Almost a month had slipped by since the man vanished, yet his absence clung to Amriel like a lingering shadow. The cool days of spring had surrendered to the warmth of summer, and the valley thrummed with life—lush greenery, vibrant flowers, and the cheerful chorus of birdsong. Yet amid the beauty, she found herself haunted by memories of him. Every day, since the man that had crashed onto her floor in the middle of a savage spring storm had vanished, Amriel tried to push him from her mind. And every day since, he crept back in.
The remnants of their brief encounter danced in her mind, a haunting refrain that disturbed the rhythm of her daily life. Not understanding why, the weight of his absence weighed heavily on her as if his presence had left an indelible mark on her soul. The most frustrating part of it all was that she hardly knew anything about the man that now haunted her. All that remained with her was a single word; Fha'Lear
A word that held no meaning for Amriel—or for anyone else, for that matter.
“Maybe you could ask the Keepers?” Maeve suggested one morning over steaming cups of coffee, her red hair catching the sunlight like fire.
The northern woman was concerned about what she considered Amriel’s borderline obsession with a stranger. Each time she caught Amriel lost in thought, a frown creased her brow, as it seemed the weight of this unknown man was pulling her friend under. Yet, it went against Maeve’s nature to shy away from helping those she cared for, and she was determined to support Amriel, even if it meant venturing into unfamiliar territory.
The Keepers were a revered sect devoted to the Goddess Fenrah, the lady of wisdom and knowledge. Nestled within the heart of the capital, their sanctuary was a labyrinth of ancient texts and scrolls, where the air was thick with the scent of aged parchment and ink. They specialized in the realm's history, their vast knowledge safeguarding the secrets of the past. Perhaps, Amriel thought, they could unravel the enigma of Fha'Lear, the word that now haunted her dreams.
Anyone who knew Amriel was well aware of her aversion to the city. The bustling streets, crowded markets, and towering buildings felt overwhelming to her—a stark contrast to the serene valley she called home. The northern market was about as far into the capital as she felt comfortable venturing. Yet for this, she had found the courage to go. Fortunately, Maeve was equally determined.
“I’m going with you,” Maeve declared, her fiery hair catching the sunlight as she approached. The moment she learned Amriel intended to visit the Keepers, her eyes sparkled with excitement.
“Perhaps I should go instead?” Simon suggested hesitantly, lingering in the doorway. “Or at least accompany you.”
Maeve clicked her tongue against her teeth dismissively. The redhead was already busy gathering her things to go. If Amriel had to guess, the mother of two needed the adventure. Far more than Amriel herself.
“It was my idea. I’m going. Simon, you can watch the girls for a few hours,” Maeve said.
“Listen, I just don’t want anything to happen to you two,” Simon said, his voice low and earnest. “The city can be unpredictable.”
Maeve crossed her arms, her fiery spirit unwavering. “We’ll be fine, Simon. We’re not helpless. Besides, the Keepers are there to help, not harm.”
“Alright, but please be careful,” Simon said finally, his voice filled with reluctance.
There was little point in arguing with Maeve once she had set her mind to something. If anything, it could be a little dangerous. All either Amriel or Symon could do was nod their head.
“Don’t worry, we can handle ourselves. I promise we will be fine, my love. We won’t be long,” said Maeve with a sweet smile.
While Amriel felt adept enough to keep herself safe, she had never been called upon to protect another. The thought weighed heavily on her mind as they stepped into the bustling streets. She knew full well that Simon would never forgive her if anything happened to Maeve. Heck, she wasn’t sure she could ever forgive herself.
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Before Symon could argue any further, Maeve planted a gentle kiss on his lips to silence him. She gave the girls both big hugs and told them to be good for their father before she swept out of the house and was gone.
“Please Riel, watch out for her,” said Symon, his dark eyes imploring hers. “You know how she can be.”
“I promise, Simon, I will look after her. Besides, like she said, we won’t be long,” said Amriel. She gave her best encouraging smile.
