Brannai
Pete Stulberg
Copyright 2010 by Pete Stulberg
Smashwords Edition
BRANNAI
With grateful thanks to all those who have helped me on this journey.
Special thanks to my son Daniel who, without his support, this book would have remained just a dream!
THE KINGDOM OF ARNORST
Prologue
BRANNAI
Philip stood; his leather jerkin was his only protection as he braced himself against the storm. The rain drove into his face, matting his blonde hair against his head and all around, the darkness was closing in. There was a loud clap of thunder followed by a sheet of lightening that lit up the night sky; silhouetting the outline of the trees, lighting them up like monsters with long raking fingers. He looked up and to his left was his friend, Taitu. He was fifteen feet tall when standing on his hind legs, powerful and majestic with his silvery fur wet against his body.
The great ape stood on all fours; his back arched in a perfect pose. His breathing was heavy and he bled from the cuts to his arms and chest, but for now there was no time for pain and he turned his head and with his piercingly blue eyes he looked down at Philip.
Philip steadied himself, then spoke to Taitu, “one last effort my friend, this is our time, our victory.” Taitu looked across at his advisory, “He will be Lord of the Brannai no more,” and he spoke with a strong and determined voice.
The land had been cut up; the grass had turned to mud in the downpour and across from Philip, Torek waited. His face was twisted with rage as he stood in disbelief. How can a common man even challenge his title? This peasant, with his monkey, dares to wrestle his mantle from me; I will bring him down, humiliate him and destroy his beast. He looked up at Kaldeira, “You will finish this, or so help me I will finish you”.
Kaldeira looked down at Torek, he too was breathing heavy for the battle had not gone well and he stood there with heavy cuts from his neck and arms. “My lord,” he said as he bowed his head, but his voice was labored and for the first time, full of uncertainty. Torek drew his sword and raised it to the stormy sky, “now kill him.” The great beast took off, throwing mud and grass high in the air as he charged at Taitu. It was a terrifying sight, standing the same height as Taitu with two powerful claws on a body supported by six legs. His long tail had a curved sting and now the human muscular upper body was contorted with rage and he screamed as he ran.
Taitu raised himself to his full height and in a raw fury he beat his chest and roared, revealing the two sharp fangs in the upper jaw of his powerful head.
“My friend, wait for him, let him come on, then bring the pain.” Philip looked at the charging animal as he spoke, but did not waver in his conviction.
The Kaldeira struck out with his left claw, but Taitu had seen it coming and had moved to the right were he grabbed the other one in his giant hand and then landed a huge blow across the jaw of the beast. Kaldeira reeled his head back then struck out with his right hand and at the same time attacked with his huge right claw. Taitu was in full flow and he roared as he jumped and spun in the air kicking out with his feet. This time it caught Kaldeira across the back sending him falling to the floor.
“Now,” shouted Philip and the great ape landed gracefully on the floor and instantly pounced on his fallen advisory were he rained blow upon hideous blow down onto Kaldeira’s head, pummeling him into the floor.
Torek looked on in disbelief and screamed out at the top of his voice. He had a look of pure evil and it seemed that all the blood in his anguished body had risen to his face.
Taitu stood over Kaldeira and placed one foot upon his back and beat his chest in victory as he roared out loud. Philip dropped to his knees and raised his hands to the stormy skies, he had won.
Lord Torek now screamed out in horror, “Kill him. Kill Philip,” and with the life flowing out of him, Kaldeira whipped out his tail and his sting pierced Philip in the chest, then, he vanished in a shower of silver light.
Taitu let out a roar that would have brought down the gates of hell; he turned and charged at Torek slipping and sliding in his fury to reach him
Torek was breathing heavy but now he gathered himself and stood tall to face the charging ape. Then he simply laughed, with his face pointing to the heavens, he laughed, as Taitu came on. Then when the ape was only a few paces away and as he gathered himself for the fatal blow, he vanished in a shower of silver.
BEGINNING
In the land of Arnorst far to the south lies the small village of Dantaal, quiet and unassuming in the heart of beautiful woodland. The people there are simple folk, hardworking and honest, farmers mostly by trade. On the outskirts of the village is a farm run by a mother and her son.
Kate was a stout woman, tall with long black hair graying in the roots. She had strong, yet elegant hands; the softness of which had been ground away through long hours working on her farm, but in her face she still retained a beauty from her youth. Her son Daniel was sixteen although you could not tell by looking at him, his young looks betrayed his years, although his good physique and bright blue eyes and thick wavy blonde hair would see him grow into a handsome man.
“Daniel!” Shouted Kate, “Daniel, we need provisions from the village, I’ve got to milk the cows and then I’ll prepare something to eat, get out of bed.” It was a beautiful spring morning but Daniel was still in bed although he answered his mother promptly and politely, “fine mother, I’ll be there in a minute”. His room was small with bare walls and beams, a single table with a mirror and a jug and basin for necessities. On the wall was a hook where his breeches hung and on the floor beneath them where his shoes.
Daniel jumped out of the bed and then went and washed himself in a basin of cold water. As he dried himself he slowly walked over and stood in front of the mirror. He looked himself up and down, then, stood on his toes imagining himself the same size as the other boys his age in the village, Daniel sighed and went to the hook on the wall were he pulled on his breeches and threw over a ragged shirt and then went to see his mother.
