Matthias looked at the gem, blinked, rubbed his eyes, and stared at Mattie's hand in shock. "I didn't think they still existed. By Tyr's ax! And all the way out here!"
Alfred looked at him in confusion. "But what is it? Was the woman right?"
"It's a Fróðleikr Steinn." Matthias' voice was soft with reverence. "The Sages used them to channel their affinities better."
Mattie heard all this, but his focus was on the small gem in his hand. It glittered in the light and tingled up his arm. The wind seemed to pick up, swirling around him and into his soul. Alfred and Matthias were still talking, but it seemed so distant. The tingling had gotten stronger, it felt like pinpricks all over his body. And the wind! How did they not notice? Everything suddenly seemed hollow and tinny and distant.
"Mattie? …. Mattie! Hey! MATTIE!"
Slowly, he looked up at Alfred and Matthias' worried faces. Then everything went black.
When Mattie came to again, he was laying in his bed at home. Slowly, without opening his eyes, he took a deep breath; he felt odd, like his whole life he'd been numb or half asleep but he had finally become alert. He could feel every puff of wind, as it eddied through the crack in the window frame and under the door. After about a minute just listening and feeling he slowly opened his eyes. The room was empty. The gem was gone.
He quickly made his way to the kitchen table. Someone was bound to be there. Two people were, in fact. Nathanael and Matthias sat looking at each other across the table. There was one glass of beer on the table, set before Nathanael. He was frowning, the creases in his forehead deep grooves of age and worry.
"Ahem," coughed Mattie, "What's the matter?"
Matthias and Nathanael shared a look before Nathanael stood up and hugged him. "Oh, son, I'm so glad you're alright."
"I'm fine, Dad. What happened?"
Nathanael looked again at Matthias. "I think, it would be best if Matthias explained," he said hesitatingly.
Matthew looked up to Matthias. He was avoiding everyone's gaze, staring fixedly at the table.
"What do you mean?"
"Mattie, I love you as a father, I always have. Ever since I found you left all those years ago. But I am no more than a simple farmer. I remember, of course, the Shadowfall. But it never did affect us here that much. Oblaye has never been that important. I'm sure you've known this? They had a purge," he hesitated, looking to Matthias for confirmation to keep talking. Matthias nodded, watching Mattie's reaction. "The Kingdoms: Peace, Freedom, and Strength. They had a purge here when I was about 15 summers. 5 years before you came to be here."
"A purge?"
"Yes. Of the affinities and those who protested. Not many people here have affinities, but they did murder the priest and many of the influential families." he sighed quietly, "We have kept the traditions, but those who remember live in fear of the kingdoms coming back to slaughter us." Nathanael stopped, frowning toward the ground. Slowly he continued, "Some communities were completely destroyed: their temples razed and earth salted. We were lucky to be allowed to keep our livelihoods."
"But what does all of that have to do with me? I don't like the kingdoms, but I've never actively done anything against them! I wouldn't want to bring that destruction back!"
Nathanael smiled gently. "Your brother is on the roof looking at the stars. He deserves to know too."
Before Mattie could say anything else, Matthias took him roughly by the shoulder and led him outside to the ladder that leaned against the east side of the house. It was night out, the stars bright and cheerful and the moon heavy in the sky. Carefully the two of them made their way up the roof and over to where Alfred lay, staring contemplatively at the sky. Matthew was pushed down so they were sitting next to each other as Matthias stood imperialistically across from them.
"So," began Matthias, "I'm sure you all have questions."
Alfred looked at him, frowning. "Yes actually. What's wrong with Mattie? Why are the Fr-Frod- stone things, why is it here? What does it actually do? What's an affinity? How - "
"Enough." Matthias' voice was quiet, but Alfred still stopped talking. "To answer your questions, Mattie has an affinity, an air affinity, if I'm not mistaken. And I hope I'm not, it'd be rather embarrassing if I were. The Fróðleikr Steinn are gems that are somehow infused with the power of their respective affinities, in this case, air. Why it's here, my guess is because nothing happens here, we are very far from where the Kingdoms are at their strongest. If you want to hide something you do so here. The stones help channel affinities. At least, that's how it was with the Sages. With Mattie, I'm not completely sure. An affinity is someone's natural connection to a certain element: Earth, Air, Water, Fire, Light, or Dark. Not everyone has them, and those that do don't all have the same amount of power."
"So why did Mattie black out then?"
"I don't know."
"Where did the gem go?" asked Mattie quietly.
"I have it," said Matthias, "I was making a chain for it before you woke up."
Mattie held out his hand, "May I have it. Please."
Wordlessly Matthias reached into his pocket and pulled out the gem, now attached to a leather cord like a pendant. Carefully Mattie slipped it over his head, where it settled neatly into the hollow of his neck.
Matthias looked at Mattie inscrutibly for a few seconds. "In any case, Mattie, you are in danger now. The Kingdoms will kill for you because you represent a threat to their power. I'm going to do my best to teach you about your affinity and how to control it. Hopefully they won't find you."
Mattie paled in fear and Alfred shifted closer, quietly offering support.
"Teach me too," he said suddenly, lifting his chin.
"Alfred-"
"No, Matthias. You're our friend, but Mattie's my brother. My twin. I'm going to stand with him if it kills me."
"But you don't have an affinity."
"That's fine. I'm still going to learn."
"Alright." sighed Matthias. "Now go to sleep. I'll see you in the morning."
That said, he turned and dropped off the side of the roof. A few seconds later the twins saw him walking back toward town through the deep dark night.
"Hey Mattie."
"Yes Alfred?"
"The stars are real pretty tonight, aren't they? They look like they always have."
"Yes Alfred."
"... You know that book you wanted to pick up at that ill-fated table?"
"Mhm. What about it?"
"Don't you wanna know what's inside?"
"It's in a strange alphabet. What makes you think you could read it?"
"Not me. Matthias. He's so knowledgeable about these things that I don't think anyone else here would know. I bet he knows what's in the book."
"He also said to go to bed."
"Yeah. But the traders are only gonna be here one more night. And who knows what tomorrow will bring. Let's go tonight, while the stars are still in the sky."
"I really don't want to make the Kingdoms more mad than they already are at me. Let's just go to bed Alfred. The stars will be here tomorrow."
A/N
Hey guys! this was quick :) I guess the desire to procrastinate really helps inspire you
in any case, I hope you enjoyed. reviews and favorites are greatly appreciated!
