The Enlightenment

by Thomas Rouxville

The woman crossed her arms. “My husband was a blacksmith, not a farmer.”

  “Then learn his trade. We'll need weapons too.”

  “What on earth for, fool? Are you mad?”

  “For when King Landgrave tries to destroy us.”

  “You are mad. Barking mad.” The woman shook her head and continued walking. “Lay off the alcohol, Faramond.”

  It was frustrating, incredibly so. The people of Edgehill had completely given up. They weren't even trying to sustain themselves. They were content with wasting away. Without Jermyn and Laguna, without Athena, there was no food source left. Athena had done her best to encourage people to learn for themselves. She had tried to help them. But they didn't listen. They wouldn't until it was too late. Perhaps it was already too late.

  Faramond hurried down the street, eyes darting around to make sure no one was watching him. There were still several people outside, but no one else tried to stop him. A few soldiers tossed curious looks at him, noticing his fast pace and lack of a drunken gait. “I'm sober,” he said under his breath as a soldier eyed him suspiciously.

  “Is that so, Faramond? Since when?”

  “Since now.” Faramond rushed away, ready to go into his house to fetch his belongings. Ready to prepare for his escape. And then, for the first time, he noticed the bakery. Or what was left of it.

  Smoke still lingered in the air, and the smell of burning wood rose from the ground. Ashes littered the scene, and for a moment Faramond thought he saw Jermyn walking amongst the ruins. Of course, it was only his eyes playing tricks. If ghosts were real, they wouldn't haunt their own places of death. They'd visit their favorite places. Places that made them happy.

  Faramond stared at the remains of the bakery, letting tears roll down his face. He mourned the deaths of his friends for a few quick moments, remembering when he had first met them so many years ago. They had treated him kindly, and they had entrusted him with protecting Athena. If only he could have protected them too.

  Somberly, Faramond made his way home, still sniffling. His heart broke, for Jermyn and Laguna, and for Athena. She was already damaged, bruised, broken. A full recovery seemed impossible, especially for what lay ahead. Athena would see more death; she would see more blood. This was far from over. Faramond wished it could all end now. Enough blood had been shed. First Athena's parents, now her grandparents. How many other people would be taken away from the guardian? And would Faramond become one of them?

  He rifled through his belongings, trying to decide what was most important. He could only take a sack full of items to carry on his back. He wondered if he'd ever return to Edgehill. Looking around the house he'd resided in for fourteen years, he realized he would miss it. He would actually miss being Faramond the drunken fool. It had been a part of him for such a long while, that at times he had deluded himself into believing that was who he really was. The town drunk, nothing but a joke. Sometimes he had forgotten he was truly a soldier. After filling up the sack as much as possible, Faramond sighed and closed the door as he walked out. He took once last look at his house. This was goodbye. Perhaps forever.

  “Are you leaving us too?” A little girl, no more than ten years old, was standing a few feet in front of the house, looking up at Faramond. She was frail and gaunt, malnourished. She was withering away like a plant without water.

  “Elsie,” her mother yelled, “Stay away from the drunk.”

  Faramond knelt down in front of her. “I am leaving.”

  “Are you going to where my daddy and brothers are?” Elsie asked.

  “Yes, I'm going to find them and bring them back to you.” Faramond smiled. He recognized the girl; she was Tobin's youngest sister. She was a reminder that everybody had already lost someone. Husbands, fathers, brothers, and sons; all were gone. Faramond prayed they were still alive. He prayed Elsie would be able to see her brothers and father again. There would be nothing more heartbreaking than a small child losing her family.

  “Elsie, I told you to stay away!” Her mother ran over to her, grabbing her hand. “Let's go

  home.” The woman didn't even glance at Faramond. He remembered seeing her before, back before the dark days. She frequented the marketplace, selling her husband's crops and trading jewelry and linen with other women. She used to laugh and smile. Today, there wasn't even a remnant of the happy woman left. She was a shell, like so many others.

  “Bring my daddy and brothers home,” Elsie whispered as her mother dragged her away. Faramond nodded. “I will,” he mouthed. He would have to. Athena would have to. Because no one else would.

