Emma smiled, a rarity in itself. Her normally sharp voice said softly, “Gray, there is probably no better reason in the universe than the one you just gave. I vote for Gray to follow them.”
Sawyer nodded in solemn agreement as he asked, “Alone?”
The heads of all four on the council shook in unison. They all disagreed that he should go alone. Emma said, “The triad is out there. They’re dangerous men. We’re in agreement that we must know their intent, so there’s a time issue, and we cannot debate this for days. It’s simple. Whose skills will compliment Gray’s?”
“Tessa?” Sawyer suggested.
Emma shook her head, “No, she’s too valuable to risk, again. Soon she’ll sit at the head of this council, and she’s already risked herself being out in the world. We need someone else to learn what it’s like out there.”
Tessa said, “Stinson. He’s young, headstrong, and he’s restless. He cannot be trained to be a watcher. Yet he does little in the way of chores, and is a constant distraction.”
Gray felt his heart nearly stop beating. He wanted to shout that Stinson was the last person he wanted to accompany him anywhere. However, voicing his disapproval might cause the council to rethink his own appointment.
Sawyer glanced at the others for confirmation. Nobody objected. His attention returned to Gray, sensing the reluctance and resistance to come. “Make no mistake. This will be your job. You are in charge. I know Stinson will be difficult, but you will have to make him understand he is there to help you. Before you depart, I will speak to him. For now, he is your second, but that may change.”
Emma added, “We do not send our people into the world often, but when we do, there must be a purpose, and often there is more than one. Stinson needs to grow and understand family responsibility. Since you may be near Fleming, there’s a man who helped Fleet. Caldor is his name. We do not know who exactly he is, what his intentions are, or if he’s still there. Since he has helped us before, you will seek him out and introduce yourself.”
Tessa said, “Gray, there’s much more you need to know about Fleming, but I want you and Stinson to leave today before the triad dies of thirst. There are perhaps things you can learn from them if you reach them before all die. Go pack your things as fast as possible, Sawyer will talk to Stinson, and we will meet back here. I will accompany you into the desert this afternoon and return tonight.”
“You don’t have to do that,” Gray said, reluctant to appear that he needed more help. If he was to be in charge, he needed to act like it.
“Yes, I do. There’s too much to tell you without delaying your departure. How to act, where to sleep and find water, the inn where you will stay if you go to Fleming, and more.” Tessa drew nods from all the adults with her words.
Gray raced off to his home, wearing a grin and threatening to grow into a smile that reached each ear. His mind swirled with thoughts of mighty heroes, fighting dragons, champions, beautiful women, and excitement. Even the idea of Stinson at his heels didn’t bother him. He reached for his bedroll, remembering the many cold nights he’d spent at the watchtower.
His old yellow dog, the one he’d grown up with, lay on the floor and watched him pack. He tried to avoid the accusing eyes and couldn’t. Then he heard his name called from outside. He gave the dog a pat on the rump and went outside, the dog limping at his side. Then the dog came alert and issued a single low growl of warning.
The younger man, Stinson, stood on the porch. He was the last person Gray wished to see at his house. Stinson stood blocking the doorway, hands on hips, a snarl on his face. His travel bag sat fully packed at his feet. His voice grated. “So you managed to get yourself appointed a general, huh?”
“The council put me in charge of this trip, yes.”
“That old man, Sawyer, already gave me a pep talk. But if you expect me to bow down to you, think again.”
Gray calmed himself and drew a deep breath before speaking. “There’s danger out there in the drylands. A triad sent by the king. If we fail our mission, it might lead the king’s troops here.”
“Sawyer gave you the same load of bull crap, huh?”
Gray realized Stinson’s attitude could cost his home and the lives of his family. As the leader of the expedition, Gray’s first priority would be to do what was best for the family. Family always comes first. In a flash of insight, he realized that, under the wrong circumstances, he might have to kill Stinson to protect the family.
He set his jaw. He was sworn to his duty and took his responsibilities seriously. I’ll do what’s needed.
CHAPTER TWO
Gray moved slowly passed Stinson to stand outside the door to his hut. He met the surly gaze of the younger man with a steady one of his own. “Stinson, you don’t have to go. Stay here and let another take your place.”
“You’d like that, wouldn’t you? Make me look like a coward so you can grab all the glory.”
“Sawyer only suggested you would be a good choice for this journey. You need to understand how important this is, and that I’m in charge. You report to me. If not, you stay here. It’ll be best for all.”
“Making demands already, general? Okay, I’ll agree . . . At least, until we’re alone out there in the drylands. Things can change then. Remember, I’m bigger than you. I run faster, and I’m smarter.”
Gray calmly accepted the statements because all were true. Gray stood average height, with brown hair hanging to his shoulders and long bangs to keep the direct sun off his face. His beard kept his cheeks and the front of his neck covered from the burning sun. However, Stinson was right. He was bigger, stronger, faster, and probably smarter in all areas except in knowing when to keep his mouth shut.
Stinson was two years younger than Gray, headstrong, arrogant, and determined to bully everyone he knew. He had the good looks to attract girls. His chest and upper arms were larger than almost any other man in the village. When they had played tag together as children, the other players ‘touched’ to transfer ‘it’. When it was Stinson’s turn, he liked to slap people so hard they often fell down. Then he would laugh as if deranged. He’d scold the other person if they were hurt.
It was not the game of tag Gray remembered so much; it was the way Stinson played and the look in his eyes. Stinson continued to age with much the same results in all of his activities. He became ruthless. Nobody liked him. Almost all believed that someday he would cross some invisible line and hurt another, or place the entire family in danger. Yet, the council had asked him to go on what might be a critical mission with Gray.
Why? Gray decided to let the matter drop until he spoke with Sawyer and asked for a replacement. Without speaking to Stinson, he turned and headed for the orchard where the others waited. He resisted looking behind to see if Stinson followed.
His mind churned, trying to figure out the choice of Stinson. He almost stumbled when a stray thought took hold. I think I get it. Taking Stinson along was not a punishment for Gray, but a chance for the younger man to grow up. They want me to teach him. Or to make sure he does not return. Gray saw Sawyer sitting in his usual chair where the council met and approached him as a dragon dropping from the sky to take a helpless sheep, his grip on his staff tight enough to almost splinter the wood.