The Year of the Lumin

by Andrew Ryan Henke

  Noir stopped and said, “See, I told you you wouldn't understand.” She looked oddly saddened. “Why do you want to know anyway?”

  She responded haltingly, “I... I'm not sure. I guess, I guess I was hoping for something.” She shook her head and sighed. “Forget it, it was silly. Dad taught me not to talk about it.”

  As normal, Noir was confused by her. “It's okay, just tell me what you want to know.”

  She sighed and shook her head to dismiss the topic. “Maybe some other time. Now since I know Ratt isn't going to do it, where's the other chest so I can try to sell the rest?”

  “It's in this cart here. Sell what's in mine too while you're at it so we don't have to worry about the dumb things anymore.”

  Asiada rooted around in the back of the cart looking for Ratt's chest. “I can't sell what was in yours.” She brushed aside a few things until she saw the chest she wanted.

  “Why not?”

  “What is in yours is special.”

  “What? Why is mine special?”

  Asiada scooted the chest to the edge of the cart and hopped down. “Don’t worry about it, okay? Just be glad you don’t have to carry it.”

  Asiada lifted the chest and walked away. Noir suppressed his urges to call after her about how it was her fault he had it at all, or that she should carry it herself. He let it go. Noir was so confused by her. He still had no idea why she was so interested in his world.

  Ratt was still missing, so Noir opened the book that Osarik had given him and continued to read. He adjusted the pieces of his armor so he could sit more comfortably, then reread the third section.

  From lands beyond time he will be summoned, riding the light to a world that will humble him. From the youngest yet oldest of hills he will be birthed to this world void of childhood and yet childhood he had. On the ridge of young and old mountains, between warring lands he will be thrust between.

  Despite how the historians interpreted this section, Noir had his own meaning. It was one of the few that made some sort of sense to his own life. From lands beyond time could mean that the world he came from was in a different time. It was hard to believe, but it could make sense. The next sentence was eerily similar to Noir. “Void of childhood and yet childhood he had.” To this world, he indeed did not have a childhood. He would have appeared to this world as a young man. A chill went up Noir's spine. And as for the last sentence, he was certainly thrust between two warring lands.

  A new thought came to Noir. What if he was this so called Lumin, but the idea and manuscript was exaggerated over time? He certainly could not use all three vigors like the sixth section claimed. And he certainly didn’t see himself humbling kings and freeing the meek.

  Noir shook his head and spoke out loud to himself. “If that’s true, it’s depressing. Grandel and thousands of others put their faith into the Lumin. If I really am it….” He trailed off into deep thought.

  It did not take long for Ratt to turn up again. When he came, Noir said, “Hey, your girlfriend gave you a present while she was here.”

  Ratt grimaced, “She is not my girlfriend either. You of all people should know how much I can’t stand her.”

  Noir smiled. “Uh huh. Then I guess you don’t want the present.”

  “Well, what is it?”

  Noir found the hero orb in the cart, hopped out, and walked next to Ratt.

  “What? You have got to be kidding me. She gave me one of those dumb things?” He took and looked at it. “Don’t tell me she gave me….” He dropped his head in exasperation. “She gave me the stupid Grandel one. I can’t believe her.”

  Despite what Ratt said, Noir could see him smiling. “That girl…I’m going to…” He sighed then laughed.

  Noir said, “I’m just surprised you didn’t smash it.”

  “Don't tempt me.”

  As they traveled, the mood dropped from humorous to pensive. Ratt became more irritable and unconversational as they went. Noir chalked it up to his nervousness about the coming battle. He felt a few butterflies in his stomach as well. He knew people’s lives depended on him, but this battle would not be as simple as the previous one at Talik. He wanted to defend all three sides from harm, which would be an impossible task. He had no idea what he was going to do.

  They traveled the rest of the night and made camp on the northeastern side of Hess`erabi. Ratt kept the hero orb with him, turning it over in his hands contemplatively. The sky was clear, so they fell asleep that night looking up at the stars.

