The hooded man was fairly close now, as he slowly made his way walking alongside the road with his cart. Minding his own business as he walked down the street, the man only came to a stop when he came upon the three children in the alleyway beside him.
The man’s face was partially obscured by the shadow cast by his hooded robe, as he turned his head towards the children. He then asked them.
Stranger: "What on Ehya are you kids doing out here?"
The man’s tone was discernably much gentler than that of the other townsfolk. Even so, with all that happened to the children, they three were somewhat wary of his intentions. The hooded stranger seemed somewhat taken back at the children’s visible worry of his presence.
Grabbing his side, Ira struggled to stand in front of the stranger, putting on a brave face for the others. Fully expecting a fight, Ira defiantly looked to the hooded man.
Ira: "We haven't done anything wrong. Just leave us alone!" After saying this, Ira's stomach growled, and his face flushed red with embarrassment after his brave display was so drastically undermined.
Behind his wide grin, the man held back a laugh, as he scratched the back of his neck in slight amusement. Even with the man’s hood obscuring his man’s face, he appeared to be the very expressive sort. The stranger then gave the children some small distance, rubbing his chin with worry after moving his head slightly, presumably inspecting Ira's fresh bruises.
Stranger: “Don’t worry kid, I'm not saying you, or your friends did anything wrong. But it sounds to me that you three could use some food." He said before turning around, and rummaging into a bag at the back of his cart.
Grabbing three loaves of bread, the hooded man presented them to the children.
Stranger: "Here we are." The man said while handing them out, one at a time, to each of the three individually.
Besides Cherise, each of the children took no time to eagerly grab the gifts, and begin eating franticly. Upon receiving her gift, she looked up towards the man with a smile and tear-filled eyes.
Some people do still care after all. I’d almost lost hope. And over such a small act of kindness.
Cherise: "Thank you!" The young girl said from the bottom of her heart before starting to eat herself.
Taken back by the young girl’s heartfelt thanks, the hooded man gave a nervous laugh to accompany his surprised reaction. He then gave a nod in farewell to the children before heading back down the road, and on his way.
After making it only about ten feet away with his cart, the hooded man stopped in his tracks. Clearly thinking to himself. As he put a hand around his head, the man let out a loud sigh. Looking back at the children, the stranger then grabbed three sheets from the back of his cart. Seemingly frustrated in himself, he then proceeded to speed walk back towards the children, getting on one knee before them, and saying.
Stranger: "You three looked cold." He said while presenting the sheets to the children, immediately starting to hand them out like he did with their loaves of bread, one by one.
Almost like he was affirming to himself that his business here was done, the man then gave a more forceful nod of farewell before standing. And as the hooded man stood up to leave, he noticed the surprised look on the children’s face, which he wished he hadn’t. In particular, the man took notice of the young girl gratefully smiling back at him with teary eyes.
Cherise: "Thank you mister. Thank you so much!" The man was visibly unnerved by her thanks.
Wanting to finish his business with the children there, the man then aptly responded to Cherise’s thanks, as he was already starting to walk away.
Stranger: "Don’t worry about it. It's no big deal really."
Making his way back to his cart, it seemed the man actually meant his farewell this time, as he eventually made much further distance. That is, until he suddenly stopped in his tracks yet again, and began frantically rubbing the back of his head vigorously in frustration. Still within sight of the children, they all peered on curiously at the man who made quite a show of it all.
The man then let out an incredibly large audible sigh, which was almost loud enough to be considered an annoyed yell. Even from quite the far distance the children looked on, they could still clearly hear the man’s frustrated grunt.
Visibly perturbed, the stranger looked back at the three, before leading his cart all the way back in front of them again. He then looked down at the children and spoke to them in a tone, as if he was frustrated with himself for even asking.
Stranger: "Where's your home?" He asked almost in a annoyed tone, with Ira responding to his question by looking dismayed towards the ground.
Ira: "We don't have a home anymore." The man gave a nervous twitch after hearing Ira’s answer, before continuing his string of questions.
Stranger: "And where are your parents?" Responding to the man’s new question in similar fashion to his last, Ira seemed even more disheartened as he lowered his voice.
Ira: "They're dead…" The hooded man was even more visibly shaken, before looking at Ira specifically this time when he asked.
Stranger: "And, who’s taking care of you kids?" Not that he was hiding it, but the children could see the man was practically dreading Ira’s answer.
After a moment of contemplation, Ira looked up, and proudly answered him.
Ira: "We're taking care of ourselves. We're looking after each other."
Aghast, as he held his hand over his mouth, it was apparent this was exactly what the man feared. He then began swaying his head around back and forth, as if considering this situation from conflicting points of view in his head. The man then looked down and began grunting loudly to himself in frustration while frantically scratching the back of his head again. Just as suddenly as he stopped scratching his head, the man let out an enormous sigh once more. All the while, keeping his gaze averted from the children, he looked at the ground when it seemed he finally settled on his next move over the matter.
