by Todd, E. L.
“Let’s move out,” he said. Shane handed the reins to his sovereign, and Drake took the ropes as he mounted his steed. He stared at the burning forest once more before he pulled on the reins of his dray horse. The king looked at the bloody corpse of his uncle before he turned away. He felt no remorse. “There is nothing left here.”
Asylinth House
5
Aleco stared at the red Soul Catcher upon the shelf, the exact place where the late Father Giloth left it. He couldn’t bring himself to grab the stone. If he did, there was no denying reality. He was really gone.
Aleco already knew the truth. He stood at the border of the trees trying to break through the invisible barrier that protected the center of the forest and the great Lorunien Tree when the wall suddenly evaporated. Aleco and the other Naturalists saw the smoke rising into the sky and they knew what transpired. Father Giloth’s spell was broken because his office had ended. Therefore, he had ended.
Groups of Naturalists ran to the border and diminished the raging fires with water and fire dust, a remedy with the ability to douse the flames. After a few hours, the fire was eliminated, and they returned to the central forest with Father Giloth’s body wrapped in ember leaves. The enormous leaves covered his entire body, hiding his brutal afflictions from view. Aleco noticed there were two set of body parts. The revelation made him want to gag.
The Naturalists laid his body on the floor of his bedroom to store his corpse until the ceremony of his passing. Their tears fell as they gently placed him on the wooden floor of the house. Natalia cradled his body within her arms and whispered prayers under her breath. The entire forest was overcome with grief, except for Aleco, who stared at the Soul Catcher on the shelf, unsure if he should reach for it. His uncle had voluntarily gone to his death. It didn’t make any sense to Aleco. That was the second time Father Giloth had been challenged by the maniac, and the second time he let himself be defeated. And it cost him his life. Aleco remembered the last words he said to his uncle, but he felt no remorse for saying them. He didn’t regret them at all. The old man was a coward and he died a coward.
Aleco knew he had to access the Soul Catcher soon. The Ceremony of Passing could only be performed by the new Nature Priest, and the identity of the new candidate was stored within the gem. He reached up and took the stone from its resting place, taking it down to the desk in the study. He breathed a deep sigh before he accessed the memories.
Aleco walked down the black hallway, which had an infrastructure identical to Aleco’s Soul Catcher, and turned to face the wall. The black marble was covered in images that Father Giloth had stored, but the pictures were labeled. Aleco pressed his hand against the flashback titled, “First thing’s first.”
Aleco fell forward and landed in Father Giloth’s study. The fire was roaring in the hearth, and he could feel the flames lick his extremities with heat. The grass outside the window was covered in snow from a previous storm. It was the middle of winter. Aleco looked at the light shining in the bedroom window of Asylinth Cottage. He knew he was in there with Accacia, making love, he was certain. He hated thinking about her. Aleco thought he would die every time he did. But when he forced her from his mind, he was lonely with despair. He couldn’t win.
He turned to the wooden desk and saw Father Giloth sitting behind it. He had a steaming cup of tea in front of him. “Sit down, Aleco,” he said without looking at him. Aleco laughed to himself. Soul Catchers were used to store memories, but Father Giloth had stored a projected memory, a message for him. It was very clever. Now Aleco couldn’t argue with him. Aleco sat in the chair facing him.
“First of all, if you are reliving this moment, I’ve passed on. I’m gone from this mortal plane. If I didn’t get a chance to tell you how much you mean to me before I met my end, I will do so now.” Father Giloth folded his hands on the surface of the wood. He looked straight ahead and gazed into Aleco’s eyes, even though Aleco wasn’t there when he initially said the following words. “I have loved you like a son and consider you to be as good as one. I am happy to know that my legacy has not died. I am remembered by my two children. I love you, Son. I always have and forever I will.” Aleco saw the sincerity in his uncle’s eyes, but he still felt no remorse at his departure from life. If he really loved his two children, he would have protected them, not given up.
