The Enlightened Few - The Journey Begins

On the road

"Aden!" shouted Anemone.

There was no response from Aden.

They had been galloping across the free fields until the sun had begun to sink and with it Anemone's spirit had begun dwindling. Aden had been so focused on ensuring his position on his horse and had not made any remark since they had started their trail. Ilmatar, on the other hand, had created such a deep bond with his horse that you would think they were one.

"ADEN!" Anemone continued trying.

This time she could see a sudden jolt of Aden's reins as his horse skidded to such a halt that it threw Aden some feet forward into the air.

With a massive thud, Aden hit the ground and wailed in pain.

Anemone quickly ran to his side. Feeling guilty, she asked "Aden, are you alright?" as she gently stroked the top of his head. Aden pretended to be unconscious, which would be pay back enough given Anemone's character.

"Aden please, I am so sorry.", Anemone burst into tears.

"Women do cry easily."

Anemone wanted to smack him, but halted her fist in the air realising that inflicting more pain would not do the situation any good.

"You could do more to make me feel even better.", Aden cheekily commented.

"You are right.", she leaned over a kissed his forehead.

"You are getting better at this, but there is definitely more than can be done."

"Well at least now we have made you even, one broken arm to add to a broken leg." She giggled softly and comfortingly. His injury could have been a lot worse than a couple of bruises and at least no real broken bone.

"Come on you two, stop mucking about. We have to get moving." Ilmatar hovered above them.

"Isn't this a good place as any to rest for a while?" Aden responded.

"We are quite exposed, but it doesn't look like there is any cover for a while. The canopy of the stars is definitely a comfort I can get used to." Ilmatar sighed.

Aden looked up and realised the sun had vanished without him noticing, his eyes twinkled at the sight of what looked like thousands of bright, sparkling lights appearing from their slumber. The horses were grunting in the background out of exhaustion.

"Anyone got any food left?" Ilmatar's stomach grumbled loudly.

"The reserves were taken off us when we were caught." Anemone bowed her head down.

"Have you checked if there is anything in the saddles?" Aden approached his horse.

"There is food and water here!"

"Fantastic!" exclaimed Ilmatar.

"Don't get too excited, it's nothing special. It will have to do though. Poached eggs, pickled vegetables and stale bread, as yummy as that can be."

"I could eat roots right now, but stale bread? Really?" Ilmatar was heavily disappointed.

"Let me see that." Anemone inspected the green looking bread.

"This is not mouldy bread, it's bread using herbacimus. That's a green herb that gives the bread this colour. It's perfectly fine." She took a bite out of it.

"Why would you want your bread to be green?" asked Aden.

"It helps preserve the bread for longer, but you got to be careful when you cook with it because it stains everything."

"Are you sure its edible?" Aden was still not convinced.

"If she says its edible, then it is edible. Besides, Aden, I am becoming too hungry to care. Pass it here Anemone."

They ate and slept as if all was in order.

Aden was not as fortunate, his restlessness would take its toll the next day, Morana appeared in Aden's dreams. The intrusion seemed to bother Aden as he had been dreaming of his mother once more and these dreams always made him analyse and try to decrypt things she was trying to tell him.

The glow around Aden's neck burned brighter under the stars and his SoverI collar stood out with pride. He could easily be all he truly was meant to be if he let his guard down, but that would not happen easily.

"Morana, what are you doing in my dreams so soon?"

"Aden, you have no knowledge of what is happening beyond your journey, especially regarding what has been happening back home. I have come to warn you."

"What do you mean?"

"All the kings of the land including your father and King Mohan, mighty King of the Gora, are going to meet very soon."

"What is the meeting about?"

"Well these are things that I hope you will be able to solve in time, Aden. All you need to know is that you must make haste to Kirjuri as you are about to become hunted. I would also recommend that the next time you find a more adequate place for shelter."

"I don't understand why this meeting is so significant? It must be important for all these leaders to be meeting like this. Please tell me more, who else would hunt me down besides my father?"

"Aden, there is more to peace than you know or think to know. Everyone wants things that they don't have and as long as they have hope to gain them, or their needs are fulfilled, then they don't pose any threat. You unfortunately have found yourself in a bit of a trap."

"You mean with the Gora, the King was going to let us go? Your stone did not warn me. You said it never lies."

"Some people are conflicted Aden, they say one thing and do another, how will magic differentiate between what is and what will be? The King has a lot to benefit from having a SoverI at this point in time. No one knew that he had you captive, the only reason why he would bargain with you is out of fear of your father."

"So if the King is afraid why would I be in danger now?"

"Because he is about to find or rather become suspicious about the fact that your father is not informed of your journeys and your lies and perhaps even become suspicious about who is who and wonder if your father is keeping secrets from everyone."

"Whatever do you mean?"

"You will be at the meeting with your father, Aden."

"NO I won't!"

"Yes, YOU won't be exactly, but someone looking like you will be. You have a double."

"How is this possible?"

"Edan is your double."

"Edan doesn't look anything like me."

"That may be so, but magic says he does."

"Why would he do this? I told him to stay out of my business."

"Because he loves you and he thinks he is protecting you, but it is going to cause more harm than good so you have to prepare for this eventuality. Fret not, once you reach Kirjuri, there will be more you can do."

"I have to go back, what will happen to him if I don't?"

"That is something you cannot think about, you cannot go back, Aden. One more seal has been broken! Daylight is upon you, move swiftly and you will find all your answers there where you are headed."

"Thank you, Morana."

"You are most welcome Aden, true SoverI! Good luck and may your path be safe."

With this, Aden awoke instantly and began to gather their belongings so as to get back on the road to Kirjuri.

Anemone heard him rustling and approached Aden, "Why are you up this early, dawn hasn't even broken properly yet."

"I couldn't sleep, but we must get going immediately. I don't want to sit and explain it right now, just trust me."