Ridge Day One

Prologue

The Beasts hit the wall and began to scramble up the side.

Soldiers rushed along, giving orders to those under their command. The young General stood near the edge of the wall, watching every move and every reaction. General Hamel had never seen the Beasts move with such anger or purpose before.

He had always hated the battles with the creatures. It was nothing more than a slaughter. His soldiers fired their rifles from the top of the wall, and Beast after Beast fell as they ran through the open area that his people called the Valley Floor.

The Beasts were tall, nearly one and a half times the height of an average human. They walked and ran upright on their two legs and used their arms and hands to throw spears, hold shields and climb. The fur-covered creatures were stronger than any animal Hamel had ever seen and far more vicious.

“What if they make it past your defenses, Hamel?” Pulanomos asked. He had come as the new Ambassador from Olmos less than a year before, but it was his first visit to the wall during a battle.

“I don’t know, Pulanomos,” Hamel replied and offered his friend a broad grin.

“You don’t know?” Pulanomos began to back away along with his young assistant. The boy, Churoi, was not much more than eleven years old. He faithfully stood by his master, but the terror on his face was far greater than that of the Ambassador.

“Nope. No idea!” Hamel replied. He turned to a Lieutenant standing by. She was perhaps nineteen but was proving herself to be a capable officer. He sent her along the wall with orders to the Captain for a new deployment.

Hamel watched Pulanomos out of the corner of his eye and fought down another grin that threatened to creep up his face. “What’s on your mind, my friend?”

Pulanomos stepped up beside Hamel. The two men were both twenty-three years old. Each man was new to his respective position, but it was far from Hamel’s first battle. The Ambassador held Hamel’s arm as if his presence could keep him safe.

“Hamel, please,” Pulanomos began. “I know this is common for you, but I have never been on the wall during an attack by these creatures. Please, tell me what happens if they enter the city.”

Hamel laughed and passed out some more orders to two young Lieutenants waiting nearby. “Pulanomos, we have never had such a thing happen before. We have always held them back. If they were to make it through, our soldiers would fight them on the walls. If we fall to the Beasts, we have six battalions stationed at the second wall. Do not worry about the people in the city.”

Pulanomos nodded his head. The fear in his eyes had not lessened.

“Oh, I’m sorry, Ambassador,” Hamel replied, doing his best to provoke his friend. “You aren’t concerned about the people in the city, are you? It is your life you are worried about. My dear wife and child back in the city are not a concern to you? I thought you had grown fond of them over this last year.”

Pulanomos’s face turned red, and he stepped away. “I’m not a soldier, Hamel! You know that. This is not something I am used to. Our nation is a peaceful nation. It has been many centuries since we have experienced war.”

Hamel smiled. “I’m just teasing you, Pulanomos. I know you…”

Hamel stopped mid-sentence and leaned over the wall to get a better view of the Battle. He watched the Beasts closely and grabbed the arm of a young Lieutenant standing by. “Quick, send two full battalions to the southern end of the wall. Do not hesitate. RUN!”

The Lieutenant rushed to the Captain and passed on the orders. Within less than a minute, the signals were sent, and soldiers on horseback rode along the inside of the wall to the southern section. Hamel gripped the stones which formed the top of the wall as he watched the battle.

“What’s happening, Hamel?” Pulanomos asked. His voice betrayed panic.

Hamel took a glance at his friend and the young Churoi. He grieved for the boy. They stood on the Valley Wall, one of the two barriers between the people and the Beasts. It was no place for a child during a battle—especially an Olmosite, unaccustomed to the Beast threat.

“The Beasts are acting strange,” Hamel replied. “I think they are about to attack the southern edge of the Valley Wall in just a minute or two.”

“How do you know?” Pulanomos asked.

“I don’t. But look how the attack is focused here in the center of the valley. Notice as well that all the Beasts traveling along the southern end of this attack are veering slightly to the south as if their eyes are drifting more in that direction. I think they expect something to happen in that direction. I suspect this attack is a diversion.”

“Do you really think the Beasts are that intelligent?” Pulanomos asked in shock.

As if in answer to his question, hundreds of Beasts rushed out of the forest to the south on the Valley Floor. Hamel stepped up onto his platform to give himself the height he needed to see the southern end of the wall. He felt relief flood over him as the soldiers were reinforced. He had caught their diversion just in time.”

An hour later, the battle was over. The Beasts remained on the Valley Floor but not to attack. They always carried off their dead. The Soldiers of the Ridge gave them the time they needed.

When the last of the Beasts had disappeared into the trees, Hamel went to go speak with his officers and hear their reports. Movement at the edge of the forest caught his eye, and five Beasts stepped into view. A young Corporal blew the trumpet, and the soldiers prepared for another assault.

“Hold your fire!” Hamel called. Word of his orders spread down the wall, and the men and women held steady.

“What’s happening?” Pulanomos asked.

“I’m not sure, Pulanomos. I’ve never seen the Beasts act this way. This is new. I’m going to have to ask you to be quiet, my friend. I will need to be alert for this new threat.”

The five Beasts loped forward. Each one carried something small. While Hamel did not think there was cause for concern, he could not imagine what might be contained in the bundles.

The Beasts stopped ten paces from the wall. They were large creatures, solidly built and not something Hamel wished to face without a rifle.

All five Beasts threw the items in their arms against the wall and let out a loud, mournful cry. Hamel heard a similar cry emerge from the forest. He suspected thousands of Beasts had joined the cry. The Beasts turned and raced back to the forest, wailing the entire way. Hamel could hear the sound of the Beasts among the trees grow quieter as they disappeared deep into the forest.

The battle was over, but Hamel needed to find out what lay below. Whatever the Beasts had thrown against the wall caused them a great deal of grief. In addition to their grief, the Beasts had fought that day with an intensity unlike anything he had seen since he had joined the army.

While he did not know what had happened, he was confident this new development was not a good thing. He feared their defense against the Beasts had taken a turn for the worse.

Chapter 1: The Day Begins

21 years later.

A flash of fire shone on the buildings in the dark night, and screams echoed across the city. Hamel ran as hard as he could, but he could not find his way through the streets. He turned left, then right, but he never reached them. Maybe he could save them. Maybe they would be okay. Maybe if he could get there, they would survive. Maybe…

Hamel jumped out of bed. His fists were clenched so tight, his nails dug into the palms of his hands. His body was drenched with sweat, but his breathing was controlled, and his eyes alert. He was ready to attack. He was ready to kill.

Hamel scanned the room for movement. A shadow moved across the wall, and he nearly attacked but stopped as he realized it was light from a passerby on the street.

The rage burned inside as strong as it had most mornings for the last ten years.

He unclenched his fists and calmed his mind. The nightmare had not been as bad this time. He had not seen her face amongst the flames. That was a relief. He had not heard the cries of his children, either. In all the pain and all the loss, it was the thought of his children crying out for him, their Patir, to rescue them that caused the most agony.

He could not protect them or their Matir. He had lost them all. He had lost his chance to raise his children and be with his Lillel.

Hamel collapsed in a familiar position on the floor, and the tears flowed freely. The first eight years after the accident, he had somehow managed to stand strong, but the last ten had been too much. Only his adopted daughters knew how bad it was for him.

Hamel pulled himself off the floor and straightened his back. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. When he opened his eyes, he stepped before the mirror. He set his jaw and stared deep into the eyes of his reflection.

Hamel steeled himself to face the day. It was an important day.

“I am not without family. I do not face the world alone. I must continue. There is work to be done.”

Hamel relaxed his body and let the truth of Lertel’s words sink in. He could not afford to give up. It was time to move.

The sun had not yet risen. It rarely had when his nightmares forced him awake. He enjoyed the early morning. Few people were up before the sun, and it gave him the chance to exercise.

He opened the door to his home and stepped outside. The air was warm, and the breeze felt cool on his face. It was going to be a beautiful day.

Hamel’s morning run through the city took him along a familiar route. The streets ran up and down the uneven ground and made for excellent exercise.

Few civilians ran through the Ridge Capital. He knew some in the small villages a short distance outside the city ran, but it was not considered necessary. Only the military needed to push themselves physically. The rest of the people were already young and healthy. Hamel was the exception.

Patir Hamel saluted two soldiers standing watch at the end of their shift. They stood alert and ready. They always did. He often wondered if they were as alert as they were because they knew he regularly ran through their area at the end of their watch.

He remembered his own nights on watch in the city. He had always tried to be alert, but he had never stood so straight and so sharp when the sun came up.

The number of people on the street began to grow. The sellers were out, and the farmers were heading to the fields. It was time to end his morning run and return before people slowed him down.

As he ran up one of the hills toward his home, a young Matir with her child waved him down. “Honored Patir, will you bless my child?”

Hamel smiled to himself. There were few joys greater than blessing a child. As a man of his position and age, he was often afforded the privilege. He came to a stop beside the young woman and placed his hand on the child’s head. “What is the child’s name?”