Lifting his face up again to look at the children, the hooded man then pulled his hood back, revealing his face. Now smiling, stranger appeared to be in the early twenties with dark brown, but terribly messy hair, presumably from all the recent and frantic head rubbings. But undeniably, the man’s signature trait were his enormously profound eyebrows, which one could imagine would help him exaggerate his expressions even further than he already had shown to do. The man then leaned down on one knee towards the children once more. Even now, he seemed to speak with an obvious reluctance to the children.
Stranger: "Unless you kids have somewhere to go…. I think I might know someplace where you three may be able to stay." The man paused only slightly to gauge the children’s mixed reactions before continuing to speak.
Stranger: "Well, that is unless you three were heading elsewhere?" Seeing the obvious reluctance of the man, Cherise felt bad for imposing, but with wanting eyes, she was the first to answer him.
Cherise: "I'm sorry mister… We weren't going anywhere in particular." Her voice trailed off, hoping he’d get the hint.
By now, the man knew full well to expect such an answer, but nevertheless he still let out another audible sigh, as he wanted to indicate his disappointment in the situation. The man then shook his head before saying in frustration.
Stranger: “I knew it. I just knew it! Could you three possibly have a more sob story?! Geeez…” But even finding his own reaction a little bit ridiculous, the man chuckled slightly.
Seeming to have finally made up his mind, the man reluctantly smiled, as he extended his hand to the children.
Stranger: "You kids want to come with me?" His reluctant smile changed into a genuine one, after getting a chance to see the children’s reactions to his offer.
With all that had transpired to the children over the past few days, the man’s offer was unexpected to say the least. The children looked on in surprise at the man, and back to one another, hoping for similar reaffirming reactions to his offer amongst themselves.
&n
bsp; Before any consensus was decided between their small group, Cherise got up and ran over to hug the stranger earnestly. Still leaning forward on one leg, Cherise’s sudden leap onto the man almost accidentally made him lose his footing. Unable to control herself, the young girl startled bawling on his shoulder.
Cherise: “Thank you." She said wholeheartedly while leaning near his ear.
The man was even more surprised than before by her reaction, and slightly uncomfortable with the sudden affection. Giving Cherise a reluctant hug back after a few awkward seconds, the man then gently said back to her.
Stranger: "You're welcome." He then grabbed Cherise gently by her shoulders before nudging her away, so as to give himself a proper introduction.
With a wide grin, he pointed to himself with his thumb, saying.
Stranger: "By the way, the name's Obi! It’s my pleasure to meet you!"
CHAPTER 10 – BELONGING
In a mountainous northern region of the word, a thick blanket of clouds laid slightly overhead, as Obi continued guiding his ox pulled cart. Having already been properly introduced, the children were in the back of Obi’s cart, as he led them on a dirt path. Talking most of the way, Obi decided to change their conversation.
Obi: "So…-" He said prolonging the word to give himself time to think of a way to approach a delicate subject, saying,"-I appreciate you three telling me how you got to Merchant’s Pass." He said stumbling to find his next words, as he was looking back occasionally.
Obi: "These past couple days must've been hard on you kids. But just you wait. It'll get better." Cherise cocked her head curiously at the comment.
Well I can certainly believe that. I can’t really imagine it’d get much worse than what we’ve been through.
Looking back with ever hopeful expressions, Obi was positive his reassurance seemed to raise their spirits. Exaggerated though it may have been, Cherise was the only child who managed to return a smile. It looked so force, but Obi couldn’t help but chuckle lightheartedly. Seeing that he was in a good mood, Cherise saw it as an opportunity to start bombarding him with questions in rapid succession.
Cherise: "So are there elves where we’re going? How about dwarves? Is it pretty? What’s the name of this place? Are the people nice?" Immediately having Obi flustered by the frequency of her questions, he waited till she was done before responding to her, slightly confused but answering just as speedily.
Obi: "What? Uhh, no, and no. Uhhh, yes. And that’ll ruin the surprise!“ And he paused for a moment to look up in contemplation.
Obi: “And that last question's for you to decide for yourself!" He exhaled with triumphantly smile and a little sense of accomplishment in himself after somehow managing to answer all of her questions.
With a more serious tone, Obi changed topics.
Obi: "Look, while I was over in Merchant’s Pass, I heard some news about what happened after your home was attacked.-” After their home was mentioned, the children listened all the more intently, as he said further, “-The Aelaan Empire's pursuit of conquest has, at least for the meantime, been stopped. They halted their war when they saw the Elven armies come to the defense of the Free Peoples of the West.” After hearing that, Ira had to interject, grumbling as he said.
Ira: “Sure would’ve been nice if they’d showed up earlier.” An understandable statement, but Obi just shrugged.
Obi: “Look, I don’t blame you for thinking that one bit, but we’re lucky the elves even got involved at all. It’s been centuries since they’ve gotten caught up in a human war. You see, they’re type are not too keen on the idea of getting mixed up with the struggles of what they’d call ‘lesser creatures’.” He said slightly annoyed, and Cherise could’ve sworn he cursed under his breath.
Clearly not a fan of the elves by any stretch of the margin, he continued explaining.
Obi: “I bet they’re only now getting involved now because the Empire’s expanding too far, and too quickly near their own borders.” And he continued sharing the news with a little more amusement at what followed.
