“Here it is!” Maluak proclaimed, handling a roll of paper in mediocre conditions.
Viktor handed him two pieces of gold and took his leave, then hurried home to study the new purchase.
The sun had now welcomed the new day, and the dew had dried.
Viktor inhaled deeply and the scent of nature inebriated him as two butterflies peeped over his shoulder for a brief greeting of courtesy.
Many people had already gone out shopping.
A flock of swallows brought the first flash of spring to the gates.
The windows of some buildings were beginning to open, showing people who had just awaken yawning and stretching.
The chosen one arrived home and put the map among his belongings: he would study it later. First he wanted to go to the farm to his father and Gabriel.
He wanted to see that place once again before leaving, but he had to postpone to the next day when he sensed a known presence behind him.
Selene was gazing at him with the classical look of someone who has just got up but at the same time something different emerged from her eyes, an attempt to appear annoyed.
“I can see that you have a sleepy face,” his friend observed. “Don’t try to make a serious expression for a reason I don’t know.”
“Nothing comes to your mind?” she alluded.
“Um, did I do something wrong?” he worried.
She cleared her throat and snorted. “You hid this from me,” she said waving Xemnath’s diary, hidden behind her back, in her hand.
“But how?” he jumped.
“I saw it by accident this morning passing in front of your room and I was intrigued. The edge of the diary came out from under the mattress.”
“The door wasn’t closed?”
“Ajar,” she specified.
“You shouldn’t have browsed through my things, this diary is none of your business,” he said, approaching the girl and snatching it from her hand.
Then he went by her to his bedroom, with a gloomy look on his face.
“Sorry if I worry and I’d like to help you. Excuse me, if with the hope of getting over this as soon as possible I’m trying to be interested in everything that concerns you!” Selene shouted behind him.
“You don’t need to get out of this, because you never came in!” Viktor snapped, turning back to her.
“I came in when you did!”
“Nobody asked you to do it, I think. And, if I remember correctly, I tried several times to get you out of it. You don’t deserve this burden, let me take care of it.”
“I have no intention to.”
“Then don’t reproach me for offering me your help more than once when I do something that doesn’t suit you! I will decide what to do. If I hide something from you, I will always do it for a good reason.”
“So let’s see, why didn’t you tell me about the diary?”
“No one except me and some of the Star know about the diary, but I would have told you about it. I didn’t do it right away because I didn’t want to drag you even further into this story.”
“What was that roll that you put on the kitchen table?” she asked, changing subject.
Viktor calmed down and glanced at the map. “A map, I got it from Maluak. It seems he’s getting worse, he’s closed in the dark at home in his research ... He told me he’s working on a great discovery in the east.”
“Bah! Nonsense, once I might have believed him; but now madness is consuming him.”
“Have a little more faith,” Viktor warned, smiling at her and going back into the kitchen.
“What do you need the map for? For the trip?”
“It could always come in handy, and I was going to check that there were no better ways to get to Placym.”
“As far as I know the road passes through Beleth and then descends to the south, near the Lake of Mephis.”
“Did you use to study from morning to night at home?”
“Let’s say I’m interested in knowing about the lands where I live,” she replied, glaring at him.
“As for the diary ... there are a lot of things that only contributed to arise other questions in my mind, I’ll tell you about it later.”
“If you like ...” she said without looking at him.
“Sorry if I reacted that way before.”
“Behave as if nothing has happened,” she cut short, embittered.
Viktor stared at her for a while, then looked away from her inquisitive eyes and removed a doily and a small fruit basket from the centre of the table.
The map was spread out on the sturdy table and the two youngsters focused on Mirthya.
“Outdated. It looks like it was designed free hand by a child ... it must be a draft,” Selene said scornfully.
“We’re lucky it’s comprehensible and that I was able to get one.” Viktor snapped. The two stared at the paper more carefully. “He could have avoided making me pay for it, anyway,” he added.
Selene smiled. “As far as I can see, we will have to go back over the path we walked down with Trust, through the pine forest. Once in Beleth, we will take the path from the east gate and then descend southwards, following the Agnar River to the Lake of Mephis. »
“Not necessarily,” Viktor denied.
“What’s on your mind?”
“We could follow the path that goes to Beleth up until the big bridge.
Once over it, we could cut through the trees to the road that descends south from the southern gate of Beleth. Continuing in the same direction we will arrive directly at the Agnar and we can follow it to the lake: it will spare us a few days’ journey.”
“We could, but I think the first option is better: in the forest we could run into some obstacles. Not to mention the gypsy camp a little farther North: I don’t trust those people. They would sell their mother for a piece of bread, if they had one.”
“Well, you’re a slave to prejudices too...”
“That’s not it, but I’d rather go there with my eyes wide open!”
“I know, I was joking ... well, we’ll find ourselves going along the encampment anyway...” Viktor pointed out.
“Yes, but we will do it during day and down a busy main street. We shouldn’t have trouble up to Beleth. And we will also have a chance to rest at the inn, if it’s open.”
