Leonard descended from the mountains, consumed by the question of whether he had just encountered one of the gods. The presence of that mysterious creature, which had first appeared to him as a Capricorn and then transformed into a majestic elder, carried with it the weight of ancient tales—those he might have once heard from his nursemaid as an infant cradled in his cradle—and yet this figure felt utterly foreign to him. He was a god, but not one Leonard could have ever envisioned. Eldrin. The name reverberated in his mind, carrying a sense of ancient clarity, wisdom, and hints of hidden mysteries that might hold the key to many questions about the world’s order.
Eldrin had entrusted Leonard with a new fate—a kingdom, not inherited from his father, but one that held hope for the entire society of geomancers, which Leonard had only recently entered. How was he supposed to convince these beings to follow him toward a promised land and not into ruin? Could he believe it himself? What meaning did the crown hold for him now, after he had willingly cast one aside? Could that falling star at his birth have determined that he was bound to be forever linked to a crown?
Each step back toward Yelena was filled with a mixture of wonder and an instinctual belief that Eldrin’s gifts held a deeper purpose. In his mind, he saw his father’s face—the pride and anger he had often glimpsed there. And yet, on this path, where he was forced to hide for the sake of the onyx stone and his love, the royal symbols took on a new meaning for him.
When he finally arrived at their hideout, Yelena was waiting with a smile, though a hint of worry was clear in her eyes upon seeing him. “Leonard,” she greeted him softly, her voice carrying relief as well as unspoken curiosity.
Leonard stood before her, still overwhelmed by the encounter that had felt almost unreal. For a moment, he hesitated, searching for the words that could convey to her what he had just experienced—and perhaps also to help himself understand it.
“Yelena,” he began quietly, his voice distant, as though he were still standing before that mystical being. “When I was hunting today… a figure appeared to me in a strange way—a man, or perhaps I should say, a divine apparition… Eldrin.”
Her eyes widened, and she gazed seriously into his face, waiting in silence, driven by a blend of curiosity and concern.
„He was not like the gods people speak of. I didn’t recognize his face among them, nor did his name seem familiar to me,” Leonard continued. “But as I stood before him… it was, Yelena, a power I can hardly describe, as if he could see into the very core of my being, down to each of my most intimate thoughts and fears.”
Yelena gazed at him with a trace of skepticism, stemming from his recent feverish state, hesitating to fully take in the image his words painted. “What did he say to you?” she finally asked, her voice filled with an urgent plea, a silent request to calm her thoughts that he hadn’t lost his senses. The magic of light, powerful as it was, had been an integral part of her life, yet she knew no one to whom something like this had ever happened. Only lost souls occasionally startled people with their apparitions.
Leonard took her hands and moved a step closer, his gaze filled with a mixture of hesitant joy and the tremendous weight of what he now bore. “He told me I must bring my people—all of us—to a place he will reveal to us… where we are to start anew. He also gave me this crown and these rubies and emeralds, which I am to bestow upon those whom I trust the most.”
Yelena’s face shifted, touched by a shadow of silent surprise and a tentative contemplation. Slowly, she sat down, still holding his hand, as if she needed an anchor to grasp the meaning of his words. Now, she believed him.
“Leonard,” she said after a brief pause. “Where does he want to take us? Do you think… anyone among those like us would even listen to you? And what if we’re stopped before we reach them? You saw what happened last time. I barely managed to save you, but what if we’ve exhausted our good fortune…”
Her sweet lips trembled with a deep unease, reflecting the turmoil of emotions and the faintly absurd hope that such a thing might even be possible.
Leonard looked upon her with love and understanding, yet he was troubled by the same doubts. “I know, Yelena. I’m afraid too. I don’t know what to expect, and I don’t know how the other geomancers will receive us after everything our love has thrust them into,” he admitted. “But Eldrin… he surely believes we can do this; he saw into my mind, he wouldn’t have given me a task that couldn’t be fulfilled. He’s offering us a hope we’ve never felt before, a path we never would have found on our own, one we likely would never have walked. I feel this is the only chance we have to confront what weighs on us both. The same torment your friends have endured, even losing their lives over it. If freedom awaits us there, it’s worth the risk! Worth fighting for! And with you by my side… I believe we can reach that place we’ve only stumbled upon in dreams.”