“I have named him Hamel, after you,” she said, her face beaming with pride.

Hamel smiled. “I am honored.” He examined the child for a moment. He appeared to be around four years old and had a mischievous look in his eye. “May you, young Hamel, grow to be strong, faithful, and kind.”

He removed his hand from the child’s head and placed his hand briefly on the woman’s head. “May you pour your heart and soul into this child, and may he leave a legacy equal to your own.”

The woman bowed her head slightly to offer her gratitude, and Hamel ran on. He had to grit his teeth and focus to make it home. The little boy was about the same age his daughter had been. If he recalled correctly, it had been just the day before the crash that he had met an Honored Matir and asked her to bless his own little girl and young, infant son. He could remember how honored he felt to have that same blessing placed upon his children and then to have her own hand of blessing on his forehead.

He could not remember the Honored Matir’s name, but he could see her face in his mind. Her hands shook, and her voice wavered. The Dusk had fallen upon her, and she had been near the end.

It was a great honor to be blessed by her. There were few memories so precious to him as that day.

He often reflected on that day. As a man who had escaped the Dusk.

Before he reached home, he was stopped by a young Lieutenant seeking advice in dealing with those under her command and a young man seeking counsel on a large business transaction to take place later that day. It was difficult to stop mid-run to offer wise counsel, but it was his duty and privilege as an Honored Patir among the people.

When he arrived home, the sun was fully up. It had indeed turned out to be a beautiful day, although he expected the midday heat would be intense.

Hamel arrived at the gate to his house and waited as Markel opened it. The fourteen-year-old boy had been a guard to Hamel for nearly three years. He was a strong, confident young man. Markel would do well in life.

Hamel made his way into the small yard behind his home and spent an hour and a half completing his exercises and routines. The walls stood high around his property. There was no concern for security, but he loved the privacy.

As he began his routines, Markel joined him. They rarely spoke during such times. Markel was much like Hamel, focused on the task before him.

Although Markel was dwarfed next to Hamel’s height and bulk, he consistently proved himself a capable fighter. Hamel had trained few soldiers with as much potential as the young man.

Hamel called a halt to their training once he felt he had pushed the boy enough. Markel stood panting and dripping with sweat. He looked quite relieved that their training had come to an end for the morning.

In the house, the two washed up, and Markel set to making breakfast. When they sat down, they took a moment to ask for a blessing for their food and their time together.

Markel had his own quarters in the guardhouse by the gate, but he often joined Hamel for meals. Since Mariel, Hamel’s youngest daughter, was regularly away with responsibilities of the Council, Hamel found it comforting to have a friend nearby.

For a few minutes, the young man ate in silence. He often did before he asked a difficult question. “May I ask you a question, Honored Patir?”

Hamel smiled and set down his knife and fork. It had become a daily ritual. “Markel, how many times must I tell you that while we are in my home, you must call me Hamel.”

“I think you will have to tell me yet again, Honored Patir,” Markel replied, a hint of a smile creeping up at the corners of his mouth.

Hamel understood. It was dishonoring to speak to someone of his rank with anything less than reverence. To speak with too much familiarity could be misinterpreted as contempt. While he did not wish to see Markel dishonored, it was difficult to have no one around for whom he could just be “Hamel.” He wished the young man could see him as less of an Honored Patir and more of a friend. Besides, in one’s own home, formality was often set aside.

“What is your question, Markel?” Hamel asked.

Markel bowed slightly in reverence to his friend and mentor before asking, “Will you be meeting Mariel today?”

“You know I will, Markel,” Hamel replied. His stomach tensed, and his appetite disappeared. He knew where the events of that day would lead, and he did not wish to follow the path he knew he must.

“I suspect she will ask you again for your blessing,” Markel said, not meeting Hamel’s eyes.

“Yes.” Hamel did not enjoy the conversation, but he would endure as he knew his friend well enough to know Markel’s heart was heavy with concern.

“Will you give it? Will you give your blessing to her?”

Hamel raised his eyes to find Markel’s eyes locked on him. He decided to be difficult. “May I ask your intentions with such a question? Is it because you have an eye for her?”

Markel’s face turned red, and he dropped his fork on the table. Mariel was a beautiful young woman. There were few young men who were not enamored with her. Her beauty, however, was far exceeded by her course in life. There was little doubt she would be an Honored Matir in time. A woman of such intellect, grace, beauty, and obvious influence was an honor simply to know, let alone to marry.

“Honored Patir, you know I do not have my eye on her. She is far more than a lowly guard could even consider. I am also too young for her. I have not received the education a woman such as she deserves. I am not intelligent enough for her. And she has eyes for Captain Cuttel. She is also…”

“Markel,” Hamel said with both hands in the air, “I am teasing you. I will disagree with you about your intelligence, and I don’t believe your position as a guard is too low for her. I would be honored to give you a blessing for marriage to a daughter, but you are right in saying you are too young for her and that she has eyes only for Cuttel. I am simply trying to distract you from the question you asked. I do not wish to answer.”

Hamel lowered his eyes. He poked the food on his plate with his fork and moved a few pieces of egg around in a circle. He had no appetite left, but he also knew his body would need the energy. It would be a difficult day. He took another large bite and began to chew.

“Honored Patir, will you give your blessing?” Markel asked again.

Hamel frowned and raised his eyes back up to the young man. “No.”

Markel nodded, but the expression on his face indicated he was not satisfied. “I do not wish to speak out of turn, Honored Patir, but you know she is of marrying age. She is twenty and not for much longer. She does not wish anyone else. To add to this…” Markel stopped and looked as though he recognized how far he had crossed the line.

“Go on, Markel. You are my friend. I will overlook this and many more insults.” It was not proper to remind an honored one of tradition, but Hamel had long since stopped caring about his pride around the young boy.

“This is the third time she will have asked for your blessing. If you refuse today, she will have full cause to take the issue to the Council. They will side with her as there is no clear reason for your refusal. Your honor will not be enough to force them to declare Mariel to be in the wrong. They will give her their blessing, and you will lose everything.”

Hamel examined Markel. The young man’s hands shook, and a tear had formed in his eye. He was a good friend. He was strong, faithful, and kind. He was also loyal and would risk his own honor to protect the honor of another. Hamel had always known Markel would be a great man one day. At fourteen, he was already showing the wisdom and courage of a man twice his age.

“Markel, thank you for your kind words,” Hamel said. Markel’s shoulders relaxed, and the young man let out the breath he was holding. Hamel added, “I am prepared for what I must do.”

“Honored Patir, I don’t understand why you won’t give your blessing to her.”

Hamel shoved the last of the food in his mouth and stood up. It was time to go. He would not be late for his meeting. He finished the food in his mouth and set his eyes on Markel. He didn’t want to be firm with his young friend, but he did not want to continue the discussion. “Markel, I will not give her my blessing today to marry that man. She will only marry him if the Council overrides me.”

With that, he turned and walked away from the table. He knew Markel would feel shame for pushing Hamel so far, but he could not allow his resolve to waver. There was too much at stake.

It was time.

Chapter 2: The Day Turns Sour

Hamel made his way out of the house and let himself through the gate. To have a guard to open and close the gate was far from necessary. It was merely a privilege of the honored.

While he often took the quiet paths to the town center, that day he chose the main route. It would take him through the upper residential areas and by the market. He would be noticed by many, and he would be stopped repeatedly by those seeking blessing or advice. He typically preferred to avoid such attention, but today was not a day to hide. It was a day to stand firm.

The first to ask his blessing was a young boy seeking an apprenticeship with a baker. Hamel learned the boy’s name was Zemmel, and he was ten years old. From the pain in the young boy’s eyes, Hamel suspected the Dusk had just taken his parents. He blessed the boy and was about to walk on, but stopped. He reached down and placed his hand on the boy’s shoulder. He would not be able to ease the grief the young boy felt after the loss of his parents, but he could at least guarantee the success of the boy’s request.

He led Zemmel through the streets to the bakeries. No one stopped him. A hand on the shoulder was a sign of blessing and a matter of great honor. The boy pointed the way to the place of his hopeful apprenticeship, and the two walked in through the front door.

As they entered, the entire shop grew silent. Hamel was always recognized. Few had the lines on their faces that his extra years had given him. Even if he were not recognized, the crest on his shirt revealed him to be an Honored Patir.

The baker stepped forward and bowed in reverence to Hamel. “Honored Patir, I did not know you were blessing this young boy’s apprenticeship. It was foolish of me not to accept such a worthy young man immediately. Please accept my apologies.”

“All is forgiven, my worthy baker. I have come not to rebuke, but to meet the man who wishes to train such an honorable young man as Zemmel,” Hamel said and bowed lower than had the baker.

Hamel had to hold back a grin as the baker giggled with glee. His ample belly shook as he laughed. Hamel’s words had honored the man greatly.

Before the baker could respond, Hamel turned to the door. He had to reach the City Center. It was not far from the bakery, but he would never make it there without interruptions.

