Silence filled the chamber except for the gentle whisper of a late-morning breeze. Aaron chased through his mind for some understanding, but for all his effort, he had no idea where to find either location. Aaron knew that his only choice was to return empty handed. “Private,” Aaron said, “we must return to the capital. There is nothing more to find here. We need more information, and Celedon has the best historical archives in the empire.”
“Yes sir!” Rayn smiled. “It will be good to be back in a warmer climate! One thing, sir, will we be going through Hamilton?” Eagerness filled the young man’s voice. “You see, I grew up in Hamilton and would like a chance to visit on our way through.” The delight in his eyes betrayed his youthfulness.
“Yes, we must take the road through Hamilton. It is a week’s ride there, and we will have to re-supply before we go on. Let’s make a start of it.”
The men left the burned out shell of the cottage and found their horses still tied to the tree branch. The sun was high in the sky, and its warm light reflected off the snow with the sparkle of thousands of tiny diamonds.
“Before we go, sir” Rayn interjected, “may I ask you a question?”
“Certainly, Private. What is it?”
Rayn hesitated. “Sir, do you think we might encounter that same creature again?” His voice trembled.
“I wish I knew.” Aaron took a deep breath, desperate to keep his own nerves in check. “All I know is that I hope to never see one again. It ignored us the first time, so perhaps we are of no concern to such creatures.” Aaron tried to convince himself, but his own fears were not so easily dismissed. “Perhaps when we leave this area, we will leave all these concerns behind.”
“No offense, sir, but I don’t think you believe that.”
“Well, whether I believe it or not, what I do know is that we need to move out. We’ve lingered here too long.” Both men left the grim scene behind and rode their horses back down the mountain path.
****
Aaron and Rayn traveled past North Village and began their long journey southward. The road kept close to the swift Hoppe River on their right as the majestic Shadow Mountains guarded the western horizon. The mountains, heavy with snow, hid their peaks behind a wall of grey clouds. The Hoppe River rumbled like the continual roll of thunder and exhaled a steady mist that covered the bank and trees in white frost. Massive cedars hung heavy with large icicles that dangled like spears from their thick branches. Aaron listened to the sounds of the forest around him and heard the occasional swoosh of snow as it fell from the tops of the trees.
The road they traveled was broad, a main thoroughfare used as a highway between the city of Hamilton and the northern regions of Celedon. Trees stood silent as their branches formed an archway over the road. Since the arrival of winter, few travelers ventured to the northern reaches. Aaron and Rayn journeyed in isolation, though on occasion, Aaron noticed the imprint of a deer or elk that had crossed the road to get to the river. The uneventful ride continued for miles with an occasional scent of smoke wafting through the air from some unseen house in the woods.
As the sun fell behind the Shadow Mountains, an eerie gloom descended on Aaron’s thoughts, and he looked toward the sky. High above, in the red and gold of sunset, he watched clouds pour over the mountain peaks. The chill winter air turned biting cold. The mist from the river grew thick and hung heavy on the trees. Small flakes of snow drifted from the clouds like advanced scouts, the foreshadowing of a storm.
“Captain,” Rayn asked, “where is this snow coming from? There was no sign we were going to face bad weather.”
“I don’t know, but we need to decide quickly what we’re going to do. I had hoped to reach the hostel by nightfall, but if this storm finds its strength we’ll be in for it.” Aaron knew of no lodging or shelter, so he and Rayn pressed on against the ever-increasing wind. High clouds looked like dark shadows in the dim twilight. The large, snow-laden messengers of a storm drifted from the north as if they pursued the two companions.
Like the rush of an angry army, large flakes fell upon the two travelers. Aaron wondered if the heavens themselves had set its strength against them. With a desperate need to retreat, Aaron looked to the woods to find some protection from the storm. The snow fell so thick he could not see beyond the edge of the road. It piled higher and higher until their mounts struggled to take another step in the deep drifts. Aaron was anxious, and Rayn began to panic as the storm continued.
“Captain, we must find shelter!” Rayn’s voice faded as the storm howled through the forest.
