Atreius sat next to Elanor on the bench, The chestnut horse stepping forward tirelessly. The road they were on was nothing more than a couple of wagon tracks with vegetation between and around them. The wagon rocked gently as its wheels rolled along the uneven ground. “It sort of feels like being on a small boat”, Atreius thought. A few hours had passed since they left Azaya and the sun was at its highest. The sky was a motionless bright blue. Atreius looked around , but couldn’t see far. The heat rising from the ground made their surroundings look blurry. The ground was mainly covered with a yellow grass that looked dry and dead to Atreius. But every now and then a little patch of green or small bush was standing firm fighting the heat. Bobby comfortably sat in the back of the wagon hands folded behind his head. He was leaning against one of the sacks of grain they were transporting, feet dangling over the tailgate. Atreius took a good gobble of water from his water skin. He was glad he filled it up just before leaving Azaya. He offered the water skin to Elanor who was humming a tune Atreius didn’t know.
“Thanks Atreius, always make sure to drink regularly and plenty in this heat.” She turned sideways a bit while holding the reins with one hand. Atreius noticed she had unbuttoned a rather large part of her dress revealing more than what was deemed appropriate. Elanor splashed some water on her face causing little streams to glide down her neck and in between her bosom. Atreius turned red and was fanatically trying to find something else to focus on. Elanor noticed his discomfort but ignored it.It was simply too warm.
“Heard you came from Solas. Been there once, lovely little town”, Elanor said. “Met my husband there.” Atreius nodded while still avoiding having to look at Elanor. “Ah good”, Atreius replied, “lovely”, while turning his head towards Elanor but not his eyes. Elanor was intrigued by his behavior. “Yes, he used to be a fisherman, I lost him to Treanton two years ago.” Atreius quickly looked her straight in the eyes than quickly looked away again. “I’m sorry”, he said. Elanor found Atreius behavior rather charming and decided to make a little game out of it for her own amusement. She lifted her dress just over her knees and crossed her long well shaped legs, then laid her hand on Atreius’ shoulder. “What’s the matter?”, she asked. “Do you not like how I look?” Atreius felt the heat pressing down on him even more and tiny beads of sweat formed on his forehead as he fought a moral battle within himself. Elanor was even more amused as she sensed this. “Gosh, I always thought of myself as a good looking woman, but apparently I was mistaken seeing how a handsome young man like yourself can’t bare the sight of me”, she teased. Atreius turned his head to face Elanor. He didn’t expect to see those legs added to the picture and unwillingly looked at them. His eyes looked up from here legs to her hips, waist and bosom where they rested just a bit too long. Then he looked her in the eye with a blushing face of a child caught red handed stealing cookies from his mother.
Elanor laughed at the sight of his face and pulled her dress back down. She closed one button of her dress. “Better?”, she asked. Atreius nodded. “I’m sorry, it’s just that… well ehm… you know”, he looked at Elanor with panic in his eyes. Elanor felt a bit guilty and changed her position to facing forward again. A few seconds past. She put her arm around Atreius’ shoulder and pulled him close to her in a way friends would do. “Just teasing you”, she said. All Atreius could say was “thank you.” Somehow he felt like he had learned something but couldn’t quite pinpoint what it was. One thing was for sure, that arm around his shoulder made him feel warm inside. He cherished the moment.
The relentless summer heat slowly started to give way to the evening and the fall of darkness. They had been going almost nonstop, the setting sun straight in front of them. Its pink red shape wavering in the heat still rising from the ground. “We should make camp soon” Elanor suggested. At that moment Bobby shouted from the back of the wagon. “Riders approaching, two I think.” Elanor and Atreius both looked back past the linen cloth covering the wagon.
Indeed two riders were approaching from behind, one of them carrying a torch. “They are riding hard”, Bobby said with a tone of worry in his voice. Atreius leaned out again to have another look. At that same moment Bobby shouted. “Incoming!” A high pitched whistle as a burning arrow flew over Atreius’ head landing in the ground about thirty feet in front of them. Atreius felt his heartbeat speeding up as he realized they were about to be attacked. A strange instinct took over his actions. “Keep moving but slow and not too far”, he said to Elanor. He then jumped of the wagon tumbling over the ground landing behind a bush. He sat as still as he could. Bobby saw him from the back of the wagon and immediately understood Atreius’ intentions. He jumped of the back of the wagon walking along as Elanor slowed down to walking speed. The riders came closer fast and Bobby tapped the wagon when they were about thirty feet from the bush Atreius was hiding in. “Hold here.” Elanor stopped and crawled off the bench and under the wagon.