“Now that I am no longer around to badger you about your poor drinking choices and your ill-advised missions, you will make these decisions alone. I hope that I have taught you to make the right ones, even if you choose to disregard my advice.” Father Giloth drank from his tea then set the cup upon the surface. Aleco could tell his following words were difficult to speak because he took a very long time to say them. “The Lorunien Tree and I have chosen a new successor. It is you, Aleco.”
“What?” Aleco’s heart skipped a beat. It had to be a joke. He couldn’t think of a worse candidate other than himself. The idea was ludicrous. How was he supposed to protect the forest when he couldn’t even reveal his face? “You better be joking, old man.”
Father Giloth held up his hand to silence Aleco’s anticipated protests. Aleco laughed in spite of himself. “No, Aleco, I’m not kidding. The Lorunien Tree selected you as a candidate because she thinks you are the best Naturalist for the job. I agree with her. You are skilled in botany, remedy brewing, star-mapping, and forestation. Your abilities as an herbalist exceed any other Naturalist I have under my supervision. In addition to your suitability with the forest, you are skilled in politics and the actions of the other factions of the Continent. Most importantly, you can protect the forest. Not only with your powers as the Chief Nature Priest, but with your unparalleled fighting capabilities. The forest will remain unscathed under your command. I have no doubt in your abilities, Aleco.”
Aleco rubbed his face with his palms. He couldn’t believe what was happening. All he wanted was to be alone in his cave, licking the wounds of his despair. He couldn’t lead a forest under his shaky command. He couldn’t even lead himself.
“Aleco, I understand that you are in pain, but this will help you move forward. The Lorunien Tree will heal you, lessen the burden your heart carries. The Lorunien Tree has awesome powers and memory impairment is one of them. She can erase certain memories if they are too painful to live with. But that choice is up to you, Aleco.”
“I would never do that and you know it.”
“There is something I need to tell you, something that I could never reveal while I was alive. After I confess my secret, you will understand why I hid it from you, Aleco. Bear with me.” He poured himself another cup of tea and sipped the steaming liquid. Aleco was about to grab himself a drink when he realized he couldn’t. This was a memory. “When you and your brother were born, your mother and father held a ceremony for you, recognizing your birth. Father Hyphalia performed the ceremony, asking for a blessing from the gods of the universe, and I asked for a blessing on behalf of the Lorunien Tree. My brother, your father, asked me to be the Brother-Bearer of you and Drake. Of course, I agreed. During that ceremony, I was declared your guardian, and I vowed to protect both of you with my life in the event of your parents’ deaths. You may disagree, but I believe I have done my best to care for you. Since I am the Chief Nature Priest of Orgoom Forest, and therefore I cannot tell a lie, my oath bound me to the truth of my promise. I am forced to protect Drake even when he doesn’t deserve it. As a result of that promise, he will kill me.”
Understanding washed over Aleco. His uncle wasn’t a coward. He was just bound by the oath of his office. Guilt flooded Aleco’s body as he recalled the last words he had said to him. You deserve to die.
“I sincerely hope this changes your opinion of me, Aleco. You have always been distant with me, never forgiving what I let Drake do to Accacia, but now I hope you understand why it came to pass. I was truly powerless to stop it.”
Aleco dropped his face into his palms. He wished his uncle had told him beforehand. Aleco would have killed Drak
e himself if he had known, but then the realization dawned on him. That was exactly why Father Giloth hid it from him.
“Now that I have revealed that you are the chosen Nature Priest of Orgoom Forest, the Lorunien Tree will be available to you. She will instruct you in the responsibilities of the office as well as the powers that accompany it. I will help you as well. We need to prepare for the Ceremony of Passing. I will tell you everything you need to know, Aleco. It will only take a few hours.”
Aleco sighed.
The Lorunien Tree
6
Lines of white chairs faced the Lorunien Tree and were filled with Naturalists of the forest. Citizens of the surrounding towns also came to the forest to pay their respects to the Chief Nature Priest. Father Giloth blessed their livestock and prevented illness from befalling their families. He monitored the health of the soil to promote the growth of healthy crops and gave them advice when they asked for it. They respected the priest because of everything he had done for them. Most of them only survived many winters because of Father Giloth.
