Anthony was unconscious in a field of cattle but his spirit wandered into his surroundings freely. This time it was a new sensation more simply viewing, but transcending his into actual dream. From the grassy field, he felt as if he was part of the Earth itself, and every blade of grass, every particle of dirt, every rock, pebble, and creature that roamed seemed to crawl on his body.
It was like being omnipotent and powerless at the same time. although he could feel he could not move and could not act, only remained a humble observer to the beings upon him. One of these beings was a large breed of cow unlike any he had ever seen.
It was twice as large as a bull with horns of yellow that reached into the heavens. Its hide was yellow like the sun with golden eyes and a set of yellow horns that reached straight up like a magnificent crown. Whether it was a demon or some sort of unknown great beast, neither would have surprised Anthony as he felt its mighty hooves stamp upon his belly.
It walked as a tiny miniature being from his belly and up to his right shoulder where it rested its horns upon his chest as it lifted up piles of dirt into the air. From the crater on his body that remained he saw a yellow light radiating as the cattle turned its head starting at the mysterious yellow light. When it lifted its head again he felt the dirt settle back into his body causing a cloud of dust to rippled around his torso and then rebuild himself again.
“By the Flames!” Anthony felt his spirit jump back into his body.
He found himself resting in a barn, with nobody around and only their horses to keep him company. He looked around, but found that everything was still in his possession. His leather armor, his dagger, his amulet, along with a note that was by his side. It read.
Bios, come outside when you wake up, there’s a lot we need to discuss.
With this in mind Anthony quickly jumped out of the hay and headed out of the barn. When he arrived outside, he witnessed a peculiar sight in the morning sun. The Earth Mage they had saved along with his student were standing by an makeshift altar in the light of the sun. The Earth Mage wore a sash around his shoulders and was bandaged from his wounds when he raised a bowl of black ashes in the air. Master Zoe watched as Jason kneeled before the man in a manner most revered as the man greeted the sun the Earth Mage poured some of the ashes onto the ground.
“We thank you Great Helios, Lord the Sacred Fifth Flame, and messenger of the great Auroch who shares his miracles so that this land may stay pure for those who graze it.” He scraped the ashes from the bowl and placed a mark upon Zoe’s head like two horns. “May your new messenger know that you bring peace to this land so that we may be at peace to others.”
Jason squinted his brow in unconformable silence, but Master Zoe smiled seeing him in such a state.
“That’s it, you can open your eyes now.” The young man whispered beside him.
“Gee, thanks, I guess.” Jason quickly got up and tried to resist the urge to wipe his forehead.
“It was a lovely ceremony.” Master Zoe complimented.
“Then why didn’t you do it instead of me?” Jason protested.
“That is true, Master Gaia, we can perform it again if you’d like, it would only take a minute.”
“I would, but you know this old leg of mine.” She knocked on it to emphasize the fact that she couldn’t kneel.
“Still, you helped save us from that demon, and treated us from our injuries, surely there is some way we can repay you.”
“Well if you’re ever injured near Gourd feel free to look me up, we got a Pharmacy there if you need help.”
“Father, look.” The young man pulled on the Elder Mages robes to show him Anthony had already awakened.
“Ah, Bios, now there’s your real savior.” Zoe pointed to the dumbfounded look on his face.
“Master Zoe, what is happening here?” Anthony was perplexed as to what events had transpired while he was recovering.
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“Ah, allow me to introduce the owners of this ranch.” Master Zoe stretched her hand to greet the two Earth Mages. “This is Aeneas Elips and his son Eustathius, they own and work this ranch. As it turned out Aeneas used to be part of the Evadne Theocracy.”
“Former, I’m afraid.” The elder mage Aeneas responded. “When I immigrated to the Duchy, I was excommunicated from Evadne.”
“You’re a holy scholar?” Anthony said surprised to hear of one living in the Duchy of all places.
“I never made it pass acolyte I’m afraid. My theories apparently did not gain much popularity in the Theocracy.”
“I know the feeling, Mr. Elpis.” Master Zoe nodded her head. “Not many people believe that Fire Mage is capable of healing. I’m surprised your son allowed me to, considering I told him I’m not a Wind Mage as expected.”
