Haugstad, Kingdom of Divinium, Eastern region of Rohana Federation, 2038 S.C. 87th day

  After several rainy days, the skies cleared, and the warmth of the sun lured the children of Haugstad outdoors. Their laughter rang through the village as they chased after the last remaining puddles. On the porch of his cabin, Adel sat watching as they muddied their shirts, skirts, and shorts.

  They are sure to get scolded by their parents later. Adel smiled to himself. For that moment, he allowed himself to savor the simple blessings of village life.

  More than two star cycles had passed since a stranger arrived in the village carrying a baby. That baby, Heron, had grown into a bright-eyed little boy. His fair skin glowed in the sunlight, and black curls framed a face full of smiles. The boy had been adopted by a young couple who had trouble having children of their own.

  After the incident with the city council, a decision was made for Haran to leave the village and seek help in Jamtara, the closest city to Haugstad. Since he was a citizen of another country, he’d still get proper care as if he were a citizen of Jamtara.

  Haran decided that it would be best for Heron to stay and be raised in the village. He didn’t want to take a chance that he’d have another episode and hurt his son, or worse.

  But as time passed, Haran didn’t reach out. Not a letter, not a messenger. After a while, there was a discussion in the council about what had happened to him. Adel had sent inquiries to the city of Jamtara, trying to find out the fate of the man who had entrusted his son to him. The city’s authorities offered no answers. City matters shouldn’t concern villagers, they had told him. Adel found himself unsure whether he would live to see Haran again.

  Each morning, he thanked the Creators for another day, fully aware that the days left to him were few. His strength was waning, and he had recently stepped aside as village chief. The plenary had chosen Malcolm to take his place. Now, his days were spent watching over the children while their parents toiled in the fields or ventured into the wild to hunt.

  The children giggled as they splashed mud at one another. The snowy season had ended, and it had been a difficult one, so moments of children’s laughter were worth savoring.

  But these moments were interrupted by a sharp, high-pitched, and alien sound. It pierced through the village like the wail of an unholy creature. Adel didn’t recognize the sound, but it was growing louder and closer. Fearful, he moved toward the children.

  "Children, inside! Quickly now, everyone inside!" he called out in a trembling voice as he waved them toward his house. The children’s laughter faltered, and it was replaced by hurried footsteps and concerned glances over their shoulders.

  Then it came into view. A machine, unlike anything Adel had ever seen. It rolled on two large wheels, with a boiler-like structure at its center that spewed bursts of steam from rear pipes. The boiler seemed to connect the wheels, anchoring the contraption, and atop it sat a figure clad entirely in black. The figure wore a helmet that obscured their face, their gloved hands gripping what looked like horns, or so it seemed to Adel, who had never seen a steam motorcycle before.

  A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

  Another contraption powered by magic. Will their appetites never end? Adel thought, frowning as the machine rolled into view. His scowl deepened as he studied its jarring presence. But his expression quickly shifted to surprise when the rider dismounted and removed their helmet.

  "It’s good to see you again, old man," said the rider in a warm and familiar voice. Haran. Though his time in Adel’s life had been brief, he still remembered his face. Even now, with longer hair brushing his shoulders and a clean-shaven face that made him appear almost boyish.

  "You have some nerve bringing that monstrosity into the village. Of all the people, you should know better," Adel replied, visibly annoyed.

  "I’m sorry, but I couldn’t leave it outside the village. If it were to be taken from me, I’d be in a lot of trouble." Haran earnestly replied as he stepped closer. "Still, I’ll take your reprimands any day, Adel."

  "Haran, you could have at least sent a letter. I'll have you know that even we, the villagers, receive letters. Not that city folk bothered to send us anything except decrees."

  Haran smiled. "You’re right. I should have." But his smile quickly turned to sadness. "Unfortunately, I couldn’t. One of the conditions for saving my life was isolation. And there’s more to it than that. I’d like to explain everything, but perhaps over a glass of mead. That is, if you’re still willing to spare a cup."

  Adel nodded, keeping his gaze cautious. "Fine. We certainly have much to discuss. Just give me a moment to tell the children they can go back outside. The sound of your machine made me think a monster was attacking."

  Haran laughed at the remark. "Adel, I think you should visit the city sometime. These noises are a common occurrence there. And Jamtara is far more tolerant of the villagers than Tiwaz ever was."

  "Thank you for the offer, but this is where I belong," Adel said, his voice steady as he shuffled toward the cabin door. "And I am too old. Not that I would be interested in the city. This village is what I can proudly call my home, and it was always enough for me."

  The children stared in awe at the peculiar machine, while Adel and Haran sat at a table on the porch. Standing in front of the porch was a guard, keeping watch.

  "Are you sure it’s safe for them to touch that contraption? Won’t they get hurt? The magic won’t harm them?" Adel asked question after question, visibly concerned.

  "Don’t worry," Haran said, reaching into his pocket and pulling out a small cylindrical device. He held it up for Adel to see. "Without this contact key, the catalyst is deactivated. There’s no way they can interact with the crystals inside."

  "Good, good," he murmured. "I want to believe you."

  "Trust me," Haran said with a warm tone. "I know I haven’t earned it, not after everything that happened, but I’d never harm those children."

  Then he glanced toward the playing children. "Speaking of children..."

  Adel raised a finger, cutting him off. With his gesture, he directed Haran’s gaze toward a boy in the distance.

  "It’s fine," Adel said calmly. "You can see him there, playing with the others. They’re looking after him."

  Tears welled in Haran's eyes. "I’m glad," he said, batting emotion in his voice. "All this time, I worried about what would happen to him. So many thoughts ran through my mind, Adel, but knowing you spared my life, I knew he would be safe in your care".

  "The boy has found his place here," Adel said, studying Haran carefully. "You've come to take him?"

  Haran bowed his head, his shoulders trembling as he fought to suppress a sob. "No. Even if I wanted, I couldn’t. Please, let me tell you why I’ve been gone all this time."