The Tales of Neroman: The Silver Savior

By Tom Burton

With his world on the brink of civil war, naïve young farmer Aaron Silver is alarmed when he begins to receive visions of destruction. Determined to find answers to these terrifying visions, he joins with others on an adventure to unmask—and stop—the evil that threatens to destroy the world.

Set in the world of Neroman, and brimming with dragons, sorcery and magic, Tom Burton's debut novel is a must-read for anyone in search of the next great fantasy story!

• Language: English
• Publisher: BookBaby
• Release date: Sep 24, 2018
• ISBN: 9781543947199

Book preview

King

1

The Rain of Change

YEAR 196 OF THE THIRD AGE

As the full moon shines the night sky, and the clear bright stars watch over the run-down Dock Town in the North of Neroman, restfully sitting on its shores. The peace and serenity of the night is shattered by the high-pitched screams of someone in pain. The screeching pierces the whole town, causing horses to neigh in fear and people to lift their heads from their tasks or their pillows. Soon after, the tower bell begins to ring. The man on watch in the tower swings a large wooden rod into the town bell. The resounding tolling melds with the woman’s tortured screams, unsettling the inhabitants of the town even more than the screams alone.

Men in light armour run out of the building in response to the bell. One man climbs atop the wooden walls to look out beyond the front gate. He sees half a dozen riders storming toward the town.

Open the gate! The man orders, and two other men run to the front gate. They haul on the gate lever and it slowly opens. The riders’ storm through the gate and rein in their horses in the courtyard. The men at the gate close the gate as soon as all the riders are inside.

The rider at the front, the Crown emblem emblazoned on his silver chest plate, dismounts.

Where is she? The man demands of one the guards. Before the guard can respond, the screams of the woman resume. The Crown man runs after the screams. The other riders slowly dismount and guide their horses to the stables.

Eventually, the man reaches the house from which the screams come and barges through the door. The man is met by two midwives, and one of them approaches him, hands held out as if to stop him.

How is she? The man asks nervously.

She is almost there, but she is in pain! the midwife replies. The man rushes to the sleeping chamber to find the screaming woman writhing on the bed. The man goes to her and takes her hand.

Lucy? The man whispers. Her eyes are closed, but they eventually open and look toward the man.

Karl … is that you? Is that really you? Lucy weakly asks. Karl smiles and nods.

How are you feeling? Karl asks, but Lucy rolls her eyes.

I will punch you in the stomach, if that answers the question. Lucy sternly replies.

Karl laughs. In a few hours’ time, we will have a baby boy or girl, he says, smiling joyfully. Lucy breathes heavily in distress, as she concedes to accept the pain she is receiving.

Thank you … Lucy whispers, as she begins to scream again. She tightens her grip on Karl’s hand.

Outside the house, two of Karl’s riders take up positions on either side of the entrance, standing guard over their commander and the woman inside.

How did we not spot them before, Luther? One of the guards asks the other.

The other guard gives a small shrug. The King never has his soldiers venture this far north, Gared. Anything can be set afoot when no one is watching … I just can’t believe we lost so many, replies Luther.

Do you think we need to tell the king? Gared asks.

Did you not see what everyone else saw? This will change all of Neroman! Luther snaps. I just hope the King listens to his Lord Commander. Gared is taken aback by the fear that he sees in Luther’s eyes. They speak no more as they settle into their guard positions.

Inside the house, Lucy’s labour pains peak. Karl’s hand bleeds where his wife’s fingernails dig into his flesh. Lucy’s screams stop abruptly, replaced by the small cries of a baby.

Congratulations! one of the midwives says joyfully as she swaddles the new-born baby in her arms. Karl beams at Lucy as she reaches out desperately for the baby. The midwife hands the baby over to Lucy carefully, tears in her eyes. Karl joins Lucy on the bed, and they gaze at the baby with delight.

Is it a boy or a girl? Karl asks. Lucy pulls back the soft blankets.

It’s a boy, Karl whispers, swelling with emotion. Lucy wraps the blankets around the baby boy again.

The couple’s reverie is broken as the bell that signalled the arrival of Karl and his rider’s rings again. Karl steps to the window and looks toward the bell tower with worry. He calls to the midwives and says, Stay with my wife. As Karl gathers his cloak, Lucy reaches out to Karl.