Obi: “From what I hear, after the elven forces cut off the Aelaans, both of their armies didn’t even fight. They just stood on opposite sides of the field, glaring at one another before the Aelaans marched their armies on back home. Not a single soldier on either side even swung a sword! ” He said before shrugging again.
Obi: “I guess that just goes to show that neither one of their kingdoms are particularly eager to directly fight against each other quite yet.” He then finished off his thoughts in a more elevated tone.
Obi: “So there you have it kids! For the moment, the fighting with the Empire has come to a stop."
The reactions from the children were mixed, happy the Aelaans were stopped, but understandably feeling it was already too late to make a difference in their own lives. Noticing the news may have brought back unpleasant memories for the children, Obi felt the need to keep talking. Looking back at the road ahead, Obi continued speaking more optimistically.
Obi: "That's enough news for one day! I'm sure you’re all eager to see what your new home is like. We'll be there in less than a day’s time." He said with a grin.
────────
A day’s journey to the northeast later, the four continued ascending the mountain heights. In time, the cart was enveloped by the perpetual blanket of clouds that had so consistently laid overhead of their small band. After breaking through the top of the clouds, the light of the sun shone down brightly atop of them.
To Cherise’s amazement, the shining sun revealed a new and marvelous world, unlike anything she’d ever seen before. All around them in every direction, this strange land had lush green mountaintops peeking above an endless sea of clouds, as far as the eye could see. With the practically level clouds all around, and being unable to see anything remotely close to the numerous peaks roots, the mountains looked like islands in the vast oceans. By anyone’s standards, it was a wondrous sight to behold. And after seeing the wonder in the children’s dancing eyes, Obi was eagerly to explain.
Obi: "I take it this is the first time you kids have ever seen this place. These mountains were given a distinct nickname to match how they look.-“ And for the sake of building up tension, he paused before speaking with a little bit of dramatic flair in revealing the name, saying, “-Welcome to your new homeland, the Stairs to Heaven.” And unable to keep his dramatic demeanor for long, he continued explaining.
Obi: “It’s quite poetic when you think about it. The mountains around here seem unreachable when they tower over the clouds like that. And to tell you the truth, throughout all the years I've lived up here in these mountains, not once have I seen these clouds disperse during the day, and never once have I seen them overhead… They’re always just been hovering underneath these mountain peaks.” Looking at Obi with an excited curiosity, it didn’t take much thought for Cherise to think something was strange about his comment.
Cherise: "But if the clouds are never overhead, how do the mountains around here get so green? Where’s the water coming from?" Clearly glad she asked, he responded with a smile.
Obi: "Well that's something special I'll be showing you kids later. But that's not the only amazing thing I wanted to show you all. Just wait and see, you kids are going thrilled when you get a look at what’s coming up next." If not for the excitement in his tone, the children wouldn’t have thought Obi would be able to top what they’d already seen.
Cherise could hardly contain her enthusiasm after hearing what surprise awaited her next. With Obi revealing the name of this place in the world, Cherise decided to pour over her map. Looking it over, she now had a good idea of what to expect. Every minute that passed just made her more anxious and eager to arrive.
────────
In time, the group had reached a higher point around the mountains side, and with it they saw another marvelous sight. A magnificently crafted manmade structure was coming into view. Obi stopped the ca
rt before pointing towards the impressive architecture. And with a bit of excitement in his voice, he exclaimed aloud.
Obi: “That's it!... You kids may have heard about this place. Maybe you thought it was nothing but a story, a thing of legend, but here it is in the flesh, so to speak.” And attempting to sound dramatic, he said explained.
Obi: “Here lies one of the temples of the Order of the Light.-“ And pausing momentarily to let the news sink in, he said further, "-This is where you all be living from now on. Welcome to your new home."
The temple that Obi pointed out was a work of art. Made purely of marble, it had hand carved seams and grooved designs around every foot of its outer structure. In terms of the children’s limited knowledge, it was also massive in scale. The temple itself was unsettling close to the precipice of mountain’s cliff which surrounded it on every which side, with the exception of its front entrance. The cliffs around the temple were nearly a vertical drop into the cloudy mists below.
In front of the temples entrance was the remainder of the temple grounds. Every inch of it had paved stone, and primarily it was mostly a massive courtyard. And surrounding the temple grounds courtyard itself were modest wooden structures encompassing the area. This place was nothing similar to the likes the children had ever seen before. After seeing the brimming excitement from Cherise, Obi then decided to further explain.
Obi: "Even if you don’t believe the stories, there’s a lot of history in this place. As for those wooden living quarters you see on the sides of the courtyard, I can assure you kids they’re a lot more comfortable than they look." As Obi was saying this, Cherise was still looking in wonder at the impressive structure of temple.
Cherise: "It's amazing! This place is even more amazing than the stories I’ve heard!"
After hearing her excitement, Obi looked back to the Temple grounds with a renewed sense of appreciation at the grandeur of his home. Chuckling slightly at the thought of forgetting it himself, he said.
The Shadow of Death Page 7