The two riders raced past Atreius without seeing him and abruptly stopped a small distance from Bobby stirring up a cloud of dust. They jumped down from their horses scimitars drawn. Bobby bent over a little, throwing his dagger from one hand to another while swinging his upper body from left to right. The two men, wearing linen trousers and a vest over a naked torso, each started approaching Bobby from a side in order to have him divide his attention. Bobby looked from left to right and saw Atreius sneaking over the road. He was almost in reach of the men’s horses. “C’mon you rotten bastards. Have at me!”, Bobby shouted while pounding his chest. The two men were now no more than ten feet away from Bobby. One of them made a sudden lunge forward, than back again. Bobby reacted but kept his balance and stayed clear of the other man. Atreius had reached the horses and Bobby saw Atreius lifting both hands to slap the animals on their backside. “Now!”, Bobby shouted. Atreius slapped the two horses on their hind quarters so hard he felt his hands tingling. Both animals sped off in opposite directions. Atreius pulled his sword and dagger and ran towards the two men while screaming from the top of his lungs, “Charge!” The two men turned around startled by what they saw. Both their horses gone and a young soldier in leather armor charging them. In this moment of confusion Bobby jumped towards the left bandit driving his dagger into the man’s side. From under the wagon a click and thud could be heard. The second man suddenly shouted in agony as he fell on the ground. A crossbow bolt had hit him in the leg just under his butt. Bobby’s opponent turned and sliced his scimitar at Bobby’s belly. Bobby jumped backwards curving his back. The blade barely missed him cutting through his shirt. The second man crawled up and limped towards his friend. He couldn‘t take more than two steps when suddenly he felt a sting in his neck. Warm blood flew violently from his neck as Atreius retracted his rapier and the robber fell to earth like a bag of potatoes. He glanced to his side and saw Bobby had stumbled on his back, his assailant standing over him weapon raised high to deliver a final blow. Atreius dropped his rapier and took his knife in his right hand. Quickly took aim and threw the blade. It spun three times reflecting the blood red sunset but didn’t land well and bounced of the robber’s body. The robber glared viciously at Atreius than looked at Bobby again. He screamed, “Die, vermin!” Atreius screamed, “No!”, as he started running towards Bobby. He knew he would be too late. Suddenly another click and thud. The man holding his sword high suddenly shuddered, than froze. He tilted forward and started to fall. Bobby rolled away and with a muffled thud the robber landed face first in the sand.
Bobby crawled up, looked at the tear in his shirt then up at Atreius. Atreius stood frozen in place his body shaking until his knees buckled. Elanor’s shouted from under the carriage. “Are you alright? Are you hurt?” She crawled out from under the carriage holding a discharged light crossbow in each hand. She stood up, dropped the weapons and slammed the dirt from her dress. Both men turned their head towards here. “I’m ok”, Bobby said. “Me too”, Atreius added. The three of them looked at the bloody corpses lying on the road. A few moments of silence. “That was some quick thinking there lad”, Bobby said. Elanor walked towards the two men. “Indeed, damn smart.” Atreius regained his strength and stood up. He picked up his sword and dagger. “I was certain he was going to kill you Bobby. It scared me to death”, Atreius said while wrapping his arms around Bobby. Elanor replied, “As was I.” She wrapped her arms around both men and they simply stood there for a minute thankful none of them got injured or worse, killed. “What do we do know?”, Atreius asked. “We murdered these men, surely we will be punished.” Atreius had a look of fear and guilt in his eyes. Elanor looked at him and felt her heart melt. “Truly rare, such innocence, he actually thinks he did something wrong. He must be meant for something greater than what we could ever dream of to achieve.” She put her hand on Atreius’ shoulder. “My dear, you did nothing wrong. In fact you did everything just right. It was them or us. You merely defended our lives and your own.” Atreius looked her in the eye. She looked at him just like his mother did when she wanted to convince him of an absolute truth. Atreius relaxed and thanked Elanor. Bobby looked at Elanor, Elanor nodded. Bobby started frisking the corpses of the two robbers. Elanor turned to Atreius. “See if you can find those two horses, no need letting them die out here in the drought.” Atreius nodded and moved away from the wagon. Elanor started gathering firewood to make a pyre. After a good fifteen minutes Atreius returned with one of the horses. They tied it to the back of the wagon. “Could use a hand here Atreius”, Bobby stated. “Help me carry these men to the pyre.” They placed the men on top of the bone dry pile of wood. They stood side by side under a starlit sky next to the pyre, Atreius in the middle. A soft breeze of cool air blew in their backs. Bobby was holding a torch. The dancing flame casting strange shadows around them. Bobby stepped forward. “Gods take these souls into your lap, for despite their intentions, their deeds are merely a drop in Treanton’s infinite seas . May they live on under your guidance and return as better men.” Bobby slowly lowered the torch and walked the length of the pyre lighting it evenly. Then stepped back in line. They gazed into the fire. The wind blowing sparks into the sky where after a few seconds they became indistinguishable from the stars watching over them. Atreius looked at Elanor. Her face lit by the fire, its reflection dancing in her eyes. Her dress gently waving in the breeze. Atreius softly took hold of her hand. He whispered to her. “I think you are beautiful, Elanor.” Elanor kept staring into the fire as she felt her heart and soul crumbling inside her for this young man. A tear rolled down her cheek. Atreius didn’t notice.
