“Cameron! You’re back!” She cried as she embraced him in a hug.
“Yeah, but just for summer break,” Cam replied, the sound muffled by her hug. “School starts again soon, so we need to leave in twelve days.”
Brock smiled, watching the emotional reunion of mother and son. Amazingly, she didn’t look small next to Cam, which was rare for a female. At just over six-feet tall, she had a big frame and large chest. She released her hug but kept her hands on Cam’s arms as she stood back to look at him.
“I see an apprentice cloak. Very good.” She nodded as her eyes scanned him. “But you look as if you’re wilting away, Cam. Haven’t they been feeding you?” she asked, shaking her head.
Cam smiled. “I keep telling them that I’m hungry.”
“I can vouch for Cam, Mrs. DeSanus. He doesn’t talk much, but he’s sure to let others know when he’s hungry,” Brock said, smiling.
The woman’s eyes glanced from Brock to Ashland before returning to her son. “Cam, are these two your friends?”
Cam nodded, “Yes.”
Brock smiled at Cam’s typically understated response. “I’m Brock, Cam’s roommate,” he said, extending a hand toward her. “And this is my girlfriend, Ashland.”
Cam’s mother ignored his hand, instead bending to give Brock a hug. “It’s nice to meet you, Brock. Please call me Janis.” Releasing him, she turned to give Ashland a hug. “It’s nice to meet you, dear.”
Ashland responded as the taller woman released her. “It’s nice to meet you too. Thank you so much for letting us stay with you for summer break.”
Janis looked at Cam, raising an eyebrow. Cameron just shrugged. She turned to address Ashland again.
“We’re happy to have you but are a bit tight on space. Ashland can sleep on the third floor in Cam’s old room.” Janis turned toward Cam. “You and Brock will have to squeeze in with your brothers. It will be crowded but if it’s only for twelve days, I think you’ll survive.”
Cam nodded in response.
The door opened, and a large man stepped in. Brock had to do a double take, glancing at his roommate before his eyes returned to focus on the newcomer. If the man’s hair had been a bit lighter, he could have been an older, slightly heavier twin to Cameron.
The man’s face broke into a grin. “Cam!”
The man gave Cam a bear hug, thumping him on the back soundly before letting go.
“I see you made apprentice. Congratulations.” He nodded before glancing toward Brock and Ashland. “And who are these two?”
Not waiting for Cam to respond, Brock held his hand out to the man for an introduction.
“I’m Brock, and this is Ashland.”
“Nice to meet you,” the man said as he shook their hands. “I’m Cameron’s Father, Cassius.” He then hugged Janis as he sniffed the air. “Dinner smells good. I’m starving.”
She smiled and waved for them to follow. “It’s ready. Come on; let’s eat before the boys get home and eat it all.”
They followed Janis into the kitchen, finding a large table with six chairs occupying the middle of the room. Janis circled the table to approach the fireplace. She donned a pair of heavy gloves and removed the large kettle from the flames.
“Cam, please run upstairs and grab an extra chair for your friends,” she said as she set the kettle onto a small stone table.
As Cam ran upstairs, she scooped wet cabbage from the kettle into a bowl. As she prepared the food, Cassius pulled three plates from a shelf and placed them on the table to join the four already residing there. By the time Cam was back with the chair, seven places were set. A bowl of cooked cabbage and a plate of sausages waited in the center, beside a full loaf of bread.
“Please sit and eat.” Janis said, removing her gloves.
They heard the front door open, followed by the sound of two male voices arguing.
“…telling you that I unloaded far more than you did today.”
“As usual, you’re dreaming if you think you did more work than me, Jake.”
Two young men came around the corner into the kitchen. Brock couldn’t believe it. They were both even bigger than Cam.
“Cam! Come here, Puppy!” One of them said, closing the gap to give Cameron a bear hug.
The other was right behind him. “Hiya Cam!” His hug lifted Cam right off the floor.
