SHIELD OF THE GODDESS

CHAPTER SIX

JENAN

JENAN DELAYED TELLING HIS MOTHER about his wish to become an Arrow Rider. He already told his sister Talia about his visit with the Arrow Riders who were escorting the trader convoy, and how the Squad Leader, Drenna, allowed Jenan to touch her horse. Since then he could think of little else. But seven days had passed and he still hadn’t told Mother. He kept walking, leading the oxen that pulled the cart with his family’s precious cargo of wool.

As a boy of sixteen winters, Jenan was now free to choose his own path. But his mother Moren was a strong, independent woman, and had her own ideas about Jenan’s future. A few nights ago, she had talked about several of the local girls in Pelas, and expressed a mother’s opinion about which of them were worthy of Jenan to consider for a future wife. Jenan could not bring himself to think about any of those girls, because that meant accepting that he would stay at home and remain a shepherd for the rest of his life. In his mind he had already left that path behind. When he said nothing, Talia gave him an exasperated look.

Jenan loved his mother and did not want to defy her. He wanted her blessing, and he might have only one chance to get it. That made him delay. Finally he wondered what Drenna would advise him to do. They had only talked for moments, but Jenan imagined the Squad Leader saying that he should act decisively, and without fear. That gave him the courage he needed. He resolved to tell Moren tonight.