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

“Father, do you know Steward Isaiah?”
    “Aye,” his father replied. “When the Plague took the life of my parents – your grandparents – as well as Steward Isaiah’s wife and many other Reedites, a memorial service was held near the old oak tree in the Village Square. We lit a candle for the departed and said a few words in remembrance of them. Steward Isaiah made a point to speak to each of us afterwards.”
    “What did he say to you?” Fallon asked.
    “His words were kind,” Tobias recalled. “He said I was far too young to have suffered such a loss, but that I must stay strong, that I needed to take care of my sister Rebecca. I believe his children were of similar ages, so I suspect he took pity on us in particular.”
    “How old were you?”
    “I was seventeen; Rebecca was but thirteen. It was especially difficult for her.”
    Things made more sense now. The relationship between his father and Aunt Rebecca had always been strained; it must have been hard to lose their parents so young, and to have Tobias suddenly in the role of a guardian. Fallon hoped he would never have to do that for his own brother, Zeke. Then it occurred to him that the Steward of Reed is the guardian for the entire village. The thought terrified him. What if I am not a good Steward?
    They started back on the road. It was an uncharacteristically clear day (the Village of Reed always seemed to be cloaked in fog or mist) and the downward-sloping terrain allowed them to see quite far. As the Village Square appeared in the distance, Fallon was gripped with a growing sense of panic. He knew his life would never be the same.

    *************

    As Isaiah’s father had done sixty years prior, Tobias knocked on the Council Chamber door and spoke to the man who answered. “Hello, I am Tobias of Littlebrook. This is my son Fallon. We have come to see the Steward.”
    “The Steward is occupied at the moment. What is the purpose of your visit?” inquired the doorman.
    “Today is my son’s 13 th birthday. He awoke this morning to find his chest marked.”
    With those words the man’s eyes grew wide and he ushered them both inside the entry hall. “Please wait here. I shall find the Steward.” The man disappeared through the double doors that led to the inner chambers.
    Fallon and Tobias sat in the same uncomfortable chairs that Isaiah and his father had all those years before, but this time the wait was not long. The Council of Elders had been called to a special meeting that day to discuss recent reports that Komanites had been spotted near the northeast part of the village. It had been a particularly long winter and there was concern of an imminent raid.
    Steward Isaiah emerged from the double doors. He smiled at Tobias and Fallon.
    “Hello Tobias, I hope you have been well.”
    “Aye, Steward. And I you.”
    “I see your sister Rebecca every now and again.”
    “Aye, she lives in the Square; her husband Charles runs the fabric shop on the east end.”
    Isaiah nodded and turned his attention to Fallon. “Hello, Fallon, I am Isaiah. I have been waiting for you. There is much I shall teach you, and so much more for you to learn.”
    Fallon’s “hello” response was barely audible as he shook Isaiah’s hand.
    Isaiah smiled. “I must tell you how delighted I am that you are here, Fallon,” he said. “You understand that your apprenticeship must begin immediately?”
    “Aye, sir, I understand,” replied Fallon. With courage that surprised him, Fallon made his plea. “I know it is only a few months away, but if you permit, I would like to take leave at the end of Heptuly; I promised my brother Zeke that I would not miss his birthday.” Fallon was nervous to hear the Steward’s response; he did not know what he would do if the request was denied.
    “Of course,” said Isaiah with a warm smile, “though I ask that the visit be short. There is much for us to do, and there is not much time.”
    Relieved, Fallon smiled brightly