  He watched as the young child disappeared down the road. This was a family Athena adored. She loved them like her own. If there was anyone worth living for, surely it had to be them. Surely, Athena would do everything in her power to save them.

  “And I'm going to do my best to save you,” Faramond said aloud. He began to make his way towards the forest.

  Athena was there, that he was certain of. It was the only place she would have escaped to. It had always been her escape. The only place she could ever feel completely at peace. Of course, Faramond knew there wouldn't be peace there now. After everything Athena had endured, the only way she could find peace was to escape her own mind.

  Faramond tried to be cautious. Drawing attention to himself would only cause more problems. Fortunately, there were still several people milling about. Many of the soldiers were distracted, flirting with attractive women and ignoring their responsibilities. Faramond figured he would be safe, though paranoia still pervaded his thoughts.

  As he moved through the town, taking in all of the sights for the last time, other thoughts began to take hold. Suddenly, he realized something. He hadn't been killed yet because the king's men needed him. He was the pawn that would lead them to Athena. If Faramond went straight to the clearing, Athena's clearing, both he and Athena would be murdered. It would be his fault the guardian was dead. It would be his fault Galbar fell. He had to be careful. Spies could be watching him right now. No, they were watching him, he was certain. It wasn't just paranoia. Faramond would not allow himself to be responsible for the downfall of the kingdom.

  When he finally reached the forest, he avoided Athena's path. It was obvious to him where she had stepped. Her footprints were still visible in the dirt, and the horse's hooves made imprints everywhere. Did the spies even need Faramond? Surely they could have seen the trail themselves. Or perhaps they weren't as competent as Faramond was. Maybe King Landgrave hadn't trained them so well.

  Loose branches hung from trees and twigs were sprawled along the ground, places Athena had touched. Her trail was clear to Faramond. He stepped around it, looking for alternative paths. He'd do his best to lead the spies astray. He'd do anything to protect Athena's whereabouts, assuming she was still concealed. It was very possible someone could have already attacked her in the night. It was possible she could be dead already. But Faramond had to remain positive. He had to be a realist and an optimist at the same time. The moment he stopped was the moment he wouldn't be good enough to protect Athena anymore. He'd be worthless to her. She needed a mentor, a guide, someone to support her when couldn't stand alone. If Faramond lost himself, Athena would lose him.

  Faramond created a maze, making multiple trails, hoping to throw the spies off his path. He circled around for what must have been several hours. Maybe he could exhaust whoever was following him, to the point where they would just give up, giving him time to find Athena and get out of the forest. Finally, when he was sure no one was behind him, he made his way to the clearing. Faramond knew the forest as well as Athena. He'd explored it just as much as she. Hopefully, they'd be able to leave the forest safely. Hopefully, there wouldn't be any blood shed today.

  Once again, Faramond began to see Athena's obvious trail. Even strands of her hair were visible against the gray ground. He would have to teach her proper stealth. She was certainly lacking in that skill. She was so young, unprepared for the responsibilities tha
t faced her. She didn't deserve to bear such burdens. If Faramond could take her burden away, he would. He would even sacrifice himself if he could. As long as the kingdom was saved, Faramond would gladly give up his own life. He thought of Elsie, the little girl. “Your brothers and father will come home alive.”

  Chapter 4

  As Faramond trudged through the forest, he made sure to cover his tracks as well as Athena's. He silently cursed her for leaving such an obvious trail. He camouflaged his footprints with swathes of dirt, making sure to smooth everything over with his hands in order to successfully hide all traces of his steps. It was tedious work, prolonging his journey quite a bit. If anyone were spying on him, it would be obvious what he was doing. But they were waiting for him to lead them to Athena. They would let him live until they could find her.

  Faramond was determined to live much longer than that. He had to be there for Athena, for when she was in her lowest moments, in the depths of despair. She couldn’t be the Guardian of the Kingdom alone. She couldn't save thousands of lives unless she took care of her own. Athena was notorious for not taking care of herself. Faramond remembered seeing her running through Edgehill, chasing her friend, Tobin, wearing tattered dresses, her hair unkempt and face smudged with dirt. She looked like that often, rarely combing her hair or keeping her appearance ladylike. The word “ladylike” probably wasn't even in her vocabulary. Athena had always been spunky, rambunctious, a wild child.

