The Sleeping City

Chapter Eight: Entries and Exits

I woke up to the sound of something breaking in the next room. I got up slowly, reaching for my sword and looking through one of the small holes in the wall. I saw a table flying through the air and crashing into a pile of pots and pans. Two men were standing in the room, they both wore similar gear. They both had chainmail over their red shirts and pants. Both had axes strapped to their backs.

I got myself ready to spring out the small door and take them out when I heard a voice from outside the front door.

"Pardon my comrades; I told them to be more civil. But, you see, savages will always be savages. We'll stop as soon as we find the right one. So far none of these boys have what we seek." He towered over the elder I had talked to the night before. He had white hair and wore thin gloves, that hugged the skin under them. He spoke calmly, but everything he said had a sharp edge to it. Almost as sharp as the dagger he was tossing in the air playfully.

"Search as you must and leave hastily, as we have our own business to attend to and we can't entertain this ludicrous search all day." Said the elder.

"Of course. Don't you find it odd? My arrow wounded him, yet he found the strength to run past the only nearby village and end up somewhere else. Even with the amulet's protection, it seems very unlikely. So we'll keep searching." Said the taller man.

The two in the house had turned everything they could over, even in places where it would be impossible for someone to be under. They looked at each other and then at the book pile that was covering the hidden door. Had they spotted me somehow?

I backed away from the wall as carefully as I could and pointed my sword at the door. As soon as the men opened it, they would regret it. My heart raced as they got closer and closer. I could take the both of them down but how many more were there?

If they were here what did that mean for my village?

I cleared my head and prepared to attack.

"You two, he's not in there. Come along." Someone shouted, and the footsteps were now going to the front door. I heard one last crash, followed by laughter as they left the house.

I didn't dare look through the hole again, but I wouldn't put my sword down until I heard a quiet voice outside tell me that they were gone and carefully opened the door. She went pale when I pointed my sword at her, and I apologized, putting it away.

She disappeared back into the house, and I took a peek through the wall before going out the door. I was tense waiting for them to come barging in. How could I trust someone I had just met; especially when they were threatened for my sake.

Olivia was cheerfully picking her things up and putting them back to where they belonged. I tried to help, but I wasn't sure where anything went so I started making piles of similar things. She started whistling a joyful tune. It gave me a warm feeling I couldn't explain, but it was nice.

"I've heard that tune before," I said to myself.

"That's not surprising. I learned it from your mother. Well, she didn't quite teach it to me, but I heard her, and it stuck with me. We owe your parents much, you know? That tune doesn't let me forget it." She said with a smile.

"She's right. We wouldn't be around if it weren't for them." The elder said as he stepped into the house. Carrying something folded in his hands.

"Still. Thank you. Sorry, they made such a mess because of me." I said and put my head down.

"Things are replaceable; people aren't. All this stuff is worthless next to your life." Olivia said, a gleam in her eyes.

"Speaking of things. I have something for you before you go." He handed me what he had in his hands, and it turned out to be a black cloak. It was the softest thing I had ever felt, and I looked at it bewildered.

"I know you were hoping for answers, but for now I hope this will suffice. It's from my adventuring days. I hope you can get some use out of it." He said as I looked between him and the cloak.

He gestured for me to put it on and I wrapped it around myself. It went from my shoulders to under my knees. It was warm comfortable and was just the right temperature. I opened it to look at the material when I noticed a sigil on the inside. It looked like the sun.

"Don't show that to anyone except for those who are meant to see it. Much like the amulet. It will bring you allies but many more enemies." The elder said.

"How will I know who is meant to see it?" I asked.

"It's just one of those things. I have something else for you, it isn't much, but it's what we have to spare." He said and handed me a sack full of supplies. He then walked out the door.

I followed him and only stopped to look at Olivia once more before stepping out. She was already busying herself cleaning everything up. She was moving a pile of papers from the ground, and she reached for something I couldn't see. It was another trap door, right under the mess. She looked up at me and winked before lowering herself in and closing the door behind her. I looked around wondering how many secret entries there were in the small, messy house.

I stepped outside and stood behind the elder as I realized he had gathered the village in front of the house. People let out gaps as I walked out and children jumped up and down in excitement. I wondered what was going on when I began to hear their whispers.

"So that's Fortu's son, huh?"

"He looks nothing like him?"

"He's the only survivor."

My heart sunk as I heard them and the man put his hand on my shoulder and told me to have more faith in my people. So I put my head up and tried to walk down the steps, but he held his grip on my shoulder firmly and stopped me. He was stronger than I thought.

"It seems the whispers and tales of the sleeping city awakening may be correct. The winds will change once again. Whether it be for better or for worse, we still don't know, but whatever the outcome, we will persist, and we will prosper. The recent years have not been kind to us and before that, they were worse but times are changing, and it's people like this boy who will save us. That doesn't mean we will rely on them, but we will utilize these opportunities as they come.

I have a feeling the worlds going to get a lot more lively and we must prepare for any possibilities but do not fear, we will prevail!" Everyone cheered but I didn't understand why. I read about the power of speeches in times of war, but this village wasn't at war.

"Why is this necessary?" I whispered.

"We are herders, and we are shepherds, we are farmers, and we are traders but most of all we are part of this world, and we hear its whisper, and we spread our own. Wouldn't it be better if what we spread were as full as life and positivity? Remember Eressee we are the world. All of us. So remember to send whispers our way and return with haste." With that, he vanished into the crowd. I walked down the steps, and everyone made a path for me as they looked at me with a variety of expression. Some were in awe while others looked at me with disgust. I didn't understand what they were feeling or why but I must go. I was a danger to them here. I'll be a danger anywhere I go from now on, but I must return someday.

I walked out of the crowd and out of the village. Only looking back to look past the village, to the trees where my home lay.

"Wait for me."