of gratitude he had never known before. He could hardly believe that they had put themselves on the line for him like that. He felt he had found true friends, more like brothers. He had no idea what lay in store for them at the Canyon, but whatever they should face, he was happy to have them at his side.
Elden he tried not to look at. He could see him, kicking rocks, smoldering with rage, could see how annoyed and upset he was to be here, on patrol with them. But Thor felt no pity for him. As Kolk had said, he had started the whole thing. It served him right.
The four of them, a ragtag group, proceeded down the road, following directions. They had been walking for hours, it was late in the afternoon, and Thor’s legs were growing weary. He was also hungry. He had been given only a small bowl of barley stew for lunch and hoped some food might be waiting for them wherever they were going.
But he had bigger worries than that. He looked down at his new armor, and knew it would not have been given to him if there were not an important reason. Before sending them off, the four of them had been given new squire’s armor: leather, dressed in chainmail. They were also given short swords of a coarse metal—hardly the fine steel used to forge a knight’s sword, but certainly better than nothing. It felt good to have a substantial weapon at his waist—in addition, of course, to his sling, which he still carried. Though he knew that if they were to encounter real trouble tonight, the weapons and armor they were given might not suffice. He longed for the superior armor and weapons of his cohorts in the Legion: medium and long swords of the finest metal, short spears, maces, daggers, halberds. But these belonged to the boys of fame and honor, from famous families, who could afford such things. This was not Thor, a simple shepherd’s son.
As they marched down the interminable road, into the second sunset, far from the welcoming gates of King’s Court, towards the distant divide of the Canyon, Thor could not help but feel as if this were all his fault. For some reason, some of the other members of the Legion had seemed to not taking a liking to him, as if they resented his presence. It didn’t make any sense. And it gave him a sinking feeling. His whole life he had wanted nothing more than to join them. Now, he felt he had crashed into it by cheating; would he ever be truly accepted by his peers?
Now, on top of everything, he was singled out to be marched away for Canyon duty. It was unfair. He hadn’t started the fight, and when he had used his powers, whatever they were, it had not been on purpose. He still didn’t understand them, didn’t know where they came from, how he summoned them, or how to turn them off. He shouldn’t be punished for that.
Thor had no idea what Canyon duty meant, but from the looks of the others, clearly, it was not desirable. He wondered if he were being marched off to be killed, if this was their way of forcing him out of the Legion. He was determined not to give up.
“How much farther can the Canyon be?” O’Connor asked, breaking the silence.
“Not far enough,” answered Elden. “We wouldn’t be in this mess if it weren’t for Thor.”
“You started the fight, remember?” Reece interrupted.
“But I fought cleanly, and he did not,” Elden protested. “Besides, he deserved it.”
“Why?” Thor asked, wanting to know the answer that had been burning inside for a while. “Why did I deserve it?”
“Because you don’t belong here, with us. You stole your position in the Legion. The rest of us were picked. You fought your way in.”
“But isn’t that what the Legion is about? Fighting?” Reece answered. “I would argue that Thor deserves his spot more than any of us. We were merely picked. He struggled and fought to gain what was not given him.”
Elden shrugged, unimpressed.
“The rules are the rules. He was not picked. He shouldn’t be with us. That’s why I fought him.”
“Well, you are not going to make me go away,” Thor responded, shakiness in his voice, determined to be accepted.
“We’ll see about that,” Elden muttered darkly.
“And just what you mean by that?” O’Connor asked.
Elden did not volunteer any more, but continued walking silently. Thor’s stomach tightened. He couldn’t help but feel as if he had made too many enemies, though he did not understand why. He did not like the feeling.
“Don’t pay any attention to him,” Reece said to Thor, loudly enough to be heard. “You did nothing wrong. They sent you to Canyon duty because they see potential in you. They want to toughen you up or else they wouldn’t bother. You’re also in their sights because my father singled you out. That’s all.”
“But what is Canyon duty?” he asked.
Reece cleared his throat, looking anxious.
“I’ve never been on it myself. But I’ve heard stories. From some of the older kids, and from my brothers. It is patrol duty. But on the other side of the Canyon.”
“The other side?” O’Connor asked, terror in his voice.
“What do you mean ‘the other side?’” Thor asked, not understanding.
Reece studied him.
“Have you never been to the Canyon?”
Thor could feel the others looking at him, and he shook his head, self-conscious.
“You’re kidding,” Elden snapped.
“Really?” O’Connor pressed. “Not once in your life?”
Thor shook his head, reddening. “My father never took us anywhere. I’ve heard of it.”
“You’ve probably never been outside your village, boy,” Elden said. “Have you?”
Thor shrugged, silent. Was it that obvious?
“He hasn’t,” Elden added, incredulous. “Unbelievable.”
“Shut up,” Reece said. “Leave him alone. That doesn’t make you any better than him.”
Elden sneered at Reece and raised his hand briefly to his scabbard; but then relaxed it. Apparently, even though he was bigger than Reece, he didn’t want to provoke the king’s son.
“The Canyon is the only thing keeping our kingdom of the Ring safe,” Reece explained. “Nothing else stands between us and the hordes of the world. If the savages of the Wilds were to breach it, we would all be finished. The entire Ring looks to us, the King’s men, to protect them. We have patrols guarding it all the time—mostly on this side, and occasionally, on the other. There is only one bridge across, only one way in or out, and the most elite of The Silver stand watch around-the-clock.”
Thor had heard of the Canyon his entire life, had heard horrifying stories of the evils that lurked on the other side, the massive evil empire that surrounded the Ring, and how close they all lived to terror. It was one of the reasons why he had wanted to join the King’s Legion: to help protect his family and his kingdom. He hated the idea that other men were out there, constantly protecting him while he lived comfortably in the arms of the kingdom. He wanted to do his service and help fight off the evil hordes. He could imagine nothing braver than those men who guarded the Canyon passageway.