For Yelena, that was enough. Her fears met his enthusiasm, and in the quiet calm of his words, she began to sense a strength drawing her in. She slowly nodded, stood, and her lips met his. She loved him so fiercely she was almost ashamed that she hadn’t wanted to believe him at first.
“I would go with you to the edge of the world, Leonard, and even in the darkest corner, I would see your light…” she whispered. But then she paused and added, “But they… they aren’t like us. I don’t know if they’ll even listen to me anymore. After everything that’s happened, and Abromer… maybe him especially…”
Leonard tightened his grip on her hand, though she soon slipped dreamily from his grasp. Behind her closed eyelids, Yelena’s gaze turned inward; her mind concentrated, calling forth magical currents to open a space where she once shared life with her companions. She began to sense faint touches of her soul’s own echoes, dancing at the boundary between worlds. The sound of her breath reached across all distances and chasms, to the place where Nadia and others resided, her friends. The message hummed through mountains, forests, waters, and rose over meadows, riding the wings of the wind to scatter among them, carrying the news of their impending return. Each word was a quiet promise, a whispered hope, yet laden with fears and unspoken questions.
Leonard watched her as she concentrated. He saw her in that determined stillness, as though she truly believed even the greatest obstacles could be overcome. When she opened her eyes, she looked at him with a new spark in her gaze. She was ready for their journey.
“From this moment, there is no turning back,” Yelena declared, almost as an oath.
And so they shifted their course. After several days of cautious steps, one evening they were met by a small bloom of light. It was a flower, similar to the one she had once sent to Abromer. As it unfolded, Yelena and Leonard listened to the message it carried.
“How dare you try to seek us out?” came a sharp, piercing voice that was meant to sound like Nadia’s. “Do you mean to keep hurting those who protected you all this time? After you abandoned us… how many of us have died because of you and your princeling’s soldiers? Do you really want us all to fall because of your selfishness and foolishness? I warn you. I renounce you forever and swear that there will be no place for you in this world before our wrath if you ever again sacrifice one of us so carelessly.”
Yelena froze for a moment, her heart gripped by sharp sorrow as tears filled her eyes. Even Nadia? Even she had rejected her? Leonard reached to embrace her, to comfort her, when the luminous flower suddenly snapped and burst into flames. Yelena’s face shifted as well; her eyes were hard, filled with outrage. “That was not Nadia; she would never say such a thing to me… I know her too well, and we are bound by an oath!” she declared sternly. “It was Abromer!”
In her anger, all the gentleness of her beauty vanished. She rose with fury, and her words burst forth like fire. “Once, I trusted him, thought of him as a friend,” she said, her voice tinged with bitter disappointment she had to swallow to continue. “But now I know he’ll stop at nothing. His disapproval of my heart’s will is far too blatant! By what right does he judge me! Is he driven by petty jealousy, or does he hide motives I can’t yet see? What was I to you, that you dare condemn me so harshly? No, Abromer, I will not let you decide for others, for those I care about! They’ll have to fight for their own fate! And even if I have to summon fierce winds from my veins and cast a curse upon your father’s realm, Leonard, I won’t allow anyone to endanger my friends again.”
Leonard was shocked by her transformation and the fearful intensity of her wrath. He placed a steadying hand on her shoulder, his expression filled with quiet support and understanding for her anger. “If it’s true that Abromer stands against us, we must be ready. Do not harbor such anger… I believe that Eldrin’s words will live within me for some time, and through them, I will surely be able to speak to many, to assure them that I am leading them toward a better life. Abromer will be their other option, should they choose him of their own free will.”
“Exactly so,” she responded, her voice firm with resolve. “And if he dares stand in my way, he will feel the full weight of what it means to be cast aside by my own Elúvéris power, which now burns so fiercely in my heart!”
Thus, days and nights passed, leading them through places they had once known. Hills rose before them, as if only to be climbed again. Countless times, they awoke on the hard ground under the trees, disturbed by the sense that someone was watching them. They waded through river mud when a curious village stood in their path, stealing apples by magic from the shadows whenever hunger gnawed at them after a long day’s journey. Yet, not once did either of them falter. How could they, when they’d both had enough of the wretched life of outcasts?
