by Luna Lais
"Not that I am aware of. I am a generally likable enough fellow. I make friends easy and I am smart enough to avoid the corruption that plagues all wars."
Darien knew Eranen's words were true. He had just met the man and already he felt as if they had always been friends. "You mentioned natural reasons Eranen. Does that mean there might be an unnatural reason for someone to want to harm you?"
It took several moments and several drinks before Eranen answered the question. "I was given another prophecy several years ago," he began slowly. "Once while I was fighting for Maeorus in Pearoandorn, I was approached by an Acumen during an overnight leave I had been given. The army was camped near the town of Bolsters," the men grinned at each other. Bolsters was known for its houses of ill repute and gaming halls. For a soldier on leave it was a paradise. "At first I had thought the young woman was going to make me an offer. I was very disappointed that all she wanted to give me was a prophecy. She claimed it to be a pinnacle. While I have thought of that lady many times since meeting her I have rarely thought of the prophecy she gave me. Only this last winter has it entered my mind." Eranen looked Darien over. His hair was as black as coal and his eyes the color of steel. All those who had attacked him had brilliant blue eyes and pale blond hair. Eranen would have to trust his instinct and believe Darien to be here for the reason he had stated.
"I will tell you my prophecy Darien Raven, perhaps you can help me to decipher it." He turned his gaze from Darien's and stared into the fire while he recalled the words. "I was told that before my twenty-seventh birthday not to resist my desires. My desires would ensure that the Moon and Sun would meet. Their meeting would signal the rise of the Destroyer."
"Again the mention of the Moon and the Sun" Darien said mostly to himself turning to Eranen he continued his thought. "My Acumen spoke of the reign of the Pretender never ending if the Sun and the Moon did not meet. Do you think the Gods' will is for the Destroyer to rule instead of the Pretender?"
"Rule what?" Eranen questioned. "Maeorus rules Pearoandorn, Harold in Hokaren and your own brother rules Calandoria. What is left for this Pretender or Destroyer to rule, other than the barrens beyond the Northern Mountains?" As an after thought he added, "Why would any one care, which ruled there. Nothing can live in that harsh desert land?"
Darien was a bit shocked that Eranen had known who he was. He had made no attempt to keep it concealed. He had even given Eranen his surname, but the fact that Eranen had not mentioned it before now spoke volumes of his character. Eranen was not a man to judge another by his rank or appearance, but rather his actions. Darien wondered if that was why Eranen dressed as he did. If a man could treat him as an equal even though he dressed as a beggar, then that man would be worthy of his respect.
Taking another long drink Eranen calmed himself. He too was uneasy by the similarities of the prophecies. "Perhaps if we examined the prophecies exactly as they were spoken to us they would make more sense." Darien said before taking another drink himself. "Tell me is it rare for a man two have two pinnacle prophesies related to him."
Eranen's eyes were drawn back to Darien's. "How did you know that the prophecy regarding a man and his Nog was also said to be a pinnacle by the Acumen who gave it to me?"
"I had no idea at all," Darien confessed. "The prophecy that sent me here was a pinnacle."
Both men sat lost in there thoughts for a few moments. They were now dealing with three pinnacle prophecies and the lives of three Acumen hung in the balance.
"Eranen, if it is rare for two pinnacle prophecies to be given regarding the same event then I can only assume that an event involving three pinnacle prophecies would carry enough consequence that all life would be effected by the outcome." Eranen did not respond to Darien he only nodded in agreement. He had been thinking the same thing.
"The second son of Raven is required to travel south for two days then southeast. If by noon on the fourth day a wise man is not spared from death by his blade the Moon will never meet the Sun and the Pretender will reign forever. That is what my Acumen spoke to me." Darien turned to Eranen to see how he would take the news that soon he would be facing death. With a determined look in his eyes Eranen met Darien's gaze.
"So you have come to save my life?" He asked. Darien only nodded continuing to meet Eranen's gaze. "I will not forfeit my life so easily, but I would welcome your blade in what I must face."
In that moment a thought occurred to Darien. "Perhaps that is it," Darien said. "Your desire is to live. I am from Calandoria the land of the moon and you are from Hokaren land of the Sun. What bonds men more strongly than sharing combat? From this experience perhaps we will become great friends. Thus the Moon and the Sun meet"
"And what of the Destroyer and Pretender?" Eranen asked. "I can see how in someway you might have some sway on the rulers of the known world, but I am just a farmer, and not even a good one at that."
Darien did not have an answer for Eranen. He had forgotten about the Destroyer and Pretender. "I can not say. Why must the Gods speak to us in riddles? It would be easier to see their will done without them."
Eranen could only nod at Darien's words.