The first rays of a new days sun woke Atreius after a restless night filled with vivid dreams. About a half mile back a small pillar of smoke rose up from last night’s pyre. Atreius saw Bobby sitting against one of the wagon’s wheels. Elanor was brushing her horse her face revealing a deep respect for the animal as she whispered unheard words to it. Atreius stood up and folded his bedroll. “Look Atreius”, Bobby said. “Not bad at all.” Atreius noticed Bobby head spread his bedroll out before him and had several items laid out on it. “Not a bad compensation for risking our lives”, Bobby added. Atreius was a little confused. “But those things don’t belong to us, do they? You took them of those robbers.” Bobby laughed. “The laws are quite clear on this Atreius, if you defend your life against a highway robber, their belongings become your belongings.” Atreius thought about this for a moment, and decided he would not question the law. He sat down beside Bobby and looked over the spoils of their adventure.
Three gold pieces, seven silver pieces, fifteen copper pieces. A longbow complete with quiver and arrows. Two good quality scimitars and a silver necklace and ring. “What will we do with these things?”, Atreius asked. “The ring and necklace we will have appraised and sold. The coins we will have then, we each take an equal share of. The other things, including the horse and saddle, I guess we will have to decide over with Elanor.” Atreius stood up and tied his bedroll to his backpack in the back of the wagon. The horse still tied to the back of the wagon made a sudden movement startling Atreius. Elanor noticed. She had finished grooming her horse and put her grooming kit back under the wagon’s bench. “Are you familiar with riding horses?”, she asked Atreius. “Never tried, though farmer Janus let me ride his pony when I was still a child.” Elanor walked to the back of the wagon while Bobby started preparing breakfast. “Would you like to learn? I could teach you.” Elanor looked at Bobby. “Bobby, do you know how to steer my wagon? I mean to teach Atreius how to ride.” Atreius felt amused as he realized she had read the answer from his face. “I’d love to learn how to ride”, he answered the question in his thoughts. After breakfast Bobby rode off with the wagon while Elanor was still busy explain the basics of riding to Atreius, who was repeating to himself the steps needed to properly saddle a horse. “We will catch up!”, Elanor shouted to Bobby.
The morning flew by like a seagull riding an autumn storm. Atreius turned out to be a quick learner and nimble tumbler when falling off horses. To their southwest the Twins, the two large mountains between which the capitol lies, were steadily growing. The landscape slowly changed from dry flat savannah to gliding green hills, dotted with groups of trees and brush. The air seemed cooler and fresher here, and the surroundings more alive. Atreius had already spotted a hare, a deer and a flock of pheasants. By the time they decided to set up camp again Atreius rode the horse with ease and enjoyed it a lot. Elanor had taken over from Bobby who was sitting beside her. She smiled while watching Atreius galloping in the fields alongside them. His hair waving in the wind as he fully committed himself to a little sprint. The joy on his face as he came back and waved at Elanor warmed her heart. “If only I had been a little younger and he a little older”, she thought, then let out a sigh. Bobby poked her in the side with his elbow. “He stole your heart, didn’t he?” She didn’t answer, but the look on her face made it obvious Bobby was right.
By evening the tops of the Twins were covered in clouds. A majestic sight that captured Atreius’ imagination as they sat around the campfire. “I wonder if the Gods live up there”, he thought, while chewing at a piece of the hare Bobby had shot with the robbers’ bow. Atreius laid down on his back in the soft cool grass and gazed to the sky. Bobby poked in the fire sending a swirl of sparks into the air. Elanor started singing a song, her fragile voice carefully filling the air around her with beauty and hope. Mesmerized the two men listened in silence.
~
As strangers they started, as stranger they grew,
Each leading a life of their own.
