The man introduced himself as Harold, he stood to attention before Mother Anne and the workers. This was the soldier who would let them know that it was time to evacuate up the hill. Tyrion and the other children, especially some of the older ones, gave their full attention to this man. This was a crucial moment. The man’s instructions were announced to everyone and projected with a loud but calm boom to his voice.
The younger kids knew that there would be a battle soon and nearby, but they were unaware of the true gravity of the situation. Their smiles were met with a solemn response from the orphanage workers but behind the brave faces of the adults, Tyrion could tell that they were scared. The eyes never lied. He wanted to reach out to the other older kids and let everyone know that he felt vulnerable and sick just as they must, but he did not dare to blurt out all to see. Tyrion remained strong with an inner voice saying one thing.
What would Barracker do?
The kids must come first. He looked at them and wondered what to say. He imagined that Mother Anne would say something playful to distract them as they did not understand. They would just miss the orphanage, and their wonderland of a playground to play on, even the skateboard, his own little constructed project he had made for the kids to play on. To be honest, even he wanted to just go back to the temple and try out the skateboard. Sixteen years old and responsible with a job but he was still a kid too. His stomach did somersaults, a nauseated feeling overcame him. His mind went on the horrors of war, and not just war but what would happen if they lost the battle for Valhiem. It was unthinkable. His mind tried to stay on the now, in the moment he thought back on doing his paper round, his side job where he could be part of the community. He felt like he could escape any worry by daydreaming about mythic warriors of history, saving all of Mytheria from any threat. Now was the realisation, that the threat was knocking on the door of Valhiem, for real this time. He had heard mutters of the likes of Eredge and Dantuin being taken over and lost to the witchQueen, from the gossip he got on his paper round. This notion of thoughts that came after were riddled with bits of fear, but naivety that the war would not reach where he was living. This was the thinking from the young mind of someone whose life was focused purely on Valhiem and not beyond these walls. Maybe there was the rare thought of seeing the big city one day, Capitol City, the stuff made by legends. The residence of the ‘Council Of Heroes’ and the likes of Dante Valeron, Rufus Fletcher and other Diamond Tier legends.
He wished to fade into the background like a shadow just so he could compose himself, as his breathing was becoming erratic. He felt his heart beating as loud as the church's bells.
What Barracker would do?
He would not fear this moment, help Mother Anne and anyone struggling. Of course the young ones and even the workers needed attending too, he thought. Life was not standing still for him on this one. Barracker always told him that in a dangerous situation, if you lose your head then you lose your life and it was always important to stop yourself from holding your breath.
Breath, breath, in and out, slowly so no one can see.Tyrion was the first to stand and salute, “Sir it will be done, I will make sure everyone is alright heading up the mountain.”
Harold smiled and gave a salute of his own, with his arms hitting his sides with a clap, his chest pushing out.
“Very well young master,” Harold turned to Mother Anne and the rest of the workers. “I can see you are in capable hands, I will let you all be off, I have others I need to direct my orders too. I will be back later to see if help is needed, after.”
Tyrion saluted him and bid the man farewell, his body now running on autopilot, mirroring Barracker Kassel’s movements and even the words he would say. Every person is faced with challenges, every person has to act, sometimes that is the only answer in overcoming the challenge. Sometimes making a bad decision is better than freezing up and doing nothing. You must have the courage to act. Tyrion inhaled a sharp breath this time, he felt his words less quivering with every word spoken, an illusion of composure, his posture became stable and calm. He went to one knee and spoke to the kids as one, his words marked for everyone to hear. “Everyone go and get your favourite thing. You have five quick minutes before we all have to leave.” Once again he thought that Mother Anne would make it a fun distraction. “Kids, I need you all to help pack up for this adventure, this time we all will go to the top of Citadel mountain and we will participate in a sleepover with the Mayor and the whole city, telling of stories, a big game but I cannot say anymore, we must take what we will need for the adventure.” He was paranoid that he slipped up with his words or body language and brought on confusion and panic, but Eren and Isabella rose up, battling for the first words.
“I’m taking the skateboard!”
“I’ve not had a turn yet, the skateboard’s my pick. Eren you pick something else.”
Then Tyrion raised his hand, grateful for their arguing for once. “Everyone can have the skateboard, I made it for everyone,” he smiled at this moment, it was a warm one, the first of the day under the pressing circumstances. “Kids, help each other. Whoever is last smells as foul as Barrackers feet.” It was a risky call hanging around for any minute longer but the workers went off, making sure no kid was lost among the chaos and they all worked in harmony so that no one would be last. This was the selfless plan of Isabella too as she went to help others, Eren on the other hand ran to get the skateboard and was first to stand to attention in front of Tyrion. Tyrion gave a friendly wink. After just fifteen minutes all kids were counted and workers stood before Mother Anne.
“The children's clothes are packed and we are all ready to go, Tyrion,” Mother Anne said, playing into Tyrion being the leader. “We will follow you to the Mountain.” She gave a smile of her own, all workers followed in suit even the caretaker of the Temple gave a thumbs up with a tear in his eye, the first one to show any watery eyes, he was sure it wasn't due to the war brewing but maybe some respect growing for the kid. Tyrion would normally rub the back of his head with slight embarrassment, a habit he got from Barracker, but there was no embarrassment. This was his duty right now. Everyone needed him at his best, and they needed caring for as usual and directed to the top of Citadel Mountain.
He realised in advance that the journey would be a nightmare for mother Anne to get to the top of the mountain road. He stopped everyone as they were ready to go and ran off to get his hands on a wheelchair. He gave himself the task of pushing the old elf lady, who had lived twenty times his life and four or five times the average age of any non-elf senior living in Valhiem. Pushing the wheelchair up the steep road would be a tough, physical task, but he thought of the much tougher task that the soldiers, conscripts and adventurers would have to do. With a determined look on his face, he wheeled Mother Anne out, leading everyone to the mountain.
“...But before that, he was your age,” Mother finished her story about Barracker. There was a pause amongst them until out of nowhere she reached over her shoulder and grabbed his hand.
Warm and loving hands, he thought,
mother to the community of Valhiem, he thought.
Our Mother. “You show signs of a Paladin, Tyrion, and I am sure you have made Barracker proud today.”
The second tear of today, now shed by himself, one of adrenaline, stress, but joy and also sorrow, for many more would be shed by the end of all this.
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