The night had come, and Wayne had been correct in his assumption. He was not able to sleep in the slightest. An oil lamp had been provided by As, it’s soft warm glow refracting around the room from the teardrop-shaped glass enclosure. As himself laid restfully in the adjacent room, his chest rising up and down.
Wayne held the top-most book in his hands and opened it. Elegantly written words neatly covered the pages. It was much different than printed text, each swoop of the pen that had moved decades ago were shown with minimal deviation from one another. It was evident that the most premier scribe had their soul poured into the pages, making it their life’s mission.
The scripture began with the Nehemias and his son, Einar. Nehemias, the creator of the daylight, the mountains, the rivers, the plants, and the species who walked amongst the land. Einar was eager to control the Earth as well, but was much to unfit to handle everything as his father did. Nehemias granted Einar one ability, to create five of whatever he wished to be in the universe. To his desires, Einar created the element of magic, the sun following after eventide and into nightfall, and the animals who were to hunt in the dark hours: the owl, the wolf, and the weasel. To put his son’s creations at bay, Nehemias gave life to the porcupines, and imbeud them with strength and honor above all else. Succeeding this, Nehemias made many other animals and species and weather and words. He created sentience, ideas, beliefs, and many other things to fill them with.
Many centuries passed in peace between all living creatures and their surroundings, and three kingdoms arose in light in this: the owls of Owarr, the porcupines of Exporine, and the weasels of Cusel. One day, however, a new idea had formed inside many of the wolves’ heads—to survive off of their acquaintances. Many bands of wolfs killed owls, weasels, and even porcupines, as the bloodshed began. The three endangered kingdoms fought together, driving the wolves back into their own territories. The porcupines’ greed grew further despite their victory, and soon the Exporine kingdom longed for more just as the wolves had. Envious, the Cusel kingdom mimicked, transforming into devious and manipulating beings.
Watching as their creations turned against one another, Nehemias and Einar quarreled about how to stop an inevitable catastrophe. Using the magic his son had brought into being, Nehemias created a hidden stone monument on the surface, its contents containing the end to all suffering, waiting to be released by one who has not been afflicted by greed, guilt, nor hatred. This knowledge of a mysterious artifact was planted into the minds of every creature, good and bad, yet only the smart ones could act upon it. Many from all three kingdoms had attempted to find this monument, believed to be holding a many assortment of things, such as knowledge or riches, wisdom or immortality, but to every creatures’ disappointment, it had never been found.
In the present times...
Wayne trailed off whilst reading. With his eyes feeling droopy, the book traveled lower into his lap. His shoulders slumped as he feel asleep soon after.
Wayne! He heard his name faintly in a dream. Wayne! Now it was louder...
“You’re folding the pages!” As cried, as Wayne’s eyes opened.
As took the book and set it on the nearby side table to inspect it.
Stolen story; please report.
“What?” Wayne said, dazed. “Sorry...”
As sighed with slight dejection. “It’s alright... You didn’t mean it. This manuscript means a lot to me. It’s apart of history, and I promised I would keep it safe when I... left.”
Wayne blinked a few times, still coming to reality with grogginess. “Left? From where?” he then asked, his mind ready to soak in yet more new information.
“My...” a long pause set in, “My kingdom. It’s... gone now.” As lowered his head. He thought of his parents again.
“What happened to it?”
“I... don’t feel comfortable talking about back then,” another pause, “I’m sorry. Um... you can read about it in here, but please, be more careful.” He gestured, holding the book up.
“Yeah, yeah, I will.” Wayne said with sincerity. “I’m sorry, As, but I really need to get out of bed and move around again.”
“Certainly.”
“Can I step outside? I need some fresh air.”
As contemplated, wondering how he would go about doing so. “Of course. Make sure you put your coat on.”
“Oh, no, I don’t need a coat. I’m hot. I need a some cold air.”
“In that case, only step outside for a few moments. You can stand just outside the door and hold yourself against the wall. I’ll shut the door so the cold doesn’t come inside. Just knock when you would like to come back in.”
Wayne nodded, and soon enough he was finally in the outdoors once again. The wind howled in his ears and blew his hair. His eye ached from the brightness of everything, yet it subsided. Wayne took in the landscape in awe. The cabin was surrounded by tall trees heavily dusted with snow. Mini snow drifts lay many meters into front of him, each only a few inches tall at most. The overcast sky was a light gray, blending in with the horizon.
Without a sound to Wayne, a small crow soared overhead like an arrow. Looking down, the crow caught Wayne in its sight. What a strange looking creature, it thought. With a U-turn past the cabin, it changed course, looking for someone who would like to know.
Oblivious, Wayne was let inside and reluctantly got back into bed, while As passed him by, eager to get on with his duties for the day.
* * *
“What I saw wasn’t the owl.” the crow spoke in a high pitched whine to Segen, the wolf. “It was large like the owl, but it had not much to protect its body, like some sort of...” their voice was stopped by the wolf.
“Yes, I know of the creature. I could smell it. I was certain something was amiss.” A devilish grin came upon his lips just as before. “I thank you, Ulric. You may go back to your flock.” Segen said in a tone that implied brushing the bird off, “You may eat its corpse when I’m finished with it. This is my game. You understand, don’t you?”
“Yes, Segen. I’ll tell the others.” With this, the crow flew off, lifting its puny body off of the ground with a few quick flaps.
Segen turned his face towards the direction of As’ domain, the grin still in place, “I will get you. I will not suffer for much longer.”