Despite their brown hair and green eyes, the two young men were obviously Cam’s older brothers. Their faces looked identical to each other and were close matches to Cam’s, but with a Laboris rune rather than the Order rune that marked the rest of the family. The twins were both a bit taller than Cam and were each at least fifty pounds heavier. The five massive bodies of Cameron’s family crowding the kitchen made it feel smaller than it actually was.
“Puppy?” Brock asked.
Cam’s brother nodded, smiling. “When Cam was little, he used to follow us around like a lost puppy. The name just kind of stuck.”
“Okay, boys. Leave your brother be for now. Can’t you see that he’s hungry from his journey?” Janis said, taking control of the situation. “Everyone grab a chair and let’s eat.”
Bodies scrambled around the table as they all took seats. With food piled high onto plates, they all dug in. Brock smiled, noting how the amount of food on both his and Ashland’s plates paled in comparison to the others.
The conversation during dinner was light and sporadic. Once the food was gone, the chatter increased with Cameron’s brothers, Jake and Julius, doing much of the talking. They rattled on about their day of working at the docks. Here and there, they would take a playful jab at Cam, who would simply shrug it off.
About an hour after nightfall, Cam’s father declared it time for bed and they dispersed. Cam led Brock and Ashland to the small bedroom on the third floor. Brock bid her goodnight and followed Cam back down the stairs. Two pallets had been pulled out, now occupying the gap on the floor between Cam’s brother’s beds.
“It looks like our Puppy has come back to sleep at the foot of our beds again, hey Jake?” Julius said, with a chuckle.
Jake nodded. “It sure looks that way. If he’s good, maybe we’ll get him a treat too.”
Cam didn’t respond, but his face darkened and his lips turned down at the edges. He laid down on one of the pallets, pulling the blanket up to his chin and closing his eyes. Brock followed suit and slid into his makeshift bed.
With everyone settled, Jake covered the glowlamp and all became quiet. As Brock lie on the pallet, he thought about the evening. While everything appeared friendly on the surface, there was an underlying tension.
CHAPTER 4
Cameron woke early, anxious to leave. A whole year had passed since he had last felt this way. Back then, he didn’t know what to expect from the Academy, but now he longed to be back at the school and away from this house. Until his return to Nor Torin, he hadn’t realized how much more comfortable he felt at school than he did at home.
On the outside, his brothers seemed jovial and their jokes appeared harmless, but there was always an unspoken tension. The two older boys found subtle ways to put Cameron down, making him feel as if he were less than he was. Since his return home, he could feel himself drawing inward, as if he were a turtle crawling into its shell.
Cameron’s father made it worse. Marked with an Order rune, Cam always knew he was destined to follow in Cassius’ footsteps. Unfortunately, those were huge shoes to fill. Cam wondered if he’d ever measure up to the man he resembled.
Leaving Nor Torin was the only way to put it all behind him. After twelve long days, it was finally time to begin their journey back to the Academy.
Eager to leave, Cam woke early, packed, and was downstairs before everyone but his mother. When he stepped into the kitchen, she greeted him as she pulled a heavy pan from the fire.
“Good morning, dear.” She said as he entered the kitchen. “Breakfast is ready if you’re hungry.”
“Thanks, Ma.” He held his plate ou
t as she scraped eggs and a couple sausages onto it.
Cam sat at the table, eating in silence when his father walked in. The man appeared strapping in his leather uniform. As captain of the elite guard for the city prelate, he certainly looked the part. The man gave his wife a kiss before filling a plate and sitting at the table across from Cam. The two sat and ate in silence, eating while Janis prepared another batch of eggs. Cam gathered his courage, finally speaking.
“I’m leaving today, Pa. We’ve got to get back to the Academy.”
His father looked up from his plate, his eyes meeting Cameron’s briefly before Cam lowered his.
“I expected you’d be leaving any day now. The Academy asks a lot of you, but you’ll be a better man for it, Cam,” Cassius said, nodding. “You’ll find yourself a captain in the Holy Army before you know it.”
Cameron nodded silently. The subject made him uncomfortable.
