Chronicles

Discovery of Magic

"I can not discover your magic for you. That is a journey you must make alone." Her father said. A fit of coughing seized him, but he continued, "I am not long for this world, young one. You must find a man by the name of Aldien. He owes me a warrior's debt, he will protect you." His daughter nodded bringing his frail hand to her cheek as a tear slowly trailed down to her face.

"Leave and don't return." The statement was punctuated by the crash of glass shattering against the wall near Aldien's head. One shard bounced off, nicking his chin, causing a trickle of blood to roll down his neck. Aldien ignored it, his thoughts conflicted on whether to argue or leave. He stood, frozen, framed by the light of the doorway. Then turned and walked out into the moonlit meadow; the only place he'd consider home for a long time. But his secret was revealed and no one could stand who he was... even her.

He didn't look back, his long strides steadily eating up the miles into the forest beyond. He continued walking not concerned with the direction. His mind replaying the argument, like an unending nightmare, over and over in his mind. Their attitude always changed once they knew. The loving expression phasing from horror to disgust. When faced with there own frail existence they couldn't handle what he was. Humans only caused trouble, he thought as a twig snapped off to his left. It was too loud to be a small animal. A obsidian blade dropped from the sheath lining his forearm. Good, he thought, someone to vent my frustrations on.

He circled back behind his prey hearing another crackle, then a curse. 'An assassin wouldn't be this clumsy' he thought, becoming cautious at the notion of a trap. A braid of blonde hair shone in the moonlight ahead. His assailant crouched behind a large Bradler bush. Their berries spelled instant death to any fool who ate them. In that moment the figure reached for one.
"I wouldn't do that." Aldien said in a calm voice. A shriek that woke the forest caused Aldien to cover his ears wincing. Two wide blue eyes gazed up at him, her hand splayed against her chest.
" w-w-what." She stuttered, shuffling into the bushes as if she could disappear into them. Aldien tilted his head, what an odd ploy for an attacker.
"Those berries are poisonous. Why are you following me?" He asked. The two opposing statements froze the young woman. She dropped the berries quickly, rubbing her fingers against stained brown trousers. She scrambled to her feet almost tripping forward in her haste. Aldien pointed his dagger at her chest stopping her forward momentum. "That's far enough." He growled. Pink tinted her checks as she stepped away, scratching the back of her head.
"Are you Aldien?" She asked.
"Depends... whose asking?" He said
" Oh," her blush grew but she continued, " I'm Rose. My father, Valen, sent me to find you." She said. Aldien searched his long memory for the name. So many lifetimes, too many people Aldien thought, sighing, he rubbed his temples until it clicked. Valen has been a recruit in his regiment sixty years ago. He looked the girl over, her blonde braid was askewed. Her clothes were dirty and ripped in multiple places. She looked completely out of place in this dark forest. How did she even find him. She seemed to gauge his thoughts and pulled out a glowing stone. Aldien's eyes widened in recognition. That stone was one of a kind. He had given it to Valen, for saving his life in a brash assault against the Kulien Empire. Memories from long ago bombarded Aldien. He had gifted the stone to Valen. He'd promised that if he was in dire need he could find him. Valen relaxed slightly looking at the young woman in a new light. We need to leave this clearing Aldien thought looking at his surroundings. He hadn't realized how far he had traveled. There was good cover a mile west in the Caves of Guwat. It also had a stash of provisions complementary of his paranoia. After being betrayed over so many lifetimes it did well to have a plan B. He had multiple such spots spanning thirty miles around his home. No, Aldien thought, not my home. The woman was still staring at him, seeming frozen. "I'm the man you're looking for, come with me." Aldien said in a gentler tone sheathing his dagger and offering a hand. The woman accepted the hand readily and stood next to him. Valen has known what Aldien was. Surely he had warned his daughter, 'Why was she not afraid' Aldien wondered. She looked up at him expectantly and he nodded in the direction towards the caves.