Colorado, America 1857

Aland- Bright as the sun

Jerah- Moon

"Aland wake up!"

"Five more minutes mama."

"Aland Sullivan Thatcher you get your bum out of bed and help your father or so help me." A clean shirt was thrown at Aland's head and when he heard his mother's footsteps fade and the door shut he finally forced himself out of bed, grumbling the whole while. He groggily put on the shirt, a pair of breeches and suspenders and then proceeded to bolt down the stairs and out the door. His birthday had been yesterday. He was officially one day into his 17th year now, he was an adult just like his three older brothers. Despite having to wake up so early the thrill of these new responsibilities filled him with excitement. He was halfway through feeding the chickens when he heard his father approaching.

"Aland," he said cheerfully.

"What is it papa?"

"Tell your ma to clean the house. Also I need you to find your siblings, wherever they are, and tell them they need to look presentable tonight. We have a visitor."

"Must be a pretty important fella huh pa?" His father nodded, running a hand through his thick blonde beard as he often did when he was excited.

"Yes. I received a letter from a man named Jerah Morris." His father's voice dropped to a low whisper. "He wrote to me, says he think there might be gold in the area on the land we own. He said that I wouldn't know the appropriate way to get it but he ALSO said that when he meets with us if we seem like we have potential he'll invest with us and make me his partner. Do you know what this means my boy? We're going to be rich!" A wave of excitement swept over Aland and he ran to his father pulling him into a tight hug.

"Oh papa that's wonderful news! I can't believe it!"

The rest of the day Aland found it hard to concentrate on his duties, all he could think about were these new prospects ahead. Imagine it...they would be the envy of all their neighbors, a story of men who rose to great wealth through their dedication and hard work. He would be wealthy, dripping in gold. Maybe he would marry an English baroness, get himself a title. The grin never left Aland's face the whole day.

-----

There were seven Thatcher children in all. Aland had three older brothers, Allen, Jacob, and Fritz, two little sisters, twins, Mabel and Prudence and then there was the baby Isaac. This was the cleanest any of them had been since their christening. Their mama had practically scrubbed them to the bone. They sat in their best clothes now waiting in uncomfortable silence for their guest to arrive. Their mother had made them a meal as grand as if it were a holiday and the two twins fidgeted in their seats growing hungry.

"Mama," Mabel whined. "Can't we have a little taste of the food?" Their mother's silent glare was all she needed to know her answer. Prudence grinned, she was missing her front tooth.

"You hear about the murders that happened a few towns away up in Gordonville? The crook ended up robbing the richest man in town, took every penny he owned. Then he murdered him and the man's oldest daughter was so upset she threw herself from the window."

"It's cause she and the crook were having an affair. It's all awfully romantic," Mabel said with a sigh.

"I don't want this kind of talk at my table. Ah...Fritz your hair's a mess."

"Sorry ma." The oldest Thatcher son bowed his head, running a hand through his thick messy hair. "I'll make sure to-" suddenly there was a knock and the entire room froze. The children sat up a little straighter and and Mrs.Thatcher took a brief second to collect herself before running to the door, the baby cradled in one arm. Everyone waited in anticipation as they heard their mother's voice greeting the guest.

"Mister Morris. It's so nice to meet you, please, if you would follow me. We have dinner all ready for you. The children are dying to greet you." And then he finally stepped into the room. He was skinny with dark hair and even darker eyes. He moved gracefully, every step and extension of the hand was a movement as precise as a ballerinas. His skin was pale and his eyes and full lips were almost feminine in nature. He smiled at them, his expression calm and unreadable and something about it felt so familiar to Aland that it sent his pulse racing. Jerah Morris moved down the line of children, shaking each boy and girl's hand gently. When he reached Aland his touch lingered a moment longer, his gaze locking with Aland's for a brief second before he moved on. As the night went on the rest of the children fell silent listening to Mister Morris talk. He spoke eloquently and had been all over the country helping people just like them. He used lots of big words Aland didn't understand, he felt a slight prick of jealousy that he wasn't as smart as mister Morris. After dinner Jerah and Aland's father disappeared into a separate room to talk business and after about an hour when they both returned his father had a triumphant look on his face.

