Defenders of Kron - The Black Dragon (2 page)

Aaron crossed his fingers and hoped that there were fireworks.

Uncle Sentas was an important member of the village Elder Council. Usually, he kept the council’s decisions a secret. But today, with the news of Mathew’s arrival, he didn’t seem to care much.

“Renn, Please prepare a feast for today’s dinner. A few close friends are coming home to meet Mathew” said uncle. Mrs.Renn nodded and walked inside the kitchen.

Mathew’s home coming was always a big deal in the house. Uncle Sentas loved him dearly. After his wife’s death he had loved Mathew even more. He would always make him feel special so that he doesn’t miss his mother.

Aaron grew up in uncle Sentas’s farm. Both his mother and father were dead. Brandon, Matt and uncle Sentas were the only family he had left. He loved them dearly. Aaron had only a faint memory of his mother and father. He was six years old when he came to Brinsar with his mother. Uncle Sentas and Aunt Martha had taken care of him and Brandon as long as he could remember.

Both Aaron and Brandon were happy about Mathew coming home. He was like a big brother to them. Mathew always came back with so many stories of the city. Brandon would listen to these stories for hours, till he fell asleep.

Brandon was the first one to leave the table. He ran to his room upstairs. Uncle Sentas also left in a hurry to attend the council meeting. Before leaving, he gave Aaron instructions to supervise the work at the farm that day.  Aaron stayed to help Mrs. Renn with cleaning up. He then walked slowly towards Brandon’s room and found the door open. There were a lot of baby animals there. Two kittens lay on a soft blanket under Brandon’s bed and a bunch of hamsters were kept on the upper shelves. Aaron walked carefully towards the balcony attached to the room not wanting to hurt any baby animals on his way. He found Brandon crouching next to a small chest.

“What are you up to?” asked Aaron.

Brandon looked up and said ‘My rock collection is complete, see…”

Aaron crouched next to Brandon while he showed him rocks of various colors.

Brandon was only ten but was a bright boy. He was very mischievous. Aaron worried about him a lot, but he knew that Brandon can take care of himself very well.

He patted Brandon on his back and said “Well done!”

Brandon was very proud as he closed the box.

“Tell me a story” He demanded.

“Not now Brandon! You play now. I have a lot of work to do and Matt is coming today evening. You can hear all the stories you want from Matt when he gets here.”

Brandon’s face lighted up with the mention of Mathew.

“I have a gift for Mathew” said Brandon and pulled out a box from under the bed. Three small baby hedgehogs were cuddling together inside the wooden box. He fed them milk from a soaked piece of cotton.

“I know Mat will like them. Last time, he told me stories of hedgehogs” Brandon grinned looking at Aaron for approval.

Aaron was quite surprised and wondered where Brandon would have found the hedgehogs. They were not found anywhere nearby. But he gave a nod of appreciation anyway.

Aaron put on his cotton shirt, a pair of comfortable trousers and his jacket vest before starting for the farm. He tucked a small knife in his belt as he always did. Everyone in the village carried some form of weapon with them. After the sun goes down, it was never really safe in the village, especially if you are near the woods. Weapons were the best protection against any wild animal that may have strayed in from the woods. Aaron was not allowed to use a sword till he was ready for it. He was also skilled with knifes. Flynn, his best friend had taught him to throw knifes.

The afternoon sun was out and it was quite sunny in the farm. Aaron could hardly wait to learn about the fireworks. He wanted to talk to his friend Flynn who was equally curious about the fireworks. But today, he had plenty of chores to do around the farm.

“Hello! Master Aaron” said Billy who was feeding the chicken. Next to him, two more people were working.

Billy was a farm-hand who Uncle Sentas had hired recently. There was something strange about him that made Aaron uncomfortable. The way Billy looked was very different from the other village folks. He always wore long shabby clothes that were too big for him. His long hair made him very distinct. Even though Billy was of the same age as Aaron, he seemed to know much more.

But what troubled Aaron were Billy’s eyes. Billy’s hazel eyes had a fear in them like Aaron had never seen. It felt like he was hiding something. There were days when Aaron saw Billy working late in the evening all alone. He had nobody and no home. He came from the neighboring village of Kadar. Uncle Sentas was kind enough to let him stay in the stable and eat at their house.

