Stella Cadente

Dark Times

The glowing orb flickered and settled as the night itself fell and covered the meadow.

Fire flickered from the orb as it became a warm fireplace for the night.

The rough ground did not matter. Harold plopped himself down the grass and placed Vasilissa beside him.

Harold's POV

"Look at the stars. How bright aren't they?" I pointed the brightest stars in the sky, gripping Vasilissa's hand while doing so.

Her eyes were still shut closed.

I gripped mine closed as well. With hopes of tomorrow, hers will open and flutter like mine.

Morning gripped almost immediately. The white orb turned to green as footsteps among the grass were heard.

I threw my head up to see the intruder.

"Kind sire. May I please share company with you?" an old frail voice echoed the empty fields

"I...I. Of course madam. Where are you headed?" I quickly muttered. Hoping for the silence once more.

"My. Young gentleman. I am headed to fetch my cousin at the end of this field. I've been traveling for days with no company nor escort as they died along the way." Her voice sounded brittle and old. Face worn and tired. "I am Audrey. Audrey Helmsworth."

"I am Harold." Harold spoke quickly and gave nothing else away.

"Your wife must be ill. Where are you both heading" Her eyes turned to Vasilissa's prone lying body.

Harold blushed in his insides as the old woman commented about Vasilissa.

She thought she was my wife! That must mean we look good together.

"We..." Harold began "We should begin our journey."

Get a grip. Harold's mind fluttered.

Impending silence dawned the two travelers. Unknown to them on how many hours they didn't talk.

"You seek the Elixir of Life don't you?" The elderly woman spoke to Harold in a accusing tone.

Harold pulled away from his thoughts, he turned his gaze to the old woman besides her.

"I... Yes.. we do." Harold admitted as there is no point in lying.

"Truth is good. But so are lies. " the frail old woman spoke. Hinting her accusation as her gaze turned to Harold's glowing pocket.

Harold sighed silently. Revealing the white orb that had been tucked inside his pocket. The orb flickered and grew.

"Such wonders!" Audrey exclaimed. "A magical orb! Have I bet I have never seen one before"

Harold just nodded on and let the orb guide them through out the meadow

Both lapsed into uncomfortable, uncontrolled silence as night falls once again. The orb fell to the ground and fire danced gracefully as the sunset continues.

"Your orb serves you well, Harold." Audrey eyed the fire. Her back resting against the tree. Casually.

"Yes. It is... a gift."

"Perhaps from a sentinel being?" Audrey asked him. Almost in a accusing tone.

"Is there something wrong about the orb?" Harold retorted.

"Yes. There is." Audrey's tone dropped darkly. "That orb is mine!"

"But... The Grand Abbot conjured it. It is highly unreasonable to be yours." Harold explained.