Eranen rose picking up the jug and placing it in the middle of the table along with his cup. He moved to the shelves and pulled out bowls and utensils. "We will drive ourselves mad trying to understand the Gods and their will," Eranen said to Darien. "Come eat my friend and let's discuss other things. I often find that when I am not thinking of a problem the solution presents itself." Darien rose and joined Eranen at the table. They enjoyed the simple stew Eranen had made and talked of their lives, forgetting the prophecies for a while.
Darien found himself telling Eranen everything about him, even about Geena. At the age of eighteen Geena had been the woman Darien would have chosen to spend the rest of his life with. Her father, a nobleman in Calandoria refused Darien as son a son in-law. He desired his daughter on a throne as queen which would give him more political power. He chose instead for her, Markus Ashbourne of Pearoandorn, the same man that warred with Maeorus for two years over the crown. It was the loss of Geena that had caused him to leave Calandoria in search of his destiny.
Eranen told Darien stories of his own family long dead. Eranen had never known his father who died when he was an infant. His grandmother had helped his mother raise him, but she passed when he was thirteen. Shortly after Eranen left home at fifteen in search of his fortune, his mother died a short time later. Both men had suffered great loss. It was while Eranen spoke of his grandmother who had passed when he was thirteen that the topic of Acumens came up again.
"My grandmother use to tell me a story of an ancient Acumen who had been cursed with a special prophecy. This man was denied death and force to live and watch any he became close to grow old and die. The only way this man may be released from the curse is by fulfilling his prophecy." Eranen smiled fondly at the memory of his favorite childhood bedtime story. "It is a wonderful fairy tale. I would think a real Acumen would welcome this curse considering what they have now. Could you imagine living forever? The man would have to be near nine hundred years old, since the tell is set before the kingdoms were formed." Darien studied the far away look in his new friend's eye and softly laughed. Eranen smiled as he glanced at him. "It sounds as if you believe this fairy tale," Darien teased.
"I have studied many ancient books of prophecy and I have found things in those books that certainly make me wondered if it might not be possible. I am not an expert on the Acumen or their abilities, but the ancients seemed to have a different view of the curse." Eranen did not continue to elaborate. They had a mutual understanding that the subject of Acumen would be avoid for the rest of the evening.
"I will only say that one of these days I would like to travel to the Northern Mountains of Calandoria and see if I can find any trace of him."
Darien remembered hearing as a child the same fairy tale of the Ancient Acumen. Nothing that Darien knew of the Acumen curse supported the tale. "W
hat was it that his prophecy was?" he asked Eranen not remembering himself.
Eranen gave him a faint smile rather than an answer. "It seems unlikely that two warriors drunk off a good ale will discover the secrets of ancient prophecy over their stew."
"True," Darien consented, "but I would like to hear it again just the same."
"If Knowledge does not find the Moon with valor, then the Moon, Sun and Destroyer will fall and truth shall perish." Eranen had known those words since he could remember. Only now did it seem that they anything more than part of a child's bedtime story. "What do you think?" Eranen asked Darien.
"Honestly I am beginning to think that you may very well be the most important man who has ever lived." Darien said uneasily.
"Perhaps we should retire for the night. The hour is growing late." Darien said suddenly anxious for morning to come so that he could leave this place. He had a desperate unexplainable need to see his family.
Chapter 4
Alli stopped pacing a few moments to look at the closed door of her father's private office. She began nervously wringing her hands. When she realized what she was doing she rolled her deep blue eyes skyward and forced her hands to be still and then she continued pacing. It was only a matter of minutes before her fingers began wrapping themselves around each other again. She was nervous. Never before had her gift taken her away from Hokaren. Taking a few deep breaths and brushing a few of the golden curls that had fallen into her face behind her ear she reminded herself that her father loved her despite her unique talent. They had known this time would come. Acumen were slaves to their visions, force to fulfill the will of the Gods or to perish. She had been granted years of simple visions all located close to her home. Now the Gods required more, it was to be only to be expected. Her father would understand, in fact he would aid her in anyway, even if this vision was different than the others. Her life depended on it. It was only a matter of time now before the secret of her gift would become known. The people of Hokaren would learn that the only heir to Harold's throne was Acumen and more than likely destined to die before him. They would not be left without a ruler though. Her cousin Moraken would be there.
Moraken was not really her cousin, but that was a truth he did not know. He was actually the son of a prostitute left abandoned at the temple of the Sun's Soul just a few Moran from the palace. Alli had only known the truth herself a few months. Her father wanted her to know the truth. He refused to tell Moraken though. Harold thought the news would break his heart and make him refuse the responsibilities they both needed him to accept.
Moraken believed he was the only child of Harold's sister Maggie. Both Maggie and her husband were killed in a fire the same week Moraken was left at the temple. He was only a baby at the time so he would not remember his parents. Since Maggie and her husband lived on a country estate in Southern Hokaren near the town of Forsters and rarely visited the palace it was easy enough to say Moraken was there child without anyone becoming suspicious.