Where are you going? Lucy whispers. Karl ignores Lucy’s question, instead he reaches for the table and takes a piece of parchment, and writes on it with a quil, once he finishes, he then seals it with melted candle wax, he keeps hold of the sealed scroll and stalks out of the bed chamber. As Karl leaves the house, he turns to the two guards protecting the house.

Did you cover our tracks? Karl sternly asks them. When his question is met with silence, Karl’s fury spikes. He grabs Luther by his chest plate and pulls him close. You saw what they did to our men, and yet you still have no idea what they are a capable of! And now they are here, and they will kill everyone … my wife … my son. Karl snarls. He lets go and rushes toward the barracks. The two soldiers fearfully follow Karl.

As Karl approaches the barracks, he calls out to the off-duty soldiers. Soldiers, you hear the bells! Take up arms and man the walls! Karl barks. The town soldiers grab their weapons and rush out of the barracks and up the wooden stairs to the walkway at the top of the walls. One of the soldiers takes up a horn from his side and blows, its clear call signalling all the other soldiers to come to the town’s defence.

Before long, the town soldiers’ man the walls, looking out as they see the green plains that run down to the harbour town. Karl joins them on the parapets, his face grim in the torchlight. In the darkness, he can just barely make out the shape of the rolling grassland, but he can see hundreds of torches in the distance, slowly coming closer.

Karl counts the men on the wall, coming to 50, his dozen wellgirded soldiers and the local guard, armed with bows, spears, and a handful of swords. Turning to one of personal guards, he says, There are not enough of us...

We have the walls, we can hold them off. The guard reassures Karl, unsettled by his commander’s assessment. Before long, the men atop the wall hear growling in the darkness below them, and hooded figures sprint toward the wall.

Archers, nock your arrows! Karl shouts. There is a wooden clatter of arrows against bows as everyone follows his orders.

Draw! Karl continues, trying to make out what the shadows below him are doing. Karl holds the order to shoot, trying to gauge the enemy’s plan, and before he does so, a volley of arrows comes out of the darkness, some bouncing harmlessly against the wooden parapets, some skittering across the wooden walkway, others striking some of the men as they await Karl’s command.

Loose! Karl orders, and the archers launch their arrows into the darkness below them. With the higher position and the numbers of attackers below, the defenders kill more of the hooded figures than the other way around, but more of the hooded figures appear to replace the ones that have been shot.

Fire at will! Karl orders, and the exchange of arrows continues.

Karl marches along the wall, giving commands and motivating the soldiers to stand firm. Karl steps up to his second in command, How many men do we have? the man asks Karl.

We are becoming fewer by the second, Karl responds, looking not at the battle but at the town. He eyes the ships on the docks, and then turns back to the battle. Before he can say anything, the lumbering shadows of trebuchets take shape in the flat area outside the wall. Suddenly flames illuminate the field as the boulders in the slings of the trebuchets are somehow set alight. Hooded figures pull on the levers, and the flaming loads are launched into the air. Karl can only stare as the burning rocks fly over the wall and into the town, crashing into houses and streets. Karl hears the screaming of women and children as they escape the burning houses.

Fall back! Karl orders. The soldiers turn to him in shock. There are too many of them! The town is lost. Sound the horn and pull everyone back! Do it now! Karl snaps, and the man signals the bell tower with a flaming torch. The bells ring yet again.

Fall back! Fall back! The command is repeated along the wooden parapet, and the remaining soldiers quickly descend from the wall.

Karl descends from the walls and heads to the barracks, where he finds some of the soldiers picking up fresh weapons.

Get everyone onboard the ships and leave as soon as you can. Head west. Karl orders, as the soldiers rush to re-supply. The sound of the wooden mechanics of the trebuchets outside the walls is audible in the barracks. Karl turns to see more flaming boulders fall among the homes and shops of the town, shattering buildings into kindling and setting fires among the wreckage.

We must hurry! Karl shouts at the soldiers. The men rush toward the buildings that are aflame to see if there are any innocents among them. The soldiers shepherd the dock town citizens to the ships, where sailors and volunteers are quickly preparing to set off. The soldiers worked through the town quickly, ushering as many people onto the ships as possible. Before long, two of the three ships leave the docks and head for the West. The final ship awaits the remaining soldiers.

