Sennar's Mission by Licia Troisi

brave. My father had my future as a hero planned out before I was even born. How could I tell him that I’d failed at the very first and easiest stage, the trial—that I hadn’t even fought? That I’m no good with a sword, that I have no interest in hearing about soldiers or about death? It felt like he was already right there in front of me, scolding me. He’d never have accepted my decision.” Laio glanced timidly at Nihal. “I was afraid of him. I was worried that, with the weight he pulls in the Order, he’d have forced Raven to let me back into the Academy.”
    He told how, midway to his father’s house, he’d changed course. He didn’t know where to go, or how he’d make his living. When the bit of money he had for the journey home was all spent, he tried earning his keep as a minstrel.
    “I’m a pretty good singer, you know? I know a ton of stories and songs. And, who knows, maybe I’m good at softening people’s hearts in some way. In any case, I was making pretty good money.”
    Nihal looked him up and down. No, he had certainly not been making good money. He was as thin and worn as a beggar.
    In the end, Laio confessed, he’d chosen to take refuge in the forest. He thought he’d live a vagrant’s life, in close contact with nature, far from the warring of men. He got by picking wild fruit and digging up edible roots. Every now and then he’d fish, but with little success.
    “I did have some luck a few times, though. The fish were pretty small, but they were tasty,” he said with a shy smile.
    At first, he’d slept out in the open, beneath the trees, but he quickly realized that he’d need to find better shelter. So he’d set out in search of a hunter’s hut, a cavern, or an abandoned hideout. Instead, he’d found this small cottage.
    “It’s safe here. No one will ever come looking for me. Plus, I have my sword,” he added. “When I finally get sick of eating roots, I’ll put my Academy training to use and go hunting.”
    “You don’t hunt with a sword,” Nihal pointed out.
    Laio blushed. “Well maybe one of these days I’ll find a bow. The war’s not that far off.”
    Nihal shook her head. “And for now, what will you do?”
    “I’ll stay here a little longer, I think.” Laio could barely muster the courage to look her in the eye. “I’ve grown up a lot these last few months, you know. I’ve seen a few things. I know I can make it on my own,” he concluded, hardly convinced.
    “So that’s your highest ambition?” Nihal prodded him. “To hole up in the woods for the rest of your life?”
    “I don’t know,” he muttered.
    “Have you looked at yourself?” Nihal urged. “You’re thin, tired, dirty—is this the life you dreamed of?”
    Laio’s eyes filled with tears. “No, it isn’t. No.”
    “Running away accomplishes nothing, Laio,” Nihal said quietly. “Your problems will follow you to the edge of the earth.”
    Silence filled the room. Outside, the storm had calmed. No more booming thunder, only the rain, beating steadily on the walls and on the roof.
    Nihal looked into the fire. “Why don’t you come with me?” she asked.
    Laio turned to her, incredulous. “With you?”
    “Yes. The base is a great place to be. Anyway, didn’t you say you wanted to be a squire? You could learn the trade, make yourself useful.”
    Laio shook his head.
    “It wouldn’t be for forever,” Nihal went on. “Just time enough for you to get your bearings again, to figure out what you want. Besides, don’t you want to spend some time with me? The way we used to?
    Laio smiled. “Let me think about it.”

    Stretched out on a makeshift straw mattress, Nihal woke with a start. She threw off the cloak blanketing her and reached for her sword. It was still raining. Mixed with the sound of raindrops splashing on walls, she could hear footsteps squishing through the mud. It seemed as though someone were stalking about the house. Nihal remained still, her senses alert, trying