  Chapter 45

  Farewell

  The next day was much the same. The Chiron force traveled on dirt roads that were slowly becoming more hilly and grassy as they approached Kuli. The land was much more dry and brown than Noir remembered from the last time he traveled through the area. He figured it was partly because they were on the eve of Fall, but also there was supposedly a minor drought in the Kuli area.

  The path from Hess`erabi to Kuli was longer than what they had traveled the last few days. They were to press on into the night in order to make it to Kuli to replenish food supplies. After that, it would be two days until they reached Talik’s new location.

  As the Chiron forces grew nearer to their destination, Ratt and Noir both felt more apprehensive about what was coming. Asiada also seemed more reserved. However, the rest of the men seemed to get more eager as they traveled. They practiced enthusiastically while they stopped traveling for a bit. They also spoke comically harsh things about Tierians, which seemed to fuel Ratt’s tension even more.

  Osarik walked with Noir at times and discussed the Lumin Prophecies among other things. Whenever he was around, Ratt seemed to disappear.

  “So I see you are starting to understand the prophecies better, Noir.”

  “Honestly, I just have more questions than before.”

  “Yes, but having questions implies a knowledge base from which they come.”

  Noir shook his head. “I guess.”

  Osarik started hesitantly, “My men and I were discussing some things.” Noir looked at him inquisitively. “We were wondering what your plan of action will be when we arrive at Talik.”

  Noir laughed sarcastically “What my plan is? I’m just some kid. You’re the captain of supposedly the most powerful knights in the world. Shouldn’t you have the plan?”

  Osarik nodded. “Yes, but we follow and serve you, Lumin.” Noir tried to catch him before he said the last word but couldn’t.

  “Please stop calling me that.” Noir sighed considering Osarik's original question. “Well, if you want to help me, help by giving me advice, not letting me lead. I’m no leader. I don’t have any idea what I’m doing. I just know I need to get to Talik and try to stop all of this.”

  Osarik smiled. “So you do know what you are doing. Now how do you propose stopping this battle? My men could probably slay many of the Tierians by themselves and turn the tide in favor of the Chiron forces, though I doubt that is what you want. I do not think we would be good at preventing men set on killing each other from doing so.”

  The calmness in Osarik’s voice as he discussed slaughtering hundreds of men disturbed Noir. A new thought came to Noir after what Osarik had just said. “Actually, I think the balance of power should be as even as possible. Both sides will not want to risk attacking Talik and be weakened from that battle for fear of the other army having the advantage.”

  Osarik smiled and nodded. “A stalemate. You are not just 'some kid.' That was wise and if it is possible, probably the wisest idea any of us has had yet. However, both Tier and Chiron might just ignore Talik and attack each other outright.”

  “Then I have no idea what to do.” Noir looked off in the distance in thought. “I do know this. I need to see some people in Talik before the forces get there, but I don’t know how that could be possible.”

  “The night before we arrive, you should go see them. Form a plan of action, make sure they know this is coming. Perhaps have them evacuate.”

  Noir no
dded. “But how do I sneak away during the night? They have deserter patrols searching for people trying to leave.”

  “My men and I could help you with that. We could create quite a good distraction whenever you desire.”

  “Okay then.” Somehow Noir felt that his mind was being made up for him by the man again. But he did need to see Grandel, Elrid, Adeel, and the others. Plus he also wanted to find out the state of affairs in Talik. “Go inform your men. Let us plan on doing this the night before we arrive.”

  Osarik laughed encouragingly. “You say you are not a leader and yet you just gave me, the Captain of the Azurite Knights, a command. Each day you reaffirm my convictions that you are.…” He stopped himself from saying the name in respect of Noir’s previous request. “That you are who you are.”

  “Osarik,” Noir started somewhat frustrated, “I can only use one vigor.” Noir quickly retrieved the leather book he had been given from his bag. “And almost none of this applies to me.”