“Don’t be too long son, after milking I’ll prepare us some cheese and bread, fresh from the oven.” The smell of the fresh bread travelled through the wood and always put an extra spring in his step when he returned from an errand.
This day he set off as usual along the dusty path that wound through the open fields and then took a small detour through the edge of Barrow wood. The air was crisp and clean and his breath was still visible as he exhaled and as he walked he took in all the sights and sounds that this beautiful land had to offer.
This day was like any other, maybe so, he thought, but something was there, small, at the back of his thoughts, but there none the less. He travelled on, passed the old oak and along the dusty path that wound its way through the edge of Barrow wood and the warm sun shone off his blonde, scruffy hair. He knew most of the wood well, with its trees and animals, he knew where the old hawk had made its nest, and the pool where the largest fish in town could be caught, and yet on this day he was unusually weary, not scared, but alive, tingling all over and very alert.
As he travelled along he became aware of something not quite in sight but yet there in the shadows. His step quickened and his heart pumped faster and faster, his eyes darted between every bush and tree searching for whatever it was. Quicker and quicker he ran, unaware of where he was going, half running half tripping as he went, he was being corralled like prey, driven into the deeper parts of the wood where he had never been. The shadow was nearer now, more visible, a pair of bright yellow eyes flashed in the distance and there was a pulse of strong breath in the air and the low haunting sound of a beast with only one thing on its mind. Daniel's pulse rose and his hands began to sweat. He ran faster and faster searching frantically as he went. He ran with no direction crashing into branches until, crack! He had caught his step on a branch and fell to the floor. The young boy was agile and he rolled and stood up in one quick movement and there he found himself in a clearing, alone, that is, except for the beast that now hid some fifty paces from his very position.
The beast would not come into the open, instead it stalked menacingly through the trees, treading carefully as it went. It moved with a purpose, rubbing its side on the trees as it passed them always keeping itself in the shadow. Its breath was pulsing fast from its gaping jaws, showing the banks of sharp yellow teeth and saliva was drooling onto the forest floor as it moved. Its sides were heaving in and out and its claws were primed and ready. Daniel looked around and spotted a large branch on the floor, he tried to bend down to pick it up but his feet faltered and he stumbled, but still, he tried to pick up the branch as he did so. He could not take his eyes off the beast as he searched with his hands. Then finally he grabbed the stick and lifted it in front of his eyes.
Slowly the beast revealed itself. It stepped out into the patchy sunlight showing its matted black fur, enormous paws and long sharp claws, a Wolf, with one intention, evil. It eyed Daniel up, moving gracefully into position, its head quite still and level as it moved and its large yellow eyes focused on the boy. Daniel was shaking, the branch in his hands became heavy and his step was labored. Every step he took was matched by the wolf, who was all the time moving closer and closer. Then, suddenly it howled, and the noise echoed through the trees. It turned its head to look straight at the boy, and then it growled loudly as it ran, churning up the floor as it did so. Daniel froze with fear in the face of the charging beast, then when it was a few steps away it pounced; jumping high in the air. The boy pulled the branch in his hand back, ready to strike, every bone in his little body, shaking. Suddenly there was a deafening roar and a claw slashed out and ripped through the wolf’s throat, killing it in an instant and leaving it bloodied and motionless on the floor.
The boy stood back in disbelief, for there; standing in front of him was an animal, tall and majestic, perched on its hind legs. It had the body similar to a polar bear, but not the color. With thick hazel fur and enormous claws that it held out in front, still dripping with blood. Daniel looked up at the huge beast and saw the most piercing blue eyes looking at him and a wild face that somehow calmed his insides, and then it vanished right before him. Daniel did not know what to do; he looked down at the wolf at his feet and ran south out of the wood as fast as his legs would carry him. Quickly he managed to find the path that led to his home, and his mother. He ran up the path and burst through the door. “Mother, Mother,” he shouted and was stopped in his tracks.
There sitting at the table was Kate and opposite sat a stranger, an old man dressed in the clothes of a traveler with an old cloak wrapped around his shoulders, his hair thick and matted and tied at the back with a piece of cloth. He had an aged face, rough and rugged though he also possessed a kindly demeanor. “Good morning Daniel,” he said, “my name is Trayan and I knew your father.”
BRAER
Daniel looked to his mother then back to Trayan. “You say you knew my father, that can’t be true, I have no father, there is just me and mother, and we live here alone.”
“Tell me,” said Trayan, “what happened in the wood”, Daniel looked shocked at the question, then his mother spoke, “Daniel,” she said, “we have lived here these past sixteen years, happy years, I have loved you as much as any mother could,” and she spoke with a sincerity and sadness in her voice. “I will always consider you my son,” and she wept. Daniel was shaken, he had never seen his mother cry, she had always been strong for him, and he ran to console her. She raised her hand and stopped his approach, then gathered herself before she continued. “Trayan came to me when you were a babe, wrapped in a blanket and carried in a basket, he asked me to look after you and raise you as my own, how could I refuse you were so beautiful. When he left he said he would return around your sixteenth birthday to reclaim you”.
“I don’t want to go with him,” said Daniel, “who will look after you, you need me here, the pigs, the cows, the…the,” but his mother stopped him again. “Son it is time to let go, you must go with Trayan, you are destined for great things,” and she stood up went over to him and took him by the hand and led him over to where Trayan was sitting. Kate then took Daniels hand and placed it on top of Trayan’s and then kissed the boy on his forehead.
