Scepter
Scepter ~ Book I
By
Scott L. Collins
Copyright © 2012 Scott L. Collins
All Rights Reserved.
This book may not be reproduced, transmitted, or stored in whole or in part by any means, including graphic, electronic, or mechanical without the express written consent of the publisher except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.
This is a work of fiction. The events and characters described herein are imaginary and are not intended to refer to specific places or living persons. The opinions expressed in this manuscript are solely the opinions of the author and do not represent the opinions or thoughts of the publisher. The author has represented and warranted full ownership and/or legal right to publish all the materials in this book.
Dedication
First to my readers, who give me the courage to wear my heart, or imagination, on my sleeve for the world to see.
To my wife, my beautiful bride, who first inspired me to put my stories down on paper. It was you who kicked open the door to my mind and convinced me that others would enjoy a look inside.
And to my two beautiful and wonderful boys, the inspirations for this book, who fill my days with laughter. I hope this book gives you the same joy you give to me every day.
Acknowledgments
I’d like to extend my thanks to those who helped make this book possible. First, to my two beta-readers, Bekki McQueen and Gary Collins, thank you for pointing out what worked and what didn’t. To my fans who have been such a wonderful source of character names. Last, but certainly not least, to my editor, Shelley Holloway, who did such a wonderful job of polishing my manuscript up to a high shine. Thank you all so much for your contributions! Without you, Scepter would never have been published.
Table of Contents
Chapter 1 – Waiting
Chapter 2 – Tales
Chapter 3 – Aidan's Denial
Chapter 4 – Introductions
Chapter 5 – Preparations
Chapter 6 – The Journey Begins
Chapter 7 – Wake Up Call
Chapter 8 – A Tough Road Ahead
Chapter 9 – Hurry
Chapter 10 – An Early Arrival
Chapter 11 – Reunited
Chapter 12 – A Bold Decision
Chapter 13 – A Cold Welcome Home
Chapter 14 – A Time For Healing
Chapter 15 – The Hunt Is On
Chapter 16 – Wet Dog
Chapter 17 – Back to Work
Chapter 18 – Making Friends
Chapter 19 – Near Death
Chapter 20 – Night Journey
Chapter 21 – Get Moving
Chapter 22 – Try Again
Chapter 23 – A Pivotal Battle
Chapter 24 – A Fairy Party
About the Author
Chapter 1
Waiting
They were coming. Argyle’s men weren’t here yet, but Daniel knew they were coming. Actually, he was surprised they hadn’t shown up already. Pulling the deerskin coat closer around his shoulders, he sat in a chair by the fire and watched the flames dance slowly and methodically over the dry logs and sticks. The house was dark and quiet except for the crackles and pops from the fireplace, yet his heart raced.
He’d been waiting, waiting for them to arrive. He was sick with dread knowing they were coming, coming for him this time. They would take him, and Aidan would be left alone. Knowing this was to be their last day together, Daniel had tried to make it as normal as possible for his younger brother. He hadn’t even mentioned his birthday, his fourteenth birthday. Until a few years ago, that wouldn’t have had a great significance. Times change. Now, fourteen years of age was when they came and took you.
Tears fell silently down Daniel’s cheeks at the thought of leaving, of being dragged from his home, never to see his brother again. His chest ached as he tried to stifle the sobs building up inside of him. It had been bad enough when their parents were taken to the slave camps and he and his brother had been left to fend for themselves. Now Daniel was to be taken, and he feared for how Aidan would survive on his own.
Aidan was only eleven and would now be alone. Though they both knew how to collect food and water and the like, who would take care of Aidan if he got sick or injured? Ever since their parents had been taken, they’d been there to take care of one another when the need arose. They’d never really searched out neighbors, keeping mostly to themselves instead, relying on their own skills and knowledge. While it had been the easy thing to do at the time, Daniel now questioned the logic of isolating themselves so thoroughly.
There was nothing he could do about that now. It was too late. He’d failed his brother like he’d failed his parents. Fresh sobs rose in his chest. Daniel tried to be quiet as he wept, being careful not to wake his younger brother, but a few strangled cries escaped his lips anyway as he fought to ignore his breaking heart.
Aidan, for some reason, had retired to bed unusually early. Daniel wondered what he’d been up to. He’d acted strangely all day, speaking very little to Daniel and seeming to avoid eye contact with him. While Daniel knew Aidan was having a difficult time with what was to come, he’d hoped their last few days together would be happy ones, something to look back on with fondness after being taken away. Instead, he felt almost completely ignored by his younger brother. Aidan had spent most of the last week off in the woods somewhere, leaving the house early in the morning and not returning until well after dark. Even then, he usually just grabbed a bite to eat and went to bed, giving Daniel little more than a grunt of acknowledgment before he disappeared into his bedroom.
Daniel thought about how much he would miss his younger brother and wished he’d been able to spend more time with him over the last few days—that Aidan had been around the last few days to spend time with. That time was now lost, and the only thing the future held was a life of slavery in Argyle’s mines. Pulling his feet up to his chest and wrapping himself even tighter in his coat, Daniel finally cried himself into exhaustion and slumped back into his chair, the need for sleep overcoming his fear of what lay ahead.
A sound outside startled him awake. Rubbing the salty remains of tears from his eyes and dropping his coat from around his shoulders, Daniel rose and moved quickly around the supper table to the front door and looked out. There was nothing to see but the dark forest that surrounded their modest house. No voices heard, no torches visible in the surrounding trees or further out on the rising hills. Not yet. Only the moon pierced the blackness of the night that closed in on Daniel.
A scratch on the roof made him jump, and Daniel stepped outside to see what was making the noise. A fat raccoon froze and stared at him for a moment before continuing across the roof and jumping to a nearby branch that crowded the corner of the house. The animal waddled cautiously along the branch before disappearing into the leaves. Daniel turned his gaze toward the path that ran from the house and disappeared into the shadows of the forest and shuddered.
He could run, but that wouldn’t do any good. If they showed up and he was gone, Aidan would be punished. He couldn’t—wouldn’t—allow his brother to be hurt because of his own cowardice. “I won’t run from you,” Daniel muttered to the empty woods.
Scowling, he shuffled back inside and eased the door shut. He ran his fingers over his short, dark brown hair and stretched his aching neck from side to side as he made his way back to his chair. Daniel collapsed into it, emotionally drained from a long day of worry and fear. He covered himself once again with his coat and shifted uncomfortably before settling in. Falling into a fitful sleep, his dreams were filled with violent visions of the past.
Chapter 2
Tales
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