The raven watched them from high above,
From his wretched throne.
Their fates collided, their hearts entwined,
their dreams were filled with light.
The raven watched them from above,
His shadow dark as night.
They shared their soul, together whole,
forever in their hand.
The raven watched them from above,
his darkness did descend.
A raven’s fate, a raven’s fate.
A fate best left untold.
A raven ‘s hate, a raven’s hate.
A heart turned icy cold.
The raven laughing at us all,
looking for our final fall.
When we see the raven fly,
our lives become a darkened lie.
His memories still linger in her head,
his heart still beating inside hers.
She wished that they had never met,
that wish just made her pain get worse.
Entangled in a raven ‘s fate,
life wasted in a lonely wait.
For that what never was meant to be,
would never let her heart be free.
The fate of the raven darkened her heart,
the claws of the raven tore her apart.
A raven’s fate her destiny,
Death‘s salvation her desperate plea.
A raven’s fate, a raven’s fate.
A fate best left untold.
A raven ‘s hate, a raven’s hate.
Her heart turned icy cold.
The raven laughing at her fall,
looking for her final call.
When she saw the raven fly,
she knew her life had been a lie.
~
The final words of the song reluctantly drifted away into the darkness. The silence that remained was so precious, so fragile, that neither Atreius, Bobby or Elanor dared shattering it with something so ordinary as talking. The fire crackled defiantly as each resided in their own thoughts. Atreius felt this moment would stay with him for the rest of his life.
The following morning as they were preparing to set off for another day on the road, Atreius could feel something had changed. He couldn’t quite put to words what it was. It was a feeling, or something in the air between them. It felt more familiar, more like home. Safe. “Are you riding again today?”, Elanor asked. Atreius walked towards her. “I’d really love to sit by your side on the bench”, he answered. Elanor smiled. “I’d like that too”, she replied. “Riding apparently isn’t as relaxing for my muscles as the King’s riders would make you believe.” Bobby glanced at them, smiled, then jumped on the back of the wagon. “Off we go than friends, if we keep a good pace we might make it to the farmlands before nightfall.” “Aye aye captain”, Atreius responded giving them all a good laugh. He climbed on the bench and settled close to Elanor. She visually enjoyed this and for a brief moment felt the fire lit in her heart last night rekindle.
They sat talking about trivial things which felt weirdly pleasant to Atreius. Around midday they crossed a shallow river with water clear as a the rain of spring. Elanor stopped the wagon. Bobby inquired from the back, “What’s up, why did we stop?” Elanor jumped down from the bench. “Freshen up, replenish our water and feeding the horses”, Elanor answered. Elanor started unhitching the horse. “How long before we move on?”, Atreius asked in general. “About a half hour”, Elanor replied. “I’d like to take a stroll, do you mind?” Both Bobby and Elanor were fine with this.
Atreius started following the river upstream treading careful to avoid falling on the slippery rocks that lined the rivers banks. The river winded through a small patch of trees. Behind it Atreius could clearly hear a waterfall. He walked along the riverbank securing his balance by grabbing the branches of the trees until he reached a clearing. A small pond surrounded by majestic trees. A bank and waterfall on the pond’s other end. About ten feet high. Atreius found himself on a small patch of grass rich with white daisies. The sunlight piercing through the foliage conspired with the wind to create an enchanting show of green hues lighting the area giving this place a magical essence. Atreius took of his boots, armor and shirt. He rolled up his trousers and waded into the stream. The pond wasn’t deep, and the water fresh and clean. Atreius walked to the waterfall and used it as a shower. He wondered if Treanton was also present in these waters, and decided he probably was seeing how all rivers eventually run to the sea.
This novel is published on a different platform. Support the original author by finding the official source.
He stepped out from under the waterfall, splashed water onto his face than reached into his pockets. “Treanton”, he whispered, “I thank you for watching over me. For guiding me and for setting on my path those that helped me.” He paused for a second. “Especially for Elanor and Bobby, please care for them as I do, for they are in my heart forever. Praise you Treanton, God of sea and waters.” Atreius held the coin out on his open hand and slowly tilted his hand. Atreius, eyes still closed in prayer felt the coin leaving the palm of his hand. He stood there listening to the sound of the water fall for a few seconds when suddenly he felt someone gently taking his still outstretched hand. Startled he opened his eyes, it was Elanor. She had followed him. Her dress lay next to Atreius’ armor in the grass. She was only wearing her translucent silk undergarment, revealing her feminine shapes. Atreius looked at her in awe, the dancing green light on the white silk made her appearance mysterious and enchanting. They looked each other in the eye, but in a way they hadn’t done before. Atreius felt like she had opened the very essence of her being to him and offered her soul to him through her light brown eyes. He shuddered as Elanor stepped closer and took his other hand. They stood there in silence wishing for time to stop making this moment last an eternity. Atreius whispered, “Can you sing that song for me again Elanor?” She smiled at him. “I would die for you”, she replied as she gently pulled him closer and rested her arms around his neck. Atreius felt his entire body trembling from inside and his heart beating like mad. He instinctively put his hands on her hips as she started singing softly. They gently danced in the water as the world around them seemed to disappear leaving nothing but them, this small pond and their embrace behind in an infinite emptiness.
