The Call Of Destiny

Chapter 28

The Ballroom,
The Vessiye Palace,
Jeruvael,
Illearia.

       Tephinor sat in the chair across from Minerva silently watching her as she ate her fruit cake. They had sat down after the dance and she had told him stories about Chestland. Many of them had made him laugh.
He knew she was paying him the extra attention to keep him from feeling sad and he was grateful for that.

           "Why are you looking at me like that Asaph?"

           "I'm very thankful princess."

          "For all that talk about Chestland? I exaggerated a little bit." She blushed and Teph smiled.

         "I don't mind, it cheered me up. I appreciate the opportunity you're giving me princess. You won't regret it, I promise."

Minnie placed her hand on Teph's and he wondered if she too could feel the electric sensation her touch produced.

             "I completely believe in you Asaph, I know how great you're going to be."

Something about the way she said it gave Teph chills, it was as if she had somehow seen into the future. He was about to tease her about this when Ascar walked up to them.

        "Ascar, you took off your mask." Minnie observed.

       "Yes. My mother couldn't recognise me with the mask on." Ascar smiled.

       "I see." Minnie replied.

            "I'm sorry princess but, I must take Asaph away for awhile."

Minnie nodded and Teph excused himself and left with his friend.

                  ~

                   TEPHINOR

Outside The Ballroom,
Vessiye Palace,
Jeruvael,
Illearia.

        "By Elonai! Ascar, will you please tell me where you're taking me?" I asked stopping abruptly when I realised that Ascar was leading me towards the garden.

       "Quiet down a little dear friend. I'm not kidnapping you." Ascar shot back.

         "I will not take one more step forward Ascar. I know you very well. Whatever you have planned, it can't be good."

          "It's good Teph. Trust me a little. Now will you come with me?"

I decided to stop resisting and just go with my friend, all the while hoping that he had not somehow complicated things for me. Ascar could be impulsive at times.

We continued walking until we had left the ballroom far behind and after a few minutes of walking further, we got to the garden.
I saw my mother's chief maid standing at its entrance and I stopped abruptly.

          "Ascar you've..."

Ascar placed a hand on my shoulder and leaning towards me he whispered.

          "Hold your peace. Your mother is here. But she doesn't know it's you. She still thinks you're Asaph."

         "Then why have you brought me here?"

        "She wants to bless you." He said simply and started to walk forward. After a moment's hesitation, I followed after him. The maid curtsied as we passed by her.

Standing in the middle of the garden surrounded by her favourite bright red Sisona flowers was my mother. The big blue moon was out today, there were no stars. Just the majestic rare coloured moon illuminating the otherwise black sky.

The moon cast an ethereal glow around my mother as she stood backing us. The wind played with her hair and had caused wisps of midnight hair to come loose from the single bun atop her head. She looked unreal, like my mind had somehow conjured her up.

         "Mother Iconia." Ascar said at last.

She turned to face us and immediately smiled when she saw me. I noticed that she too had taken off her mask just like Ascar.

            "Asaph, thank you for coming."

When I continued to stand there without saying anything, she beckoned for me to come forward.

I obeyed and came to stand in front of her.

         "I needed to see you urgently. Your parents are not here to bless you today as you embark on the most important journey of your life yet. And as for me, my son isn't here for me to bless him. But this is all according to the will of Elonai, He is the divine creator and we are his ever willing subjects."

I still couldn't say anything, it all seemed so unreal. Was it possible that I could now get my mother's blessings? My life had been filled with so much disappointment so far, this sudden turn of fate was surprising.

        "Will you let me bless you?"

        "It would be an honour, Riy-Vessiye." I bowed.

She smiled again and signalled for her maid who was now standing beside Ascar to come forward with the ceremonial platter which she now held.

        "Remember the love of your parents. The sacrifice of your mother and the trust of your Vessiye."

      "Elonai has gone ahead of you, 
He is your shield and your protector, your crown and your glory. Do not be afraid." She added.

Then she took the offering of clarified butter, milk, honey and cheese from the platter and I stooped so she could place it in my mouth.

Next, she took a small pouch which contained gold coins and placed it in my hand.
Finally, she held up the family medallion, it was made of platinum and gold and on the pendant was embossed our family crest of the flaming lion and the Sisona flowers, whose powers were highly revered yet strangely not known, as it was a closely guarded secret.

          "I want you to wear this."

I shook my head in disbelief. If I put this on, it would immediately raise my rank in the society, no one would be able to address me as a merchant's son anymore, I would have to be respected like the son of the Vessiye.

         "Why would you give me this honour? This is for your son."

         "When I see you, I don't know why, but I feel like I'm looking at my son. If you wear this, I would feel like I have blessed him." She finished with tears coming down her face.

It broke my heart to see my mother crying. So I immediately went down on one knee.

         "Then please bless me mother."

She smiled and wiped her face, then she put the medallion around my neck.

         "You shall be unstoppable like Arlem; the flaming Lion. And may the God of our fathers bless you."
She ran a hand through my black hair and kissed my forehead.

This was it, now I was fully prepared for my new life. I don't know what Chestland would bring my way. But I have my mother's blessings.
I don't need to worry.

                   ~

Author's Note: Suigeneris87 Stage_Whisperer Thank you for your beautiful and uplifting comments, I saw them, I love them and I adore you!😍😍😘💕

Come on Magicians, please read, vote and comment. I want to know your thoughts ❤

P.S: Thank you for 1k reads darlings! 💞