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

by Julian Saheed

The sailor slumped to the floor slowly, taken totally by surprise. Thibalt dragged the man's unconscious body into one of the storage rooms in the corridor. He then picked up the tray of food that the soldier had been carrying to the cells. There were no other soldiers down in this part of the ship, especially at this time of night. Most of the crew slept deeply in their quarters, unaware of Thibalt's actions.

  He crept slowly down the dimly lit corridor, wary of any sudden noises. If he were found trespassing in this area the consequences would be grim. The corridor was leading him to the ships brig which contained four large cells made of sturdy iron. As Thibalt entered the prison he noticed a guard slumped half over a stool, snoring through his own drool. A bottle of spirits lay on the floor next to the man and Thibalt felt confident that he was not going to wake up easily. Creeping quietly past the guard, he made his way to the farthest cell and found his brother huddled on a straw bed.

  "Christill, wake up," Thibalt whispered.

  Christill turned on his bed and stared at his visitor. Seeing who it was, he sprang up and hurried over to the door. "Brother, have you come to free me?" he blurted out.

  "Quiet!" Thibalt motioned to the inebriated guard. "I have come to talk. You know I can't free you. What good would it do anyway? We are in the middle of the Sea of Turmoil."

  Christill sighed and took the food that Thibalt had brought with him. "So talk then," he said in a hushed voice.

  "Did you really plan to stay in Feldom and leave us forever?" Thibalt said softly.

  "Yes," Christill replied in a sorrowful tone. "It has nothing to do with you. You know that I will always care for you. We have a bond that no living creature can sever. But I cannot live in Miirvk any longer. I must escape into Feldom. If I cannot, then I no longer wish to go on living."

  Thibalt was at a loss for words. He did not want his brother to leave, but he understood why he wished to. "I don't want this to happen, but it is your choice Christill. If you choose to go, know that I will always remember you," he said reluctantly.

  "I know that," Christill smiled. "I may require your help when the time comes for my escape. Can I count on it?"

  Thibalt reached into the cell and clasped Christill's arm tightly. Both held tight and felt great grief at the thought of a life apart from each other. "I would follow you into Teefarrnur itself, Brother. To battle the very gods. You know that."

  "As would I, Thibalt," Christill replied.

  Without another word Thibalt left the brig taking with him the bottle of spirits. Reaching the unconscious sailor that he had taken the food from, he poured some of the liquid over the man's tunic and placed the bottle in his hand. Thibalt then left the corridor and headed towards the sleeping quarters with a troubled mind.