The Elephant Gate

Kevin was excited today. For the first time, he would be joining the young soldier recruits using weapons. He sat at the edge of his chair while the weapons instructor explained each item: knives, swords, bows. There weren't any handguns, but he had long grown used to the strange similarities between his old home and his new one. Some 'modern' conveniences were available, but not all.

"Today, we are going to begin with quarterstaffs. Many of the foot positions will be similar to the hand-fighting techniques you already, and the upper body will need to be strengthened. Please separate into pairs."

The group quickly scrambled to their feet and picked up the long sticks from a nearby table. Kevin found himself in front of a young boy a little taller than himself. They greeted each other before taking their stance. At the instructor's orders, they slowly went through the motion; once through the full range, he swiftly took a stance in front of someone new and began again.

Each time they went through the rounds, they were faster and faster, until the sticks were a blur. Sweat poured off Kevin, but he was grinning and yelling, just like the others. Suddenly a sharp pain spiked through his head, and he was unable to defend himself when his opponent's quarterstaff rapped him sharply on the ear.

He went down, his world black and full of pain; he barely heard the shouts of alarm, trying to breathe.

Time seemed to slow as a female voice faintly called him. "Kevin! Come back, baby! Doctor, what's wrong?"

He tried moving his limbs to do anything other than lay on his back. Willing hands assisted him until he was sitting up. Gradually the pain, and the faint female voice, receded and he became aware of his surroundings again.

He opened his eyes to a sea of scared faces. "I'm alright," he managed to say. The instructor gently touched the side of his head, pulling away bloody fingers.

"Do you think you can stand, Noy Kevin?" At his nod, the instructor pulled him upright. He felt a moment of dizziness before every steadied. The instructor led him to a wooden bench under a shade tree to rest, before going back to the other recruits to continue their training.

What had happened? Kevin felt he ought to know that voice, but the moment was so fleeting, and already fading from his memory. His ear hurt a little, cut by the quarterstaff, but after about fifteen minutes he felt back to normal, and ready to resume his training.

"Are you okay, son?" The voice had him turning around. He smiled at the royal captain.

"I'm fine, Thadchai Dad. I was just had the breath knocked out of me during training."

His father looked worried as he looked at the laceration on his ear.

"The other trainee said your face went blank and you froze, and he wasn't able to stop his swing. And, just so you know, the elephants were all trumpeting and charging around when you were hurt. What really happened?"

Kevin took a deep breath and answered honestly. "I don't know. I got a pain in my head and everything went black. And I think I heard someone calling me. But it was a woman's voice…" He trailed off as he thought of something. "Maybe it was my mother?" He frowned, trying to remember that voice, but a wave of pressure seemed to push him back. He shook his head. "I'm just not sure. I feel okay now, though."

"I'd rather you sit this one out. How about we go over to the elephant pavilion? That way they can make sure their herd member is okay." He caught the instructor's attention and performed a complicated hand gesture. Without missing a beat, the instructor waved back. "Khun Preem says you're released for the rest of the day."

When they arrived at the main paddocks, the elephants were still restless. At his shout, they all thundered over to the edge of the fencing closest to the vehicle. He ran over to the fence line, and stood stoically as each elephant reached over and touched him.

From the truck, Thadchai watched the incident, amazed that these animals could sense his son's distress even from kilometers of distance between each other. Once the herd was reassured they all walked away except Kandula, who stayed by the fence while Kevin rubbed her head. After a final pat, Kevin trotted back to the truck.

"They are all happy that I'm okay. I promised Kandi she would get a bath tomorrow." He grinned, always happy to see his gray friends. Thadchai nodded and ruffed his hair.

"I still want you to rest for a while at home, just to make sure. And Khun Mat will want to fuss over you for that little scratch." He laughed at Kevin's scowl before climbing into the driver door.