My Brother's Keeper
By Al's Waiter
Chapter Three: In the Army Now...
It was two weeks after Graveheart's sixteenth birthday, when the entire family sat around the dinning room table, talking about the days events. The television news droned quietly as they celebrated Graveheart's first day of working with his dad.
"How was your first day as a miner, dear?" Sapphire asked her oldest son as she served lichen soup to the family.
"Very interesting." Graveheart answered as he took his bowl from his mother. "I enjoyed it very much."
"I'm glad you decided to follow in the family trade." Gravel spoke in a quiet tone. "I know you'll make me proud."
Graveheart smiled. "I'll do my best."
"I still don't understand why you'd want to be a miner over a quarrior." Mica stated as he swallowed his soup. "It's completely beyond me."
Graveheart shrugged. "I just don't want to be a quarrior. I don't think I'm cut out for the army. It's just..."
"Just a second..." Gravel interupted his son in mid sentence as he stood up and walked over to the television to turn it up. The news anchor's face was deadpan; completely emotionless as he read the papers just handed to him moments ago.
"...is over. I repeat: The Peace Treaty is over between the Planet Cluster
and Lord Mantel has officially declared war on
Planets Ice, Fire and Bone.
"The negotiations today on Planet Fire went terribly wrong and all talks have been cut off completely. Any hope of true peace died today when Emperor Femur, King Cryos and Lord Mantel left Planet Fire, each vowing never to return.
"Most of the details of the day still remain uncertain at the moment, but we will bring you the information when it is available.
"This is indeed a grim day for Rock..." And Gravel turned off the television.
"A grim day?" he asked sarcastically. "That must be the biggest understatement ever made in all of Rock's history." He sat back down at the table and the family continued to eat in a very thoughtful, yet sad silence.
Later that night, both Graveheart and Mica lay on their beds in the dark on their backs.
"Graveheart?" Mica whispered. "Are you awake?" Graveheart's reply was barely audible.
"Yes."
"What are you thinking about?"
Graveheart let out a long breath. "That the enlisting age is sixteen."
Mica sat up, resting against his elbows. "Enlisting age? You mean that you're now seriously thinking about joining the army?"
The sixteen year old looked over at his twelve year old brother. The street light outside their window shone in, revealing the expression of surprise on Mica's face.
Graveheart sighed. "Yeah, I am. They'll need men, won't they? We've been at peace for almost eight years now; it's been a shaky peace, but peace non-the-less." he explained. "Not very many signed up for the army during those eight years and they'll be short on men now that we're back at war. I still don't like the idea of being a quarrior and being in the army" he paused, "but I guess it's the right thing to do. Don't you think?"
Mica slowly nodded his head, then quietly laid back down. Graveheart was actually going to enlist as a Quarrior? Mica frowned. Enlisting into the army was one thing, signing up for war was another. The young boy sighed deeply and turned on his side, away from his older brother.
Graveheart might have to go on a raiding party to Planet Bone, or Fire...or even Ice to get their natural resources in order for everyone on Rock to live. Mica thought. But Graveheart might die during one of the raids. I could loose my only brother and one of my closest friends. Mica knew he couldn't talk Graveheart out of it; once his brother's mind was made up, nothing could change it. Graveheart was like their dad in that regard; determined to the end.
What was Mica going to do?
The next morning, Graveheart told his parents his decision concerning his enlistment into Rock's Quarriors. Neither parent was too happy about the decision but both were supportive. "We feel the same way about this, but since you want to do this, we're behind you all the say."
That afternoon, Gravel took Graveheart to the recruiting station in Rock's capitol, Anvilla and take the physical. Later that night, a call came from the recruiting office informing Graveheart that he had passed with a perfect score and was to fly to the Quarrior training centre in Barry's Pit the next day.
For Mica, it was all happening to fast; today he had a brother, tomorrow his brother would be gone to train for war. Tomorrow, Graveheart would no longer be at home, sharing a room with him. Mica didn't want to loose his brother this way but there was nothing he could do.
Graveheart was packing his duffel bag when Mica entered the room. "Graveheart, can I talk to you?"
Graveheart looked up. "Sure. What's up, Kid?"
Mica walked in and sat down on Graveheart's bed. At first, no words came to him; he just sat there and said nothing. Then suddenly, "Graveheart, I don't want you to go." the words burst out. Tears began welling in his eyes. "I don't want to lose you...I'll miss you too much."