Leonard continued to refine his magical abilities, and not only did he show remarkable talent in certain disciplines—he even surpassed his master in some spells! This was no small feat. Yelena was incredibly proud of him! With each shared step, it seemed they loved each other more. Then, a joyous revelation appeared on their path. During one of those moments when Yelena peered through her soul into the places where their destination lay, she noticed a curious doubling of her own aura’s veil. At first, she didn’t want to believe it, thinking she might be seeing things, but with another, more focused glance, she saw a tiny soul growing beneath that veil. Yelena was pregnant! She and Leonard could not have been happier. It was one more reason to push forward, regardless of the outcome. They had to leave with Eldrin and find freedom, a place to bring their child into the world.
After nearly twelve days of wandering, they reached lands so far removed that there wasn’t a sign of human settlement anywhere in sight. Both were exhausted and tense, full of anticipation now that their moment was close; especially Leonard, for it was he who had caused the local geomancer community so much trouble. The first to notice their arrival was a small girl named Sabien, her hair braided in tiny plaits, who approached them cautiously. She recognized Yelena almost instantly, and her face lit up. “You’re back!” she whispered in awe, bowing to Leonard, her mysterious companion, whom she observed with open wonder. Leonard smiled and gently nodded, knowing he stood before her not as a prince but as a weary traveler.
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The camp came alive as the news of their arrival spread from tent to tent. Leonard walked among them with a heavy heart, trying to avoid the eager, probing glances. Yet, the atmosphere of the place immediately captivated him with its peculiar, mysterious energy. These were not the tents he had seen behind the city on the night he escorted Yelena from the festival celebrations. Here, everything around him was in a strange harmony with nature—each tent blended into the greenery, covered with moss and tiny flowers that merged with the forest floor. Small lights, like magical fireflies, flickered on the frayed edges of tents, giving the whole scene an enchanting, magical air. Smoky trails rose faintly from chimneys made of dried tree trunks, as if delicate tendrils of mist had naturally woven into the branches above them. Leonard sensed that all this camouflage served to mask their presence as much as possible.
When Yelena finally reunited with Nadia, her joy and relief were almost tangible. She embraced Yelena with tear-filled eyes, holding her tightly as if afraid of losing her again. This confirmed their suspicions that it was indeed Abromer who had sent the misleading message—the treacherous liar! Nadia’s mother, Lumila, eyed Leonard with a scrutinizing, appraising smile, puffing thoughtfully on a long pipe, as though reading him, yet all with profound respect for his lineage. She nodded to him, and in that simple gesture, there was a sense of blessing, like that of a mother approving her daughter’s choice. Leonard was deeply moved; the acceptance of the geomancers was straightforward, genuine, and filled with a gracious respect for their shared destiny.
Soon, a stern-looking elder named Nezlor arrived, the oldest member of the geomancer community there. He was a man with a long white beard and penetrating eyes that spoke of triumph over countless hardships and radiated natural authority. A curious crowd of geomancers stepped aside, awaiting what their leader would say. Nezlor’s stony gaze seemed to pierce through Leonard, and then, with a sigh, he declared, “Good heavens! He is one of us! The prince has been blessed with light…” Without further words, accompanied by a sigh of surprise, he turned and beckoned Leonard to follow. Leonard, unsure of what awaited him, obeyed. He was led deeper into the forest, where light barely filtered through the tree branches. Here, in the quiet, hidden depths of the woods, Nezlor began a ritual of purification.
Nezlor raised his hands and spoke in an ancient language Leonard did not understand. A gentle glow began to pierce the surrounding darkness, and Leonard found himself enveloped in a warm veil that penetrated his mind and body. It was as if all burdens and pain were being lifted from his shoulders. He felt his worries and doubts melt away behind a misted screen, his mind now strangely cleansed and open to new energy. Nezlor completed the ritual with his hands over his heart and solemnly intoned, “Now, you are ready. Your previous life has already been cut away, but true acceptance will come only by the fire’s trunk, where you will swear your oath.”
When Leonard returned to the others, he was again filled with nerves. His heart beat faster at the thought of swearing his allegiance before all the geomancers, feeling the weight of the moment. But Yelena took his hand, her gaze calm and supportive. “This is your chance, Leonard. The oath and the stories are a perfect opportunity. And when the time comes, you can tell them your purpose for being here. You’ll have the chance to share Eldrin’s offer with them.” She was glad Abromer wasn’t present; his presence would certainly have weighed down the moment. Naturally, there were those who disagreed with accepting him or refused to participate in the ceremony by the fire—whether out of fear or distrust. However, most were curious to know what the prince had to say.
