CHAPTER 12
FOLLOW THE WISP
CARLAYLIN
I TWIST AND I TURNED. I fluffed my pillow a few times. I changed my position. I pulled the thin blanket further over myself for comfort. I kicked it off.
No matter what lengths I took, I just couldn’t fall asleep. I puffed my cheeks and blew, crossing my arms beneath my arms as I looked at the stars glimmering in the night sky. I tried to search for the different constellations.
The farmer said his name was Jurgen. He gave us a nice dinner. He was a kind soul. Plus, he wasn’t trying to turn me into a chicken or eat me.
Jurgend apologized for the lack of room in his farm – a farm in the forest. It was either with the animals, or out in the open. Terrowin and I agreed on the second option.
Jurgend prepared our beds and led us to them.
Our beds were outside, simple pieces of linen tossed on some gathered hay from the haystacks. Jurgend was kind enough as to lend us some pillows and a thin worn blue blanket for each of us. It was a warm summer’s night.
I loved how the outside temperatures mixed with my body temperature, uniting as one. Feels like you blend in with your surroundings.
I turned and took a glance at Terrowin lying with his back to me in his own little made up ‘bed’. I wasn’t sure how he did it, but he was fast asleep. Must’ve been tired.
The running and the constant worries about Hayley and his maybe running into his father must’ve really done a number on him.
I heaved a heavy sigh and sat upright, giving myself a stretch. I looked off into the forest. Only moments passed before I gave a single smile and stood. I wandered off into the forest for a little midnight stroll.
Not too far from the farm that is. I still remember what happened earlier with the chase and all… Maybe we were running from a tiny little scampering woodland rabbit and we didn’t even know it. What a jolly laugh that is. Well… that’s absolutely plausible, actually.
I calmly meandered the forest, taking my own way.
I looked at my surroundings. Nothing but grand tall forest trees, rocks, vegetation, flora, the roofing treetops, tall grass, earthen pathways and everything you need to make an untouched forest.
The moon shone brightly through the leaves of the towering trees, shedding some light on my path, lancing down like spears from up above.
It felt good to be alone for a change. And at the perfect place. It felt as though I was away from all my concerns and troubles, all those nasty things replaced by a cal,ing sense of engulfing peace. I took a deep breath and slowly let go.
I was away from it all.
I heard various different nocturnal animals and birds making their noises as they ran around and did whatever they pleased.
As I strolled through the forest, completely lost in the thoughts of my mind, I noticed another blue wisp not far by. I immediately froze in my tracks.
I have never seen a wisp so close to me before. It was floating upon a nearby rock, next to one of the trees. It was beautiful. Enchanting even.
It was a source of blue light, adorned by occasional miniature white sparks and snaking streams of blue energy that surrounded it.
Unable to keep my interests at bay, I went a little bit closer. As I reached out, it balled up and disappeared, leaving behind only remnants of fading blue mist.
I looked around to see where it had gone.
“Where are you, little fella?” I asked, searching the area. I looked in front of me and saw it floating in the distance. I remembered what Terrowin had told me. They will lead you to where you are needed most. I couldn’t help but follow it. Whenever I came close enough it would disappear again and then reappear only a few paces further away. And so it went on as I followed it to where it tried to lead me.
I don’t know how deep I went into the forest, but I reached a long lost, ruined fountain standing in the middle of nowhere. Despite its age-old state, the fountain still worked with only trickles of clean water spilling from the figure. The water was unnaturally clear, but all the same outstanding.
The wisp led me here. I had no idea to why it did, or about how I was to find my way back to the farm.
The wisp had disappeared one final time, leaving no trace to where it had gone.
I realised that I was rather parched and went closer to the fountain, leaning over the edge to stare into the waters. Lots of small ripples were created by the falling water. At the bottom resided a bunch of evenly spread, beautiful silver pebbles. They decorated the bottom of the lost fountain, glistening as the moon’s light gently caressed them.
I noticed the fountain ornament to be that of a woman. She was breath-taking. She wore a long silky dress. Her one hand resided on her chest, touching her heart as the other gladly harboured a small bird that sat perched in her palm. Stone flowers decorated her thick wavy hair, an owl on her shoulder. A young fawn brushed against her legs, looking up at her. She had the most beautiful smile.
I felt a warmth brewing deep inside of me as I gaze up at the ornament. I couldn’t help but grin.
I finally knelt down at the brim of the fountain and took a sip of crystal clear water. It was ice cold and very refreshing. I cupped my hands and splashed my ace with water, feeling invigorated, which isn’t exactly good for someone who still needed the sleep…
My shoulders slumped as I shot another glance at the statue. I just couldn’t get her out of my head. There was something to her that I couldn’t shake. I kept my smile, admiring at the fine detail she was carved with. Vegetation grappled at the bottom of the fountain and vines tried wrapping around the ornament, trying to join the mildew.
“I see you have found the sacred shrine of Bliss.”
My heart skipped a beat. My eyes were as big as coasters.
“Joy and happiness. Harmony and heaven.”
The voice had startled me. I gulped, slowly getting to my feet. I took a deep breath, gathering myself and mustering all the courage I had left.
