teenage boy would be caught dead talking that way to his fatherânot in front of anyone, anyway. It was the tone of voice used by little boys.
Yed put his hand affectionately on his fatherâs shoulder and pointed to Jacksonâs watch. âThere, on that strap.â
For a second Jackson thought he saw a hint of a wry smile beneath Radnorâs thick beard. âOf course.â The big man leaned close as Jackson offered his left wrist.
Yed prodded Jackson. âNow show him. Show him the fire.â
Jackson looked at Yed, then at Radnor. What harm could it do? Yed had gotten such a big kick out of it. âOkay,â he said, and pushed the button that illuminated the watch dial.
Radnorâs eyebrows went up in surprise at the green glow. âEhhhhh?â
Yed smiled. âBut that is nothing. Wait until you hear about â¦â And with that he went on to detail every single thing Jackson had told him of the magical wonders of Oregon.
Several times during Yedâs grand recital, Jackson found himself thinking that he should interrupt and try to set things straight, explain what Oregon really was, and where. And that all the things Yed spoke of were just inventions, technology, ordinary stuff in Timber Grove. And that he was just Jackson Cooper with a new watch, not the something special they seemed to want him to be.
But the simple truth was that Jackson was enjoying listening to Yed go on and on about him too much to cut the telling short. It felt incredibly good to hear himself praised. By the time Yed finishedââAnd with this thing called a gun, you can shoot from a great distance!ââRadnor, Chieftain of All Timmra and Commander of the Steadfast Order, was looking at Jackson with great appreciation. That felt even better.
âJust as it was spoken to me!â Radnor said with a huge smile. âWelcome to Timmra, Jackson Cooper! Welcome, indeed!â
Jackson grinned. No way was he going to admit that heâd never even pulled the trigger of his fatherâs pistolâheâd been too afraidâmuch less hit something, especially at a great distance. âThank you,â he said, and bowed to Radnor.
âHeâs come just in time, donât you think?â Yed said.
âYes,â Radnor replied, âbut Iâve been given no instructions.â¦â His expression grew serious. He stroked his beard for a moment, then closed his eyes and gently placed his powerful hand over them. âLet me understand,â he said. He slowly drew his hand away to reveal his eyes open again, locked in a fixed stare off into the darkness of the hallway.
Jackson looked at Yed for an explanation of what Radnor was doing. But Yed put his finger to his lips, signaling Jackson not to interrupt. Yed closed his eyes and waited in silence. Not wanting to offend, Jackson did the same. The foyer of the Hall of the Steadfast Order grew quiet, save the sizzle of the pine-pitch torch mounted on the wall.
After a long moment, Radnor finally stirred, and Jackson opened his eyes to see the chieftain shaking his head as if coming out of a trance.
âTo the armory,â Radnor said. âFirst, we must get Jackson Cooper a bow.â
Yedâs eyes popped open. âA bow? But I thoughtââ
âSo it has been spoken to me,â Radnor said.
Without a blink, Yed nodded. âThen so it must be.â
9. Among Friends
Radnor grabbed the torch from its holder on the foyer wall and led Jackson and Yed into the dark hallway beyond. No one spoke; the only sound was the scuff of their feet on the stone floor. They rounded a corner and the walls seemed to close in on either side, the air to grow musty. A large wooden door with heavy wrought-iron hinges and bolts loomed ahead.
âOpen it,â Radnor told Yed.
Yed unbolted the door at the top and the bottom, then grabbed the thick iron handle with both hands and looked over his shoulder at
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