Read Online The New World (The Last Delar) by Matthew Cousineau - Free Book Online
Authors: Matthew Cousineau
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not going to lie to you." Ven looks up at his father with a puzzled look in his eyes. "Today we had a meeting in the Great Hall about an enemy that will be coming here tomorrow." Ven is shocked to hear his father talk to him about important things. "You see Ven, if tomorrow does not go well, I may have to leave for a while and help protect the city. When I am gone, or if anything happens to me, you will be the oldest male. You will have to take care of the family." Ven freezes in his chair. His head begins to spin and his eyes tear.
"But, Father, I am only a youngling. What can I do if you do not come back? I am not strong and big like you."
Black Claw smiles at his son, "I was once young and small too . . . but I had to prove myself, and one day so will you. I am proud of you son, and I will not worry about my family's safety if you promise to take care of them."
Ven speaks as tears slide down his face, "I will do what you say, Father. I promise."
"I know you will . . . Now help me pack my things."
They get up both get up and walk into Black Claw's room. Together they open a chest in the corner where Black Claw's armor, fighting claws, and the helmet of Eel reside. When Ven sees his father's armor, he can only think about getting his own helmet from the unspeakable. He knows it will anger his father if he sneaks out, but all he can think of is his father's words about protecting his family.
"Son, tomorrow I do not want you and your cousin going to your fort . . . there will be a curfew in effect, and I do not want my son getting into trouble for breaking it. Also, I heard about your little scuffle with Dark Water's son, Stripes. I would like it if you try to get along with him and the other younglings, and stop spending so much time with your cousin."
Ven looks up angrily and tries to control his voice, "What?! Why? He is your brother's son and my best friend."
His father breathes deeply, "I know that. It was Dirty Hands who told your mother what happened. I just don't see why you can't get along with the other younglings."
"Taeau is family and not a stinking dung-sniffer like Stripes."
"Look, son, I am just trying to make it easier on you. If you want to be something important one day you need to gain the respect of the other younglings. Think about it." Black Claw taps Ven on the head and leaves. Ven stays in the room staring at the floor. He knows what his father says is true. He also remembers the lessons of loyalty and honor his father taught him, and the thought of betraying Taeau turns his stomach. Ven punches the floor and decides he must sneak out and meet Taeau, so he can get his hands on the helmet and come home and protect his mother and siblings.
---
Taeau creeps up to the family hut, and Carn begins to bark.
"Sshhh! boy, you'll wake them and get me in trouble!"
But it is too late, because his mother's silhouette becomes visible in the doorway.
"Trouble you are already in. Now get inside," she says, glaring down at her son. Taeau scampers inside and sits on the floor. His mother joins him, and they both sit staring at each other. "Well, what time did I tell you to be home tonight? Do you think you can just do what you want? Not to mention all that is going on in the city. You are lucky your father is already asleep, or I would tell him to take you into the woods, find a switch, and use it on your backside. Taeau looks up and begins to shift back and forth uncomfortably. His mother sees this, and a small smile crosses her face. "Well, since your father is asleep, we will keep your misbehavior to ourselves, okay?" Taeau smiles. "Give your mom a hug before bed. Your father will be going to that big meeting tomorrow, so be up early to do your chores and say goodbye."
"Yes, mother . . . Ahh? I love you." Taeau gives his mother a hug and stays in her lap.
Meadow sings to her son until his eyes roll back, and he enters the dream world. Once he is asleep,
"But, Father, I am only a youngling. What can I do if you do not come back? I am not strong and big like you."
Black Claw smiles at his son, "I was once young and small too . . . but I had to prove myself, and one day so will you. I am proud of you son, and I will not worry about my family's safety if you promise to take care of them."
Ven speaks as tears slide down his face, "I will do what you say, Father. I promise."
"I know you will . . . Now help me pack my things."
They get up both get up and walk into Black Claw's room. Together they open a chest in the corner where Black Claw's armor, fighting claws, and the helmet of Eel reside. When Ven sees his father's armor, he can only think about getting his own helmet from the unspeakable. He knows it will anger his father if he sneaks out, but all he can think of is his father's words about protecting his family.
"Son, tomorrow I do not want you and your cousin going to your fort . . . there will be a curfew in effect, and I do not want my son getting into trouble for breaking it. Also, I heard about your little scuffle with Dark Water's son, Stripes. I would like it if you try to get along with him and the other younglings, and stop spending so much time with your cousin."
Ven looks up angrily and tries to control his voice, "What?! Why? He is your brother's son and my best friend."
His father breathes deeply, "I know that. It was Dirty Hands who told your mother what happened. I just don't see why you can't get along with the other younglings."
"Taeau is family and not a stinking dung-sniffer like Stripes."
"Look, son, I am just trying to make it easier on you. If you want to be something important one day you need to gain the respect of the other younglings. Think about it." Black Claw taps Ven on the head and leaves. Ven stays in the room staring at the floor. He knows what his father says is true. He also remembers the lessons of loyalty and honor his father taught him, and the thought of betraying Taeau turns his stomach. Ven punches the floor and decides he must sneak out and meet Taeau, so he can get his hands on the helmet and come home and protect his mother and siblings.
---
Taeau creeps up to the family hut, and Carn begins to bark.
"Sshhh! boy, you'll wake them and get me in trouble!"
But it is too late, because his mother's silhouette becomes visible in the doorway.
"Trouble you are already in. Now get inside," she says, glaring down at her son. Taeau scampers inside and sits on the floor. His mother joins him, and they both sit staring at each other. "Well, what time did I tell you to be home tonight? Do you think you can just do what you want? Not to mention all that is going on in the city. You are lucky your father is already asleep, or I would tell him to take you into the woods, find a switch, and use it on your backside. Taeau looks up and begins to shift back and forth uncomfortably. His mother sees this, and a small smile crosses her face. "Well, since your father is asleep, we will keep your misbehavior to ourselves, okay?" Taeau smiles. "Give your mom a hug before bed. Your father will be going to that big meeting tomorrow, so be up early to do your chores and say goodbye."
"Yes, mother . . . Ahh? I love you." Taeau gives his mother a hug and stays in her lap.
Meadow sings to her son until his eyes roll back, and he enters the dream world. Once he is asleep,
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