The Elephant Gate

After eating with the king and queen again, Kevin changed into his pajamas and climbed into bed, but he couldn't sleep. Although Sur'kya's parents treated him the same, the servants whispered as walked through the hallways of the palace. Even the presence of the captain only quieted them for a short time.

He still didn't understand why his actions would make everybody jumpy. After all, didn't he help the elephant? He grinned when he thought of the mom's thank you. She didn't think he was weird or anything, she was just happy he helped her baby.

A quiet knock on the door startled him. He quickly climb out from under the blanket and trotted over to the door. "Hi, Cap'n Thadchai!"

"May I come in?" The man looked solemn, and Kevin knew the visit was important.

There was a small arrangement of comfortable couches by the bedroom windows. The two of them sat down; Kevin tucked his legs under him and turned an inquiring face to the older man. "What's up?"

"I want to talk to you about what you want to do now. We can't get you back to your home right now. I want to know if you are willing to stay with me."

Kevin was confused. Stay with the captain. "Why?" Thadchai smiled.

"The soldiers and guards live nearby, and that's where my house is. There's just my housekeeper and I there. I would drop you off at the palace in the morning for school," At this Kevin screwed up his face. Yuck, school. "… and after school, we could go to the barns and you can help with the animals."

"Can I just help you there instead?" The older man shook his head.

"No, you have to go to school no matter what. Knowledge is important, young Kevin, no matter what you decide to become."

It was something both his mom and his dad have said. And really, school wasn't so bad, especially if he got to hang out with the elephants and horses. He voiced his biggest wish in the whole wide world. "If I can help, can I get to ride an elephant?" Even better than racecars and planes, he had always wanted to ride. His mom had promised to give him horseback riding lessons when he was bigger.

"You have to start on horses, and you have to learn a lot before you can ride one, but, yes, if you do well in school, and work with me, you will able to ride an elephant. In fact, I talked with Uncle Wit today, and he has decided to give you the privilege and right to name our newest member of our elephant family. What do you think of that?"

Kevin couldn't believe it. He gets to name her?? He bounced on the sofa. "Really? That's so cool!" The captain grinned, remembering those first exciting moments when he finally earned the right to ride.

"So, do you want to move to my house?"

Kevin nodded, almost bursting with happiness. Captain Thadchai was his new hero, a royal guard who rode elephants and protected the king. And now he could hang out with him a lot and learn things.

"I will clear everything with the king tomorrow, and then we can work out a schedule." When he stood up, he extended his hand. "Welcome to my family, Noy Kevin." Kevin shyly shook his hand, and the man bowed and left his bedroom.

He climbed back into the large bed, but sleep was long in coming. He was already looking forward to the move, completely forgetting about the wooden house and his link to his real life.