The Last Legend: Awakened

by Joshua B. Wichterich

“Good morning, my friend!” Natalia said as she lowered her small sword to her side.

  “You frightened me,” Tairren said with an aggravated edge, “and why didn’t you waken me?”

  “Forgive us, Master Tairren,” Phillip said as he put his long sword into his sheath, “we only meant for you to catch up on your sleep. It is still early. The light of the day came less than an hour ago.”

  Tairren just nodded his head as he got his things situated on Lilly’s saddle. He seemed irritated as he pulled out an apple from his satchel and took a big bite. He rubbed his arm that was still wrapped with bandages and began to scratch at it.

  “Does it bother you?” Natalia asked as she walked over to him while putting her sword into her sheath.

  “Yes, slightly,” Tairren said, still rubbing his arm. “It’s starting to itch, the pain comes and goes—but I fear it is no normal wound. Infection would be the last thing I need right now.”

  They grew quiet for a moment

  “Tairren, what do you think those creatures were last night? Have you ever seen anything like that before?” Natalia asked.

  “No,” Tairren said, “I have never seen anything like those things—but they carried the same presence as those flying creatures did. They are evil and born from darkness…”

  “I thought you said that the Great Wall of Division kept the evil out,” Phillip said.

  “Yes—it did. But I fear something far more evil is spreading upon the lands,” Tairren said as he looked off onto the lake. “When the being of light came to me—it said I will see things that I have never seen before… We must be strong and vigilant.”

  “That frightens me,” Natalia said as she looked back at his wounded arm. “I hope we will be safe—and I hope your health is well.

  Tairren began to dig in his satchel again, then pulled out a large rolled up piece of paper.

  “If God is for us—who could be against us?” Tairren smiled at Natalia, reassuring her. “And my arm is the least of my worries,” he said as he squatted down, unrolling the paper upon the grass.

  Phillip and Natalia looked down at him curiously, then squatted down as well to take a look at what he was looking at. It was a hand-drawn map of Minslethrate. Every inch of the map was detailed and labeled. It appeared old and worn but looked magnificent.

  “Where did you get this?” Natalia asked in a surprised tone as she pulled her long hair out of the way, which fell onto the map as she peered closer at it.

  “It was my father’s,” Tairren said as he took another bite of his apple, then threw the rest of it to Lilly who was grazing at the grass. “I didn’t need to pull it out till now—I need to refresh my memory of the lands. It is of Minslethrate and shows every aspect of it.”

  “Oh look, there’s my family’s province,” Natalia said excitedly as she pointed at the area of the map that was labeled, “Ducre’ Province”, which was accompanied by a little drawing of a manor surrounded by fields, then trees. “And look, the Forest Province.”

  Amongst the Forest Provence was a small square, which had the label “Cottage of Timotheus” right next to it. Then a couple inches away from it was a little drawing of a clearing with a rosemary bush right in the center of it. Then many inches to the right was the small town of Prat, then many inches away from that was the small kingdom of Hanon. A thin line connected the outsides of the provinces which was labeled, “Weeping Road”. There were also small dotted lines separating the different regions, and a drawing of a wall which separated the northern parts of Minslethrate from the southern parts.

  Tairren smiled at the great detail his father had laid out on the map and became happy to find out what an explorer his father was.

  “Your father was quite an adventurer,” Phillip said as he leaned back on his haunches with his arms folded.

  “That he was,” Tairren said as he grasped the wing pendant that dangled before the map. He had almost forgotten about it until it had slipped out of his tunic.

  He pointed to each part of the map, correctly pronouncing the names of each province and briefly revealed what he knew about them.

  “We are here,” he said, pointing to a small area on the map that said, “Lake Iris”, which was drawn out as well and sitting amongst a forest which was labeled “Forest of Old”. “We need to get here, The Dark Tower of Sacrifice,” he said as he led his finger to the bottom part of the map. “So as you can see we have a little journey ahead of us—past some random fields and woods, across The Great Wall of Division and into The Forbidden Lands, through The Black Forest, across The Black Field of Old Blood, and to the Dark Temple of Sacrifice.”