“Hello” Aaron said with hesitation.

“I was expecting Master Sentas. I guess he had some important business today somewhere else” Said Billy.

“Yes! He did” Aaron wanted to walk away soon.

“The chicken, sheep and the horses are absolutely fine sir” Said Billy.

Aaron checked the stables, sheep pens and the chicken coops with keen eyes. They were all taken care of, cleaned and fed for the day. The animals that can be used for meat were also sorted out.

“Good job Billy! I will put a good word in for you to uncle” Aaron said.

Billy was very delighted on hearing such a comment. He offered more help, but Aaron refused and walked towards the barley fields where the harvesting was going on. The day was long and tiring for him. By the time he was done with the rest of the work, he just wanted to go back home and sleep in his comfortable bed. Usually, Aaron was in-charge of just a few chores on his Uncle’s large fields. But today, as Uncle Sentas was not around, he really felt the heat of responsibility.

As he was ready to leave, he heard the taps of horses’ hooves. Uncle Sentas had arrived back home. Aaron forgot all about his tiredness and ran towards his Uncle. Uncle Sentas stopped his horse on seeing Aaron.

“Uncle! Tell me if it’s true. Are there going be fireworks this year?” Aaron asked breathing hard.

“Yes Aaron!, the council gave it a final go!” uncle said smiling.

Aaron leaped in excitement and ran towards Flynn’s House.

Flynn’s house was outside the village and it was dangerous to go there at this hour. But Aaron wanted to tell Flynn about the fireworks right away.

Aaron’s crossed the village and headed towards Flynn’s house. It was not dark yet and everything could be seen clearly. The village paths were covered with rich green grass and the trees were laden with beautiful flowers. When the evening breeze began to blow and it reminded Aaron of his childhood. Memories of him and Flynn playing in the open grounds and near the streams came back to him. The fresh fragrance of spring filled the air as he continued.

The houses in the village were small but had big windows. Aaron could see the women cooking and plucking vegetables form their gardens before it got dark outside. The houses were built on the lower grounds and some were on the hills. Houses on the lower grounds had bigger yards than the houses on the hills. Some houses looked much older than others. Aaron continued to pass many small farms and fields on his way. He came to the woods.

He turned left near the big fir tree at the end of the woods and took the same old shortcut that he used to always take to reach Flynn’s house. They found this hidden shortcut to Flynn’s house while they were children. Aaron has never used the long road ever since.

The path became narrower as Aaron walked. There were only rocks and a small stream passing through them. Aaron walked carefully on the rocks, trying not to disturb the tiny red fishes that swam in the stream. For some reason, the fishes always seemed to know that it was Aaron and was never afraid of him.

Aaron then walked on a muddy pathway leading to a small wooded area. The rest of the path was broad and clean after that. Flynn’s house was on top of a tiny hill. Aaron climbed the hill and finally reached Flynn’s house.

Flynn’s secluded house was very far from the village. Flynn’s father would never move into the village. He said he had a lot of memories here in this house. Memories of Flynn’s mother. Flynn didn’t complain much in any case. Even though it used to take him several hours to go to the village and come back home.

Flynn’s house was nothing like Aaron’s. It was a tiny shack with two small rooms. However, it had a small garden which was made by Flynn’s mother which made it special.

“What kind of blacksmith would need sheep?” Aaron always thought as he walked through the pathway, passing the sheep making his way to the door.

Aaron knocked on the door and Flynn opened it. Flynn was as the same age as Aaron, but he was much leaner. He always wore a long lose tunic of forest green color with tights and a thin brown belt around his waist.
He had golden brown hair with curls.

Flynn was delighted to see Aaron.

“Come in, join us for dinner” Flynn said.

Breakfast was the only meal that Aaron had the whole day.  He had forgotten all about food between all the work he had. He was very hungry.

Aaron followed Flynn inside the house. In the hall, there was a large wooden table with four chairs. This is where they always sat and talked. The hall was dark and it took some time for Aaron to adjust his eyes to the dim light. A small fire was burning in the corner of the room in this fireplace. This was the only source of light in the room. Aaron then saw Flynn’s father sitting at the corner of the table with his dinner.

