KOK Chapter 1 - The Boys

Chapter 1 – The Boys

            Henry never really got the point of these lectures. It seemed to him not many were really listening anyway. It was after all, always the same thing. The prophet would call them to order and read from The Oracles whatever was the assigned reading and then carry on for far too long rambling about the significance of these ancient writings. Henry never got much out of the readings and even less from the prophet’s ramblings. It seemed to him that the few who took it seriously, including his parents and older brother, were just putting on an act. What possibly could these old stories impart other than basic moral lessons which everyone had memorized from the time they could walk?

            “Ah yes, here he goes again”, sighed Henry just loud enough so the boys on either side could hear. The chorus had completed their singing and the prophet was beginning his reading.

            “Maybe he’ll read something about the Elevated King today,” one of them said. He actually sounded anxious for some reason. His name was Stephen and he was the same age as Henry. Stephen was a kind hearted youth. The stories about the Elevated King had always excited him. He and Henry had played together, learned together, gotten in trouble together, and just basically been together since either of them could remember. Henry had seemingly outgrown his fascination with the stories. Stephen had not. Sometimes Henry would tease him for holding onto the fairy tales of their childhood, but Stephen was sure there was something more to the stories. He could never quite grasp it, but he often wondered about their true meaning.

            Just as Henry was going to comment on Stephen’s childish enthusiasm, they saw one of their classmates across the  great hall rise, almost leaping to his feet. It was as if a silence had been broken suddenly. Even though it was not silent, for the prophet had begun to speak, sadly most of those assembled were closer to Henry than Stephen and were settling into an almost sleep pretending to listen to the reading. In a triumphant tone the lad cried out “I do believe in the Elevated King! He from above has called me from beneath. He is today my liberation. My death is his, so now his life is mine!”

            Whenever this happened there was a mixed reaction. All Henry’s life he had seen professions such as this. Some seemed more sincere than others, but then they were usually from more sincere seeming people. The prophet was busy saying something about citizenship in the true kingdom. Many who were seated near the lad and his family were busy smiling and embracing him and his family. Henry glanced at his own family. His mother was standing watching the exchanges with a hopeful look on her face. Henry’s father was face down knelt and sincerely praying. This was not uncommon for him, but not normal for others.

            “It doesn’t seem right, does it?” Stephen asked. Henry gave a puzzling look in reply. “He looks like he’s won a trophy. This doesn’t look like a warrior’s awakening.” continued Stephen.

            “What do you expect? All of this is just a show for the community anyways. You know that as well as I do. Let’s just get out of here. They are about to start the choir again and we’ll be here forever if we don’t leave now” Henry said turning for the nearest door. Stephen just shook his head and followed.

            “What do you think it must’ve been like back then?” While Henry grew tired of the fairy tales told by the prophets of the Elevated King and his knights, he was yet intrigued by stories of the old men and the battles they had seen in defense of Kidron, the only land he’d ever known.

            This fact was odd to Stephen because those old men truly believed in the Elevated King, not like the kid in assembly earlier in the day. Henry must just overlook that to hear the stories. “I don’t know. Exciting I think. Back then even the prophets were in on the action. Wasn’t your dad a prophet in those days?” asked Stephen.

            “Nah, he says it was different then. He won’t talk about it much. Mom says they were called clerics I think, but some of the others didn’t like what he taught so they got together and publicly pronounced him a heretic or something. I don’t get why he is still so interested in the assembly lectures now. Anyways, the guard I was patrolling with last week said dad taught the way they did back in the wars. I don’t know what to think of all that. I think dad may have seen some real action, but he won’t ever talk to me about it.”

            “I forgot to tell you...”Stephen’s voice raised in excitement as he rolled over to share with his friend. “I was in the market and saw a group of men gathered around your dad listening to him yesterday. One of the prophets came by and was angry with your dad and told all those men to get away... He said something about them coming to assembly today to hear the real readings. Did you hear about that?”

