Despite himself, Aaron chuckled and he lowered himself onto the grass beside Adler. Around them the sweet smell of night flowers floated in the air and the two brothers looked up at the stars.

 

“What are you thinking about?” Aaron asked and Adler smiled broadly.

 

“Tomorrow,” he replied, “it’s my birthday. I’m finally turning eighteen.”

 

Hearing this, Aaron bit his lip and shifted his gaze to look at Adler. “Don’t expect a celebration,” he warned and Adler laughed.

 

“Of course not!” he replied, “but tomorrow I’m of age and I can finally tell Mum and Dad my decision.”

 

“To join the army?” Aaron exclaimed and Adler nodded. “Are you insane?” Aaron yelled, “I thought you gave up that ridiculous idea! Look at you! You’re so weak and scrawny. You won’t last a week there! I’m not even sure you will make the journey!”

 

“What else can I do?” retorted Adler, “Stay here? Be a carpenter? You know I can’t do that. Only those who speak to Woodlarks can be carpenters. I can’t. But in the army I can be something other than a Non-Speaker. I can be a soldier. Maybe I’ll have a chance there. At least I can earn a living.”

 

 Aaron shook his head. “You’re going to die,” he stated simply and Adler chuckled. Aaron was always a believer in worst case scenarios but perhaps that was why he wasn’t as affected by the news that Adler was a Non-Speaker. He had already believed it before he was told. Adler was thankful. It gave him a brother.