A Quest of Heroes. Morgan Rice

arrive.”

      His father, done with him, turned back to his brothers, who all stood in the road looking out.

      “Do you think they’ll choose us?” asked Durs, the youngest of the three, a full three years ahead of Thor.

      “They’d be foolish not to,” his father said. “They are short on men this year. It has been a slim cropping – or else they wouldn’t bother coming. Just stand straight, the three of you, keep your chins up and chests out. Do not look them directly in the eye, but do not look away, either. Be strong and confident. Show no weakness. If you want to be in the King’s Legion, you must act as if you’re already in it.”

      “Yes, Father,” his three boys answered at once, getting into position.

      He turned and glared back at Thor.

      “What are you still doing there?” he asked. “Get inside!”

      Thor stood there, torn. He didn’t want to disobey his father, but he had to speak with him. His heart pounded as he debated. He decided it would be best to obey, to bring the swords, and then confront his father. Disobeying outright wouldn’t help.

      Thor raced into the house, out through the back and to the weapons shed. He found his brothers’ three swords, objects of beauty all of them, crowned with the finest silver hilts, precious gifts for which his father had toiled years. He grabbed all three, surprised as always at their weight, and ran back through the house with them.

      He sprinted to his brothers, handed each a sword, then turned to his father.

      “What, no polish?” Drake said.

      His father turned to him disapprovingly, but before he could say anything, Thor spoke up.

      “Father, please. I need to speak with you!”

      “I told you to polish – ”

      “Please, Father!”

      His father glared back, debating. He must have seen the seriousness on Thor’s face, because finally, he said, “Well?”

      “I want to be considered. With the others. For the Legion.”

      His brothers’ laughter rose up behind him, making his face burn red.

      But his father did not laugh; on the contrary, his scowl deepened.

      “Do you?” he asked.

      Thor nodded back vigorously.

      “I’m fourteen. I’m eligible.”

      “The cutoff is fourteen,” Drake said disparagingly, over his shoulder. “If they took you, you’d be the youngest. Do you think they’d choose you over someone like me, five years your elder?”

      “You are insolent,” Durs said. “You always have been.”

      Thor turned to them. “I’m not asking you,” he said.

      He turned back to his father, who still frowned.

      “Father, please,” he said. “Allow me a chance. That’s all I ask. I know I’m young, but I will prove myself, over time.”

      His father shook his head.

      “You’re not a soldier, boy. You’re not like your brothers. You’re a herder. Your life is here. With me. You will do your duties and do them well. One should not dream too high. Embrace your life, and learn to love it.”

      Thor felt his heart breaking as he saw his life collapsing before his eyes.

      No, he thought. This can’t be.

      “But Father – ”

      “Silence!” he shrieked, so shrill it cut the air. “Enough with you. Here they come. Get out of the way, and best mind your manners while they’re here.”

      His father stepped up and with one hand pushed Thor to the side, as if he were an object he’d rather not see. His beefy palm stung Thor’s chest.

      A great rumbling arose, and townsfolk poured out from their homes, lining the streets. A growing cloud of dust heralded the caravan, and moments later they arrived, a dozen horse-drawn carriages, with a noise like great thunder.

      They came into town like a sudden army, halting close to Thor’s home. Their horses, pranced in place, snorting. It took a long time for the cloud of dust to settle, and Thor anxiously tried to steal a peek at their armor, their weaponry. He had never been this close to the Silver before, and his heart thumped.

      The soldier on the lead stallion dismounted. Here he was, a real, actual member of the Silver, covered in shiny ring mail, a long sword on his belt. He looked to be in his thirties, a real man, stubble on his face, scars on his cheek, and a nose crooked from battle. He was the most substantial man Thor had ever seen, twice as wide as the others, with a countenance that said he was in charge.

      The soldier jumped down onto the dirt road, his spurs jingling as he approached the lineup of boys.

      Up and down the village dozens of boys stood at attention, hoping. Joining the Silver meant a life of honor, of battle, of renown, of glory – along with land, title, and riches. It meant the best bride, the choicest land, a life of glory. It meant honor for your family, and entering the Legion was the first step.

      Thor studied the large, golden carriages, and knew they could only hold so many recruits. It was a large kingdom, and they had many towns to visit. He gulped, realizing his chances were even more remote than he thought. He would have to beat out all these other boys – many of them substantial fighters – along with his own three brothers. He had a sinking feeling.

      Thor could hardly breathe as the soldier paced in silence, surveying the rows of hopefuls. He began on the far side of the street, then slowly circled. Thor knew all the other boys, of course. He also knew some of them secretly did not want to be picked, even though their families wanted to send them off. They were afraid; they would make poor soldiers.

      Thor burned with indignity. He felt he deserved to be picked as much as any of them. Just because his brothers were older and bigger and stronger didn’t mean he shouldn’t have a right to stand and be chosen. He burned with hatred for his father, and nearly burst out of his skin as the soldier approached.

      The soldier stopped, for the first time, before his brothers. He looked them up and down, and seemed impressed. He reached out, grabbed one of their scabbards, and yanked it, as if to test how firm it was.

      He broke into a smile.

      “You haven’t yet used your sword in battle, have you?” he asked Drake.

      Thor saw Drake nervous for the first time in his life. Drake swallowed.

      “No, my liege. But I’ve used it many times in practice, and I hope to – ”

      “In practice!”

      The soldier roared with laughter and turned to the other soldiers, who joined in, laughing in Drake’s face.

      Drake turned bright red. It was the first time Thor had ever seen Drake embarrassed – usually, it was Drake embarrassing others.

      “Well then I shall certainly tell our enemies to fear you – you who wields your sword in practice!”

      The crowd of soldiers laughed again.

      The soldier then turned to Thor’s other brothers.

      “Three boys from the same stock,” he said, rubbing the stubble on his chin. “That can be useful. You’re all a good size. Untested, though. You’ll need much training if you are to make the cut.”

      He paused.

      “I suppose we can find room.”

      He nodded toward the rear wagon.

      “Get in, and be quick of it. Before I change my mind.”

      Thor’s three brothers sprinted for the carriage, beaming. Thor noticed his father beaming, too.

      But he was crestfallen as he watched them go.

      The soldier turned and moved