Hour of Desperation 

Timaneus woke to find himself in a bed, it was nice and comfortable. He looked around, he was in Misam’s house. Misam was snoring nearby, Timaneus yawned he checked a paper calendar, Timaneus checked and discovered he’d been out for a day. He slowly walked towards a table and found a letter there. Curious he read it

 

Dear Misam

Your move to attack the tax collectors was a good one. As for Timaneus, our testers say he is very skilled at swords-play it’s time to bring him to us. However Misam we need you to help us once again. Jack our rebel commander has been captured and needs your help. We here will continue to fight, when you rescue Jack bring him here. Our spies say he’s definitely held somewhere in Faraheit. Thank You once again.

 

Rebel Leader Donald

 

Timaneus stared at the letter then glared at Misam who had just woken up. “You’re a rebel,” he accused, Misam nodded and poured himself a cup of tea. “I am,” he said Timaneus asked “Wait what happened?’ Misam said “We beat them, only seven dead villagers but there were many villager who were hurt, but one tax collector escaped and we don’t know what’s going to happen.” Timaneus asked “Who saved me from those people?” “I did,” replied Misam “They weren’t evil?”  Timaneus said “What’s that about the testing how am I special?” Misam paused “You’ll find out Timaneus but yes you’re very special.” Timaneus snorted “I am just the son of a weaver.” Misam said “No you’re not Timaneus.” “Then the rebels killed my father!” said Timaneus angrily. Misam shook his head “No they didn’t your father was a rebel, he was part of the Alliance. He was on a mission when he was ambushed by Orks he didn’t survive that.” “Prove it,” said Timaneus stubbornly, Misam shook his head “You’re so stubborn.” Timaneus said “Well I am not going to the rebels now.” Misam looked outside “You will young Timaneus, fate has already chosen for you,” Timaneus said “Where’s my mother?” Misam said “She’s back home.” “I’ll go back then,” said Timaneus, Misam shook his head “It’ll be best if you stay here.” Suddenly people were yelling, Misam swore and looked out side. Orks had broken into the village. They were attacking the village. An Ork had a human’s structure, its skin was a dark green colour, it had charcoal coloured hair and spikes ran along their arms. Misam cursed as an Ork smashed through his door. Misam unsheathed his blade and attacked the Ork while Timaneus looked for his. Misam shoved the Ork and it stumbled back, Misam stabbed it through the chest. Blood spurted onto the floor. Misam yelled “Timaneus! They’re heading towards your home horses at the back!’ they grabbed saddlebags and took the horses. One was named Norman it was a brown horse with a white mane and he reared and Misam took off, Timaneus calmed Fleur down, she was a small shaggy pony, the two horses galloped away but the Orks had too big a head start. They did their best but they were too late.

 

The cottage were burning, one wall was intact the Orks had looted the place and left. The dinner table was split in two. Timaneus cried out and ran towards his home, he dug through some rubble. He found his mother, she had several scars across her legs and arms. An arrow prodded from his stomach. “Mother!” cried Timaneus, his mother slowly smiled at him, “Timaneus… I am …so…sorry that…I never told …you about your father.” Timaneus said in dismay “Misam told the truth?” His mother nodded weakly “Go with Misam,” she croaked “Make me proud…make your…father…proud…help the Alliance,” then her eyes slowly closed and she quietly died. Timaneus cried out, tears were falling from his face. He couldn’t believe his mother couldn’t be dead but she didn’t move nor breath. Timaneus saw his grandpa also dead, arrows prodded from his chest and he was also dead. Timaneus fell to his knees and sobbed for a few minutes.

 

Misam and Timaneus buried them and Misam said a few words Timaneus couldn’t hear. Timaneus went on one knee in front of his mother’s grave he said “Mother I promise I’ll make you proud, I’ll help rid Oceanisia of the Empire, I swear mother you can rest in peace.” Misam looked across the Orks were coming back they were looking for him and Timaneus. He placed a hand on Timaneus’s shoulder “You coming to Faraheit?’ Timaneus stood up, something about him had changed he looked more mature and determined then ever and his blue eyes only showed pure determination “Yes Misam,” he replied, Misam nodded “Provisions are there and water let’s go," Misam added “The Orks are looking for us,” “Why?” asked Timaneus, Misam said “They want to find me and also you and note Timaneus by going with me you might yourself a few enemies in the Empire.”  Timaneus looked ahead at the fields and mountains, “So be it,” he said quietly.