Jaris remained motionless as his mind wound back to the words he had just uttered. He never meant to say any of that. And yet there he stood, the words of the Birth Promise still fresh on his lips. A promise, he realized, was impossible to fulfill.

He laid the child with care back on the couch, then got up and went to the window. Morning was near. What should have been a fresh start was the beginning of the end. He understood what a Birth Promise meant, and what would happen if he didn't fulfill it. Time had begun its countdown. And each second counted.

He had one year to keep his word. But how could he? The promise he had made now stood immortalized. And whatever power dictated its rules showed no partiality or mercy. He racked his mind, trying to think of any excuse or reason to take back his statement. He found nothing. And with each passing moment, reality became clearer and clearer.

One year. I die within a year. It felt absurd, having to perish for something he never meant to say. And yet, there was no way to take it back. No one ever could.

He left the room in silence, returning to the safety of Ajutine's arms. What can I tell her? How do I even explain what I've done? His mind lingered on the edge of reason, before gently passing into the nothingness of sleep.

*** ***

The sounds of laughter opened Jaris' eyes, but before he could even get his thought in order, Ajutine crashed atop of him, almost crushing his jaw. Her face looked as radiant as the morning light, with the only sounds coming from her being a delightful pitch of laughter.

"Well, Well, Well!"

"What are you talking about?" he gasped, trying to break free from the arms that threatened to crush him in love.

"The baby! I just went down to check on him. He's fast asleep. And when I touched, him..."

"Yes..." asked Jaris, his voice shaken.

"He smiled. And laughed. He stopped crying! Not even...a little bit. Like it never happened."

"That's..."

"Incredible, right? Come on down, see for yourself."

Before the man had the chance to get dressed, Ajutine grabbed him by the hand, nearly dragging him down. The last remnants of slumber were leaving him, awakening the worries of last night. With a surprise that he hoped seemed genuine, he looked down at the baby. Sure enough, there was no trace of crying on his face. His skin had returned to its normal, healthy color, and Jaris felt relieved. Whatever he had done last night seemed to have worked.

"Jay, how did any of this happen?"

"I wish I knew. Just look at him, not a care in the world."

The knock at the front entrance broke the conversation, and both realized who it must be. Can't wait to see their reactions, pondered Jaris, opening the door with a smile. The healer stood at the entrance, carrying together with Kalis an oval object that Jaris assumed was the transport capsule.

"We came as soon as we could. Come, there's not much time. Get the boy ready, while I set this up..."

"There's no point." smiled Ajutine.

"Yes, there's no point to jokes. That boy needs help."

"Not anymore, he doesn't"

Both men looked incredulous, then entered the house at the woman's invitation. Jaris waited for them, the baby sleeping peacefully in his arms. Looking at him, Kalis felt a shiver down his spine. The health of the baby seemed genuine. That of Jaris wasn't. And beneath the facade of joy, he detected something else, that went deeper than fear.

"When did he stop crying?!"

"I found him like this when I woke up. Poor thing must have worn himself out."

Akin picked the boy up and placed him in the capsule. The only reaction was a feint giggle, the infant's eyes looking around with curiosity. A few minutes later, a bewildered Akin tried to make sense of the readings he was seeing. Sure enough, the body imprint matched that of the previous day.

"Nothing has changed."

"How's that possible?" asked Kalis in disbelief. "He stopped crying, so that means that whatever in his body was causing that is gone. Diseases don't just vanish without a trace."

"How is any of this possible?! Look Jaris, as far as healing is concerned, there's nothing wrong with the boy. My advice is to keep him under observation for a few more days. If the crying resumes, then we'll take him to Jada for treatment."

"What about the treatment? Is there anything we should give him?"

"No point. He's as healthy as he can be. Just keep an eye on him. Any change and I want to know about it."

He greeted them and left, nearly stumbling on the porch under the weight of the capsule. Kalis watched him leave, then returned his eyes to Jaris. The man looked relieved, but his face continued to remain in tension.

"Things are getting stranger and stranger."