"Everyone I have wonderful news. Mister Morris had agreed to partner with us. He'll be living here for the next coming months to get everything in order and to set up what we'll need to have a successful business." Jerah smiled at his father now giving him a small pat.

"It's good to have a new partner."

------

HIs father had asked Aland to help bring Mister Morris's thing up to his room and the boy didn't mind one bit. He liked being helpful, besides he found himself oddly curious about his papa's new partner. The man hadn't brought much to begin with. He carried his trunk up the stairs while Jerah Morris traveled behind him carrying a stack of books. When they arrived at the guest room Aland put the trunk down with a thud.

"Thank you," Jerah said with a little nod.

"Is this all you brought?"

"Yes, books and necessities are all one needs in life." Aland shrugged, sitting down at the edge of his bed.

"I don't know. I like pretty things. You know...like shiny things." Jerah chuckled at that.

"Well, humans are selfish beings and you are just a boy, it's natural for you to enjoy clinquant things." He shook his head when he saw Aland's face fall at that. "I don't mean that as a bad thing, oh no. It's natural to feel that way." The boy's shoulders sagged.

"What I said came out wrong. I just meant...I like pretty things but not if it hurts someone else to get it. If someone else needs it more then me I would gladly give it to them."

"Well then you're a better man than me. Let me let you in on a little secret." Mister Morris leaned forward, smiling slightly. "I preach modesty but honestly I pack little because I have to travel so much. Trust me, if I could have it my way I would buy myself a mansion. I'm selfish but it's just a trait of being human I suppose." Aland picked up one of Jerah's books, flipping through it. He squinted at the pages a moment and Jerah arched a brow.

"Can you read?"

"Yes but...this doesn't make any sense to me. What is it?"

"Shakespeare. I have quite the aeipathy for him." Jerah took the book gently out of Aland's hands, glancing to the page he had open. "Cowards die many times before their deaths; The valiant never taste of death but once. Of all the wonders that I yet have heard, It seems to me most strange that men should fear; Seeing that death, a necessary end, Will come when it will come." Jerah's voice was soft, slightly rough and raspy but Aland surprisingly liked it. Honestly he found himself paying more attention to Jerah's voice, to the ups and downs as he spoke, then to the words he was actually saying. When Jerah finished Aland sat up a little straighter.

"Shakespeare...is that why you use so many big words?" Jerah laughed.

"Big words? Excuse me mister Thatcher but are you suggesting that I enjoy circumlocution?" Honestly Aland had no idea what that word meant but whatever Jerah had just said felt so achingly familiar to him that made his head spin.

"Is something wrong?" Aland shook his head.

"Oh no, I just have a little headache. You should get some rest, you and my papa have some hard work to do tomorrow. I hope you sleep well mister Morris." As he stood to leave the guest's hand caught Aland's wrist.

"Please, call me Jerah."

-------

A month passed and Jerah became almost a consistent part of the Thatcher routine. They would greet him each morning and whisper about him when he was locked away in his room working on one thing or another. One time Mabel and Prudence had bickered over which one would be the one to get to marry him when they grew older.

"He's so good looking. I'm the pretty one, he should marry me."

"Not true! Besides he's well educated too and I'm smarter than you. He wants a lady not a skank." Their mother had walked in at that last sentence and sent both girls to bed without supper. As they passes Aland on their way to their rooms Mabel let out a little snicker.

"I bet if Aland was a girl he would marry him. They spend so much time together." The two girls giggled before they continued by. He knew they were joking but for some reason their words made his cheeks burn. It was true, Aland and Jerah had grown extremely close. Many nights Aland would come to Jerah's room and the young man would read to him from his many books. He talked of so many things Aland had never even thought worth contemplating before. He spoke to him of philosophy and morals, of hate and death and love. Most of the time Jerah would do the talking and Aland would do the listening but he didn't mind. The best part of his day was hearing Jerah talk.

------

It was a sunny September morning when Jerah asked Aland to take a little walk with him through the woods near the house.

"Aland, I picked these for you." The young man handed Aland a little bouquet of violets. "I know you're not a girl...I just thought they were nice and they reminded me of you." Aland flushed slightly.

'Thanks."

