Ashener's Calling

by David Partelow

  Serra growled. “And you are proud of it to boot!”

  “Oh, I would not go so far to say that.” This time an innocent look surfaced. Serra knew better than to believe such a look, of course. Norryn shrugged his shoulders helplessly. “Okay, so maybe I would say that. A person can’t help who they are after all. You’re just stuck with me, I guess.”

  Serra turned back to face Bannar. She wondered if any friendship was worth such an endless torment. However, she knew the answer to that. As cantankerous as he was, as rambunctious as he could be, Norryn had been a true friend for six years. An inseparable pair, they had wreaked much havoc within the walls of Bannar. If they were not looking for trouble, then trouble often found them. Norryn was the only one she could ever truly talk to about everything. For that and more, she tolerated his endless desire for mischief.

  Serra looked over her shoulder once more, catching Norryn’s sharp, hazel eyes. His blonde hair was short, but like hers, it had a mind of its own. It ran wild as he tilted his head, smiling. He had a very expressive face and sharp features. Frequently, Serra found herself telling him to shut up even though no words were spoken. “So, are you quite finished?” she asked.

  Norryn shrugged easily. “Well of course not. The day is still young after all,” he replied. His eyes met her straight on. His look was equally thoughtful and devious. She had never seen eyes that could be as fearless as his. She knew if she really wanted to know what Norryn was feeling, she simply had to look there. He scratched the back of his head and held her regard. “As for the remainder of the day, I guess we’re just going to have to see, huh?”

  “Do I have choices here?”

  “No.”

  “It figures.”

  “Yeah.”

  “Yeah,” she finished with a sigh. Why must the kindest soul that I know also be the most aggravating? Serra grew quiet, scratching thoughtlessly at the side of her face as her fingers traced down her chin. Finally, she broke the silence again. “So, what are you thinking about back there?”

  “Nothing really,” he replied, “I was just listening.”

  “To?”

  “Everything I guess. The wind through the trees and grass. The distant wildlife. The town. Everything. You name it, and I was trying to listen for it. My father was right. It’s amazing what you can hear or learn when the mind is quiet and open to the possibility.”

  Serra pointed accusingly at him. “And what are you trying to say? Are you somehow implying that I can’t do that, that I can’t listen as you do?”

  He grinned as he replied. “I was saying no such thing, Serra Landring, but while we are on the subject, why not?” Norryn put his hand on his chin, trying to look as thoughtful as possible. “To me, your family or friends, you listen very well, for the most part, but let’s face the truth. Silence is not one of your strengths."

  “I can be every bit as quiet as you if I so choose, thank you,” she said, matter-of-factly.

  Norryn’s reply was a light snort. His hand left his chin and covered his mouth partially. “Indeed.”

  Serra threw her nose into the air, citing her indignation. “I could be as quiet as the hills, whenever I wish to be.”

  “Right,” he mumbled sarcastically.

  “And you know I can,” she replied, trying to say it as evenly as she could. Norryn closed his eyes and pressed back a smirk as best as he could. Serra was realizing quickly that he was attempting to prove her wrong with his own silence. “Norryn!” she exclaimed.

  The young boy shook his head. His smile was still unfazed. He placed a hand on his head. His fingers went deep into his hair. “You are many things, Serra Landring. My best friend is one of them. You are the nicest in all of Bannar to say the least. But please, please don’t make me lie!”

  Serra threw a stick at him. Norryn ducked out of the way just in time. He looked at her again, eyes still passionately enthusiastic. Suddenly, his eyes crossed as he stuck his tongue out at her. His friend again. This time her mark was true. The twig bounced off his head as he watched it make its way to the ground. The young boy’s eyes met hers again. “And how lucky was that?”

  They began to throw anything they could get their hands on at each other. Serra became increasingly dismayed at his accuracy and her lack of it. Nevertheless, she figured if she kept throwing, she would get him again. He was about to grab another twig of his own to counterattack when he suddenly paused. In an instant, he was alert, glancing here and there. He smelled the air once, twice. Serra watched this knowing that she had seen it before.

