Shawn Robert Smith [Smith - The Orphan’s Discovery

The Orphans Discovery

By Shawn Robert Smith

For my Mom

CHAPTER ONE

51 years ago

From a young age, Thomas took a high view of himself and when reality failed to meet his expectations he took drastic action to fix it.

Take that, Bran said, slapping a card onto the table face up.

Vil looked at his hand, and dropped his cards on the table. His head fell into both hands.

They played The Orders, a strategy game using trading cards of famous magicians. Thomas continued his approach, taking a few seconds as each foot landed from heel to toe. Carel looked up at Thomas and slapped Vils shoulder.

What are you doing here? Go play by the edge of the cliffs. This game isnt for scribes; its for men and youre, what, twelve Summers?

Thomas sighed. Why did he seek their approval? Thirteen. You mock my youth but I beat Simon of Mor when he visited last week. And Im not a scribe. Thats my fathers profession. Unlike you, I plan to wield magic.

The three of them laughed at Thomas. Vil even fell off the bench.

Vil, play Atwix against his forest creature and then protect Master Gemeni with Master Sophia, Thomas said.

After dusting off his tunic, he picked up his cards. He glanced at them and then back at the table. A smile formed on his face.

Get out of here. Youll never be one of us, Bran glared at him and then fingered the Kithnop egg that hung around his neck. They each touched theirs. Thomas walked away. Theyd never accept him unless he stole a Kithnop egg of his own.

Once inside his home, he went to his fathers office. Higel traveled often for his research, leaving Thomas alone with his mother. She bustled about in the kitchen, loud bangs of pots and pans mingled with her humming a familiar tune. Still, he stepped one foot at a time like he had when approaching the older boys moments ago. He perused the books that littered the office, searching for one on Kithnops. Hed get his own egg and theyd have to let him play with them.

He found one titled, Animals of Fradal and Presau, and opened it. As he flipped through the pages, his nose twitched and brought fond memories with it.

The book noted that if you left a Kithnop alone, itd leave you alone. When hunting was poor, some men killed them for food but at considerable risk. A Kithnop was a fowl and had a gamey taste like any other wild poultry. The Kithnop bore razor-sharp claws and tended toward excessive aggression while brooding, leaving hunters with nearly fatal wounds.

Thomas once ventured near one with his fatherthe one that lived near the water on the outskirts of town. It hadnt appeared menacing until it stood up, ruffled its feathers, squawked, and then flashed its claws. How had they gotten those eggs?

He had an idea. He put the book back and ventured to the docks. Salt-filled wind slapped his face and blew his hair out of his face. Jeth sat in his boat and pulled on a fish net.

Thomas walked over and picked up a long pole with a net on the end. Jeth, can I borrow this?

Jeth cursed. Give me a hand, wont you? His beet-red faced dripped sweat down from his brow. Thomas climbed in and helped him pull in several dozen fish that flopped around in a frenzy.

Wheres Mish? Thomas asked.

Sick. Thank you. Yes, you can borrow it. Bring it back tonight. What do you need it for?

Fishing, of course. Thomas rushed away before he pried.

Fear gripped him like Bran putting him in a headlock. Dont second guess yourself. You are better than them. If they managed it, so can you.

Thomas left the docks and headed north to where hed last heard the Kithnop lived. The cool ocean breeze failed to stop him from perspiring. His stomach tightened and his head spun around in circles. A squawk startled him and he slowed his approach. Thomas found cover behind a long row of shrubs and crawled on his belly. The long pole made it awkward when the net caught on some branches. Working his way toward his destination took near half an hour, leaving him filthy. His sweat mixed with the dirt on the ground and clung to his tunic.

SQUAWK!

Thomas peered through the leaves, the Kithnop squatting in its nest. When had it tripled in size? Thomas sighed quietly. He waited.

The bird didnt do much but sit there. Eventually, it had to find food.

The sun began to set. Thomass mouth became parched and his stomach growled. Now dark, the moon provided the only light. The kithnop ruffled its feathers and stood up. It looked around like a guard inspecting his surrounding after hear a twig break. Then, it walked away, revealing the nest. Three eggs sat unprotected and Thomas took his chance. The shrubs provided little protection but Thomas would not venture out and grab an egg by hand. He lifted the pole and carefully extended it toward the nest.

SQUAWK!

Thomas hands shook and his body tensed. He looked left toward the direction the bird went and it was out of sight. He turned back to the eggs and a ruffle of feathers came from his right. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath before turning toward the sound and opening his eyes. The Kithnop stood five feet away. It looked at him and then at the nest. It tilted its head as it observed the pole. A claw popped up from under feathers, and then another. Then the other two.

Thomas wet himself.

He dropped the pole and ran to his left. The bird squawked continuously, and its stomps signaled its approach. Thomas pushed himself away but the terrain started to climb upwards, slowing Thomass escape. He screamed from a burning pain that sliced down his back. His heard had never pounded this hard and fast before.

A weight pushed him to the ground. He pivoted onto his back and the Kithnop hovered over him. Several claws that dripped red, filled his vision. Thomas raised his hands to block the attack. The fouls eyes glared at him and it squawked with each swipe. Tears wet his face and he screamed. The fight ceased, but Thomas hurt everywhere.

Jeth came into view, picked him up and threw him over his shoulder. Thomas groaned. Pain stabbed his right hand. He glanced in between clenching his eyes closed when waves of agony came over him, noting the Kithnop lay unmoving with a fishers spear in its torso.

Jeth brought him to the healers hut. A metallic stench that reminded him of a smithys shop lingered in the air. The fisherman laid him on a straw bed, shook his head, and left. The town healer approached, pulled out her shears and removed his tunic. She washed his wounds with wet cloths that she rinsed out in a bowl of water nearby. As some of the water splashed out, Thomas saw its crimson tinge. He turned to his side and vomited.

There, there, Thomas, the healer said as she caressed his forehead.

What happened? It hit him like tripping on a root. Hed gone after the Kithnop egg and lostHe looked at his right hand. Hed lost some fingershalf of his middle, his ring finger, and pinky. Pain shot through his hand and he tensed, trying not to scream. Two things became clear to him at that moment: Hed likely never become a wielder of magic and hed do everything in his power to ruin those three boys.

Day 6 Morning

Knilin brought Linette and Winthrop to his office on the first floor of the Keep. Hed just asked for their help in stopping the decayed. He stepped out of the office, leaving them alone. Half an hour ago shed been doing cartwheels outside of the castle, celebrating her freedom. Now, Linette sat shocked from the sight of the dead librarian and two guards. Her whole body tingled and she wiped her eyes on her sleeves. The lack of wall coverings on the stone walls added to her mood. Remembering her first encounter with Master Dulius, she looked up, confirming that no one floated above them, spying on their conversation.

Why did you do that? Winthrop asked.