"You know, it's strange," Jerah bowed his head, smiling slightly. "I'm not trying to walk myself right into a faux pas here but... but I just have to tell you the reason I've been so drawn to you ever since the moment I arrived here. Your eyes are to familiar to me. Perhaps I had a lover in my youth with eyes like yours and I just have forgotten who." He shrugged. "Honestly, you're such an idyllic boy, I'm certainly going to miss your company when I depart from here." Aland had been trying to avoid thinking about the fact that Jerah was going to have to leave eventually and his friend's words hit him like a rock.

"Are you...going soon?"

"Yes. Your father and I have the business almost completely set. I'll be going to town tonight with your father's investment to go buy you all the supplies and resources you'll need to get started, stay a few more days to help you set everything up and then be on my way." Aland's mouth felt dry and his eyes stung.

"I'll miss you."

"I'll miss you too...oh my God Aland are you crying?" He hadn't even realized that tears were streaming down his cheek.

"No."

"Aland....you have literal tears-"

"I know," he sobbed softly, wiping his eyes with his sleeve. "I'm sorry...I'm just...I'm just an emotional person." Jerah moved to him, wrapping an arm around the boy's shoulder in some kind of attempt to be comforting.

"I'm sorry...I wish I was better at these kind of things. I'll write to you I promise. Believe me, I truly will miss your company."

-----

Jerah left that night for the town and Aland now lay on his back outside staring up at the stars in the night sky. He could feel his missing presence after only one day, how was he supposed to go back to this for the rest of his life? Maybe he could leave the farm and travel with Jerah? That must be an exciting life, traveling from town to town in search of men to make rich. Suddenly he heard the sound of horses, a group of men were riding right towards him. Startled Aland sat up trying to get a closer look. There were many men...and there was no doubt they intended to come right towards the house. He scrambled to his feet, running inside.

"Papa! Papa, men are coming to the house." Soon his father, mother and older brothers gathered at the door. After a few moments there was a knock. Their father opened the door slowly, outside was a group of perhaps ten men. One with a large mustache and gray eyes stepped forward.

"Excuse me sir but at you mister Tratcher?" Aland's father nodded slowly.

"Yes...can I help you?"

"We're from Gordonville. We need to know, have you seen this criminal?" He held up a picture and Aland's stomach turned to ice, it was Jerah Morris. His father was shaking.

"Y-Yes." The man nodded.

"We received word that he was sited at this farm, is he gone? We hoped we would make it in time before-"

"He left a few hours ago." The man's face fell.

"Did he give you the usual gist, gold in the country, give him and investment and he'll buy you everything you need to get started?"

"Y-Yes." The man sighed.

"It's a ploy. He's a highly intelligent sociopath."
"It can't be. T-That investment was almost everything our family had!"
"I'm sorry sir. You're not the first to fall victim to that crook. In Gordonville he robbed a man penniless and when the man tried to stop him from getting away he shot him dead. HIs poor daughter too...he had seduced her, he has a kinda snake sorta charm about him, when she saw the monster she had let into her bed she killed herself." Aland felt like he was going to be sick.

"If he just left he might not be too far away, it's a long shot but we might be able to get your money back. C'mon boys." The men began to move out and back to their horses. Aland began to follow them.

"Where do you think you're going boy?" His father said softly. Aland knew his papa was trying to keep himself together the best he could but he could hear the fear in his voice.

"I'm going to try and find Morris."

"No! Aland have you lost your mind? The man is a murderer. He could kill you. Besides, you heard them men. He's probably too far gone to even catch up to by now. Please..." there was sorrow in the man's voice. "You don't need to be the hero Aland."

"I still need to try. I'm sorry papa." And with that he pushed past his father.

----

It took Aland only a few minutes to saddle his horse and take off. He began to ride through the woods he and Jorah had walked earlier. He was crying again but this time it was different, this time his tears felt hot and angry. He was too trusting, this man had wanted to ruin his family the moment he stepped into the house. He had been playing with him, every word, every hand gesture. No wonder that girl had been seduced by it. Every move he had made had been meticulous and calculated, entrapping the family in the carefully spun web of trust he had created. Aland had no idea what he was going to do if he actually caught up with him. Would be punch him, scream at him, drag him back to the town to face his judgment or simply kill him with his own bare hands. He wondered if Jorah had a gun.