When he finally arrived at the City Center after countless blessings and much advice offered, he sat down on a bench by himself. He would have peace while he waited. It was inappropriate to ask for a blessing while someone rested. He smiled as he soaked in the morning sun.

After a few minutes, someone caught his eye. He watched as a tall, thin, beautiful young woman walked down a side street and entered the large open area. She paused briefly at a small stand to purchase a flower and placed it in her light brown hair, just behind her ear.

Hamel chuckled to himself. She had always loved putting flowers in her hair. When she had first come to him, she had been only eight. She had been so traumatized. The Dusk had taken her Matir, and her Patir had fallen in battle. Few children transitioned smoothly to their new homes, but Mariel had found it harder than most.

He had taken two months away from the military to help her through her time. When she had begun to stand strong and he could see what kind of a child she was, he had been shocked at her intellect.

He had not thought it possible to adopt such a wonderful young woman. He considered her to be one of his greatest honors, and she continued to be his greatest joy. Hamel was smiling like a fool.

Hamel’s thoughts drifted to why he was there, and his face fell. It broke his heart to have to do what he was about to do, but there was no choice. He would carry out his plans, regardless of the cost. His daughter would pay a price. He only hoped he would have the strength, and that it would all be worth it in the end.

He quickly forced a smile as their eyes met, and she made her way across the small grassy park. He stood to his feet and waited for his daughter.

When she was two steps away, she stopped and bowed her head so slightly. “Hello, my Patir.”

It always thrilled him to hear those words. Anyone could call a man “Patir” or a woman “Matir.” It was a sign of respect and honor given to another. His own title of Honored Patir was even greater. It was a term so full of honor, but so full of distance.

Only family, however, could call him, “my Patir.” It was a sacred gift. To hear Mariel call him “my Patir” reminded him that he was not alone.

“Hello, my daughter,” Hamel replied.

Once the formalities were out of the way, she came in and wrapped him in a hug. To act with too much enthusiasm or joy in public was the way of fools, but when it involved a parent and child, one could laugh and hug all they wanted in any situation or circumstance. There was no shame in family.

She let go and stepped back. Hamel knew the question needed to be asked, and he knew he must face it.

It was the third time she would ask for his blessing on her marriage. The question needed to be asked in public, and it required a clear answer. On that day, there was no room for anything but clarity.

“My Patir, you know why I have asked to meet you,” Mariel said, her voice shaking just slightly.

“Yes, Mariel, I know.”

“I would like to formally ask you to give me your blessing to marry Captain Eafti Cuttel.”

People gathered around. It was one thing for the People of the Ridge to ask for a blessing on their marriage, but to see an Honored Patir give his blessing to his own daughter was an honor. The people formed a circle around Hamel and Mariel, and the crowd grew.

Hamel opened his mouth to answer, but Mariel spoke again. Her voice had regained its typical confidence, and she spoke loud enough for all those gathered to hear. “This is the third and final time I may ask you for your blessing on my marriage. You have refused me your blessing the first two times, as is your right to give and as is my honor to receive.”

Hamel dreaded what was to come, but was proud of her for speaking with confidence and such conviction. One day, she would be a great Honored Matir on the Council, and she would lead the nation well.

“Speak, my daughter. Ask your question.”

“I am nearly at the end of my marriage year. If I do not marry before the month end, I will not marry. I do not wish to marry anyone else. I wish only Cuttel. I, Rezin Mariel, ask you this third time for your blessing to marry Captain Eafti Cuttel.”

Hamel paused for a moment and calmed his heart. He did not want any emotion to show in his response. When he spoke, he also spoke with enough volume for all to hear. “I will not give you my blessing, Mariel.”

A gasp went up among the crowd of people. To refuse a request to marry three times required a solid reason. It would be cruel and dishonoring to refuse a marriage blessing without cause.

“May I ask you why?” Mariel responded. It was not proper to ask when the first or second requests were brought forward. Only on the third could a reason be required.

Hamel took a deep breath and spoke the words that had tormented him for so long. “Because I know this young man. He is an officer under me, and I see what he is like. We have fought constantly over trivial matters. Everything is a battle to him, and his decisions, choices, and actions declare him to be a man without honor. If this is the kind of officer he is, then he will be that and more as a husband. A man such as that will not love you. He will not care for you. He will not protect you or your children. He will not stand by you. You will be alone.”

Mariel clenched her fists, and Hamel could see her knuckles turn white. He had not seen her angry for many years. She was a woman of such control.

Mariel paused before she continued the tradition. “If you will not give me your blessing, I will be forced to take this to the Council. If they find your reasons unworthy, they will require that I reject you as Patir. They will override your decision.”

The emotion appeared too much for Mariel, and tears streamed down her cheeks. If she pursued the matter, as he knew she would, it would lead only to pain and dishonor.

He forced himself to laugh loud enough for the entire crowd to hear and settled his face into a foolish grin. Not only was he willing to take it to the Council, he would force it in that direction. A price needed to be paid, and Mariel would, unfortunately, pay her part.

“You would not dare,” Hamel began, speaking loud enough that even those in the back of the crowd would have no difficulty in hearing his words. “I am your Patir. You are my child. I am tied to you and you to me. We are one. We are honored family. Nothing can change that. Would you rather be as Cuttel? Parentless? He may appear free, but he is left to face the world alone. He lives as one full of selfishness and rebellion!”

The faces on the people in the crowd revealed the horror they felt. Honor was about to be lost. When it was lost by those of such high status, it was a painful experience for all. By refusing to heed her Patir’s denial, Mariel was losing all her honor in one single moment. But all those standing by knew if she took the matter to the Council, she would regain her honor, but the Honored Patir Rezin Hamel would be shamed and declared a man without honor. To refuse a request for marriage on the basis of opinion alone was not the road a man of honor walked. No good path lay ahead.

Those with young children grabbed them and pulled them away. They would not want their young ones to see such a public display of shame. Hamel could hear their voices as they told their children that no good could come from such a disagreement.

Hamel felt the anger he had built inside boil. He had been stoking that fire. It was a necessary evil if his plans were to play out. It was time to let it out and pave the way for what was to come. “You would truly take this matter to the Council, Mariel?” he asked, letting the rage be heard in his voice. “Would you stand before the Honored Matir Karotel and bring your case before her? You think she has the wisdom to decide such a matter?”

Hamel did not look around, but he knew the few who remained were beyond shocked. If refusing his daughter such a request was shameful, it was nothing compared to publicly criticizing the Honored Matir or Patir of the People of the Ridge. He knew those who still stood by would wish to flee, yet they were aware they were witnesses. As much as the people wanted to run, it was their duty to remain.

It was time to let it all out. He stepped forward, and Mariel nearly tripped as she stepped back. Hamel was a large man. His height and his build, along with his obvious anger, was enough to bring even a seasoned soldier to question his or her safety. No one would think he would harm his daughter, but to threaten with his movement was nearly as dishonorable. He yelled, “For the last five years, Karotel has proven herself to be the fool!”

Mariel stepped back again. Hamel did not think it was because of his anger. He was a large man, and he had a reputation for being a fearless warrior. His training had taken him far beyond any other soldier, and no one had dared challenge him in years. He knew he struck fear in people, both by his size and his reputation. But he also knew Mariel had never feared him.

He wondered, in that brief moment, if she had stepped back in shock. No one was to speak the Honored Matir’s given name publicly without her title. She was an Honored Matir. She was worthy of the respect of her title.

It was time to lay it all out for Mariel and for all those standing by. “You want to take your case to Karotel, but she is the very one who has acted without honor. She has been building houses along the edge of the city for the past five years. She has emptied the treasury and used our soldiers as carpenters, leaving our Valley Wall and our northern borders weakly defended. For what? To build houses along the edge of the wilderness? There are whole sections of the city full of empty homes. Is that not enough? Must she build more? We do not have enough people to fill the homes we have! Is that the kind of woman you want to take your case before? She has all but abandoned our closest allies, and every decision she makes declares a drive for power!” He raised his voice to a scream as he bellowed again, “Karotel is a fool!”

Mariel’s eyes remained focused on the ground by her feet. Her mouth fell open, but she closed it again as if she could not find the words to speak. The young lady reached up and pulled the flower out of her hair. She stared at it in her hands and turned it over and over. The tears streamed down her face, but she wiped none of them away.

The flower she held was a beautiful rose. He was reminded again of her love for flowers and how beautiful they looked in her hair. The memory now only brought grief.

“I will take this to the Council,” Mariel said quietly, but loud enough that those standing closest could make out her words. “Will you be there?”

It was time to calm his words and speak once again as an Honored Patir. He was risking the loss of all his honor, but for the moment he still had some. “When is the next meeting?”

“Tomorrow evening,” Mariel replied.

“I will be there, as I am able,” Hamel said with a calm and steady voice.

