The Stewards of Reed, Volume 1: The Rise of Fallon Read Free

reminder that Fallon’s destiny was leading him down a path he had not envisioned for himself. “Can I not take him with me?” protested Fallon. “I might need a horse.”
    Tobias spoke softly to his son. “Perhaps, but he is young yet. He needs more time with his mother. Have you given him a name?”
    Fallon started to answer but Zeke was quicker. “Attawan. And what do you mean, when he is gone? Where is Fallon going?” The young boy looked up at his father.
    The adults exchanged quick glances, but for the moment no one answered Zeke.
    “Is Fallon going somewhere?” asked Talia, who was equally confused by the conversation.
    “Let us go back to the house and let the horses alone,” Elizabeth suggested. “There is much to discuss.”
    “Is it about the mark?” asked Zeke.
    Tobias nodded.

    *************

    Zeke did not take the news well. Tears began falling from his eyes as his father explained that Fallon must leave them, that he had a special job to do and needed special training – training that he could not receive at the farm in Littlebrook. Talia remained quiet, but she was obviously shaken by the news as well. She stared down at the table and bit her lip.
    “I shall return as often as I am able,” Fallon assured his brother, though he did not know how often that might be.
    “You promise to return for my birthday?” sniffed Zeke. “I shall turn six this year.”
    “Even if I must sneak away from the Steward!” This boast from Fallon brought a smile to Zeke’s face.
    “Aye, all right – you may go,” said Zeke finally, not understanding that Fallon would be leaving with or without his blessing.
    “Thank you, Zeke,” said Fallon as he ruffled his brother’s hair.
    Zeke remained behind with Elizabeth as Tobias and Fallon said their good-byes. “I shall return tomorrow,” promised Tobias.
    But without Fallon, Zeke thought, wiping his tears away.

    *************

    It would take a good part of the day to reach the Village Square – especially with old Sadie carrying two riders along the hilly terrain. Tobias started off at a slow pace – in part because he did not want to tire out his horse – but also because he wanted to enjoy these last few hours with his oldest son before everything changed.
    As they rode along in silence, the terrain gradually changed from rolling hills to land that sloped gently downwards towards the center of the village. Sadie found the ride much easier now and the pace picked up a bit. After a few hours, they stopped for lunch. The rolls and cheese that Elizabeth packed for them were quickly devoured, and words between a father and son were finally spoken.
    “Your mother would have been proud, Fallon. It grieves me that she is not here to see what a fine young man you have become.” Tobias’s voice cracked a little as he remembered his wife. “She would have been amazed that a son of hers was marked to be the next Steward of Reed. But she would not have been surprised; she always said her boys were special.”
    Fallon smiled and tried to remember his mother. She was beautiful, with dark hair and the bluest eyes. He remembered her always laughing, even after the sickness took hold. Though his mother always seemed tired and weak after the birth of Zeke, somehow she still managed to smile. One day, his mother complained of a sore throat and a fever and went to bed early. She never woke up.
    “I cannot remember if I told her I loved her that night,” Fallon lamented aloud.
    “Even if you did not speak those words that night, she knew it to be true. And she loved you – both of you.”
    “It is a shame that Zeke has no memory of her.” His brother had been just barely a year old when she died.
    “Aye. But she was happy she lived to see his first steps and hear his first word,” Tobias said.
    “Hiya!” Fallon smiled remembering the word that Zeke repeated over and over to anyone who would listen.
    They were quiet for some time before Fallon spoke again.