Eternity

Explained

The return journey was much quicker than the first. Perhaps it was because of our urgency. Both Silensunus and Aterunus radiated it, and I had no doubt that Silensunus had told him of our situation – there was a link between them, different to the one between Silensunus and I, yet still as, if not more, potent. I could see that Aterunus feared as much for Silensunus as I feared for the both of us. He feared for me as well. I clung onto that, hoping that if Aterunus could accept us, so could the rest of the community.

When we reached the village, we paused for a few moments to decide what to do.

“You should go and deal with your business.” Silensunus told Aterunus.

“No, I can deal with that later. I’m coming with you.”

And that was that.

We approached the leader’s hut slowly. Silensunus thought Sapiensvir would be there, advising Orator. We had no wish to hurry towards our fate.

But no matter how slowly we travelled, eventually we reached the door and Silensunus knocked.

“Enter,” called a voice from inside.

Aterunus pushed the door open and we crossed the threshold. Oratus and Sapiensvir were sat facing each other; it was obvious we had interrupted a conversation.

“Forgive us for interrupting,” began Silensunus, “But Presul and I wished to consult Sapiensvir about something.”

“It’s fine,” replied Oratus, “We were not discussing anything of importance, and we are used to people coming to Sapiensvir for advice. There is rarely a conversation we have that is not interrupted at least once! I think the record is twelve, don’t you, Sapiensvir?”

“Yes, it was,” continued Sapiensvir, “That time when our new silens was a little confused, and could find no-one to explain it to him. What was his name? Bardus?”

“Oh, I can’t remember. And anyway, it is trivial. Silensunus and Presul wished to ask you something.”

“Ah yes,” breathed Sapiensvir, “I foresaw that both of you would be special in some way. Perhaps this is the time when you ask me to explain.”

“Yes,” I told him, “There’s no easy way to say this but...”

Silensunus and I showed him our hands.

Sapiensvir sucked in a breath.

“So,” he murmured, “Your prophecies and the prophecies about the return are linked.”

“What? What about the return? What is it?” Silensunus cried.

“Patience. All will be explained.”

Sapiensvir paused.

“You know of the legends of the Children of the Night?”

We both nodded.

“Well, one of the less well known ones is the legend of the elementals. The elementals were four silenses, like the rest of us. But they were powerful. Some of us have extra abilities. The elementals had extra abilities. Fire, water, earth and air.

When the elementals discovered their powers, they were surprised. But thankfully, they all saw it as a gift to protect others, and not to gain power. They decided that they would use their powers together, as this made them more powerful. They decided to use their powers to protect this tribe.

The tribe were astounded at this gift. The elementals are probably the reason we are still here. You see, in their time there was a great war amongst the silenses. Many