Mariel paused for another moment, her gaze locked on the flower. She had not met his eyes since he had first called Karotel a fool.

It was time for Mariel to go, but she was too honorable to simply turn her back on her Patir, even after all he had done. “May I leave, my Pa…” she choked on the name and paused while she took a breath.

“You normally keep a flower in your hair, my daughter,” Hamel said with kindness in his voice.

“This flower brings me no joy anymore,” Mariel replied. She took a deep breath, and he could see it took all her discipline not to weep. “May I leave, my Patir?”

“Yes, my daughter,” Hamel replied quietly.

Mariel took one final look at the rose and dropped it where she stood. She turned and, without another word, walked away with her head low.

He watched her go as the crowd, knowing they would be permitted to leave, turned away. He could see her shoulders shake as she walked. She was weeping. The time until the meeting would not pass quickly for her.

But it was only the beginning of what was to come. There would be more tears and more loss before he was finished.

Chapter 3: The Day Turns to the Wall

Hamel knew the time until the Council meeting would pass slowly.

Word of the disagreement between him and his daughter would spread throughout the People of the Ridge and even into Olmos. The Olmosite Ambassador would send word to his people quickly. It was not every day that an Honored Patir of Hamel’s rank found himself in such a shameful situation.

Hamel was already a mystery to most people. At forty-four years of age, he had lived nearly ten years longer than the oldest living person in recorded history. No one knew why. The doctors were baffled as to how he had avoided the Dusk. His day should have ended years ago—yet he remained.

The rage inside him built again. It built every time his thoughts drifted to his past. He felt so alone. He felt like a man out of sync with his time. He knew he should be dead, but death had eluded him.

He often wished he had been in the accident with his family. He might have been able to save them, but if not, he may have died alongside them. At times, death seemed a welcome release. Only his surviving adopted children and faithfulness to his people kept him going.

He looked around and saw he was near Command. He had an office there as the highest ranking General in the army.

There were people around, but no one approached him. He knew word of his argument with Mariel would have already spread, and most would be unsure if they could ask for his blessing. It was uncommon for a man of his status to be engaged in such a scandal. His blessing would still stand and still be respected, but it would take the people a little while to come to grips with what had happened. The dishonor would afford him a short reprieve from the duties of his position.

He repeated the words in his head. “I am not without family. I do not face the world alone. I must continue. There is work to be done.”

Hamel clenched his fists and closed his eyes, going over the words once again. As he finished, his wife’s face appeared in his mind, and he quickly opened his eyes to dispel the image. He would not do well at that moment to dwell on the pain of the past.

His thoughts were interrupted by a blast of a horn. It was the signal they were under attack at the Valley Wall. It was a common enough occurrence, yet those who stood around tensed up, and some even rushed away. Hamel suspected they were heading home.

He decided to go to the wall and at least observe the battle. It would take his mind off matters.

There were many roads leading down into the valley. The one he used was primarily reserved for soldiers moving to and from the Valley Wall. Every few minutes, he stepped aside to let soldiers pass as they rushed to their posts.

As he stepped down onto the Valley Floor, he reflected yet again on the problem with the Beasts. The attacks had increased in frequency over the last two decades. It was still unclear what the Beasts were after, but it was obvious they were enraged with the People of the Ridge.

He entered a large stable built of solid stone and waited for the stable boy to bring him his horse. There was always a horse saddled and ready for him, in case he wished to go to the Valley Wall. The soldiers ran, but it would be considered improper for a General to run into battle on foot, unless the circumstances demanded such action. A General needed to get to the battle quickly.

The horn had not blown a second time, indicating the battle had not yet begun. The Beasts always gathered in ranks before their attack. The creatures occasionally took upward of two to three hours to organize themselves. Once, Hamel recalled waiting two days for them to gather. If that were the case this time, he would miss the Council Meeting.

He smiled to himself at that thought. It would show even greater disrespect for the Honored Matir than he had already shown. Such a thing might even serve his purposes.

The protected area of the Valley Floor itself was beautiful. It was mid-summer, and the crops grew tall. It would be a good harvest. The land between the city and the Valley Wall was some of the most fertile soil anywhere in the world. The current year’s harvest would provide more than enough for their entire nation as well as some to export to Olmos. No one should starve that year.

When he reached the Valley Wall on the far side of the farms, he tied off his horse. The steps leading to the top were called the Two Hundred Faithful. Two hundred stone steps leading to the top of the largest structure in all of Ridge Nation—a wall to protect them from the Beasts.

Before climbing the steps, he entered a door at the base of the wall. A young Lieutenant was in charge of the ground troops that day, and she appeared nervous.

“General, welcome to the battlefield,” she said loud enough for her voice to carry across to many of the soldiers. “It is an honor to have you among us. Do you wish to assume command of the ground troops today?”

It was proper for an officer to relinquish his or her command to a General, but it would never be proper for a General to take command of any position other than to lead the entire battle. A leader of his experience and reputation would be wasted in any position other than as commander of all the troops.

“You honor me, Lieutenant, but I would never assume command from a person of your skill and leadership,” Hamel replied.

She smiled her gratitude, although Hamel could see she was not as honored as she would have been on any other day. He realized word had spread even to the wall of his conversation with Mariel. He was not surprised it had happened so quickly.

“May I return to my command, General?” the Lieutenant asked.

“Yes, please. Lead us to victory,” Hamel said. He took one more look to fulfill the need for the General to inspect the troops and walked out.

He began to climb the Two Hundred Faithful. He stopped again at the mid-wall defense and, yet again, was offered command. He refused and after a quick inspection, continued up the steps.

At the top, he was met by the soldiers guarding the stairs. Each man saluted and bowed their heads in respect, but neither one made eye contact with him. Not only had word spread, but his honor had been shaken.

Hamel scanned the soldiers for the Captain. He would be well engaged in the responsibilities of command and would not be able to speak with Hamel for a time. Hamel took the opportunity to look out over the wall to evaluate the situation.

The Valley of the Beasts lay stretched out before him. The land immediately on the other side of the Valley Wall was open and clear of trees. It was in that area that the battle would be fought. On the far side of the battleground was the tree line, and the forest of the Beasts continued on into the distance. The forest itself was walled off by a cliff face on the sides, surrounding the entire area.

No one ventured into the Forest of the Beasts and lived to tell of their experience. It had long been declared illegal to do such a thing, and all who did were declared traitors to the People of the Ridge. Their presence in the Forest of the Beasts enraged the monsters.

On that day, the Beasts had rallied themselves quickly. They were out in full force. It would be a bloody battle.

The Beasts were at the tree line, nearly four hundred paces from the wall. The open area between the wall and the forest was trampled and well-worn from previous attacks.

Hamel always grieved each and every battle. It felt to be such a terrible waste. Not one Beast had made it over the wall during an attack in all the years since the wall had been built, yet they still came. They would rush upon the wall, growling and snarling and do their best to climb up and over. They could find a foothold or handhold on the slightest crack or crevice and climb almost as quickly as they could run across the ground.

The ground troops would shoot through slits in the base of the wall. The Beasts who made it past the rifles would climb, and the mid-wall defense troops would use spears and rifles to slay any Beast attempting to make their way past. The soldiers on top of the wall would fire both at those approaching the wall and at any Beasts which made it past the mid-wall defense.

It was a simple strategy overall. The challenge was to make sure the troops were stationed at the right places. The Beasts would swarm in different locations. Troops needed to run from one section of the wall to another at a word from the one in charge.

Hamel looked again for the Wall Commander and spotted the Captain on duty. It was Cuttel. It would not be long before another confrontation took place.

One of the Lieutenants leaned in and said something to the Captain, and Cuttel looked back at Hamel. He did not compose his face quickly enough to hide the look of disdain, but regained his honor immediately as he formed a respectful, but focused expression.

He approached Hamel and saluted. “General, welcome to the battlefield.” It was obvious his voice was lacking all respect due to Hamel’s position, yet he maintained tradition. “It is an honor to have you among us. Do you wish to assume command of the defense today?”

“You honor me, Captain, but I wish to observe your tactics and strategies. I will remain silent but vigilant.” Hamel felt he had been particularly creative in his insult. From the expression on Captain Cuttel’s face, the insinuation was not lost on him.

The Captain saluted again and bowed just enough to maintain tradition before he turned back to his troops. Hamel watched carefully. The man was a competent leader. He maintained the discipline of his troops and had a gift for strategy and foresight for where the Beasts would attack next.

It had been years since the young man had apprenticed under Hamel, and, despite what he had said to Mariel, Cuttel was a quality officer. There was hope for the People of the Ridge with Cuttel in charge of defense, but competence was not what the young man needed to win Hamel’s blessing to marry his daughter.

The defense of the city went as planned, but Hamel grieved yet again at the loss of life. He never understood why the Beasts attacked at all, let alone with greater intensity and frequency over the previous twenty years. Cuttel performed his duties well, and the Beasts retreated.

