Firstborn

by Mufasa

Background
"Firstborn" are human, but they are more. They have no knowledge of why, or how, but near age twenty or so, they experience the "becoming," when their aging process becomes nearly imperceptible.

As morning approached, Allan stepping back into the boat shook her awake. “Tide will be under us in a bit, lass. Best be finding a spot around the way there to do your business, and we can be out again.”

Kala stood and stretched, hurting everywhere, her mouth as dry as sand.

“We'll be ready when you return,” Allan said. “Our boy, Robert has already headed in the other direction.”

She stepped off the boat into ankle-deep water and made her way around the rock slide and massive boulder. The sun warmed her back as she waded. A small starfish caught her attention, she picked it up and turned it over as she moved onto the beach, smiling at the hundreds of undulating feet. Directly in front of her, a horse snorted loudly and shook it's head. It shocked Kala so badly that she stumbled backwards into the boulder. She then noticed what was atop the huge horse and screamed.

Allan, still in the boat, slammed his head into the beam and fell into the shallow water. Robert heard Kala's scream as well, and bolted back up the beach strand. His thoughts raced as he ran. What if the raiders caught us? What can I do? I'd rather die than see her taken. So be it, he told himself.

Allan ran as best he could for a man of his age and ailments, not knowing what he would do when he rounded the corner and saw God-knew-what. What he saw was not what he expected. Kala was backed against the rock fall, and in front of her was a man on a war horse. His helm was strapped to his pommel, and Allan saw two swords and as many knives strapped to locations on the animal.

Kala held a rock in one hand and supported herself with the other. She was shaking badly and clearly in a panic. The man sat motionless. He seemed to study Kala and then Allan, and Robert as well as he arrived and slid to a falling halt in the sand. The man pulled back on the reins and the horse responded instantly, backing away from the three people in front of him. The big horse never took his eyes from them. Allan decided to take a chance.

“Sir, we apologize if we trespassed. If you'll see fit ta' allow us, we'll be gone wit' the incoming tide.”

The stranger made no reply at first, until Kala hefted the rock. He looked at her squarely. His eyes were calm but held the menace of quick, deadly, violence. “If you injure my horse with that rock, your morning shall end badly.”

His voice was not harsh, and had a local accent. He was, Allan guessed, at least thirteen stone--perhaps fourteen. His gear was well cared for, and his garments were clean. This meant he was probably not a raider of any sort. Allan noted all of this.

The man turned his gaze to Allan. “Why are you here?” Allan was caught off guard and bungled the response, glancing toward Kala.

The horseman shifted in the saddle, leaning forward. “What chases you.”

“Not, uhh... us,” Allan responded, “her.”

The horseman looked back to Kala, and seemed to come to a decision. He reined back a few more paces and slid smoothly off the saddle. He appeared much taller standing on the ground. The man moved toward Allan and Robert, patting the horse’s jaw as he approached. The horse kept pace, never taking his eyes from the people in front of him. Stopping only paces from the two, the stranger spoke again. “What chases... her?” A slight nod in Kala's direction.

“We need no permission to land for water and rest, especially from a highwayman.” Kala's voice sounded strained in her attempt to show bravery. She slowly lowered the stone to her side.

“Kala,” Allan said calmly, “this is no highwayman or any odder' sort o' lout. This man is a soldier, and I suspect a seasoned one at that.”

“Now that we have established that, what chases this... woman?”

“I have a name,” Kala nearly shouted.

“Noted, and unimportant,” the man replied.

“We're headed south, as far from the Gap as possible, as quickly as possible,” Allan explained. “We were tryin' ta' spot either friendly encampments or King Offa's forces along the coast.”

“Raiders?”

Allan nodded.

“You've arrived then,” the stranger said. “You are safe here. Offa's fortress is less than two days from here. His men patrol this area at all times.”

“How do we know you are not lying?” Kala blustered, stepping away from the fall.

“Because if I were not offering safety we would not be having this conversation.” The man only glanced at Kala as he spoke. “If you need to attend to morning duties, I suggest you be about it.”

Kala reddened at the order. It was an order in her eyes, at least. “And I suggest that you speak to me with greater care–soldier, or whatever you–what is your name so that I may address you?”

“It is of no importance.”

Allan thought and then spoke again, but carefully. “Uh, what may I call you to thank ya' for your service, if ya' please, sir?”

The horseman adjusted his heavy leather vest and glanced at Kala before speaking.

“You may call me Meridian.”

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This is chapter two of the ongoing saga, "Firstborn." The opening chapter can be read from my portfolio.
It's far too long to post every chapter, and I don't believe it would be conducive to this site. I'll try to put it into sequence so that it will still appear as a flowing story. Difficult - due to the great spans of time the main characters have manage to survive.
Cheers - MD

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What if time no longer mattered?

A chapter in the book Firstborn

Firstborn

by Mufasa

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