Over the crackling of burning buildings, Karl hears a creaking noise near the wall. A couple other soldiers nearby hear it as well, and they slowly turn back in the direction of the wall. The top of the wall looms above the buildings, lit from below by the burning town. The wooden wall seems to swell in the light of the fires, then the wooden latticework inside the wall begins to snap as the wall crumbles before the war machines.

They’re inside the walls! Hurry! Karl shouts, breaking through the shock of the collapsing walls. Karl stands at the bottom of the gangway onto the final ship as the soldiers run to board the boat. Karl grabs one of the last soldiers and pulls her to aside.

I need you to do something for me, Karl asks the solider.

Yes, sir, she replies with a mix of steel and anxiety in her voice. Karl gives her a sealed piece of parchment.

As soon as you get to the West, find the fastest horse and ride straight for the Capital. Give this message to the King, Karl says.

The soldier nods vaguely. Karl shakes the soldier to make sure his command is clear. Straight into the king’s hand. Not one of his servants, not one of his personal guard, not even to the Queen. Only to the King himself! Karl emphasizes.

Yes, sir, she replies more sternly, with a firm nod. Karl nods in return, and the soldier rushes onto the ship.

As Karl is about to board the ship, he hears the cries of a baby behind him. He runs across the dock, and when he turns a corner, he sees Lucy and their baby boy being carried by the two midwives. Horrified, Karl rushes to help them.

I thought you were on one of the ships! Karl says frantically. They all pause as they hear approaching boots hitting the hard floor.

Get to the ship! Karl tells the midwives, lifting Lucy and the baby out of their arms. In a state of panic, the midwives then leave Karl and Lucy and rush to the ship.

I am so sorry! Karl says to Lucy as he carries her and the baby in her arms. Lucy only shakes her head, refusing his apology. As the sounds of the invaders come closer, they hide in the last building before the dock. They hear a foreign language surrounding them, and the sound of heavy boots getting louder. The sounds of the invaders recede, but then the screaming of women is heard. Lucy starts to cry softly, guessing that it is midwives who have been killed. Karl wraps his arms around her to console her.

We cannot stay here. We must get to the ship before they leave us, Karl whispers. Lucy nods, and the two share a kiss. Karl picks her up again and steps carefully out into the street.

They make it to the docks without seeing any of the invaders, but they see that the final ship is already a long way out into the harbour. Karl carefully sets Lucy down and grabs one of the torches from a stanchion on the dock. He rushes to the edge of the dock and waves the torch, attempting to signal the ship. It is no use. Karl turns back to see the flames spreading across the town, and the shouts in the unknown language of the invaders is only getting louder.

Look there! Lucy calls to Karl, pointing down toward the water a little farther along the docks. Karl moves to see what she has found and spots a small rowboat tied at the bottom of a set of wooden steps descending from the dock. Karl rushes over to Lucy and picks her up with great care. He gingerly descends the steps and gently sets Lucy down in the small craft.

Are you both alright? Karl asks Lucy as he releases the rope tying the boat to the dock.

Lucy gently moves the folds of the blanket to check on the baby. Yes, she whispers, smiling as she looks at the infant despite her pain and panic. Karl, still on the last step of the dock stairs, smiles at her and then pushes the boat away from the dock. Lucy turns to see the boat moving away from him.

What are you doing? She asks, horrified.

You need more time to get away from their weapons, so I’m going buy you some time. Karl explains. He leaps back to the dock. He picks up wooden drum of oil and pours it all over the dock.

Come with me now, we can still make it! Lucy pleads, but Karl shakes his head.

I won’t, but you two will, Karl concedes as he picks up the torch he had used to signal down the ships, and walks away from the edge of the dock, toward the town. Lucy breaks down in tears.

What shall we call him? Lucy asks tearfully, holding their baby in her arms.

I was thinking we should name him after your father, Karl suggests.

The light from the flames catches in the tears filling his eyes.

Lucy smiles sadly. I was thinking that as well, but you two never really got along, did you? Karl and Lucy laugh at this, as tears stream down both their faces. Lucy wipes the tears from her face.

Maybe, but he’d be so proud of you, Karl calls to her as the tide pulls the rowboat further away.

I love you both so much, Karl shouts.

