A Brother’s Gift

By Crystal Grant

Liam’s arms felt weighted as if carrying bags of sand rather than an empty rucksack. He swallowed back the doubt climbing up his throat.

This was for the best. His brother would be better off in an orphan’s home than homeless on the streets. Liam was only fourteen; he couldn’t provide for them both. It killed him to be separated from his only real family, but what could he do?

Mason was no longer welcome in this house. Just like the last two homes they had been turned out of because of Mason’s unusual gift. They claimed the eleven-year-old was a threat who would only become more dangerous.

“Handan takes good care of orphan boys, but he only has room for one.” Liam repeated his aunt’s assurance as he stuck a pair of his own breeches in the sack. Mason needed them more than he did.

Surely Mason would understand. At least Uncle was not sending him to Joshun where abducted children were brainwashed into serving a dark emperor in a faraway kingdom.

Liam clenched his fist. If he was a knight, everything would be better. Knights were brave and capable. He could watch out for Mason, and maybe even free all the children in Joshun.

For now though, Handan would have to ensure Mason’s safety. Liam didn’t even have his dagger anymore—the last thing his father had given him before the fever. A cousin from the previous home had stolen it. Some knight he was.

But Uncle promised he’d get him in the castle as a vassal. Someday he would be a knight.

“Whatcha doing, Liam?”

Liam’s heart jolted at his brother’s voice. “Oh, just cleaning up a bit.” He grinned over his shoulder but made sure not to meet Mason’s eyes.

Mason stepped into the small space they shared in the outside shed. “Why do you have our sack?” His eyes brightened. “Are you going to the castle?”

“Not yet.” Liam tied the knot at the top with a jerk. “We’re taking a trip.”

“A trip?” Mason’s young voice hitched. Every other “trip” meant a relative had kicked them out and forced them to stay with another.

“Uncle’s taking us to meet someone.” Liam raised his gaze just enough to act as if he wasn’t avoiding Mason’s eyes. Not that Mason would fall for that.

“What’s wrong, Liam?”

Uncle stepped in the doorway, blocking the sunlight. “You got ‘im ready, boy?”

“Ready for what?” Mason gaped up at Liam.

His throat dry, Liam finally met his brother’s light brown eyes—so much like Mother’s before the fever took her. Liam held Mason’s gaze and let him read the truth for himself.

Mason’s face washed out. “Uncle’s sending me away?”

Uncle grunted. “Let’s go.”

Not yet. He wasn’t ready to say goodbye.

Mason scrutinized Uncle’s face. “Where’s Joshun?”

Liam jerked. “What?”

Uncle’s face reddened. “You quit readin’ my mind, runt!” He backhanded Mason’s face, then hauled him up under a burly arm and stalked out the door.

Panic blossomed in Liam’s chest, and he grabbed Uncle’s elbow. “No! Let him go!”

Mason kicked and clawed until Uncle dropped him. Liam pushed between them and faced the big man. “You said Handan would take him in.”

Uncle’s left eye twitched. “Get yer chores done, boy.”

Heat surged through Liam’s thin frame. Uncle’s promises were useless. “No. We’re leaving.” Resolve hardened his words. “Both of us.”

A thick, heavy silence fell, broken only by Mason’s gasps. Uncle speared him with a cold glare. “What’s that, boy?”

Liam gulped. “We’ll not be a burden anymore.”

Uncle sneered and jabbed a finger at him. “Yer staying to make up for the money I wasted feedin’ and housin’ you two.”

Liam clenched his fists. “We slept on the ground in your shed!”

The statement earned him an open-handed slap, knocking him to his knees. The metallic taste of blood coated the tip of his tongue.

“Seems big brother needs a lesson in respect.” Uncle untied the cord around his tunic.

Cold apprehension snaked down Liam’s spine, but he jutted his jaw and prepared for the strike. His brother would not be taken away to be used by the emperor, his mind emptied of all that made Mason… Mason.

There was a grunt and a spray of dust as Mason heaved himself up and jumped between them, his chest heaving.

“Mason, no!” Liam grabbed the frayed hem of Mason’s shirt.

Uncle smirked and raised his arm. Liam flinched.

“Stop!” Mason’s thin voice cracked.

Uncle’s face slackened, and he dropped his arm.

Mason shuddered. “Leave us alone!”

Shock washed over Liam as Uncle ambled back to the house like an obedient child.

Mason turned back, his face white. “What happened?” he whispered.

Liam stared up at him. Skies above! He can control minds, too. No wonder everyone said he was dangerous. He swallowed back his fear in the face of his brother’s. “I think your gift is growing.”

Mason’s face crumpled. “I don’t want it. I’m scared, Liam.”

“Hey, don’t be.” Liam raised up on his knees to look up at the tear-streaked face. How could he have even considered their being separated? Mason needed him. They needed each other. “Your gift is special. Someday you’ll do something amazing with it. In the meantime, I’m here to take care of you.” He grinned and tapped Mason’s chest. “And you’ll be looking out for me, too.”

Mason sniffed. “What’re we gonna do?”

“We’ll go to Handan’s.” Liam stood and squeezed Mason’s shoulder. “And if that doesn’t work, we’ll find another place where we’ll both be safe.”

“But what about you becoming a knight?”

The question dimmed his optimism, but he forced a smile. “Maybe someday we’ll both be knights.” Maybe they would free the children of Joshun together.

Mason looked deep into his eyes, and Liam let him see the truth within.

“No one will ever separate us, Mason.”

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Crystal Grant grew up LOVING books and stories and sometimes spent more time in her imaginary worlds than the real one. She spent fifteen years teaching first grade and shared her love of books with her students. Currently, she is writing curriculum and spends her spare time writing epic fantasy, watching old movies and TV shows, or reading books that sweep her away to another time and place.

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