Chapter 2 The River's Secret

The water was dark and freezing. Marcus sank deeper, his lungs burning. He couldn't tell which way was up. The current spun him like a toy.

*I'm dying,* he thought. *Just like Father. Just like Mother.*

Then something strange happened. Warmth spread from his chest through his body. It felt like fire pushing away the cold.

His eyes opened underwater. Everything should be dark, but he could see clearly. Fish swam past. Plants waved in the current. Strangest of all, light came from his own body.

Golden light surrounded him. It got brighter every second, so bright it hurt to look at.

Dark shapes moved toward him through the water. Marcus's heart jumped. These were river beasts. Monsters that killed grown men. Some were big as horses with teeth like knives.

The closest beast opened its huge jaws and swam straight at him. Marcus wanted to scream but couldn't. Water would fill his lungs.

The beast stopped just feet away. Marcus could see every sharp tooth. But it didn't attack. Instead, it backed away, making scared sounds.

The golden light grew brighter. All the beasts turned and ran. Even the biggest ones fled from a seven-year-old boy.

Marcus didn't understand. But he knew he had to get out before his luck ended.

The current carried him along. His body hit rocks but somehow didn't hurt much. The golden light protected him.

After a long time, the river became calmer. Marcus's head broke the surface and he gasped for air. His arms and legs barely worked.

The riverbank was close. He tried to swim but had almost no strength left. The golden light was fading.

*Just a little more,* he told himself. *Mother said to survive. I must survive.*

His hand touched mud. He grabbed it and pulled himself forward. Finally, he was out of the water. He collapsed on the bank, coughing water and gasping.

The sun was setting, painting the sky orange and red. Marcus lay there, too tired to move. His body hurt everywhere. His clothes were torn. Blood mixed with river water on his skin.

But he was alive.

As darkness fell, Marcus heard voices nearby. He wanted to call for help, but something made him stay quiet. He couldn't trust anyone now.

"Grandfather, can we go home? I've been training all day," a young girl said.

"Just a bit longer, Lydia. If you want to be strong, you must...wait, what's that?"

Footsteps came closer. Marcus tried to sit up but couldn't move.

An old man's face appeared above him. He had kind eyes and a long white beard. "This boy is still alive! His heartbeat is weak, but it's there."

A small girl pushed past the old man. She had her hair in a ponytail and looked about eight. Her face showed curiosity.

The old man placed his hands on Marcus's chest. Warm energy flowed into him, different from the golden light but still good. It pushed away pain and cold.

Marcus coughed hard, spitting water. He opened his eyes fully. The girl's face was very close, staring at him.

"Are you an angel?" Marcus asked weakly. His mind was confused.

Slap!

The girl hit his cheek lightly. "What? Angel? Do you want me to kill you?"

"Lydia! Be gentle. The boy is hurt," the old man said.

Marcus touched his stinging cheek. "Sorry. I thought... I thought I was dead."

The old man smiled. "You're alive, boy. Though I'm amazed you survived. This river kills even strong warriors."

He kept channeling energy. His eyebrows rose in surprise. "Remarkable. Your body is healing itself. I've never seen this in a child."

Marcus felt strength returning slowly. After several minutes, he could sit up. He bowed his head. "Thank you for saving me, sir."

The old man studied him. "How did you end up in this river? Where is your family? Tell me and I'll take you home."

Marcus's face fell. Memories flooded back. His father falling. His mother bleeding. The pain felt like a knife in his heart.

But he couldn't tell the truth. What if this old man knew Cassian? What if he helped with the attack? Trust could get him killed.

He made his voice sad. "Bandits attacked my village. They killed everyone, including my parents. They burned everything. I jumped in the river to escape. Now I have nowhere."

It wasn't completely a lie. Just different bandits. But the result was the same. His parents were gone and he was alone.

The old man's eyes showed sympathy. Lydia looked sad too.

"I see," the old man said softly. "So you have no home?"

Marcus shook his head.

The old man thought for a moment, then smiled. "Boy, I lead the Iron Sword Academy, not far from here. If you have nowhere else, come with me. I'll give you a home."

Marcus looked up, hope in his chest. An academy meant training. Training meant getting stronger. Getting stronger meant one day he could make them pay.

"I would be honored, sir," Marcus said.

"Good! But don't call me sir. Call me Grandfather Octavius. From today, you're my grandson." He helped Marcus stand. "Now, what's your name?"

Marcus hesitated. He couldn't use his full name. If anyone learned he was Alexander's son, they might kill him.

"My name is Marcus," he said simply.

"Just Marcus? No family name?"

"The bandits destroyed everything. I want to forget my old name. I want to start new."

Grandfather Octavius nodded. "Very well, Marcus. This is my granddaughter, Lydia. She's eight. You two will be like brother and sister now."

Lydia crossed her arms. "He's smaller than me, so he should call me big sister!"

Despite everything, Marcus almost smiled. "Yes, big sister."

"How old are you, Marcus?" Grandfather Octavius asked.

"Seven, Grandfather."

Octavius looked surprised. "Seven? You look older. Well, no matter. Let me catch fish for dinner. You must be hungry."

As the old man walked to the river, Marcus stared at the dark sky. His hands became fists.

*Mother. Father. I will survive. I will grow stronger than anyone. And one day, I will make them all pay.*

A single tear ran down his cheek. But it wasn't sadness. It was determination.