Flynn’s father. Zack, was a blacksmith. He was a big man with dark bushy hair and deep set eyes. He always wore a long black leather vest and a belt with large buckles. Flynn on the other hand, was of a much smaller built like his mother. Flynn was thin, but strong.

“Come, Sit here!” Zack, pointed to the chair next to him.

Aaron sat down and Flynn served him some hot chicken soup, some meat and bread. The dinner was not much, but Aaron always liked it.

“Why are you here at this time? You better get back immediately after dinner” Flynn said in a concerned voice.

After finishing the chicken soup, which he relished as fast as he can, Aaron said “There is something I need to tell you and I couldn’t wait”.

Flynn stopped eating and leaned in to listen with great interest.

“This festival, there are going to be fireworks!!” said Aaron.

“So, the rumors were true?!” Flynn showed the same enthusiasm Aaron did.

“Yes and I have the right information from the right person” said Aaron, full of pride.

Aaron had a long discussion about fireworks with Flynn and his father.  Zack told them all about the fireworks that he had seen as a kid.

After finishing the delightful conversation, Aaron got up to leave.

Before Aaron could step out of the door, Flynn came behind him and said “Aaron, be careful. It’s getting dark out there, are you carrying something for protection? Do you want my knife?”

Flynn had been teaching Aaron a trick or two about throwing knives. He always told Aaron that he should throw a knife at whatever frightens him at night in the woods, and it will go away.  At least this is what Flynn believed in.

Aaron showed Flynn the knife he was carrying with him and Flynn was happy. Aaron then walked towards his home, slowly crossing the stream. But there was a long way ahead of him.

The darkness was growing fast and night fall was near. Struggling to see his path, Aaron started walking faster. He still had not passed the woods.
‘There could be wild animals out there’
, he thought, as he ran with firm feet careful not to make any sounds.

The wind brought a strange smell of some wild animal as he was about to cross the woods. A very unfamiliar smell. Suddenly, he heard a howl far away from deep within the woods. He looked back and his eyes searched everywhere. For a moment, he thought that he saw glowing red eyes looking at him from a distance. He froze for a second and then he ran till he was home.

Sweaty and tired, Aaron returned home. The house was all lit up with beautiful lights. It looked magnificent. The white stone walls and the trees of the garden were clearly seen in the light. There were many voices Aaron could hear inside the house.

‘Mathew!’ Aaron remembered, as he rushed inside the house. Inside, there were many people sitting and talking in the hall. Some were new faces and some old. His eyes searched for Mathew everywhere.

“You are late!” Brandon said, in an angry voice sitting on the couch. “Mathew came many hours ago and all the guests too”.

Then he pulled Aaron by his hands towards the stairs. He didn’t stop until they reached the second floor and then he shouted and ran into Mathew’s bedroom.

“Matt, Matt Aaron is here, and he’s late” Brandon was yelling as they walked in. Aaron quickly followed Brandon into Matt’s bedroom. Mathew seemed to look brighter than ever before. He was wearing long dark brown robes and was looking like a priest.

“Is that what they make you wear at school?!” Aaron mocked Mathew as he walked in.

Mathew smiled and gave Aaron a big hug.

“Hey, no making fun of these clothes” said Mathew.

“They are making Mathew a priest!” Brandon said.

“A priest? But I thought you will come back here and help your father” said Aaron, surprised.

“Yes I thought so too. But I got such beautiful lessons in the school that changed my life forever. I have been chosen to be a priest and help the needy. I want to continue with my studies and help the church” Mathew said. “This is why I came here, to tell all of you about my decision”.

Aaron was not happy about all this, but he nodded. He felt like he was going to lose his big brother.

“Come, let’s go down” said Mathew, as he walked out of the door.

All three of them came downstairs where Mathew greeted the guests. The feast was lovely and it went on for a while. Brandon had all kind of sweets and fell ill. He had to be put to bed before the feast was even over. Aaron sat alone in the corner. He knew that Mathew will not be coming back and this was probably the last time that he was seeing Mathew. Aaron sat near the fire place and sulked.