Kate helped him pack. She loaded the table with fresh fruit and cheese and some hot bread from the oven, then wrapped it in a chequered cloth as only a mother could. She thanked Trayan and hoped he would look after her son, then she kissed Daniel one last time and the pair left. Kate stood at the gate to her farm and watched until they were out of site, then she became filled with a great emptiness, and fell down onto the ground and cried.
The two new friends now followed the path along the fields and out until it met the Barrow wood and as they travelled Trayan spoke to the boy. “So tell me what happened just before I arrived.” Daniel told of his fight with the great wolf and how out of nowhere a mighty beast had just appeared and saved him. “What you saw,” said Trayan, “was a Braer, they are one of many magical creatures that live in this land, but remember,” he said, “they do not appear to anyone or anywhere for that matter. This Braer is yours, it is your Brannai, your protector and your soul and it will die for you.”
“If it is my protector why have I only seen it now, why not last spring when Joshua and the others cornered me in Drays’ field and beat me because of my size?” Trayan did not falter in his step as he answered the boy, “All Brannai do not appear to their trainers until their sixteenth year, it is a time when your mind and body change and you can become more aware.”
Trayan explained to Daniel that he is a trainer of Brannai and that he does not own one, he said that Brannai do not appear to anyone, they choose their owners carefully and only appear in special areas called arenas. “Now” he said, “it is time to meet yours.”
They walked for several miles until they reached a part of the wood the boy did not know, and yet he felt familiar with. Daniel soon realized that it was the same area of Barrow wood where the wolf had attacked him earlier. Daniel took Trayan over to the body of the wolf; it was still there fresh on the floor.
Trayan looked at the boy and put his arm around his shoulder, then he said, “The Brannai came to you because you were in trouble, now I want him to appear again,” and he took Daniel away from the body and then to the clearing were he stood behind him with his hands on the boys shoulders. “Now close your eyes and open your mind, think of the Braer and picture him before you. Now, open your eyes.” Daniel did as he was told and when he opened them, there before him stood Braer. The beast was on all fours and he prowled majestically before him before turning to face Daniel, “I am Braer,” he said, and his voice was powerful and at the same time calming, “I am yours and you are mine and together we shall overcome all that is put before us.”
Daniel was amazed, “you can speak” he said.
“All Brannai can speak,” replied Braer. Then he stepped nearer to Daniel until they were only a small space apart, he reached out with his giant paw and touched the boy on the shoulder. As he did Daniel could feel Braer’s heartbeat within him, and he could feel the strength of the animal flowing through his body and he knew instantly that they were one.
When the Braer’s paw was taken away it left a mark, a small paw print the size of a penny, and so a great friendship was set up, which no man would ever break.
“We will spend some time near these woods,” explained Trayan. “It will give you time to get to know your beast.”
So Trayan and the young trainer made camp.
Trayan set up a tent and set Daniel the task of collecting some firewood. The tent was a thin canvass sheet supported by wooden poles that had to be transported in a sack carried on the back. It had guy ropes that were supported at the ends with small wooden stakes that were driven into the soft ground.
Trayan was adept at living in the wild, and over time he would show the boy how to fashion a bow with string from the innards of an animal and wood from a certain branch, that would bend but would not break, but for now, they settled down to a meal of berries and cold meats, warmed by the glow of a blazing fire.
The question had been burning in Daniel’s mind ever since their first meeting, “tell me about my father.” Trayan turned to the boy and saw the worried look in his eyes and his heart went out to him.
“Your father’s name was Philip, but he liked to call himself Barras, he thought it spread a little fear or respect into his opponents, what do you think? What would you like to call him?” Without hesitation Daniel replied, “Philip.”
“Interesting,” uttered Trayan and then he continued.
“He was a great Brannai master and he owned two great beasts and he won many victories,” Trayan paused as Daniel interrupted again, “You said you knew him, how did my father die?” Trayan stalled at such a delicate matter, then gathered himself and looked at the boy; the truth he thought was what his father would want him to hear.
“He was betrayed by another Brannai master by the name of Torek. Know one thing Daniel, the Brannai are here to do battle, to honor and to protect, but they are as one with their trainers, what the trainer is, the Brannai will become, such was the case with Torek. He was a dark trainer but this trait he hid from Philip until it was too late.
During a fight, Philip battled Torek and won but when Torek’s beast was all but defeated and Philip’s guard was down, he set his beast on Philip and slain him. Brannai are noble creatures and will not harm their trainers, but as I said, Torek was dark and his beast became the same.”
Daniel looked at Trayan with tears in his eyes, “When I face this Torek I will not make the same mistake as my father.”
Trayan looked sympathetically at the boy as he said, “It was through your father that I met Kate, your mother has done you proud and I think Philip would be pleased at the young man you have become, now, goodnight Daniel,” and with that he ushered the boy off to bed.
That night Daniels dreams were filled with images of his mother, alone on the farm and he tossed and turned.
When morning broke Daniel emerged from his tent with his head full of questions. Trayan was already up and making a hot drink by the fire. Daniel moved over and sat on a log by the old man who had cupped the warm drink in his hands to fend off the fresh morning air.
They did not speak for some time and it was Trayan, who broke the ice,
“Today you start your training.”
“I thought you trained the Brannai,” replied Daniel.