The song ended and they just stood there, unwilling to let go of each other, unwilling to return to the imperfect world they left behind when they stepped into the pond. Minutes past before they finally reluctantly broke their embrace. They walked back to the patch of grass hand in hand, lying down side by side facing each other, the warm sun drying their sparse clothing. Elanor carefully wiped a strand of Atreius’ hair from his face behind his ear. “Promise you will never forget me”, she whispered, “promise you will find me when I am lost.” Atreius smiled at her and moved so that their foreheads touched. “Ours will not be a raven ‘s fate”, he answered. In that moment they both knew they would be one forever.
“Oi, lovebirds! How about we get a move on.” It was Bobby. “You can sleep when you’re dead.” A broad smile on Bobby’s face as Atreius and Elanor opened their eyes. They had fallen asleep lying on their sides holding hands. Atreius jumped up and offered his hand to Elanor helping here up. Bobby gave Atreius a meaningful slap on the shoulder, though Elanor was the only one understanding the meaning of that slap. “See you in a minute”, Bobby said as he turned around. He jumped in the air clicking his heels together and started whistling a happy sailors song. Atreius and Elanor put their clothes back on and gave each other a hug. Than they made their way back to the wagon. Bobby had already prepared the horses for departure and set on the wagon bench ready for departure. “Sit in the back for a while you two. Enjoy this time, for it is always too short.” Slowly the wagon started moving and as the patch of trees started moving away Atreius turned to Elanor. “Find me here, wherever our paths may take us. Because here is where we will always be together.” Elanor put her arm around him and together they watched their special place disappearing behind the horizon of a green hill. “A day to remember”, Bobby thought as he urged the horse up the next hill.
By the end of the day the Twins were a lot closer as they had gradually turned in a southwest direction. The road had become a lot more winding and the hills steeper. The horse strained and bristled as they reached the top of a particularly nasty ridge. Bobby stopped and stood up from the bench gazing in the distance. “Look at that, excellent”, he said. Elanor and Atreius jumped of the wagon‘s back to see what Bobby was talking about. Atreius could not believe his eyes. In the valley before them the farmlands, a blanket of differently shaded green and yellow patches, separated by long lines of orange, red and white. Plumes of smoke rising to the air from the hovels and farmsteads that were still no more than specks on the blanket. A river cut right through the farmlands reflecting the sun’s light making it seem as if light was springing from a crack in the landscape. And in the distance, between the Twins, the glimmer of the capitol’s palace tower’s in the descending sun ‘s light.
“I’ve heard stories”, Atreius said, “But they weren’t even remotely accurate in describing the beauty of this valley.” Bobby and Elanor looked at each other in understanding. To them it didn’t look that special anymore. Elanor had been travelling up and down this road for the last couple of years, and Bobby’s parents had their own farm here, where Bobby grew up. “Can we make it to the city tonight?”, Atreius asked. “We will make camp here”, Bobby said. “It’s still more than half a day’s travel and there is no need to rush, right?” Bobby looked at Elanor. Suddenly it dawned on Elanor that once they would reach the city they would part way. She felt a sadness welling up inside her, but managed to hide it. “No rush at all. Let’s spend one more night under the stars before we let the city devour us.” They started setting up for the night. “If we leave at first light we could have late breakfast at my parents farm”, Bobby said. “You are all invited.” “I would be honored”, Elanor replied. Atreius didn’t have to reply, the smile on his face said more than enough.
That night by the campfire Atreius was humming the song Elanor had sung, ‘A raven’s fate’, it was called. “You really like that song, don ‘t you. Do you know where it came from?”, Bobby asked. “I know what it means”, Atreius replied while glancing at Elanor. She meaningfully smiled at Atreius. Bobby resumed, “Did you ever hear someone using the expression, a dark raven’s fate?” Atreius leaned back and thought about it for a moment. “I did, Zarald used the expression when referring to sailors that drowned at sea. He would say the sailor had met the fate of the dark raven.” A brief painful look appeared on Bobby’s face as a memory of a friend lost at sea crossed his mind. “Correct friend, but there is more to it than that. Would you like to hear the story of Sir Doilan the blind, Captain of the Dark Raven?” Atreius loved stories and folklore. He sat crossed-legged as Elanor moved close to him offering Bobby their full attention.
