Aidan made his way to a small building at the edge of the farm with Thalion’s help. Each step sent stabs of pain through his side, likely from broken ribs. Cold sweat rolled off his forehead as they reached the doorway. Inside, it was cool and dimly lit, the air filled with the scent of herbs and healing salves.

Thalion guided him down the hallway to a room where a woman stood, her face scrunched in a frown. Her brown-red hair cascaded in waves down her back, framing sharp, delicate features. Her deep, amber eyes sparkled with controlled anger. Aidan couldn’t help but notice her strong, well-rounded figure and the scaly tail, which was the same shade as her hair, swaying gently behind her. Two small, elegantly curved horns adorned her head.

“Meet Kaelira,” Thalion said, his tone respectful. “She is our healer.”

Kaelira stepped forward, her tail flicking with curiosity. “Let me see to those wounds,” she said, her voice soft but with an underlying edge. She guided Aidan to lie down on a bed and began assessing his injuries, her touch calm and soothing.

“Hold still,” Kaelira instructed, placing her hands over Aidan’s ribcage. A warm glow emanated from her palms, and the pain in Aidan’s side began to fade. “You’ve taken quite a beating,” she remarked, meeting his eyes.

Aidan nodded. “Thank you. I didn’t have a choice but to fight.”

Kaelira smiled gently. “Everyone has a choice. It’s the consequences we must live with. You’re not from around here, are you? Tell me about yourself, Aidan.”

Aidan hesitated, unsure of how much to reveal. “I’m looking for my brother,” he began. “I was given a… You could call it a message that he might be here, and I ended up here by accident. Now, I’m just trying to find a way back and ensure he’s safe.”

Kaelira’s eyes softened with sympathy. “That sounds like a difficult journey. It’s rare to see someone so dedicated to their family. Many in this land are more concerned with their own survival.”

Aidan watched her as she worked, noticing the delicate scales that adorned her forearms. “You’re… different,” he said, trying to be polite.

Kaelira chuckled, her tail curling slightly. “I’m Dragonkin. We possess a natural affinity for magic and healing. Few of us are left these days.”

Aidan was intrigued. “Dragonkin? I’ve heard stories but never thought I’d meet one.”

Kaelira finished her healing spell, the glow fading from her hands. “Well, now you can say you have. There, you should feel much better now. But you need to rest. Healing takes a toll on the body.”

Aidan sat up slowly, feeling the pain in his ribs dissipate. “Thank you, Kaelira. I appreciate your help.”

She nodded, her amber eyes warm. “You’re welcome. Rest here for a while. The Elder will want to speak with you soon.”

As Aidan settled back onto the bed, other injured workers were brought in, some with minor cuts and bruises, others more seriously hurt. Kaelira moved gracefully among them, administering her healing touch where needed. The room buzzed with murmurs and the occasional groan of pain.

Aidan had begun to doze when a young elf entered the room. “The Elder requests that you come to the council chambers as soon as you are able,” he said.

Aidan nodded, rising carefully from the bed. He felt stiff but rejuvenated. Glancing back at Kaelira, who offered an encouraging smile, he followed the elf into the sunlight. He took a deep breath, bracing himself for the upcoming meeting. Facing the Elder again might be even more daunting than the bandits.

As he walked across the open field, another brown orb floated before him, stopping within arm’s reach. Rubbing his eyes, Aidan saw it was still there. He let out a deep breath and reached out slowly. When he touched the orb, images of dirt and stone flashed before his eyes, and a tingle crept up his arm before the orb vanished.

“Huh.” Grunted Aidan as he rubbed his hand and continued to follow the young elf through the village, his mind preoccupied with the images the orb had shown him. What did they mean? Were they a message or just random visions? He shook his head, trying to focus on the path ahead. The pain in his ribs was all but gone, thanks to Kaelira’s healing, but he still felt a lingering stiffness.

The elf led him to a large, circular building at the centre of the village, its wooden walls adorned with intricate carvings depicting various scenes of life and lore. Aidan recognised some symbols from his studies on earth, though many were unfamiliar.

“Please wait here,” the elf said, opening the heavy door and gesturing for Aidan to enter.

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The room was spacious and dimly lit by torches mounted on the walls. The Elder sat on a raised platform at the far end, her presence as commanding as Aidan remembered. Her long, silver hair flowed down her back, and her piercing green eyes seemed to look right through him.

“Aidan, welcome,” the Elder said, her voice calm and authoritative. “Please, come closer.”

Aidan approached, feeling a mix of apprehension and curiosity. He noticed more brown orbs floating around him, their presence both comforting and unsettling. He chose not to mention them, unsure of their significance.

The Elder watched him intently, a slight, knowing smirk playing at the corners of her lips. “I see you have encountered the orbs,” she said, her tone almost amused.

Aidan blinked, surprise mingling with relief. “You can see them too?”

“Of course,” she replied, her eyes twinkling with something Aidan couldn’t quite place. “It would seem they are drawn to you for a reason. Tell me, Aidan, what do you know of your lineage?”