Aaron nodded his agreement, and the two departed the road and entered into the woods. Even in the protection of the trees, they were beset with difficulty as the winter storm dispensed its flurries of snow and ice. In the darkness, they heard the churning waters of the Hoppe River. Overhead, the clouds continued to empty their payload upon the earth with no end in sight.
Cold and weary, Aaron and Rayn pressed through the woods along what seemed to be an overgrown trail that meandered through the dense forest. Under the branches they were less exposed to the elements and pushed on with a renewed hope of finding some cave or large tree to camp under for the night. The trail led on, and without any other direction to follow, the two soldiers continued through the undergrowth.
“Captain,” Rayn now had to shout to be heard over the wind. “Captain, look there!” The private pointed ahead through the dense trees. Through the heavy snow, in the midst of the woods, stood a solitary house. Smoke rose from a central chimney, and every window glowed with warmth.
They rode up to the structure, dismounted, and tied their horses to a wooden post in front of the house. Engulfed in the near blizzard and the darkness of night, Aaron sighed with reserved gratitude. Chilled to the bone, the thought of a warm fire and a hot meal buoyed his spirits.
Unsure of what to expect, Aaron approached with caution. He kept his hand on the hilt of his sword, but hoped that the occupants who enjoyed a warm fire might be equally warm towards him and Rayn.
Aaron walked onto the covered porch, and the wood planks creaked beneath his weight. He reached up to rap on the door, but at that moment, the door swung open and Aaron found himself looking down at an old man, bent and grey.
“Ah, young master,” the old man said, “have you come to stay the night?” The man’s voice cracked as he spoke, but there was an air of delight in his expression.
“Indeed we have,” Aaron said as his teeth chattered with the cold. “Are you the keeper of this house?”
“I am. My name is Kaylan, and I have kept this house for many years—long before you were born I suspect!” The old man chuckled and welcomed the two men into the home. “Now, the both of you come in out of the cold and warm yourselves by the fire. I’ll see that your horses are stabled and will be back in half-a-moment.” With that, Kaylan disappeared out the front door while Rayn and Aaron took the old man’s advice.
The house was simple, quaint, and designed to keep travelers. To the right, built into the wall, a stone fireplace crackled with a welcome fire that illuminated and heated a large common room. A round table placed in the center of the room had seven chairs around it. On the wall near the fire were several wooden pegs and upon these Aaron and Rayn hung their cloaks. To the left of the entrance door, a narrow stair led up to a landing with several doors that Aaron assumed were various sleeping chambers.
Under the stairwell, a hallway led to rooms unknown, and across from the main entrance stood a closed door. Aaron grabbed a chair from the table and sat near the fire, eager to enjoy the warmth and stave off the chill that had set in. Rayn followed suit. A cast iron cooking pot hung on metal brackets over the fire and bubbled in the heat. Steam escaped the lid and carried the pungent scent of a boiled roast.
Kaylan entered, stomped his feet, and beat the caked-on snow from his shoes. “Fortunate for you that you arrived when you did. A winter storm has settled in, and the snow is falling hard outside.”
“
Yes, indeed,” Aaron said. “If it wasn’t for your generous hospitality and the fortunate location of your home, my companion and I might not have made it this night.”
Kaylan waved his hand, as if to say think nothing of it. Then he disappeared through the hall under the stairs and returned with three large bowls, a two-pronged serving fork and three smaller forks. “Come, sit at the table and let me get you some dinner.” He took the bowls, plunged the large fork into the pot and pulled out three large portions of meat. “Not much,” he said, “just some boiled beef. But it’s hot and there’s plenty to spare.” He served the men and sat down to eat.
It was just as he said, hot and plentiful. Aaron enjoyed the dinner immensely. His heart lightened from the day’s events, and he felt warmth return to his limbs. He looked at Rayn and noticed a smile on the young private’s face.
Kaylan rose and grabbed some wood stacked next to the hearth. He cast the fuel onto the fire to a small eruption of embers. “When you’ve finished dinner, join me by the fire and we’ll talk.” Kaylan walked from the room and vanished through the door under the stairs.
