Way of The Pride

14| The Truth

Dedicated to PinKitsune

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A loud clap of thunder came without warning. Dark clouds were gathering above as the skies blackened to a ghostly shade.

In the wake of the Seer's absence an uncomfortable silence followed. The scent of confusion lingered. The air, ripened with the sharp taste of disbelief. For a moment they all stood like lost souls unsure of what to do.

He noticed Agada move away from his father. His expression, twisting into a familiar cold look that evoked painful memories, one of deep mistrust. The healer turned away, disappointed, unable to bear the brunt of his son's wary stare.

Aniweta felt an echo of his pain well up in his heart. Memories began to appear in his head, of rejection and heartbreak. Bitter memories he now connected with her.

Oge.

At the mere whisper of her name his chest squeezed painfully. He shook his head to ward off the flood of pain it always brought. He should not be harbouring thoughts of her. For the sake of his sanity he had to erase anything that reminded him of her and his homeland.

The past should stay in the past. Gods help him.

Silence descended upon them, thick and heavy, stretching to the point where he wanted to escape. Lips were shut firmly, backs turned, refusing to acknowledge the other's presence. A fly on the wall he was, invisible and forgotten, a mere stranger who had no say in their matter.

Aniweta was not bothered for he too had thoughts of his own to ponder on. It was best to leave them be. He made to slip away unnoticed when the first drop of rain landed on his cheek.

Then it fell.

The suddenness of it shook them from their stupor. Agada quickly beckoned them over to the nearest shelter, the healing hut. Door and windows were immediately sealed as Aniweta set about lighting the oil lamps on the slabs.

The dark room lit up with a soft glow casting its shade upon the sullen faces. The healer sighed a long, weary sigh as he settled himself on the raffia mat in the middle. Agada joined him reluctantly.

From the sound of the rain it was not stopping anytime soon. He would be stuck here for a while. Reluctantly, he went to sit by the crocks of concoction lined at the corner.

Warmed by the heat of the fire with the scent of dry herbs surrounding him, he slowly began to relax. He was besieged with thoughts of the giant, the things she said and the manner of her disappearance still burned in his memory like a hot brand.

No doubt the woman, Adaolisa, was a Seer. It was his first time seeing a Seer in giant form. Where he was from not much was known about the giant race of the Far North. He was the only one to have fought and survived against a giant. They were a race who kept to themselves and hardly ever left their land.

Why then did she travel here? Was the message that important for the Seer of Anu Colony to leave her abode?

What did she mean by 'he will need your help'? Was she referring to Agada?

Seers never lie.

Her words left him profoundly confused, shaken deeply to the bone. Despite the ring of truth it bore he could not...he did not want to believe. The wall around his heart trembled, threatening to unearth a flood of feelings better left buried.