O Saga: Part One: Book of Origins

Malum gazed at Thea planting wildflowers on Kiron’s grave. Kiron was her father, but in the short time Malum had known him, Kiron had been more of a father than his own.

Udai never believed in Malum; he only saw blame. Malum’s brother Kai had, on occasion, shown him affection. Malum thought he was a lousy person almost all his life. Thea and Kiron had changed that.

The People of Jyoti saw Malum as a murderer instead of a savior. They couldn’t fathom that he would save Lalit and not seek vengeance on him. But that is what Malum had tried to do. It didn’t matter anymore.

In some ways, it has been a blessing that Malum had to leave his home village. Malum would still be stuck there, toiling in the mines. Instead, he came to this farm and found happiness for a time. He should have known that it wouldn’t last.

Malum had the happiest moment of his life, followed by the worst. Malum and Thea finally expressed their love for each other, and the next day, Kiron passed away. Now, he didn’t know what life would bring him next.

Malum had never grieved for anyone before. Malum never knew his mother and wasn’t old enough to mourn her loss.

As Thea said her final goodbyes to her father, she was pained, but she handled her grief with dignity. When it was Malum’s turn to say goodbye, he became a complete wreck. Perhaps it’s because Thea lived with Korin’s sickness all her life that she had a long time to process the inevitable. Malum didn’t know how to process any emotion. He had never been allowed to express them. So when he finally did, a flood of emotions had been pent up for his entire life.

Thea came over to comfort him, and they embraced tightly. She comforted almost like a mother would a child. In many ways, Malum was a child. He had physically grown to be a man, but in most other ways, he was still young.

“What does this mean for us? Do we stay here on the farm, just the two of us?” Malum asked.

“I don’t know; I’ve got other things on my mind. Give it a couple of days.” Thea pleaded.

Malum reached to caress her face, but she flinched.

“What’s the matter? Have I done something?” Malum said, confused.

“You and I have sex, and the next day, my father passes. Let’s take a step back for a time.”

“You think we caused this?”

“No. Not really, but I need a break from you and I.”

“OK, I can give you some space for a while. I’m in pain as well. I just wanted to help you.” Malum tried to reach for solace in Thea.

“I know you and my Father got to know each other, and he had grown fond of you, but he still is my father,” Thea said possessively.

“I know, I never said he wasn’t. Why are you mad at me?”

“I’m not.” Thea cooled a little. “I’m just mad.”

“You have a right to be. You and I both never knew our mothers. He was the only person you ever really knew, and now he’s gone. It’s OK to be mad and everything else. But we have each other. Don’t push me away, not just yet.”

Thea moved close to Malum and put her arms around him, signaling that it was his turn to comfort her like a mother.

———-

It had been a couple of weeks since Kiron passed away, and life was resuming to be close to what it once was. Thea and Malum had been training again, but chores were taking more precedence.

Thea and Malum were still functioning together, but their relationship suddenly became awkward as Thea pulled back. Malum grew a little frustrated as he was not confused by his love for her. He could think of no one he loved more. But he didn’t understand how things change in this world and sometimes right before your eyes.

Thea and Malum were going about their chores when they had an unexpected visitor. It was Herm, the farmer who had caught Malum and turned him over to Kiron and Thea all those days ago.

“Herm, what are you doing here?” Thea asked, not so gracefully.

“I came here to warn you.”

“Warn us? Of what?” Thea prodded.

“You see, my wife, she’s turned you in. She’s not as open-minded as me. And there’s the reward.”

“Turned us in for what Herm?” Thea was getting more annoyed.

“The Tsar, he’s offered a reward. He’s looking for magical folk. He said to turn them in if you find anyone you suspect of witchcraft or magic. There’s been fighting in the North. Massive troops marched by on the other side of the mountains weeks back.”

“Soldiers? Is this to do with the revolutionaries?” Malum joined.

