Children of the Gods : Trinity

Oren

             A large explosion rocked the tiny stone cottage, villagers ducked and ran away fearing an attack.  Other's simply laughed and pointed at the gangly young man bursting from the door.  Smoke and ash billowed from the doors and windows, Oren sat in the street choking and gasping for air. Everyone far and wide knew the boy as Oren The Bumbling Wizard.  His own family had deemed him a lost and hopeless boy and had disowned him at the age of sixteen seasons.  Tall and lanky with red unkempt hair, he looked more like an upside-down carrot. He used his handkerchief to try and wipe the soot from his face.  As the laughter around him grew, he quickly realized the rag was just as dirty as his face.  He had only made the mess worse.  "Oh stop your mocking! Don't any of you have better things to do?" Oren heard the sharp tone in Lillian's voice, knowing no one would dare to challenge her.
             Lillian was Oren's dearest friends. She had come to Dunmort at the age of six with her parents, and she and Oren had become fast friends.  She was brave and wild, he was quiet and well timid.  She was always his protector and greatest advocate.  She believed in him when nobody else would.  She was tall with hair the color of honey and as smooth as silk.  Her dark eyes, bored into those still standing about, Oren swore that gaze could see straight into a person soul.
            "Alright Oren, up with you now. Let's get you cleaned up shall we?" she said in a mothering tone.  She helped Oren to his feet moving him to a chair near the door to his cottage.  She pulled a cloth from her basket, dampening it in the water barrel.  Giving it to him, he began to wipe the dirt from his face. Lillian waited knowing Oren would tell her what happened in his own time.  Suddenly, Oren spoke loudly enough to startle his friend. "Why can't I do even the simplest of spells? Hmm...?  No wonder I'm known as Oren the Bumbling! Do you know that I was only trying to clean a pot? Truly, I'm lucky I still have a roof over my head! I nearly blew a hole straight through it just now. " he lamented.  He flung the rag down in frustration, burying his face in his hands.
            Now, Lillian had heard his whining and belly aching for many a year now. She knew he tried his hardest but sometimes it was hard to listen to.  She was incredibly busy this particular day and her patience was running thin.  "I know that your family thinks you unteachable, but maybe you just need a new teacher." she said with what she hoped was an inspiring tone.  Oren looked up in shocked disbelief. "I've tried! Everyone within a days travel of here knows who I am! They simply lock their doors and send me away before I can say a word." His voice full of despair now began to try Lillian's patience even more. " Oh Lillian what am I to do?"  Finally, Lillian had enough of this she had much to do this day and was tired of his complaining. She stomped her tiny foot much like a child would and spun to look at him rather harshly.  "You know that when most people need advice or guidance, they pray to their Gods! Oh that's right the Gods of your father don't even recognize you as one of their own!"  Oren looked at her mouth agape, before he could respond, Lillian continued quickly, now shouting so loudly, that passersby were crossing the street to avoid her wrath.  "You need to find a new way of life before you seriously harm yourself or Gods forbid someone else!"  She turned, grabbing her basket, and stomped away down the street. People hurried to get out of her way, as all knew of her temper.
            Oren, looked toward his cottage, it wouldn't be safe to enter for some time yet.  He got to his feet and began walking toward the stream at the edge of the village.  He slowly made his way to the secluded grove he had found near the waterfall upstream.  He stripped himself bare, knowing his clothes were just as dirty as the rest of him.  One thing at a time he thought to himself.  After he was clean, he washed his clothes and hung them in the trees to dry.  He laid upon the soft grass at the waters edge, watching the birds fluttering in the sky.  He heard a small giggle, and turned toward the sound. He met the gaze of a Pixie dressed in a blue gown that flowed around her and matched her beautiful wings.  He quickly moved to cover himself, only adding to her laughter, as he stumbled toward the bushes where he could hide his modesty.  She simply skipped to the large tree, gathered his nearly dry clothing, and dropped it behind the bush in which he hid. "Th- Th- Thank you my lady." he managed to stutter.
             She smiled, at him curiously as he dressed.  She truly wondered why men and women were so ashamed to be seen naked.  Her people only wore such clothes because it added to their beauty and nothing more.  After he had finished, Oren stepped out of the brush coming to greet her properly.  "My name is Oren, I thank you again for your kindness." he said clearing his throat, more from embarrassment than anything else.  She tilted her head and still said nothing. "And your name dear lady...?" Oren asked prompting the pixie.  She shook herself from her reverie, "Oh yes forgive me, I am called Neally. It is a pleasure to meet you Oren. I've heard tales of you." she stated pleasantly.  Oren groaned, knowing what she must think of him. "You know she's right, your friend Lillian. You simply need a different teacher." she stated plainly, as though it was common knowledge.  "How do you know what we spoke of this day?" Oren asked unsure what trick she played.  "Oh that's easy. Your friend was incredibly loud and well, I was passing by when I heard her words to you. Well I truly must be going Oren. As I said it was honestly a pleasure meeting you.  I think that if the Gods of your father have truly forsaken you maybe start by finding new Gods." she told him her voice trailing on the wind as she disappeared like a spectre.