He spoke aloud, not caring who would answer. He was well into the unknown, and what he was seeing was only the latest embodiment of his concerns. At Ajutine's beckoning, he sat down at the dining table. The woman vanished into the kitchen, and both men heard the sounds of bottles and glasses being moved. Kalis kept his eyes fixed on the other man. There was something more. And he felt it with each passing second.

"Thanks so much for the welcome. It's not every day that you see a miracle with your own eyes."

"And how many miracles have you seen, Mr. Kalis?" asked Ajutine with a smile, as she poured for each man a glass of lethian. "It's not like there's not another explanation."

"Let's not kid ourselves here. That boy was on the verge of death last night. To wake up and find him healthy, well, if you can think of another explanation as to how a child can..."

"Arate."

Both pairs of eyes turned to Jaris, awaiting an explanation. He felt his skin grow cold. I have to tell her. I must.

"His name's Arate."

Ajutine remained still. A brief moment of anger was swiftly pushed aside by a wave of relief, that burst out in unrestrained joy. She understood the unspoken message. And her heart wanted desperately to dive into the full ocean of joy that would follow.

"You've already picked a name for him? Guess that means..."

"There's no doubt about it in my mind. We'll adopt him. As soon as we can get to Jada to get the paperwork done."

"Well, you could have asked me about it first." Interjected Ajutine with a peal of playful laughter.

"Got the idea last night. And you were so cute while sleeping, I just couldn't force myself to wake you up."

His voice sounded hollow and fake, dragging its feet along a road that he knew would have to end eventually. Kalis took another sip of his drink, then shook hands with both of them.

"Great news, then. Listen, before you get the papers, there's something else you should know. Not forcing you or anything, just a suggestion. Around here, the mistoa have four main Confirmation dates. Some stuff about auspicious times of the year. Lots of strange superstitions if you ask me, but still... The next date falls on Midsummer. Two weeks from now, if I'm not mistaken. If you want, you can have your son confirmed with the rest. I'm sure they'd appreciate that."

"We’d love to, right Jay?”

The man nodded, trying his best to keep eye contact with the other two. He wanted to speak, only to be halted by fear and Ajutine’s voice.

“But that means we also have just two weeks to find a godmother.”

“I can help you with that. My dear Adna’s such a sweetheart with kids. I can talk to her, and I’ll bet you anything she’d love to. Just don’t expect an extravagant Birth Gift.”

“Speaking of which, Jay, what are you going to promise?”

The voice sounded remote, and for a brief moment, he asked himself who was the person who carried that name. With shaky hands, he placed the glass on the table, then turned to his wife.

“I…already gave him a Birth Promise.”

The woman's frown was the only sign of displeasure, and even that was quickly cleaned by her ever-cheery smile.

"You don't waste any time, do you? When did you do it?"

“Last night. When I named him. And also…when he stopped crying.”

“He stopped crying…when you gave him a Birth Promise?” asked Kalis with unrestrained wonder.

"Jay, what did you promise him?" asked Ajutine, her voice now suddenly emptied of all her joy.

Jaris took a deep breath, wanting to continue. Each delay seemed to tear a hole in him, and with a twisted sense of desire, he wanted the other two to share his pain. The word continue played again and again in his mind. But his lips remained silent. And only when Ajutine’s hand met his, did the dyke of language finally burst, and he spoke.

"I promised him the Sun on his right and the Moon on his left."

He felt relieved. And as he looked at the other two present in the room, he realized that the words had the desired effect: both stood in stunned silence, trying to understand what they had heard. He became conscious that the hand touching his was no longer, there, but covering the woman’s mouth.

“Jay, oh, Jay…”

“What were you thinking!” yelled Kalis, almost knocking the table over.

“I wasn’t” replied Jaris in an almost mechanical tone. “I spoke what came into my mind.”

“Take it back, Jay. Take it back, and…it can be done, it has to…”

“That’s not true love, and you know that. Nothing can ever take back a Birth Promise. And even if it could, what about our child? If that crying returns, then…”

“I won’t lose you over HIM!” yelled Ajutine, her face contorted in rage.

