The Fall of Eden

Chapter 15

The next morning came early for Areli. He didn't understand why he awoke so early. Likely because he slept well into the day the night before. It was frustrating needing the sleep but waking up just before daylight. He looked towards Bray, but she was nowhere to be found. Not seeing her made his heart stop for a second.

It reminded him what she had told him last night. How could it be possible that the same man who burned her family, and the man she killed as a child was the same man who Femi called father? Did that actually happen? There was no telling what would happen if either of them learned the truth. Where was she anyways?

Areli hastily threw his clothes on and wrapped a coat around his body. He pulled the hood over his head and stepped outside. The morning was still and silent. The wind had settled and the night sky was filled with glittering stars. He hadn't yet taken the time to look at it until now. It was filled with life and color, yet it was frozen like a painting. The sparkle of the stars seemed to reflect off of the snow and made the ground shimmer like diamonds. The calm winds howled over the mountains like the breath of the planet as it slept.

Areli began to walk through the snow. It crunched beneath his boots. He tried to step lightly as he approached Femi's tent. He peaked in and saw her still asleep. Damien had fallen asleep on the ground wrapped in blankets. Then the sound of men speaking in the distance caught his attention. He turned around and heard a moan echo through the air. It was coming from the front gate.

He quietly scurried toward the gate and hid behind a small dome shaped home. The gates had opened slightly, just enough for one man to fit through then closed again. Areli looked closer at who was passing through but he was still too far to make out any details. He moved closer and stood in the shadows. It was a hooded figure wearing a brown cloak. It moved slowly and shakily as it passed the guards. As he walked closer to Areli he removed his hood and shook the snow from his cloak. It was a scraggly old man with not a hair on his head. The same man Areli saw in the Native encampment who spoke with the beasts who called themselves the seed.

Areli's heart began to thump against his chest and he could see his short breaths freezing in front of him. Now that gut feeling he felt when he arrived here was starting to make sense. There was a darkness here. The same force that seemed to be influencing the Natives was in full force in Stormthrone. He hid between two tightly packed homes as the man passed by. Then the man stopped.

Areli held his breath and pressed his back against the wall. He wished he could stop his heart for only a minute to silence it's rampant beating. Please don't look down here. Regardless of appearances, there was no way of knowing just what this man was capable of. Plus, Stormthrone was their only safe-haven for now. Getting into trouble would not be wise. Then the man continued to walk without noticing him.

Areli released a sigh and gathered his thoughts. He had to follow him. What was this man doing and what did he know of the Seed? Areli turned down a path parallel the old man's course, protected by the cover of homes and passing buildings. He followed beside the man, forced to spot him between each building. The man turned down an alley, and then another and another. Areli followed from a distance and remained in the dark.

Thoughts and frightening possibilities began to flood his mind. This went deeper than some outside attacking force. They were working from inside. How else would they have known to attack Eden on a day of celebration? Things were beginning to click. Stormthrone lost much of its land after the war. War had stripped it of much of its men and resources. Then, it was attacked my natives who had been peaceful for centuries. Now all that remained was this stronghold. The man then disappeared down another corner.

As Areli rounded the corner he heard a door creek shut. Areli thought to follow him but he had gone into the one place Areli could not go. The man had entered a side entrance into the citadel. Areli looked up at the mighty towers built into the side of the mountain. He could see guards posted at every corner, looking out every window. There was no way he would be able to sneak in without being noticed. Then he felt a tap on his shoulder.