Bobby gave them both an ominous look as he rolled up his sleeves. He cleared his throat. “Mind you my God fearing friends, for this is a tale of pirates, untold riches and the wrath of a God.” He paused, crossing his fire-lit eyes with both his listeners. “It was in a time long past, when the sea was still rough and it’s waters uncharted.”
~
The legend of Sir Doilan the Blind.
Sir Doilan, mind you, was all but a gentleman. He was one of the most notorious pirates that ever roamed the seas surrounding Paradise. His reputation only overshadowed by the tales of the size of his treasure. Legend tells us that his hoard over time grew so heavy, its sheer weight could sink a small warship. Sir Doilan’s ship was called The Dark Raven and was feared by all that saw its flag appear at the horizon. The banner of a raven emerging from the darkest depths of the sea. According to history The Dark Raven and all its loot was sunk in a terrible storm called The Wrath of Treanton. It was commonly believed that Treanton, God of the Sea, took vengeance on Sir Doilan for his disrespect of the sea.
He was blind to the will of Treanton. Always taking, never giving, but still using the sea as his home and hiding place. After his ship was lost he was referred to as Sir Doilan the Blind. His ship and its bounty have never been found. Nor did any of his crew, called blind ravens, ever wash ashore. Only the figurehead of his ship, a black raven with gold coins for eyes, was found on a lonely beach near Ezecha. There were rumors that part of his treasure was hidden in one of the ancient ruins found around Paradise’s landscape. Many went out to seek it, and those that came back, came back insane rather than rich.
The legend of Sir Doilan is probably what started the followers of Treanton sacrificing coin to their Deity today. The expression ‘a dark raven ‘s fate’ or ‘a raven ‘s fate’ is used to refer to a drowned person or something that can ‘t be explained. During the time directly following Sir Doilan’s demise another expression sprang into existence, though it is rarely used today. ‘Picking the Sea God’s coin’. Which means as much as doing something stupid or dangerous or abusing someone’s good will and faith.
~
“It is every sailors dream to stumble upon Sir Doilan ‘s treasure”, Bobby concluded his story, as his eyes wandered off into the distance. Atreius and Elanor sighed at the same time and clapped in praise to Bobby. The hour had grown late and their eyes weary. Elanor had already dozed off curled up her head in Atreius’ lap. Bobby stood and took his bedroll from the back of the wagon. He gave Atreius his bedroll. “Goodnight lad”, Bobby said. “Tomorrow we part ways. I will stay at my parents’ house for a few days.” Atreius nodded as he wrapped the bedroll around his shoulders and covered Elanor with it. Bobby tossed an extra log on the fire then turned in for the night. Atreius said awake for a while watching the light of the fire play with Elanor’s face. Careful and tenderly he stoke her soft long hair. “Tomorrow our ways will part, but our hearts will never“, he thought to himself. Elanor wiggled getting even more comfortable. Atreius gazed into the fire hypnotized by its chaotic dance of light. He felt apprehension of what was to come, mixed with a deep feeling of fulfillment over that what had already passed. The night was beautiful.
The sun had only just appeared on the horizon when Atreius woke up, Elanor still lying beside him. He carefully stood making sure not to wake here, and looked at the valley before them. Again his homeland surprised him. A deep fog had settled in the valley obscuring it from sight. He looked over the bed of fog that made the entire valley appear like a giant soft bed. In the distance the Twins soared above the fog cloud. Atreius looked around, noticing some of the higher hills they had passed looked like green islands In a sea of clouds. “Not bad eh lad”, Bobby said as he joined his side. “Here, have an apple.” Bobby tossed the red and green fruit in the air to playfully test Atreius’ reflexes. He snatched it from the air and took a big bite. “Prepare yourself Atreius, for today will be a day of joy and grief.” He was thinking about what Bobby said last night, about parting ways. As much as his heart screamed at him not to, his head knew it had to happen. “But not for good”, he comforted himself then walked to Elanor to wake her up.
