. Garron was moved by Thorne's devotion to him and Kate. I am not abandoning you, Thorne. Rest assured you still will be with Kate, and I will be back soon. Garron knew how fragile Thorne was to be separated from those that he loved. The stigmatism of how his parents had died still hung on the poor lad. He knew Thorne's father well. They had been best friends really, and Garron knew that he would never had betrayed the Grand Scepter. But the Druid clans were one of superstition and legend, and any change was feared, any transgression was cleansed from the clan. Not since the Roman massacre had  anything been so close to the source of the Great Mother, so it was accepted that even though Thorne was a true Druid he would be kept from the presence of the motherland.

Garron released Thorne's hand, and Thorne finally took a breath. So what do you wish of me, master? Thorne bowed in the cramped back seat, his muscular frame seeming to twitch with  eagerness to do something, any thing, like a caged big cat,  Garron sensed. The job to protect her will be yours until my return. Garron said without hesitation in a commanding tone.

Thorne's jaw dropped, Me? But sir, I am not worthy. I have not the brands to sense and glean all the dangers that may fall upon the lost daughter. What if I fail? Garron you have found them all, but she is the final one." Thorne's voice trailed off his eyes cast down realizing the significance of his new duty.

Garron took Thorne by both shoulders. Look, my son, this will be your honor, no one can begrudge me nor question the Grand Seeker on his duty. I have selected you to lead in my stead. He finished and tried to smile to reassure Thorne but it  looked more like of a grimace then grin.

Garron projected his desire to have Thorne lead to all who followed him. He ordered that Thorne receive the Grand Seeker's Brand, the crest of his family, and that they reestablish Thorne's family crest and the brand of the Protector as well. The usual ceremony would be days in the making, and the  celebration of the tribes Thorne would be bound to would be the duty of Garron. The bestowing of the honor to Thorne was left only to Garron and Harrison, but the non-ceremonial aspect of the proceedings grieved Garron. The boy deserved the honor to be given by the Grand Scepter and celebrated by the tribes that should be present.

Thorne cared not for the ceremony and those that sought to ostracize him but took the brands with pride by his truer  brothers. The three men who had spent the last ten years  together following a little girl who turned into a woman and then, as the prophecy foretold, became a Mother to a daughter. Thorne now would be branded and be one with his brothers,  together in bond and blood, now only death could separate them.

Harrison brought forth the three brands. The first was the shape of a shield with deep raised eyes representing the Grand Seeker, Garron's family crest. Garron rubbed the sacred oil into Thorne's forearm and proceeded to press the amber brand gently into Thorne's flesh. Centuries of information bled into Thorne, and he knelt in pain and awe of the power of the shield and the eyes that sought all.

The second was that of the Protector clan, his family’s old clan. It had been acid burned from Thorne's young skin to ensure the safety of the Grand Scepter. Garron had been told that it had to be done, but he knew it was just out of fear that they had dishonored the young boy's family and parents.

The Protectors’ brand was the shape of a