  “What’s wrong?” she asked. Standing to face him, she waited for his reply.

  Wind swept through his hair as he finally looked at her. “Can you feel the change just now?”

  “What change is that?” she inquired.

  He closed his eyes a moment, taking a breath through his nose. “New smells. The animals nearby are stirring. There is a new energy to the air. Someone is heading this way. You don’t feel it?”

  It was her turn to snort at him in reply.

  “Sorry,” he said rising with her. He smelled the air again. “Yeah, I’m sure of it now. And if I am correct it is the one guy you favor most in the entire world.”

  Serra’s face quickly contorted into evident disdain. “Ugh, not him. How in the world does he always find us? Norryn, are you sure that it’s Vonack?”

  “Yup.” Norryn closed his eyes, listening anew. Soon he opened them once more. “And his cronies,” he added with a cheerful voice.

  Serra shook her head, rolling her eyes. “Are you quite certain?”

  Norryn shrugged at this. “Do you know of anyone else that’s surer of himself than him?”

  She placed her hands on her hips. “Oh, I can think of one.” she said, looking at him pointedly. Serra then shifted her focus. From here, the entire city sketched itself before her eyes. She could have been lost in the view had Vonack and his friends not ruined it. She found herself torn between fascination and contempt. She wished Norryn had been wrong. How in the world does he do that anyway?

  Vonack Falshore made his way to the top of the hill with all the poise of a dedicatedly spoiled brat. He was heading for them, and it was obvious that his intentions were trouble. In his wake were three of his friends: Relphis, Dronsen and Willeth.

  It seemed to her that as they got closer, Vonack’s smile became more sinister. He was already the vilest human she knew. Vonack was the only person in Bannar that inspired her fists to swing. Typically, she had a great deal of difficulty not striking him whenever he was within reach.

  The saddest part was that Vonack could have been a nice boy. He would, of course, have nothing to do with that. In addition, he was rather large too. This only fueled what massive bravado he claimed. Most boys around their age were bigger than Norryn, but Vonack dwarfed him by two head lengths and a lot of girth.

  Vonack sneered in satisfaction, closing on his prey. He would be on the hill in a few seconds. His clothes were prominent, and he was well-dressed, but that was due largely to his parents. His black hair showed the truth of his laziness as it sat on his head, greasy and lifeless. On his tunic were the tale-tell signs of a meal that did not make it all the way to his mouth. As he closed the remaining distance, he looked at Serra and Norryn. Between them, his face had displayed amusement and utter contempt respectively.

  Vonack wiped at the bottom of his nose with his thumb and index finger. Flicking away whatever he may or may not have found, he put his attention to the two in front of him. “Figures that I would find you here,” he jeered at Serra, pointing to her friend. “Serra, why are you always hanging around this waste? So what if his dad is Alderich Ashener? I don’t see anything special in the runt.”

  “Me neither,” chimed in an also heavyset Dronsen, wiping his nose with his sleeve.

  “Just look at him,” jeered the long-haired Relphis. “He is nothing more than a freak and a daddy’s boy, hiding in his shadow. Heck, he’s not even half the person his brothe
r is!” Willeth chuckled in agreement.

  Serra glared at the boys with utter disdain, especially at Vonack. He always had a peculiar way of showing that he liked her. Sadly, he made her stomach curl. She bit back many comments as Norryn came along side of her, giving a pat on her back. For only her to hear he said, “It’s funny how family is always brought into this.”

  “What did you say, freak?” Vonack practically snarled the words.

  Norryn sighed, unamused. “How original. But you could always just call me Norryn. You should give it a try. Heck, I’ll even sound it out for you if you’d like.” Norryn said these words with enough careless cheer that it somehow made Vonack angrier. Serra knew that was exactly his intention.

  Vonack took steps toward Norryn. He pushed his chest into the younger boy’s, breathing down venom into his face. “You keep your mouth shut, or I’ll just have to shut it for you.”

  Norryn did not flinch. His eyes were steady, his voice even. “You’ll do what you feel you have to, Vonack. That is just the way you are. But do something. These verbal games of yours and the lack of originality you bring to them grow old more swiftly all the time.”