“No. There were attacks on settlers in Qamata—massacres, as I heard it. The Tsar went up there to attack the tribes that committed those senseless murders. Things must not have gone according to plan.”

“Why do you say that?” Thea asked more civilly.

“Messengers returned to the Capitol from the battle, and soon after, rumors started to spread about magic people. The fact that they soon after want to round up anyone that might have it says they’re scared that they exist. Or that they’ve encountered some. Either way, soldiers will be looking for you. You need to leave. I hear they’ve got camps started in the North. I think they’ll put you in one.”

“Herm, thank you. You didn’t have to warn us; we appreciate it.” Thea said, “But what do we do with the animals, the farm? My Father?”

“I can look after the farm. I can bring the animals to my place and keep a look after things now and again if you wish. But I’d gather some bags and get going tonight.” Herm offered.

“We can’t just leave,” Malum said incredulously.

“I’m afraid you have no choice,” Herm said ominously.

Thea thought, “I don’t have a better plan than that.”

“I can saddle your horses for you while you pack and ready one of your mules.”

“You’re a real life-savor Herm. I’m sorry for any negative thoughts I may have had towards you when we first met.” Malum ingratiated.

“If it helps, I didn’t like you either.” Herm joked.

Herm went to ready the horses for them. It didn’t take Herm long, and he was already heading back to his farm. Thea and Malum didn’t have time to process the turn of events. They excepted what Herm told them to be accurate and sensed the seriousness of the situation.

They grabbed what they could fit into saddle bags, taking only necessities. They found some old bed rolls of Kiron’s and wrapped Thea and Kiron’s swords to disguise them as best they could.

“Take my father’s armor, Mal,” Thea said, pushing a heavy bag at him.

“Do you think we’ll need it? Can’t we just come back for it later?”

“I don’t know if they’ll be a later anytime soon. I’ve got mine, but you don’t have your own. I think my father would want you to have it.”

“Like everything else, we don’t have time to say no.”

They loaded the armor bags on the mule along with some camping equipment. They took one last look around and led their horses away to the North. They would head for the coast and follow it to the border. Herm had said the soldiers had marched in the West, so they’d go East for now.

Thea and Malum rode their horse past Kiron’s grave, said a prayer, and didn’t look back.

———

Malum had never ridden by horseback for this long, and his body was already achy. Even though the bumpy ride was getting to him, the new scenery wasn’t.

Malum had spent his entire life in a dreary mining town. He could explore the mountains, but you only saw a lot of mud.

Thea and Malum saw sweeping hills and cliffs—dense woods full of trees and flowers foreign to Malum. A bird would fly by of reds or gold, full of sweet songs. A brown furry creature would scurry ahead on the pass and disappear. He knew they could face danger, but he enjoyed the exploration.

They had ridden down the midland hills where the farm was and had reached the coast. Malum was almost overwhelmed with the beauty of the sea. He had heard of it but never really paid it any mind as he never thought he’d see it.

The coastline burst with sheer, jagged edges and bumpy hills. They rode the ridgeline and were constantly hit with forceful ocean breezes. Occasionally, the hillside would slope down to a sleepy fishing village or rocky beach. Malum would have loved to go down to the water and jump into the sea, but for now, he’d have to settle for the views. They were trying to stay away from people.

The Northeast coastline of Ishvara isn’t heavily populated. The fishing villages had little need to travel by the ridge trails, so they rarely came upon anyone.

Malum was experienced in hunting, making fires, and sleeping in cold conditions. He was thriving aside from the riding. It wasn’t what he wanted, but life was paradise as long as Thea was with him.

It was much hotter by the coast than he expected, and he was sweating in all sorts of unflattering ways.

Thea always seemed content with everything. Her long training before Malum arrived enabled her to keep calm during ever-changing circumstances.

The one thing that unsettled her was any reminders of her father. Her pain was still keeping her away from Malum. They spent the nights in each other’s arms, keeping warm, but the passion was cold and smothered.

