A fantasy short story set in Tybraes. Revas is an Erahthi toddler living with his mother in a fancy Shae estate. He understands that his mother is a servant there. Although he is friends with the Shae Damin’s son, Revas is not equal to him. Revas’s life at the estate teaches him many things about life, death and power. He is still not prepared when he is separated from his mother and thrust into a world filled with strange Erahthi faces who speak a language he does not know. If not for the kind, young woman, Khes, who found him, he would be lost entirely.
Content Warning: enslavement, terminally ill child, hostile escape, abandonment, implied death of parent
Excerpt:
Olenka was found in Yasson’s room, as he suspected she might be, so, too, was Damine Yrianthe. It was the beautiful Shae woman who took notice of him first and called him to her. “Revas, what have you there? Have you brought your mother flowers?”
“No, ma’am, the flowers are for you. The bird is for mama.”
“Bird? Come, let me see.” She waved him to where she sat at Yasson’s bedside, a vision, even exhausted. Her green eyes sparkled with a sudden light at the sight of the little purple bird. “Oh, it’s beautiful, Revas, but it seems wounded.”
Holding it out for her to see, Revas looked over at his mother. “It flew into the window. Can you heal it, mama?”
“I fear the time for healing has passed, little man,” Yrianthe sighed as she took the bird into her hands.
“I don’t understand,” Revas muttered as he watched her examining the animal closely. His mother circled around Yasson’s bed, the other boy still fast asleep. She gently took the flowers from Revas’s hands and set them on the side table. Then, she kneeled beside him.
“What Damine Yrianthe is saying, Revas, is that the little bird has died. It’s life has ended. It isn’t going to sing or fly anymore.” She watched him, seeming to expect that he take more meaning from her words than just what was said.
Revas thought for a long moment, staring at the bird, then asked, “But if it isn’t going to sing or fly, what is it going to do?”
“Nothing. Its body will return to Tybraes and nourish the earth, and its spirit will be carried to Rebirth.” He watched Olenka glance nervously at Yrianthe before she added, “This is what our people believe. The Shae have different beliefs.”
Revas looked at the Damine who was respectfully quiet as she let the boy take the bird from her hands.
“But it only looks like it is sleeping. It isn’t going to wake up?” Revas lightly stroked the bird’s head as if trying to wake it.
“No, Revas, it will not ever wake up.”
A horrified gasp rushed from the boy. In the haste of his panic, he dropped the bird and bolted for Yasson’s bed. It took some effort to climb the tall structure, but he did so with determination all the while shouting, “Yasson! Yasson, wake up! Yasson!”