"Aland?" And just that he felt like his heart was about to stop. He could hardly see his outline in the darkness but there was Jorah. Aland was at a lost for words...what should he do...what should he say? Jorah wasn't on his horse for some reason, as he grew closer and saw Aland's face the man's mouth drew into a thin line.

"Ah...so you know." And then everything exploded at once.

"YOU LIED TO ME! How could you? You were going to take everything we had...everything I had...like it was nothing. I was nothing to you! You played me just like you played that girl in Gordonville with your pretty words and your stupid stories." He got off his horse even though he knew it was a stupid idea and tied the reins to a nearby tree.

"I wasn't...yes...I was going to steal from you. But don't you want to know why I'm close enough that you could find me? I could be two towns over by now, but I'm not. I...couldn't do it." What he was holding in his hands was visible now in the moonlight, a purse. "This is your father's money. I planned to run off with it but the further I rode away the more guilt I felt. It's strange, I hadn't felt that feeling before in a long time. I knew it was too risky to go back so I planned to bury the money here, disappear and then send you all a note telling you where to find it." He shook his head slowly. "This wasn't supposed to happen."

"How can I believe you? How do I know these aren't just more lies?" Jorah met his gaze unflinching.

"All I have is my word, I know it doesn't mean much to you-" and then all of a sudden, Aland didn't know what was coming over him, he pulled Jorah to him and kissed him. And then suddenly it was like a bolt of electricity shot through them. Jorah's eyes widened,

"Oh my god. Ilios."

"Feni." And then like that they were embracing.

"How did we...we lived a whole other life..."

"Feni! She killed you! I can't believe you're here." He hugged him tightly, frightened that if he let go he would disappear again.

"Maybe the Gods took pity on us. Maybe they're giving us another lifetime together, a second start?"

"What should we even call each other?" Aland said with a laugh, "Mister Morris, Feni? God...I can't believe you tried to rob me."

"I was giving the money back! I told you, I couldn't do it."

"You managed to not be snarky and somehow utterly enchanting for months. How did you do it?" Jorah smirked slightly.

"I was trying to charm and manipulate your family so I could rob you blind. God knows I couldn't say half the things I wanted to."

"The men from Gordonville called you a murderous sociopath." Jorah shrugged.

"Maybe it's true. We've always been opposites you and I. You're over emotional and I hardly feel anything...except when it comes to you. When I'm with you I can hardly think straight. Damnit, I get a second chance at this and I completely screw myself over." Aland rested a hand on his shoulder.

"It's okay...you were going to do the right thing in the end. I know you're a good person." Then an idea hit him. "We should run away together. We can take a little of papa's money and leave the rest. Then we'll go towns away where no one knows you. Hell, we will head south. We'll start a new life together." Jorah's gaze looked troubled.

"That sounds too good to be true for someone like me."

"Jorah...Feni...you're my everything. My moon, my stars my sky. I can't live without you. Too good to be true is just going to have to be alright." Jorah took a deep breathe before he replied,

"Okay let's go-" and then the gunshot rang through the forest. Jorah, slowly fell to the ground, the blood beginning to seep out of the newly formed hole in his temple. It was all happening again, Aland felt like he was going to scream, like he was suffocating. The men from Gordonville along with his father circled them, the man with the mustache held the smoking gun. He was grinning.

"We finally got him!" He hopped down from his horse to give Aland a firm pat on the back. "Congratulations boy, we wouldn't have been able to do it without you. We heard your voices and followed it here. Thank you for delaying him long enough that we could finally bring that god forsaken heathen to justice. You did it all unarmed too. You're a very brave boy." He grabbed Jorah's dead body by his hair pulling it up so his men could see his face. "What do you think boy's should I mount it over my fireplace." He chuckled at that. "I'm just kidding. C'mon, let's go home." As the men went to leave the man with the mustache turned to Aland's father,

"You must be very proud of your boy." His father smiled.

"Extremely."

"Good luck to you both."

Aland didn't know for sure but he could have sworn he heard Terenar's laugh echoing through the woods.