Airel - Aaron Patterson [21]
Kreios was a family-oriented man and to him, that was all that mattered. His brothers and sisters, grandparents, uncles and aunts had settled in places far from here. He never saw any of them, though, because the danger was too great. That was the difficult part.
He made his way out from the forest to the main road that ran through the center of the village. Stones had been spread on it by the villagers to keep mud to a minimum in the rainy season. Since it was so cold, not many townsfolk wandered outside. The few that were outside cast a glance at him and hurried on through the cold, looking away. This answered his unasked question: no one here was willing to help a stranger.
“We are almost there, baby,” Kreios whispered. “You will love your uncle. He is not as strong and handsome as I am, but he is a good man.” Straight ahead, the temple spire rose into the sky. It had large wooden doors set with heavy bronze handles that put a strange face on it. Glass windows were built into the walls, which were a radical innovation to the humans at that time.
The people of Gratzipt had discovered a large deposit of iron in one of the valley walls some distance from their village. Lightning strikes were a regular occurrence in that spot during summer storms and with that regularity they tested all kinds of materials against it. Soon after they discovered what the intense heat did to sand and they began heating it in their brick ovens to make glass without the aid or limitations of lightning, shaping it at will. Glassmaking became a viable trade, and Gratzipt the merchant hub for the various products that could be made from it.
Kreios knew his brother had been involved in the discovery of this process. He was the chief glassmaker artisan in the village. Kreios, in his own turn, was the master of wisdom in his village. The people would come to him in much the same way the people from the old tales had come to Solomon. Because of his enormous past, he, like his brother, knew things no human could know. They had to be very careful as to how much of their gifts they would reveal. If the people saw too much, they would become frightened. Soon after, rumors of witches or seers always spread–like wildfire.
The baby wriggled against his body and cooed, cutting him right to his heart. He loved her more than he could have imagined possible. She was only a few days old, but the love he already felt for her seemed to be as old as the earth. He hurried his steps. She needed to eat, and soon.
Kreios saw the medium-sized hut to the east of the temple and walked directly to the door. Before he could knock, it opened and a dark haired man with the same features as Kreios stood in the doorway. There was a smile on his face and a hint of concern in his eyes.
“Welcome, my brother, and come inside. I have been waiting for you.”
Chapter XII
Zedkiel smiled and embraced Kreios. It had been ages since they had allowed themselves to see each other. The bond they shared ran deep. Kreios stepped inside, closed the door behind him, and looked around.
“I am sorry, my brother, for putting you in danger like this.”
“Do not worry Kreios, we are family. If that means we fight, then we are prepared to do that.”
“You are a good brother, Zedkiel. I only hope we never have to face the Brotherhood. You have built a fine village and I can sense that you love it here.” Zedkiel nodded and pulled the hide away to reveal the baby girl’s sweet face. She was awake, and looked up at her uncle smiling.
“She is lovely! Looks like her mother, thank God.” Kreios laughed a deep throaty laugh and allowed his brother to hold her. Zedkiel looked down at the newborn girl and kissed her on the forehead. Without a word he turned and gave her to his wife.
“Maria is due by the next new moon. We will care for your daughter as if she is our own. You have blessed us with