****
The night passed as Aaron and Rayn listened to Kaylan tell of his many experiences. “In years long ago,” he chuckled, “I used to wander the countryside in search of adventures. Oh, I’ve been to the tops of mountains and across the Great Plains. I’ve stood on top of the world and found myself in its depths, but you know what I found?” Aaron shook his head. “I’ve found that after wandering the entire world, I seem to always come back home.” He laughed at that. Then he stood, collected the dinner dishes, and took them down the hall. Aaron and Rayn listened to their host as he laughed and talked with himself over the clink of rattling dishes.
“Sir, this man seems to have been around. Perhaps he knows what we need. He must have heard about or seen the places we’re trying to find.”
“Perhaps,” Aaron said, reluctant to trust their cheerful host.
Kaylan returned with a jug of ale and three cups. The brew was warm, and its heady aroma filled the room. Each man took a cup and poured a generous amount of the draught. “Now, young masters,” said Kaylan, “what is your story? Two soldiers don’t wander around the country in the dead of winter without a purpose.” The old man hoisted his cup to his lips and took a large gulp of the warm drink, leaned back in his chair and settled in for a lengthy tale.
“Well,” Aaron began, “there’s not much to tell.” He didn’t want to explain the events of the past few days. “We were on a mission to stop a thief and recover what he had stolen; ultimately it led to our arrival at the village a day’s ride north of here. He fled, and we cornered him in an old cottage and, unfortunately, he was destroyed. When we looked, we didn’t find the artifact and are now on our way home.” Aaron hoped the brief, general account of the events satisfied the curiosity of the old man.
Kaylan shook his head in mock disappointment. “I can see you need to learn how to tell a story. How about you, young man?” Kaylan directed his attention to Rayn. “Do you think that you might tell it better than that?”
“Sir,” Rayn replied, “my captain gave you an accurate account of the circumstances. I don’t think that any information I might add would impress you.”
“Good!” Kaylan exclaimed. “You do your captain credit. He doesn’t want to share any more than he did, and you keep his secrets well. You must be commended. But, to tell you my little secret, I may know more about your story than you suppose.”
“And what is it you know? There is not much more than what I have already told you.” Aaron tried to sound nonchalant but he was troubled.
“Oh, don’t worry Captain. I won’t share your secrets with anyone else. Perhaps, though, I can be a help to you on your journey. What I will tell you is this; I know about your quest to recover the Book of Aleth, stolen from the royal archives.” Kaylan paused and Aaron’s eyes grew wide with apprehension. “You see, Captain, I know more than you about this and might be able to help.”
“Who else…” Aaron stuttered. “Who else knows about this?”
“All of Celedon—that is to say, a Celedon you’ve never known—is aware of the fact that the Book of Aleth is missing. Whoever possesses that book will be hunted by more than just the emperor,” Kaylan said.
“What do you mean, a Celedon I’ve never known? I’ve been in every province, in every major city and most of the minor ones, in hamlets and villages from the coast to the eastern border.” Aaron grew perplexed and frustrated by his wizened host.
Kaylan stood and stretched his arms. “Wait here and I will return with something that might interest you.” Kaylan entered the door to his private chambers. Aaron listened to the clanking of unseen objects as Kaylan voiced a stream of comments about the untidy nature of his room. A few minutes later he emerged with a large leather satchel over his shoulder.
“Come, sit closer to the fire,” Kaylan directed.
Aaron hesitated. “It’s late; can this wait until morning?”
“No Captain, I think you will want to see this.”
Aaron’s curiosity overcame his exhaustion, and they sat with Kaylan by the hearth. The old man opened the brown leather bag, weather-worn with a strip of rope for a shoulder strap. From the bag, he pulled out a wooden box, old and frail. The box boasted no great marks or designs, and the hinged top creaked when he opened it. Inside was a smooth, clear glass orb. It fit in the palm of his hand and when held up to the light of the fire, it began to flicker as if a small flame burned within.
“What is that?” Rayn asked.