They were ready to leave in a moment’s notice, proceeding on the road that wound down into the valley still shrouded in fog. Elanor sat on her bench again next to Atreius. Bobby right behind them in the wagon looking down the road with them. It wasn’t long before they plunged into the fog cloud obscuring their view for all but a thirty foot bubble around them. The fog dampened the sound of their wagon and voices, as the horse steadily made its way deeper into the valley. The curves in the road and the lack of the sun’s sight threw off their sense of direction. Not a single sound except their own could be heard. Atreius looked down at the edges of the road slowly drifting by underneath them. They kept moving and after a while even their sense of time had been swallowed by their white gray surroundings. Atreius lay his hand on Elanor’s leg, she placed hers on top. They knew they wouldn‘t be together at the end of this day, but they shared a fools wish the fog would never end and hide the days end from them.
After an indefinite amount of time, a sound to their right. “Moo!” A cow made its presence known like a foghorn on a derelict ship. A few steps later an intersection. “Straight on”, Bobby said. “Take a left after this bit than right again. My parent’s farm will be on the right hand side.” “Aye aye captain”, Elanor said loudly. They chuckled than burst into laughter. With their lifted spirits the fog also seemed to lift. Rays of sunlight started piercing the veil of clouds creating open spaces of green. By the time they had turned left and right they had clear vision over their surroundings again.
“Over there”, Bobby pointed at a decent size farmstead at the far end of a cornfield that had been recently harvested. A plume of smoke rose from the chimney and a woman was busy hanging her linen out to dry. There were narrow brooks overgrown with flowers separating the different patches of farmland. They turned right up the private road leading to Bobby ‘s house. The farmhouse was made of white clay between heavy dark wood beams. The roof thatched with a red brick chimney. A large barn stood left of the farmhouse and further to the back small stables. The woman hanging her laundry noticed the wagon approaching. Bobby climbed out the front of the wagon using his companions’ shoulders as support and almost tripped over Atreius’ leg. He ran towards the farm shouting, “Mom, mom! It’s me Bobby.” The woman dropped the sheet she was holding on the grass and replied, “Bobby my boy, you have returned!” They embraced and Bobby lifted his mother swinging her around. She laughed out loud. Elanor halted the wagon on the open space in front of the farmhouse. Bobby came walking towards them dragging his still laughing mother with him. “You brought friends?”, his mother said, as she slapped the sand of her simple moss green dress and pushed some strands of hair under her headscarf. She stepped forward and bowed as Atreius climbed of the wagon. Atreius stepped towards the woman, grabbed her by the shoulders and up righted her looking her straight in the eyes. “It’s just me, Atreius”, he said, and shook the woman’s hand. Her face turned from serious back to joyful. Then she started laughing again. “I’m Gwen. Could’ve sworn you were a nobleman looking all fancy in your armor.” Atreius laughed. “Yeah, I could’ve fooled myself too.” Gwen looked at Elanor who had also come down from the wagon. “And who is this fair lady“, Gwen stated, “should I inform the authorities about an upcoming wedding.” She gave Bobby a good look in the eye. Bobby laughed. “Mom!”, he replied, the look in his eyes revealing that he was conversing with his mother in a way only a mother and son could.
“I am Elanor, and my heart belongs to another.” Atreius’ heart skipped a beat and he felt his spine tingling at Elanor’s words. “Fair enough”, Gwen replied. “Welcome to our farm.” Gwen looked around the farmyard. “Ricky!”, she shouted. “Come here son and tend to this wagon and the horses.” She took Bobby’s hand again. “Please do come in. You must be hungry.” Atreius had no idea on which bases Gwen decided they would be hungry, but he was so he didn’t argue.
The inside of the farmhouse was cozy and comfortable. Nothing fancy, but it breathed a pleasant atmosphere reminding Atreius of his own home. They sat down at the kitchen table as Gwen was frantically putting a display of food on the table fit for a king. “How are things at the farm mom”, Bobby inquired. “Was the harvest good? And how is dad?” Gwen swallowed a mouthful of fresh bread, the best tasting bread Atreius had ever eaten. “All is fine, we did well this year. Father head out early this morning to the market. I don’t expect he will be back before dark.” She took another bite of the bread, and added a slice of sausage to it. She swallowed it with a sip of milk. “Tell me about you son. How was your stay on the Sea Piercer with Zarald? How did you meet these good people. Tell me everything.
