The Troven (Kingdom of Denall Book 1) (6 page)

“They're liars!” Farin chimed in. “Bendar, although you are the reason that we walked halfway to Norwell in a single day carrying a mountain of supplies,” he exaggerated, “I'll give you this much: now that we’re stopped, I’m glad your stashes have everything.” He sheathed his sword and placed it next to the spot he had picked out to sleep.

“I actually wanted to talk to you all about that,” Bendar began. “I had a special surprise at the third stash, and I fear it will not be there when we arrive. I think I have been outsmarted.”

“Impossible. You're the highest level intellect in the entire village,” Kaz reassured.

“That does not mean I am the smartest person in the village.”

“What are you talking about?” Garin asked.

“The development of a gift is just as important, if not more important, than the strength of that gift.” Bendar said with a satisfied nod of his head. Kaz looked around the campfire and was happy to see that he wasn’t the only person with a confused look on his face. Bendar stopped opening his gift sack and continued. “My father is a level two intellect, and he has had forty years of life experience,” he explained.

Kaz leaned forward, anticipating Bendar actually making any sense, but after a long pause Kaz waved his hand for Bendar to finish his point.

Bendar put his hand on his head as if puzzling out how to explain a simple concept to three dense students.

“Is a level four strongarm child stronger than his level three father?”

“No,” they all answered almost in unison.

“Exactly my point. If one uses his gift daily and develops it faithfully, one could become more powerful than a person with a higher level who is slothful. Does that make sense to you?”

“Yes, school mistress,” Garin answered sarcastically.

Kaz wished Bendar’s question didn’t sound so condescending, but fortunately Bendar ignored the comment and continued. “Do you remember your father's level four strongarm from the Eastern Mountains?”

“So I see you noticed him too,” Farin said with an I-told-you-so look to Kaz and Garin.

“He is constantly working on his strength. This could be because he lost an arm wrestle to a level three, or he was raised with a level five in his village or family and always wanted to keep up. Either way, he is much stronger than any strongarm I have ever seen, and he is probably as strong as the average level five.”

His logic was beginning to sink in with Kaz and he saw Farin nodding.

“That makes sense,” Farin said. “Our dad always sent us to find the stray animals, and we’ve become the best listeners on the farm, maybe in the entire village.” Kaz remembered his conversation with Barrels, and wondered if Garin and Farin’s father sent them out to help prepare them for the Troven.

“How long have you known about this?” Garin asked.

“I do not know for sure. It just seems logical. This is one of many hypotheses I have constructed and intend to research further.”

“One of many?” Kaz said. “What other ideas do you have?”

Bendar stood up and took his place standing in front of the group like a scholar addressing his pupils. “All of you turn around for a moment.” Kaz, Garin and Farin turned around and looked out into the field. After a few minutes of sitting, Bendar instructed them to turn back around. “Now tell me what you noticed out there.”

Kaz was the first to speak. “I saw some trees, and then an open field with freshly planted crops. What's your point?”

“Tell me what you noticed,” Bendar said turning to Garin.

“I noticed that I was sitting on a log with my back to the fire,” Garin replied curtly.

Farin cut in, “I noticed that the trees are creaking as they sway back and forth. An owl hooted as it flew over the field just outside of the trees.”

Bendar smiled from ear to ear. “Do you see?”

“See what?” Garin asked.

“They both experienced the same thing, but Kaz told me what he saw, and Farin told me what he heard,” Bendar nearly danced with joy. “I think that there is so much more to our gifts than just enhancing a single characteristic. I think it determines so much more about who we are,” Bendar spoke quickly, and waved his arms around like an excited child who had just received a long awaited gift. Kaz didn’t ever remember seeing Bendar so happy.

“That's nice,” Garin said, clearly uninterested.

“Even the way you are acting proves my point. I am so excited about this and you do not seem to care at all. I have always had a natural love for learning. I see the world through academics, and logic. Each gift seems to be connected to how we experience the world around us.”

“What about magicians?” Garin asked.

Shaking his head Bendar answered, “Admittedly, at present my hypothesis is inconclusive. I have never seen a hound and I have only once met a magician. There are also so many other unanswered questions: Why are some gifts more common in certain regions? What determines the strength of a gift? Why are so many more people born with the gift of hearing and sight than anything else? Why are some people born with two weak gifts instead of one strong one? If the gifts originally came from powerful sorcerers, can a powerful enough magician give someone a gift now? There are too many questions without answers, but that will all change when I get to Hanger University,” Bendar clamped his mouth shut, then looked around the group guiltily.

“Where did you say?” Kaz asked. “I thought the plan was for us to go together to Norwell, then Farin would join with the King’s army, and the three of us would return together, not head off to the Southern Desert.”

“It is the best university for studying marks and gifts,” Bendar began to explain.

“Wait a minute!” Garin cut in. “What about working together? You plan the route, we do the heavy lifting. I guess your plan is to just use us to get what you need, then leave us in Norwell as you go south,” Garin’s voice rose as he spoke.

“I will not abandon you,” Bendar started sounding sincere, but Kaz knew there was nothing he could say that would change Garin’s low opinion of him.

Kaz put up his hands to stop the argument before it escalated. “Let’s just open our gifts and call it a night.”

Grumbling, the others agreed and silently sat around the fire opening their gift bags.

* * * * *

Bendar moved to sit on a log alone, frustrated that in his enthusiasm he had let it slip that he planned to go to Hanger. Although Hanger University did have scrolls and scholars who could help him study various gifts, he also knew they had the most comprehensive library about The Changing. Of all his academic pursuits, he felt most drawn to this topic of study, and for a reason that logic could not justify, he felt that The Changing would happen sooner than anyone thought, maybe even in his lifetime.

