Mortals & Deities by Maxwell Alexander Drake Page B

hips and foot tapping as if there was not a concern other than him behaving as he should.
    “Ma.” The fact that the word came out more of a whine than a statement affirmed that events had unnerved him more than he was willing to admit. Setting down his packs, he crossed back to his mother and gave her a hug. “I am not sure how long I will be gone. Once I figure out what the Elmorians have done to me, and mayhaps how I can mend it, I will return.”
    She cupped his chin in her hand and forced him to look her in the eye. “You have always been strong, Alant. And you have always made me proud. Whatever has happened to you, know you will always have a home here. Neither Shaper nor Elmorian can ever take that away from you.”
    It is more than that, Ma. More than you can even know.
    He could not voice to her what raced through his mind, so he gave her a smile he hoped looked convincing. “I love you, Ma.”
    She embraced him once more. “I love you too, son.” After a brief, tight squeeze, she pushed him away and wiped a sleeve across her eyes. Reaching into her apron pocket, she withdrew two ta’narians. “Here.” She placed them into Alant’s hand.
    He stared at them, astonished. Never had he seen so much coin. “Where…?” It must have been her and Papa’s life savings. He thrust the coins back. “Nix, Ma. I cannot take these.”
    Shaking her head, she closed his fingers around the coin. “That is more than we could spend in a lifetime here. Your Papa told Arderi that when he gave it to us.”
    This struck Alant harder than seeing the coins. “Arderi? He gave you these!”
    Nodding, his mother giggled. “It seems that they are not as valuable in the city as they are here. You will need them more than us.” Her giggle turned into a laugh. “Besides, we cannot even find anyone who can give us change for them.” She smiled. “Now, go. If you feel the Shapers here will give you trouble, you need to be outside the walls before they know you have gone.”
    Shoving the coins into his pocket, Alant returned to his packs and slung them back over his shoulder. “I will come back, Ma. I promise.” Lifting the handle on the door, he stepped out into the alleyway between the public houses and made his way to the fielder’s gate.
    With a few odd looks from the guarders as he inquired after which field the men of his house were working, he passed out of his home stead. As happy as he was to be home, he had not realized that a knot had formed in his chest until it relaxed once the walls of the stead dropped out of sight behind him.
    I could not have stayed. Even without the Shapers meddling. It is past time for me to figure out what has happened to me. And mayhaps find a way to help Shaith get off the isle of Elmorr’eth at the same time.
    Walking down the main gravel road, Alant took one of the side trails about half an aurn distance from the stead. The sun sat high and a brisk cool breeze blew through the surrounding countryside. The small copses of trees, their leaves beginning to turn shades of orange and red and brown, swayed along with the remaining crops of wheat. They had turned yellow, indicating they were ready to harvest. Winter approached. Before it came, the last of the wheat fields would be harvested and made ready for the winter season. Topping a rise, he saw wagons sitting in an already harvested field and men working a field that was nearly bare of crop. Two mounted guarders came trotting up, and despite his best efforts, a lump of fear rose to Alant’s throat.
    Be at ease, now. There is no way these guarders could have heard anything yet.
    “Well met.” The guarder was young and Alant did not recognize him nor his companion.
    “Well met. I am here to speak with my papa, Tanin Cor.”
    A smile spread across the young guarder’s face. “Ah! You must be Alant, then. He has often spoken of you. I was gladdened to learn that no ill had befallen you.” Waving a hand to the far side of the field,