——

They had reached the border town of Nahr. It sat on the coast and was nothing more than a fishing village like so many they had passed, but it was the threshold of uncertain lands.

Would they find armies and tribes fighting in Qamata? Would they make it to the Urqu Mountains and avoid trouble? Even if they did, where would they settle? They were still determining their final destination.

They had stopped by a lake that looked down on the town. They were letting their horses and mule get water and rest. Thea watched the comings and goings in town to ensure no one, mainly soldiers, was heading up the hills toward them. There was nothing.

With war and fighting just to their North, it made sense that all the villages kept close to home. It’s what Malum would have done in their shoes.

Malum was watching the trails and surroundings while they waited and was admittedly being casual about it. They had little cause for alarm so far. Then, out of the corner of his eye, he spotted two figures emerging from the hills behind the lake. He alerted Thea.

Thea and Malum watched as the two walked cautiously to the lake. The strangers wore hoods to obscure their faces. To Malum, they looked like travelers and not soldiers, so he relaxed a little. Then, the thought that they could be thieves raised his awareness again.

Thea and Malum’s swords were stashed away, but they were skilled at hand-to-hand combat and could handle themselves. The two figures only seemed interested in drawing water.

One of the figures started to signal them, and they were now walking towards them. Thea and Malum looked at each other to see if there was a plan, but it appears neither did. So they waited for the two figures to come around the lake.

The strangers were within speaking range, but Malum still couldn’t make out their faces. One shouted, “Forgive us, but I don’t suppose we could trouble you for some food. I’m afraid we ran out climbing those mountains back there.”

Malum and Thea didn’t react to his words. They were both probably thinking this was a scheme to rob them. Malum was planning how to take them out and knew Thea was doing the same. They were getting close to striking distance, and Malum thought of attacking first and asking questions later, but one of the figures pulled his hood down to reveal someone he knew.

“Malum, is that you?” Said one of the men.

“Kai? What are you doing here?” Malum said, recognizing his brother.

“We passed leaflets in small towns when soldiers caught up with us. We’ve been running ever since, ” Kai said.

“Thea, this is my brother Kai. Kai, this is Thea,” Malum said, gesturing. They acknowledged each other, but the situation was still strange.

“Flaero, this is Thea and…” Kai started.

“Your brother Malum.” Flaero finished the words. “You’ve told me about him.”

“Flaero, as in the revolutionary my brother always told me about?” Malum quizzed.

“Yes, the same. I don’t wish to be rude, but we were serious about the food. Could we trouble you for some?” Flaero said, cutting through the formalities.

“I’ll get you some. Come with me; we’ll let the lost brothers catch up.” Thea said, heading for their packs.

“I’m a little shocked to see you, Mal; I kind of thought you were dead,” Kai said.

“I thought so too, but I was lucky; Thea and her father helped me.”

“Aren’t you still wanted by the authorities, though?”

“It seems like we both are. Only Thea and I have other reasons.”

“Other reasons?”

“It doesn’t matter now. We both are on the run, and we could help each other. We were heading into Qamata to hide the mountains; where are you going?”

“We’re trying to get to Kwento. Flaero was supposed to meet a man from Anahiti there. We got delayed, so he might not be there when we got there. You should come with us.”

“Is this about your revolution?”

“What isn’t these days?”

“Thea and I aren’t interested in joining your cause. We want to get somewhere safe.”

“You don’t care about anyone but yourself, then? The world is starting to catch fire, and you’re just going to run from the flames? I hate to tell you, Mal, there isn’t anywhere you can run to where this fire won’t find you.”

“He’s right,” Flaero said, handing Kai some food. “There is unrest amongst the have-nots in every land. War is on the verge of breaking out everywhere.”

“Because you are trying to make it happen.” Malum protested.