“I’d like to think I’ve taught him well to keep an open mind.” He rubbed Eustathius’ head of brown hair. “He’s very open minded like his mother.” His eyes turned to sorrow as his son comforted him.
“I hate to impose, but when did she pass?”
“A long time ago, right around the time the Helios Auroch started to appear.”
“Wait, you mean that thing I saw last night.” Jason stuttered in disbelief. “I thought it was some sort of demon with those giant horns of his, but Helios Auroch is only a legend like the Artemis Hind.”
“It’s a legend well known in the Empire as well.” Anthony agreed. “Helios was the Fifth Sacred Flame who was said to first break the boundary of Holy Light. They say he slayed the of Auroch and used a piece of its horn to constructed a sword of pure Fortacillium to which to capture the light of the sun.”
“That’s not true!” The young boy shouted as if offend. “Helios didn’t slay the Auroch, he was given a piece of its horn.”
“Eustathius!” Aeneas stared at him as a student who had spoken out of turn. “Please forgive my son, I’ve shared with him more than I should about my personal beliefs, that some might say border on heresy in these times.”
“All knowledge can lead to revelation if you choose to use it.” Anthony quoted Master Zoe’s words from The Code of Asclepius, that all healers follow. “I would be happy if you shared your unique experience in this matter.”
“If you’ll hear me out then I’ll be delighted.” He looked at the horizon beneath the rising sun. “As you probably know, the Theocracy is a system based on merits. Some receive these through achievements and others through revelation. My wife was an Earth Mage who claimed that when she was young she encountered a young calf with golden horns. While the council of Evadne could not confirm it, she was allowed to become an acolyte at the same time I was permitted to attend.” In the blades of grass and the grazing cattle he remembered fondly the courtship of young love. “It was no surprise that while she was there, we ended up falling in love.”
“A forbidden one I’d imagine.” Master Zoe said. “I’ve dealt with delegates from the scholars of Evadne, even helped them with some campaigns. Although they’re allowed to marry, it doesn’t necessarily have to be for love. More for cultivation of powerful bloodlines like the Empire. A different faith, but same stubbornness.”
“My wife believed in the Sacred Dragons, but also that there were equal truths in the faith of her home in the Duchy. She thought the golden horned calf she found was a Helios Auroch, one of the five mythical greater beasts in existence. Those who have said to witness them even as a youngling were said to have a connection deeper than anything. When certain elders found out about our love, they leveraged that as a way for her to be excommunicated from the Theocracy, and I joined her.” He saw a family of a cow, bull and calf together playing in the fields. “We moved here to start a family but only after when our son was born did we find out that she had been consumed by a common ailment amongst Earth Mages.”
“The Hallowing.” The son whispered.
“I’m familiar with this ailment.” Master Zoe recalled. “It affects high circle Earth Mage and deteriorates bone structure leading to bone fragility, and consequent increase in fracture risk. Given birth must have been too much of strain for one with such an affliction.”
“It’s what she wanted.” He wiped the tears off his son’s face. “She wanted me to have a child, one that would carry one where she could not.”
His son smiled before his father, a smile that reminded Aeneas of his mother.
“The day she died, I buried her in these fields. That night I saw the Auroch myself resting its head on her grave. The next morning an entire field of flowers were born. To this day they still grow in that fresh earth as if it’s my wife telling me to continue.” He started to cry and wipe his own tears before reaching into his pocket. “I think I know why the Auroch appeared before you, it was so that I could deliver this to you.” In his palm he had a small gem, that seemed like a pointed chip made of a strange, golden mineral.
Anthony examined it, reminded of a similar feeling the time that his maid Eau had given him the silky river rock amulet. It was similar but looked to be in the shape of a small piece of horn from a cattle more than a jewel.
“I found this, amongst the flowers of my wife’s grave. I believe it was a gift from Helios Auroch, but now I wish for you to have it.” He handed it to Anthony whom he considered the most accomplished of the ground. “If I may please give you a blessing, Master Bios.” He took the stone and held it against his left shoulder.
It was almost as if it was calling to every bone in his body making him kneel before the man bowing his head in reverence. The man raised the bowl of ashes and began the prayer, aided by his son who stood by his father’s side.