“I do, but as the trainer grows stronger so does the Brannai, it will take on your strengths and weaknesses. You must feed off each other and grow together, now it is time to run and build up those puny muscle’s of yours.”
He made him run for several hours, stopping only for a short rest and some water. He gave him heavy loads of logs to lift and exercised him until he was sore to the bones. When Daniel felt he was at the end Trayan took him to the clearing.
“Now, just because you are tired, does not mean you cannot control yourself. Let go of the fatigue close your eyes and relax. Now summon your Braer.”
Daniel did as he was told and when he opened his eyes Braer was standing before him. Together they turned and faced Trayan who had took up a position some fifty paces away. “Prepare yourself,” said Trayan, and with a clap of his hands above his head he shouted “Bransar!” there was a flash of light and suddenly there beside him stood a, well to Daniel it looked like a small donkey except it was Piebald with a mass of black fur on top of its head that looked just like someone had placed it there. The animal looked at Braer and sat down on its backside completely unimpressed with the whole event.
“Daniel!” cried Trayan, “This is your first battle, this is Bransar and you must defeat him with Braer.”
Daniel looked at Braer and then at the Bransar and thought the whole episode would be a waste of time, I mean, what a mismatch, he thought.
“Braer!” cried Daniel “Attack!”
The Braer roared and charged at the little animal, who continued to sit unimpressed. Braer began to get up some speed as he closed in on his opponent.
“Bransar, tangle!” shouted Trayan, and out from the animal shot long roots, they hit Braer in the legs and sent him tumbling to the ground, “Snare” said Trayan, and the roots wrapped themselves around Braer’s neck leaving him struggling to breathe. “Bransar, release” said Trayan, and before he could do anything else Daniel had raced to Braer and had dropped beside him.
“Braer, Braer!” he cried but in an instant the powerful beast disappeared in a shower of silver light.
Trayan clapped his hands above his head and the Bransar vanished.
“Walk with me,” said Trayan.
“What did you think when you saw the Bransar?”
Daniel thought, then said, “The animal was unassuming, pitiful I think, I looked at Braer then at him and I laughed to myself, this will be easy, so I charged”.
“Would you charge again if the two Brannai were matched once more,” said Trayan. “No” said Daniel quietly.
“Then you have already begun to learn,” he put his arm around the boys shoulder and led him back to the camp.
After a hot meal of Rabbit stew and a good night’s sleep Daniel awoke fresh and alive. Before breakfast the boy went over to Trayan and in an excited mood he asked, “I should like to try again against the Bransar.” So once again the two Brannai faced each other.
“Braer, listen to me,” said Daniel, “when you attack this time I want you to be ready for those roots, be agile when you run, look for the roots and try to move away from them,” and so the great Braer attacked again, this time he saw the roots as they came at him and he dodged them, left and then right until he pounced and swiped at the beast with his great claw catching it across the head, and the small donkey toppled to the ground and then disappeared in a shower of silver.
Braer stood on its hind legs and gave out a mighty roar and Daniel ran over and hugged the great beast. “Well done,” said Trayan. “Now show me your Braer’s strengths.” The Braer had a mighty roar which he could direct, bending small trees and branches in its wake. He had his great strength and powerful claws and when he charged nothing could stand in its way. “Let me show you something,” said Trayan. He stood Braer and Daniel side by side “now concentrate,” he said, “see that tree stump some ten paces away, I want both of you to think of standing next to it, concentrate very hard.” All of a sudden Braer disappeared and reappeared next to the stump, as he did so Daniel felt a weakness come over him and he went down on one knee. Braer came over to where the boy had been standing, “Are you alright, what is the matter.” Trayan eased Daniel and Braer and said, “only when both Brannai and trainer are strong can you achieve such a fate, if you are not, the weaker will feel the effect,” even so Trayan was proud of what the boy had achieved and he saw a special bond forming between them.
TORK
The following weeks where made up of hard training for Daniel and competition for the Brannai and his trainer. Trayan worked them hard, getting the boy to identify weakness and strengths in the animals he fought and of his own Braer. Both Daniel and the Brannai went from strength to strength and now and then, in between the training, you could catch the two of them walking through the wood, talking and playing. Sometimes Braer would let Daniel ride on his back, and Daniel would climb trees and throw fruit which they would share under a tree. Altogether Daniel thought that this was the best time of his life.
One clear night as he lay under the open sky he drifted off to sleep and dreamt of his mother and the smell of the baking of fresh bread as he would return on an errand to the farm, then her smiling face as they sat together and told stories of the events of that day.
It was time to move on, they packed their camp and Daniel and Braer said farewell, for they would not meet again until they reached another arena.
Trayan told Daniel that they would head north to the village of Tork where they would pick up some provisions. Daniel asked if there were any arenas along the way to which Trayan answered, “as far I am aware no, but an arena can sometimes appear were none have been before. He said that the Brannai and the arenas are linked to the magic of the land and if the need or balance dictates it then one will appear. “Is that what happened to me?” said Daniel, “yes,” replied Trayan, “When I placed you in the care of your mother, there were no arenas in the area. Then, when I travelled down to see you because it was the sixteenth year, I felt the change in the air; it appears that the magic of the land dictated that you and your Brannai should meet earlier than expected.” Trayan looked at the boy and thought to himself, the fates were taking a hand in the boy’s life. He just hoped that it would not end the same way as his fathers.
