King of Days: The Veiled Guardians

11. Light of Life

Karíto groaned, his head hurt terribly. It felt like a large man was sitting on him. He reached up and felt a large bump on his head, which happened to be covered by a bandage. Light was shining around him, was it all a dream, had he simply fallen. He slowly opened his eyes, everything hurt, not just his head. His range was limited, he couldn't move his head, because it hurt so much. From what he could gather, he was still underground, but it was not the hallway, it was a large room, like a barracks. Light was all around present in various hues, he heard a fire crackling nearby. The air was aromatic, it was filled with the smell of wood, and of food cooking, the smell of meat was intoxicating, but his pain stopped any desire to get up. Quickly he fell back asleep.

Back on the surface it was morning, and the Vírlas siblings were looking around for Karíto. After not being able to find him in the city they returned to the house for lunch. The table was loaded with food. There were all different kinds of pastries, a large spinach and sausage quiche and a honey ginger ham.

Hidía spoke up in between a bite "Maybe he went back to our old house?"

Hûstin scoffed, "Nah, not when we need him to tend the cows."

Crees piped up "Maybe he is simply doing errands"

"Ha for six hours, nah, no way!" Hûstin retorted.

The siblings continued to argue about Karíto's whereabouts when Pruä shushed everyone "He will show up, he has to, because I have great news to share with him." Their attention changed to Pruä.

"Oh Pruä, please tell us!" Fortìle implored.

"No I cannot say until everyone is here! Him and mom and dad must be here too"

Hidía protested. "But mom and dad are going to be gone for the weekend!"

Pruä patted Hidía's back. "Well then we shall wait!" She began to braid Hidía's hair.

Hûstin wagged his head. "Now we are missing a brother, and we can't seem to know where we misplaced him." There was a knock at the door, the siblings looked at each other perplexed, they were not expecting anyone. Nor was it typical for people to drop by unannounced, for it was considered rude, as most respectable people would prepare something to eat and drink for their guests. Whether it was a bit of tea, or some biscuits. Hûstin opened the door, and a man stood there. "Can I help you?" Hûstin spoke in a huff.

The man bowed slightly "Sorry for bothering you...This is about your brother Karíto"

Karíto opened his eyes and sat up, looking down at his feet he felt his head, there was no bandage, but his head was slightly sore. He looked up, he was still underground and was in a grand hall. It was illuminated with fire which glistened with a tinge of blue and red. The blue came off of the lake and a placid waterfall, the red came from the main fire near the back left of the hall, and stone torches along the walls. The space looked beautiful, as it was adorned with ivy and ferns. There was carved stonework all over. Ornate columns held fast from earth to ceiling like giant earthen guardians. Smaller columns or stalagmites, which were rounded and carved with words, stood before the lake and waterfall. They came to form an opened air construction, with a stone table in the middle of the structure. Karíto turned his head, in front of a roaring fire, wasa group of men. He counted around six men.

A man came walking up to Karíto and introduced himself. "My name is Levour, you must have many questions, but how are you feeling?"

Karíto rubbed his eyes. "Rejuvenated, yet sore, where am I, what happened?"

Levour pursed his lips and sighed. "No matter what I say, I will not explain well. You can call this our sanctuary. Joseph will explain it better." He pointed toward a stone doorway to the right of the lake. Karíto got up, his legs felt a bit shaky, everyone looked on edge, as if he was some dangerous creature. He moved toward the doorway, Levour followed behind him about a stone's throw away. He looked concerned, and rather grim. As Karíto came to the entrance of the other room, he crossed a bridge. A stream followed into and along the side of the entrance. At the doorway Karíto looked up, the stone was well carved with plants and bushels of wheat.