The Troven (Kingdom of Denall Book 1) (40 page)

“Then we’ll all meet together back at Dungan to be welcomed as men,” Farin finished Kaz’s sentence.

“So now you're going to go back for that?” Kaz asked, somewhat surprised.

“I need to go back and tell the folks about Garin,” he said with a sad look. “They deserve to hear it from me.”

Kaz nodded and took Farin by the hand in a firm clasp. “I will see you at the summer festival. Now you need to get going over there and make up with your girl.” With that, he playfully slapped Farin on the rump. With a smile, Kaz walked to Boon’s wagon, fearing that he would not see his friend again.

Boon was sitting by the edge of a fire that was set a safe distance from the wagon. When Kaz came, he followed the young man into the wagon where he had some supplies stored.

“So it looks like you are gathering your things,” Boon said, as Kaz was packing his belongings. “Did you decide then, to become an assassin?” Kaz motioned for Boon to be silent, but Boon continued, “These curtains are designed to foil eavesdroppers -- you are safe to talk here.”

Kaz shook his head, “Farin told me he could still hear through the thin walls of the wagons. If he can hear through, then this conversation is not as private as you might think.”

Boon looked shocked, but then reasoned, “Farin was always close to the wagon. To listen through from a distance would require the Hearing Stone. Now let me know what is bothering you.”

With Boon's declaration, Kaz slapped his hands together, “Of course!” he said.

“What?” Boon asked. Kaz looked at Boon and pulled open the collar of his shirt. “Where is your stone?” Boon asked, surprised and upset.

“She has it.” At this statement from Kaz, Boon drew himself up and looked ready to explode in anger. “It’s all right,” Kaz reassured him, “I willingly gave it to her as a sign of trust between us; a guarantee that I would return. But I never thought about why she asked for the stone before this moment. The only way she could know of its great worth is if she has one of her own,” Kaz said with resignation. “She is probably listening to me right now,” he added with a grin.

“Why are you doing this?” Boon asked.

Kaz stopped packing and looked Boon in the eyes. With his voice filled with emotions he explained.

“When I was young, my dad told me to always live with integrity. He said I needed to do what was right, even when it was hard, or when nobody would know the difference. When the drams attacked, I was terrified. I thought I would die, and I hadn’t really done anything important in life. I’ve spent the time since wondering when my purpose would become clear to me.”

Boon held up his hand to stop Kaz, “You also saved a caravan, developed your skills…”

“I know that,” Kaz continued, “but that all happened so quickly, there wasn’t really another option. The point is that now I have a choice, I really think I can do a lot of good, I can help people who aren’t strong enough to stand up for themselves. I think going with them would make my father proud.”

Boon grabbed Kaz in a bear hug. With emotion in his voice he spoke, “I’m certain that he already is. I also know that when you look back on the past year, you’ll see that you did have a choice, every time you helped someone, every time you made someone smile, and even when you saved the caravan. The iron ash bow couldn’t go to a more worthy archer. I’m proud to have brought it to you. Each of those moments and a thousand others have led you here, and if you feel your path is going with these people,” he pointed in the direction P had been standing, “then the bow must certainly go with you. I know it’s the right path for you. You are a great man.”

“Not yet,” Kaz corrected, with a grin to try to hide that he was on the edge of tears. “My Troven isn’t quite over yet.”

Boon shook his head and helped Kaz pack his remaining items. As they left the wagon, Boon led Kaz toward the line of horses, on their way out of the circle of wagons.

When they passed the tall gelding which had previously been owned by one of the bandits who had attacked the caravan, Kaz noticed that it was saddled and had full saddle bags for traveling.

“I figured you would be leaving tonight,” Boon said, holding the reins of the horse. “Odon told me to let you have him whenever you wanted to leave, so he's ready for you.”

“Thank you,” was all Kaz could say. He embraced the older man one final time, and this time he was answered with a stronger, tighter bear hug than he thought the man could give.

“Be safe and remember who you are,” were Boon's final words of advice as Kaz swung into the saddle and trotted toward the camp of his new traveling companions.

Kaz rode with his bow in hand, scanning his surroundings as he returned to the tattered tents. Kaz felt a keen loss, realizing how much better his vision had been with the Sight Stone, but he also was pleased to realize that his vision without the stone had grown in strength through the exercises that Boon had shown him. When he arrived at their campsite, P was mounted and waiting for him, while the other two men had gathered their belongings and were standing ready. P reached out her hand and returned the rings and Sight Stone.

“As promised,” she said.

Kaz urged his horse forward, down an unfamiliar path. Despite the uncertain future, for the first time since the dram attack, he felt like he was in control of his Troven. He was finding who he was meant to become.

About the Author

Eric Buffington was born in Ontario Canada, where he lived until he was eighteen. After that he traveled with a Canadian government program, for one year (what he did is top secret), he then moved to California to serve a two year mission working with the Laotian people. Shortly after returning home he met the love of his life, moved to Pennsylvania and married her. He has since completed a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in education. He currently lives in Pennsylvania with his wonderfully supportive wife, and their four children. He currently works as a High School math teacher in an online cyber school.