They reached the village of Tork in good time and both Daniel and Trayan were in good spirits when they entered. Tork was a small village, though larger than Dantaal. It had the usual necessities that one of that size would have, a butchers, bakers and grocers and of course an inn where Daniel and Trayan decided to book in for the night. There were plenty of people around and quite a few of similar age to Daniel and when Trayan decided to go for provisions the boy decided to explore. It was a pleasant village and the people there were friendly, as were most people of the south of Arnorst. Daniel would politely say hello to people he passed and they would always answer back. The day was bright and warm as spring had arrived in earnest, there were buds on the trees and birds were preparing for the arrival of their new families.
Through the center of the town ran the river Lud, and as the weather was warm Daniel found that there were children swimming. They were jumping off the bank and seemed to be having a great time. He decided to himself that it looked a great idea and once he had stripped off to his breeches, he jumped in. Water held no fears for him for he was a strong swimmer, but when he entered he found that it still retained a touch of winter about it and he squealed in delight. He found the water refreshing and invigorating and it alerted all the senses in his body. Suddenly there was a great splash right next to him as someone jumped in. “bombs away,” came the cry. When the person emerged Daniel saw another boy of the same age as himself and the two started laughing. They splashed and played and took turns jumping in and out of the water until, tired out they lay down on the bank.
“I’m Ben,” said the boy, “Daniel,” replied Daniel and the two exchanged stories. “Where you from,” asked Ben.
“Dantaal,” replied Daniel. “You are a long way from home.”
“I am travelling with a friend, we are heading north.”
“I love the water, don’t you? “Ben appeared to ignore Daniels previous statement. Daniel agreed, then after a while they were interrupted by a call from nearby.
“Ben, mother says you are to come home it’s time for dinner.” Daniel and Ben turned their heads and there standing before them was a girl.
She was a pretty girl, Daniel thought, taller than him. (Although everybody his age was) with shoulder length brown hair and matching brown eyes and a clear complexion. Ben turned to Daniel, “this is my sister Emma, what’s up sis.” Emma replied but her gaze dwelled on Daniel.
“Mum says you are to come home for dinner.”
“Would you like to come?” asked Ben as he turned and faced Daniel. Daniel thought it a great idea and agreed.
Ben’s home was a modest stone house for the area although larger than Daniels. It had two rooms downstairs, a kitchen and dining room, the latter of which was set with a le at one end. The le was plainly set for four with a large bowl of stew in the middle and freshly baked bread in a wicker basket beside it. Ben sat opposite his mother, who sat at the end of the le. She was a pretty woman with auburn hair and the faintest sprinkling of freckles on her pale skin.
Daniel sat opposite Ben’s sister Emma. “Ben tells me you’re from the south,” said his mother. “What are you doing in Tork”? “Oh! I am just travelling north with my friend, we have just stopped here for provisions, this stew is great,” he said as he as he tucked in to a bowl, happy to change the conversation and the pre-occupation Emma had with him. “I saw a mark on your shoulder,” Emma said, “Strange, it looks like a paw, is it a birth mark.”
“Err yes,” replied Daniel, happy that Emma had already given him a reply. Nothing more was said of interest and the meal passed off pleasantly. Finally Daniel begged his leave and made for the inn to meet up with Trayan.
TAITU
The following morning Daniel helped Trayan with the new provisions and for his endeavors was given the task of carrying them on his back, to build up the puny muscles in his legs, Trayan had told him. The two headed out of the town and headed along a dusty path used by travelers before them. As they walked they exchanged stories of their time in Tork, Daniel told of his meeting with Ben and of the dinner at his house.
The countryside was beautiful as they passed by, the grass was taking on the green of summer and flowers were starting to bud. Trayan decided to stop for a short break and so they sat down on the grass just off the path. They unpacked some coffee for Trayan and a snack of fruit and biscuits and took in the spring sunshine.
Then the peace was broken by the emergence of a figure in the distance heading their way. Trayan noticed it first and it was the fact the old man raised his hand to look, and cover the glare of the sun that made Daniel turn his head and look as well. Slowly the figure came into view, “Emma! What are you doing here, is everything fine, Ben, your Mother?” Daniel looked worried.
“Everything’s fine,” said Emma, “it is always fine, fine and boring, that’s why I’m here. I want to go with you, I know who you are and I want some adventure to, oh don’t worry ive left a note explaining all, and anyway it’s not the first time ive ran away.”
Trayan stood and spoke in a stern voice, “That is not possible, were we are headed could be Dangerous, especially for you.”
Emma immediately became agitated, “you mean for a girl, don’t you, well let me tell you I am as good as any boy and I can prove it.”
Daniel stood and spoke directly to Emma. “Look, you can’t come were we are headed you have to be, well sort of special.”
Emma grew furious, “you mean special like this,” and she rolled up her sleeve to reveal a small paw print on her arm about the size of a penny. Trayan took his gaze away from the two teenagers and lifted his head slightly. He looked around at the fields and then he closed his eyes, he could feel a change in the air.
Daniel and Emma were now arguing and finally Emma shouted at Daniel, “right then let’s see what you have got.”
Daniel did not want to fight the girl but that was not what she had in mind. She took a few steps back from Daniel and closed her eyes. Out of the blue a large monkey appeared next to Emma. It had dense black fur and powerful arms and the most piercing blue eyes. Both Emma and the ape stared hard at Daniel.