Aleco walked down the aisle wearing the gray robes of the office. His face was hooded and cloaked as always. Even though he was the guardian of his own realm, he still wasn’t at liberty to reveal his face. He couldn’t afford to be recognized. The Naturalists and townspeople said nothing in regards to his odd appearance. Word spread about the fire on the border and people assumed the new Nature Priest had been burned in the flames when he tried to protect the forest, making his features hideous to behold. Aleco didn’t bother to correct them. It made a good cover story.
Artremian, the Duke of Roslyn, sat in the front row. He stood as the new Nature Priest walked down the aisle to the base of Lorunien Tree. Aleco recognized him. He knew Art from his youth and was aware of his affection for his uncle. He was the only ruler who was brave enough to pay his respects to the late Nature Priest. The others were too frightened of the wrath of the king. After all, Drake was the one who marched to Orgoom Forest and murdered Father Giloth, decapitating his head from his body. Aleco respected Artremian for his courage and bravery.
Aleco reached the roots of the Lorunien Tree. With the Nature God’s permission, Father Giloth’s body had been buried in the soil of the majestic tree. It was very rare that the Lorunien Tree allowed the disturbance of her soil, stating it ruined the consecration of the earth, but made the exception for Father Giloth. He sacrificed his life to protect the holy forest.
Aleco turned around and faced the congregation of people. Hundreds came to the Ceremony of Passing for Father Giloth. Aleco was touched by the respect they held for his uncle. He organized his thoughts and remembered everything Father Giloth relayed to him in their meeting in the Soul Catcher. Father Giloth told him exactly what to do. Aleco accessed the Soul Catcher for advice about the office and Father Giloth anticipated every question. It was hard to believe he was really gone.
The long branches of the Lorunien Tree stretched outwards across the clearing, sheltering the visitors with shade and cooling the temperature of the warm spring day. The large leaves of the trees shook in the breeze and the pink blossoms of the branches opened, revealing their petals to the people below. It was a cloudless day and the sun shined upon the forest, feeding the vegetation with its chemical energy. The living beings of the woodland drank in the yellow sunlight, relishing the available energy with enthusiasm. The winter was cold and unforgiving. Squirrels and rabbits hid in the surrounding trees, watching the progression from a safe distance. The birds above sang in honor of the father of the forest.
Aleco cleared his throat. “Thank you for coming.” He glanced up to the canopy high into the sky, feeling the flood of images enter his mind. The Lorunien Tree was speaking to him. Aleco nodded, understanding the message. “The Lorunien Tree, the Nature God, thanks you as well.” Aleco stood directly before the mound of upheaved dirt where Father Giloth’s corpse was buried under the soil. He looked down at the turf then returned his stare to the crowd. “Father Giloth gave his life in the protection of this holy forest, forsaking his mortal life for the safety of Orgoom Forest. His sacrifice will be remembered for years to come.” Aleco concentrated on the following words, wanting to speak them correctly. He hated being the new Nature Priest. He had no idea what his uncle was thinking when he made the decision. Aleco felt nervous with the hundreds of eyes staring at him. He was thankful they couldn’t see his face.
“The Lorunien Tree has generously allowed his burial within her soil, where she can watch over his remains during the passage of time. Such a gift has never been made in our history and none deserves it more than he. Father Giloth’s soul has been joined with the Nature God.” He stared at the crowd before him, their eyes soaked in tears. Others bowed their heads forward, praying their gratitude to the Nature God. “I know he is at peace.” Aleco withdrew a pink blossom from his pocket, one that he found in his uncle’s robes, and dropped it on top of the mound of soil. “He shall be missed.”
The wind picked up, swirling around the gathering below the trees. It brushed through the crowd, pulling their hair from their eyes and ruffling their cloaks. The blossoms in the branches were blown loose from the current and fluttered high into the air before they floated down to the ground. They glided to the mound of soil and landed on the grave, covering it in the pastel color. The Lorunien Tree had paid its respect to one of its children.