  “Big talk, little one.” Vonack stared down with more fire. Norryn remained unswerving, an amiable smile on his face. The two boys stared for a while. Vonack’s cronies came closer. Serra readied herself for the worst, fists clenching. Vonack continued, “Serra, why is it that you spend your time with this waste? He’s nothing special. All he has is his daddy's fame. I never got what anyone could ever see in this scrawny husk of skin and bones. And everyone knows that he’s just a freak. Even his mom and dad have got to be disgusted. I know I would be. They get Rhoneck Ashener, military prodigy, and then they get . . . this.” With the last word, Vonack presented his hands toward the smaller boy.

  Serra pushed her way between the two, furious now. “And what do you know anyway?” She put a finger into Vonack’s chest. “You are nothing more than a big, sad bully. You don’t know anything about Norryn. He has never thrown around his dad’s position. And here you are reminding him of it repeatedly. What is your problem? You have to come here and bother us with your little friends. If he’s such a sad husk of skin and bones, then why does it take four of you to thrash him?”

  Vonack was speechless for a moment. He looked between her and Norryn. The wheels in his head were almost audible in their grinding. Finally, he regained his wits and aimed them back at the son of Alderich. “It’s just like you to hide behind a girl. And I don’t need anyone to handle you. We both know it.”

  Norryn snorted at this, fighting bitter laughter. “How could I forget? I have you to remind me all the time.” Norryn shook his head sadly as he continued his reply. “Where is this going to get us anyway? Sure, you can beat me down, with or without their help, but what are you getting from it? I mean, what is it doing for you? You continue with these games, and you are still bitter in the end. What are you trying to prove to us? What are you trying to prove to yourself? Whatever void you are trying to fill, this obviously isn’t helping.”

  It was more than Vonack wanted to hear. With calm compassion and logic Norryn had completely disassembled him He pushed Serra aside. Relphis and Dronsen took hold of her to stop her interference. “Shut up, you! Right now! You don’t know anything about me!”

  “Nor do you it seems,” replied Norryn. “And that is the tragedy that leads us here time and time again.”

  At this Vonack buried his fist into Norryn’s stomach. Doubling over, Norryn exhaled fiercely and took a step backward. Soon Willeth and Vonack were on him, hitting and taunting Norryn as they threw punch after punch. When it was finished, Norryn was curled up, face covered beneath the tree. Serra bellowed her rage as she got herself free. She took a slap at Vonack as she made her way for Norryn.

  “Not so smart now are you, Ashener?” Vonack smiled down, panting as he moved away. “One of these days you are going to learn.”

  Serra looked up at him angrily. Her eyes were hot coals when she spoke. “Learn what, Vonack? That he was right about you all along? You make me sick. You only wish you could be half the person that Norryn is. Just get out of here already,” she snapped.

  Vonack stared down at her angrily. He bit his lip, holding back comments he longed to say. His pals pulled him away laughing the entire time. Soon they were gone. Serra watched them go. Her attention returned to the boy crumpled on the ground.

  “Are they gone yet?” asked Norryn with no indication of pain as he lifted his head, searching about. “My arms are falling asleep.”

  His friend gawked at him. “Norryn, are you okay?” She backed up as he got to his feet brushing himself off.

  He looked at her as if his answer was obvious. “Of course I am. Did I still have you going after all of this time? I must be getting good at this.”

  Serra’s open-mouthed stare did not falter. “How the heck are you even standing right now?”

  Norryn helped her to her feet. He pushed the hair out of her face, smiling. “A lot is possible when you are relaxed Serra, keep that in mind. Besides, what Vonack does not know won’t hurt his ego in the slightest bit, now will it? Are you hungry? I know I am.”

  Serra still looked at him in disbelief, though that changed soon enough. She pushed him a bit with both hands. “Curse you, Norryn Ashener! You insufferable creature! How did you do that? Is that something Alderich taught you?”