Daniel was taken aback by the whole episode, he took several steps backwards and then looked across at Trayan. Trayan gave him the slightest of nods and then stepped to the side to watch.
Daniel closed his eyes and summoned Braer. Daniel looked at his Braer and said, “Get ready to fight.” The great beast gave a mighty roar and turned to face their opponents. Daniel turned to Braer and said “remember the Bransar, you must be ready for anything”. “Braer replied “I shall never forget”, and with that he roared into an attack.
Emma looked to the monkey, “Taitu, get ready,” and the Taitu replied, “I shall bring the lumbering beast down.”
Taitu allowed Braer to run at him and when he was close enough Braer swiped at the Taitu with its mighty claw. Taitu had anticipated the strike and had leapt high in the air and as it rolled it gave a sharp blow with its hand and caught Braer on the side of the head, then landed gracefully on the floor. Braer swiped at the ape several times each time the animal simply moved out of the way. Daniel was watching and now he recalled Braer back to him. Daniel and Braer both faced their opponents again and Daniel noted smugness on Emma’s face. He turned to Braer and said, “You know what to do.”
“You are not strong enough”, replied Braer, but Daniel was insistent and so once again Braer attacked.
He charged at Taitu, but when he was about ten paces away he vanished and re appeared beside Taitu and he struck out with his paw.
Taitu had somehow sensed where Braer would be and had picked up a loose branch on the floor and had jumped and spun in the air bringing it down on Braer’s head. Braer roared with the blow and struck out wildly with its claw, luckily catching Taitu across his chest.
Taitu stumbled back and Braer seized his chance and smashed the branch in its hand with one mighty bite. “Enough,” shouted Trayan and stepped between the two adversaries. “You have both done well now ask your Brannai to leave.”
He looked across at Daniel and Emma and calmed them both down. He called the two trainers over and sat them on the grass. “Twice the magic of this land has summoned an arena, once for Daniel and now for this girl. It seems that you are destined to join us, but know this, it has been your decision.” Then he stood and beckoned them to follow. As they walked Trayan looked to Emma and said, “Tell me how you knew an arena would appear.”
“I didn’t,” she replied, “I was just angry and I wanted to prove myself.”
Daniel interrupted them, “how do you know when you are in an arena.”
Trayan turned to Daniel as they walked along the dusty path and said, “Well, here an arena just appeared but if you think back to the time in the wood when the wolf hunted you, you say you tripped when you were running, what made you trip?” Daniel thought for a moment then answered the old man. “I tripped on a branch,” he said.
Trayan stopped walking and looked hard at the boy, “think back, what made you trip?” Daniel went back in his mind to the chase in the wood and the fright immediately built up in him. He pictured himself running through the trees clattering into branches along the way, and then suddenly he felt it, a small sharp pain in his stomach. He opened his eyes and with realization he looked at Trayan, “there was a pain in my stomach that is what made me trip,” he said.
“What you felt was the crossing of the threshold, the boundary of the arena, all trainers can feel it,” and with that he turned and walked on.
They turned and took a northwest heading, Trayan said he would like to stay in the south for a while and that it would give Emma and Daniel time to get to know one another. They walked for sometime through the meadows and fields of the south until they came across another arena, it was small and probably overlooked by most but it sought the purpose of branding Braer against Taitu for some friendly practice. Braer would cast his might and strength against the intelligence of Taitu who’s uncanny ability to know where Braer would attack was a site to behold. The two Brannai became good friends during their battles, sometimes Braer would win, sometimes Taitu, but always the foursome would laugh and make up at the end.
During one such battle, in the arena at Mills Wash, a barren marshland were Seldom grew and few wild animals could be seen, Trayan sat on a mound of dry earth overlooking them, to ponder their tactics, when far off in the distance he noticed a glint on the land, it was there for an instant, and then it went. Probably the sun reflecting on a patch of water he thought, but then it happened again. He followed the sparkle on and off as it drifted across the horizon until it happened no more. He came down from the mound and called the two trainers to him. “It is time to break camp,” he said. “I think we might head west to the town on Brien, we can pick up some more supplies there.”
BRIEN
The trio of travelers set off once more and they reached the town of Brien within three days. Daniel knew why Trayan had called it a town, it was much larger than Dantaal and Tork and it bustled with life. It had a small harbor were a ship was moored and cargo was being unloaded by hoist and tackle. The workers on the quayside sang songs as they worked pulling and lifting the loads from overseas. The whole thing was breathtaking, Daniel had never even seen the sea, and the ship was a thing of pure beauty. To begin with, they stayed close to Trayan, trusting his judgment in this strange but exciting place, as they sought a place to stay. “This will do,” said Trayan. “I’ve stayed here before, I know the landlady, Maggie, but be careful, she’ll shower you with kindness.”
They went in and sure enough coming out to greet them, was a jolly, middle-aged woman, on the plumper side of life. She recognized Trayan instantly and came running over.
“Trayan,” I’ve not seen you in years, how are ya’?” and she gave him a great hug and kiss. “Who might this be? Not yours I hope,” she said as she looked at the two teenagers. Daniel and Emma both fell instantly in love with the woman, “Come inside, I’ve got some hot stew on the stove, and you can tell me all about your travels.” She helped Daniel off with his pack and they all sat down by a blazing fire. Trayan told of his travels through the land of Arnorst, and both Daniel and Emma listened intensely.
