Chapter 1

Chapter 1: Humble Beginnings.

Rain pattered lightly on the sheet metal roof. Fleance gestured for his son to sit at the rotting table. The table shook as Fleance placed down a small pack, full to the opening with clothes. He took a deep breath in and thunder clapped against the raging skies.

“You my son are more than the light of my world. You are special. Would you like to know where you came from?”

“I’m 16 dad, you’ve told me all the stories of Luuosk over and over.”

“But you don’t know why I’m here.”

“Fair.”

“My father was a visionary. A revolutionary. A leader. And a great man. But he was never the best father. He was never home. Gave us kids freedom that we did not deserve. I would go out with my siblings, get drunk, lose my money gambling, come home, vomit, sleep, repeat.” He paused, “But I wasn’t the only one. Everyone else made the same mistakes. But… I got the blame.”

“Dad, you sound desperate.”

“Every great family has a black sheep. Mine had several, and that wasn’t good enough for my father. He needed a scapegoat, and I was the perfect choice. I was hotheaded; never the type to back out from throwing a fist. He forced me out. Told me I was a failure. Told me that ‘you being born caused the family's problems’ I was shocked. I didn’t even try to contest. Everyone hated me and I don’t even know why.”

“I don’t hate you dad.”

“I know buddy. And that’s why it breaks my heart to know I have to send you away.”

“What are you talking about?”

“Titus you are what the people above us call a Son of Life. You are the product of my greatest failure. I was going to prison. I didn’t pay taxes and stole a bit of money from the man I was serving so that I could gamble. The policeman said ‘Fleance Tyrsaal to drop your charges you must participate in the annual rite of life on the isle of Life’ I knew what it was and knew what it meant for both parties involved.”

“What is involved?”

“…I was so ashamed stepping out of that damp tent…”

“Oh…”

“…I told myself that if the child was a girl then I wouldn’t HAVE to think about it. But then 7 months later you turned up on my doorstep. With a letter. The letter told me that you are a son of life and said once you were 16 you could enter the god program. You could get the chance to become one of ten gods.”

“I thought the gods were descendants from the previous.”

“That’s what you’ve been taught. In reality the gods are just children chosen by ambassadors to be the ultimate goal for the humble peasant. They dress in elegance and eat off plates of silver. They live like kings, seated upon meaningless thrones of gold and sleep draped in silk. They live a lifestyle that I can’t provide for you. We live in a slum, Titus, we live on the tip of my squandered opportunity.”

“What would being a god even mean?”

“All the money and worldly goods I cannot begin to offer. But for you, it would mean a better future. A future without me. A future where you wouldn’t have to wonder if we could eat this week. It would be everything I can’t give you.”

“Why can’t we go back to Luuosk. Live in luxury there? Please dad, I don't want to leave you.” 

“Luuosk wouldn’t accept old Fleance Tyrsaal back. I’ll be smiling at your graduation.”

“Then I’ll go.”

The rain stopped. The sun began to break the clouds above the hut and a frame of light fell on Titus’ ready face. Fleance stood, he embraced his son and a tear fell down his cheek. He knew his son was strong and because of that, Fleance was strong.