“It will surely have been one of the first things they rebuilt this month,” Selene said.
“All right, then: we’ll do it your way. It will be a slower but safer journey.”
The map was carefully folded and tucked between the pages of Xemnath’s diary.
“So, what did you want to tell me about the diary? I only read the first few pages before falling asleep ...” said Selene.
“I’ll tell you another time,” replied the chosen one, seeing the door open. First and Gabriel were returning from the fields.
“How did it go?” asked Viktor.
“Quite well, tiring as usual,” replied his brother, slipping into a chair.
“Tired, but necessary to sell the fruit and wheat that allows us to eat” said First. “Did you sleep well, Selene?”
“Oh yes, thank you very much ... I just woke up.”
“You can rest a little more after lunch, if you want.”
“I’d better help to prepare lunch while you go and clean up.”
After a couple of hours, the four had already finished eating and tidying the kitchen.
“I’m going to rest a little ... you should bring the sword to Trust, he told me he intends to have a look at it before you leave,” First said.
“All right, I’ll take Siride to Trust,” Viktor agreed, arranging the few dishes that remained to be stored in the cupboard.
“Siride?” the farmer repeated confused.
“It’s the name of my sword,” the boy explained.
Selene returned to the archer’s chamber, where her belongings were. Viktor, on the other hand, went to his family friend’s house with his brother.
“Be
careful,” Gabriel warned in a low tone, looking at his brother.
“What?”
“Out there, when you have to fight with all that fate reserves you. I’d like to see you again at the end of this whole story.”
“I will make sure that everything goes well.”
“I’m counting on it,” Gabriel answered, stopping in front of Trust’s house.
The blacksmith was already near the door fixing some loose joints. “Come in, I’ll finish that heck of a door later!” he exclaimed, inviting them to sit down. “So ... let’s see this sword?” he urged with a jubilant expression on his face.
“Yes, of course,” Viktor said, untying the sheath belt from behind his back to give it to Trust.
The blacksmith took the scabbard with his big hands and pulled Siride out, leaving the belt on the sofa.
The blade made no noise when Trust’s stubby fingers encircled the brown leather hilt and the weapon was unsheathed.
The gem under the knob glowed red and the sword seemed to light up for a moment, giving life to its slightly sinusoidal shape that recalled a fierce snake.
“A pure wonder. Certainly a very well made weapon,” said the blacksmith. “In addition, it is very sharp and difficult to scratch: the metal is of excellent quality. Ruby grain, if I’m not mistaken. It gives the blade a reddish effect when it is hit by light and provides it with great strength.”
“Fantastic! It means I can use it safely.”
“Safer if you’ll only use it on your enemies.”
“What?”
“It was to tell you to be careful how you handle it ... pay attention to those close to you,” Trust advised.
Viktor nodded, then took Siride and put it back in its scabbard, which slid behind his back.
“We’ll meet again before we leave,” the boy reassured.
“Are you leaving already?” asked the blacksmith.
“Selene is rechecking the last preparations for the journey, I’ll go and see if she needs help. Thanks anyway.”
“You’re welcome. It’s a pleasure, boy.”
Gabriel nodded, the two took their leave and started down the road home.
By that time, everything was ready for Placym.
DEPARTURE
E ven if there was a spare bed in Gabriel’s room, she spent least time possible there. She preferred being with Viktor and preparing for the journey much more.
“We will only travel in daylight, on the busy main streets after Beleth: it is more difficult for whoever wants to follow us to spot us. As for the road that goes from Lezhen to Beleth, we’ll follow the main path anyway, but skirting the forest. It isn’t a busy road and being seen could be dangerous,” Viktor repeated to Selene studying her green eyes.
“Since tourism has increased, the road could be busier, couldn’t it?”
“Sure, but I don’t think it’s busy enough. However we’ll have the opportunity to consider the situation…” the boy answered.
“You’re right… anyway it’s better not to take risks. The other day I was at the inn and I heard two people talking about strange Mountain Creatures that are coming down to the valley: flocks of volatilized sheep, herdsmen in crisis. The beginning of something threatening.”
“Are you serious? What if it was just a pack of very hungry wolves?”
“In such case they wouldn’t have eaten the sheep’s bones too.”
“I missed that detail,” Viktor said, embarrassed. The two days had passed quickly and the next morning, after breakfast, the two would head for Beleth.
Viktor turned to an old bedside clock and saw that it was now past midnight, so he decided to end the evening by going over the road to follow and the necessary precautions to take. Selene nodded even though she was really drowsy.
When they had thoroughly studied every possibility, the two went to rest.
The boy waited for Selene to disappear behind the door of his room before falling over the bed, where he had been sitting crossed-legged until then.
******
Viktor awoke at the crack of dawn and felt refreshed as he hadn’t for a long time.
