The Enlightened Few - The Journey Begins

Decided

The last morning at Lake Gaia was unexpectedly cheerful. The boys had gotten up early to prepare breakfast for Alice and Walker, but were surprised to find she had known their plans all too well. On the side of the table they found two parcelled bags filled with food for their journey back and in the centre of the table a variety of food laid out for breakfast. Walker had been out gathering rodents to feed the birds as well as picking forest herbs for tea. The kettle was whistling gently on the fire, while the aroma filled the house with a fresh smell of mint as well as other smells Aden was unfamiliar with.

"I am glad you boys are up, I thought you would be sleeping in too late. The thought of you having forgotten your journey this morning did cross my mind." Alice liked to tease gently, it was in her nature to always be humorous even on a bad day. Ilmatar had told him that she was laughing the day she had sprained both arm and ankle last summer.

"So kind of you both to have prepared us such a sturdy meal," Aden never forgetting to be polite answered.

"You are most welcome and it's not much, but we try to do our best."

"Mom, are you always this modest or is it just for Aden?"

Ilmatar, now broadly smiling, was proudly and hurriedly mounting his plate with various foods.

They filled their stomachs up to the point they deemed they would still be able to carry their weight along the path back to Erion. Aden now was leading the way for some time before turning around to see how far behind Ilmatar had fallen; he was dismayed to find that Ilmatar was practically by his side.

"Am I that slow?"

"No, Aden. I have the wind by my side!"

"Yes, I'll take that as an admission to cheating."

"You know it's not cheating if it is part of who I am, right?"

"I'll just let it slide this time."

"You only want to do that, because you want something."

Aden hesitated, but he knew that he had to tell Ilmatar his plans. His friend's loyalty had proven to be unfaltering.

"Alright, you are right I have something to tell you. I know I still feel obligated to you, I owe you for risking so much to bring me to Erion. You gave me shelter and already have made me feel like I am part of your family. I am indebted, but you know I am set out on a mission which I have promised you I would make a decision about and I have. I would like to share it with you, but I want you first to promise me that you would not sacrifice anymore on my behalf and that you know you are free to go your own way."

"Aden, I feel you are like the brother I never had. Our destiny was to meet and I am here to help you in anything you need assistance with. I am more travelled and I know the paths to many places. I can track and see with the aid of the birds far beyond our mind's capabilities. I want to help you and be with you freely. I have felt that I have a higher purpose than just this, what I am now, although I can't complain that I do not like my life."

"I know this and that is why I urge you to think it over. There has been too much talk of destiny and prophecy, I believe men should have the free will to decide without relying on what is written and believed."

"Please tell me of your plans, I promise to consider it carefully Sire."

"Alright then, I wanted to let you know that I will be on my way after the celebrations. I am planning to make the journey to Kirjuri."

"Aden, you know I can't let you do that. It is too dangerous; the scribes will catch you. Why do you want to go there, of all places?"

"I have to Ilmatar, the books in the great library contain the information I was born to find. Don't you understand that this was not just another adventure or a rebellious act for me to leave the kingdom and betray my father? I am becoming more convinced by the day that what I am feeling and what I am seeing in my dreams has a purpose. We are all puzzle pieces forming a map to a change that will and must take place. I cannot explain it to you as I could not explain it to Edan, my friend, who I abandoned and who must feel lost without me this very Moonicle. The things I do have their consequences on me and believe me, I have a conscience, which hurts me. So, please understand me when I say I have thought this through clearly."

"Yes, Sire. I want to understand, just give me time to absorb it all. I know how to get there, for I have delivered baby birds to that city. It is a good long journey and we have to passage through the valley of Gora. We need permission to enter those lands, if we are found we will be flagged immediately. Those men are hunters and they are also good trackers, anything that seems unfamiliar to them will result in a chase. None the less we will need their help to acquire horses, so as to cut our journey time."

"Please make all the preparations necessary. I have jewels I can pay them with for their backing."

"Sire, money is of little value to these people. I however know something that will be of help, I will need to send word to my father once we get back to Erion. My parents will be coming to the festival and can bring what I require in a few day's time, I wish you had told me earlier about your plans. It really would make it easier if you share more and stop hiding your mind from me so much."

"I am sorry, it took me a few nights to consent to the plan."

"I am glad you slept on it, I feel more comfortable knowing it's not any of the tea this morning that gave you the urge to commit some form of suicide mission."

Aden patted Ilmatar on the shoulder and they made haste towards Erion.

It had been raining and there were puddles on the main streets where heavy things had been carted which, over time, eroded the cobbles. Icicles decorated the peripheries of the high house roofs. Unlike the first time, the streets had been decorated with brightly coloured lights running along every winding road, the pulsation of light reminded him of a gliding wave that disappeared into the distance. Snowflakes highlighted many window panes and candles had been lit marking the remaining days before the festival. The city was filled with spirit and charm, this was combined with the complimentary delicious smells emanating from each house door. It was a dark night, starless sky, but the figurines made from pine cones could be spotted everywhere. Some figurines represented the magnificent hawks, some with spread wings, others just perched on the walls and some figurines were in the shape of pagan symbols representing the wind.

Aden's body was weakened by the journey, the soles of his feet were aching and his face had been burned by the cold wind. Even though Ilmatar had walked this journey many a time, for the first time he had a growing niggle behind his eyes all the way up to the temple of his head.

They opened the little charmed house door of his uncle's house and everything was forgotten thereafter like a fuzzy, warm dream.

Next morning with songs of praise in the atmosphere, the two young men awoke to see from the top bedroom window to the streets below. Roads covered in snowy footprints, pathways in front of houses cleared, but remnants of iced patched remained. The chill was no longer hauling or searching, currently being swept this way and that with the warmth of the cheery songs and the full hearts of excitement of the people.