Dawn of the Valiant (The Valerious Chronicles: Book One)

by Julian Saheed

The brothers refused to attend the ceremony. They remained in their beds, allowing their bodies to recover.

  "We should have known," Thibalt said in a defeated tone.

  Christill who was lying on his bed, scratching Jin behind the ears looked up at Thibalt. "You know something, I just don't care anymore. I have tried to fit in, but they cast me out again and again." He paused, looking into Thibalt's eyes. "Even my own father does it."

  Thibalt turned his head. "You overheard us before."

  "Of course I did."

  "And you are angry?" Thibalt asked.

  "No, not angry," Christill spat out. "Disgusted! How can they justify pillaging and burning those innocent towns? Do the Feldonians ever come to Miirvk?"

  Thibalt opened his mouth to retaliate but Christill cut him off.

  "No! They cannot justify it. And do you know why?" Christill said getting up. "Because we live amongst a bunch of barbaric and brainless animals, who know nothing but violence and murder."

  Thibalt sat silently. He had never seen his brother so full of anger and hatred.

  "You need to calm down. There is not much that you can do."

  "I am sick of hearing that!" Christill yelled, with a hint of madness in his voice. "I know what I can do. I will leave this cursed land. I do not care how, but I will no longer allow myself to live in this hell."

  Christill walked up to Thibalt's pack and pulled out the blanket containing the dead beast that had attached itself to his leg. He stormed out of the room, leaving Thibalt on his bed, totally taken aback. As he entered the living area, Reinar and Kera entered the house, returning from the ceremony. He walked up to them and hurled the bundle at Reinar.

  It hit him square in the chest and fell to the floor, opening up and revealing the dead beast. Kera and Reinar both gasped and stepped back at the sight of the hideous beast.

  "A little prize from the hunt, Father," Christill said in a spiteful tone, and before Reinar could reply Christill had pushed past his foster parents and left the house.

  Kera moved to follow him but Reinar stopped her. "Do not worry about him. I need you to get the Disciple."

  "But he will still be celebrating," Kera replied.

  "Tell him it is important," shouted Reinar, staring at the bloodied carcass lying on his floor. "He will understand."

  Kera nodded and rushed out of the house. Reinar picked up the beast and lay it down onto the large table next to the fireplace. He studied it and then called out to Thibalt. Thibalt left his room and came to the table. He spotted the beast and guessed what had happened.

  "You must not blame him for his actions. He is still upset about the Disciple's behaviour today," Thibalt said, almost pleading with Reinar.

  Reinar raised his hand to silence Thibalt. "I am not angry with your brother. I can understand his rash behaviour. But this," he said pointing to the dead beast "Is something that worries me. I have never come across anything like it before."

  Kera eventually returned with the Disciple. He entered the house furious at being interrupted and walked over to Reinar. "What is it? What do you want from me that could not wait until the morning?"

  Reinar pointed at the table, showing the Disciple the dead beast.

  "Great Beon!" shrieked the Disciple. "What is that?"

  "We found it in the desert," Thibalt answered. "It attacked Christill."

  The Disciple walked over to the table and examined it. "This is not native to Miirvk and it does not match anything that I have ever heard of," he said scratching his chin.

  "What could it be?" Reinar asked.

  "I cannot say, but something about this creature is not right," the Disciple mused. He then paused as if in deep thought. Finally he picked up the carcass and put it back into the blood drenched blanket. He heaved it over his shoulder and walked towards the door. Just before he left he turned around and stared at Thibalt. "No one else need know about this revolting little creature. Understood?"

  "We will tell no one," replied Reinar as the Disciple left their home.

  "That was strange," Thibalt said afterwards.

  "We will not discuss this any further," Reinar replied quickly, overcome by this recent chain of events. "Just as the Disciple said, it is not our problem anymore."

  Knowing that Reinar was in a foul mood, Thibalt went back to his room, pondering over the events of the last few days and wondering what trouble Christill was getting himself into.

  CHAPTER FOUR

  AN UNFORSEEN FUTURE