I love you, too, calls Lucy.

Karl hears the approaching invaders. With a final wave to Lucy, Karl drops the torch onto the oil-soaked dock, and then draws his sword.

Lucy watches through her tears as the hooded figures rush toward Karl. She sees his sword flashing in the light of the flames as they devour the old wood of the docks. The cracking of the massive timbers echoes across the water as the dock collapses and falls into the sea, but Lucy cannot see Karl or the invaders through the smoke. In shock, she lies down in the boat, cradling the baby next to her. As the sun slowly rises, Lucy weeps uncontrollably while the tide continues to draw her into the sea, following the other fleeing ships.

2

The Cold Visions

YEAR 216 OF THE THIRD AGE

As the fire spreads throughout the city, nothing but screams can be heard in all directions. Everything is blurry, as if his eyes cannot focus on anything. Despite this, however, he can see women and children all over the floor. He can barely put a foot on the stone floor. Inside a building, fire quickly spreads across the wooden roof, until it gives way and the building collapses in on itself.

Suddenly, the twenty-year old wakes up, blinking in the light of the sun shining through the cracks in the rough wooden walls. Sweat is running from his forehead down to his neck. He has never experienced a dream that felt so real. Shaking off the feeling, he springs from his bed and grabs his clothes. He sighs as he puts his foot through the hole in his trousers. Once he is dressed, he dashes outside to meet with his father, Robert Silver, and his eight years younger brother, Thomas. Aaron takes in the early morning around him, seeing no clouds in the air, just the sun on his left and the birds in the sky, he looks up and smiles at the lovely day and gets started.

As he works, people pass by, and they wave at each other with joy. Aaron pauses now and then to look around the village, relishing just how happy everyone is in the mild late summer weather. A quiet hamlet just outside Greyshore, one that rarely sees strangers passing by. Aaron then sees family members embracing each other in laughter, he sees fathers fall over, and the children laughing uncontrollably at him. This draws another smile from Aaron, the horrors of the night’s dream seemingly forgotten. As the Silvers work as Dairy Farmers, they see other farmers work in different areas across not only the hamlet, but across the rest of Greyshore, including Poultry farmers and Crop Farmers.

As the sun drops toward the horizon, marking the coming end of the day, a man who looks to be about the same age as Aaron approaches.

The dairy farmer strikes again! The man calls out. Aaron turns in alarm, and then smiles and walks to meet the man at the edge of the garden plot.

Daniel Rane, says Aaron simply, and then the two young men embrace.

As the two separate, Daniel asks, How long has it been, my friend?

Aaron looks at him with a curious smile and replies, About sixteen hours. There is a pause as they both continue smiling, and then they burst out in laughter.

Daniel throws his arm around Aaron’s shoulders and excitedly says, Come on now! Another day is done, and now I need a drink! They continue laughing as they walk down the path, as they make the short journey the nearest Tavern, out of their hamlet and quickly into the village of Greyshore.

The crescent moon is already visible in the darkening sky, even though the sun has not yet set. The sun finally disappears completely as the young men walk through the village of Greyshore. The tavern door creaks mightily as they enter, and Aaron pauses just inside the door, taking in the scene of people spilling their drinks and dancing on tables, laughter filling the room with a dull roar.

Hasn’t this place only been open an hour? Aaron asks.

Daniel, known to the more thrill-seeking one of the two, his eyes are almost popping out at this point, says, Yeah, and we’ve got the rest of the night to come, my friend! Daniel laughs and pushes his way to the bar.

Now with drinks in their hands, they count themselves fortunate in finding a table. Before they have a moment to say anything, a man standing on one of the nearby tables calls to the crowd, his drink sloshing on the table and patrons below him. He slurs as he raises his mug, The men in the Crown Lands have their flowery seats and eighty-eight course meals, but all’s we need is our ale and lands to farm on, and nothing can stop us! The people cheer and raise their own mugs in response, as another man stands up on one of the tables.

If the King and Queen never thought about us, never cared for us as they do for people in the Crown Lands, then why should we care and think about them? An even louder cheer erupts from the tavern, and mugs are raised once more. Daniel and Aaron lift their mugs as well, but they do not cheer.

Daniel sighs at Aaron and says, They’re getting worse and worse each night.