  “Yes, it is.” Norryn nodded as he continued. “He always said that one of the first rules of combat is teaching your body how to think and avoid injury. When you do that, all avenues are possible. Now that bit of acting back there, well that was my doing.” He grinned ear to ear, his arms stretched out in the most innocent fashion he could muster.

  Serra was completely exasperated. “I don’t know whether to hug you or throttle you myself! And I still don’t know why you don’t give him a good bashing either. I’m sure that Vonack more than deserves it. I mean, why do you put up with him?”

  Norryn, keeping his smile, shrugged his shoulders. “Well, Serra, it’s like this. Deep down, Vonack isn’t so bad. He is just too jealous and bitter for his own good. Whatever goodness he has is trapped in his anger. He wants to be special, to be appreciated in some way, especially by you. Sadly, he only knows how to express it in negative ways. One of these days he could be a good person if he would just let that go. To him, the world owes him something, but I don’t know what that is or how to give it to him. And I would be lying if I said he didn’t hold some feeling for you or that part of what went on was for your benefit.” At this Norryn administered a devilish wink.

  Serra shook her head at him, giving up completely. “You know sometimes, I wish you were a little more like other boys. I’m quite sure life would be much easier for me,” she mused. But deep down, Serra was lying. Norryn was fine the way he was. He did not act like others his age. She appreciated him for this, but most other kids did not. It also did not help that he was as “gifted” as he was. It often unnerved people that were twice his age. How Norryn took it in a stride as he did, she would never know.

  “If that is the case, I am sure there is time for me to chase after Vonack. I’ve no doubt that he would be happy to hear that you–”

  “Not another word, Norryn Ashener! Not if you know what’s good for you!”

  Norryn threw up his hands, laughing. “Okay, okay! Not another word. But we should really get back. I do have to meet up with my dad soon. Besides, I wasn’t lying. I am hungry.” He headed toward Bannar. The sky seemed to only get more beautiful. “Lately he has so many responsibilities piling up. I have to make the most of what time we do have.”

  Serra began to walk beside him. She was quiet for a time, looking here and there. A bird sounded out overhead. She finally looked back at Norryn. “Are you scared about what’s going on with Thorne?”

  He nodded. “You know that I am. You can almost taste the fear in town. Everyone is trying to pretend all is well, but it’s there. I can only p
ray that it doesn’t come to war.”

  Serra tried to offer a smile of reassurance as she replied. “But, Norryn, it has been like this before. Your dad will have it all figured out before you know it."

  Norryn withdrew inside himself for a moment, bowing his head. When he spoke again, his voice was much more serious. “Those are my hopes too, Serra. I don’t know what it is, but something tells me that we’re heading for trouble, that these problems run deeper than we know. There is a hidden danger we have yet to touch. And it haunts my dreams. I just wish I knew what it was, that’s all.”

  {5}

  The busy streets of Bannar unfolded before Serra and swept her into motion. Norryn had gone to see his father, and she thought that maybe it was a good time to see her own parents. They would be happy for the company, but mostly they would be overjoyed Serra and Norryn had caused no trouble, at least for the moment. The day of course, was still young.

  Norryn had made Serra laugh before he left. Noticing that one of the guardsmen had a very sore back Norryn had asked him what he had done to it. Norryn examined the point of discomfort, running his hand over the soreness, testing the tension or whatever it was Norryn was able to do. As the man explained his woes, Norryn winked at her before whacking him on the back with a heavy blow. The guard was knocked forward a moment, bellowing his surprise as he stumbled.

  The guardsman first looked at Norryn as if the young boy had betrayed him completely. However, when he straightened once more, much to his surprise, the man found his pain was practically gone. He could stand upright again with only minor discomfort. The guard had ruffled the boy’s hair in thanks, shaking his head with a smile as Norryn and Serra strode off.

  It was obvious to Serra in those instances that Norryn held a special gift for such things. For Norryn, it was not something he held over others, but rather second nature. And while it made him different from most people, he only occasionally seemed aware that it was even unusual. He used his talents to help others, whenever and wherever he could. It was one of his qualities that most of the time countered his mischievousness to the town. The emphasis there rested of course on most of the time.