Imagine That (Short Stories) by Leon Rice (essential reading .txt) 📖

of everything that had ever happened in the world. He knew about science, medicine, engineering, religion, mathematics - simply everything! It was his job to provide Zealand an education in most areas of endeavor. Zealand was a quick study, was very bright, and had no trouble with his studies. In the mornings, Zealand spent time learning about the art of war and how to fight. Kristoff was his teacher in this area.

On Saturday, Zealand learned about art. He learned from a man in the village named Valcrouie, who had studied with Albrect Durer in Germany. Art was not Zealand’s strongest subject, even though he enjoyed it very much. Zealand was working on a portrait of his grandfather Grumpus. It was coming along quite nicely.

On Sunday, Zealand and Grumpus and Marisela usually eat the main meal of the day with Cornelious and his wife Amalthea. Amalthea was as kind and caring as her husband Cornelious and was of the same physical stature. When it came time for Zealand to marry, she would provide help, wisdom, and guidance, in this area. It was said that she had the power of cupid and could instill love in the hearts and minds of men and women. She never did this though, without consulting her husband Cornelious, and then only on special occasions, with special people like Zealand. This was something she had done for Grumpus when he and Marisela were very young.

* * * *

Zealand made his way down the main thoroughfare of Voltaire, past the shops and building that made up the small village. He entered Cornelious’s house from the back and Amalthea was there in the larder, preparing food for the morning meal.

“Pray thee Lord Zealand, what weather hast thou brought forth for us this day? Is it sunshine we shall have or the nectar of the Gods to make the flowers grow?” said Amalthea.

“’Tis truly sunshine that will grace us all the day long,.” replied Zealand.

“Are thee in need of something to eat at this early morning hour?” inquired Amalthea.

“What have thee woman, that I might devour ravenously.” chided Zealand.

“Do not speak to me with reproach young lord. I have only your well being in my mind.”

“I feel not the pangs of hunger at this early morning hour. Perhaps something to drink would suite my fancy, if you please,.” Zealand replied with retort.

“Dost thou jest with Amalthea at this early hour of the day, young Zealand,” said Cornelious, with mock scolding in his voice as he came into the room.

“Indeed, it is truly jest that I offer Amalthea; no harm is intended.”

“Perhaps we shall both have a container of ale, or would tea be more appropriate for thee, young lord.”

“I think tea will tickle my fancy, illustrious teacher!”

“Then tea it will be, my lords,” replied Amalthea, with a broad smile.

“What hast thou wrought, Young Zealand? I believe she hath seen the humor in thy chiding.”

They all chuckled and enjoyed the tea. Zealand truly loved Cornelious and Amalthea and would do anything for them. He knew that between the two of them, they held his future in their hands: With Cornelious, it was the knowledge of the world; Amalthea, would provide him with the love of the centuries in the women of his greatest desire. He was happier now than he thought possible. He had every reason to believe that things would improve with age.

“’Tis wonderment to my mind that the two of you bring. It is a true blessing that I have, with thee both,” said Zealand with warmth and affection in his voice.

“Better friends than the two of you, I could not have!”

They finished their tea, Zealand gave them both a hug and left Cornelious’s house and walked up the road toward Kristoff’s. It was time for lessons in war and killing. This was the one part of his life that he didn’t like, but Grumpus had told him that it was important - not just important, but crucial for his future.

* * * *

Kristoff’s house was a modest little dwelling and the exterior of the house did not comport the seriousness of the person that lived inside nor did it reveal the travesties of the topics of war that were discussed inside. Grumpus had told Zealand that, although hideous tales of terror were going to be imparted to him, he needed to learn about them and understand that he might be required to carry them out to protect his family and his people. Simply seeing the house brought terror to his mind. With great reluctance, Zealand knocked on Kristoff’s door and Kristoff opened it.

“You’re late my young lord. I see that my time would be better spent with another, than you!”

“Pray, forgive me Kristoff, the time had simply gotten away from me. I assure you sir, there will not be a recurrence of tardiness.” replied Zealand.

“Let that be the end of it then! Come, we’ll start straight away.”

Kristoff was a cold and callous man, hardened by years of battle, killing, and war in foreign lands, in his earlier life. Physically, he didn’t appear to be a special specimen of a man , but his demeanor and commanding presence made him a person to be taken with serious consideration. As much as Zealand hated it, he realized that Kristoff was teaching him needed information and skills.

“Killing, my young lord, is again the topic of the day. Today, I will instruct thee in the fine art of killing with your hands and the sword. Here, take this!”

He handed Zealand a razor sharp broadsword. Zealand followed Kristoff out the back door into an inside courtyard, totally obscured from the outside world but open to the sky above. Kristoff had set up a number of melons on posts in the center of the courtyard. There were also four dummies, stuffed with straw, standing at attention in the far end of the yard.

“Watch closely my young lord!”, said Kristoff, with a glint in his eye.
Imagine if you will, that these are the heads of enemy combatants.”

Kristoff moved quickly past each post, swinging the sword with great furry at each one, slicing the melons into pieces, with the remnants falling to the ground.

“As easily as I have sliced these melons, so too will you be able to severe the heads of the enemy. Think not of them as men, but simply the murders of your family, as killers who would sooner kill thee than gaze on thy naked face. This is war, my son, this is what war is all about.”

The savagery of the implicit acts was surpassed only by Kristoff’s seemed rage and anger. Zealand was frightened of Kristoff, but Kristoff knew this and had told him that he had no reason to fear him - just listen to what he taught him and learn, learn to kill.


Zealand’s lessons in war and killing went quickly today. Kristoff taught him hand to hand combat, and fighting with a sword. He practiced on the straw dummies, thrusting the sword again and again in them. Finally, he was able to think of the dummies as something terrible in the world; He thought of them as the killers of Grumpus, and Cornelious, and Amalthea. Finally, he came to the realization that he really would be able to protect them, them, and everyone else in the village. This must be what Grumpus was talking about, this feeling of being self sufficient, able to take care of the ones you loved and cherished in the world. Maybe Kristoff was right, there really was a place for this.

Kristoff thought Zealand had done well today. He was certain Zealand could learn what he needed to know to fight in battle. There was only one thing he thought he couldn’t teach him: How do you teach someone to deal with fear in battle if they have never been in battle? He supposed that he‘d have to talk to Cornelious about this; he was sure Cornelious would have the answer to this question. He tried to remember the first time he went to battle, but he couldn’t remember if he was frightened or not. He was sure he was.

“How was it for thee then, young lord? The fighting I mean. Think thee can protect us if need be?”

“Well, Kristoff, I think perhaps I could. . . I really think I could.”

Zealand turned to leave and Kristoff put his hand on his shoulder, looked him straight in the eyes and said: “Do not be frightened of me young lord, I will not harm thee.”

* *