The rumble of feet descending the stairs saved him from having to speak. He prayed that it was Brock and Ashland but found it to be his brothers instead.
“You’re up early, Puppy,” Jake said, seeing Cameron already eating.
Julius followed him in. “We were surprised when we woke and you were already out of bed.”
Cam nodded. “We’re leaving today so I wanted to get a good breakfast in before an early start.”
His brothers nodded, not saying anything. They grabbed plates and began piling food on. Cam assumed that they wanted him gone as badly as he wanted to leave.
The room was quiet as Cam’s brothers shoveled food down as if on a mission. With plates empty and bellies full, Jake and Julius stood to leave.
“Bye, Cam. Have a good trip back to school.” Julius said.
Jake waved, “Bye, Cam.”
They headed out the door, off to work.
Cassius stood and gave Janis a kiss. “Bye, dear. I may be home a bit late. Prelate Yaris is holding court today.”
“Okay, dear. I’ll be sure to save some dinner for you then,” she replied.
Cam stood to say goodbye to his father. Cassius unstrapped the belt holding his longsword and held it out toward Cam.
“What’s this?” Cam asked.
“It’s your birthright, son. I want you to have it.”
“I can’t take your sword, Pa. You need it for your job,” Cam replied hesitantly.
“No. I need a sword for my job. I’ll get another from the citadel armory.” His father replied, pushing the sword belt against Cam’s chest until Cam grabbed it. “This sword is meant for greater things. You’ll need it more than I will.” Cassius embraced Cam, thumping him on the back. “Keep up the good work, Cam. We know you’ll make us proud.”
Cam nodded, not knowing what to say. The sword belt remained clutched to his chest as the sheathed weapon dangled to his thighs. His father nodded to him and turned to leave. Cam watched the man’s back as he slipped out the door.
He looked at the sword in his hand, feeling thankful that it had been given to him after his brothers had left. The famous weapon was worth more than their house and was now his to carry. But was it a prize or a burden?
. . .
Although Nor Torin was fading into the distance behind them, Cam found his thoughts to be troubled. He had always known that he was destined to be a Paladin, but it hadn’t bothered him much before. Now he felt trapped, as if life were squeezing all the choices out and forcing him to follow a narrow path of someone else’s making.
“Cam?” Brock said, breaking the silence. “Can I ask you a personal question?”
Cam glanced over and gave the smallest of nods.
“Something has been bothering you since we first arrived at Nor Torin. You’ve been even quieter than normal, and I sense that something’s wrong.” Brock turned to look him in the eye. “What is it?”
Cam walked in silence for a bit before responding, trying to find the words.
“I hoped that things would be better, that being away for a year would help.” He shook his head. “But it’s just the same as always.”
“Is it your brothers?” Brock asked. “They seem to pick on you a lot.”
“That’s part of it,” Cam replied. “They aren’t happy. They think they should be Paladins. They’re probably right, but their runes say otherwise.”
Brock nodded. “So, they’re jealous of you. They want to be in your shoes, but they’re stuck working at the docks instead.”
Cameron nodded.
Brock continued. “They pick on you to compensate for the feelings they’re hiding. They try to bring you down rather than support you.”
Cam nodded again.
After a silent moment, Brock spoke again. “There’s something else bothering you though, isn’t there?”
Cam shrugged.
“It has something to do with your father?” Brock asked.
Cam nodded.
“What is it? He’s clearly proud of you and he appears to support you.”
“Exactly. That’s the problem,” Cam replied.
Brock was confused. “Why?”
“He’s always been that way toward me. However, he doesn’t give my brothers the time of day.”
“He favors you then.” Brock nodded. “I expect that compounds their jealousy, and they take it out on you like it’s your fault.”
“To make matters worse, he gave me his sword.” Cam tapped on the hilt at his waist.
“I was wondering about the longsword. I assume it’s a nice weapon then?” Brock asked.