  Quietness came over them as the realization of how strenuous their quest was going to be, settled in their minds.

  “Looks easy enough,” Phillip finally said, smirking.

  Both Tairren and Natalia just looked at him, while Natalia slowly shook her head. Phillip’s grin slowly faded from his face as he just cleared his throat.

  “Well we must get going,” Tairren said as he rolled the map back up, “like I said before—it’ll take us a couple of days.”

  Tairren threw on his cape as Natalia and Phillip did the same thing. They quickly got all of their things together, situated and fastened to their saddles—getting ready for another long horse ride. Natalia walked over to Tairren as he was digging in his satchel which now sat in one of the saddle bags.

  “Tairren,” Natalia said in a low tone, not wanting to catch Phillip’s attention.

  She had been waiting to ask Tairren about his necklace he was wearing, which seemed to be of great importance to him. She noticed his cape was new as well but she figured Moral probably had produced it for him.

  “Forgive me,” she said after a moment, “—but where did you get such a beautiful necklace? The pendant is wondrous. It is far more intriguing than any piece of jewelry I’ve ever seen.”

  He smiled a little as he grasped the wing shaped pendant.

  “It was passed down from generation to generation in my father’s family—and my mother gave it to me before I left, along with my father’s traveling things.” he said as he looked upon it.

  “Wonderful,” Natalia said as a pretty smile came across her face. “I’m thrilled you’ve come about these things. To hold such keepsakes are truly amazing,” she said as she held the wing-shaped pendant in her hand, analyzing all of the sparkling jewels which studded the fine gold. “You must’ve had some wealthy ancestors somewhere up in your family tree,” she said, teasingly. “And they must’ve been extraordinary—like this very pendant. A golden wing to mark a golden heart…,” she said as she still smiled at him, looking into his dark-blue eyes. “A free soul is like a bird that flies on high with no limits,” she said, letting the pendant fall back onto his chest.

  Tairren wanted to share with her then of what his mother had revealed to him, about his father and his ancestors. He wanted to share everything with her and how proud and overwhelmed he was with knowing about his ancestors—that he was more than just a peasant boy. But he knew then wasn’t a good time.

  “Thank you,” Tairren said, instead.

  He tenderly took her hand to kiss it.

  “You need not act that way with me, Tairren,” Natalia said as she giggled.

  She came near him and gave him a kiss on the side of his mouth, barely touching his lips with hers.

  “I only kiss the one’s I love,” she said as she placed her hand on his cheek, still smiling at him.

  They looked into each other’s eyes for a moment, as two young companions did who truly cared for each other.

  “Shouldn’t we be off?” Phillip asked, appearing slightly irritated as he sat still and upright on his horse.

  Natalia glanced up at Phillip then quickly went to her horse. Her cheeks turned red with embarrassment as she realized that Phillip must’ve been watching.

  “Let’s go,” Tairren said as he pulled himself onto Lilly’s back.

  Tairren gave Lilly a quick n
udge and signal with his voice, then he was off. Phillip just glanced at Natalia who didn’t make eye contact with him at first. Then she glanced at him, feeling guilty for some reason. Without waiting for Natalia, Phillip got Sable to speed off right behind Tairren. Taking in a deep breath, Natalia followed.

  CHAPTER 16

  Heavy Burdens

  The marketplace was quiet and subdued as only a hand-full of shoppers walked here and there about the shops. Many shades of gray blanketed the kingdom, making the marketplace appear as a dark dream. The sky was still morbid and dreary with dark-gray clouds, and the stale breezes of the early day continued to carry on. Instead of early spring, it looked as if they were in the winter season. The kingdom seemed as if every living color was sucked from it, as well as every inch of happiness and love.