“For generations, these lands’ rich aristocrats and Royals have handed down their wealth. They’ve made it impossible for anyone to advance out of poverty. They own everything. People experiencing poverty have to pay taxes to them, rent their property, and do all the work, and they get little reward for doing it. The world is designed so that a few people benefit while everyone else suffers for them. This revolution is about making a level and fair society for all. If that takes war and blood, then so be it.” Flaero said as if giving a speech to the masses.

“It isn’t that I don’t understand your reasons; the only thing important to me is riding to the mountains with me. I only go where Thea goes.” Malum explained.

“And I think we should go with them,” Thea said, surprising Malum.

“Are you serious?” Malum asked, perplexed.

“Yes, your brother’s right. There is nowhere we can go to escape this. We’d be running the rest of our lives. You and I can make a big difference. We can help make this world better for all. We wouldn’t have to run anymore.”

Malum was stunned at the turn of these events. He never cared about freedom or revolution. They seemed like concepts that didn’t affect his life. He had always laughed at his brother’s ramblings.

“Well, I guess we’re going to Kwento too,” Malum said, defeated.

——

Flaero was a middle-aged man with incredibly striking features. He was tall and charismatic. Malum could see why he could rally people to his cause so quickly.

Flaero’s trimmed beard was peppered with grays. His thick, wavy brown hair and black eyes drew you in. He was a natural leader who just had a way of making you feel important.

He didn’t dress or carry himself in a way that made you feel he was arrogant, but he was confident. He dressed simple and plain. You might have thought his peasant clothes were a disguise, but Malum thought he wore them because they were practical.

“Kai had told me about you and your, let’s say, powers,” Flaero said as they shared a horse. They had crossed the border and were still following the coast to Kwento.

“Did he tell you everything?” Malum asked, wondering if Kai told him if he had murdered someone.

“He said everyone in town bullied you because of your abilities. He also mentioned something about killing one of the bullies.”

“I wasn’t trying to kill him. I was trying to save him from falling debris but wasn’t good at controlling my powers back then.”

“And you are now?”

Malum wondered how much he should say, considering people were looking for people like him and Thea. He decided to trust Flaero like Kai seemed to.

“Thea and her father trained me. They taught me to master many things, not just powers. They taught me philosophy, nature, and medicine, and her father taught me how to be a good man like him.”

“Where is her father now?”

“He passed away not that long ago. Our training ended with his death. We both have nothing to go back to.”

“So Thea has this power too?”

“Yes, and she’s more capable than I am. I’m just starting to grasp them.”

“I might be able to help you with your training.”

“You know about them, how?”

“No, I don’t have the power to connect. I do know about the other things, though. Thea can help you with the strange stuff more than I. Perhaps I’ll introduce you to perspectives you’ve never considered before.”

“I’ll think it over. Thea is teaching me just fine.”

———

They set up camp for the night and were getting to know each other. Kai and Malum had told each other all the exciting things that had happened since they last saw each other.

Malum told Kai about his training and how he managed to survive jumping from the bridge into the river—all of the misadventures that led him to Thea and her father.

Kai told Malum he had left soon after Malum ran away. He informed him that the other miners had been getting rough with him and their dad since what happened with Lalit. The village thought Malum was dead, but that didn’t stop them from blaming Kai and Udai.

So Kai left the town and went looking for Flaero. He started by handing out leaflets that had Flaero’s revolution manifesto. Kai said Flaero, and he had quickly hit it off, and Kai had become his most trusted ally.

Flaero had even sent Kai on a delicate meeting with a prominent Boyar from Ishavara. She wanted to ally with them, but the Boyar was soon killed after their meeting.

Flaero sensed things were getting too dangerous, so they moved North, away from the Capitol, where it was safer.

Flaero had been contacted by a wealthy merchant from Anahiti who expressed interest in getting involved. This merchant was sending a contact to Kwento to meet about the details, but they were looking to help fund and bring supplies for their revolt. So that is why they were heading North when they met.

They all needed to rest as they walked into the lion’s den, but they didn’t know it.