Once Were Brothers: ORIGINS by R. H. Hughes

Author:R. H. Hughes [Hughes, R. H.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781934956564
Amazon: 1934956562
Publisher: Elderberry Press
Published: 2012-09-17T00:00:00+00:00

From the dark room, a voice whispered, ‘Who’s there?’

Michael whispered back, ‘Show yourself.’

‘I asked first.’

‘Yes, but I’m the one with the sword.’

‘Well, maybe I have two swords.’

Michael answered, ‘I’m Michael.’

‘Hello, Michael. I’m Rollo. Can I ask what kind of name Michael is? You made that up.’

‘With a name like Rollo, you’re not in a position to judge.’

‘I guess not. I’ll come out now.

Michael was surprised to see a small being. He whispered, ‘Where are your legs?’

Rollo answered, ‘Yeah, and who stretched yours?’

‘Very funny.’

‘Well, ask a silly question get a silly answer.’

‘Well, I guess that’s true.’ Rollo was fat and bald with blue eyes. Michael asked, ‘What happened to you? You look strange to me … like a hog … and you smell no better.’

‘Keep it up, big one and your size won’t save you. I’ve always been like this. It’s our look. I come from a faraway place called Thoron Woods, and I haven’t seen the likes of my kind in some time.’

‘Thoron Woods, you say?’

‘Just inside the border of the Puritans, east of the Fire City.’

‘Never heard of it.’

Rollo said in a high-pitched, nasally voice, ‘You have now.’

Michael answered, ‘Yes, that I have, Rollo. I can see you have a stout heart that’s bigger than your stature.’

‘How did you figure that out? Deductive reasoning? See, I do have a sword.’

Michael smiled because what was a dagger to him was a sword to Rollo. He said, ‘And a fine sword, too. Now, would you like to leave or do you live here?’

‘Where, oh mighty, tall one, would we go? I am but small. I don’t stand out like you and I’m afraid you’ll hold me back because of your size. I’m sorry, but I’ll have to leave you behind because your stature will get us both caught. On second thoughts, I have another idea. You go out of the door, turn right and run. Then they’ll chase you and I can make my escape.

Michael laughed and said, ‘Oh, I don’t think so, little one.’

‘Oh well, it was worth a try.’

Where did you escape from?’

‘Is there something wrong with your mind and eyes? We, that is us, tall one, have not escaped to anywhere. We’re still here, or can’t you tell?’

‘What … part … of the palace … did … you … escape from?’

‘Oh, to this room? From the kitchen.’

‘One thing is certain, we need to leave now. I can’t search this palace with you and I can’t leave you behind, so are you ready, little one?’

‘Look, enough of the small talk.’

Michael said, ‘I’ll take you to the end of this lane and, when I cross the open ground, you can make your escape, but wait until I’m in the clear.’

‘Why not go together?’

‘I haven’t time to explain. Just do as I say.’

‘OK, OK, no need to be so big about it.’

They walked out through the door, working their way to the end of the lane with Rollo following Michael closely. They did not see the guard above them watching and signalling to alert the others about their presence.

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