When the last of the Beasts disappeared into the forest, Hamel closed his eyes and fought down the revulsion. He always dreaded what came at the end. Hamel, as a General on the wall, could not be seen turning away from the battlefield due to such a thing as a weak stomach, but he did not wish to watch.

It had happened at the end of every battle for the last twenty years or more. Once they lost, the Beasts would retreat back to the tree line. A few would then return, only to throw the lifeless bodies of six or seven of their infants against the walls. There would always be one or two that would be thrown wrapped in the uniform of a Ridge soldier.

He watched as the Beasts threw seven bodies against the wall. It was a revolting sight each and every time.

Once they had finished their bizarre ritual, they, along with the surviving Beasts in the forest, let out a terrible, deep sound. It was a cross between a scream and a roar. Hamel had always felt it was a mournful sound. He suspected they either grieved the loss of the battle or the death of their children.

The battle was done. The Beasts never attacked twice at one time. Once the battle was finished, it was finished.

Captain Cuttel sent a soldier down the steps with orders to the Lieutenant to secure the battlefield. He then approached Hamel. “General, with your permission, I am going to leave the wall and examine the battlefield.”

“You have my permission, Captain,” Hamel replied. “I will join you today.”

The lack of encouragement or any form of congratulations for leading well would not be lost on Cuttel or on the soldiers present. Hamel was well equipped to grant honor or to withhold it. With Cuttel, it was always withheld.

The two, along with Cuttel’s personal guard, made their way down the steps with Hamel in the lead. The phrase, “examine the battlefield” had come to refer to the abhorrent task of removing the Ridge uniforms from the bodies of the infant Beasts.

When they reached the Valley Floor, they found the gate leading out to the field open. The Lieutenant was standing by the wall, examining a body. Hamel and Cuttel approached and saw it was a Beastchild wrapped in a Ridge uniform. It looked as though it had been strangled. Hamel hated to see such a thing, even among his enemies. There was no honor in killing a child. There was no honor among the Beasts.

Cuttel, as Wall Commander, was responsible for retrieving the uniform. It had belonged to one of his soldiers.

The Captain pulled the uniform off the Beastchild and held it up for examination. He looked at the name stitched on the front and announced, “This belonged to Lieutenant Effel. She was assigned to the ground troops.”

Cuttel turned to the Lieutenant who had been leading the ground troops during the battle. Her face had lost all its color. “Lieutenant, where is Effel?” His use of Effel’s name without the title sent a clear statement among the troops.

The Lieutenant hung her head in shame. “I don’t know, sir,” she said with a shaky voice. “Lieutenant Effel… I mean, Effel did not report for duty this morning. I was assigned in her place.”

“Lieutenant, take thirty soldiers and go immediately to Effel’s home. If she is there, bring her to me in chains. If she is not there, you are ordered to take an additional seventy soldiers and do a thorough search of the city, including the lower sections. I wish for a full report by noon tomorrow.”

The Captain’s eyes landed on Hamel. For a brief second, Hamel thought he saw tiredness in Cuttel’s eyes, but the Captain quickly regained his composure. He said, “General, thank you for the honor of your presence today. The battle is complete. It appears as though another one of our soldiers has betrayed the People of the Ridge by entering the land of the Beasts. I will see that this matter is resolved to the best of my ability.”

“Well done, Captain,” Hamel said. It was proper to commend an officer on a successful battle before leaving, but Cuttel would receive no more.

“General, may I speak freely to you about a personal matter?” the Captain asked. His expression suggested he was employing all his discipline to keep a respectful expression on his face.

Hamel did not want to have the discussion. He assumed it would be on the topic of Mariel, and he was still upset after his conversation with her.

He decided he would not give any honor to the young Captain. Instead, he simply said, “No,” and walked away.

The soldiers were all too well disciplined to gasp or react in their shock, but he knew they would be horrified. It would be hard for them to work through the dishonor placed upon their Captain. Hamel had not only declared his disdain for Cuttel’s leadership on the wall but to declare him unworthy of simple conversation was an insult worthy of challenge.

Hamel smiled to himself. No one had challenged him in years. He was far too skilled a soldier, and he was far too honored for most to feel they could challenge him. Since he had somehow lived so long, avoiding the Dusk, many even thought he might have some secret power. He didn’t encourage the rumor, but he had never denied it either. Captain Cuttel would not challenge him that day.

He walked through the gate and out into the fields. It would be a long walk back. A General or any officer was not to ride a horse back to the city after a battle at the wall. The troops could return any way they wished, but the officers could not rush. The soldiers were the victors on the day of battle.

As he walked along the road, the farmers began to return to their fields. They always left and stood behind the Inner Wall at the city boundary during an attack. It was an extra layer of protection against a savage enemy.

The fields always offered him such peace but reminded him of his wife. Lillel had grown up as a farmer’s daughter. When her parents had reached their Dusk, she was adopted by other farmers. It had been a quiet life.

He stopped at a large oak tree near a spring and sat down on a boulder. The spring in that area helped to water the fields and with the shade of the tree, was the perfect place to stop and rest.

The field to the north of the spring was planted, and he nodded to the young man returning to care for the crops. It had been Lillel’s family field. The young man was probably related to Lillel somehow, but Hamel had outlived her only sister. Even her sister’s children would be nearing their Dusk.

The young man knelt to weed around some of what appeared to be vines. Hamel had never learned how to recognize the different crops. His focus had always been on military and political matters. The boy could easily be Lillel’s great-nephew, and as he worked, Hamel realized he was kneeling right about where Lillel had been standing when Hamel had first noticed her.

He remembered the day clearly. It had been just after a battle. Hamel had apprenticed under his adopted mother, General Rezin Mathel. He had been given some time to relax before his training had resumed, and he had chosen that spot under the tree. He was forever grateful for that choice and for the relationship that had grown out of his meeting with Lillel. Only a few years after that day, he had wed Lillel and begun their few precious years together.

He made his way back into the city. The day was nearly finished. There would be few left who had not heard of his argument with Mariel.

His heart went out to her. He longed to make things right, but he would not. He could not give his blessing to her and Cuttel.

His thoughts were interrupted by a young man and woman. They stood before him with hesitation written across their faces. He could tell from their ages and their lack of rings, but also how close they stood together that they were about to be wed. They were in a difficult position. They were standing before an Honored Patir and would like his blessing, but he had dishonored himself. His dishonor was not formal, so his blessing was still a privilege to receive, but he could be formally dishonored at the next Council. It would be difficult for them to know the proper course of action.

He decided to make it easy for them. “Are you asking for my blessing?”

Both the young man and woman relaxed, and a smile grew on each of their faces. The young man stepped forward and asked, “Honored Patir, will you bless our marriage?”

“When is your marriage to take place?” he asked.

“Tomorrow morning, at dawn,” the man replied.

Dawn was when all marriages took place. A wedding symbolized new beginnings. Such an event would need to be celebrated with the start of a new day.

Hamel raised his voice and said, “May your marriage be a light to others and an example of God’s true love for us. May your children be strong and lead lives of honor for all the People of the Ridge.”

The two thanked him and bowed their heads slightly in gratitude and respect. While he remained in a place of dishonor, it would be difficult for people to know how to respond to him, but that act of blessing would help many work through the matter.

Word of his blessing over the young couple spread, and before long, many others found him and asked for his blessing. No one mentioned Mariel. They would leave the matter with the Council.

He arrived at his house and thanked Markel for opening the gate. Hamel did not like company most evenings, so the young man said his goodnight and locked the gate.

Hamel knew he should not spend his evenings wallowing in old memories. It did not serve him well, but there was a certain amount of pleasure found in grief.

He sat on his couch and opened a drawer. Inside was a doll that had belonged to his daughter. She would have turned twenty-two in three days’ time and would be a couple years older than Mariel. No one lived long enough to watch their children grow into adults. It seemed so wrong that the only man who could live long enough to see his children marry and even his children’s children had lost his family at such a young age.

He had given her such a pretty name, too: Keptel. He found his heart breaking with the memory of her and reveled in the pain.

Hamel pulled out a small stick from the drawer. It had belonged to his son. Lillel had named their son Draggel. The little guy had found the stick just lying on the ground in the yard and would not go anywhere without it. He seemed to think it was all he needed. No toys held his interest. Just the little stick.

Draggel would have been nearly twenty. He might even have been considering a young lady for marriage.

Hamel smiled at the thought of what might have been but then felt his heart crumble inside. It did not matter. None of it mattered. They were all gone.

He felt the rage build inside him once again. It was such a senseless accident. It truly could not be blamed on anyone. The fire was no one’s fault. The young oil merchant whose wagon had lost a wheel… the wheel driving into a horse and breaking its leg… the night watchman on horseback who had fallen, his torch landing on the spilled oil…

It was an accident. A strange, horrible accident, but an accident just the same.

He blamed no one. No one but himself for not being there with them.