The blacksmith’s apprentice did not look like a man who felt reassured but said nothing further.
Minus the kiss, Amriel bid Simon and the girls a similar farewell before she followed Maeve out of the house into the warmth of the afternoon sunshine. Ready to be off, Maeve had already set off down the path towards the road that would take them into the city. Her long, quick strides had already carried her a good distance away. The wheat in the fields surrounding the house already stood knee-high. As Amriel rushed after her friend, the golden stalks gently brushed against her fingertips. This year was already looking to be a good year for the harvest.
“Thank you for coming with me, Maeve. I know how crazy this must seem, but I just cannot shake it,” said Amriel, when she finally caught up to the long-legged Maeve.
“No need to thank me, Riel! Besides, I really needed to get out of the house,” said Maeve with a soft sigh.
“Oh? Is everything alright?” asked Amriel. Her dark brows furrowed together in slight concern.
Maeve had been born of the northern tribes, her spirit shaped by the rugged landscapes and fierce independence of her people. Even though her family had moved south to the capital when she was just a child, the strength and resilience of her heritage remained etched in her character. She approached life with a fiery determination that often left others in awe.
In contrast, Simon was far more easygoing. He was the kind of person who could roll with the punches, happy to go with the flow and adapt to whatever came his way. This easygoing nature made him a calming presence, but it also meant that their differences occasionally led to clashes.
As a friend to both, Amriel often found herself in an awkward position, caught between Maeve’s fiery determination and Simon’s easygoing nature. It was a delicate balance, but over the years, she had learned the art of navigating their personalities.
“Oh? Is everything alright?” Amriel asked, her dark brows furrowing with slight concern.
Maeve waved her freckled arm dismissively, her spirit, born of the northern tribes, shining through. “Oh yes! You know I love Simon and my girls, but gods, some days I think they’ll drive me mad!” Her teasing tone made Amriel smile. "I needed to get out, see something more."
They had been friends for years, and while Amriel had no children of her own, she understood the challenges of motherhood—and living with Simon—only too well.
The warmth of the sun enveloped them as they walked through the bustling streets, the scent of freshly baked goods wafting from a nearby bakery. The city was alive with activity, a whirlwind of colors and sounds swirling around them. Yet, as Amriel took in the scene, unease crept into her heart. She longed for the calm of her forest, the familiar paths of the Vhengal. But Maeve’s presence at her side offered a comforting anchor.
As they approached the inner city gates, Amriel’s heartbeat quickened. What if the Keepers had no answers for her? But what if they did? The possibilities churned in her mind like a tempest.
Sensing her friend’s apprehension, Maeve gently squeezed Amriel’s hand. “We’re in this together, Amriel. Whatever you need, I’m here for you,” she reassured her.
Amriel nodded, grateful for Maeve’s unwavering support. She was acutely aware of how foolish her obsession might seem. No sane person would fixate so intensely on someone they barely knew. Yet, at this moment, she couldn’t have been more thankful for friends like Maeve and Simon. Even if she was a bit crazy, at least they didn’t judge her for it.
As they rounded the corner near a block of large estate walk-ups, the Infinity Tower came into view.
From the outside, the tower, home to the Keepers, appeared rather ordinary. Its pale grey stone walls, punctuated by sparse glass windows, soared just over a dozen stories into the clear blue sky, housing the realm’s vast knowledge and history.
“Are you sure you want to do this?” Maeve asked softly, her eyes fixed on the towering stone structure.
Truthfully, Amriel’s first instinct was to spin around and march back out of the city. But running away wouldn’t resolve anything; it wouldn’t silence the memories of the man who haunted her every waking moment.
“No,” Amriel admitted, her voice steady. “But I feel like I need to know. Otherwise, this will never go away.”
Maeve nodded, determination brightening her expression. “Alright, we’ve come this far. Let’s do this!”
With a reassuring squeeze of Amriel’s hand, the two women stepped forward, crossing the threshold into the realm of the goddess, ready to face whatever awaited them within the Infinity Tower.