Free Grym Prophet (Song of the Aura, Book Three) by Gregory J. Downs Page A

all. And besides, you have a life here. We're just strangers without a family, Elia and I... you don't even know my name.”
     
    “Gribly.”
     
    “Oh, I didn't realize-”
     
    “The water-girl told me. She says it like she loves you, too.”
     
    “I...” Gribly could have hit himself for getting caught off-guard so quickly. The boy had flipped the tables on him in just a few words, and now he was floundering for something intelligent to say. The boy really wasn't stupid, after all.
     
    “I think I understand you, though,” Cal said sadly, hanging his head. “I know what it's like, now. My father, see... he died in the burning, when the Demon Man came. The black horse smashed his head in... right while I was watchin'. I never met my mother.”
     
    The words came rushing out of Gribly's mouth in response before he could stop them. Dropping on one knee, he grasped Cal's shoulders as if he were addressing a fellow man.
     
    “I didn't know, Cal. I'm sorry. But I think I have a better reason for you to stay behind, now.”
     
    “What's that?” The child looked ready to cry.
     
    “You're the only one, or one of the only ones, now, who knows what that pain feels like,” Gribly told him grimly. “But that means you're one of the strongest, now. You've got to stay behind and help the other learn. Lead them, and help them grow stronger. I know you're not stupid, Cal, and I think it's up to you to help the other get as smart as you are now.”
     
    “Cram, my friend... he know it, too. His brother died, and his sister, too. He ain't stupid, neither.”
     
    “Right. Start with Cram. You'll need to become leaders, Cal. Both of you.”
     
    “Why?” asked the boy, his voice quivering with suppressed excitement. Gribly opened his mouth to answer, but Elia's melodious nymph voice interrupted.
     
    “Because more of the Demon Men are coming, Cal. There's trouble in the lands beyond your villages; big trouble that's going to burn the whole world if there aren't strong men and nymphs to resist it. The big kingdoms outside are falling to pieces, letting monsters and sorcerers and all kinds of enemies break free to hurt and kill whoever they wish. Now that the Demon Man has come... and the thief warrior, and both of us... any of those enemies can make it to the Grymclaw. To your South Village, and any other village they choose. They're coming, Cal, and Grib and I can't stop them because we've got to stop the Demon Man and our friend first.”
     
    Cal was awed. The sea nymph girl had come up on the two boys without their hearing, and now stood behind the Sand Strider in her First Form, water still dripping from her hair even though her eternal blue dress seemed perfectly dry.
     
    “You'll have to be the one, Cal,” Gribly said, patting him on the shoulder. “You'll have to prepare everyone for what's coming. It could be in a month, or a year, or ten years... or today. Do you think you're ready? Can you lead them?”
     
    “Yes,” Cal said, a determined, scrunched look on his childish face. “I can do it. Don't worry, I can do it. I ain't stupid, and I never will be.”
     
    “Indeed,” Gribly said, standing.
     
    “But first I'll have to tell you how to get to the Swaying Willow Inn, won't I? You'll need to know so you can catch up to the thief and the Demon Man before they cause more trouble.”
     
    “Well, yes, there's that,” Gribly conceded. Elia stepped forward to bend down and hug Cal.
     
    “Thank you, Calloway,” she said, straightening. “We can't ever hope to repay you for all of this. It'll be hard for you if the villagers ever find out that you've aided us.”
     
    “Oh, oh,” Cal stuttered, looking moonstruck. “It's all payment enough,” he mumbled, dropping his gaze and blushing. “Payment enough...”
     
    ~
     
    “What a pleasant boy,” Elia said, once they had procured directions from Cal and headed off, following the river, which Cal called the Grymslip, in a northerly