  “Almost none? So some of it does.”

  Noir gritted his teeth and pointed. “Just go.”

  “As you wish. Keep reading and perhaps you will see more similarities and understand your destiny further.”

  Noir watched Osarik walk away. He still did not trust the man, and the last thing he wanted to do was utilize him and his knights in any way. But he did need to see Grandel before the forces arrived.

  Noir sighed and looked at the book in his hand. He had nothing else to do so he climbed on the back of the cart again and opened the leather binding.

  The friends of the Lumin are also his enemies, for he does not take sides. Kin will be separated upon arrival to our world. They cannot be found again for kin shall change. The bird, the rodent, the fawn, and the snake follow his steps. All will betray him.

  Most of it seemed like gibberish, and yet the occasional sentence eerily jumped out at Noir. “Kin will be separated upon arrival to our world.” He thought about when Steven, Aimee, and he first came to the world and were separated. He thought about the last time he had seen Aimee and how much she had changed.

  Noir got a feeling in his stomach as if he was falling. He was seeing more and more similarities in the prophecies to his life.

  “Ugh, this is too much,” Noir said to himself. “I just want to go home.”

  “And abandon us. Yes, I know.” Ratt’s voice startled Noir. He had not seen him approach, and yet he was already walking away again.

  “Ratt.” he called after him. “Ratt!”

