The Young Shall Inherit: Aerolan Saga: Book 1

Rab'k walked down the corridor with growing apprehension as he and the officer approached a massive door standing partially open. He sensed he was probably going into the room behind it and was, despite his efforts to ignore his feelings, troubled by what he was about to face.

  What trials will be presented? Am I worthy?

  Thoughts not at all like those only a short time before.

  He and the officer arrived, he could feel his tension grip him; he stopped before turning, not looking into the great hall he knew was there.

  "Are you coming, sir?" the officer had stopped, turned and looked back at Rab'k, "You must follow me. Baalsa'n does not like to be kept waiting."

  Rab'k looked up quickly and nodded. With great effort, he faced the door and stepped through.

  Rab'k hadn't walked into the room very far when he stopped. He couldn't believe the immensity and the mystery; the lights were dim and he was not able to see how far the room extended in any direction.

  He had never seen such a place, not even the great corridors, through which he just passed through, compared. He stood and tried to absorb all of it.

  "Rab'k! Come to me!" a voice, seemingly from a great distance, boomed across at him.

  Rab'k had some difficulty finding the source.

  Softly, a dim light began to glow to his left revealing a man sitting on a throne. The man sat straight; he was dressed in a long black robe with a longer coat draped over his shoulders, dropping in folds to the floor below. Rab'k could not see the face, but the glow around the man pervaded the area.

  Rab'k turned briefly and noticed the officer had departed.

  The boy walked slowly toward the dais. He looked around to see more of this cavernous room, but he could barely perceive anything with the dark shadows. He still couldn't make out the features of the man sitting on the throne.

  "Come," a softer voice implored.

  Baalsa'n motioned with his hand, beckoning to the boy. Rab'k could only see a large man, strongly built, silver hair sweeping down and across his shoulders, dressed simply in the black robe.

  "We have much to talk about," the voice continued. He walked toward it.

  Rab'k felt drawn by a force holding his soul.

  Baalsa'n raised his hand with the palm toward Rab'k. "That is close enough," he spoke from out of the light, "I wanted to tell you what you must do to help destroy the heathens to the south. I understand, from talking to Rena'x, you are anxious to get started."

  "Yes," Rab'k choked, trying to talk, "Yes, sir. I've been trained for that. I am eager to bring destruction on them. I don't understand why I'm here today. Rena'x, my father, should be here, not me."

  "All in good time. My friend, Rena'x, has his own mission to perform. He has never failed me. Do you believe you can achieve the same?" the voice raised in volume slightly with the question. Rab'k noticed the change, but gave no outward sign.

  I need to be cautious. I must answer correctly, or all is lost.

  "I've not been tested, sir. But I do feel Rena'x has taught me well, and I think I've learned from the experience. My father has no peer." Rab'k answered, as he thought he ought.

  "You're first impression, the one about being cautious, is wisdom I seek," Baalsa'n said, "You must be as strong as your father. You will be subjected to much until the time for the change is upon us. At first though, you will have to be willing to live among those you hate."

  "But, I thought . . ." Rab'k interjected. There was only a blur of movement from Baalsa'n.

  Suddenly, Rab'k's throat constricted, he couldn't breathe. He grabbed at his neck trying to release the pressure. Then it was gone. He gasped for breath.

  "I'll not tolerate any insolence. Take that as a lesson. You must control your tongue; there is no room in what I have planned for making errors in judgment. You will be watched; you will restrict your anger and learn about your enemy. Any people can rise up against their masters if they are incited to anger by the willfulness of those masters.

  We will not bring our justice to these people if you are not cautious. That is the most important lesson you can learn from this visit," Baalsa'n leaned forward, placed one hand on his knee, and spoke with malevolent intensity.

  He is not to be toyed with. Rab'k learned during those moments. Here is a man, a god, who must be feared.

  "You will go into the southern region. You must go to the city of Tariny and attend the university. You must learn all you can about these people, their customs, and their lives; become a captain of commerce; attach yourself to men of wealth and power. From this, we can discover much.

  More importantly, there is the Ahar'n, a talisman, the antipathy of the Crystal Rena'x protects. It was hidden many centuries ago on this world. You must do everything in your power to find it, or its whereabouts, and report those findings to Rena'x immediately.

  This one command, above all, is the most important of all I tell you today. This Ahar'n could prevent our victory if it is discovered by anyone else. Be cautious, as you acted earlier, but it is imperative the Ahar'n be found." Baalsa'n sat back suddenly, as though signifying the completion of his instructions and quietly watched Rab'k.

  Yes, sir," Rab'k spoke in a low tone, disquieted by the experience of a moment ago and by the instructions he had just received, "When should I leave, sir?"

  "Immediately. See to it," Baalsa'n waved him away, as he rose from his throne, turned and walked away, disappearing from Rab'k's sight.

  Be cautious? Find the Ahar'n?

  Rab'k could only shake his head. After a moment, he turned back toward the door through which he had entered. He pushed it open, walked through.

  The officer was waiting for him outside the door. He turned and they walked slowly down the long corridor.

  Rab'k had nothing to say.

  OBSTINACY