Magic and Destiny: Fate

Chapter 5

Chapter 5

They woke early the next morning, as the rays of the sun entered the cave, shining into their closed eyelids. Avery was the first to wake, and she walked over to poke and shake Dominic awake.

"Master, it's time to wake up."

Dominic groaned, cracking his eyelid open a little. He throws the blanket off of himself and looks about, noticing the fire is already out, and the bag is packed again except for the blanket. He rolled it up and tied it back to his bag, putting it on his shoulders.

Avery scurries across the floor, and climbs up Dominic's leg and shirt, getting up to his shoulder. They walked out of the cave and into the sunlight, making the final legs of the journey.

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They arrived in Dominic's home village to a scene straight out of the days of legend. Blacksmiths once more crafting swords with abilities imbued in them by dwarves. Singers reciting old tales, and even writing new ballads. And some singers, the sirens, writing death ballads so harsh, to utter them would wreak destruction with the smallest whisper.

It would not be wise to entangle one's self in a fight with the sirens, for it would certainly be your own demise if you were not properly prepared. They were also very selective of who they chose to teach. So it was to Dominic's surprise that he saw his youngest sibling beginning her first few lessons with the sirens. He smiled as he walked through the village, taking them straight for his mother's home. The Oracle of Centauri was given much in her life as far as small comforts went.

The Oracle of Centauri swept through the opening in her home, arms held wide. "My eldest son returns!" She exclaimed for all to hear. She was one for a bit of theatrics when it came to small things like family visiting. She had grown so used to people taking her so seriously when she was giving prophecy, that she grew to begin liking the attention, and saw many opportunities to exploit it. She swept forward, and without waiting for her child to say anything, no bowing or signs of respect as is her due, embraced him in a tight hug.

Dominic hugged her back, and smiled, taking a deep breath and breathing in her scent. He hadn't seen her in the twelve years since he had left, and had almost forgotten her scent. With that one small breath though, he remembered everything, the stormy nights when he was scared and went to his mother's bed for comfort. He opened his eyes and stepped back from her, looking her up and down. "Mother, you look a little thin. Have you been eating regularly?"

He wanted to know genuinely. Ever since his father had died, had been almost unbearable to be away from his mother. He had almost forsaken everything, the prophecy, his quest. He had wanted to make sure his mother was going to be alright before he would once again resume his duties.

"I'm afraid I haven't been eating as much as I should lately, it's been hard since your father passed two days ago. Without you here, your siblings have been a handful. Thankfully your elder sister and your two brothers help me to keep the young-lings in line. Depression has seeped into my bones, Dominic. It is good to see you alive and well. Come inside, and let us talk, I have a feeling you have a lot to tell me. And I want to hear everything about this girl you like so much." Chuckling to herself slightly, she turned and walked back into her house.

Dominic followed her, looking about him as he entered the house for the first time in twelve years. A lot had changed. She had gotten some new furniture, and it looked like she had acquired a great many new flowers. He stopped, stunned into utter silence as he spotted one of the rarest herbs in his forest village. "You have acquired and managed to tame the seeds of the great Death-Weed flower? You must let me know how you did it... I'm sorry, let me correct myself, you must tell my garden attendant."