With the amassed townsfolk on their doorstep the brothers,
seriously fearing for their lives, grabbed as many provisions as they could fit
and escaped out the back of their home into the night. The terrain at night was
dark and dangerous, but given the other option it was their only choice. Shamus
looked at his brother for comfort, but Darbish seemed unable to offer any. They
both knew they had hard times ahead and decided to bed down for the night in a
cove of trees.
Shamus collected a meager assortment of wood he could find
nearby and Darbish worked at coaxing the kindling into a flame. Shamus sat by
his brother and stared up into the night sky considering what they would be
doing next.
“What do you suppose is next for us, Darbish?”
“We get the fire started so we can stay warm, and then we get
some sleep.” Darbish replied in a matter of fact tone.
“No, well I know that, but I mean where are we going from
here?”
“Oh…” Darbish was surprised, the question hadn’t really
occurred to him. For him life was the fields, and taking care of his mother and
little brother. What to do next? He pondered it for some time and then spoke,
“Well Shamus, I suppose we will head out into the world and make a name for
ourselves, there’s really not much back home for us anymore.”
“I don’t think we can call it home anymore, Darbish.”
“Good point Shamus,” Darbish said as he finally got some life
into the small fire, “let’s get some sleep and pick a direction in the
morning.”
Shamus put his head back in his hands and looked into the
starry night. He envisioned many different paths their lives could take,
perhaps they would find a new farm and continue their old life. They might get
into trade and deal in fine trinkets and assortments from around the world.
They could have even learned how to fight and exterminate dragons and demons to
save people all over the land. He found it hard to sleep with all these
thoughts going through his mind, but eventually drifted off and found his
dreams to be much more vivid and amazing than just his thoughts alone.
The brothers awoke in their copse to the sun shining and bird
song in the near distance. Things were looking up. They collected all their
supplies and worked their way out to the main road.
“Well which way would you like to go Shamus?”
“Hrm… I don’t know, both ways look equally alluring.” Shamus
replied.
“Alluring?” Darbish questioned with an eyebrow raised.
“It was a word Ma taught me.” Shamus countered with defense
in his voice.
“Um, okay… still, which direction?”
Shamus closed his eyes and felt the breeze on his face; he
adjusted his body until he was inline with the air stream. Taking a few steps
forward with the wind at his back, he opened his eyes and pointed directly
ahead, “This way.”
“Works for me.” Darbish shrugged and the departed down the
path.
-V-
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