Orphan Farm Boy of Destiny - episode three

A story in the Ravenglass Universe.

The next morning, a guard led Mark to Lord Westerburg’s dining room. The aromas of freshly baked bread and sizzling bacon filled the air, sending rumbles through Mark’s stomach.

Lord Westerburg smiled up from his seat at a table in the window and gestured to the empty chair across from him. “Please, sit down and eat.”

Mark cast his gaze on the breads and pastries and cups of steaming hot coffee and sat down, not sure about what to do with his hands as a servant set a plate before him and poured a cup of apple juice.  

“I want to assure you that I will see to it that your father is given a proper burial with a lantern near the Temple of the Four.”

Mark looked over his cup and cleared his throat. “Thank you, my lord.”

Lord Westerburg shifted his weight and dabbed his mouth with a napkin. “I have also arranged for his lands to be reallocated to another farmer.”

Mark frowned and inclined his head. “What does that mean, my lord?”

“It means the farm will not be left unattended. Another farmer will take over your father’s duties and responsibilities.”

Mark nodded, still trying to process the information.

“If you wish, you may return to the farmhouse to collect any belongings you would like to keep.”

Mark shook his head as a lump formed in his throat. “I don’t want anything.”

“I see.” The lord steepled his fingers and seemed to study Mark for several heartbeats before speaking. “So long as you’re absolutely sure.”

“What’s the point? It’s all gone.”

The lord nodded. “I understand this must be very difficult for you. But rest assured, all is not lost. You have a bright future ahead of you.”

Mark sniffed, but couldn’t find the words.

Instead, he ate in silence.

When he finished eating, the guard escorted Mark to a small lounge where a fire blazed along one wall.

A man stood in front of the fireplace, warming his hands against the flames.

Mark couldn’t quite place him, but the man’s black cloak looked vaguely familiar.

The man turned to Mark with deep grey eyes. “Greetings, Mark.” He held out a hand for Mark to shake and dipped his head. “My name is Gideon. Lord Westerburg believes I may be in a position to assist you.”

Mark nodded, still trying to place where he had seen Gideon before. “Thank you, sir.”

Gideon smiled. “Please, just call me Gideon. I’m here to assist you in any way I can.”

Mark took a closer look at Gideon’s face, his black braided hair, his trimmed beard, and remembered him from their brief encounter at the marketplace only a few days before. “Wait, you’re the one who asked me about my birthmark.”

“Why, of course!” Gideon’s smile broadened. “The boy from the turnip stall.”

Mark took a step backwards. “What do you want with me?”

Gideon held his hands open. “Mark, all I want to do is help you. When I heard what happened to your father…” He shook his head. “No one should have to go through what you have endured.”

Mark didn’t answer.

“Am I right in thinking it was just you and your father?”

“Yeah.”

“What happened to your mother?”

Mark shrugged one shoulder and looked into the fire. “Blight.”

“Oh dear.” Gideon placed a hand on Mark’s shoulder and smiled. “An orphan. And, of course, Lord Westerburg will no doubt be taking his lands back.”

Mark took a breath and managed a weak nod.

“But you don’t need to worry about any of that now. I have a place where you will stay with me for as long as is necessary.”

Mark felt a flicker of hope in his chest. “Are we going to the Blue Spire Mountains?”

Gideon’s eyes lit up. “Yes, we are. It’s a full day’s ride, but I promise it will be worth it.”

“Thank you, Gideon. I don’t know what to say.”

“Just say you will come.”

Mark nodded. “I will.”

After packing his things and thanking Lord Westerburg for his assistance, Mark followed Gideon out to the stables where Gideon introduced him to a black destrier.

Gideon patted the horse’s flank. “You will be riding with me.”

Mark gazed up at the beast. “What’s its name?”

“His name is Shadow.”

Shadow stood tall, ready to ride wearing a saddle and reins. Light shimmered across his coat, strong muscles evident around his shoulders and hips.

