The Quest: Part II

Danos and his little brother Makos are just about to learn what is upsetting their father. Tension is building. Things are about to be problematic for the little family. Their father owes a large debt and they have an impossibly limited amount of time to repay.

It still isn't quite enough. The problem is good, but what is great is it is enough of a problem to push their father to accept a proposition he would normally never consider, thus creating a much larger problem, one worth questing over! It is time to introduce the antagonist.


Makos let out a loud sigh. He hated seeing his father sad. His father, Denan Highwhistle, was a very hard worker. He raised horses for the royal family. His skill was sufficient to tame even wild horses from the distant plains of the Feuli Empire. This made other nobility envious of the king's horses, and the king, loving the attention, would offer Denan's services to all of his friends. This meant more work for Makos' father. Unfortunately, it was unheard of to pay a horse tender more than any other servant, regardless of increased workload.

Makos couldn't always make sense of why adults thought the way they did. He figured they should worry less and try to have more fun.

Letting out another sigh at his father's sorrow, he looked up at Danos' bed and whispered loudly, "What does 'free days' mean?"

Danos mumbled back, "'Three days,' not 'free days.'"

"Oh." Makos said, then his eyes popped open wide. "You were eavesdropping, too!"

"I wasn't eavesdropping." Danos responded. "There's a little hole in the wall up here. It's not eavesdropping if I can't help hearing it."

"You mean you heard it all?" Makos scrambled up to look over the edge of his brother's bed.

Danos was sitting up, but slumped forward. He looked depressed, like how Makos figured their father must look right then. Danos answered slowly. "It... It sounds like... well." He turned his head to look at Makos out of the corner of his eye. "Do you promise you won't cry?"

Makos nodded quickly.

"Well..." Danos' voice had that edge to it that made him sound like he was regretting bringing anything up.

"I promise." Makos said in his most reassuring way. His small hands gripped the bed frame tightly and he started at his brother's eyes intently. Danos didn't share secrets very often, and Makos wasn't about to let him back down now.
 

Danos gave in. "That was the banker. Father has to pay off his entire debt all at once now."

"What does that mean?" Makos prodded.

Danos sighed. "I think it means if he can't pay him soon, the bank will take away our home."

"They can't do that!" Makos hissed.

Danos shook his head. "I heard father. He didn't argue against it. He only asked for more time."

"What did the banker say?" Makos asked.

"The days." Danos' words sounded hollow, like people did when offering condolences to their family at their mother's funeral.

Makos furrowed his brow and stood up on the edge of his own bed straighter. "Then he just needs to pay him back."

"He can't." Danos said.

"Why not?"

Danos sighed. "Because he spends all of his money taking care of us. I think the bankers gave him years to pay it off at first, but now it sounds like they changed their mind all of a sudden." Danos shook himself out of his mood suddenly. His eyes widened and stared into Makos'. "Don't go feeling lousy because of it. Father would feel terrible if he thought you felt like you were a burden. He loves us and wants us to be happy, so don't get all mopey about it and spoil his sacrifice."

Makos rested his chin on his folded arms and replied. "I already said I wouldn't cry."

After a moment of silence, Makos asked, "What are we gonna do?"

Before his brother could answer, a very loud banging shook the front door. Both brothers jumped and stared at the wall separating them from the entryway.

The banging continued, louder this time. Makos was sure the hinges would snap if someone didn't answer it soon. He wondered if a hungry bear had found their house. 'The bear will be disappointed.' He thought, glumly. 'All we have left is oatmeal.'

Both boys turned their heads in unison toward the sound of the upstairs door squeaking open, then along the wall as footsteps thudded down the stairs and reached the door.

Makos and Danos stared at each other, wide-eyed, then Makos clambered up onto the top bunk and both pushed their ears close to the tiny hole in the wall.

The door whined as it was opened, and their father's voice greeted someone. "Hello? How can I help you?"

A mirthful, old voice, as creaky as the door hinges, answered. "I heard you were in a bit of a.. predicament, Mr. Highwhistle." The voice sounded like whoever owned it was trying very hard to sound consoling, but couldn't keep the chuckle out of his throat. "I do not come for help, but to help you."

At last, the real problem begins! Continued tomorrow...