Jaris remained silent, not wanting to add fuel to an already destructive fire. Looking at the woman he loved, he saw once again just a wife. For a brief moment, the feeling of motherhood had vanished. With a deep breath, he retained his composure and spoke in a cold tone.

“Then, at least for my sake, I hope that after I’m gone, you’ll think better of him”

Ajutine got up but remained silent. With measured steps, she returned to the first-floor bedroom, leaving the two men alone. Jaris heard the door closing and hoped that he wouldn't have to hear the cream that followed.

He did.

*** ***

The great hall of the Fleasc still kept most of its original joy among the clients. Though it didn't take a sharp eye to tell that things had changed. A large notice informed of the curfew that was in effect, and militia patrols were making their rounds every half-hour. Radnik had stayed true to his word and didn't ask for regulars. The garrison had been supplemented with reinforcements, and while no news had yet come from the Magisterium, Jaris had no doubts that they were already informed. And looking around him, he saw that there wasn't a man over fifteen who wasn't carrying a weapon. More and more tables were speaking in hushed whispers, and each new client that walked in would trigger an almost instinctual reach for daggers and short axes.

The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

Jaris took another drink from his mug, the second one that day. But drunkenness remained as elusive as relief from the nightmare he found himself in. He called in sick the last two days, but by the third, he had been threatened with immediate termination of his contract if he didn't return immediately. The fact that he tried to get drunk daily didn't seem to help either. But then again, none of that mattered. Not for him.

He took another drink, pushed the mug aside, and knocked his head on the hard oak. He hardly felt it. A second and a third hit followed, and angry voices around him assaulted his ears. They could all drop dead for all he cared. A fourth hit, and he felt his forehead moist. A fifth was on its way, but before more blood could be shed, a strong pair of arms held him against the back of the chair.

“That’s enough, Juth.”

Idi’s booming voice snapped him back. Jaris looked at the man towering above him and tried one more time. The arms were stronger, however, and common sense decided to take over. He cleaned his forehead, relieved to see that it was only a small scratch.

“Just stay here. And listen to what Mr. Kalis has to tell you.”

Both men took seats at the round table, keeping their eyes fixed on him. He felt almost like a baby that needed to be protected. He reached for the mug, but before he could, Kalis knocked it on the floor.

“Hey, I was going to finish that!”

“The only thing that’s finished here is you, by the looks of things.”

“If you got a problem with that, then why don’t you ask that big friend of yours to snap my neck” snarled Jaris. “Might as well get it over with now.”

“No, Jaris. And I’m not going to stand here and watch you destroy yourself.“

“I did that a few days ago, in case you forgot.”

“I know. But listen, I think you need should hear us out here. There might be a way we can fix this whole thing.”

"If you want to fix it, it's an either ale or a dagger."

Idi's fist struck the table with such force that it nearly knocked Jaris over. He had rarely seen the man angry, but this time, he truly was. A bizarre mixture of anger, concern and pity returned Jaris' attention to him. He looked at both men, waiting for the punch line.

“Fine. Fix it how?”

"Juth, I really don't need to tell you that what I'm about to say is weird. But hear me out on this. You saved my lad's life, and I always pay my debts. I just need some trust from you, that's all."

“That’s fine. I can work with that. So what’s your solution?”

“Juth, do you…believe in fairies?”

The punch line came and went. Jaris wanted to mimic mocking laughter, but all he managed was to cough part of his drink on the table. Looking at the other two men, he waited for their reaction. But none came. They just waited for him to stop coughing.

"Sure, I believe in fairies. And in dragons and talking cats. The least you can do is show me some dignity here!"

“Juth, nobody’s laughing here. Now can you listen to us?”

Jaris regained his breath and remained silent. He was still waiting. Waiting for the inevitable end of the whole joke. But as the seconds ticked on, sobriety slowly began to bring him back to earth. The men weren't laughing at his expense. They meant it.

“You can’t be serious. At least not you, Kalis. Sure, I can understand them, but you? We’ve grown up, children’s stories aren’t going to help…”

"And it won't help if you have this kind of attitude, Juth. My folk doesn't have all of your fancy technology. And what you call stories are as real for us as you are."

