Chasing Dawn

CHAPTER 4 Destiny

CHAPTER 4/ Slen

Aaron could see trees far above him, swaying in time. He could hear birds up above and a campfire coughing ash, it must be morning. He didn't want to get up, he was still shocked from the night before. It must of been a dream. But where was he? He remembered now, the attack on the camp. But from who? Why? Who was responsible for taking his mothers innocent life? Another clan couldn't of come this far south? So who had it been? Was the camp safe? Millions of questions were whirling round his head right now but first he had to drink, he was so dreadfully thirsty.

Slowly, he open his eyes and looked about him. Their little camp was under a massive willow tree. Aaron sat up and observed the surrounding area, Slen was nowhere to be seen so he might as well have a look around. He got up, stepped over what remained of the campfire and started into the thick woodland. He could hear the trickle of running water so there must be a little stream or a river close by, the cracking of twigs underfoot comforted him slightly as he continued into the dense thicket.

After a little while he found it, a tiny little stream coming over rocks which created a small waterfall. Aaron fell to his knees and plunged his face into the cold water. The water was pleasantly refreshing and it seemed to revive his whole body some what. Next, he splashed the cool liquid on his face, as the cold water dripped down his cheeks and dripped off his chin it woke him up slightly, ready for whatever today would bring. He would appreciate some explanations to start with, considering the dark, twisting events of last night.

He only now felt the deep hole caused by his mothers cruel death, the suddenness was the worst part, the fact that she was taken without warning and she was murdered angered Aaron with such hatred and a lust for revenge which almost caused him to lose control of himself. It was must like father. Gone so suddenly. But he had to stay with Slen, he was not all that Aaron thought he was, the killing of that...man? He knew how to fight from somewhere surely? He wanted answers.

Slen was back when Aaron returned, kicking away the campfire.

"What are we going to do now?" Aaron said with a hint of despair.

"Well, we're going to do the only thing we can do, we're going to have to travel north" Slen said.

"Why?" Said Aaron"surely we should see if the camps okay?Maybe some survived?"

"I doubt it, we weren't prepared for that level of assault. We were lucky." Slen said.

"Okay"Aaron pointed out"But why north?"

"Hopefully we can reach the Salomons and find shelter and help of a kind.

The Salomon clan were probably the most respected clans of all, they were clever and they were fearsome warriors. They relied on the Great Salomon river for their food and stories told of legendary fish some four ft long coming from the very river. No doubt they were incredible hunters and Aaron was worried about meeting such a fearsome group of people.

"But we can't just stroll up and expect them to welcome us?" he said confused.

"Aaron, it's time you knew the truth about me" Slen said with great seriousness in his voice"I use to be a warlord in the great war of the Guardians, but now I am just an old crazy man. Hopefully they will remember me from the time I stood with the in battle but one cannot be certain anymore. Times have changed. I can feel a great darkness approaching this land and I the future is uncertain. We must try and gain their trust and friendship. But in the meantime I will train you as best I can in the art of combat and other necessary requirements for the journey ahead. It will be hard, you will have to learn fast along the way."

Aaron was stunned, this was all coming to fast but he was getting a grips on the situation.

"Okay, but what if I'm not ready for this?" he said anxiously.

"I have observed you for a long time now, you will be ready when the time comes young Aaron. You have a great destiny ahead of you." Slen said." You will soon be ready to face that destiny".

Aaron played this in his mind, destiny? What destiny? But in his heart he was ready to take this journey, for his mother and father. For his tribe.

"I will do it. For all that I know." he said with honesty" We need supplies though"

" Ahh yes, the nearest town is many days walk so we must start immediately." Slen said.

And with that, Aaron and his 'warlord' uncle set off into the bright sun to find their uncertain future and the great Salomons.