“You still playin’ with those magical animals of yours?” said Maggie, “What they called Brunnies?” which sent Emma and Daniel into heaps of laughter. They finished telling stories and were well stocked up on helpings of the tasty stew and then after an hour or so Daniel and Emma decided to explore the town.
“Be careful!” called Trayan as they left the inn. After the children had left, Maggie brought over a tankard of ale and sat with Trayan. “So, why are you really here?” she asked. Nothing much missed old Maggie McKenzie and if you wanted to know anything about who’s who, or what’s new in town, she was the one to go and see, precisely why Trayan had come to the Ship inn in Brien.
“Tell me, have you noticed anyone new in town lately? Outsiders, particularly from the north?” asked Trayan.
Maggie noted that she hadn’t, but she had heard from other travelers that a few lone soldiers had been seen as far south as the river Godwen. “Why?” she said. “You’re not in trouble are’ ya?”
“No, not me, but the boy, he’s the son of Phillip.” And Maggie looked serious for the first time.
Daniel and Emma wandered through the streets looking through every shop along the way were they found a butchers with whole pigs hanging in the window and strings of sausages hanging around their necks. They went inside and found a small le in the corner, set for three with three little pigs stuffed and sitting in chairs, as if to eat dinner. Emma thought this hilarious, and the two laughed along with the owners. They said their farewells and moved on through the town. Daniel asked Emma to go back to the harbor so that he could take another look at the great ship.
There they listened to the men as they unloaded the ship and worked on the quayside. The whole town seemed alive with excitement and Daniel now saw why. He bent down and picked up a hand written poster that had been dropped on the floor. “Look!” he pointed out to Emma, “It say’s: Welcome to the Annual Brien festival! And look, a Brannai tournament for novice trainers.” Emma looked to Daniel and the two of them ran excitedly back through the town to see Trayan.
Trayan was still at the inn when the two rushed in. “A tournament, here!” cried Daniel, “and it says it’s for novice trainers.”
“Can we enter,” They both said together.
“It is why I brought you here,” answered Trayan, and he smiled at the two then added “We have three days to prepare; the tournament is to be held at Boggs’s Creek. We will be up early each morning to prepare, plus it will give you a chance to exercise your Brannai, and you will be able to see your competition.”
The excitement was almost too much to bear when they woke the next morning. They came running down the stairs like a couple of excited school children on their last day of school. They sat down to a breakfast of porridge that Maggie had made for them, and they gorged it down in no time at all. Trayan on the other hand, sat and ate the porridge at a more distinguished pace. Maggie had already prepared them a packed lunch each placed in a wicker basket. “Come then,” said Trayan as he stood and moved to the door, and the three said their goodbyes to Maggie and headed off to the edge of town.
They approached Boggs’s Creek from over a hill and the first thing they noticed was the temporary stand that had been built by the town’s joiners. It stood out on the east side of a roped off area surrounded by canvass flags mounted upon poles. The colors were bright and they shone in the spring sunshine.
Inside the arena, people were already gathering, there was a mixture of teenage boys and girls, and some a little older. There was a small section just before an opening in the rope, were four chairs were placed alongside an old wooden le. Four elderly men sat at the le and were taking the names of the days participants and their Brannai. Daniel and Emma both stepped up and signed their names, and then they passed through the opening in the rope. As they went through, both Daniel and Emma felt a small sharp pain in their stomachs as they crossed the threshold. Trayan told them that as they became stronger and more experienced, this pain would decrease in size.
“Such beautiful Brannai,” exclaimed Emma and she became immersed into a world of her own. All around, trainers had set up their own space and had summoned their own Brannai and were starting to put them through their paces. There was such a variety of magical animals that Emma could not contain herself. “This is why I came.” She became so caught up in the moment; she forgot to summon her Taitu as she walked around the arena looking at all the different animals. There was a wolf-life creature, silvery grey in color and with a white bushy tail, and she couldn’t believe her eyes when its trainer put it through a test attack, and it split into two, running between trees as it charged.
Further along, she noticed a beautiful bird perched on a tree stump, some paces away from where she was. It was about the size of a swan, with two extraordinary long tail feathers with what appeared to be flowers on the end. It was a truly beautiful bird standing there, stretching its pale blue wings out wide as though it was getting ready for its first flight.
Emma was aghast at the sights she was witnessing, suddenly she stopped and turned and noticed there in the distance, Daniel, she concentrated on the young man. He did not appear to take any notice of what was going on around him; instead he was talking to Braer, directing him in his attacks and defenses, helping him with how to roll out of harm’s way.
She noticed the dedication in the boy and the love he had for his Braer and she came to her senses with regards to Taitu, which she now summoned and began her own training. The training at the tournament went on for the next three days and not much was said between Emma and Daniel as Daniel continued extensive exercises on himself and his Braer. He would only stop to take instruction from Trayan, and then the morning of the tournament arrived.
They all came downstairs in good spirits and sat down to a breakfast of bacon, eggs and fresh bread prepared by Maggie. “Are you coming to watch,” said Emma as she swallowed her last piece of bacon.
“Wouldn’t miss it for the world” uttered Maggie “I’ve got tickets for the east stand next to Trayan.”
Emma and Daniel both looked at Trayan and they both spoke together “Are you not going to be with us,”
Trayan replied, “No, like the other trainers you will be on your own, but know this you must trust your Brannai as they trust you.”
