Towards the Light

Chapter 9

"Kind friends and companions, come join me in rhyme
Come lift up your voices in chorus with mine
Come lift up your voices, all grief to refrain
For we may or might never all meet here again"

You sang as you walked a little ahead of your group. It was a nice song you'd heard on the celebration night. Back then it was accompanied with lute and knocking of beer cups.

The village's cottage roofs were slowly fading in the distance as another road laid before you. You were leaving Gramam Village after another week of resting. You trained every day to improve your skills. You wished you could stay for longer, not only to practice, but also to get to know the villagers more. They were working hard, yet were so merry and welcoming, that it amazed you. You thought if you ever wanted to settle somewhere, that this village would be your first option.

Leaving the village you all got one big hug from the chief, he practically lifted you in the air. It was such a nice feeling. The shaman equipped you with lots of different herbs and also added bandages, just in case, as she said. From the chief's wife you've got some meat and of course her delicious pie.

"Your song sounds different," pointed Yugi scratching his chin.

"It's a song I've heard on the celebration, perhaps that's why."

"No, I mean - how to say it, like..." the boy frowned looking for the right word.

"I think he means like from within," commented Atem. Yugi nodded agreeing with his twin.

"From within?"

"Yeah. It's hard to explain, but usually when you sang we just heard it like everyone else, now it's like you're singing directly into us."

You hummed trying to understand what the brothers meant. How was it different from your usual singing? You haven't felt much difference yourself. You sang songs you remembered from books or those you made up, now you started singing those you heard from the villagers.

"I don't see -" you started.

"You've heard that song only once, right?" Laegil inquired interrupting you.

"Oh, well yes. I guess I just have a good memory," you laughed. Over time you developed the ability to memorize things you heard quickly. It was quite useful with songs but with other information too. For example remembering usage of herbs.

***

You opened your eyes and saw a beautiful meadow, all covered with flowers. Yellows, reds and greens merged together creating a colorful, flowing mass. The smell filled your nostrils. You walked collecting flowers while the wind blew around you. You hummed the familiar song stepping barefoot on dewy grass.

You saw a silhouette on the edge of the meadow. The shadow turned to you and in the blink of your eye you were no longer on a sunny landscape. Darkness embraced you and chilly air made you shiver .Your feet touched cold stone. You recognized that atmosphere as the light slowly crept into your vision. A bluish glimmer emerged from the ceiling and you saw a familiar hole.