“My lineage?” Aidan repeated, frowning. “Not much, really. My parents passed when I was young. It’s just been my brother and me since then.”

The Elder nodded as if she had expected this answer. “There is a power within you, Aidan. A connection to the earth. To a power that is as old as time. These orbs are a manifestation of that power. They reveal themselves to those who possess a certain… potential.”

“Potential for what?” Aidan asked, feeling a mixture of excitement and trepidation.

“For great things,” the Elder replied cryptically. “Your journey is just beginning. The path ahead will not be easy, but you must have the strength and the will to see it through.”

Aidan glanced around the room, noting that the orbs seemed to be multiplying, their soft glow casting an eerie light. He felt a strange sense of destiny settling over him as he took a deep, resolute breath, realising that his life would change in ways he couldn’t yet comprehend.

The Elder rose from her seat, her movements graceful and deliberate. “There is much for you to learn, and time is sadly always in short supply. You will need guidance and training.”

Aidan nodded, feeling a sense of purpose swelling within him. He finally had some direction; he wiped his hand on his pants, trying to dry the nervous sweat. “I’m ready to learn,” Aidan said, trying to keep his voice steady. “Whatever it takes to find my brother and understand these powers.”

The Elder’s smirk deepened a glint of approval in her eyes. “Good. We will begin your training tomorrow at dawn. For now, rest and gather your strength. You will need it.”

As Aidan turned to leave, he caught a glimpse of the Elder watching him closely, her expression one of quiet contemplation, almost as if she were plotting something. He couldn’t shake the feeling that there was more to her interest in him than she was letting on.

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Elder Tanithil watched as the young man called Aidan was escorted from the room. She smiled to herself as she looked up at the ceiling. “What are your thoughts?” she asked.

The room darkened as a soft, ethereal voice responded, seemingly from nowhere yet everywhere at once. Each word seemed to thrum with power, making Tanithil’s skin itch as the voice answered. “He is intriguing, Elder. His ability to see the elementals marks him as special. It is an ancient gift, one not seen for many centuries.”

Tanithil nodded, her expression thoughtful. “Yes, the elementals have taken a particular interest in him. It’s a power that was outlawed by the goddesses thousands of years ago after their great war. To see such a gift reemerge now… it’s both a blessing and a curse.”

The voice sighed, carrying a weight of ancient wisdom. “The goddesses will not take kindly to this. Someone is playing a dangerous game; awakening powers meant to remain dormant.”

“Indeed,” Tanithil agreed. “Aidan’s path will be fraught with challenges, especially without the support of a goddess. His brother… his brother had a goddess to guide and protect him. Aidan will have no such luxury.”

“The boy’s potential is vast,” the voice mused. “But potential alone is not enough. He must be shaped, trained, and tempered by his experiences. He may follow in his brother’s footsteps, but his journey will be far more arduous.”

Tanithil’s eyes darkened with memories. “I know what his brother became. It was both magnificent and terrifying. Aidan’s destiny might be even more profound, but without divine support, he will be vulnerable.”

“There are those who would exploit his abilities,” the voice warned. “Power attracts both allies and enemies. Aidan must be cautious, and so must we.”

The Elder’s smirk returned, a mixture of pride and concern. “We will guide him as best we can. The forces at play here are beyond any one individual, but Aidan has a role to play in the unfolding events. The question is, will he rise to the occasion?”

“Only time will tell,” the voice intoned. “The path ahead is uncertain, but he has already shown resilience and determination. These qualities will serve him well in the trials to come.”

Tanithil glanced out the window, where the last rays of the setting sun bathed the village in a golden glow. “For now, let us allow him to rest. Tomorrow begins a new chapter in his journey that will test him in ways he cannot yet imagine.”

The voice grew softer as if retreating into the shadows. “Be vigilant, Elder. The balance of power is shifting, and Aidan is at the heart of it. Guide him wisely.”

As the presence faded, Elder Tanithil stood alone in the dimly lit room, her mind racing with the possibilities and dangers that lay ahead. She knew Aidan was destined for greatness, but greatness always came at a price.

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Outside, the sun had begun to set, casting long shadows across the village. Aidan followed the elf as they returned to the small building where he had been healed, his mind racing about the future. The brown orbs continued to float around him, their presence both a mystery and a comfort.

He waved to Kaelira as he returned to his assigned bed. Sweat slowly ran down his forehead as he tried to process what the Elder had said. It had given him hope now that he knew his brother was alive somewhere. But at the same time, the idea that he was meant to be some powerful person sent a shiver up his back.

As he settled onto the bed, exhaustion finally catching up with him, Aidan lay back, staring at the ceiling. His thoughts raced, but one thing was clear: his life had changed in ways he could never have anticipated.

As sleep quickly overtook him, the last thing he saw was the soft, brown glow of the orbs, guiding him into a world of dreams and possibilities.