***

Chapter 15:

Val

***

Before the crack of a new day, dozens of boats dotted the water. It was peak season when tens of thousands of fish migrated to the waters. It was no coincidence that the small fish would be active. They came for rich plankton that blossomed on the water bottom two times a year. While the fish feasted the fishermen set their nets, knowing that they would be full in minutes.

Most of the fishermen weren’t built for pulling such weighted nets onto the shore. But the money they would make from their catch made their backache easier to live with.

Each year the fishermen pooled their money together and spent it on improving the village. This year they aimed to have enough to build one or two better houses. But with taxes steadily increasing annually, it was difficult to plan too far ahead.

Nevertheless, the men of the village enthusiastically rode their boats to shore and dragged their nets in. Rajul was one of them, straining to reel in his catch only this time he had Aiden’s help.

They loaded the old man’s wagon down with more and more fish.

“Hey, Rajul!” one of the fishermen yelled, standing and waving a ways away. “Send Aiden my way when you’re done, wouldja?”

Aiden smiled and waved to the fisherman. “I’ll be over in a few minutes!”

“Thanks, Aiden,” Rajul said, securing the tailgate of the wagon. “You’re a big help!”

“I couldn’t stay in that house and let you all work yourselves to death out here.” Aiden climbed onto the wagon and helped the old man up. “Do you want me to drive?”

“Sit back, take it easy. We go to the docks and unload. Maybe catch some more fish before the day’s over.”

“Okay. Where’s all of this going, anyway?”

“I don’t know where it’s going after it leaves the docks here, but I heard that it'll end up in Parigrah, the Ahrmanian capital.”

“Oh..?” Suddenly Aiden didn’t feel as enthusiastic about helping. Whenever he thinks of Ahrmania, the man that killed Quinn popped into his mind.

Rajul turned to Aiden with a wide smile on his face. “It’s a good day to fish!”

Seeing how pleased Rajul was lightened Aiden’s perspective. “It is,” he smiled back.

***

Later that evening all of the fishermen had retired for the day. The reservoir was quiet again.

Aiden sat by the water, admiring the calm sunset. There were more bright orange and red hues in the sky here than there was during Khalm twilights. Despite being on the same continent, everything was different here. The air, the living conditions, even the food tasted different.

Aiden laid back and watched the sky darken. Was Mister Laul looking for him? Did he miss him at all? Was it safe to go back to Khalm?

Was he safe anywhere?

He sprung back up. If people like the Ahrman from Khalm would always be after him, he had to learn how to defend himself. And he had the means to do so.

Aiden raised his hands towards the water. Farah said he created a Rebirth. Rajul saw them floating around his body. Each time he wasn’t in control.

He had to learn how to control it, no matter how frightened he was of it.

If the power of Rebirths flowed through him, it should be easy to summon it. He focused on the water for minutes, expecting something, anything to happen.

Nothing. Not even a blip of light in his palms.

Aiden fell back. “Like I’d know how to control them anyway,” he sighed.

“Aiden?” Rajul called. He stood a ways behind Aiden. Probably too tired from fishing to walk very far.

Aiden turned to the old man. “Yeah?”

“Come inside. Raima has food ready!”

“What are we eating?”

“Fish! What else?”

Aiden frowned. “I’m coming...”

***

Life was a struggle here, but the little village was growing on Aiden. The people worked hard and got along well. They even looked out for one another.

Aiden especially admired how content Raima and Rajul appeared to be in spite of it all. They were all smiles as they sat and watched him split wood with an ax.

“How long have you two been married?” Aiden asked, picking up another log.

“Who said anything about being married?” Rajul snickered.

Raima slapped his hand. “Tsk. Hush,” she insisted.

“Oh, I see,” Aiden giggled.

“Do you have someone, too?” Raima inquired. “A lady friend back where you come from?”

“Uh..no, no,” Aiden said, his cheeks turning red. “There weren't any girls close to my age in Khalm. So, uh, no...”

“What about the fancy lady?” asked Rajul.

“Fancy lady?”

“I forgot to tell you, didn’t I?” Rajul said. He turned his attention to the mountain path. When his demeanor suddenly changed, Aiden stopped and took notice.

“Someone’s coming down the mountain path,” Rajul said, assisting Raima up on her feet.

Aiden looked up the path. A young-looking Ahrman was approaching. The youngest one he’d seen before. As he got closer his light armor and hair were unmistakable.

“Tsk. Never seen him before,” said Raima.

“Quick, back to the house,” Rajul urged the old woman.

“No need to leave on my account,” said the Ahrman. He looked Aiden up and down. “I’m just here for whatshisface.”

“My name is Aiden. What do you want?”

“Were you not listening?”

“What do you want with Aiden?” Rajul inquired.

“I don’t. Lieutenant Alba has invited him to brunch.”

“I’m not interested,” said Aiden.

“I told him you’d say that.” The Ahrman lifted his right hand. Water started seeping through cracks in the ground. It continued to rise in the village, quickly reaching the lower hinge of exterior doors. “And I told him I’d kill everyone when you did.”

“Stop that!” Aiden said, watching as the waters continued to swallow up the village.

“I’m not finished.”

“I’ll go with you! I’ll go, just stop. Don’t hurt anyone.”

The water receded back into the ground swiftly. The Ahrman stepped aside. “You first.”

Aiden reluctantly complied.

“Aiden...?” Rajul said with concern in his voice. Aiden didn’t look back as he followed the narrow staircase.

“People. It’s just brunch, not the end of the world,” the Ahrman said as he followed Aiden up the path. Halfway to their destination he turned to Aiden and confessed. "I lied. There's no brunch. But my name is Val, and that's the truth."

Val extended his hand expecting a handshake. Aiden put his hands in his pockets instead. "How do you control that rune?" he asked.

"It's simple. I just think of something and the Rebirth does the rest." Val tapped Aiden on his shoulder. "Hold on a second. I'll show you."

Val turned to the ocean as it met the horizon. He pointed to a group of seabirds perched on a rock that protruded from the water. Suddenly one of the birds was surrounded by water. As it attempted to fly away with the others, it was entrapped.

"See? It's easy," Val bragged, as the ball of water quickly filled. "Can you believe I've only been using this thing for a week?"

"You don't have to kill it," Aiden urged.

"It's just a bird," Val said. He waved his hand, displacing the water around the animal. "You're no fun at all."

Val nudged Aiden forward. "Let's go. Alba's expecting us."