Hamel placed the doll and the stick back in the drawer and decided it was time to get some sleep. He stood to his feet and recited the words. “I am not without family. I do not face the world alone. I must continue. There is work to be done.”

Chapter 4: The Day's Final Peace

His run the next day was typical of every day. The people had accepted the fact that Hamel had dishonored himself but was not yet formally dishonored. As soon as the sun had crested the horizon and people began to walk the streets, the requests for blessings and advice began.

The only difference he found was in the soldiers on watch. The first two soldiers he came across were leaning on their rifles. With the next soldiers, one sat on the ground, picking at his nails while the second appeared sound asleep on his feet. No one stood at attention as he ran by.

Hamel held his tongue. There was no benefit in establishing his authority with them. He would let the dishonor stand. Cuttel was a young officer, but on track to be a General one day. Hamel had dishonored one of their own for no perceivable reason. As much as he didn’t appreciate the lack of respect, he understood.

At his house, after the run, Markel joined him in his morning training and exercise. The young man was a solid fighter and would make a good soldier one day. As they sparred, he never once met Hamel’s eyes.

An hour later, Markel poked at his breakfast with his fork. The young man had held his tongue since Hamel had returned from his run and only spoken if asked a direct question.

Hamel did not care to avoid the issue that morning, “Out with it, Markel. Say what you must.”

“Honored Patir…” Markel began.

Hamel decided to forgo his usual invitation for Markel to call him “Hamel” while in his home. The atmosphere felt as though there was no room for humor. He waited while Markel gathered his courage.

“I have heard a report of your conversation with Mariel. I have heard that you publicly criticized the Honored Matir. I do not wish to believe it. Is it all true?”

“I suspect so, Markel. I refused Mariel’s request for my blessing, and I called Karotel a fool.”

Markel dropped his fork. Hamel wasn’t sure if it was because the reports were true or because he referred to Karotel without her title.

“May I ask you a direct question, Honored Patir?” Markel asked.

“Certainly,” Hamel said with a great deal of enthusiasm and a smile on his face. “Anything you wish, my friend. But I do not guarantee an answer, nor do I guarantee that if I do answer, you will like what you hear.”

Markel did not hesitate. “You have proven yourself to be one of the greatest men in history. There is no one I have read about who has your list of accomplishments, who has received as much honor, who has acted with such integrity,” Markel began.

“You flatter me, Markel,” Hamel replied. “What is your question?”

“Over the years, I have seen your disrespect for the Council grow. I have heard you speak more and more against them and their decisions. While it has never come to the point that you have called a member of the Council a fool, it has bothered me greatly. Yesterday, you said and did things you cannot take back. I do not see how you can recover your honor. Why would you do this?”

Hamel smiled. It felt good to smile, although he did not feel he had much to smile about. “Young Markel, I am sorry to say that this is a question I will not answer. I will, however, say this. When I meet with the Council later today, I will not humble myself. I will not seek my honor. I will take my stand against them. I will bring this matter to a head, and time will prove who among us has honor.”

Markel’s hands shook, and he placed them under the table. Hamel could only suspect that the young man feared Hamel’s sanity was in question. He grieved the pain he was causing in young Markel’s life, but he would not deviate from his course.

It was time to act for Markel’s benefit. “This morning is the end of your employment for me, Markel.”

Markel’s eyes filled with pain, and his chin quivered. Hamel knew Markel would do anything for him and would even stand beside him in the Council, bearing Hamel’s shame. It was time to send him away.

“You will pack up your things after you are finished eating, and you will report to Captain Cuttel. You will tell him that I am assigning you as his aide,” Hamel ordered.

“But…” Markel began before closing his mouth. He paused for a moment and then nodded his head. He was too honorable a young man to question Hamel’s orders. “Yes, Honored Patir.”

Hamel laughed. “Finish your sentence, Markel. Don’t say ‘But…’ and then not tell me what you are concerned about. Speak!”

“Honored Patir, Captain Cuttel despises you. If I go to him as his aide, assigned to him by you, he will suspect I am a spy sent to him to report on all his actions. He will despise me, and I will never have a chance to be a man of honor.”

“I understand your fear, Markel. I will say this: you have your honor already. You will not lose what you already have. You also have your orders. See to them.”

Markel stood and collected the empty dishes. Though he had been dismissed, he cleaned the dishes and asked permission to go his way. Before he left, he thanked Hamel for the time in his service.

Hamel sat on the couch. His heart was heavy with the pain of the months and years leading up to that moment. But none of what he had done compared to the events of the last day. He had crushed Mariel. He had dishonored Cuttel. He had spoken against Karotel. He had assigned Markel a task that would terrify the young man. That night, he would challenge the Council, and whatever the result, nothing would remain the same from that day forward.

Chapter 5: The Day of Disgrace

Hamel remained in his home the entire day to avoid contact with others. He did not wish to see anyone or speak to anyone. No one called on him at home.

Mid-way through the morning, he heard the horn blast, giving warning of an attack at the Valley Wall. The attacks came often enough those days.

Hamel grabbed his cloak to head to the wall, but placed it back on the hook by the door. Too many years serving in the Armies of the Ridge had conditioned him to act when the threat was near.

His stomach tensed as he considered the ongoing threat of the Beasts. Whatever it was that drove those Beasts to attack needed to be addressed. The Council had refused to allow the Generals to lead their forces into the forests of the valley, which left the Armies of the Ridge with no other option than to continue their strategy of maintaining a solid defense.

Hamel had agreed with their decision, although he had led the charge against the Council’s refusal. He believed the threat was outside the valley. The Beasts were merely creatures. They acted on instinct. He did not think that the problem with the Beasts lay amongst the trees. He had long suspected it lay elsewhere.

He pushed the threat of the attack out of his mind and settled his thoughts. The day wore on, and he busied himself around his house.

Hours later, Hamel watched the sun move toward the horizon as he ate his evening meal. He loved the summer months. The heat, the sun, and the green vegetation made him feel at peace. He would need to enjoy what peace he could.

He pulled his Council robes over his head and adjusted them until they sat just right on his shoulders. Anyone could wear whatever they wished to a Council meeting, but he would attend that night’s meeting in full robes. He would stand with honor. Before he left, he examined himself in the mirror. He had always felt humbled by the privilege of wearing the robes. His eyes lingered on the crest, declaring his position as Honored Patir. It featured prominently on his chest. He did not think that crest would remain his for much longer.

He had not left much time to get to the Council Chambers, but it was improper for someone to stop an Honored Patir on the way to a Council meeting. He would have just enough time to arrive a few minutes after the Council began. All the Council would be there, and he would be able to make an entrance.

The walk to the Council meeting was quiet for the most part. No one disturbed him, and he was grateful for the peace. The air was calm, and the sound of children playing in the streets helped to ease the stress. He suspected that walk would be the last peace he would have for a long time. He took the time to enjoy the cool of the evening, the sounds of the birds, and the bustle of the people.

As he approached the steps leading into the Council Chambers, he heard the blast of the horn yet again. Rarely did a day pass when the Beasts did not attack twice. He ignored the matter. A different battle lay before him.

As he stepped into the Outer Council Chambers, he found he had timed his arrival perfectly. The session had just begun. He took a deep breath and smiled. He was about to act in a shameful and disturbing manner, but he felt as if he were embarking on an adventure. He was about to undertake a journey no one in recorded history had ever traveled—at least willingly.

He swung open the doors to the Inner Council Chambers just as the Honored Matir Rezin Karotel announced the agenda for the meeting. Hamel had always despised agendas and did not miss the days when he would have to walk the Council through all the points listed on the record.

As he stepped inside, the room grew silent. He quickly scanned the faces of each of the members. It appeared as though some of the twelve Council Patirs and Matirs had assumed he would not come. Karotel rose to her feet, and the other Council members followed her example.

Karotel was a tiny woman. She was short enough that she was often mistaken for a child. But despite her small frame, no one questioned her ability to lead. She was considered by all, Hamel included, to be one of the most intelligent people who had ever lived among the People of the Ridge. Even in the midst of their greatest conflicts, Hamel had never questioned her intellect.

Sitting one level down from Karotel and the Council members were the Council aides. There were twelve in all, and each one would be expected to rise to the position of Council member in time. Seated in the place of honor among the aides was Mariel. She faced Hamel, but he could see her eyes were fixed on a spot on the wall just above his head.

On each side of the door stood an officer. On his left, Hamel turned to see Captain Cuttel. The Captain saluted and said, “General, welcome to the Council.” He turned to the right and received a similar response from Major Ornel.

Hamel nodded in reply to each of the men. Even in that moment, Cuttel followed tradition.

Typically, there were no soldiers present at a Council meeting. Only in circumstances requiring a military presence was a soldier assigned. For that evening’s meeting, a Council member was acting out of order. The Captain would have been assigned to the Council in response to the need to confront Hamel. The Council meeting was not expected to go well that night. Hamel knew as well that the choice of Cuttel specifically was intentional.