           He mulled Neally's words as he made his way back to the village.  he found himself muttering out loud as he walked.  "Find new Gods? Could it truly be that simple?"  He had always followed the teachings of his father's people.  They worshipped the dark God Samael and his dark ways.  What if there was another way? He had never knew his mother or her people, she had died giving him life.  All he knew was that she was not of his father's kind.  She had come from Andara on a pilgrimage.  She had said that she was told in a dream that she needed to confront the darkness and learn of their ways.  The Godess Mira had told her it was of great importance that she travelled to the lands of the west, for her destiny awaited her there.  She had birthed seven sons for his father Lothaire, and he was the only one who had ever disappointed him.  He knew little of the ways of his mother's Gods except that his people opposed them.  Maybe it was time to find out more.
           As he returned to the village, he found the guards throwing his things into the street.  "Hey! Stop that!" he cried running toward his home.  The guards simply laughed and went about their business.  That's when he spotted real trouble.  Randolph, Lord of these lands, sat on the chair outside his cottage.  As he approached Randolph leveled him with an arrogant glare. "Well, well the boy has finally returned. Where have you been you bumbling fool?" Randolph asked angrily.  Before he could answer the man continued speaking. "It doesn't matter really.  I tire of your antics. You're nothng more than a menace to these lands.  I want you gone and so my men are here to help you on your way.  You shall be gone by sunrise or else the hangman's noose will await you." he informed him shoving him to the ground as he moved passed.  The men following the man like a flock of ducklings after their mother. 
             He slowly got to his feet, Lillian running down the street toward him, nearly knocking him over once more.  "Oh Oren, what shall you do? Where will you go!?"  she asked anxiously.  "Well, after a chance meeting by the stream, and your words earlier, I think I may have an answer." he told her feeling confident for the first time in years.  He quickly told her the tale of the events by the stream and his meeting with Neally. She looked at him curiously, not sure she understood.  Oren gave a large sigh "I'm going to go to the lands of my mother's people.  Maybe the answer is just that simple.  It was always known that my mother never followed the teachings of Samael, she was Andaran." he explained exsasperated.  He have her a look that said she should understand his train of thought, but Lillian still looked as confused as ever.  With another exasperated sigh he continued to explain. "Maybe my father's God forsakes me because I carry the blood of my mother.  It is known that a child born of it's mother's dying breath can, in some cases, capture the mother's essence within them.  If that happened, it is possible that the Gods of my mother, will be more apt to recognize my gifts!"  he said his excitement growing.  Lillian finally understanding, jumped to her feet, her mind whirling at the possibility.  "What if you're right? What if you've been following the wrong teachings all this time!" she said a brilliant smile lighting her face.
            Oren rose, taking Lillian's hands into his own, a look of sorrow creasing his brow.  "I would ask you to travel with me, but I know you would never leave here." he said sadly.  Lillian placed a gentle hand upon his stubbled cheek, her smile dimming. "You know don't you? It was only decided last evening.  I wanted to tell you myself, but things didn't go so well this morning did it?" she said hoping he would understand. 
            Oren had heard of the engagement at the well this morning.  It was the news of the village.  Lillian had loved Johnas from afar for many seasons now and everyone knew it.  Oren had known they would only ever be no more than friends, and so he had never felt any jealousy toward them.  It would be a good marriage for them.  Johnas was a wealthy merchant in Durmont and would give her a comfortable life. He had finally asked her father for her hand in marriage and the town was abuzz with the news.  A happy smile upon his face he couldn't help but tell her the truth.  "I have known all these years the day would come that you would marry him.  I am truly happy for you both, but I fear this is where we must say goodbye, my dearest friend.  My path lays across the sea in the southern isles of Elesmyr, and the Gods of my mother." 
             Lillian hugged him tightly, tears welling up in her eyes.  "Well then I suppose we should get to packing my friend.  You have a long journey before you!" she told him laughing.  They worked long into the night, her parents even coming to help, bringing them dinner.  By mornings first light, they had packed his belongings into his pony cart, and he was ready to depart.  Tears were flowing as they all said their goodbyes.  Johnas had even came to see him off.  He boarded the cart, clucking to the horse, and then he was on his way.