Layne’s Point of View
Questions poured into my mind. I glanced at Mother; she had never looked this serious. Silence echoed across the room, no words were uttered but as both of them stared at each other, their eyes spoke volumes. Full of emotions waiting to be spilled.
“Layne, stay inside your room.”
“But Mother?! —”
“Layne! I command you!” Her autocratic voice immediately made me follow her. My jaw clenched in disbelief.
“Let’s talk outside” as she referred to the gentleman sitting on the chair. The gentleman oddly followed her. What is this situation?
“You’re still here Layne, in your room, now!” Mother’s tone of voice changed; her gaze was unrecognizable.
Will she be okay alone?
Still confused about the situation, I grew restless, walking back and forth inside my tiny room. I glanced outside the window but failed to eavesdrop because a huge tree was blocking my view, and I couldn’t even lip-read their conversation.
5 minutes
10 minutes
15 minutes has passed.
What are they talking about? I was about to disobediently open the door, but a gush of wind rattled our whole house, making me tumble flat on the floor. Several books from the shelves also fell.
What was that?
From my knowledge, the only force that can do that is… magic.
Mother!
Without hesitation, I hurriedly got up and when I was about to go outside Mother rushed towards me, it was peculiar that she remained unfazed. “Layne, pack your things. Bring the valuables only, we’re leaving.” Puzzled at what she said, I replied “Mother, what’s happening?” She did not respond and continued to put our things in a suitcase with great speed.
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“Mother! Answer me!” Still insisting on some answers. She grabbed me by my shoulders, her eyes filled with emotions as she stared directly into my eyes. “Close that mouth of yours and just follow my order, we have no time Layne!” I clenched my mouth and when she finally let me go, I immediately helped her fill the suitcase.
Do I have a choice?
Once we were done, we went outside and entered the gentleman’s carriage. I’ve got so many questions, but despite asking, I very well knew they would be unanswered. Just like how Mother refuses to tell me things about my Father, the same situation but in different contexts.
The green-eyed gentleman also went inside. When our eyes met, he smiled, but I quickly averted my gaze toward the window because it was awkward. “Lisboun, to the Royal City!” the carriage moved immediately at his command.
Come again?! The Royal City?!
I gulped upon hearing where this carriage would take us. That place is overwhelming for a mere farmer like me. It’s the Capital City of Axen. Fear and confusion engulfed my being because of the uncertainty of what awaits us in the Royal City.
There was a map I saw from the books I had read. It is a map that depicts different locations here in the Kingdom. From Venos it will probably take us days before we get there.
In this carriage with this suspicious gentleman for days? Count me out!
After an hour's ride, the carriage suddenly stopped. “Prepare the magic circle.” the green-eyed oddball, found a new nickname for him, said. As I looked outside and saw two of his men drawing symbols on the ground. This is beyond what I can comprehend. I looked at Mother, she seemed calm about everything that was happening.
When the two men finished the “circle”, I immediately looked around, anticipating what would happen next.
“Visteru Asi hyunamis” I can’t understand what he said, but he chanted it with grace.
Magic! So, he’s a wizard.
The circle glowed like gold, blinding everyone who witnessed the sight of it. The light consumed everything, forcing me to close my eyes. Minutes later, the light disappeared like a flash. I carefully peeled my eyes and blinked a few times. I couldn’t believe what I saw.
“We’ve arrived, welcome to the Royal City.” The carriage we were in was transported right away to the gates of our destination. We are yet to go inside, but the lights are already revealed with numerous buildings also appearing here and there. It’s far different from the village I grew up in. It’s big and overwhelming.
Days of travel were done in just minutes, astonishing but at the same time, scary. I wanted to talk to Mother even just for a moment. I was stunned when she quickly grabbed my hand.
“Mother—” Suddenly, an extreme pain pierced through my stomach, and a cough followed afterward. I held my mouth and noticed that there was blood. My vision became blurry and my head felt dizzy. This excruciating pain is indescribable. I never felt this in my entire life.
Is this death?
“Layne!”
The last thing I saw was Mother’s panicked face as she screamed my name. Everything else after that was blurry.