Read Catalyst (Book 1) for Free Online

and warmer clothes. These just aren’t going to do you any good.” My mother tugged at my clothes, making me feel like a child again.
    I futilely tried to shoo her away. “Mother.”
    “And buy food that can survive the cold. Use the money Her Highness gave you. But don’t waste it. Only buy what will help you on your journey, and make sure you can carry it all.”
    “Are you sure you won't need any money?”
    “The princess gave it to you, son, and you're going to need it. I can manage just fine on my own.” She studied me for a moment. “And take this. You’ll need it more than I.”
    In one fluid motion, she pulled a dagger out from under her clothing. My own mother went armed, in our quiet, peaceful town! And this was no shoddy, nicked peasant dagger. The blade was fine quality, and the hilt was inlaid with gold. It was balanced and lightweight, yet strong enough to kill a man. Flawless. Even someone with my limited fighting skills could use it. There were some markings on the hilt, but I couldn’t read the language.
    “Where did you get this?” I asked, my eyes still tracing the dagger.
    “Your father got it in the Burning Sands and gave it to me before he died. He would have given it to you in time. The ancient inscription says ‘I will be with you, always.’ You never knew your father, but I’m sure he’s watching us from heaven. Keep the dagger close. It will protect you in your time of need, as it has protected me many times.”
    Why would she have needed protection? I stared at my mother, seeing a completely different person from the one I'd known my entire life. She wasn't just my mother and someone who took care of me. She was a woman with a past.
    She handed me the dagger. I slid it into its scabbard and squeezed it inside my girdle. The dagger felt like it had an unexplainable energy to it—as if it completed me in some way.
    “Goodbye, Mother,” I said, and embraced her one last time. I made sure to hug her longer than usual, not only because I was going to miss her and it might be a while before I saw her again, but also to slip some money into her pocket. “I’ll miss you and I love you.”
    “I love you too, son. Remember what I’ve taught you, and please be careful.”
    I sniffled back some tears. “I will.” I let her go and grabbed my belongings. I stopped at the doorway and took one last look. I wondered if she’d be all right without me. What would happen to me before I next saw her? I had to find out why I had power over fire and learn to control it. I couldn’t stay and hurt my mother again.
    I went into Sedah, buying the necessary supplies while people were just opening their shops. I was grateful for the money the princess had given me. My mother and I could never have afforded all the things I bought. I got plenty of strange looks from people, more so than usual. They thought it was a bit peculiar to be buying winter gear in the middle of spring, but I didn’t care.
    I bought a cloak, leather gloves, and, most importantly, a fur coat. I also needed a pair of leather boots and some sheepskin blankets. After the clothes, I bought some food, preserved meat, and a backpack to carry everything in.
    The shop owners tried to make conversation with me. I was careful to bring out the exact money I needed, and not show them my pouch, but it was as if they knew I had money. Some even tried to raise their prices on me. When the items I bought started to pile up, I had to start lying. I told everyone I was buying things for Farmer Andrick, the man my mother and I worked for. It would be common knowledge that I was gone soon enough. No need for the gossip to start now.
      My biggest expense was an aging horse. We had never been able to afford one before. Even after that, I still had quite a bit of money left. I wished I could say goodbye to what few friends I had, but if I saw them, I might never have the courage to leave. I loaded my supplies on my horse and walked her northwest,