Journey To Light: Part I of the High Duties of Pacia

CHAPTER 22

  The Boy § 3

  In the dream, the boy was eight and old enough to understand more than the adults realized. Yes, he was bewildered as he stood at the center of their frantic activity, but he had overheard some things in the last month. Secret messages and riders on the road. Dangerous men with a strange sounding name. His aunt arriving unexpectedly to have whispered conversations with his grandparents before departing in a rush. The sadness in all of their eyes whenever they looked at him lately.

  In the day of the dream, his aunt had dashed in with the worst message of all. His grandparents cried in anguish when they heard but they rushed to pack things. His grandmother ran to the kitchen to stuff food into a saddle bag while his grandfather did the same in the bedroom with the boy’s clothes.

  “This is all we have,” said the grandmother and the grandfather told them, “This is all that will fit in the bag.”

  “We have to hurry which means going on horseback,” said his aunt. “We can’t carry any more. You packed the other bag as I asked?”

  “Yes,” said grandfather as he handed over a small satchel.

  “Does he have to leave right now?” begged grandmother as she gasped for breath between sobs.

  “Yes, he does,” said grandfather as he looked one more time at the paper the aunt had brought. His face was grim and his lips clinched.

  “Burn that now,” the aunt said and he tossed it into the stove.

  The grandmother fell to her knees and pulled the boy to her. He hugged her tight and leaned his head on the top of hers. Grandfather knelt and wrapped his arms around of both of them.

  “I just wish we had more time with you, sweet boy,” said grandmother and grandfather said, “It’s too soon, too soon.” She said, “We’ll love you forever,” to the boy and grandfather added, “Yes, we’ll love you always.” The boy was as brave as he possibly could be but his throat choked and tears blurred his vision. His grandparents squeezed him as long as they could but they knew the truth. As painful as it was, they understood the necessity and did not cling when the aunt took the boy’s hand and led him outside to where the great horse stamped with excitement. The grandparents followed and stood holding on to each other as the aunt strapped on the saddle bags and mounted. When she reached down and pulled the boy up behind her, they moaned.

  “Will we see him again?” cried grandmother.

  “If fate allows,” his aunt called back as she spurred the horse. As they dashed away, the boy found his voice.

  “I love you,” he shouted. They shouted back and waved. His eyes remained fixed on their faces until they disappeared from view.

  He never saw them again.