Chapter 4: Little friends

Peace woke early a fair while before the sun showed it's face. Her spirit was more settled in the early darkness than it had been in the former late darkness. She was still fairly upset and unsure of the road ahead. The worst part was she knew that it would only get worse. The closer she got to her former home the more she would recognize, the more she would remember. How long ago it had been, and yet those memories still came to her as clear as a well polished blade. They cut like one too. Yes there had been a few happy memories, but more common were ones of desperation, defeat, defilement, betrayal, and all other such things through which no one should have to suffer. They had suffered through them all, her and her brothers that is. Justice and Zeal, her twin brothers, had been there through it all. Always watching out for her. When they were old enough they went off to find work, bringing Peace with them so she was close enough that they could keep an eye on her. Then had come the chance for her to move to a better land, the one she had been living in for the past twenty years. The offer was only open for one person though. Her brothers told her to take it, nearly forced her to. She hadn't wanted to, but they believed it was for the best, and for her it had been.
Peace only wondered how it had been for her brothers. How had they fared? Most importantly, were they even still alive? Peace shuddered at the thought of them being gone, but kept in the back of her mind that it was well within the realm of probability that they hadn't survived.
Peace shook off the thought and pulled herself out of bed. She hurried to gather up her meager supplies and head out the door. She had slept in her clothes, that had become a habit ever since her childhood. She was glad that her internal clock was still working, since it allowed her to get an early start. She dropped the room key on the counter on her way by and headed out to the stables. The morning air was chilly and slightly damp, but it felt refreshing. Darkstar was waiting somewhat patiently for her. No matter how early she woke he always seemed to be awake before her. Peace quietly entered the small shed where the saddles were stored and turned to collect hers. She smiled as she saw little Yevish sleeping soundly, right atop her saddle. She shook her head and bent down, gently shaking the young boy. Yevish woke and looked at her, wiping the sleepers from his eyes.
"Morning sir. How did you sleep last night?" Yevish questioned cheerily as he stood up.
"Quite well young sir. How did you sleep?" Peace questioned in a friendly manner as she picked up her saddle and head back to the stables.
"Very well. Your saddle is most comfortable sir." Suddenly he stopped and looked down. "I hope you don't mind."
Peace turned and looked back at him "Not at all young sir. You did very well taking care of my horse, and it certainly didn't hurt my saddle at all. Though I must ask, is there not a small quarter here for you. Generally stable hands have someplace to sleep."
Yevish walked over to Darkstar along with Peace before he responded. "No sir, little Yevish doesn't have a place to sleep. The master don't like me much. Not really at all, so he makes me sleep out here. It kinda stinks, and 'tis not very warm, but it's better than suffer under the master's mean words and beatings."
"Did he beat you when you tried to stay inside?" Peace asked as she finished brushing Darkstar.
"Yessir. He did." Yevish looked back down at his feet.
Peace kneeled down and lifted the ten-year-old's chin. "Yevish, be honest with me, was there another reason you choose my saddle to sleep on?"
Peace released his chin as he nodded. "Yes sir." He looked to the side somewhat ashamedly, then leaned close and spoke in a whisper. "You were so kind to me sir, and you helped me, and well, no one's ever treated me like that before, and I just thought, that maybe...maybe..."
"Maybe what child?"
Yevish looked up and held Peace's gaze. A fire had sprung into his young eyes. "Maybe you would take me with you. Away from this awful place. I mean I know this isn't the worst place in this land. But I heard that you came from across the great desert and surely, even if not soon, you'd be returning that way. I've heard that there is a wonderful land across the desert and I just thought that maybe you came from there, and just possibly you could take me back there, with you."
Peace studied the child for a while longer. He was like so many others, alone and abused in a world that didn't care. He was strong in mind and spirit though and could learn much, if someone would just teach him. Peace prayed in her mind, asking advice from her heavenly father. This was not a little decision. It was a choice which would place another life in her care. She would have to watch him, teach him, protect him. It would make mission more difficult, but perhaps not. This child lived in the land, he would know recent news, and certainly the recent heroes. He might prove a good friend and useful resource. Peace searched her heart and mind, leaning upon her heavenly Lord's advice.
After a few more moments she had made her decision. "It's not going to be an easy road. I've come on a mission for the country across the desert. I have to complete it before I return. My land is in need of help, my people are being oppressed by powerful enemy. I must find someone who can help us. But if you are willing to journey with me, to learn, to listen, I will take you."
Yevish thought for a moment. He was a smart boy and he understood the decision he was about to make. He looked back at Peace. "I'm willing. I want to go, no matter how hard it is. I want to learn. You carry weapons and look like a warrior. Can you teach me that?"
"That and much more. If you are sure, then I suggest you gather what you have. We will start as soon as Darkstar is ready."
Yevish nodded and ran back to the shed. Peace stood and saddled Darkstar. He had eaten and drunk while she and Yevish were talking. Peace strapped her pack on behind the saddle and made sure everything was tight and ready. A moment later Yevish reemerged with a small bundle. Peace took it and strapped it on beside everything else. She then boosted Yevish up onto the saddle and jumped up behind him. Peace reigned Darkstar out of the stable and on down the dirt road leading to the gate. The first rays of the sun were beginning to show.
When they reached the gate the gatekeeper was asleep, just as Peace had predicted, but he was not hard to wake and soon the pair was out on the open wastes again riding towards the inner lands.
Peace smiled to herself as Yevish started to hum a tune. She reached down and gently hugged the boy, leaning close. "You know, if we're going to be traveling together I must tell you something." She paused for a moment as Yevish looked up and stopped humming. "I'm not a man."
Yevish smiled, "I didn't think you were, you just didn't act quite right."
"I shall have to work on that, for this little fact is just between you and me. We must keep everyone else thinking that I am a man. Good?"
"Good. I help you act more like a man."
"Thank you. Perhaps you could help me think of a temporary name also."
Yevish nodded excitedly. "Little Yevish knows lots of names."
"Good, very good." Peace sat back up and grabbed the reigns with both hands again.
"What's your real name." Yevish looked up at her.
"Peace, Peace Dayspring."
"'Tis a pretty name sir, but certainly not a mans." The child looked out over the brightening wastes as he thought. "How does... Kload Reveille?"
"Reveille, isn't that a bugle call?"
Yevish smiled and nodded, "Exactly, you're the bugle call for my new life."
Peace laughed at the child's idea. "Kload Reveille, I like it."
"Good, it fits you, Kload." Yevish and Peace laughed together as the sun finally rose up over the distant hills.