Aleco stepped away from the burial site and moved closer to the tree. “This Ceremony of Passing is also the Ceremony of Coming. I, Rhonian, am the new Nature Priest of this forest and I vow to protect its trees and people with my life. I will not fail you.”
The crowd nodded their agreement of his words. They trusted Father Giloth’s choice for the new Nature Priest. He would only pick someone worthy of their trust.
“Before we say our prayers to the Nature God, and ask for a blessing for Father Giloth’s soul, I feel that I owe you an explanation.” Aleco cleared his throat again. This was the more difficult part. He was stating his public resistant to the new King of the Continent, the most powerful man in the known world. “Father Giloth was murdered by the King of the Continent. He never supported Drake’s hunger for power, and Father Giloth’s opposition led to his own death. Fortunately, it did not lead to the demise of the forest, which was the king’s initial intent. I do not support the Sole Sovereign of the Continent, nor do I recognize his rule over us.” Aleco walked past the line of chairs as he strolled across the ground of the Lorunien Tree. He looked at the frightened looks of the Naturalists and the citizens of the Continent. Most of them had tears dripping down their cheeks. “He must be stopped. As the Chief Nature Priest of this land, I am vowed by my office to never speak a lie. I can only speak the truth. Therefore, what I say is factual. He will destroy us, enslave us all, and ruin the beauty of the Continent. Align yourself with me and the Naturalists of this woodland, and we will overthrow him together. I am asking for your help. You may seek asylum in my woods, and I will protect you from his terror, but in return you, must fight with me.” The congregation before him said nothing. Most of them averted their gazes. Even Artremian, Father Giloth’s close friend, remained mute. Aleco forced back the anger brewing in his body. The control of his fury was the hardest obstacle he had to overcome to succeed in the office. He still hadn’t mastered the art. Aleco knew they were frightened, but they didn’t feel immediately threatened. When they did, Aleco was certain they would come to him and fight. He just had to wait.
The Naturalists rose from their seats and deposited the flowers on top of the raised mound. They retrieved the blossoms from the forest grounds, collecting them for the event. They wiped away their tears and whispered prayers both to the Lorunien Tree and Father Giloth, praying his soul found happiness in the afterlife. The citizens of the Continent offered their respect afterwards, dropping blossoms Aleco provided. Aleco stood aside and watched the progression of people as they paid their last moments of reverence. When Artremian came to the burial site, he droppe
d his flower then closed his eyes. “I’m sorry, Father,” he whispered. He walked away without looking at Aleco.
Aleco waited for everyone to leave the clearing while he stood there in silence. They returned to their homes in the forest or mounted their horses to ride back to the neighboring towns of the Continent. Aleco stood over Father Giloth’s burial mound for hours, saying nothing as he watched the sun sink below the treetops. He sat down on top of the burial site, dropping his face into his palms. Now was the moment to say goodbye, but Aleco couldn’t force out the words. He felt the tears bubble beneath his eyes and tried to fight them back, but it was futile. They poured from his eyes and down his cheeks. He circled his body with his arms, knowing he was the only one who could comfort him. The love of his life left these shores forever, and his only remaining family member perished. Aleco remembered the last words he said to him. You deserve to die. His body shook with the sobs and he convulsed under the weight of his grief. Father Giloth always had faith in Aleco, but Aleco never reciprocated that trust. Even after Aleco spoke the unforgivable words, Father Giloth believed he would still follow him, offering to risk his life to assist him. That was why he made the barrier. He knew Aleco would come for him. If Aleco had trusted his uncle, he never would have uttered those words. Father Giloth died thinking his nephew hated him.
“I’m so sorry, Father.” He tried to force back the tears, but they continued to fall. He missed Accacia more than ever. He needed her. Aleco wished she had never left his embrace and remained by his side, but Aleco knew he was wrong for feeling that way. She had to leave. It was the only way she would be safe. But it didn’t dim his despair. He missed her more than anything.