Major Ornel, however, was unexpected. The man was a solid, committed, respected officer. His honor and dedication were without question. Hamel had known Cuttel would be there, but not the Major. He wondered if Ornel had specifically requested the opportunity to stand in witness. It would not matter, however. His higher rank would mean nothing as the Council would defer to Captain Cuttel and would treat Major Ornel as though he were not even present.

“Honored Patir Rezin Hamel,” Karotel began. “The Council welcomes you and declares that they are honored to have you in our midst. Will you be taking your place of honor this evening?”

“I will, Karotel,” Hamel replied.

The Council gasped. Hamel’s position allowed him a certain amount of freedom to speak as he wished. But to publicly call an Honored Matir by her given name without her title in the Council Chambers was an insult beyond what even a man of his position could afford. The Honored Matir would be well within her right to have Hamel arrested and dragged from the Council Chambers.

He made his way to his seat and sat down. He took a quick glance at Cuttel whose eyes were fixed on the Honored Matir. His stance suggested he was ready to move on an order from her to arrest Hamel.

Instead, she simply asked, “Will the Honored Patir be exercising his right to lead the Council this evening?”

Hamel had held Karotel’s position before his retirement. All Honored Matirs and Patirs were required to retire, in a manner of speaking, at age thirty-two, just before the onset of the Dusk, but they all retained their full position, authority, and freedom. It was expected the Dusk would take them before long, and their authority would naturally end. Unlike all before him, the Dusk had not taken Hamel. He had continued on as Honored Patir of the Council through the leadership of two of his successors. Karotel had never led without having to offer him the leadership each day he arrived.

“No, Honored Matir,” Hamel replied. “I will not lead the Council this evening.” He decided to use her title so as not to push the matter of honor too far, just yet. She had ignored the insult once, and he had made his point.

Honored Matir Karotel took her seat, followed by all the Council members, then Mariel as first of the aides, followed by the rest of the aides. Only Captain Cuttel and Major Ornel remained on their feet. Although Cuttel stood as sentry for the Council, all knew he was there for another reason.

The meeting progressed as all meetings did. They worked through all the mundane matters of state, as well as responded to a few complaints from the people. Since Cuttel was present, they did not read the military report but asked him to give a verbal report of the state of the army and defense of the Valley Wall.

Hamel stayed silent for the entire meeting, even refusing to vote on any matter. He was determined to declare his disdain for the Council in any way he could.

At one point, he glanced toward the door to find Cuttel’s eyes on him. The man’s expression was deeply respectful. He did not betray the emotion that Hamel knew must be raging within.

Hamel set his jaw and clenched his fists. The man would not marry his daughter by his blessing. It was a steep price the young man would pay, just as Mariel would have to pay as well, but Hamel would have his way. He had walked the road of public honor for too long. It was time to walk another road.

He let his eyes continue to drift around the room and was deep in a daydream when he heard his name. The address pulled him back to the moment. Mariel stood before the Council and was stating her case.

It was time.

Since he was the object of discussion, he left his seat and made his way down to the Council Chamber floor.

Mariel took the time to explain that she had requested three times that her Patir give his blessing on her marriage. He noticed she described the third event in detail, yet left out any insult to the Honored Matir. She was humble and kind, even in her pain. When she finished, she sat down.

Karotel paused for a moment, then stood. “This is a troubling report about the most Honored Member of our nation, Honored Patir Rezin Hamel. It is to the Council’s dishonor to receive this report without hearing from the Honored Patir himself and, if necessary, hearing from witnesses. It is also rumored that the Honored Patir spoke shamefully about the Honored Matir. Once we are finished examining the issue of Honored Aide Rezin Mariel, we will examine the issue of Honored Patir Rezin Hamel’s rumored words.”

Everyone turned to Hamel. There was no tradition stating who was to speak and when, but his position afforded him the courtesy to respond to every comment.

“I do not wish to drag this matter out,” Hamel began. He would not spend the night hashing through the matter. He did plan on sleeping before his run the next day. “It is all true. There is no need for witnesses. I refused Mariel’s request for my blessing on her marriage without giving any reason but my own declared disdain for her potential husband. It was the third request, and she is fully within her right to take this matter to the Council. As for the rumored words, I will tell you plainly what I said. I called Honored Matir Karotel a fool.”

The Council did not gasp or react in any way. They knew the accusation was true. He could see the disappointment on their faces, but there was no surprise. He noticed one of the older Matirs wiped a tear from her eye. Hamel had mentored her on her way to the Council and even brought her name forward for consideration. The disappointment on her face cut deeply into Hamel’s heart.

The matter, however, could not be let go. He had already spoken Karotel’s name without her title. He had acted without honor, and he knew to confirm the accusation about his insult to her would simply make the process easier.

The room sat in silence for at least a minute. No one made any move to speak until Hamel spoke again. In a loud voice, he called out, “Karotel has been leading the nation poorly. She has not strengthened our relations with our main ally, the people of Olmos. She has limited the Armies of the Ridge rather than support and encourage the military as we defend this great city. She has emptied our treasuries with her endeavor to build homes all along the edge of the city at the wilderness. We have hundreds of empty homes in the city. Anyone can request a home if they need one. Yet she still builds more.” Hamel's voice grew louder as he railed against the Honored Matir. “Not only that, she has used the military itself to build the homes. Our soldiers must be stationed to defend the city, not work as carpenters! I said it yesterday publicly, and I declare it now; Karotel is a fool.”

Hamel decided to finish off his speech with a large grin. He had acted against the Council. It was time for them to see how far he would take the matter, and it was time to see how far they would go to respond to his challenge.

Karotel, still on her feet, stood with her hands clenched. Her knuckles turned white, and she ground her teeth.

With a shake in her voice, she declared, “I will temporarily ignore the accusations against myself and this Council while we deal with the matter at hand regarding your blessing on Rezin Mariel’s marriage. If that matter can be dealt with amicably, then we will address the second matter. If not, I suspect responding to the insult to this Council will not be necessary.” She turned her eyes to Mariel and nodded her head.

Hamel smiled again. He had spoken publicly against the Honored Matir, yet she was both an excellent politician and a woman of honor. She did not let her emotion or pain affect her decisions or commitment.

Mariel rose to her feet while Karotel took her seat. The young woman faced Hamel and declared loud enough for all to hear, “My Patir, I wish to marry Captain Eafti Cuttel. Since he does not have a Matir, the Captain has received the blessing of the Honored Matir in order to wed. I, however, still need the blessing of my Patir. I believe Captain Cuttel to be an honorable man and…” Mariel’s eyes dropped to the floor, and her voice lost all its strength. When she finished her request, she spoke in just above a whisper, and her voice shook. “I humbly request that you give your blessing for me to marry.”

The Council room was silent as each Council member waited for Hamel’s response. He knew he should respond with flowery, formal language, but he would not give anything to the Council. Instead, he simply said, “No.”

The tension in the room increased, but Hamel stood confident. It was time to see how it would all play out.

He could hear Captain Cuttel shuffle in his place by the door. Mariel was still on her feet, but tears flowed freely again. As she cried, she continued to face him. She was a strong young lady.

The Honored Matir rose to her feet. He knew she would have to choose her words carefully. She would need to challenge Hamel, but he was still the Honored Patir of the nation. She would never challenge him publicly, at least while his honor remained.

The Honored Matir spoke using his full title. “Honored Patir Rezin Hamel, do you have a justified reason for refusing this request?”

“Because Cuttel shows himself to be a worthless young man,” Hamel declared. “He makes decisions that suggest he is only seeking power. He has been raised parentless. He may appear free, but he is left to face the world alone. As the great poet Yellel wrote, a child without direction is a child who is full of selfishness and rebellion.”

Karotel’s eyes landed on the papers in front of her, and her fingers played across the pages. Hamel suspected she was not looking at anything in particular, but rather collecting her thoughts.

When she spoke, her voice was calm and controlled. “Do you not have a solid, objective reason for refusing her request, Honored Patir? We cannot accept generalities or opinions.”

“That reason is solid enough, and I stand on it,” Hamel replied. His lack of effort in providing specifics declared disdain for the people seated before him.

The Honored Matir nodded her head to declare her acceptance of his reason, and the other Council members followed suit. The matter would need to be escalated if it were to go any further.

Mariel spoke again, but this time, she looked to the Honored Matir. “I humbly request that the Council override my Patir’s refusal to allow me to marry Captain Cuttel.”

Mariel risked much. If the Council refused to give her what she wanted, she would be dishonored as one who could not trust the wisdom of her elders. She stood confident, but Hamel could see her face was flushed, and the tears continued to flow. He knew the tears were not for her, but for what she was about to do.

Hamel turned from Mariel to the Honored Matir. Karotel’s face was serious, but he knew her well enough to see she was pleased. He knew this was exactly what she wanted. The political situation was about to change.