Yeah, I know, but where does it all end? Aaron replies.

Daniel pauses for a moment and then frowns. It ends with a sword in someone’s chest, he says grimly. The young men ponder this thought in silence, drinking their ale.

Hours later, they lean on each other as they walk back up the pathway toward their homes. Daniel gives Aaron a mock scowl and slurs, You’re becoming old in your drunk age!

Aaron looks at him, confused for a moment, and then laughs. No, you’re just dr–, Aaron retorts, stopping as Daniel pitches forward to the ground. The two burst out in laughter.

Aaron then repeats himself, pointing a wavering finger at his friend amongst the undergrowth on the edge of the path. Daniel, you’re drunk! After waiting a few moments, Aaron slowly realizes that Daniel’s eyes are closed, and he is unresponsive. Aaron just laughs to himself and lifts his friend off the ground. Aaron carries his friend over his shoulder to Daniel’s hut and dumps him, as carefully as he can in his drunken state, onto the bed. Then Aaron slowly goes back to his own family home, and simply falls into his own bed.

Once again, Aaron’s dreams later that night are of fire and screams, both coming from all directions. Innocents are lying all over the floor, hardly any of the stone floor visible between the women and children huddling there. Inside a building, the fire quickly spreads across the beams of the wooden roof, until it gives way and the building crumbles in on itself.

The next morning, with the rays of morning light slowly tracking across Aaron’s face, he wakes up in a cold sweat again, breathing very heavily. He whispers to himself, What is happening to me? Aaron shakes it off again and jumps from his bed to start his day. Aaron keeps it to himself once again, and he revels in the joy of a day of hard work in Greyshore. When these visions occur for the third night in a row, however, after waking in a panic, he no longer leaps energetically from his bed. He drags himself out of bed and gently pulls his clothes on.

After a morning of farm work that leaves Aaron feeling like he has worked a week, Aaron approaches Daniel’s farm during the noon hour with his head down and his feet dragging. When Daniel sees him, he calls from across the farm, Are you drinking in the mornings now?

Aaron lifts his head to spot Daniel, and then he starts lumbering in his direction.

Concerned about his friend’s behaviour, Daniel walks over to Aaron. As Daniel nears Aaron, his next joke dies on his lips as he looks at Aaron with worry.

I need to tell you something, Aaron says quietly. Daniel remains uncharacteristically silent as Aaron speaks. For the last few nights, I have been having the same dream. It seems like it is the exact same each night. There is fire, madness, death all around me. I cannot control anything, I cannot even control myself. But I do remember, I remember each building and stable that is burning, every man, woman, and child on the floor.

Daniel then interrupts Aaron, saying, Aaron, they’re dreams, they will pass in time. Daniel smiles, but Aaron remains unconvinced. Daniel’s face becomes stern as he says, You may need to stop drinking so much!

Aaron laughs weakly at this proposition, and then he walks away from Daniel without saying goodbye. Daniel watches him walk away with worry.

As Aaron strolls back from Daniels farm, his father approaches him hastily. Aaron, your morning jobs are not done, I have—

Aaron interrupts him, saying, Father, I need to tell you something. Robert is looking Aaron with curiosity and worry. They walk to the shady side the house and sit on a bench, facing the east field.

What’s wrong? Robert asks quietly. Aaron repeats to his father of what he told Daniel. Father says nothing as Aaron speaks. When Aaron finishes, Robert asks,

Have you spoken to anyone about this?

Just Daniel, Aaron replies.

Robert nods his head. He suggests, Why don’t we cut some of your hours, try and take some of the stress off of you?

Aaron looks at him in surprise.

I don’t want my hours cut, I love what I do! Robert takes a moment and pats him on the back to comfort him.

The Father and son rest on the bench, remaining silent for a moment and looking out at the vast greenness of the countryside. Aaron is leaning forward, with his elbows on his knees, and Robert is leaning back, his arms stretched out along the top of the bench.

Robert asks, Have you heard about what is going on in the North of the Crown Lands? Aaron shakes his head, and Robert continues, There are strange reports, probably false, going around that there are mysterious creatures lurking around Redlock, an old stronghold where the Great War started hundreds of years ago. Aaron’s interest wanes at these rumours of fairy tales and history, and Robert sighs, You wouldn’t believe the superstition some of these people have!