As Mark reached out to stroke the horse’s nose, Shadow nuzzled him and let out a grunt.

“I think he likes you,” Gideon said, helping Mark up onto the saddle.

“Really?”

Gideon heaved himself up and sat in front of Mark. “Really.”

As they set out on their journey, Mark couldn’t help smiling at the grace and fluidity of Shadow’s canter.

The horse didn’t falter, even when the terrain became treacherous and steep.

As they rode, Mark spent hours observing the farms and villages they passed. Gideon told Mark about the land, pointing out landmarks and sharing stories about the people who lived there.

Sometime during the early afternoon, Mark and Gideon dismounted Shadow next to a stream.

Mark had never been this far away from home…whatever home meant anymore.

He took a deep breath of fresh air and gazed across the rolling hills. The sun shone down, warming his back.

Gideon rummaged through a pack on Shadow’s side and pulled out some bread and cheese and offered half to Mark.

“This is incredible.” Mark gestured to the landscape. “I’ve never seen anything like this before.”

“There’s nothing like a peaceful moment to rejuvenate the spirit.”

“Where did you learn to ride horses like that?”

Gideon chuckled, “I’ve been riding since I was a boy. My father used to take me out to the fields to ride and hunt.”

“I’ve only ridden a few times before. Shadow seems like he’s better than any of the others.”

“He’s a good horse.” Gideon patted Shadow’s mane. “The best.”

Mark grinned and reached over to pet Shadow.

“It’s important to build a bond with your horse,” Gideon said. “They sense your emotions and respond accordingly.”

“Really?”

“Really.”

Mark and Gideon mounted Shadow once again and continued their journey north.

When they reached the foothills of the Blue Spire Mountains, the terrain became increasingly rugged. The dirt track they had been following gave way to rocky ground.

Gideon rode in front in silence, his gaze fixed on the uneven path.

Mark leaned to get a better view of the towering peaks looming in the distance, reminding him of a dog’s sharp teeth.

“Please don’t do that,” Gideon said, his eyes not leaving the path. “It may be a stunning sight, but this is a treacherous place.”

“Sorry.” Mark pulled his gaze away from the mountains and faced Gideon’s back. 

“It is important that you are always alert and prepared for any danger that may arise.”

Mark nodded. “What kind of danger?”

Gideon looked back at him. “Any and all.”

As they continued to ride, the path became steeper and Mark felt Shadow’s muscles straining beneath him. He pointed up to the highest peak. “Are we going all the way up there?”

“Indeed we are.”

“Wow.”

Gideon led Shadow off the trail into a small clearing where a stable stood surrounded by a circle of towering pines.

Mark dismounted Shadow, his legs and buttocks sore from the ride. He rolled his neck and glanced up the mountain, wondering how long it would take them to climb.

“We will make the rest of the journey on foot,” Gideon said as he led Shadow to the stables. “The path ahead is not safe for horses.”

“is it safe for people?”

Gideon offered him a mirthless smile, but gave no response.

Mark followed Gideon into the stable to help feed and water Shadow.

Mark rubbed Shadow’s muzzle and crest, the horse’s ears twitching.

“I think he likes you,” Gideon said.

“Really?”

“Really.” Gideon nodded towards the stable door. “We should get going.”

“Can’t we rest a little longer?”

“I’d rather us not be out on the mountains after dark.”

Mark dipped his head. “I understand.”

Mark breathed in the crisp mountain air as his boots crunched on the rocky ground. He hiked up the slow incline, his thighs and calves burning with the effort as the trail grew steeper and steeper. But he was determined to keep up with Gideon.

Pines and smooth roads gave way to jagged rock formations and scraggly shrubs. The wind picked up, howling through the narrow valleys.

After what seemed like hours, Mark reached a plateau at the base of the Blue Spire Mountains. The peaks loomed above, their snow-capped summits sparkling in the sunlight.