  The bird, the rodent, the fawn, and the snake follow his steps. All will betray him.

  ~~~

  They reached Kuli several hours after the sun had set. They camped on the hills overlooking the town which brought back memories of Noir's first visit to Kuli months before. Many men went to town and returned with bread, meat, and eggs. The meat and eggs were saved for the next day. A large meal was customary the evening before a battle.

  The next day was spent talking in hushed voices discussing the plans for that night. Osarik said the distraction needed to be bombastic to command the attention of the entire army. Toward the southwest of camp that night, he and his knights would practice sparring in their full Azurite armor so Noir, Ratt, and Asiada could sneak out to Talik to the northeast. Noir had his doubts but took Osarik’s word that it would command the attention of the hundreds.

  As the day wore on, the three prepared their belongings so everything could be quickly grabbed before they left. They tried to do it nonchalantly as to not attract attention. Osarik said he had three horses he could spare to get them to Talik quickly, though it was hard to convince him not to send knights to accompany them.

  By late afternoon, the rolling foothills of the Garrison Mountains slowed the army's pace. Each tall hill crested revealed the looming mountains to be a little closer. The row of cliffs where Noir was told new Talik would be could be seen in the far distance. One of those many cracks and crevices housed the hidden town. Noir worried if they could find Talik in time during the night.

  Evening came and the sun painted the Garrison Mountains orange as it set. Soon after sundown, the Chiron forces were ordered to stop and rest for the night. Fires were made and the meat and eggs from Kuli were passed out.

  The smell of cooking meat hung heavy in the air, but Noir, Ratt, and Asiada did not have the stomach for it. Instead they munched lightly on the stale bread from previous nights. They talked together about their plans with Osarik joining them occasionally. He was also busy organizing what his men would soon do.

  Noir expressed his concerns with what he had seen of the landscape that day. “Did you see the cliff face that we are headed toward? I see why they picked the place now. I’m worried about being able to find Talik in time before the night is up.”

  Asiada nodded. “I thought the same thing.”

  Ratt said, “Talik will have scouts out as they always do. They will find us before we find them.”

  Noir agreed, “You’re right, but I still want to get the message of the impending armies there as fast as possible.” He gave a long look at Ratt before saying, “Ratt, you still have not tried your armor out.” Ratt looked startled that the topic was brought up, then he looked down at the ground. “Now might be the time to try it out. If you can move like those knights can, you could certainly go faster than a horse.”

  Ratt did not say anything for a long moment. “I guess it is time, isn’t it?” He looked up with an odd look in his eye as if what he had been thinking had saddened him. “But I don’t know how long I can run like that, or if I can at all.”

  “I believe now is the time to find out. We should ride the majority of the way until the horses get tired, then you should use your armor to get to Talik as fast as you can.” Ratt nodded slowly, then looked up at something over the others' shoulders. “Who is that?”

  Noir and Asiada turned and looked. A man walked with four armored escorts, one of whom carried a banner with the symbol of Chiron. The man’s armor reflected the many campfires spread around them. The edges of his armor were adorned with intricate gold metal work. He held his helmet in his right arm as he walked. The soldiers around them noticed as well. They stopped their meals and stood and watched him.

  Noir commented, “He must be the general.”

  “General Fasiliar,” Asiada said. “I’ve heard the soldiers talking about him.”

  The general looked around at the standing men and stopped. Noir estimated around four hundred to be watching. A silence came over the men and he began to speak loudly with wide spaces between every few words. “My soldiers! Soldiers of Chiron! As I have said to your other brothers in arms tonight, we head to battle tomorrow. We go to take revenge upon General Grandel the Merciless, the traitor.” A cheer rang out from the soldiers. Noir could not help but look at them in disgust. “The traitor that killed so many of our brothers and fathers four years ago. We go to bring the traitor to the mighty justice of the kingdom of Chiron.” Another cheer rang out. “Grandel’s weak resistance will be crushed without mercy. The women and children of his offensive perversion against Chiron will be taken as slaves for the good of Chiron. They have already forfeited their lives when they turned their backs on the land that birthed them.”

  The general continued, “There is word that the Tierians,” he paused at the massive angry cry that rang out around them before he continued, “have a force descending upon the renegade town as well. Our main objective is to seize and destroy Grandel and his town. He is a traitor of Chiron, not Tier, and we will destroy the Tierians as well if they get in our way.”

  Another cry rang out. Ratt growled over the noise about them, “Bastard! None of them have done anything to harm you!” Noir was glad no one seemed to hear him.

  General Fasiliar let the noise die down to silence before he continued. “As you have been instructed before, our formation will be an easterly defensive echelon to prevent Tierian flanking. Most of you here are in squad three. You will be with me in the
front alongside squads four and five. Squad one will form the right echelon and squad two the left. I will be alongside you in battle! Fear not, for if you fall, the Lumin and the shining afterlife await you! Fight well, men!” A final cry rang out as he walked off presumably to repeat the same speech to another section of the forces.

  Men sat down and continued their dinners. They talked loudly about Fasiliar’s speech and the coming battle

  “What filth!” Ratt spat on the ground in disgust. “I’m sure that fool has never actually talked to a Tierian or anyone from Talik. He just kills them!”

  Noir put his hand out to calm Ratt. “Watch how loud you are, Ratt. Someone could hear.”

  Ratt grunted and shook his head. “I just can’t stand to hear that drivel. They are no better than Tierians. What they do with slaves is just as bad as the oppression and killings in Tier. No one is right and yet they still squabble and fight and kill each other like idiots.”

  Noir couldn’t help but agree, but Asiada seemed upset by what he had said. “A slave at least has some sort of life and can possibly be freed later. When the Tierians kill, there’s no going back for that person. I don’t like the slaves either, but it’s better than what Tier does.”

  Ratt looked at her. “I really don’t want to get into this with a Chiron. But you haven’t even seen Tier. I’ve seen both, Asiada. Both are horrendous.”

  Asiada frowned and said, “So who’s side are you on, Ratt?”

  He looked at her under a drawn-together brow and said flatly, “No one’s.”

  The conversation stopped awkwardly for a moment with Ratt’s words repeating in Noir’s mind. Ratt surprised him frequently. He could tell his friend’s usual care-free, sarcastic persona hid deeper feelings. Eventually Noir asked, “What about Talik?”