“So, you what, talk to magical creatures that fly in the air and grant wishes?”

“We don’t talk to her. But she does come to our help. Some folk claim to have seen her, not me. I’ve seen what she does, though. And if there’s anybody who can help you now, it’s her.”

Jaris turned to the other man, waiting for any reply that would contradict what he had just heard. But to his shock, Kalis just nodded in confirmation.

“You can’t be serious.”

“Jaris, I’m not sold on this stuff either, but take this from somebody who’s been here longer than you. The further we venture out from Canolfan, the stranger things become. We’ve lived all our lives surrounded by our gadgets, but never once asked ourselves where they came from. And as a Magisterium worker, I can assume that you’ve noticed that things are a bit off. Even that attack…”

“Wasn’t the first, wasn’t it?”

"Auron," confirmed Idi with a grim look. "Two years ago. Men send out by your leaders went there. And Kalis could well be right, 'cause they disturbed something there. Fifty of them died. And then it tracked them all the way back to Nothen. And you haven't seen devastation like that Juth, not even two days ago."

“Why wasn’t any of this reported?” asked Jaris in a faint tone.

“You know what the Crown’s position is on the mistoa. And I can bet you anything, your handlers knew about it.”

Jaris held his temple with shaky hands. He had heard enough. At least sufficient for his world to come crashing down around him. My life's changing. But what can I lean on to change it?

“How can I entrust my life to something that I can’t even see or understand?” he asked in a pleading tone.

"Jaris, let me ask you something. Why do you believe you're going to die in a year?"

The man turned to Kalis, pondering the question in silence. Why did he believe it? There was no rational justification for it, and yet he did. He believed it with the same certainty as the rising of the sun. And yet found no reason to justify its existence.

"Well, obviously, because…"

“Because it happened to so many others before? Idi’s not the only man who can confirm this. Ask around. I've heard dozens who can confirm the same thing. If you're destroying yourself for something that makes no logical sense, to begin with, why are you so hesitant to embrace a solution that's outside your comfort zone?"

The words had the certainty of truth. And still, his mind wavered in the web of the past. Stories told by children out in the woods, read in books, or listened to while doing some menial chore at work. He had been raised on stories. And when he had become an adult, he had left them aside. Replaced by the responsibility to his family and job. And now he was asked to give that up. To go back and be a child.

“Assuming you’re right, what do you want me to do?”

“You know that forest, right beyond the fields, right? Cross the river, then head right into it. From your house’s direction, it’s a pretty easy ride. Once you’re in, try looking for a clearing. It’s to the north. After that…”

“Yes?” asked Jaris in a shaky voice.

“You’re on your own. If she chooses to talk to you, she’ll appear. If not, then I’d head out quick."

“Why’s that?”

“That place is damn unnatural. Once you’re in, stick to the easy routes. Don’t go into the thickets or the deep undergrowth. And keep your eyes open. Don’t trust anything around you that looks like it shouldn’t be there.”

“How do I know when I’ve found her?”

"She always appears as a woman. Tall, and really pretty. Always in a blue dress. At least that's what those who've seen her say. Don't ask me how to talk to her. Just…tell her your problem.”

The two men got up from their seats and went to pay for their drinks, leaving Jaris to ponder his next move. The vapors of alcohol were slowly drifting away, clearing his mind. And he realized that his mind needed to be clear. Sufficient to find inside it the faith that would allow him to do the impossible.

*** ***

With one final thug of the belt, Jaris finished adjusting the saddle on one of the horses. Sundown was only an hour away, and the curfew started shortly after that. Which meant he had only one hour to reach the woods and go inside. He did not doubt that he would have to spend the night there since he had no desire to be arrested while coming back in the early hours of the morning. That’s assuming you’re coming back.

He shoved the thought aside with a mental punch and lead the mount by the harness to the barn door. The night air felt nice and crisp, adding to the regret that he had to go out on what well could be his last ride. He walked past the front porch, then mounted.

“Where are you going?”

