The Second Son - Jamie

Jamie here. ;) Some prologue-ish glimpses from Eurivion...


Ripples spread across the surface of the lake, drawing nearer as she watched from the shore. Krista caught her breath as she peeked from behind the thick bushes to see what caused the ripples. A boat approached, rowed by four soldiers. In the stern of the boat sat, tall and sinister... the man who had murdered her oldest son, Arlion. So many years ago.

Krista stood up quickly, pulling herself completely out of sight behind the bushes. Her safe haven had been discovered! Panic thumped in her every heartbeat as she turned and ran through the meadow back to her cottage. For several weeks she had lived here with her children; a practical island. Hemmed in on four sides with nearly impassably thick forest, the lake was the only means of access.

Earvin! she called, mind-speaking to her husband, They've found us! What do I do? 

But there was no answer. Earvin must be asleep... she was on her own. Reaching her cabin, Krista took a few moments to calm herself before entering. It wouldn't do for the children to see her in a panic, now would it? With a deep breath, she pushed open the door and stepped in. Her eyes swept lovingly over her children for a few moments, and it was as if time paused and stretched out for hours within those few moments. Baula, the baby. Not such a baby anymore! Had they really celebrated her second birthday but a few months before? She lay so peacefully in the corner of the cottage, worn out by the morning's play. And Carri, such a little lady... seven years old, and sitting there reading a heavy tome as if she were already a great scholar.

Krista's eyes fell last upon Iydren as he sketched carefully. Was this the last piece of art he would ever draw into being? She caressed him with her gaze... ten years old. Just about the age Arlion had been... and unbidden, images which had long haunted her returned. The silhouettes dueling upon the hill as the sun set... the sounds of battle in the distance. It was her son up there! Fighting hand to hand with a grown man, a wicked duke. What was he doing up there?! Earvin was running up behind her. He saw. He knew. But before he had a chance to do anything about it... the smaller of the two silhouettes tripped. The sword came down. And the boy did not rise.

"Mother? Mother, is something wrong?" Iydren's concerned voice drew her back to the present.

Wiping away her tears, she put a hand on his shoulder and nodded, with new firmness. Yes, something was wrong. But all was not lost. Rovias... she prayed silently, protect my family. Keep my son far from his brother's murderer. Bring my daughters to a safe place. Hold my husband in your care as he completes his mission. And bring us all together as a family again in safety and peace.