He put on his brown boots and trousers, a black leather belt with a metal buckle and a light grey shirt with long sleeves, pulled up to mid-arms and the belt that held Siride’s scabbard.
When he was ready, he quickly rinsed his face and took the saddlebags he had placed near the bed, bringing them to the front door.
He went back to the corridor to peer into Gabriel’s room and saw Selene still asleep, so he chose to go one last time to Lezhen while he waited. The moment he left the house, the strong light of the sun blinded him, until he got used to it. He rubbed his eyes several times and closed the door behind him, heading for the farm.
He enjoyed every little detail offered by nature, from the last drops of dew left on the leaves of the largest tree that skirted the path.
He circled his farm and arrived at the clearing where he had spoken with Trust, First, Gabriel and Selene three days before.
“How time goes by, eh?” Selene said suddenly behind him.
Viktor, however, didn’t move. “I thought you were sleeping.”
“The noise of the door woke me up. I imagined you’d be at the farm, I knew you wanted to come back once more before leaving.”
“In fact I do, but I thought of taking one last look at the clearing. It’s very important to me, I spent my childhood there.”
“I know. I was there running and laughing with you.”
Viktor smiled.
“It’s late, Gabriel and your father will be at home with Trust. We should go back.”
“Yes, we should,” echoed Viktor, motionless. He sighed and looked away, turning to his friend.
She wore low boots and dark blue trousers covered with a light shirt that came down to mid-thigh.
The metal string that held her shirt tight at the waist flashed and only then did Viktor realize that he hadn’t looked at her since she had reached him.
Selene had blonde hair, a little wavier than usual.
“It’s beautiful,” thought the boy.
Back home, they found Gabriel, First and Trust waiting for them as expected.
“Do you already mean to leave?” Trust asked, giving Viktor a mocking smile and pointing to Siride behind him.
“No, I wanted to get used to the idea,” he joked untying the scabbard and putting it in a corner of the room.
“On the pretext of your departure, your father and brother haven’t gone to the farm!” Trust laughed.
Viktor knew Trust and he immediately realized that his laughter was hiding the melancholy that he too felt for his departure.
They had breakfast chatting and laughing, ignoring the imminent farewells and trying to cheer each other up.
When they had all finished, Viktor immediately ensured that he had Xemnath’s diary, then his gaze fell on the old clock on the nightstand.
Thinking it had been his mother’s made him think about her with sadness, so he pulled out the only portrait he had of her from one of the nightstand drawers.
He rarely looked at it; however, after that opportunity he didn’t know when and if he would have others to do it.
He didn’t want to take the picture with him for fear of losing it or ruining it, so he stared at it one last time.
At that moment, he recognized his father’s heavy footstep.
“I miss her so much,” said the man.
“I love getting lost in her eyes,” Viktor said.
“You know, since she left, I swore I’d be able to keep you safe. There is no day that I don’t think of her and see her again. You are all I have left. It’s hard for me to let you go ... this is not the destiny I wanted for you and I’m so sorry ... for this life ... for what’s happening ...”
Viktor dropped the worn out portrait on the bed and turned to see his father crying. The words seemed to die in his throat, stopped by the sobs of an anguished cry, put off for too long.
“I ... I trust you ... if I tried not to believe you, if I was sceptical when you told me the truth ... it was only because I hoped that by pretending to be blind I would have forced you not to leave ... I was a fool ...,” he continued.
Viktor’s eyes moistened and he hugged him. He felt such force emanating inside that would permit him to rant against the world. “I love you,” he told him.
“Promise me that you will do everything possible to return. Promise me that you will not give up and will always seek the strength to continue, because there is no wall that cannot be knocked down. I learned it in a lifetime, and I want you to know it too. Always have the strength to support yourself with your own legs and remember that will can bring men farther than where ambition lets them fall.”
At that moment, they heard Gabriel’s voice calling loudly, so Viktor and First returned to the entrance.
The chosen one tied the belt of the sword sheath behind his back and carried the saddlebags on his right shoulder, then left the house with Selene and the others.
Before leaving, the girl said goodbye to everyone and, with great pleasure, received a gift from Trust, a knife with a walnut handle and a blade as thin as it was sharp.
“I thought it might be useful.”
“It will surely be useful,” said Viktor, not convinced.
“I’m grateful to you.”
The chosen one approached his brother and hugged him tightly. “Take care of yourself ... and Daddy,” he looked into his deep eyes.
“And you take care of yourself and her.”
“It will be harder than expected,” he smiled.
When Gabriel patted his arm, Viktor ran a hand through his hair and approached Trust, saying goodbye to him.
“Keep in touch, villain,” he said in a friendly way.
“I’ll try to” he replied, grabbing his hand to pull him into a hug. It was a quick hug to avoid other tears.
Finally, he turned to his father, avoiding eye contact with him.
A simple exchange of looks was enough.
Viktor and Selene walked towards the edge of the village, trying not to look back, but temptation prevailed and they turned to look at their house lit by midday light.
Viktor Page 19