Ajutine was standing at the door, her white nightgown drawing his full attention. She did not move, but her eyes were fixed on the saddle. A single pang of guilt stabbed Jaris in his guts, forcing him to justify his own decision, even at the cost of lying.

“Just need to clear my head. Haven’t been riding in, I don’t even remember.”

“Jay, please, don’t do anything stupid.”

Her voice felt like a slap, and it took all of his determination to keep eye contact. He had to say whatever needed to be said. Beyond that, it made no difference. He wanted to live. Whatever cost needed to be paid.

"Love, when did I ever do anything like that? I just need a bit of time to clear my head. Tomorrow's back to work for me. Do you want me to look like a drunken gurnak?

“Jay, promise me that…”

"What's there to promise? It's just a short ride. Right past the silos, then beyond the colony, and back again. I'll be back in less than an hour."

He pulled the reigns, and set off at a light gallop, desperate to get out of the piercing eyes that he instinctively knew burrowed into his back. He hated lying. And most of all, he hated having to justify what could well be his death just so he could keep the truth from the woman he loved. If it could be called truth.

Taking the western road, he galloped past the large silos, then slowed down and entered the cobble roads that intersected the fields. Looking at the sun, he realized he needed to hurry. Time was against him, and he needed to cross the river. Turning back south, he ran past the remaining parcels of wheat, until he reached the edge of the river.

The Oliam had a decently rapid current, but in summer the water volume was low enough to allow a crossing at almost any point. From where he stood, Jaris saw a clear opening into the towering mass of trees. There was no point in riding another half mile to get to one of the bridges. With a quick nudge of his legs, he signaled the animal to advance straight into the stream. Water splashed all around him, wetting his back, and for a brief moment, he feared he would fall over. And as he arrived back on dry ground, relief returned to him. He needed to keep in and find whatever strength he had left. And once he found it, he strode past the line of trees and into the forest.

The light around him diminished significantly, the burned orange of the sunset replaced by an underwater green shine that felt like it was trying to merge his body with the green around him. The path was pretty simple, with nothing but small twigs and leaves covering the ground. He felt relieved. The forest seemed to welcome him with open arms, allowing him to passage deeper and deeper. And each step felt drew him ever deeper into some form of pilgrimage for life. The trees around him seemed to greet him, silent watchers, to his search that would end in salvation or death.

As he continued his advance, the light became dimmer, and he realized that it was already sundown. The light of the moon was barely visible under the foliage, and that of the Third Light only added an unearthly glint to the natural green. He felt submerged in an aquarium, swimming ever more desperate to a distant shore. Around him, the forest also seemed to change. The previous gentle path had been replaced by thick briars and thick collapsed branches, making any travel on horseback impossible. He dismounted and tied the reigns to one of the collapsed trees.

"Wait here girl, I'm going on ahead," he whispered, stroking her mane.

He resumed his track, carrying a short axe and a glowmoss-powered lamp. The ground was dry and covered with leaves and broken twigs, each footstep sounding like the breaking of bones as he stepped on them. Around him, multiple noises drew his attention, amplified by his fear. Mostly night birds and insects, but as he advanced, other sounds reached his ears. Sounds that he had no way of identifying, and that broke down the last barriers of the reason that still held his mind in check.

He had accepted that his salvation now rested on something that he had only read in stories as a child. And yet, he had no way of understanding if it was a psychological or real belief. He knew that it wasn't on the same level as his own existence. And yet, he still believed. Despite all possibilities to the contrary, he still believed that it could be done.

White wisps of fog began to form around his feet, slowly covering the trunks and bushes. Not thick enough to impede his movement, but sufficient to make any single gesture of the forest all the more disturbing. He could barely see twelve meters ahead, and even that became hazy. Halting, he decided to get his bearings. He had been walking for over an hour and had yet to find any clearing. The forest itself couldn’t be that big. And yet all his walking seemed to get him nowhere.

