Burnt Orchard: Part 2

I waited with Rose and Tholm at the garden. The twins were pestering me to make Yoki change into the sword and dagger while chasing each other around with it.

“Change!” Felis yelled, swinging a wooden dagger at his sister.

I willed Yoki to change into the sword, and finally he was able to land a hit.

“Okay my turn!” She growled as she snatched it away from him. At first I was annoyed by this game, but then I saw it as genuine training. I was thinking of a scenario in which I might need Yoki to be used by an ally, or have him transform into something from a distance.

I then noticed Revian and Victor returning from the Burnt Orchard. The sky was turning orange and purple, as dusk began to set.

After they returned, Revian whispered something to Rose and Tholm led everyone but me, Victor, and him out of the garden.

Revian sat down in his usually spot at the patio table, and Victor had me stand before him.

“So what did you guys talk about?”

Victor looked to Revian, then nodded.

“Victor will be accompanying you to the capital.”

“I thought that was the case.”

“Except he won’t part ways with you. At my request, he will continue to be at your side.”

“If Captain Nemo will let me. I promised Revian.”

I blinked in surprise. “What about your sister?”

“If you are going to join a group of cursed knights, I can also use it as an opportunity to learn from them as well. When the time comes I’ll take my leave but I’ll return to your side after.”

I scoffed. “Who said that I wanted to keep seeing your smug face.” Then I couldn’t help but smile. “But if you insist. I’d be glad if you could stay by me. I’ll try and convince Captain Nemo as well.”

Revian and Victor looked content with my reaction. Revian then looked up to me.

“Enderan. Before I go and join the rest of our friends and family, I always wanted to know. Why do you want to be a hero so badly? Even as you prepare to serve under captain Nemo, you look forward to being a hero rather than a knight.”

“I thought I told you already. Because it’s the best way I can use my short life. By being useful to someone.” Revian remained quiet as if waiting for more. “And because I want to see the world and go on adventures like in the stories.”

“So this is really what drives you now?” Revian asked. “I’m not asking because I’m looking for a satisfying answer. I’m simply amazed by you, and I wonder why I’m not as daring.” He smiled wistfully to himself. “If you want my opinion, I think you want to do this because you are a good person at heart.”

I plastered on a smile upon hearing that. I felt bad however. Thinking back to those months I was cursing him and everyone in the manor. And the thoughts of wanting to die or waiting for the day to become a dragon still eat away at my conviction.

This was actually bothering me the other day. I had stayed up and wondered if being a hero really is what I want. And after sometime I came to the conclusion that I really wanted to become a knight, a real hero of the people. But the reason why was new to me.

“I’m glad you think that way, but I don’t think that’s completely true.” He looked at me in bewilderment. “I don’t want to do it because I have a strong sense of justice. Before, it was mostly the idea of adventure and a noble end that appealed to me. But now, I have a new reason.” I stood up straighter and gazed into his eyes. “It’s because I know what it feels like to be alone and hopeless. Thinking that the world despises you and that there is nothing to live for. But recently I learned just how priceless a helping hand can mean to someone during their darkest hour.” I looked up at Victor and he returned my gaze with a look of appreciation.

Turning back to Revian I poured forth more passion into my voice. “At least once in my life, I want to be there for someone else—to stand by them in their time of need and let them know that there really are people in the world that value their life. That kind hearted people exist, like you Revian.”

He smiled up at me. “If that’s your goal, then be proud that you have already accomplished it.” Then he held out his hand. I gave it to him and he bent down and brought it to his forehead. I felt the back of hand touch his hair and cool scales. “I wish good look on your journey, and that you bring more light to even more people’s lives. You have my blessing to be a hero, Enderan Ember.” He looked up at me with a toothy grin. “I hope you carry it with you always.”

“I will.” My eyes clouded with tears and I bent down to hug him. "I only wish that you could join us."

"Don't worry. We just may get that chance. So, break this damn curse of ours." 

-

Victor watched as Enderan embraced Revian.

This meeting between Revian and Enderan hadn’t happened in the original story. And this all had occurred because of Victor’s influence.

When Enderan made Victor the reason for becoming a hero, pride and accomplishment welled up in him.

It made Victor glad that he had made all the effort to be important to Enderan. It almost made taking Baylor’s life worth it.