Orn awoke to the sound of voices. He felt wool headed, and fuzzy. Cutting through the feeling was the dull throb of pain in his arm and side. Knowing moving would just make it worse he laid quietly in the darkness, straining to hear the voices coming from the hallway.

“How is he doing?” Even in his fuzzy mental state he recognized his father’s voice.

“Same as always. He is just so fragile. Healing can repair the damage. But he does not get any stronger, he…” He recognized his mother’s voice and cringed at the sound of her voice cracking, “… he always gets hurt so easily.”

“I know love.” his father stopped speaking for a moment, “But soon it will be his fifth birthday. Everyone gets stronger when they get a path. He may even get a blessing.”

“But blessings are rare!” her voice was harsh, “I know he will get a path, but I cannot help but worry. “

“I…” his father paused again then continued, “I think Orn may already have a blessing.”

“What do you mean?” He heard hope in his mother’s words.

“His dream the other night was not right. But” He emphasized the word “it also was not wrong. The hunters found an imperial scouting party deep in the forest. If they had not been on alert that group might have escaped. They nearly found a way through. “

“Do not start with that again.” His mother’s hushed voice sounded strained. “He is not a prophet.” She nearly spit the word. “He was talking about them betraying us and attacking in 15 years.”

“He was wrong last night, but in fifteen years ...” Orn’s father struggled for words, “Do you remember the messenger from this morning?”

“Yes. What does that have to do with anything? Do not change the subject.”

Hie father continue undaunted in the face of his mother’s growing irritation. “He was carrying a message. The empire and kingdom have entered talks to end the war. Something about marrying their young princess to our nation’s prince. “

“That does not make any sense. Their princess is almost an adult now, and the prince is little more than a toddler.” Orn did not need to see them to know that she was gesturing sharply as she did when irritated.

His father’s reply was so soft Orn barely heard it, “A toddler who will come of age in fifteen years…”

“Stop that!” His mother’s voice took a more insistent tone. “You know anyone who is a prophet gets taken by the church or the royal family! None of them live more than a dozen years.”

Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.

“I’m sorry dearest. I did not mean to scare you. He is probably not a prophet; but I will treat this warning as if he were. No matter what happens, in fifteen years we will be ready for an attack. If it does not come good. But if it does, we will be ready.”

Orn could hear tears in his mother’s voice. “But what of Orn? The capital is so far, if they take him away, we may never see him again. “

“If he is a prophet, we will just have to make sure he does not get discovered. I have not been idle the last couple days. I already sent for my cousin Olrich.”

“Why would you send for him?” Orn could almost feel the disgust in his mother’s voice. “You know how he feels about me. About …”

“I know how unpleasant my cousin is.” His father’s words were soft, and Orn had to strain to hear. “I will be the first to admit Olrich is a failure as a person. But he is also a failure as a priest. Which is exactly why I asked him to come. He once drunkenly admitted to me, that unlike other priests, he cannot see the paths given. He must ask. “

“Really?!” Genuine excitement filled her voice, shocking Orn with the sudden change, “That is brilliant! All we have to do is tell Orn to pretend to be tired and we can coach him through it.”

“Thank you.” He could tell his father was smiling smugly, “I actually considered having Olrich do the ceremony before this to avoid the strain of a trip on Orn. With Orn in such a bad shape, I have an excuse to have the ceremony done here. I thought we could use the old shrine in the east wing.”

Almost as an afterthought he added, “That does mean we will have to put up with him for a week or two though…”

There was a pause as his mother seemed to be searching for words. “If it will keep Orn safe, I can suffer through Olrich.”

“We will send Olrich on his way, after the ceremony. That aside, I am sure Orn will get a warrior’s path.” There was a pause before his father continued, “He may be fragile, but he is undoubtedly tough and brave…”

“A bit too brave. Just look at the state he is in…” His mother replied her voice muffled.

“I know. I have seen men on the field collapse from lesser injuries. He was convinced he had to save us. I do not know many men who could bear to deliver a message like that.”

“I do,” His mother’s voice was suddenly clearer, “and the idiot is right in front of me. What was it? Both arms broken, most of your ribs, one leg completely shattered? You only made it into camp because you were tied to your horse. If I had not been taking a stroll that morning…”

“I would not have married the most beautiful healer.” His father soothed.

“Do not start with me. I just remembered who is to blame that our son is like this.” Orn could not see them, but he could tell his mother was giving a little.

Orn groaned inwardly, please flirt somewhere else. As if hearing his complaint, their voices slowly grew distant.

Orn quickly dismissed his father’s belief that he would be a prophet. From what he remembered; the goddess wanted him to forget. He doubted she would then give him the ability to see the future. Though having him die young was something she might not object to.

He repressed a shudder, as the memories of the goddess’s hand crushing him came rushing up. He forced the thoughts away and exhaustion overtook him, sending him back into a deep sleep.