  Moral sat still on her chair in the quaint little shop, just thinking. She appeared as a silent statue. People past by the shop just to take a glance at what was in it, then carried on with their business. Moral sat quietly and just softly smiled at them as they passed by every once in a while. She thought of Tairren and Marrisa, Natalia and the prince, and wondered where they were and if they were okay. But she tried not to worry about them too much, because she knew everything would be okay. Her faith was the only thing that was keeping her away from having a nervous breakdown. The strange being that came to her in the night said not to fret, not to worry…

  She had a strange dream the night before, or at least she thought it was a dream. It was too unreal for it to have really happened, but at the same time, it felt so real that it had to have really happened. Everything about it felt alive: the sounds she heard, the adoration she felt, and even the smells that came all around her in her dream. It all felt so real.

  Moral sat up in her chair and rested her elbow on the wooden arm rest, propping her cheek on top of her round fist. She watched the people pass by, appearing like solemn shadows in the gray breezes. She closed her eyes and thought of her dream—or maybe, the glorious visit from an angelic and mysterious creature…

  †††

  That night Moral was sitting at her table and drinking a hot cup of chamomile and lavender tea, drowning in a deep sadness as she thought of her son, her only son. She was overwhelmed and worried and could not sleep ever since her son had left for The Forbidden Lands. She couldn’t help but think that something horrible was happening to the young adventurers. She worried that her son would get hurt out in the wilderness, or sick or even fall into the hands of death. Anything could happen to any one of them out there beyond the kingdom and she couldn’t stand the thought of it.

  Tears collected in her eyes and rolled down her cheeks as her mind continued to whirl with horrible thoughts of what might become of Tairren and the others. She buried her face in her hands and began to sob. Her emotions flowed out like rivers of sadness as she let them go for the first time since Tairren had left. All of a sudden she heard a soft call of an owl as she felt a loving hand touch the top of her head.

  Startled, Moira lifted her head, looking all around the small cottage. Her tears stopped flowing as her heart quickened. No one was there, but a presence could be felt upon her—a good presence. Movement in the window caught her attention. She could tell that it was something large and white. Her heart began to pound as the thought of her house being surrounded by spirits burst into her mind. She looked closer, realizing that the movement was not from any kind of frightening spirit, but from an owl that had perched on a low hanging branch right outside of the small window.

  She sat still, mesmerized by the large white owl. The mighty bird was beautiful and mysterious like a dream. Messages of comfort surrounded her body and touched her heart, which seemed to emit from the owl…

  “…Do not be afraid. Though they walk in the midst of trouble—He will revive them. He shall stretch forth His hand against the wrath of the enemy—and His right hand shall save them…”

  All of a sudden her sadness melted away. Right then she knew her son was okay.

  †††

  A slight smile came across Moral’s face as she came out of her thoughts. She sat up in her chair as she noticed a woman approaching the shop. The woman was lugging around a large basket which was filled with all kinds of different things. The woman was kind of on the heavy side and she wore a red dress with a long white apron that was tied around her waist, below her great bosoms. Her hair was up and unseen beneath a white veil and her round dark face was circled by the cloth and pinned beneath her chin. By the looks of the apron and the keys that dangled by her side; she was obviously a servant and Moral recognized her to be Sora, Natalia’s handmaiden. She put her basket down beside one of the tables of the little shop then exhaled, as if she had been lugging a ton of bricks.

  “Hello,” Moral said, greeting her frazzled customer with a smile.

  “Oh hello there,” Sora said in her mild islander accent, which was filled with anxiety and sadness.

  Moral noticed that she was not accompanied by a lady or lord. Sora would usually be seen following the Marchioness of Minslethrate around the marketplace, chatting and giggling with her ladyship. She usually looked happy, but that day she had a worried and saddened expression on her face. Her black eyes were like two deep wells filled with a dark sadness.

  “How may I assist you ma’am?” Moral said as she stood up.

  “I only need a couple jars of your wonderful sweet-spice apple preserves,” Sora said in a low tone as she pulled out a pouch of coins, “the Marchioness loves it on her morning tarts.”