As evening fell, everyone gathered around a large fire at the center of the camp. A cauldron with a potion hung over the flames, suspended in mid-air, filling the air with the scent of herbs and spices so intoxicating it nearly lulled the mind to sleep. Some began singing ancient songs, their voices carrying sorrow and hope into the night. Leonard sat beside Yelena, his nerves easing as he felt part of something greater. Finally, Nezlor raised his hand, stopping the singing, and looked at Leonard with a solemn expression. “Now, young prince, it is your time to swear loyalty to our fellowship and commit to protecting all our secrets. Only by this vow will you become one of us.”
Leonard took a deep breath, stood before everyone, and began to recite the oath Yelena had drilled into him before the ceremony. Each word was heavy, full of the weight of the commitment he was accepting. When he finished, all those present sent a small flame from their palms into the fire as a sign of their agreement. After the oath, everyone received a warm potion, and the time for storytelling began. Leonard felt the support and genuine curiosity in the eyes of the geomancers as he slowly began to unfold his story—about his escape, his meeting with Yelena, and everything that had led them here.
Just as he was about to speak of Eldrin’s offer of a new life and reveal a brighter future, the shadows around the fire parted, and Abromer entered, returning from a hunt. He threw down a young doe he’d killed that day, his face hard, his eyes narrowing as he noticed Leonard standing before the others. His gaze radiated a hostility everyone immediately felt.
“Yelena!” he hissed, his voice as sharp as a blade cutting through the silence. “You disobeyed! After everything that happened, after all the harm you caused, you dare to sit here, shamelessly reveling with the man who is the source of our suffering? You have the gall to return here and bring among us… a prince?” He spat the word “prince” with such disdain, as if he couldn’t bear to speak the title.
He turned to the others, his voice booming like thunder through the crowd. “And all of you! How can you sit by the fire and listen to this intruder who has brought us nothing but misfortune? You who have lost friends, who were torn from your homes… you who were forced to flee like outcasts because of their summer romance—how can you even consider accepting him among us? I alone see them for what they are! They are a plague upon our lives! Therefore, I propose we bind them to a post like rats…”
His voice grew louder, his rage fiercely stirring, the sheer force of his dominance pulsing through the air, threatening to overtake everyone and stifle any opposition.
At that moment, Yelena shot up and fiercely confronted him. Her face was aflame with anger, her eyes blazing red as if filled with blood. A sudden gust of wind swirled around her, stirring dust, smoke, and leaves. Her voice was sharp and ringing, full of fury that had been simmering inside her for too long. “Abromer! Let those words twist in your mouth for the lies they are! How dare you betray us like this! You, whom I once called my brother! You revealed our hiding place to the soldiers; you were the only one who knew where we stayed! We nearly lost our lives because of it! And for what reason? Because I didn’t leave with you? I will never be yours, and with this, you have forever condemned any bond we shared! Your jealousy and hatred brought us to this hell, and now you dare stand here and judge us?”
Abromer froze, stunned by her words. “Jealousy?” he replied icily, though rage simmered beneath. “I only did what was best for our people, girl. I wasn’t thinking of love…”
“And who are you to decide what’s best? How dare you speak with Nadia’s voice, casting us out without any right to speak for her? You lied! And now you hide the truth about your feelings for me! I know that message and your words of hatred and scorn—all of it stems from my choice not to be with you! If you truly cared for my life, you would never have allowed this to happen! And I call upon you once more—who granted you the power to decide the fate of this fellowship?”
Abromer clenched his fists, his body tensed, and his gaze radiated contempt. With a hard expression, he raised his hands, and the air that had been swirling around Yelena suddenly turned against her. The wind, dark and heavy with his scorn, gathered around her like an invisible force, forming a field where their energies clashed.
“You are the one who betrayed me! The one who brought all this misfortune upon us!” Abromer shouted, and his magic surged toward Yelena like a wave of dark power. “You are nothing but a venomous serpent deserving only our contempt!”