“This is a… a tool,” Kaylan said. “It is called a fire orb, and it possesses qualities that permit some who gaze into it to see events that…well…that are of great importance to the one who looks. I can help you, if you wish.” He turned toward Rayn. “Young man, reach into the bag and retrieve the stand.” Rayn pulled out a three-legged, round metal stand, its silver surface reflected the light of the fire. The top was fashioned to allow the orb to sit in its center without falling through. “Put that in the fire…Yes, just like that, so that the top is over the flames.” Then, with great care, Kaylan placed the orb on the stand. It began to glow with the light of the fire.
“Well now, Captain,” Kaylan asked, “do you want to gaze into the orb?”
“What will I see?” Aaron was reluctant; the day had already seen its share of strange sights.
“You will see only those things that are important to you.” Kaylan spoke no more, but seemed to take on a new, serious expression with a wisdom reflected in his penetrating gaze.
The orb sat on the metal stand and began to glow. The flame within, like an all-consuming fire, intensified until it burned bright and hot. Aaron felt the warmth as if it radiated to engulf his entire being. The fire of the hearth dimmed in the sheer brilliance of the orb’s influence as red flames danced inside the sphere. Aaron was amazed the crystal did not shatter. He took the center seat and stared into the red flames that seemed to swirl like liquid fire. He locked his gaze on the flames within. The brilliance of the sphere intensified until the only light in the room emanated from the small object. All others dimmed as if they cowered in the strength of the fire orb. A sudden flash like red lightning burst from the center of the orb, and Aaron was engulfed by the light.
Aaron found himself transported, whether in a vision or in reality he didn’t know, to a ledge. High on a mountain cliff, Aaron looked down upon a dark crevasse. The wind howled and whipped against his face, and snow swirled around him to bite into his skin like tiny needles. In every direction stood high mountain peaks that reached their stony fingers into the grey blanket of clouds.
Along the high cliff, a narrow path followed the contours of the mountainside like a precipitous walkway across the dangerous range. Several yards ahead of him a young girl crouched on her hands and knees as her dark hair whipped across her face in the strong wind. Aaron knew the young woman was in distress. He watched as she shouted into the dark chasm. H
er voice trailed off, useless in the howling wind. Aaron wanted to move closer, to help her, but the narrow ledge offered a perilous place to stand, and he feared any movement meant a rapid descent into the darkness below.
With a flash of red light, Aaron found himself looking again at the fire. The vision had passed, and the orb sat perched on its stand. The fire radiated bright and warm, as if nothing had happened. Aaron reeled from the event, and tried to catch his breath. He had never experienced such awareness—like being a phantom on a stage, able to watch the drama unfold all around him and experience every sensation without the power to participate in the experience. Flushed with exhaustion, Aaron fixed his gaze on Kaylan. The old man sat motionless, his brown eyes stared straight ahead under his grey, bushy eyebrows, as if he were in a trance.
On his right, Rayn simply stared at him with furrowed brows. “Sir, are… are you all right?” Aaron heard the desperate concern in Rayn’s trembling voice.
“Yes, Private…I am OK. But it was more than I expected,” Aaron said.
Just then, Kaylan blinked as if he woke from a spell that held him. He took a deep breath. His voice cracked in a whisper as he spoke to Aaron. “I’ve helped many to bring forth a vision from the fire orb; but you… yours was the most powerful I’ve encountered since…” His voice trailed off as he stopped himself in mid-thought. “What you have experienced is a vision—a prophecy if you will—that concerns a decision which awaits you in the future. I’ve not used the stone for quite some time, and you seem to have an immense draw on its power. My strength is laid waste. I am spent and must rest.”
Aaron tried to interrupt with questions.
“No, young sir, I am spent and will discuss nothing more.” With that, he slowly stood and stretched.
“One thing,” Aaron interrupted, “who are you?”
“I am… well let’s just say that I am someone that can help you discover the path you are meant to travel. I am a friend, though I can see by your expression that you’ve not had a friend like me.” Kaylan waved his hand and stopped Aaron before he asked another question. “Keep your thoughts and save your questions for tomorrow. Speak with your own heart and seek understanding there. Goodnight.”
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