Mysteries Beyond The Eye

Chapter 3

~~~~

As Galend wakes up, he sees he is right by the stream in front of the village.

His head hurts as he looks up at the sun.

"What happened to me?"

He looks down to see his clothes torn and blood everywhere.

He doesn't remember anything of the previous day... only going out hunting with his father and going off track.

How did he come by these scratches. Galend stands up and walks to the village gates.

"Open up!"

The guards at the top of the gate tower look down to see Galend. They are not sure if it is him as you get monsters who can make themselves look like humans.

"Proove that you are Galend!"

Galend grumbles and thinks.

"My father is the chief and there is a hidden box of not treasure, but papers in his house."

The guards nod and open the gates.

That's weird proof.

Galend said that as only he and the chief have been in their house. But only the villagers know about a hidden box of papers in his home. It is quite the strange thing, but it works.

So the guards open for Galend and he walks in, quickly going to his house.

As he walks in his father is there.

"Galend! Where were you!"

His father gazes over him and he gasps.

"Look at how beaten up you are! Those are manticore cuts! How on earth did you survive?"

"I ah... I got blacked out and seemed to have found myself by the stream."

"Oh my gods! That is crazy."

He pats Galend on the back.

"Go rest up my boy, we can try hunting again another day."

Galend grunts a nod and walks to his room. He strips himself of the torn clothes and assesses his wounds. They don't really hurt...

He racks his brain for any kind of memory of the previous day, but no luck.

~

Back at the village library Aradia sits in her usual round chair, sipping tea, when one of her usual customers walk in.

"Good morning Galend."

He nods his head toward Aradia who smiles.

She watches him go to the magical creature section and raises her eyebrow.

Ever since Aradia came here about a year ago, running away from her coven, Blossom and Galend have always come in to read.

Galend liked to read the romance books and nature books, but hardly the magical creature side.

"Are you looking for anything specific Galend?"

"I'm looking for a book on manticore."

"Ah, I have two books on those creatures."

Aradia walks up to him, his height of course being very intimidating. Suddenly her yellow bead shines brighter than normal when he is near.

She points out the two books and frowns at him.

He went out to the woods and he only came back late this morning... did he fight a manticore?

Is that why the yellow bead is shining?