Octavian

Chapter 2, Farewell

It was a sound sleep and despite the adventurous activities of the day before, I had no dreams during the night. As always Shephat was awake before the third and fourth moons had risen above the horizon. I sometimes wander if she ever really slept at all. I remember once when I was little more than an infant and had wandered outside the safe limits of the village outside the city of Octavion. It took me a while before I realized that I was outside of the village safety. I was playing gleefully and chasing a mud frog, something that children seldom did- when I think back on it. When I realized where I was, dark had fallen and I was in unfamiliar surroundings. I filled my lungs with air to scream for my mother when out of nowhere Shephat appeared at my side. She scooped me up without a word, bundled and strapped me onto her back with a cloak and carried me like lightening back to the safety of the village.

Shephat motioned for me to come down from my bed in the perambo tree; I did. She had foraged a number of roots and edible leaves which we consumed for our morning breakfast. We continued our journey to Triteos but something had changed. There was no longer the urgency to flee with dire haste. Shephat occasionally paused to use her senses to ensure that we were on the right path. How she was able to do this always baffled but comforted me.

We soon approached a clearing in the perambo forest where the grass was low and brown and several large boulders could be seen along the perimeter.

Shephat moved along the clearing as though she knew exactly what she was looking for. Soon she came to a large boulder which she began to sit upon, dangling her long legs in front of her. As she sat, she motioned for me to sit on the lower boulder beside her; I did.

Shephat fixed her gaze on the sky above and I followed her motion. We looked on for hours with Shephat fixated on something...I could not tell what. I gazed ahead and became lost in my own thoughts.

As I remained fixated in the direction that Shephat was gazing in. I astounded myself when I realized that a distant blue star was becoming larger and larger.

Then it happened. Surely the first of several unmistakable experiences that I was to have over the course of my life. Shephats gaze slowly shifted from the sky to my face. Only when she began speaking did I turn my eyes to her face, with a tingling fright.

"Octurian, the time has come. You will now be leaving Octavian. You must go to another place that has been determined for you already. You are not like other boys. You bear the cross of Octavion and you carry the heart of Octaias your mother. Your past is embedded in your future and the life you will now lead is one of purpose and importance. Take no encounter for granted. Learn and grow. And though I cannot go with you, the spirit of Favre dwells with you and will guide you. Gird yourself."

As Shephat mesmerized me with the sound of her voice, a voice I had never been privy to hear so much of, I was in no way distracted by the engulfing blue light that suddenly swarmed us. A warm breeze suddenly swayed around us as Shephat finished her last words. She arose from her boulder that was facing the clearing and proceeded to move in that direction. I climbed down from my boulder and in fright gulped down a deep breath of warm air.

The sight was incredible. Not to be left behind I moved swiftly to keep up with Shephat trying to remain hidden behind her. I dared not run away from the only protection I knew even though this protection was moving me forward to the incredible sight.

The vessel was unlike anything I had ever seen. It was twice the size of my mothers hut and it gave off an immaculate hue shadowed by the blue hazy lights give off by the vessel. Shephat stood firmly before the men and exchanged glances. Soon she stepped aside to reveal me.

I was not sure of what behavior was expected of me so I did nothing . The men both caught me with their gazes and though I should have felt fear at the newness of the circumstance, I slowly began to feel at ease. They meant me no harm. I turned to catch Shephat's gaze, my usual way of knowing what she expected of me but she was still fixated on the strangers.

I looked back at the men and somehow understood that I was to board the vessel. Shephat did not try to stop as I proceeded to.

"De tar favre Ailon" I heard her say. I turned back but this time very slowly because I knew what I would find. Shephat was gone.