  But anyone who saw her now would not associate her with the wild child. The fire in her eyes had long ago gone out. Faramond hoped she'd be able to regain that fire. He hoped that she would be able to be repaired, at least enough to find happiness.

  She had once been such a happy child, not bound by any rules or fates. Her laugh was infectious; even Laguna had sometimes cracked a smile. Faramond could hardly remember her laugh anymore. Athena's depression restrained her, kept her locked in a cage. Even Faramond's persistent positivity couldn't unlock that cage; only Athena's mind could. Only she had the key.

  Faramond sighed. His breath was visible in the air. Every day it grew colder. Every day the world got a little bit darker. And it wasn't just because of the winter. There was a shadow spreading across the kingdom, growing roots in the ground and blanketing the sky. Faramond could see it in the eyes of Edgehill's citizens. The women of the town were letting themselves die, and they couldn't be fully blamed. The Shadow was holding them back, keeping them from doing what they needed to save themselves. The Shadow wanted to break them. And the Shadow wanted to break Faramond and Athena too, yet they were fighting back. Edgehill wasn't fighting back. Faramond wanted so badly for them to fight. If enough people rose against the Shadow and King, they could win. They could take back their peaceful kingdom. But that's not how it worked.

  Destiny was at play. It was Athena's destiny to save the kingdom, and it was Faramond's destiny to help her. It wasn't the destiny of Edgehill's citizens or the people of Galbar to save their kingdom. Everyone had their own role to play, and unfortunately, the largest roles belonged to Athena and Faramond. It was unfair, of course it was, but Faramond couldn't change it. He just wished he truly understood everything.

  Finally, Faramond found Athena's clearing. He concealed his last step, sighing in relief as he stood up. His knees hurt from the constant kneeling down and smoothing the dirt. He would have to train more, stay in shape, especially if he expected to outrun the king's men.

  When Faramond entered the clearing, he took a deep breath. Athena was safe. No one had reached her already. She was asleep, laying down on the horse, a calm look on her face. Faramond knew better though. Athena was never calm. She was wrestling with nightmares at that very moment, yet another burden she had to bear. A knife was clutched in her hand, her knuckles white. As Faramond slowly walked up to her, he could hear how erratic her breathing was; he could see her eyes fluttering beneath her eyelids, a sign of her restless terrors. She was suffering, and Faramond wanted so badly to help, but once again, he realized he didn't have that power. Athena had to help herself.

  Faramond set his pack on the ground and laid his head on it, trying to rest. The ground was hard and cold, and Faramond wondered whether he would ever feel warmth again. This winter was perhaps the coldest he'd ever experienced, and it would only get worse. How many people were traveling along the roads of Galbar in nothing but thin cloaks? They would freeze to death. They would perish in the middle of the night. There was frost on Athena's eyelashes and brows, and every time she breathed, it was clearly visible. How many people would die by sword versus by exposure? How many lives would be stolen?

  Sleep came quickly to Faramond. He was exhausted and relieved. For a while at least, he felt there was nothing to worry about. He could worry tomorrow. He slept soundly, not even stirring as the wind began to howl.

  When morning came, Athena was already awake, sitting up, staring at Faramond. She nudged his arm.

  Faramond's eyes fluttered open. He sat up, alert. “Athena-”

  “What are you doing here?” she asked, her expression blank and tone neutral.

  “I'm here to help you,” Faramond replied. He almost wanted to chastise her for leaving such an easy trail to follow, but he knew it would only make her feel worse. She was hiding her emotions, but he knew she was struggling internally. Now was not the time for arguing.

  “I don't need your help,” Athena said. She stood up, facing away from him. “I'm okay.”

  “You don't look okay.”

  Athena ignored Faramond, walking farther away from him. There was silence for a while. Faramond wasn't going anywhere without her. He couldn't go back to Edgehill anyway. The only option was to run.

