There was trouble brewing across the ocean, the northern tribes had begun to invade and pushed the people out of the villages. The refugees fled to the south for safety. Williams parents had family there and decided to sail across the ocean and bring them back to live here in Ptellamy village. William was working for the tavern keeper stocking wood by the hearth when he was called over. “Son I’m sorry to tell you this but your parent’s have been lost at sea in a storm the elder’s claimed had not been seen in a hundred years.”
Williams heart sank. “You can stay on here if you want, there’s a place for you here.” That night William stood there in the dark of his cabin, numb with the pain of his loss. The news of his parents death weighed heavy on his young heart. Tears began to stream down his cheeks and fell to the floor. Alone at fourteen he had to become a man.
The silence was deafening, then in the night, he heard a sound and stepping to the window, found there was nothing. Just then, a solitary raven’s call hit him like thunder. Raven’s aren’t active at night. Could it be? Dropping to his knees, he remembers his mother’s teaching about the Goddess and her love. Bowing his head he asked for Medeina’s guidance. “Goddess, if you would but guide my path, I vow to be your herald, your hands in this world.” A warmth came over him like never before, feeling it’s embrace he fell into a deep sleep. Somewhere in the distance, the Goddess Medeina smiled.
Her herald Po had been watching, hiding in the trees, sent by Medeina to deliver a message to a boy who she knew would change the world. He saw William through the window, standing there, confused and alone. Po raising his finger sent a sound into William’s mind, it worked, he came to the window. Then it occurs to him, Raven’s aren’t active at night and he calls to William, “CAAAW!” then leaves, satisfied his job is done and it was.
It’s the very next morning and William feels lost and alone so he goes for a walk to clear his head, to Medeina’s woods. Approaching the edge of the Wilde, William sees a tiny light flickering and passing through the branches of the towering cedars. When he hears in his head a voice, “William, child, I have watched you since you came into the world. Be brave, know that you have my protection and love.” Then it’s gone. “Medeina”? He sit’s down and listens, not a sound not even a bird. Heading back home the tavern keeper calls out to him, “William someone here to see you boy. Come quick.”
Walking into the tavern there is someone he recognizes. It’s Anderson Von Ptellamy an old family friend, smiling and embracing him. “Hello son he says, let’s go home we’ve much to discuss.” William feels a sense of belonging as they approach the house. There’s hot stew waiting for them. “Hello William, hope you’re hungry.” Mary said. “Thanks suddenly I’m really famished.” They ate till they were stuffed and then sat on the porch watching the sunset.
“Son, I want you to join our family. We’ll adopt you and give you our family name.” Now the Von Ptellamy’s are Royals and the village is named after them. “That will bring allot of responsibility won’t it Sir”? Anderson thought carefully for a moment then replied. “You’d be a Prince and would be in service to King Ponteous as we all are.” William took some time to mull it over then said, “Is it ok if I just live a quiet life in the village in service to those I’ve been helping”? “Yes son you’re free to choose. So if you don’t want the responsibility that goes with taking our family name just take the last bit and become William Ptellamy. You’ll have the respect of the towns people and it will give you some benefits as well.” “Ok then I shall be William Ptellamy.”
It was decided and William headed off back to his cabin where he would sleep a deep sleep for the first time in a few nights. Meanwhile Anderson was busy getting the paperwork done to take to the magistrates office the next morning for the name change when a knock came at the door. Anderson thought who would come calling at this hour. Opening the door it was pitch dark out and he couldn’t see anyone. Just then two green eyes glowed past the porch steps and a voice he had not known said, “Sir, you have the Goddess’s protection and thanks for what you have done for William.” Then it was gone. “Who was it Mary asked”? Anderson just sat down and stared at the wall. “Honey”? Finally he said, “I think it was a herald from the Goddess.” Mary’s eyes widened, “is that a good thing”? “Seems so, somebody noticed what we did for William.”
Po was skating on the wind, passing over the lake the loons called out to him, a crescent moon shining in the water. Po smiled and a wind blew across the cedars as he went by. Laughter could be heard in the distance, his heart was light and filled with joy.