Despite all his reasons for choosing Hanger University, Bendar knew his companions on this Troven would never understand him. Nobody truly understood him. Accepting that his current situation as a social outcast was out of his control, he opened the bag he had received from his parents.

In his small bag was a travel sized book, and a note from his parents:

Bendar,

We are very proud of the boy that you have become. As you lead your friends, please be kind and understanding. Always remember that wisdom can only come when knowledge is applied in the real world. Sometimes you will need to make decisions that do not make sense, but feel right. These choices will help you in becoming a man. Follow your head, follow your heart, and live by the values you have been taught.

Mom and Dad

P.S. We hope that you are not too disappointed that the two stashes are left as they were. We thought it would be a better challenge for your group to choose which items you would take and what you would leave behind.

Bendar read over the note again, searching the words for any hint that they had found the third stash.
Did the mention of two stashes mean that is all they think I have? How would they know it was more upsetting for the stashes to be left alone?
And perhaps the most confusing part of the note was that in his father’s handwriting the message told him to follow his heart.

After examining the note until he had it memorized, and was certain he couldn’t learn anything useful from it, he opened the small book. The Changing. Bendar opened the book and began reading. He smiled as he thought of his conversation with his father earlier that day.

* * * * *

Garin sat close to the fire using the light to closely examine the contents of his bag. It contained three items: a knife, a gold coin, and a note:

Garin,

We know that you are coming home to us and we will probably not see Farin again. Please watch out for him. He needs your stability and you need his passion for life if you are to grow into the men you need to be. Dad included the knife he has told you about, but you have never seen. It was given to him by his father when he started on his Troven. He used it every day he was away, and hopes it will play a role in you becoming a man. Stick to the main roads and travel by day if at all possible. Remember to keep your ears sharp; they will protect you from danger. This coin will help you get started on your journey. Dad says to not spend it all in one place, and I say not to waste it. Now put this note away and get some rest.

We love you very much,

Mom and Dad

After he read the letter, he reached into his pocket and pulled out the gift from Fenn, the greatest treasure he had received at the ceremony. Garin looked at the drawing. It was a perfect resemblance. He wondered who had drawn this picture, as he knew Fenn was not much of an artist. He turned the drawing over to see on the back a few words in Fenn's graceful handwriting.

“I will wait for you,” was all that was written.

“So what did Mom say to you?” Farin asked him. “Probably the same stuff Dad was writing to me. I bet they were writing two letters at the same time. Listen to this part: ‘Be strong, Son. Mom says she loves you, remember your oath. Also, Mom says be careful, and take care of your brother.’”

“Yeah mine is basically the same; ‘Take care of your brainless brother so he doesn't get himself killed.’” With a smile, Garin showed Farin the knife. “What did they give to you?”

“Oh you know -- the usual -- a note, a gold coin, Dad's scarf from his Troven, and a love letter from Fenn.”

“I can't believe you were looking over my shoulder!” Garin yelled as he turned to grab Farin's bag and have a look for himself. Although he knew Farin didn't have a picture of Fenn, he couldn't help but take a look just to be sure. The twins wrestled on the ground and only stopped when Kaz stood up and made an unexpected announcement.

“I want to tell all of you that I am very good at knitting.”

This surprise outburst from Kaz silenced everyone. Kaz lay down as though nothing had happened and closed his eyes as if he hoped to avoid the razzing that was sure to follow.

“I'm so glad that you are opening up to us after all these years, Kaz,” Farin began in a sarcastic tone.

Garin picked up right where his brother left off. “Is there anything else you'd like to tell us? Do you want me to tuck you in?”

“Did you knit those socks?” Bendar asked. Although his tone was serious, and Kaz raised his head up off the ground and looked like he was about to answer, the twins laughed even harder.

“Remind me to thank Gran when we get back,” Garin began.

“I always knew I liked that lady,” Farin said, then he turned and saw Kaz throw something into the supply crate. The object caught the firelight as it flew and Garin saw that it had a metallic, reflective surface.

“What is that, Kaz?”

“It's nothing, goodnight.”

“Seriously, it looks-” Garin began

“Expensive,” Farin finished. “What is that?”

By trying to avoid the topic, Kaz had drawn all attention to the small gift Gran had given him. In answer to their question, Kaz pulled out the note from Gran.

“Dear Kaz, I hope these socks keep your feet warm. In this note I am to give you counsel, at least one piece of advice that you
should
follow and one piece that you
must
follow. You should dry your socks every night by the fire. One of the most important things on your Troven is to have dry feet.” Kaz paused and smiled at the other boys, then he held the socks up near the fire before he continued reading. “The piece of advice that you
must
follow is that you will, as soon as you are done reading, announce to your friends that you are talented at knitting. You may think that there is some hidden reason for this request, but there is not. I'm just getting you back for all the tricks you played on me when you lived here. They always kept me smiling and this is to remind you that I'll always get the last laugh. I hope this trick will help you remember all the fun we had. Love, Gran.”

“It didn’t say anything about that thing you threw away.” Garin remarked.

Kaz turned the note around and Garin could see a short scribble at the bottom, as though it was not going to be on the letter. Kaz turned it back around and continued, “When my husband passed away he gave me this necklace with instructions to pass it on to the owner it chose. I have worn it every day since he passed. I didn't understand how a necklace could choose an owner until today. I felt the necklace pull toward you as you stood on the stage. Wear it well.”