Once again there is a pause. Robert asks, Have the drunks been speaking ill of the Crown Lands again?

Aaron looks ahead as he replies, It’s no longer just the drunks, and they are getting worse each night.

Robert shakes his head aggressively, saying, The separation between us and them is widening every day. Our very cultures and beliefs are worlds apart. Aaron turns to look at his father as Robert continues. Maybe not in my lifetime, but definitely in yours, there will be a civil war between the West and the Crown Lands. There is another pause, and then Robert sighs and stands.

Have you got your clothes ready for Daniel’s nineteenth birthday yet? Robert asks.

Aaron closes his eyes in disbelief and says, It’s today, and I didn’t say anything to him.

Robert smiles, He will understand, and you can tell him tonight. Robert then walks away, back to whatever task Aaron had interrupted. Aaron remains on the bench, continuing to gaze at the fields.

As the sun lowers and the moon rises, Aaron, Thomas, and Robert Silver prepare for Daniel’s birthday party. As they near the tavern, they see that a good crowd has gathered, perhaps as many as thirty people.

Aaron! The Silver men turn when Aaron’s name is bellowed from somewhere deep in the crowd, and then Daniel is pushing through the people to greet his friend. Daniel welcomes Aaron with a drunken hug. Daniel drags Aaron over to his group of friends, young men apprenticed to skilled workers in town, such as the blacksmith and the baker. By the time Aaron has been greeted by each of them, someone had thrust a mug into his hand.

One of the friends, the tanner’s apprentice, speaks up. Do you ever want to leave this place, Daniel?

Daniel looks toward the ceiling and smiles to himself. It will be my dream to leave this place, never to return! Daniel tells them, much to Aaron’s disapproval. Daniel boldly continues, I have always wanted to be part of the Dellmoor Army…as an archer.

Everyone but Aaron laughs at this.

Why have you not gone yet? Aaron asks, shaking his head.

Well, I’m not going on my own! Daniel quickly replies.

Aaron then quickly asks, Have you ever held a real bow in your life?

Daniel blows his cheeks out, and then slowly shakes his head. This time Aaron laughs with the rest of the young men.

Several hours later, the waxing moon brightening the night sky, Aaron joins with his father at the edge of the party.

Are you enjoying yourself? Aaron asks.

I will always enjoy myself when there is free ale involved! Robert replies, laughing. But their smiles fade quickly.

I’ve spoken to a few old friends, Aaron, and they have confirmed my suspicions. Trouble is brewing in the East, in the Crown Lands, Robert whispers. Aaron looks at his father with concern, but Robert simply looks out into the night.

Conflict continues to grow between the West and the Crown Lands, Robert says.

Conflict has always been the way between our two factions, Father. Sometimes it grows, sometimes it quiets down. That is just how the world of mankind works, Aaron says to reassure Robert. The older man nods in agreement.

Have you heard of the Bridge? Robert asks his son abruptly. When Aaron shakes his head in response, Robert continues. Rumours are spreading around the West about a large construction effort at the border. Apparently approved by the Lord of the West, two walls are being built along our border, with nothing but a bridge connecting the two walls, a reconstruction of what the West had during the Red Moon.

Why has King Edmund not stopped this from being built? Aaron asks.

Because the King has never taken an interest in the West. That is why there has always been conflict. Robert says. Aaron looks at the ground, evidently worried. Robert turns to look at Aaron.

Do not be troubled with these dreams, Aaron. They will pass in time, as they always do. Seeing that Aaron is unconvinced, Robert continues, And once they do, you can continue working on the farm…properly! The two smile, and Robert put his arm around his son. Robert gestures toward Daniel, weaving drunkenly and spilling his drink, grinning happily.

Robert asks, How much do you think he’s had to drink tonight?

Aaron chuckles and says, Too much…again!

They smile at the birthday boy’s antics, and then Robert says, Tom and I will set off home now. We’ll see you in the morning, bright and early! Aaron nods and watches as his father and brother leave the party.

When Aaron turns back to the celebration, he sees Daniel stepping up to a wide podium. Daniel cheers along with the rest of the crowd, who is cheering for him.

Hello, everyone! I hope everyone has a drink, and if you don’t, shame on you! The crowd cheers, and Aaron simply smiles at his friend from the back of the crowd. Daniel waves his hands to get the rowdy group to quiet down. The tavern grows still as Daniel continues.

