Back at the Falls

His thick-soled boots sounded against the cold stones of the floor as he left the central hall. The Bartlett Falls council had connections to wide-ranging sources, through trade and recreation popularity. As such they were annoyingly well-informed. There had been no point in pretending any aspect of his story, and the disappointment from his father especially had been palpable. So Jaen, concealing his mood as best as he could, had listened to the advice given, and left the chambers as soon as was respectably possible. His mind racing with potential next steps, he went to find his companions.

As seemed to be the case lately, the meeting with his parents (the damned council included) had not gone to plan. Jaen had counted that at very least his failure at Norton Brook wouldn't affect too poorly his status at home. This was not to be the case, and while he could see the fortune he did yet have, his parents' judgment still seemed a punishment. Others on the council had questioned the wisdom of his decisions, but it was his parents that offered this new course of action. It would perhaps benefit him, they said, to spend some time with his uncle on the mountain. Jaen had been to the alpine townships before, but only as a youth. His woodland training had been mostly solitary, and while it had taught him many things about survival, the management of a community was altogether different. It was his parents' regret that they had done less to prepare him for this vision of himself, and their contention that time spent in the mountain townships with his uncle would be of help.

Jaen's uncle Grive was known as one of the most amiable yet hardy and capable premirs of the Skyline. He oversaw a rambling township that encompassed two small summits on the Lincoln mountain. Mostly a rural community, though he traded time and dealings with hermits and city visitors alike. The north side of his locale bordered on a developed side of the mountain, and even featured a raised marketplace with easy landing for air travelers. Grive was known as a busy yet peaceful man; he was never seen to stop moving unless maybe in those times when everyone said he was at the other end of town. He commanded respect through his fierce appearance, but those who knew him felt safest when he was in the room. In short, he was the unconscious model of who Jaen wanted to be, who currently seemed to be engendering the opposite effects on people around. The young Bartlett knew all this, and yet resented the wisdom of the suggestion.

---

Leb had been relaxing on a stone balcony when Sutton returned. His senses relaxing in the safety of the Falls Estate, the tall bodyguard looked weary. Leb welcomed him and indicated a nearby seat.

Sutton gave a soft groan when he sat down. “Well, that was a folly of a trip.”

“Maybe not entirely,” replied Leb, “our young master may have learned something about his limits.”

Sutton grinned grimly. “One can only hope. What do you think the council will have to say to him?”

“I don't know, but I suspect it will lead him away from the falls again. Will you go with him if he takes off on another journey of self-discovery?”

Sutton sighed again. “I feel that in some way it's my calling. This place has been quite good to me, and if I can give back by helping its wayward son... at least I'll feel as if I've done something; given back the energy that this place gave me. My life has been full, but this is an equilibrium for me.”

Leb looked at him thoughtfully. “That's a nice sentiment my friend. I guess I've never much considered the exchange of energy in my life. I give to the world wherever I can, and I know I get back the same. Maybe in a couple more decades I'll have to make more of a review.”

“And what about you Leb? You have been Jaen's friend for longer than I; will you go with him this next time?”

Leb looked at the thick green of the trees above them and shook his head. “I would follow Jaen anywhere he willed, but not right now. I have family here to look after; responsibilities in my own life that cannot be neglected now. I know he'll be alright though. He'll figure out who he is and where he really belongs. I know Jaen has the spirit of his forefathers, even if he doesn't trust that it's there.