Bakkian Chronicles, Book I - The Prophecy (32 page)

“
I didn’t know I could do that,” Steve confessed. “I never really tried.”

The queen walked over to one of the many bookcases in the Antechamber, selected a book, and brought it to Steve.

“
Would ye repeat the experiment, but this time, hold this.” She handed him the book.

“
Ummm, okay, this is a book. It’ll burn in a flash.”

Sarah shook her head. “That’s the point of the test, dear. Let’s see if you can ignite your hand and not the book.”

Mikal snorted and tried to disguise it as a cough.

“
Oh. Duh.” He grinned sheepishly at his wife. “Right. Here we go.”

Passing the book over to his left hand, he ignited his right. Willing his jhorun to lower the heat as much as possible, his right hand took the book from his left. The tome was swallowed by the flickering flames.

“
I think it’s burning,” Steve observed.

“
How can you tell?” Sarah asked.

“
If it was burning,” Mikal pointed out, “the book would be turning black, right?” Making what he hoped was an impressive display of
courage
, he walked over to the fire thrower and took the book from him.

The thick volume was sitting unscathed in the boy’s hands. He looked at his parents, whose mouths were open in shock. He shrugged. “Well, now we know, right?” He handed the book back to Steve, who took it with his burning hand without even thinking.

Amazed, Steve looked at the book, and even opened it. The dancing flames made it rather difficult to read, but it was possible. The book contained what looked like descriptions of tariffs and taxes, and how they should be applied to the different citizens of the kingdom. He snorted. No wonder the queen selected this one. Probably doesn’t care if it gets burned.

Catching Steve’s eye, the queen winked at him.

Sarah turned to the king. “Can you give him something he can burn? I want to see if he can only burn things he’s not holding.”

Liking how the woman’s mind worked, the king walked over to the hearth and selected a piece of kindling from the wood bin. He handed it to Steve.

“
Burn this.”

Handing the book to the king, Steve walked over to the hearth and studied the burning fire. “I’ll restore it in just a sec, okay?”

The king nodded.

The flames in the fireplace went out with a soft whoosh. He held the kindling in his favored right hand and ignited the flames. He studied the thin piece of wood.
Okay, sucker, burn.
Suddenly red flames were mixing with the soft blue flames of his hand. The stick started to darken. Looking over his shoulder to verify no one was close, Steve focused on the burning piece of wood and sent a strong order to his jhorun:
I want this stick burned to ash. Now.

With a flash of fire, the piece of kindling shriveled to a charred remnant of its former self. Seconds later, it crumbled into ash. Extinguishing the fire, he clapped his hands together, sending the last bits of ash into the hearth.

“
How was that?”

The king was smiling. “Impressive. Very impressive.”

“
That was awesome!” Sarah grinned at him. “That stick crumbled like those cartoon cigarettes do when they burn up suddenly.”

Mikal approached timidly, having seen what his new ‘protectors’ were capable of doing. No more eye-rolling here!

Sarah yawned suddenly. A long, drawn-out yawn that had her slapping her hands over her mouth.

“
I am so sorry.”

“
Nay, ye and yer husband have nothing to be sorry for. The two of ye had a long journey thus far. Go, rest now. We will talk more on the morrow.”

“
Thank you, your majesties,” Steve said. He looked at Mikal, still staring at him with those bright, blue eyes. “Until tomorrow, sport.” He looked back at the hearth. The fire blazed back up as though nothing had transpired.

Sarah leaned close to the boy, whispering, “Don’t move for about ten seconds. I’ll put your slingshot back.” And in a louder voice, “Nice to meet you Mikal. See you tomorrow!”

Mikal grinned up at her. “Nice to meet you, too. Good night!”

As Sarah turned to follow Steve out of the room, she restored the slingshot back to its rightful owner, but not before hearing the queen ask her son what he thought of his new guardians.

“
For old people, they are pretty cool.”

After Tristan escorted them back to their quarters (again), Steve collapsed onto the bed. Moments later he had sprung back up when he realized he had just laid on something lumpy. What was this?

“
What’s the matter?”

“
Did you know this was here?”

“
Did I know what was here?”

Steve held up several piles of clothes. He unfolded a dark green doublet, with a pair of khaki trousers underneath. He held them up to himself. Damn, looks like they’d fit! Sarah looked at the second pile of clothes. There were several other folded doublets, all green, with several more pairs of trousers. All fitted for Steve.

“
Apparently you get a new wardrobe,” Sarah commented.

“
What about you?” Steve asked. Before she could respond, he caught sight of a couple of doors that were slightly ajar on the far wall. Walking over to the doors he pulled them open, revealing a large, walk-in closet with no fewer than twenty gowns in it. All in various shades of green. And, if he wasn’t mistaken, all would fit Sarah perfectly. Grinning that smug smile of his, Steve glanced over at his wife. She was busy inspecting one of his new doublets when Steve cleared his throat. Looking up at him, and then following his gaze into the closet, she stared open-mouthed at her new wardrobe selections.