  “I'm going to help you fulfill your destiny,” Faramond said, breaking the silence between them. Athena still wouldn't meet his eyes. She was turned completely away, stroking the horse's coat.

  She didn't say anything.

  “Whether you like it or not.”

  Finally, Athena looked at him. “Shut up about 'destiny'.”

  “Athena-”

  “It's always about fulfilling my destiny. I didn't choose my destiny, Faramond. I didn't choose this. Who did? Do you know? Because whoever did was a fool!”

  “We have to get out of here,” Faramond said, ignoring her questions. Answers would come

  later. First, Athena had to regain her composure. She needed stability. And she needed to be as far from Edgehill as possible.

  “Do you even know, Faramond? Who decided all of this?”

  Even if he did, now wasn't the time to tell her. She didn't need more to worry about. She had more than enough worries for the population of Galbar and perhaps the entire world. “Let's go, Athena. We must get to safety.”

  Athena laughed darkly. “There's no such thing as safety, Faramond. Don't even try to tell me otherwise. Just go back to Edgehill. Go back to your life.”

  “I had a life before Edgehill,” Faramond said. “I went to Edgehill to protect you, to be your mentor. I gave up my life for you. And I'm still doing the same. I'm not going to give up on you.”

  “Don't you understand? I don't need you!” Athena yelled, and she began to pace around the clearing, whispering to herself. “Yes you do, Athena. You can't do it alone,” she said, speaking as if she was someone else. “No! I don't want anyone else to die.” A tear slipped from her eye. “Death is unavoidable, and there's going to be more of it if you don't let him help you.”

  Slowly, Faramond walked up to her. He wasn't sure what to do, if there was anything he could do. Athena was talking to herself. She really was going mad, and yet, Faramond understood. Of course she was going mad; even the sanest person would under such extreme circumstances. Athena's parents and grandparents were murdered. She was supposed to save an entire kingdom.

  “I killed someone,” Athena suddenly said, looking straight at Faramond.

  And she had killed someone. There weren't words to comfort her. Nothing Faramond said would make everything okay. B
ut it wouldn't be the last time Athena killed. In the coming months, she would have to kill again. And if every life she took destroyed her, so be it. It was a part of her destiny. Though that destiny was utterly cruel, it was still destiny.

  “He tried to kill me,” Athena said, with glassy eyes. Her hands were shaking. “I stabbed him, and his blood was on my hands.” She looked down at her palms, shivering. “I can still see the blood.”

  “Oh,” was all Faramond managed to say. Sorry wasn't good enough. Sorry wouldn't change it. Killing a human being and hitting a target were incomparable. Athena wasn't prepared for it. Killing animals in the forest couldn't be compared. Taking the life of a human being, no matter how evil that being was, wasn't easy. It was painful. And it never stopped being painful.

  “The blood never goes away.” Athena's palms were pink, as if she'd been scratching at them, trying to scrub invisible blood away. “I can't wash it off.”

  “Athena-”

  “Go away, Faramond.”

  “I'm not going anywhere. Look at yourself, Athena. You're going to end up dead in a few days if you don't let me help you.”

  “Get out of the forest, Athena. Listen to him,” Athena said, again talking to herself. “You'll end up dead if you stay here. Either exposure will kill you, or you'll kill yourself.” Athena frowned. “I'm the guardian. I can't kill myself.” She started pacing again. “But you want to.”

  “We have to get moving, Athena,” Faramond said, gently tapping her shoulder.

  “We'll survive if we leave?”

  “Yes,” Faramond answered honestly. They could at the very least give themselves a few more days. They had to take any time they could get. They had to give everything they could. They had to fight.

  “And you believe in me?” Athena asked.

  “Of course.”

  “Let's go then.” Athena woke the sleeping horse. “We're going a journey, Sapphire.”

  It was evident that Athena wasn't okay by any means of the word. She was broken, both physically and mentally, and yet Faramond wouldn't give up on her. She was the strongest person he knew. Only someone as strong as her could endure so much pain and still be standing. She was the Guardian of the Kingdom and she would succeed.