            “No, but you know he’s always in trouble with them.” Henry said. “I don’t know why, but they don’t like dad to talk about The Oracles with anyone. People come by the house in the evenings sometimes to speak with him. Mom just says they are friends. I am pretty sure they are coming to him instead of the prophets.”

            “You are fortunate, my friend. Your dad knows all the stories of the Elevated King. My dad just tells me to go to the assemblies if I want to hear about it.” Stephen lamented.

            “Are you crazy? That’s all they talk about! He and my brother all evening at the house. If it’s not politics, then it is the Elevated King and his Knights and their continued existence and influence, and on and on...”

            As Henry rolled his eyes and continued repeating ‘on and on’, Stephen picked up one of the wooden practice swords they had left there when last they sparred and interrupted his friend with an offensive jab as he exclaimed “Maybe you should pay attention when they speak of the greatest warrior. You might not be so easy a target then!” Henry seeing his friend’s movement just in time rolled out of reach and made a dash for the other wooden sword resting on a rock nearby. The two carried on for several minutes with the advantage changing sides repeatedly. If they were not so intent on impressing the other and so prone to laughing and complimenting each other, they could have been more focused on their sword play and a bit less dramatic. Although they both were quite skilled with a blade, this challenge was more well suited to the annual drama the school put on. They needlessly jumped over rocks or spun about between attacks. After a time it seemed they were more interested in devising a more grandiose style than an effective thrust. So enthralled in their ‘combat’ they missed the approach of Henry’s older brother William until he drew his own sword only a couple paces away.

            “What are you doing here?” Henry demanded of William.

            “Coming to collect the children to take them home for their feeding and changing.” replied William. William was three years older than Henry and noticeably larger built. William was a respected member of the local defense and known both for his upstanding nature and for never losing a fight. This of course was the apparent cause of some of Henry’s toughness and his attitude; fearing he would never live up to William’s high standard. Henry got along well with William mostly, but they were brothers after all and Henry was coming of age which meant he thought he was wiser than William. This hardly ever proved to be true of course.

            “You will have to take me by force after that remark.” Henry replied, after which William grinned and began his assault. Stephen thought about getting in the mix, but caught a look from William that assured him he was better as a spectator for this match. William was stronger and more experienced, so Henry had to concentrate and be at his best to last at all. William loved to push Henry to his limit in the hopes of helping him grow. Today was no different. William never let the grin fall from his lips. This infuriated Henry all the more as he ducked and spun as quickly as he could. William was, of course always one step ahead. William knew very well how to read men’s movements and especially those of his little brother. He watched his eyes; he watched his shoulders; they all gave away Henry’s movements. This was the benefit of experience. Henry knew this and had planned a little surprise for his next encounter with William. Mid-spin Henry attempted to change directions to come about on William’s unprotected side. He had practiced this maneuver with Stephen a hundred times to perfect it. Finally he was about to change the tide! The only problem is that the pebbles beneath Henry’s feet did not give him enough traction to do so. Instead of coming about quickly, which William was truly not expecting, Henry just sank to the ground as his feet seemed to choose their own independent paths.

            William, completing his spin and seeing his dejected brother on the ground, intentionally kept his eyes up and looked around in jest shouting, “Brother, brother where are you? Where did you learn to run so fast? How can I fight with no opponent?”

            Henry was less than amused at his brother’s attempt at humor and simply told his friend they would meet up tomorrow perhaps. Dusting himself off a few steps past his brother Henry did manage to say “Well, come on Will.” William just chuckled, returning his sword to its scabbard and waved at the also chuckling Stephen as they departed. It was a few minutes walk back to town and then several more to their home on the edge of the market side of town. Henry hardly spoke on the way. William of course didn’t stop talking. He told his brother of the fights he had to break up on his patrols and of the rumors of thieves in the forest beyond town. Henry was embarrassed, but did enjoy hearing the stories. Maybe someday they two would patrol together. That would be a fine thing. Fine indeed.