Cam sighed, explaining. “My father was in the Holy Army for fourteen years. He made a name for himself. Paladins don’t have to wait long to hear his name and stories of his heroics. They often refer to him as the model that new Paladins are to emulate. He won this sword in a duel in Sol Polis, against a man previously named the best swordsman in the world. It’s a famous weapon, hundreds of years old.”
After a moment of consideration, Brock asked, “Are you afraid that you won’t measure up to your father?”
Cam kept walking, his eyes downcast.
“Cam, you were the best fighter in the whole school in your first year. By the time you reach Master, you’ll surely be among the best ever,” Brock sounded earnest. “Regardless, I think you should focus on being yourself. Make your own name on your own terms. Don’t try to be your father. It seems like an empty pursuit to me. How will you ever be happy trying to be someone you’re not?”
Cam shrugged. He wanted to accept Brock’s advice, but his path felt so narrow. He didn’t know which scared him more: stumbling from the path or continuing down it to discover where it led.
CHAPTER 5
Despite a long day of travel, the scenery slid past Ashland as she struggled with her looming decision. She had put it aside on their way to Nor Torin, knowing they’d be passing this way on the return trip. About an hour before sunset, they neared the road to Vallerton, and she found herself forced to decide. Realizing that she didn’t know when she would come this way again, she summoned her resolve and broke the silence.
“Would it be alright if we took a little detour?”
Brock turned toward her. “What is it? You’ve seemed distracted all day.”
She nodded, not surprised. He knew her too well.
“There’s a farm I need to visit, about an hour south of here.” She replied.
Brock looked toward Cameron, who shrugged. “I think that would be okay.” He nodded to Ashland. “We can still reach Selbin mid-day tomorrow to meet Lars and Benny. We better get moving though if we want to make it before nightfall.”
She smiled, thankful for their understanding. Not even asking why, Brock and Cam had just accepted her request.
They turned south toward Vallerton, walking in silence. Over the next hour, the thick trees gradually gave way to wide fields surrounded by railed fencing. Herds of cattle feasted upon the long grass that grew there. Through the dim light of dusk, Ashland spotted a cluster of buildings across an open field. As they ne
ared the complex, her anxiety steadily increased, twisting her insides. By the time they reached the driveway, her stomach was a knot.
As she walked toward the main building, a man’s voice called out.
“Can I help you?”
She turned toward the voice. A big man with a thick mustache and a wide-brimmed hat was leading a horse toward a brown barn.
“Yes.” Ashland replied as she angled toward the man. “I’m looking for a couple who works here. Their names are Landon and Ashley.”
The man nodded. “Yes, they’re working in the fields but should be back anytime.”
She smiled, excited and nervous at the same time. “Is there somewhere we can wait for them? It’s important that I speak with them.”
The man’s brow furrowed. He stood in silent consideration before responding.
“I suppose you could wait in the shed. It’s right behind the barn.”
“Thank you, sir.” Ashland said before leading the way around the barn.
The shed was a tiny dilapidated building, badly in need of repair. Receiving no answer to her knock on the door, she tested the handle and found it unlocked. Opening the door, she stepped into a shed that was smaller than her room at the Academy. The room seemed to shrink even further when Brock and Cameron entered. Their bodies crowded the meager open space not taken by the table, two benches, and bed that furnished the tiny building.
Not speaking, they silently observed the cramped surroundings. The small room was stuffy, leaving Ashland thankful that she wore light clothing and had her cloak stuffed in her travel pack.
Approaching footsteps directed her eyes to the door. A long anxious moment stretched as Ashland waited for it to open. The knob turned, and her heart caught in her throat when she saw two familiar faces enter the room.
“Oh, Ashland!” Her mother cried, embracing Ashland with a tight hug.
Her father wrapped his arms about both women in an embrace. The three shed tears in silence. After a minute, they separated and dried the moisture from their eyes.
“I’m so happy that you’re still alive.” Ashland said. “I feared that something had happened, that I wouldn’t get to see you.”
The Emblem Throne (The Runes of Issalia Book 2) Page 3