Yelena defended herself, her power sparking like a swarm of angry hornets as they deflected Abromer’s dark force. Their powers balanced, their streams of energy entwining like a dancing, sparkling whirlwind that lit the surrounding trees and drew the smoke as they vied for dominance.
Leonard rushed at Abromer with his sword drawn to protect Yelena, while Abromer attempted to crush him with the power of his magical hand.
Just when their struggle reached its peak, an blinding flash illuminated the scene. It descended from the sky like a divine strike, hitting Abromer square in the ribs. His body tensed as tendrils of lightning wrapped around him like shackles. Abromer staggered, his magical aura waning.
It was Nezlor, standing at the edge of the circle, his hand still raised from where he had directed the lightning to end the conflict. “Enough, Abromer! I will no longer watch as you spread discord among us, those who share the same vessel. Shame on you, flaunting yourself against a woman like this!”
Abromer, still bound by the lightning, glared defiantly at Nezlor, unable to move an inch. His rage was evident, yet he was powerless under Nezlor’s spell.
Nezlor turned to Leonard and gestured for him to continue. “Speak, young prince. I want to hear where you intend to lead us and what Eldrin offers us.”
Leonard cleared his throat, barely able to steady his voice, still quivering with anger after everything. “I offer you hope,” Leonard began. “A place where we can live in peace, far from hunts and dangers. Eldrin offers us a haven—a place where we can truly be who we are, free and unbound by the chains of the past.”
Just as Leonard was about to continue, Abromer, still bound by Nezlor's spell, found a final reserve of strength and cried out, “Don’t believe him! He only wants to use you—for his own protection!”
Nezlor’s gaze hardened as he looked at Abromer, while Leonard, undeterred, continued speaking, though he felt the weight of each word he uttered. “I know I can’t promise you a safe and peaceful journey,” he said with a firm, honest tone. “But if we don’t at least try, we’ll never have the chance to achieve it. Eldrin offers us hope, a chance to start again, to live freely, to stand on our own without fear of persecution or attack. Yelena and I have chosen this path. Whoever wishes to join us now has the opportunity, as the time to act grows short.”
A tense silence filled the air as each person weighed Leonard’s words. Some whispered among themselves, others wore expressions of doubt or fear of the unknown, yet within Leonard’s speech, a bright hope was present, stirring in them a longing for change.
Nezlor, who had been listening intently, finally nodded slowly. His face was filled with mixed emotions, and when he looked at Leonard, a glimmer of respect shone in his eyes. “Young prince,” he spoke solemnly, “I admire your resolve. But I am too old to embark on such a journey. My time among our people draws to an end. I no longer wish to leave my home or my roots—not out of distrust of you, but from the knowledge that I have carried the responsibility of our fellowship for too long. Now is the time for younger ones to lead…”
A few of the elder members quietly voiced their agreement, standing beside Nezlor with determined expressions. “We will go our own way,” one of them said. “Wherever you go, we wish you well, but Abromer has a point—not all of us believe that such a place promises good fortune.”
Abromer, still bound by lightning, sneered, his eyes flashing with anger and bitterness. “And the rest of you? Will you follow these fools who believe in the promises of some foreign god?” His voice was laced with mockery and disdain. “Don’t think that the path he suggests will spare you from hardship. It’s a path to betrayal and ruin.”
But then, stepping forward, Nestor, Nezlor’s tall and sturdy son, met Leonard’s gaze with unwavering resolve. “I believe him,” he said, his voice strong enough to rise above the murmurs of the doubtful. “Leonard isn’t like those who have betrayed us in the past. And if Eldrin truly offers hope, I want to be part of that dream.”
One by one, others began joining Nestor and Leonard, and the camp divided into two groups—those who believed in hope and a fresh start, and those who remained attached to their land and traditions. It was a painful decision for both sides, and many tears were shed, but ultimately each person had to choose their path.
Once all decisions were made, Leonard set off with those who chose to follow him, embarking on a grueling journey back to Eldrin. They traveled through forests and mountains, battling rain, hunger, and fear of potential pursuers. By night, they slept under open skies, hiding from curious eyes, and sharing whatever meager meals they could gather. The growing bond of support among them grew stronger, and although the journey was fraught with hardship, the sense of community held them together.
The gates of Eldrin’s realm were soon to open, awaiting them with promise.