”They sat and talked for hours. Bobby telling his story, Atreius and Elanor adding theirs. Tears flowed, laughs were given and an abundance of ‘oohs’ and ‘ahs’ could be heard in that homely kitchen where Bobby was raised and fed. It was already halfway noon and Atreius was just finishing the dishes, which he insisted on doing, when Elanor stood beside him and placed her arm around his waist. “We have to get going soon, it’s time to say goodbye.” Atreius looked at Elanor with a hint of sadness, but nodded. Bobby felt that the time he dreaded had come. “Atreius, do you mean to keep that horse? I don’t mean to impose but well, my parent’s horse is old and seen it’s best days. We could use a an extra one for the tough jobs come fall and winter.” Elanor and Atreius looked at each other and agreed without saying a word. “The horse is yours, put it to good use”, Atreius said. “I think I will use my legs for the time being.” Elanor nodded.
Bobby looked elated as he knew this would make a huge difference for his parents. Buying a new one at the market would probably cost them a three months wager. “Atreius, Elanor”, Bobby stated, “We only met a short while ago, and I probably know not even half there is to know about you, but I consider you my dearest friends. If ever you are in need, or looking for a place to spend the night, come look me up. These doors will always be open to noble kind hearted people like yourselves.” The three of them walked outside. Ricky had already prepared the wagon and was busy chopping lumber on the other side of the farmyard. Gwen came running towards them when she saw they were getting ready to leave. She gave Elanor a hug, and then Atreius. Atreius felt here slipping something into his pocket. “You might need these soon lad”, she whispered in his ear. “It was nice meeting you, please come back some day”, she said as she went back to work.
The three friends stood in silence for a minute neither willing to start the end of their journey together. Finally Bobby took their hands, and Atreius took Elanor’s hand. “My friends, I guess this is goodbye”, Bobby struggled to say. “I wish you the best of luck on your journeys. And I expect to be invited to the wedding.” “Of course”, Atreius and Elanor answered in unison. “Oh hug me!”, Bobby said, “hug me and be off before I start crying.” They stood in a circle arms around each other’s shoulders. A minute past until bobby let go and took a step back. His hands gliding down his companions arms, their hands touching for a last time. With heavy hearts Atreius an Elanor climbed onto the wagon. She urged the horse and they started moving. Bobby looked at them heading off towards their destiny, thankful knowing he will be a part of it. He waved one last time. They waved back, Elanor blowing him a kiss. Bobby sighed than walked back to the farmhouse. The wagon turned right onto the road and Atreius looked upon the farm one last time. He saw Bobby walking, then jumping in the air clicking his heels together. A loud “Yippee!” echoed across the field. Atreius put his arm around Elanor as they sat silently together fearing what was bound to come next.
They moved over small streams and along idyllic farmhouses. Singing could be heard coming from the fields as the farmers harvested their crops. Children were playing in the haystacks that were drying in the late afternoon’s sun. The outskirts of The Jewel of the North, as the capitol was called, slowly crept closer, and the graceful golden spires of the palace towered into the clear sky. Atreius felt no joy or awe at these sights as his mind was weary. As they approached the commoners district Elanor spoke. “That is where I have to go”, pointing at a small church at the right side of the road. In his head Atreius cursed that church for not being a thousand miles further down the road.
The wagon stopped at the path leading up to the church doors. Atreius felt something falling from his pocket. In a reflex he picked it up. It was a silver ring Bobby’s mother had slipped into it earlier. He noticed another one in his pocket. “My mother was right all along”, he thought, “matters of the heart cannot be hidden from any mother.” The rings still in his right hand he turned to Elanor. He took her hand and looked her in the eyes.
She smiled at him in a way she would never smile at anyone else. Atreius gently squeezed her hand and smiled back in the exact same way. “I guess this is goodbye”, Elanor stuttered. Atreius sat silent for a moment, “but not farewell”, he replied. “Know that in my heart you will be with me, wherever I go. In the face of danger it is the thought of your embrace that will carry me through those darkest hours.” A faint smile appeared on her face as her eyes started tearing up. “Promise me you will return, and that you will not let your precious and pure heart succumb to the evil of this world.” Atreius lifted her hand, and carefully pushed the silver ring onto her finger, “I promise”, he whispered. He put the other ring on his own finger. “I love you, Elanor”, he said. “And I you Atreius.”
They embraced as tears rolled down their faces. They forgot all that was around as their heart and soul fused together in a bond not even the God’s could undo. “Go now, love”, Elanor said, “Go now and return to me with haste. I will look for you every day and in every dream.” Atreius stepped down from the wagon and took his backpack from the back of the carriage leaving what they had found on the robbers. He walked back to the front of the wagon and looked up at Elanor and her teared up face. He smiled at her. “Don’t despair, I will be back quicker than a raven‘s flight.” Elanor looked down on him wiping her tears with her sleeves. She smiled, “I know you will love, I know you will.”