Karotel turned to Hamel and, with a show of great deference, offered him one more chance to change his mind. Hamel was shocked. Such a thing showed great wisdom and even greater honor. It was not required that she allow for a change of mind. The fact that she did such a thing declared that she valued his honor. If he accepted, he would retain some of his honor, but never again achieve such a position as he had held until that day. If he refused and they overrode his parental right, he would be disgraced.

“I will not change my mind, Karotel,” Hamel declared. “You have declared yourself to be the fool. I will not relent. Not to you. Not to this Council. Not to anyone.” Such a statement would make it easy on the Council to do what he knew they had already decided to do.

Karotel took a deep breath and said, “Then I propose the Council overrides the required blessing of Mariel’s Patir and grant Honored Aide Rezin Mariel a Council blessing on her marriage to Captain Eafti Cuttel. All in favor?”

The Council members hesitated, but Hamel had left them no choice. They each raised their hands one at a time. It was unanimous. Mariel’s blessing only needed to be received, and Hamel was about to be disgraced. There would be no need to deal with his speaking against the Honored Matir. The disgrace of refusing a proper request of his adopted daughter for no solid reason was greater than the insult to the Honored Matir.

“It is decided, then,” Karotel said. “Mariel, you have received the Council’s blessing, and it will be considered as proper as your Patir’s blessing. You will be wed one week from today, if you so choose to finalize the receiving of this blessing. The Council offers you its congratulations.” Karotel smiled at the young Mariel.

Mariel thanked the Honored Matir and turned back to Hamel. The matter was not yet complete.

Karotel then turned to Hamel and declared, “The Council has decided to overrule your decision. However, the blessing of your daughter will not be finalized unless tradition is fulfilled.”

Hamel smiled. “Now we will see which one of us truly rules this Council, Karotel.”

The entire Council, Karotel included, gasped. Hamel’s motives were on the table. It was time to see where the allegiance stood.

Karotel stood silent for a moment. She appeared to be struggling to collect her thoughts, and her face flushed red. “You are… we…” she began but stopped as she stared blankly at the table before her.

Hamel nearly smiled. He enjoyed the fact that he could still surprise even Karotel.

She closed her eyes for a moment and took a deep breath before she continued. “The Council is now faced with the question of whether or not to finalize the decision. We will now act on the matter and determine if the Honored Patir Rezin Hamel will remain an Honored Patir and maintain his authority to offer the blessing or refuse it. The Council must stand and declare their position.”

One by one, the Council members stood and turned their backs on Hamel. He watched as Matirs and Patirs he had mentored and led for many years chose to turn away. His mouth dropped open as each of the eleven regular Council members turned. There was only one member of the Council left: Karotel.

When it came time for Karotel to turn, she did not hesitate. Mariel, however, stood with her feet rooted to the ground. At that moment, everything rested on his youngest daughter.

Hamel smiled and spoke loudly, “You do not have quite the control you thought you did, Karotel. Your actions against me are worthless if my daughter does not approve. You are finished, Karotel.”

He then looked back into the eyes of Mariel and saw not only tears but resolve. He felt his face flush, and his fingers and lips go numb. He vision blurred, and he stumbled backward at the sight.

Mariel spoke in a whisper, only loud enough for Hamel to hear, “Please, my Patir. Please change your decision. Give me my blessing. Give me my Patir’s kiss. Do not make me do this.” Mariel wept.

Hamel nearly gave in. He wanted to give her his blessing, but he would not. The decision had been made, and he would stand by it. He whispered back, “I am tied to you and you to me. Nothing can change that. Do what you must, my child.”

His heart thumped loudly in his chest, and his own tears began to flow as she turned her back. She announced loudly, “I reject you, my Patir. I love you, but I reject you. You are no longer my Patir, and I am no longer your daughter.”

The words dropped Hamel to his knees. He felt the room spin and feared for a moment that he would lose consciousness. He had known the moment would come and had planned for it, but he had not been fully prepared. The rejection was too much. He wanted to crawl away and hide.

He was pulled back by Karotel’s voice. She had turned back to face him. It was time for his disgrace to be completed. Her voice shook as she spoke. “Honored Patir Rezin Hamel, you are not only rejected by your daughter, but you are declared by the Council to no longer be a Patir. You have lost your daughter. You have lost all your children. The only family you had left are now no longer yours. I hereby revoke not only your title of Honored Patir but your honored name of Rezin. You are now merely Hamel, a man without honor.”

Hamel shook at the words. Most formalities were designed to speak honor into a situation, but his circumstances were beyond such a point. The words were designed to hurt.

The moment for honor, deference, and respect had passed. He was a disgrace to the people. Karotel’s hands balled into fists, and she screamed, “Stand on your feet, Hamel!” There was to be no more kindness for him. “You will pay the Council the honor of their position!”

He rose to his feet. He would at least hold his dignity. He did not wipe his tears away. They were evidence of the pain he felt. He would not hide it.

Karotel turned to Cuttel. “Captain, there is a disgraced man in our midst who is wearing the crest of an Honored Patir. It brings shame to every Son and Daughter of the Ridge to allow such a thing. Please remove the crest.”

Hamel turned to the Captain as he approached. It was one thing to dishonor himself, but it was immoral for a disgraced man to pretend he was a man of position within the Council Chambers.

Cuttel had a grin on his face, and he appeared quite pleased with the situation. Hamel’s disgrace not only freed Karotel from living in Hamel’s shadow, but Cuttel no longer had to worry about his General. Hamel’s rank had not been taken away, but without his honor, his position was not much more than a formality. For Cuttel, there was more opportunity for advancement. The fact that he could wed Mariel was an added bonus.

Hamel thought he’d take another opportunity to show his disdain for the young Captain. “Stand straight, soldier! You walk like a child afraid of the wind!” It was immature to speak to him as though he was a new recruit, but it felt good to act in a childish way in such a serious moment.

Hamel’s head was spinning before he knew it, and he found himself on the ground. The Captain had struck him in the side of the head.

“Stand on your feet in the presence of your betters, Hamel!” the Captain yelled.

Hamel obeyed and held his tongue. It would all be over soon.

Captain Cuttel reached up and grabbed the crest on Hamel’s uniform. He yanked it violently, and the entire crest came off, along with a large section of his shirt. A few of his medals awarded over the years fell to the floor. Hamel’s eyes drifted across each one, and he was struck by how worthless they had become.

“Your disgrace is complete, Hamel,” Karotel said quietly, and Hamel turned to face the Honored Matir. Her hands were on the table before her, and her eyes were closed. While she appeared to be doing her best to keep her face neutral, Hamel could still sense the overwhelming grief she felt. He knew her too well. She was capable of hiding a great deal of emotion from many, but not from Hamel. He could see it all.

She continued in her quiet voice but raised her head and made eye contact with Hamel. “You are no longer welcome in the Council Chambers. Leave now on your own two feet, or the Captain will drag you out.”

“I’ll leave, Honored Matir,” Hamel said. Without his honored position, he could not speak her name without her title.

He turned to the door and hung his head. He could feel the eyes of each member of the room on him and wondered what Mariel’s expression might be. He dared not look. He did not feel he had it in him to see more of her tears.

When he reached the door, Major Ornel opened it for him, but Captain Cuttel stood in the way and would not move. Hamel walked around him, careful not to touch the officer and risk offending a man of his position. As he passed Major Ornel, the man’s face expressed shock and horror. He nodded to Hamel out of respect, and Hamel returned a half-hearted grin.

Once out in the fresh air of the evening, the full impact of what had happened hit him, and he collapsed on the steps of the Council Chambers. He had been a man of honor since his youth. He had been made a General in the Armies of the Ridge at age twenty-three and named the Honored Patir, head of the Council within the same year. Hamel had been the first ever to reach the rank of General before the age of twenty-six and the first to be named both the Honored Patir of the Council and a General of the Armies of the People of the Ridge.

Now he was disgraced and worse than a common thief.

He pulled himself to his feet and descended the steps. It would be a long walk back to his house. It might take until the next day before word of his disgrace traveled to all parts of the city, but word would doubtless reach all people.

Hamel moved on at a fast walk along the road which led his house. As he moved through the streets, he wrapped his arms around himself to hide the ripped shirt and pulled his hood up over his head.

When he reached his house, he found the rooms empty and dark. Markel had cleared himself out of the guardhouse, and there was no sign he had ever been there. He knew Markel would be okay. Cuttel was a Captain in the Armies of the Ridge. He would recognize the wisdom and intellect of the young man despite the circumstances.

Hamel made his way to his bed. He would not indulge in his nightly grief or his walk through his memories. His life had changed that night, and everything would be different for him moving forward. Grief was no longer an option.

He crawled into bed, and despite the disgrace, the shame, and the events of the months leading up to that point, he was at peace.

Everything had gone according to plan. The cost had been high, but he was free to go where no man of honor went.

He recited the words once again. “I am not without family. I do not face the world alone. I must continue. There is work to be done.”

In moments, Hamel was sound asleep.