Aiden's Quest
Page 76
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For several years, Aiden was a hermit and a nomad. Cardsten, or the ruins thereof, were first visited. He wandered the ruins for some days. He left with a heavy heart.
Aiden considered returning to his village. He could never quite bring himself to returning, broken and defeated. He considered many places, but each did not settle with him. Eventually, the loneliness of solitude overtook him. He’d tired of the hunt. Tengeer became his destination. He had a hunch that Dromreign had left it unharmed.
It was a lovely spring day, the morning that he set off. Some memories filled his mind. He thought on the men, then boys, who set off with him to conquer the world. He’d felt so invincible at the time. He didn’t feel this way any longer. He sorrowed for those boys of Tengeer who were lost. It would be his duty to explain their fate. Some degree of survivor’s guilt had plagued him for many years.
Off in the distance, from the direction of Tengeer, three figures strode towards him. Aiden eyed them as he walked. Eventually he could see three teenagers, a white girl and two black boys. Aiden continued towards them.
“Aiden, it’s ye, it is!” shouted the girl and set off running towards him.
Aiden paused and watched all three run in his direction. The girl threw her arms around him and the boys stood with bright smiles on their faces.
“It’s Aiden. Ye knows Aiden, don’t ye?” she said.
The boys nodded affirmatively. Aiden was a legend to that day, in Tengeer.
Aiden searched his mind. The girls voice was familiar but neither her face nor the boys were.
“Me’s Jemma,” she said exuberantly, when he hadn’t said anything yet. “These is me brothers.”
A light went on in Aiden’s head. “Jemma,” he exclaimed and embraced her back. It hadn’t seemed that long since he’d left Tengeer. “You’re all grown up.”
Jemma glowed.
“We’re seeking the promise land, we are,” she said. “Ye know the ways, don’t ye? We’ve had refugees of late. There villages is been attacked by the wicked dragon, they’s is.”
A pit filled Aiden’s stomach.
“For a long time, it seemed as if the dragon was gone, but it ain’t. It is back and we want to go where it can’t get us, we do.”
Aiden looked at Jemma, searching her eyes. They had always had such life in them. Even when she’d just survived the destruction of Dargaer and the grip of the anaconda.
Aiden smiled. “Jemma, I know the way. I’d be happy to take you and your brothers there. Jemma, I think I would like to go and stay there with you, also.”
Jemma smiled and grabbed his hand as they walked.
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At the pool, in the promise land, sat a beautiful woman with her feet in the water. She had a large bouquet of wild flowers beside her. She methodically formed the wild flowers into a wreath. When it was complete, she placed the wreath into the water and watched it slowly pass to the other side.
Janice was as lovely as ever, but was lonely. She had never gotten over John Bennett. Until then, she’d hoped that he’d return. This was her final memorial to him. She was ready to move on.
She looked at the water, so clear, so blue, so peaceful. It seemed as if she could look in all the way to its depths. She sat there watching. This day would be a new day for her. The water seems so still, so perfectly still today, Janice thought to herself.
About the Author:
Dane Bagley studied philosophy at Brigham Young University and received his bachelor of science in physiological optics from the University of Alabama at Birmingham in 1999. He received his Doctor of Optometry degree from the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Optometry in 2001. He is the owner and doctor at Perfect Optical Eyecare Center in Huntsville, Alabama, where he continues to practice optometry. He resides with his wife, two daughters, and two sons in Madison, Alabama. He enjoys sports, games, saltwater reef keeping, snorkeling, scuba diving, and serving in his church.
Summary:
A gifted young man, born into an obscure tribe, quickly becomes the leader of his people. His unparalleled skills, keen intellect, and extraordinary senses, along with his tireless work ethic turn him into the greatest hunter of all time.
In his part of the world, there are no great beasts, yet rumor has it that elsewhere there are fierce creatures that wreak havoc on mankind. Aiden decides to leave his people, to seek out adventure, and test his skills against these beasts. He quickly discovers that the threat is beyond anything imaginable. It becomes his mission to conquer the creatures, particularly the ferocious dragon, Dromreign, and to save the world. But, is this his destiny?
Works by the Dane Bagley:
Fear and Aggression
2012
Fear and Aggression, second edition by Tate Publishing
2014