Gradually, as the man continued his saying, I looked behind me.
“Every time when I have the chance, I come here at night and visit her. It’s quite the distance, but I always–“
The man was cut short as our eyes locked. I wasn’t happy about the fact that I recognized him.
“YOU!” Cassius bellowed, not exactly looking very pleased to see me.
Not good…
His white horse stood and grazed nearby, its reigns tied to a sturdy tree.
Cassius wore the same armour I first saw him with.
I couldn’t find my words. I was frozen on the spot. My mind was clouded. I couldn’t think straight. I only knew that I wasn’t supposed to be here, and of all times, not now.
“I recognise you from Thorodan.”
I felt like shrinking, and hopefully, perhaps even disappear.
“How much did you hear?”
I gave him a nervous toothy grin.
“Um…”
He raised an eyebrow.
“I didn’t hear much,” I squeaked, “Just something about a man named Althalos, a war and something about someone’s son. That’s it! I swear! Please don’t kill me! I have too many things to do. Things I can’t do when I’m dead!”
Cassius stepped closer. The first thought that came to mind was: Oops, now I’ve done it!
He closed in on me and I panicked, instinctively backing away.
My foot caught the fountain and sent me falling backwards. Just before I could hit the waters, Cassius grabbed me by the arm with a grip of iron and pulled me to safety. I found my feet again and kept my balance. I yanked myself away from Cassius and leered away. He remained on the spot, not exactly trying anything unexpected. I calmed down, managing to find my words.
“Thanks.”
I kept a still eye on that sword of his, just in case he wanted to try anything funny.
“Don’t worry. I’m not going to hurt you,” Cassius assured.
“You’re… not?”
“No. Well, I have been ordered to kill at first glance, but… I will not.”
I gave a sigh of relief, probably looking like I’ve seen a ghost.
“Just don’t let me see you again or else I won’t be so keen on disobeying my orders. Understood?”
I nodded rapidly, still feeling my heart thumping against my ribcage.
I found it strange that he wouldn’t cut me down, even though this was the perfect chance for him to do so in ending my life. I mean, I’ve heard more than I was supposed to, but still he spares my life? I guessed my deductions and assumptions to be correct then. Cassius really was the most kind-hearted of the lot… Thank goodness!
If anything, I actually owed him my life. That’s what I call courage.
Just as Cassius settled on mounting his horse, I stopped him with a question. It was a one in a lifetime opportunity I had in actually having a decent conversation with an actual knight that fought in royal name.
“What can you tell me about this shrine?”
Cassius gave me a comforting smile and sat on a nearby log, making himself comfortable as he looked at the fountain’s ornament.
“This shrine has been built in honour of a certain woman – a valiant woman that goes by the name of Bliss. Despite all her other heroics, there’s a legend that speaks of her last days, but I’m not quite sure if it’s true…”
“Can you still tell it to me?” I nervously sat next to him on the bolder.
It felt like an honour to be with him… Without him trying to kill me. But he was a knight. A bloody knight.
Keep the giggles in, Carlaylin. Keep it in!
“Sure. It is said that this woman had the power to use every one of the main elements in her favour. It is also said that her father was a wizard.”
“The Wizard of Elements, then? Murray?”
Cassius turned his eyes to me.
“Exactly, but I recall his name being Merlin.”
“Yeah, Merlin. Merlin the Fifth…?”
“Merlin the Fifth,” he confirmed.
“Yes! Knew it.”
Cassius chuckled but faintly and left it at that.
Wait… Murray had a daughter? Uh, I guess it’s understandable… But what happened with his wife? I’d rather not ponder on that… Hmm…
“Anyways, she was happily married to a noble man…” his voice trailed off before he found it again.
“Bliss gave birth to a beautiful girl. Unfortunately, a wizard, Zeldin, had set on doing absolutely everything to get his hands on her for a reason that is still unknown to all of us. Bliss was aware of the fact that Zeldin was planning sending an army of dark spirits to her home, near the once grassy fields, now not anymore, in front of Rock Mountain. Zeldin aimed on doing the extreme in order to get his hands on their daughter. Her only choice was to travel to Hadrian to leave her daughter in safe hands.”
Cassius paused to take a deep breath.
“There was something unique and different about her daughter. In fact, if Zeldin could get his hands on her, it could as well mean the end of Ysellian. Yet, how, I do not know. Bliss’ husband said that he would stay by her side and fend them off, no matter what. Together they escaped to this little town, but before they could get there, a massive hoard of spirits caught them by surprise. The man ordered Bliss to flee to Hadrian. Of course she refused, but he had no choice but to force her, to safe her and their daughter’s life. It meant that he had to stay behind and fend off the mass attack, distracting the spirits whilst Bliss was given the perfect chance to escape unnoticed.”
It’s typical of wizards to send their evil minions everywhere, like those evil spirits, to do all their dirty work for them. Exactly just as it is of a typical Murray to send Terrowin and I to do all the dangerous stuff for him, but I won’t complain about that though. Better that than sitting in a boring tower for the rest of your life.