After my beloved father ran away when I was born, and my dear mother passed away when I was eleven, I never thought I could reach nineteen. Everyone in the crowd, including Aaron, is now completely focused on Daniel.

But here I am now, talking to you all today. I say, ‘here’s to another nineteen years to come! Daniel lifts his drink and the crowd cheers, everyone lifting their mugs to drink. As Daniel leans back to finish his drink, he falls over behind the podium. The crowd erupts into laughter, and Aaron jogs to the back of the podium. Daniel has passed out again, so Aaron hoists Daniel over his shoulder and carries Daniel away from the tavern.

Daniel does not stir until they have nearly arrived at his farm. Daniel mumbles something into Aaron’s back, and Aaron greets him. Welcome back, old friend!

As Aaron works to open the door of Daniel’s farmhouse, he hears Daniel say softly, I love you, Aaron.

Aaron just laughs, but Daniel maintains his seriousness.

Don’t laugh, you’re a great friend, Aaron, and you deserve more than this life, Daniel continues. Aaron again shakes it off as drunken affection. After he puts Daniel to bed, he walks back to his own farm. As he enters the house, Aaron sees his father and brother asleep, and he smiles as he quietly climbs into his own bed.

Once again, Aaron dreams of fire spreading throughout a city, of hearing the screams of women and children coming from all directions. Everything is blurry, his eyes seem unable to focus on anything. He can see men, women, and children huddle on the floor of a large building, filling the space so that he can barely put a foot on the stone floor. Unlike last time, however, he can see their faces clearly. Inside a building, the fire licking at the wooden beams of the roof quickly spreads, consuming the supports until the roof gives way, and soon the building collapses in on itself in a huge blaze of sparks and smoke.

Aaron wakes again with a start, but it is not morning. Aaron glances around, disoriented by the darkness. He sees a man standing in the corner, a green circle behind him, and what look like lightning bolts flashing around him. Aaron tries to make out the man’s features, but the lightning casts odd shadows and cause Aaron to shield his eyes. The man reaches out toward Aaron, but Aaron shrinks away from his hand. A booming voice fills the room.

Aaron, you must listen to me now! Aaron can only shake his head at this. You are the key, Aaron. The Great War is coming! Aaron is frozen in place as the words are etched into his memory.

Go to the capital, Aaron. Go to Dellmoor. Learn about the visions you see, find out what they mean, and then you must find us. Aaron, you need to find us! With a sudden blinding flash, the man disappears. Aaron’s bedroom door bursts open as Robert and Thomas storm into the room.

3

A Family Torn

After blinking away the spots in his eyes, Aaron jumps out of his bed.

Robert, with the shock making his voice raw, asks, What was that?! Aaron ignores the question as he quickly dresses and gathers the few additional pieces of clothing that he owns into a satchel. Robert and Tom watch Aaron without comprehension.

Aaron finally responds, but not with an answer to his father’s question. I need to get to the capital as fast as I can, Aaron gasps as he rushes about.

Robert quickly responds, Why? What was that in there? Robert asks again.

It was a man, I think. He told me to go to the Capital and search for the meaning behind the dreams I have been having, Aaron says without thinking of how crazy this might sound.

And you believe him? Robert asks in disbelief. And you think you’re going to find the answers you need, Aaron, when we need you at the farm, right here, right now?

Aaron brushes past his father and brother as he leaves his room. He ducks into the cupboard to grab some of the vegetables and a bit of dried fruit. Robert and Thomas follow Aaron into the kitchen. Robert presses his point. Aaron, the season is changing soon. We need you for when the weather turns. I’m getting too old to look after the farm on my own, and I cannot rely on Thomas now, not at his age! Robert explains.

Aaron finally stops and looks at his father. I cannot just sit in the shade and wait for these dreams to stop on their own, or worse, to fester into something more dangerous! Aaron counters, his voice rising as he speaks.

If this man means what he says, then there are lives at stake. I can’t just sit here waiting for the dairy to be sold here, as men, women, and children are being burned alive elsewhere!

The kitchen falls silent then, more than the quiet of the night, but deathly still. Tears are streaming down Thomas’s face. Aaron takes a couple