Gideon pointed to a faint line snaking up the mountain. “Do you see those steps?”

Mark nodded. “Are we climbing them?”

“Indeed.” He glanced up at the sky. “But we’ve made good time.” He turned to Mark and smiled. “You’ve done well.”

“How many are there?”

Gideon rubbed his chin. “You know, Mark. I’ve never actually counted them. I imagine it must be a few thousand though.”

Mark’s eyes widened. “A few thousand?”

“Give or take.” Gideon shrugged. “Shall we?”

Mark followed Gideon towards the steps and stopped at their base, tracing their route until they disappeared beyond the clouds. “Is it safe?”

“It’s a mountain.” Gideon began to climb. “But these steps are the easiest way up. Just try not to fall.”

Mark swallowed and traversed the steps at Gideon’s side.

As he climbed each step, he felt the weight of his pack and the tiredness in his legs, but he pushed through and kept climbing. 

“I knew from the moment I saw you that you were destined for greatness,” Gideon said, glancing back at Mark with a smile.

Mark huffed out a breath. “What are you talking about?”

Gideon stopped. “The prophecy, of course.”

A deep furrow set on Mark’s brow and he wiped the gathering sweat from his forehead. “What prophecy?”

“We’ll talk more about that when we reach the summit.”

“Is this to do with my birthmark?”

“It is. But for now, let’s keep climbing.”

“Please, Gideon. Is it…is it real?”

“It is.”

“My father said it was all just stories, nothing more.”

“Do you think it’s just a story?”

Mark shrugged. “I don’t know much about it.”

Gideon took in a breath, “From orphan’s birthmark shall emerge a hero with sword of ancient surge. Gathering allies, honing his skill, to face the Dark Lord and break his will. With ravenglass blade he’ll strike the foe and cast him down, an end to woe. Peace restored to a land forlorn, a legend born, on this day reborn.”

Mark frowned, “What does that mean? Am I…am I the chosen one?”

Gideon nodded, “Yes, Mark.” He fixed Mark’s gaze. “An orphan farm boy born with the mark of the chosen one. I believe that is you.”

“I’m no one.”

“No. You are destined to protect this land from the Dark Lord and bring in an age of peace.”

“Like a knight?”

Gideon smiled. “The greatest knight.”

“But how can I do that? I’m just…I’m just me. I don’t have any special skills.”

Gideon placed a hand on Mark’s shoulder and raised a forefinger. “You don’t have any special skills yet, Mark. But that is where I can help you.”

“Help me, how?”

“You will hone your skills and you will forge the Sword of Destiny. And then as the chosen one, you will defeat the Dark Lord.”

Mark laughed. “The Dark Lord? The Sword of Destiny? My dad was right. It is just a story.”

“No, Mark. I wish it was a story. I wish I didn’t have to be your mentor. I wish you didn’t have to be the chosen one, and I wish there was no Dark Lord.”  

“But it sounds so silly.”

“Does an age of darkness sound silly, Mark?”

“No. But I can’t do all that stuff.”

Gideon squeeze the bridge of his nose. “Yet, Mark. Yet. You can’t do all that stuff yet. But with faith and determination, you can achieve anything.” He held out a hand to Mark. “Will you accept your destiny and join me on this journey?”

“How am I supposed to do all of this?”

Gideon pushed out his bottom lip. “That’s why we’re here, Mark. It won’t be easy, but I have faith in you. You have a destiny to fulfill, and I will do everything in my power to help you.”

Mark glanced back down the mountain. “I don’t know if I’m ready for this. It seems like an impossible task.”

Gideon smiled. “No one is ever truly ready for a challenge like this. But if you trust in yourself, you will find a way to succeed. And you won’t be alone.”

Mark nodded.

“So, what do you say? Will you fulfill your destiny and save the world?”

Mark glanced back down the steps and shrugged. “I guess.”