He tried to scream for help, but no sound came out. His body rocked like a rotting tree, unsure where it would collapse. There won’t be another sunrise for me. This is the only light I’ll ever see. He meant the lantern, but another light caught his attention. Fireflies were starting to appear in the air. Flying around the branches and right above the mist, they seemed to swarm in all directions. And as he looked carefully, Jaris realized that they appeared out of nowhere.

Fear set his feet back into motion, and he began walking again. The strength to run felt like it was drawn right out of him. The swarm seemed to fill the air, following his every step. They kept out of range and made no sound, but the light itself was maddening. Each dot stabbed his mind with the needle of uncertainty, tearing reason out of his mind. He found the force to scream, and as he did, the forest seemed to reply.

“Jay.”

The sound was no hallucination, of that he was sure. Peering into the dark, he saw a flash of white stepping ever closer. It was no phantom, the footsteps were as real as his. The fireflies moved aside, making room for a woman in a white nightgown. And with an eye of the storm calm, Jaris saw who it was. Ajutine.

The figure before him had all the traits that were to be expected. And yet, that wasn’t his wife. How could it be? He knew where he had left her. And whatever it was that he saw, was just in his mind. At least he prayed it was.

“Jay, please love me.”

The man’s body shook at the voice, his feet frozen in place. The woman approached him with measured steps, halting only a meter distance. Her porcelain skin glistened with the shine of the lantern and the fireflies that swarmed all around them now.

“I love you” came the man’s response.

The words were genuine, and the apparition smiled with satisfaction. Jaris felt a sensation of burning in his eyes, and as he did, the nightgown around the woman seemed to vanish, revealing a naked form of pure beauty.

“Love me tonight. The first night of love. Sire my child, and forever be loved.”

"I am loved" replied Jaris in a haunting voice.

The distance closed yet again, the naked woman mere inches from him. The warmth of her body felt so inviting. She opened herself to him, body and soul. The lantern in his hand felt like a boulder, and he let go of it. The sound never reached his ears. All that he heard were the sounds of peace coming from the woman. He had spoken the truth. He was loved. And would be loved.

“Be with me. Here you are, and here you will remain.”

“I will remain” whispered Jaris. “And I will be with you.”

His arm moved with a swiftness that couldn't have been human. With one fluid motion, he reached for the hatchet on his belt, and before realizing it, he brought it down on the apparition, splitting it from the forehead to the pubic area. An explosion of fireflies flew into the canopy, leaving Jaris in a stunned daze. His senses were slowly returning to him, but before he could reach for the lamp, the dots of light around him began to assemble again. Unclear at first, but then the shapes became distinct. The amalgamation of tentacles mixed above the ground, stretching and spreading into shape. The shape of women in white nightgowns. Each with Ajutine's face and her pure, inviting smile.

Jaris didn’t need to wait for an explanation. There was no way of fighting them, and no place to hide. Spotting the only opening in the mass of trees, he ran. Around him, the woods seemed to bend in the unnatural light of the fireflies, taking the texture of quicksilver. He was aware of the sounds his feet made. At least that proved that what he was seeing wasn't real. Or at least he hoped. Looking at his arms, Jaris saw that the lights were starting to land on him. Silent and cold, light began to envelop his whole vision. His body grew cold, as unearthly arms touched him. Gentle arms that bade him make love. To lie down and rest.

Jaris screamed. Desperate to be heard, to be reached. And as the arms held him ever tighter, he became conscious of his now fading voice. His eyes felt like they were burning, the trees around him turning into pillars of flaming red that pierced the sky. With outstretched arms, he pleaded. Not caring who would hear. In the nightmare of silence that had trapped him, he had a voice but couldn't scream.

With his arms stretched forward, he groped through the red. Searching, hoping that the real world hadn’t vanished. And with one final effort, he leaped forward. The red turned to black, then back to green, and the familiar sights of the forest returned to his eyes in a singular flash, the regular sounds of birds and insects singing the praises of victory.

Jaris remained motionless, his arms still stretched out. His body still throbbed and ached, but he was aware of his surroundings. A small clearing, as plain as any could have been. Looking at his arms, he saw them resting on something. Physical, judging by the touch. They rested on a pair of shoulders.