Chapter Two
Kale and Altair went back to the fields after a restless night in the communal house. The elders had gathered everyone in the town center to talk about the raid and what they had to give up this time. The village was going to be on rations as they had two weeks of food left to stretch another month before the harvest.
The brothers had seen worse and didn't mind the rations, but both of them felt helpless. When they originally came to this world, everything was great and they had plenty of food and supplies they could every need until the raids started.
The raiders left the village just enough to keep their bellies half full so they could continually work the fields. It was a good gig for them, they had a free food source and could focus on raiding other nearby systems, collecting all that wealth from black market sales and expanding the raiders base and small fleet of ships to take out bigger targets.
Kale and Altair had just started working the fields when the wine of a ships engine could be heard making its way to the village landing pads.
The two boys dropped what they were doing and headed over to where the commotion was, talking amongst themselves about who their unexpected guest could be.
The ship that came down was magnificent. It was a design that the boys had never seen before, long and sleek in a reflective silver color with gold trim on the wings and body of the craft. It was 100 feet long, so not a fighter, but more of a transport ship to shuttle dignitaries between systems.
The ramp came down and out stepped four people in white robes with gold trim. They had their cloaks pulled up and made their way to the village elder that had steppe up first.
After a brief conversation, the four figures split up and made their way through the populace making small talk and stopping to look at the children and young adults. They touched the hands of many, but continued on as if they were searching for something or someone.
One figure made its way towards Kale and Altair and stopped to look down at them both.
"What fine boys, who might you be?" said the hooded figure.
"My name is Kale, and this is my brother Altair" replied kale as he gazed at the figures robes and fine attire. "What is your name good sir?" asked Kale
"You may address me as Master Wen, from the Order of the Palentar" said Wen, looking into Kale's eyes as he continued to hold both hands.
"A master of the Palentar!?" cried Altair as he continued to watch the interaction between his brother and Master Wen.
The Palentar were mythic figures that were said to wield magic powers and expert martial abilities. They were a myth to most common folk, only ever being seen once in a lifetime. They were mediators and dignitaries to dangerous worlds on the Federation's behalf. Believing in peace and justice, they were a powerful order that inducted people that were strictly showing signs of having the gift of magic. Once these individuals were identified, they would be taken and trained in the ways of the Palentar, often never being seen by their families again.
Altair suddenly felt a slight breeze as a current of air rushed towards his brother and the Palentar that was conducting his test.
"You have been blessed by the light young Kale, you will be coming with us if the elders agree" said Master Wen.
"What about my brother!? cried Kale, as he looked at Altair with a sinking feeling in his stomach, "test him!"
Master Wen gestured for Altair's hands and grabbed them when he brought them up. There was no reaction, nothing out of the ordinary after the brief testing.
"You're brother does not have the gift like you do, if you do not come with us, you may lose control of your abilities or lose them all together. Only we can guide you on the right path. You will live a life with a purpose. Through the Palentar, you will be able to develop your gifts for the greater good." Said Master Wen, gazing down at Kale.
"I will be back, I must talk to the elder here before we take you home" he said, walking away from the two boys.
"I don't want to leave you" cried Kale as he looked at his brother with a sinking feeling in his stomach.
"You have to go" replied Altair. "This is your chance, something that all of us could ever dream about. You will never want for anything again, and can finally help people with your powers. Only the Palentar can help you with that. Don't stay here, we have too many problems. I will find my way, but I will be better off knowing my brother has a chance to do better in this lifetime."
"I will only go if the Palentar help the village, I would never be able to focus knowing you could be I trouble" replied Kale with tears in his eyes.
"This is why you need to go, you always think of others before yourself" said Altair with a gentle smile on his face.
I'm truth, Altair didn't want Kale to leave either. They had only ever had each other. But he knew this was an opportunity that Kale couldn't pass up. He would do whatever he had to to make sure Kale got on that ship.
Kale walked over to Master Wen with the proposal.
"It's all settled, the elders will allow you to come with us. Go get your things and be ready to heaped the ship in ten minutes" said Master Wen.
"I will go with you on one condition, you must help the village with the raiders, I can't go knowing that the people I've grown to love are I trouble. We only have two weeks of food left to feed the populace" said Kale.
"We do not involve ourselves with matters like this, it is not our job to disturb the natural order of things" replied Master Wen.
"Then I will stay here and let fate decide what happens." Said Kale with a resolute expression on his face.
"A true negotiator, you will do well in the order. Very well, let me talk to my brothers and we will make a decision" said Master Wen as he walked off.
He came back a few minutes later and gave Kale the good news.
"We will help the village out and rid them of the raiders. We will send a team here and be prepared to deal with the raiders in one months time" said Master Wen. "Will that be acceptable?" He asked looking at the elder and Kale both.
"Thank you Kale, you've always been kind hearted, but making sure we were taken care of before you start a better life is commendable" said the elder as he looked at Kale and Master Wen.
"That is acceptable, let me say my goodbyes and I'll board the ship" said Kale as he turned around to find his brother.
Kale found Altair and gave him a big hug with tears in his eyes. "The Palentar have agreed to rid us of the raiders, we can both live a better life. But I will kiss you greatly. I'm only going because this is the only way I can make sure we are both safe" said Kale as he embraced Altair.
"Thank you brother, you have no idea what this means to all of us. You know where to find me if you ever decide to come home. Go make me proud, I will never forget your kindness or the life we shared together. Good bye brother" said Altair, with tears falling down his cheeks.
Kale boarded the ship soon after and in the blink of an eye, it made its way out of the atmosphere.
Altair wondered if he would ever see his brother again, but knew he would have a much better life. He thanked the gods for a brother like Kale and looked forward to the promise of the Palentar to rid them of the raiders so they could continue on with their peaceful life.