Verita's Chronicles, The Dreamer

Chapter 6

Two days, it had already been two days since Henry had visited this man's dream, and yet he still had this strange feeling inside him. Something was different, maybe that child with the black eyes, or the fact that that man didn't look terrified when he saw her. Normally he forgets
the dreams he visited after a day or two, after all, every night he visited new ones, but that one remained in his memory, always returning to the back of his mind. Henry had developed a habit after the owner of the orphanage, Mrs. Elaine, had advised him, that of drawing what he sees in his dreams. And that's what he did, the face of the boy with black eyes, the man seen from behind, but above all the badge. This skull with horns and fangs pierced by a black arrow.
- I see you're still all alone under that tree, Henry.
Looking up, Henry saw Mrs. Elaine, the owner of the orphanage. She was a very young-looking woman, she had long black hair with a blue highlight, light brown, almost yellow eyes, and very pale skin. Anyone would give her at least thirty years old, but in reality she was much older, although the exact number was a secret, some think it was closer to over two hundred years old. As Henry stared at Dream, the little owl made a displeased noise.
- Ah yes, sorry DREAM, I forget that you are still with him. Tell me Henry, I could ask you a
question ?
- Go for it.
Looking away, Henry observed the large plain in front of him, the orphanage had a large park
where children could play and run around without risk. She had taken a liking to sitting under a certain
tree and draw or read with Dream.
- I notice that for the past two days you seem to be somewhere else, I mean even more than usual. And Mrs. Rigant pointed out to me that it started the morning when you didn't get up at the same time as the others, which in itself hadn't happened for years. Is it that
Did something happen last night that you didn't tell us?
- You think I'm acting weirder than usual, I don't see why.
- Normally, you tend to stare at people and you at least respond when they speak to you,
for two days, you have spent your time staring into space without responding to anyone. It is
It's already a miracle that you answered me on the first try.
- If you say so.
Henry stared at his sketchbook, looking at the image of the insignia silently. He didn't know what
answer, maybe he was more affected by this dream than he thought. Actually, he hadn't noticed it, but he had started to remember certain events, moments before the orphanage, or when he was in the previous orphanage where everyone treated him like a monster. And that boy's eyes, those black, empty eyes, all of that came back into his mind and then disappeared without a trace.

- Mmmh, I see you're staying quiet, can I take a look at your sketchbook, maybe that could give me a clue.
- Yes
Henry handed Elaine his notebook and she grabbed it gently before starting to flip through the pages.
- I see that your attention to detail is improving, you should take up art, you would be On his face, a mixture of expressions of surprise and concern mingled at the sight of his latest
drawings. She turned the book over and pointed Henry at the badge he had drawn, returning to her usual kind and comforting smile.
- tell me Henry, where did you see this badge.
- In this dream, two days ago, a man showed it to me.
- What else did you see in this dream, and this man can you describe?
- I only saw his back, and I drew it on the next page, I remember that I was in a forest
dark, it was cold, and of a boy barely older than me with black eyes.
Dream, for his part, began to stir at the mention of that night. Although Henry was a calm and thoughtful person, he was beginning to wonder about what Elaine knew and wasn't telling him.
- Did he say anything?
- Which one?
- The man, the one who showed you this badge in your dream.
- Actually, I think he said something to me, but I don't remember, I'm not sure anymore.
- Well, I'm sorry Henry, but I'm going to ask you to get up, we're going to have to go to Caelutise church.
As Henry walked inside the large stone building, Dream shook his wings on his
shoulder, just like him, the little owl doesn't like this place at all. Elaine for her part kept
a calm look with a smile that seems almost sad, gently but firmly holding the
Henry's hand.
- I don't understand why we have to come here.
- Don't worry Henry, I just want to make sure of something.
- I assume it has to do with my curse and this man.
- Indeed, but I can't say more without being sure.

She held her pendant firmly in her other hand, this jewel always gave Henry a strange impression, a golden rope with a white crystal with an almost cloudy appearance. In front of them was a man in his mid-40s, with small brown eyes and well-groomed black hair. He wore a white tunic, a uniform that all the religious here wore, and this man was the fourth brother, the leader of this church. Seeing the duo, he approached and greeted them.
- Good to see you Elaine, and you too Henry, even if I'm surprised to see you here.
- Me too, I'm surprised to be here.
- Hello fourth brother.
- Still so striking to what I see Henry, and Elaine, you can call me Brother Milant. Are you coming to pray together or have you finally decided to educate yourself on our beliefs?
- In fact, Brother Milant, I come to talk to you about something important concerning him.
She took the notebook and showed the man some pages.
- Mhm, I see, it would be better if we talked about it in private.
- I agree
She turned to Henry and crouched down in front of him, placing her right hand on his shoulder and taking a comforting tone.
- I'm going to go talk to Brother Milant about some things, let's wait here, we won't be long.
- I have no choice anyway
She gave a little amused laugh then got up and left with the fourth brother into a room at the back,
Henry sat down on a bench and began to look around. The church was large,
at its highest point it must have been fifteen meters high and at its lowest ten. A long series of benches
faced a dais behind which a statue of the six gods of heaven was located. Contrary to what the person in charge seemed to believe, Henry knew everything about their beliefs. The Caelutists worship the six gods of heaven and reject the four gods of the underworld, this religion
was the most present throughout the kingdom, having a major place in society, politics and
even the army. The kingdom of Lumea was openly Caelutist and thanks to the blessing offered
by their gods, his army was seen as the most powerful in this world. Henry had read enough
books on the gods of this world to recognize the faces on the statue, above was Ificaer, the sovereign god of heaven and paradise, to his right Torentius, the god of the oceans, below him Taphia, the goddess of sun as well as Niphicus, the god of the moon, both also shared the role of gods of the hunt. Then, standing straight and closest to the earth, Enklorien, the god of order and father of dragons, the god both closest to mortals and furthest from humans, being the only god having never offered blessings. Finally, standing a little to one side with a much less impressive appearance, stood Noel, the god of knowledge and peace, as well as the creator of Noel's gifts, about whom Henry knew little. And below them, painted on the ground, were the four gods of the underworld, since the books mentioning them were out of reach for Henry, the only one whose name he knew was Uthremyr, the god of chaos and creator blood curses, including the one imposed on Henry at his birth.

Although Henry believed in their existence, he did not understand the concept of spending his life worshiping another being, let alone gods. Some legends concerning them demonstrate them as
impulsive and selfish beings who didn't care about the lives of men, and yet thousands of people dedicated their lives to them. He hated this idea, it was probably the main reason why he had trouble with Elaine, who instead spent hours every day praying and making sacrifices for them. But she spent the rest of her time taking care of him and his comrades, he who had always been rejected by other adults and children, Elaine decided to take him into her orphanage, he quickly learned that she had the reputation for taking all the cases that others
centers did not want and for that he will be eternally grateful. This does not prevent him from
still rejects his way of life and his vision of the world. While he was lost in thought staring at the statue, he didn't notice the fourth brother and Elaine walking towards him.
- Henry, would you like to come over for a moment?