All four finished their breakfast and headed out of the inn and into the streets. There was excitement at every corner, whole families with baskets full of packed lunches and children carrying carvings of their favorite Brannai were all heading in the same direction. The tournament was planned for midday and so as it was early they decided to stop off at the food market which was decked out in flags and banners. There were rice’s, chicken, spicy food and potatoes. So much choice, the people were there in numbers. There was cold ale for the men and fruit juices for the children; everyone seemed to be having fun. Even the shopkeepers had dressed up in their finest overalls and had set up displays in their shop windows.
At about 11 o’clock Trayan decided that they should head to the arena and prepare for the event. On the way Maggie said it looked like the biggest tournament so far.
“Do you have this every year,” asked Emma.
“No dear,” replied Maggie “Every five, this is my eighth.”
After that she and Trayan left for the stands which left Emma and Daniel to head for the judges le and to sign their names. They were both given their first opponents by and old judge who had graying hair, bald on top and yet tied with a pony behind his head. The man looked quite old to the children however when he spoke his voice sounded young and vibrant and he directed them to their respected waiting positions.
They were both separated and sent to a roped off waiting area. Daniel was joined by two other boys a similar age to himself. He shook their hands and wished them good luck, and he meant it. One by one they were called out by the referee, and Daniel could hear the roars of the bouts as they were played out. Daniel was excited and yet he felt extremely confident, he could see the crowd raise and cheer when something happened and he could feel an inner calmness within himself. Soon he was left standing alone, until a small overweight judge with a bald head and blushed face came up and told him to get ready as he was up next.
Daniel felt a pride rise inside him and he could feel alertness all over his body as he stepped through the rope onto the arena. Sided on the right was the east stand full of a packed and cheering crowd, in the centre was a clearing with a few bushes dotted about a patchy grassland. To the left was a wooded area with dense pine trees and about fifty paces away stood a boy?
He was facing upright and proud towards the crowds taking in all of their applause with his hands raised above his head in acknowledgement. The boy was taller than Daniel with thick wavy black hair, and a muscular physique.
A judge stepped forward dressed in fine garments and turned to face the stand. “Ladies and gentlemen” He shouted, and the crowd cheered instantly.
“On the left from the town of Dantaal we have, Daniel with his Braer, and on my right we have Joshua from Talek with his Kedra. Maggie looked to Trayan “What is a Kedra.”
“A Kedra is a magnificent beast similar to a wolf yet larger in size, it has great speed and powerful jaws, one Kedra is a terrifying sight as it runs towards you, but it has a trick up its sleeve which you must prepare yourself for when the bout begins.”
The judge then turned and faced the trainers “Gentlemen” He cried, “Summon your Brannai!!” As the two beasts appeared the crowd wooed and cheered and small children who stood at the side were put on their fathers shoulders for a better view. “On the count of three you may begin.”
Daniel looked at Braer “Be ready my friend,”
Braer looked back to Daniel and replied “I am always ready.”
One! Two! Three!
The Wolf set off and the ground was churned high in the air as it sped off, and it made straight for the centre where Daniel was standing.
Braer let out a mighty roar and met the Kedra with a charge of his own. When the two adversaries where half distance something strange happened.
The wolf howled as it ran and then quite suddenly a mist formed around it, hiding its form and out of the mist shot a patch of bright light that dispersed the mist and from there shot two wolves, one took the left flank and the other took the right.
This made Braer stall but Daniel Immediately took charge.
“Braer” He cried,
“Face the one on the left and charge at him.”
Braer did so and the wolf to the right closed in. But Braer was swift and he reached the wolf on the left before its partner could help.
The wolf pounced high in the air.
Braer stood on its hind legs, roared and then gave a mighty swipe, catching the animal on the side of his head sending it reeling to the floor. Then he turned and faced its mate and roared, the force of the roar was such that it sent it the beast tumbling backwards.
The wolf rolled and when it stood up it cowered and whimpered like a common dog. Then it simply vanished in a shower of silver. The crowd cheered wildly and Daniel and Braer took it all in, round one was theirs.
Emma too had progressed to the next round. She had faced a flowertail, a large Swan like bird which had soared overhead, its magnificent pale blue wings spread as wide as an eagle’s. There had been a loud crack! And the bird had snapped its tail like a whip releasing a shower of spores down to where Taitu had stood. Taitu had anticipated the attack and in the shower of spores that fell he had quickly rolled and moved to the trees. It climbed up and out to one of the far branches as the great bird turned in its flight. Taitu had then bent one of the branches and when the bird had flew past it released the branch smashing it in its side causing it to crash to the ground where it disappeared in a shower of silver.
The two friends fought twice more, each defeating their opponents, until in the early evening of that spring day; they faced each other in the final of the tournament, outside the town of Brien.
Braer stood to one side of the area, powerful, strong and majestic. On the other was Taitu, focused yet intelligent and sublime. The trainers stood either end of the great arena. Daniel, contemplated the battle ahead, and yet he felt quietly confident as his Braer simply stood, silently beside him.
Emma had tied her hair back in a pony and had rolled her sleeves three quarters of the way up her arm. She stood nervously next to her Taitu and felt the butterflies in her stomach. The crowd shouted and cheered as the old judge with the ponytail appeared on a rostrum. He raised both his arms aloft and waved them down to quell the noise of the crowd. Then he took a loudspeaker and introduced the final event of the day.