The Historian
Lindsey Collins, 2017
Do you know that saying “I’m a lover not a fighter”? Well that’s me. The name is Galan Yinra I live on the planet Leinus. The planet is the color of fresh blood, but it is not hot here like most people think. Last year the hottest day was 50° Fahrenheit. I live in the capitol Unus, where we are well known for our strong soldiers throughout the galaxy. Many planets will ship their
young men to train with our troops. All the troops are under the watch of the High Commander, who just so happens to be my Dad.
People say I am lucky to have him as my Dad, and then proceed to tell me the war stories they have heard about him. I have heard them all. About how he killed five gargoyles with his bare hands. How he defeated the dragon with one slash of his sword. Blah blah blah! I DON’T FEEL LUCKY!!! All he wants me to do is fight. As I said earlier, I am a lover. Just because my Dad is amazing at fighting doesn’t mean I have to be! I have been in military school ever since I could walk. Training day in and day out. Getting teased day in and day out. Getting beat up day in and day out! The only reason I have not been discharged is because of how high up my Dad is in the rankings. I hear the other trainees laughing at me constantly. I stopped caring a long time ago and just focus on my books. No one wants to tell the High commander his son is a softy. I’m sure my Dad knows and is disappointed with his “worthless” son.
“Hey Galan are you actually going to be able to pick up your sword today?”
Rathal, he was the top of the class a “Future Legend”. He had spotted me, as did his posse of fans. They made my life a living hell.
“Shut up Rathal.” I spit back at him.
“Oooohhh, looks like the pansy is a little feisty today.” He pushed me down and laughed, the others laughed with him.
“Just leave me alone. I don’t want to fight.” I said picking up the books I was carrying.
“We know that, pansy, you would rather read those stupid books instead of getting into the action of battle. Not that you would last long if you actually wanted to.” He sneered and walked away with his fans following him like moths to a flame.
I dream of being a historian. All they have to do is record the wars, not fight in them. No training, no getting beat up, and no blood. Just reading. And I love reading. Can you imagine it? Just sitting all cozy in a labyrinth of books and records of history that you get to read and study stories of real people at different times, it so intriguing! And then you also have the honor of writing the history of your time for the future generations to read. I wish I could be
one, but my Dad would disown me if I ever told him I didn’t want to be a solider.
I walk into the archives and see the only person I enjoy seeing on this planet.
“Hey Nexxis.” I said as I sat down in my usual chair. “Galan, shouldn’t you be training?” She looked up from her book. She was constantly reading one.
“Yeah......” I said picking up one of my books.
“What are you reading now?”
This is why she is my favorite person. Everyone else would make me go back to training.
“Records from 2367, what are you reading?” I said as I turned to a chapter on the third Galaxy war.
“Elf and the Goblin” she laughed and put her book down.
“Leave it to you to be reading what the historian should be reading.” She paused. “You should tell him, you know...” She stared at me waiting for my response.
Maybe I should tell him. Why should I be stuck doing something I hate, when I am really good at the thing I love. It takes me thirty minutes to pick up an elven sword, but I can read a 1,000 page book in about one hour. I belong in the barracks not the battle field.
“You’re right, I should.” I stood, collecting my books. She squealed and hugged me tightly.
“You are actually going to do it?!” She continued to squeal at a frequency that I thought would break glass.
“Yes, yes, calm down.” I pulled away smiling.
“Go, go, go!!” She pushed me out of the barracks. “And don’t come back until he says yes!”
I can’t believe I am doing this. I had imagined what it would be like. Most of the time it ended with me being kicked out of the house, but I am going to hope that isn’t going to happen. I knocked on his door.
“Come in.” I couldn’t tell if he was in a good mood or bad mood. I slowly walked into the room.
“Hello Dad.” I stared at the floor trying to make my hand stop shaking.
“My boy! What brings you to see me?” he grinned wildly.
“Well, you see I have something I need to talk to you about.” My hand shook even more.
“I kind of assumed that, son.” He chuckled and motioned to the chair in front of his desk.
“Sit down and relax.”
RELAX?!?! How was I supposed to relax? I was about to tell my legendary warrior father I didn’t want to be a part of his army, the army he raised me in. (continued on next page)