The sun was still high enough when Harrod finished cleaning the woodshed. He glanced around the workshed, satisfied with the way it now looked, and put away the broom and pan. He didn't mind cleaning here. It was actually one of his favorite places to be, if he had to be somewhere other than fishing or defense training with Rector Schenwar. The young lad nodded approvingly before he left and grabbed his longpole that he had placed outside. He reached down and picked up the bucket of dirt that was next to the pole. He plunged his fingers inside the moist soil of the bucket and felt the wriggling of the bait that lay just below the surface. With a smile on his face Harrod MacElvoy, the orphan and ward of Rector Urnan Schenwar, skipped down the road that led from the Cathedral grounds to the path that would take him to Killian's Hill and the fish. Harrod nodded politely as he passed Aimee and Julia, the cobbler's daughters. He failed to notice the way their faces flushed when he approached. He'd had that affect or more than a few of the local girls, but Harrod never really seemed to notice. Especially not when there was fish to be caught.

The afternoon drew along lazily. The boy sat along the banks and pondered how he felt at times like this. The
connection to the Creator was strong. He knew of the old ways, how many said it was the essence of nature that
coursed through him, but there was something more. There was divinity behind the stillness and peace that he felt
when he thought about the Creator. There was also power. A power that was given to a few and meant for purpose.
Harrod glanced upwards to the darkening sky and knew he had to leave now if he was going to make it home in time for evening chores. He emptied the bucket and watched as the remaining worms began to burrow down through the grass and into the soil that lay below the thick carpet of green. Another smile, and he was off again along the path that would take him back to the road to the Cathedral.

"Mama's boy." The words echoed as Harrod approached.

He saw the group of four as they surrounded Jaspar Cogwyn. Jaspar was a slight boy and prone to sickness. His
mother had overcompensated her caring for him, and the poor kid had become the object of ridicule for the town
bullies. Harrod watched as the fear in Jaspar became visible. It seemed to stoke the fires in the four larger boys,
but it also stoked something within Harrod. He felt it, at first, like a second, gentle heartbeat deep within his own heartbeat. He felt it grow stronger as it mixed and mingled with his own. Before he knew what he was doing, Harrod stepped forward.

"Stop," he said loudly. "Leave Jaspar alone."

Kendrick, the largest of the four turned to Harrod.

"Or what?" Kendrick asked as he spat. "What's the preacher's pet gonna do? You're all by yerself"

Harrod knew there was no turning back. If he left now, they would hurt Jaspar. He felt the heartbeat alongside his
own and felt the surge of courage that second beat provided. He then reacted as if he was not in control of his own
body. He raised his right hand and pointed at one of the other boys. A deep voice that was not his issued forth
from Harrod in a single word that resonated with power.

"Flee," he said and the boy turned and ran away. His own voice returned as he spoke again. "Do not
underestimate me, Kendrick Fallow. I said to leave Jasper alone."

"Get him," Kendrick shouted and they rushed Harrod.

Harrod spun around and slammed the metal bucket on the side of Kendrick's head. The bully, not seriously hurt, was stunned and fell to the ground. Schenwar's martial lessons had been good, and Harrod was able to maintain his
balance as he brought the pole around to use on another of the boys. The two, however, had stopped short when they saw Kendrick fall to the ground, and they both turned and ran. Harrod looked down at Kendrick.

"It's gonna bruise," he said as he knelt down to recover the bucket and examine the fallen bully. "But you'll be
fine. Come one, Jaspar" Harrod said to the awestruck little boy. "I'll take you home." Harrod rose, put his arm
around the boy, and led them down the path back towards the town, a smile once again upon his face.