“Legend has it that she left her child on someone’s doorstep to keep her safe. She then ran away from Hadrian in order for the spirits not to follow her to her daughter’s location, but eventually they caught up. They found Bliss in the forest. She sacrificed herself to save her daughter. I also heard that the legend speaks of the spirits eventually finding her daughter. They possessed the king’s most reliable knights and made an onslaught on the house Bliss’ daughter was hiding at. The woman that was looking after her escaped, but protecting Bliss’ daughter cost that woman’s life and no one heard of or saw Bliss’ daughter ever again...”
I literally felt as my heart sunk down into my boots. My throat tightened, leaving me unable to say but a single word. I couldn’t even make a sound.
What just happened?
I couldn’t focus on Cassius. I saw nothing but blurred lines and dark corners. My mind was lost to me. Bliss… Zeldin… Murray… Hadrian and all that.
What did I just hear?
I couldn’t wrap my head around it. I couldn’t bring myself to believe it. It sounded too impossible to be real. Too coincidental.
It can’t be true! Or can it…?
I thought about seeing the wisp and how it brought me to the fountain… I heard Terrowin’s voice replaying in my head.
It is said that those lead you to where you are needed most.
I felt like screaming. I couldn’t cope. I shared Cassius’ grim expression.
“There is at least some truth to this legend. My commandant, Rowan Belanos, was there to witness it happen himself, on the night of the confrontation over at Hadrian.”
Rowan was one of those knights? Well, I guess it really is a small world after all… Not that I’d prefer it that way.
Cassius heaved a sigh.
“I just hope she’s safe and nothing bad had happened to her...”
A part of me wanted to yell: Hey! I’m right here!
But it wasn’t exactly for the best… Something held me back. Besides, who would believe me? I hear a legend I’ve never heard before in my entire life and suddenly I’m telling Cassius, who only knows me from two meetings, that I’m Bliss’ long lost daughter…? Na ah.
Cassius looked around, probably realizing that it was getting late. Or, uh, later than it already was.
“Here.” He unfastened his scabbard from his belt. With the sword still residing snugly within, he handed it to me for the taking.
“Take this.”
I nearly gaped.
“But-” Cassius raised an eyebrow. “Take it. You need it more than I do, looking at how far you’ve come from the inn. I was planning on giving it to my own daughter, but… She passed away. I might as well accept the fate that I’m not going to see her anytime soon and let go...”
My heart cramped, aching me with the sympathy I carried towards this man. I was met with knitted eyebrows.
“I’m… so sorry… M-My condolences.”
Cassius tried for a weary smile, leisurely shaking his head.
“It’s okay. Please, take it.”
I couldn’t, I just couldn’t refuse taking the sword. I hated to do anything that would shatter his heart… but I was hesitant, so hesitant.
There was a moment of silence before I finally reeled away from my reluctances and cautiously took the sword from his hand. I withdrew the sword from its scabbard and studied it in my hands.
It was a sword… A real sword. Not a mug or some wooden charade. It was the real deal, and it was now mine.
I took a shaky breath.
The blade looked quite sharp and the handle was made of gold, a large, gemstone covered the top of the hilt
There was an engraving carved into the gemstone.
“If you like, you can scratch my name out and write yours there.” He pointed at the engraving. His name was written in his own script. I swallowed.
“I’ll never do that.”
I smiled with quivering lips.
“Thank you so much!”
It was the best th
ing anyone had ever given me, or done for me, in any matter. It were times like these when I wished that I was officially off the knights’ wanted list and on their best friend list. Imagine the possibilities.
I couldn’t help but embrace Cassius. He was no doubt startled. I soon realized what I was doing and quickly let go. My heart flew into a panic.
“I’m so sorry!”
“No worries,” Cassius said, his tone warm-hearted. He stood and untied his horse’s reigns. He made sure the saddle was properly adjusted and finally mounted.
Cassius looked back at me one last time.
“Remember, I never want to see you again.”
It was a matter worth smiling for.
“You know what? You’re truly more noble and brave than any knight I have ever met before.”
Cassius seemingly felt honoured. With a small inclination of his head in the form of a small bow, he left without another word spoken. My eyes returned to the amazing sword he gave me.
Time flew by ever since Cassius had gone. My stomach twisted into knots once again as I looked at the fountain. My expression turned forlorn.
After another moment, I gradually stood and went closer, looking up at the statue that towered in front of me, at the face of the woman. I swallowed back a marble.
“Mom?”
CHAPTER 13
NO DREAMS
TERROWIN
BIRDS OF INNUMERABLE KINDS filled the forest with their song, carried by the faint breeze. Drops of morning dew resided on the foliage, and on the leaves of the many trees. The sun was warm and shone brightly, bathing the forest in its golden rays that lanced down to touch the forest floor, breaking through the entangled branches in the form of numerous spears.
The trees lent their ever-growing shade and the sound of running water was carried by the feral streams that fed the forest and gave fertile soil to the plants that clung to the banks.
Terrowin walked through the forest and watched as the birds past flew by overhead. He could hear the sound of water not far by. He took a deep breath, but still feeling as though there was a hole in his soul. As if something might be missing, something he would never be able to replace ever again.
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