“You’re going to have to toughen up, boy,” Lee scolded. “Believe me, a few nights sleeping under the stars is nothing compared to what is in store for us.”
“Yeah,” Gewey replied, smirking. “But we sleep under the sun, don’t we?”
“Don’t get smart with me,” said Lee. “The last thing I need is for you to start acting your age.”
Gewey suddenly filled with rage. He hated being reminded of just how young he really was. It wasn’t his fault he looked like a grown man. He never wanted to be robbed of a childhood. He never wanted to be forced to live the life of someone ten years older. He certainly never asked to be the savior of the world, or to be hunted down by an evil, sword-stealing knight.
Lee could seemingly feel Gewey’s mood change, even in the dark. “Calm yourself. You need to learn to control your anger.”
Gewey took a deep breath and let his anger subside. The rest of the night they traveled in silence, leaving the road before sunrise to make camp. Lee unpacked some bread and dried meat and gave some to Gewey who ate it gratefully; they had only stopped a few times that night, and they hadn’t eaten. Belly full, Gewey lay on his blanket and enjoyed the remainder of the cool night.
“Tell me about my father,” Gewey said, finally.
Lee was laying a few feet away. “I’m not sure what to tell you. I didn’t know him that well. He was brave and honorable, that’s for sure. After I moved to Sharpstone, I tried to keep my distance. I didn’t want to interfere with him raising you.”
“You traveled together for a year,” Gewey pointed out. “You must have gotten to know him a bit in that time.”
Lee rolled over and faced Gewey. “He was my bodyguard, and our interactions were based on that relationship. Besides, I was studying swordsmanship and battle strategy for most of that time. It left little room for bonding.”
“You sent me to be raised by him,” challenged Gewey. “And you’re telling me that you didn’t know him? I don’t believe you.” Gewey rolled over, sulking.
Lee sighed. “I had good reasons to send you to Harman. He saved my life without even knowing me, and in the year he was with me, I never heard a dishonest word pass his lips.”
Gewey closed his eyes and tried to picture his father’s face. “That can’t be the only reason.”
“No, it wasn’t,” Lee admitted. “One of the things you’ll discover is that if you try hard enough, you can look into people’s hearts and see them for who they really are. I looked into Harman’s heart, and knew the man he was. Of all the people I’ve known, his heart was the most pure. When you were first brought to me, I knew there was only one man I could trust to protect you.”
This made Gewey smile. He suddenly felt whole again as he let the love for his father rush over him, and sleep began to take him.
The next evening passed uneventfully. Gewey’s heart felt light as Lee told him stories of his travels to pass the time. He asked Lee to retell the story of how he met his father, and Lee was happy to oblige, this time adding a few extra details about Harman’s heroism.
“We need to train you to close your mind,” said Lee, after they had made camp. “This won’t be easy, but you’ll have to trust me.” Lee motioned for Gewey to sit across for him.
Lee reached over and grabbed Gewey’s hands. Gewey felt the same shock of recognition the moment his hand touched Lee’s, but this time it was more intense. He felt the presence of Lee’s mind pressing in on his.
“Keep me out,” Lee instructed.
“How?” asked Gewey. Beads of sweat were forming on his forehead.
“Picture your mind as a gate that you have to keep closed,” he replied. “Keep me out.”
Gewey tried, but Lee’s will was too strong. Slowly, Lee forced his way into Gewey’s mind until he had complete control.
“Stop!” Gewey screamed.
Lee released his hold. “You’ll have to do better than that, boy. That’s just a taste of what’s to come.”
Gewey collapsed on his back, breathing heavily, his head pounding.
Lee helped him to his feet. “Steady,” he said. “It’s a shock when someone seizes your mind, but you must learn to keep me out.”
“I can’t,” Gewey gasped. “You’re too strong.”
Lee suddenly slapped Gewey’s face. “Never say ‘I can’t’ to me again. You can, and you will. Dig deep. Find the strength. You’re a god, so act like it.”
Gewey’s ears were ringing. “What was that for?” he yelled. Rage filled his chest.
“That was for weakness,” Lee replied as he sat back down. “Come, try again.”
Gewey fought the urge to strike back. He sat down and readied himself for another assault. It was midday before Lee allowed him to sleep. By then, Gewey was nearly blind from exhaustion, and was asleep almost before he rested his head.
They repeated the lesson the next night, but this time Gewey was able to keep Lee out a bit longer. Lee, however, showed no sign of being pleased at Gewey’s progress. He shouted and cursed each time Gewey failed. A few times, they nearly came to blows, but Gewey managed to check his anger and frustration.
The third night they made their way around the village of Terriston, being careful to avoid encountering anyone along the way. Being inconspicuous, Gewey found, meant a day without Lee’s harsh training; their lessons could get quite loud at times, and they couldn’t risk attracting attention.
It was well into the fourth night before they were back on the road again. Gewey wasn’t looking forward to camp and the subsequent lesson, but he had become determined to beat Lee. The previous night had been uneventful, but Lee still seemed on edge. He and Gewey had hardly spoken, and when they did, their interactions were short and unpleasant.
When they made camp, Lee only unpacked their blankets and a bit of bread and dried meat. That night’s lesson was the harshest yet. Gewey felt as if his mind would break, but in one instance he almost managed to keep Lee out. He laid down to sleep when it was over, but noticed Lee sitting up staring into the brush.
“What’s wrong?” asked Gewey. “You seem upset.”
“I’m not sure,” Lee replied. “I think we’re being followed.”
“Followed?” said Gewey, startled. “By who?”
Lee shook his head. “I don’t know, but I think we’ll stay off the road for a few days.”
Gewey nodded. The idea of being followed disturbed him; that Lee seemed worried disturbed him even more. Sleep came slowly, and he did not rest well. The next evening, they packed up and headed deeper into the woods.
The Forest of Simon Bal was one of the largest in the world, and it spanned hundreds of miles in every direction. There were no trails, and it didn’t take long for Gewey to miss the comfort of the road. Lee changed directions so often that Gewey no longer knew where he was.
It was an hour before sunrise when Gewey heard it. It was the sound of a horse walking over uneven terrain. Lee drew his sword and motioned for Gewey to do the same. They waited for a time, trying not to make a sound. After a few minutes, the sound of the hoof beats faded.
“Who was that?” whispered Gewey.
“I don’t know,” said Lee. “But one thing’s for sure: it’s no accident that whoever it was is traveling the same way we are. I left a trail so confusing that only an experienced woodsman could follow it. We’ll stop here for now. Hopefully, it will seem like our trail has disappeared and our pursuer will be thrown off.”
Finding a nearby hill to wait out the coming day, they didn't bother to unpack the horses. Both of them kept their swords close.
Chapter 5
They barely slept the next day, and hardly spoke a word to each other. Lee waited until it was fully dark before they continued. They zigzagged through the forest for hours, stopping from time to time to listen for signs of pursuit; much to Gewey’s relief, there were none. After a time, the flat ground transitioned into steep wooded hillsides, which made changing direction increasingly difficult.