? The Path of Fire (Path of Light and Fire Book #1)(Completed) ?

Chapter 1.2: The Hero Price

Sabin sat quietly. Those words were heavy, something he would need to process. He would ruin them with an inadequate response.

Aegis continued. "If you were to suffer for protecting Kaita, would it still be worth it?"

Sabin nodded.

Aegis smiled brightly. "I am honored to be your father. My choice, not by something as arbitrary as blood." He gave Sabin a full bow. It was first time, an acknowledgment that they were now equals in Aegis's mind. It was too much for Sabin to absorb at once. First the hero price, then father considering me a man.

"Let us return to the issue at hand, Takuya."

Sabin's hands twitched nervously. Moments ago, he felt certain doom impending from Lord Dopal, but this conversation had sent his thoughts into an incontrollable tornado of half-thoughts and unfocused emotions.

Aegis took off his heavy wool gloves and tossed them on the floor. "I had a talk with Lord Dopal. Takuya should be on his way to Covica for military training. He won't see Toro for a long time. Kaita's innocence was never in danger, nor was anyone else's. I made sure of that long ago."

And you managed this how? Sabin quietly wondered to himself. However, even when he was a child, Aegis would give him the blunt, unadulterated truth. If he said it was handled, it was handled.

"Sabin, why haven't you asked me about the military exam?"

There was something Sabin could hold onto and wrap his mind around. He latched upon that thought with all of his power, lest he be tossed back into the tempest of confusion. "I know we couldn't afford it. I've been saving, though, so in a few years I'll have enough."

Aegis cocked a bushy eyebrow. "That all?"

"It wasn't the only reason," Sabin admitted. "I was afraid of what Takuya would do in my absence."

Aegis snorted. "It's a shame that Takuya has turned out the way he has. He's not a bad kid, he's just spoiled and not familiar with the consequences of his actions have. Maybe if Kuyan...I'm sorry, if Lord Dopal wasn't away so much in the King's armies, Takuya would have turned out better."

I hold much less hope in that snake than you. You haven't seen him in action. Sabin didn't voice his complaints.

"Since that was all, you can be on your way. I know a guy in the port city of Rosera. Name's Darren. He'll lend you what you need to take the military exam. You'll have to pay him back, of course, but you two can work out the details."

"Truly?" Sabin smiled uneasily. He had never left Toro before, except for the Acadian Tournament in Covica last year. But this time wouldn't be for a cycle or two. It would be years before he could return to Toro, if ever.

Aegis untied the pouch at his belt and placed it in Sabin's hand, closing within his two meaty palms. "Here's 400 zen. Don't argue with me, you're taking it. Okkai's heading to Rosera to sell some of his harvest and you can ride with him."

"Wait," Sabin said slowly. The organized nature of what happened dawned upon him. "You planned this?"

"These events had been set in motion prior to your confrontation with Takuya," Aegis said calmly. "Yesterday's events only hastened the departure by a couple of days. I hoped to give you more time, but there is only so much value in training without experience."

"I need to leave now?" Sabin said angrily. "How is that fair?"

"The hero price is never fair, son. Trust me: you must to go to Rosera."