Graveheart smiled, understanding his brother's pain and concern. He moved his bag aside, sat down beside Mica and put his arm around him. "I know, but I have to do this for Rock. I feel a responsibility to everyone to enlist and fight for my planet. It's not an ideal job, but it's the right thing to do. Plus," he said as he hugged to comfort his brother. "This way I feel like I'm protecting you...and mom...and dad..." Graveheart let go as Mica turned and looked at him.
"Protect us?" Mica asked, even though he understood. He didn't expect an answer, but he got one.
"Who knows what lies ahead...I want you to be safe and this way, I feel I can help ensure that." Mica nodded. This was still hard for him, but he felt a little better that Graveheart knew how he felt.
"Hey," Graveheart said as he stood up and turned to face his brother. "I know; I'll write everyday from Training camp. How's that?"
Mica nodded again and finally smiled. "That'd be great. I'll look forward to your letters everyday."
"Mica!" Sapphire called.
"Yeah?" he answered.
"It's time for you to get that ragged top of yours trimmed."
"Aw, mom!" Mica whined. "I'm talking to Graveheart. He'll be leaving tomorrow!"
"You can talk to Graveheart after you get your hair cut." Sapphire's tone said 'no nonsense'.
Mica sighed and stood up. Graveheart smiled. "I'll come and talk to you while you get your hair cut." Mica returned the smile and both brothers exited the room.
Late that night, Mica lay awake in his bed staring at the darkened ceiling, thinking about the upcoming events. Graveheart would be leaving the next morning for the training camp. In a way, Mica was loosing a brother and he didn't like that one bit.
Just then Mica got an idea. He could give Graveheart something; something to remind him of home. Mica began thinking of all the items that he could give his brother. It have to be something small and portable; something Graveheart could take with him no matter what he was doing.
Mica couldn't think of anything. He got out of bed and walked quietly out of the room. He entered the kitchen, got himself a glass of cold water and sat down at the table. He silently tapped his finger tip on the table as he thought.
In the middle of the room was the tall stool that Mica had sat on while his mother had cut his hair that evening and had left it there. The trash can was still there as well. Mica walked up to the can and looked inside.
Inside the small cylindrical container were the cut-offs of his long hair. Mica bent over, picked up a large, flat piece and looked at it in the dim light. The blue colour sparkled softly and was it's smooth surface was cool to the touch. Just then, Mica knew what he what he could give his brother. He would just need his father's help with it though. Happily, Mica returned to his bed and fell fast asleep.
Everyone in the Graveheart's house-hold were up early that morning; preparing for the eldest son's trip to the Quarrior training camp. Mica held his present tightly in his hand as he watched his family run frantically around.
"Graveheart, do you have enough clothes?"
"Yes, but I don't think I'll be wearing them too often."
"Graveheart, do you have you toothbrush and the like?"
"Yes, they're already packed."
"Graveheart, did you call Jade and tell her good-bye?"
"Yes. Actually, she enlisted yesterday and took a physical. She's just waiting for the results."
Jade? Mica thought. Jade might be leaving too?
Graveheart walked outside to their family car and put his bag in the trunk. Sapphire said her teary good-byes as Graveheart prepared to get into the car. Mica walked up to his older brother and held out the small present.
"What's this?" Graveheart asked as he took it. "It's a rock of your hair."
"Yeah, I thought it would help you remember home while you're away." Mica said, slightly embarrassed. "Dad drilled a hole in it and I put a leather strap through it; you can wear it around your neck."
Graveheart smiled and put his head through the looped string. He looked at it for another minute and the hugged his brother. "Thanks. I'll wear it all the time. I won't take it off..." then he stopped. "...unless I'm not allowed to have it on. If that's the case, I'll keep it under my pillow. Okay?"
Mica nodded and tried to hold back his tears that were fighting to roll down his cheeks. "Okay. Don't forget to write." Mica reminded his brother.
Graveheart laughed. "I won't. I'll write everyday."
Gravel cleared his throat. "I'm sorry to separate you two, but Graveheart has a flight to catch, and he can't miss it."
The two brothers let go of each other, took one last look at each other and the Graveheart got in the front seat. As Graveheart and Gravel drove away, Mica watched them as if it was in slow motion. One tear finally managed to escape and began it's way down the twelve year olds face. He quickly wiped it away when his mother put her hand on his shoulder. "Come on dear; you have school now. You've got to get ready."
Mica nodded and followed his mother into the house. It wasn't going
to be the same without Graveheart but things change. That's the way of
life. Mica then began to get ready for school.