  Sora silently paid for the preserves, then placed the jars in her already filled basket. Moral watched as Sora picked up her basket with a sigh. As she went to thank Moral, the basket slipped out of her hand and everything fell out and all over the ground. The jars of preserves rolled out of the basket as the other things tumbled out.

  “Oh my,” Sora said in a stressed tone as she hurried to her knees to pick up the goods.

  Moral rushed out from behind her table to help the frazzled woman.

  “Thank you ma’am—you are kind,” Sora said as she dusted off the things before she placed them back in her basket. “Oh!” Sora grunted as she went to pick up one of the jars of preserves. The jar was broken, allowing the sweet apple to ooze out onto the ground. Sora appeared as if she were about to cry as she lowered her head, slowly shaking it with closed eyes. “Nothing good happens for me,” she said.

  Moral could read the stress all over her face and had a feeling it was because of Lady Natalia going off to the Forbidden Lands. Sora was always seen in the marketplace with Natalia or the Marchioness, or sometimes both; but this time she was alone.

  “Don’t worry yourself,” Moral said as she helped pick up the rest of her things. “There is enough stress in this world to be bothered by a broken jar of preserves.”

  Sora didn’t say anything as she still sat back on her haunches. She brought her hands to her face and began to cry.

  Moral’s eyes widened as she placed her hand over her mouth.

  “Please don’t cry madam,” she said as she placed her hand on Sora’s round shoulder.

  “You don’t understand!” Sora said in a much louder tone, “Do not tell me not to cry…”

  Moral became quiet for a moment. She did understand, and knew clearly how she felt.

  “Ma’am… I know how you feel…” Moral finally said “And you should know that Natalia is safe…”

  Sora stopped crying that instant as she looked up at Moral. Her eyes were wide as a shocked look came across her wet face.

  “What did you say?” Sora said with a trembling voice, then wiped her eyes with her apron.

  “I know that Natalia is okay,” Moral said with a soft smile. “My name is Moral—and my son is a dear companion to The Lady Natalia—and the princess.”

  Sora sat for a moment, sniffling every once in a while.

  “How do you know she is okay?” she finally asked.

  “Well… I… I just know
in my heart that she is okay, I feel it right now… The other evening I was in a deep hour of darkness, just as you are now. My heart was aching and laden with heavy burdens because I was worried for my son—Tairren. You see, they are together, deep in the southern parts of Minstlethrate and looking for Marrisa…”

  Sora was confused about everything, but realized who Tairren was and remembered that Natalia wrote that she was “in good hands” in her letter. Natalia mentioned Tairren on many occasions, and Sora knew she was really fond of him.

  “But you see, something wonderful came to me in the night, and told me that they are safe… We must always know that—if we who are weary and carry heavy burdens go to Him—He will give us rest… God will sustain us…” Moral became quiet as she noticed the incredulous look on Sora’s face. “Just know that Natalia is safe—she is with my son and Prince Phillip—God watches over them like a shepherd who watches over his sheep at night. When the wolves come prowling he will be there to protect them…”

  “Your faith is something we all need,” Sora said as she gave Moral a smile.

  She became quiet for a moment, then stood up. Moral stood up as well, then dusted off the front of her dress.

  “It’s beginning to make sense. The night of the ball Natalia was acting strange, and I could tell that she wanted to tell me something. I didn’t think anything of it until I found a letter from her the next afternoon,” Sora said. “I’ve been so worried…”

  “Yes I understand…,” Moral said with another soft smile. “Here, take this.”

  Moral hurried behind her table and held out another jar of preserves.

  “Oh no—I couldn’t,” Sora said with a look of guilt on her face.

  “Go on, I insist, from one worried woman to another,” Moral said with a chuckle.

  “Oh you are so kind, no wonder Natalia loves to be around you and your son—I’m sure your son is just as loving as you are.”

  They continued to chat for a few more minutes, which seemed to cheer up Sora. Their laughter and smiles looked to be the only sign of happiness on that gloomy day in the market-place.