She told Me to be Brave
She told me to be brave. That's what she told me the first time she rode off into battle and I was old enough to understand what it meant. She told me to be brave, to help Da, and to look after the twins because that’s what big brothers do. I promised I would. This time was no different; except that this time Ma was riding off to face ogres, giant immortals who had killed the noble lord whose family Ma was riding off to protect.
That promise to Ma is the reason I don't start crying or screaming with fright when Da slings me to the deck. And it's why I fuss and complain, just a little, as Da sends me below deck into the keep with Roald and Kally.
As I’m going I look back and see Daine. She’s standing facing the approaching army, looking into the sky, her eyes locked on the retreating stormwing. As I look at her I remember that she made a promise to Ma too. She promised Ma that she'd look after us while Ma was away, that she’d take care of all of us, Da included.
So I stop my fussing and calmly do as Da says. I leave the deck and the warriors to do what they do best, defend their homes and families. I put my trust in Daine to keep her promise, and mine, to Ma by helping Da where I can’t. And I go to do what I can to keep my promise myself, mainly I go to make sure Alan and Aly are alright. Because that’s what big brothers do.
* Thom’s view of the Battle for Pirates Swoop in Tamora Pierce’s Wild Magic.