“
Who-o-a-a! Look at that! Where did those all come from?”

“
I’d say from our gracious hosts. Guess we get to dress the part tomorrow.” Steve cracked another smile. “When in Rome, do as the Romans do, right?”

****

Looking at his many reflections as they passed numerous mirrors on their way to the Great Hall, Steve couldn’t help but feel as though he was one of Robin Hood’s Merry Men. Dark green tunic, khaki trousers, and brown leather boots. All he needed to complete the picture was a hat. With a big feather. He chuckled. At least the material was comfortable and lightweight. Sarah was incredibly fetching in her floor-length gown. As with his new clothes, her dress was a lightweight material as well, with several swirl-type gold designs on the bodice. He wanted to inspect the designs a bit closer, but that sort of thing could wait. Don’t want to give off the wrong impression amongst their new friends.

Together, they walked into the Great Hall (without Tristan’s help – Sarah had watched him intently the last couple of times they had been escorted from their room) and looked around. There were general murmurings everywhere as people conversed with one another over what today’s activities would bring, whether the weather would hold for the harvesting of the crops, and so on.

Sarah selected an empty table off to the side and sat down. Steve sat down at the other side and looked around.

Noting that the Nohrin were finally sitting, Tristan caught the eye of the head of the kitchen staff. The soldier looked pointedly at the young couple then back at the king’s chef. Several other servants gathered behind her.
Is that them?
Her eyes asked. Tristan nodded.
Yes, take care of them.

The king’s personal chef selected her most efficient server, a young peasant woman, and whispered instructions to her. The girl darted off at once to the table where Steve and Sarah sat.

“
So, I wonder how we go about getting something to-”

At this time the servant girl arrived. She introduced herself as Julia, and very politely inquired what they would like for breakfast. Certain that a glass of cranberry juice and a bagel with cream cheese were out of the question,
Sarah
went with their waitress’ opinion. “Julia, what do you like to have for breakfast?”

Surprised to have her opinion asked of her, Julia paused a moment as she thought about it. “I like to have a glass or two of tara juice, with a chedra.” Julia smiled. “Maybe two.”

Steve leaned forward. “What’s a chedra? What’s in it?”

“
Bread and cheese, mostly.”

“
Is tara some type of a berry?” Sarah wanted to know.

“
Aye, they are small red berries that grow in the southern valley.”

“
Okay, then, I’ll have a glass of tara juice and I’ll try one of those chedras. Thanks Julia.”

Uncertain whether or not these chedras would actually fill him up, Steve hesitated. Sarah, knowing her husband well, spoke up. “My husband would like something heartier. What would you suggest? What do the soldiers usually have in the morning?”

Certain she would be reprimanded if she suggested gruel and sausage for the famous Nohrin, Julia looked quickly over to her supervisor. Watching intently, the chef was ready with her response: G
ive them whatever they want.

At that moment, Mikal came running up to them and joined them at their table.

“
Good morning to ye!” he said to his newfound comrade-at-arms. “And to ye,” he added to Steve.

“
Mornin’!”

“
Good morning, Mikal,” Sarah said. She looked at the bright boy before them, an idea occurring to her. “Listen, we could use your help.”

“
Sure, anything!” Eager to please, his enthusiastic response made them both smile.

“
My husband was wondering what to have for breakfast. We don’t know what’s good here, and he usually has a large breakfast. What do you think he’d like?”

Mikal thought a moment, and then looked at Julia. “Bring him some sheppard pie. I bet he’d like that.”

Doing his best to act as nonchalant as possible, Steve inquired what was in it, knowing full well what was in the Irish version he was familiar with.

“
It’s a pastry type of thing,” Mikal explained. “It has meat, some cheese, and-”

Steve slapped him on the back. “Sold!” He looked at Julia. “I’ll have some of that sheppard pie.” Deciding to risk the tara juice, he also ordered a glass.

Mikal, wanting to impress his new friends,
also
ordered the sheppard pie with a glass of tara juice.

Across the Great Hall, the queen stood, watching silently. Her precious son was laughing and having his morning meal with his new protectors. They were getting along spectacularly, she mused. Her husband came up behind her.

“
What are ye doing?”

Putting her fingers to her lips, she shushed him and pointed to where their son sat, eating his breakfast.

“
Mikal has taken to them very fast. They are quite good with children.”

****

“
So tell me about your jhorun,” Steve said amiably to Mikal, as they walked outside into the fresh air. “We heard something about you enhancing other peoples’ jhorun. How does that work?”

“
My jhorun is so lame that even a troll would laugh,” Mikal said miserably. For the umpteenth time he wished his jhorun was something different. “I can make someone’s jhorun stronger.” He eyed Steve. “Want me to enhance yer jhorun to try it out?” Another pyrotechnical demonstration would be an awesome way to brighten the day!

“
I’ll take a rain check on that,” Steve muttered. “It’d be my luck that I’d blow up half the castle. As curious as I am to give that a try, I still have to learn how to control mine better. I’m still learning new things all the time.”