The Sixth Raven by J.R. DiDomenico

Author:J.R. DiDomenico [J. R. DiDomenico]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: J.R. DiDomenico
Published: 2024-06-09T00:00:00+00:00

Thirty-three Days Ago, Quinaeus, day 8

If Prava had only been more attentive to those within the walls rather than beyond, he would have noticed the stranger who’d showed up that morning slipping into the ranks unnoticed, even by those who’d been stationed at the outpost for many seasons.

The sun beat down on their bare backs, the sky cloudless a bright blue expanse spreading above them. The men from all around Balkanos made a sea of color. Some had dark skin, some had light, some with shades between. Different colored eyes; blue, green, brown, amber, and a few with other variants of hues. They were running practices again. It was nearly noon and it was turning out to be a warm spring day. He could see the glistening sweat on the men coating their thick arms and legs, their chiseled chests.

Prava rubbed his absentmindedly. He had a flat stomach, too, but not one that would draw envious eyes. He looked over at the wall with a grimace. The outpost had once been the village of Bratham before Chazz had ordered the villagers to move further inland and away from the dangers of the wall. Now they called it Mellinith Hall, Rtholeo’s threshold. It was more a joke than an actual given name.

In the last few days they had spotted a few groupings of Ocreeans. His last message to Chazz warned him they’d begun seeing them riding close to the wall. He’d been sent there to oversee practicing, not lead a charge and hoped he would receive a reply soon with what to do, or reinforcements. Help would be preferable. He feared it would come to a fight. Just looking at the lands of Ocree sent shivers up his spine. He didn’t want to step one foot on their land and hoped he never had to walk through those gates suited for battle and having to face an Ocreean horde. He could not do what Chazz had done those five years ago.

He stood watching them, the metal rings of the blunted blades echoing over the training area. Prava hovered under the tent constructed for viewing the practices, hiding beneath its shade.

Chazz had a rocky start to his reign. He won over Balkanos when he miraculously defeated the Ocreeans in the Battle of the Twin Flames, but lost support from some of his High Lords when he’d made his pledge, even after proving to them the Ocreeans could be conversed with. Truthfully, Prava sided with those who’d left the lands to live in Caledonia, but as the king’s cousin, he felt torn.

He wanted to leave the country that was trying to make an ally of those who’d fought them for centuries, but not wanting to betray Chazz. He wished Rosco was here. He’d feel more confident in his decisions if he were, especially with the more recent sightings of Ocreeans. He was afraid of what that meant.

Prava stepped out into the rays, tilting his head to catch the warmth. Even closing his eyes, he could still see the brightness of the sun.

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