Harold and his own wife Esmeralda had long given up all hope of having a child of their own when Maggie died. When his sister passed away both Harold and Esmeralda were already pass their fortieth year. Moraken was Harold's only hope for continuing the Forstar line, even if he was not technically a Forstar. Four years after Moraken had come to live at the palace as a Prince of Hokaren Esmeralda died while giving Harold the child neither of them believed was meant to be.
Allista and Moraken had been his life since then. Harold had always dreamed of having many children and he did anything in his power to see both Allista and Moraken happy. He had never shown Alli favoritism over Moraken because she was truly his blood. Moraken, after all would rule Hokaren when both Alli and Harold were gone. For years Harold had been grooming both Moraken and Alli to rule the kingdom. Alli knew she would never be given the chance. She was ruled by the fates.
In the last few years the frequencies of Alli's visions had completely consumed her time, leaving none for the responsibilities of her birthright. She had only been home for a week before she received her latest vision. Given the intensity of this vision she knew in her heart she would never rule. This time it would be different than the others. This time it would take months to fulfill the prophecy if she even could. She was not worried about the cooperation of Hokaren for her life; her father would give anything. It was the unknown individuals she had yet to meet and the steps she had to take to meet them that worried her.
Most people did not like Acumen interfering in their lives, especially individuals with power. The more powerful the individual the less they appreciated it. This time she needed the aid of the King of Calandoria. The difficulty with that was the king she needed assistance from was not the king currently on the throne. He would be though she told herself and it would not be long before he ascended.
"Alli, What are you doing pacing the halls at this late hour?" Alli turned at the sound of the rich voice. She beamed her brightest smile at Moraken.
Moraken returned her smile with a dashing smile of his own. Moraken always dressed to his station, but Alli noticed that to night he was dressed in his finest evening clothes. He was wearing the best-imported black velvet from Pearoandorn. His black knee high boots shined from being freshly polished. He was wearing the green silk cape she had brought him back from one of her journeys last year. It made his blue eyes stand out even more. The cape was clasped at his neck with a gold and emerald brooch in the design of the Forstar Crest. He had a thin jewel crown circling his head just over his brow. Soft brown curls gathered around the band in the front. The silver jewel encrusted sword that hung at his hip had been chosen for decoration rather than a weapon. "You look handsome this evening," she said feeling inferior wearing her soft leather britches and boots. She wore a loose fitting white cotton blouse with long tight sleeves. She was in her traveling clothes.
"I was entertaining this evening," his smile grew broader. "I know why I am here" he nodded towards the door, "What about you?"
"I am waiting for father to finish up with Sir Cate. I have an appointment," She said running her fingers through her long golden curls. Moraken smiled when she did that. She always fidgeted when she was nervous.
"Since when do you need an appointment?" Moraken asked taking a seat on the small wooden bench by the door. He motioned with hand that she should sit next to him. Quickly Alli sat down and laid her head on his broad shoulder.
"I always make an appointment when it is regarding my curse," she said looking up at his green eyes. Moraken smiled and took her hand. "Another vision" she nodded in reply.
"Is it serious," he asked sobered by the news.
She could feel tears starting to form behind her eyes. Moraken was more than a cousin; he was her best friend. He was one of the few people who knew her secret. Growing up he had been the one she had confided her fears of being Acumen with.
"Very serious" she hung her head and began wringing her hands again. "I have never been scared by my visions before. I am worried that this time I will not succeed."
"Can I help?" he asked almost pleading with her.
"No, this time I leave Hokaren." She absently brushed a tear from her cheek. "This time I may not come back."
Moraken had known when he had seen her standing in the hall dressed the way she was that she would be leaving again. Alli had never been given a difficult vision before. Most seemed so ridiculous that it was almost inconceivable the Gods would even bother with them. Last year she had to make sure a middle-aged woman from Turells named Agatha Whitton won first prize with her crookleberry pie in the local country fair. Neither even knew what a crookleberry was, but Alli had done it. Somehow she made sure Agatha won and no one found out that she had interfered or that she was Acumen. He had laughed for hours over the tale.
"When do we leave?" he said having made up his mind.
"You know you can not come. This journey will take me to other kingdoms and there will be danger. You must stay here for father and Hokaren."
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"Nonsense, uncle and Hokaren will be fine. I will go and see to your protection." She laughed at the idea. Moraken had never been in any kind of fight. He learned to use a sword in one of the smaller ballrooms mock fighting with a tutor.
"I will be protected enough. The vision at least gives me that assurance." She tried to keep her smile as she said it, but it crumbled when their eyes met.
"Can you tell me?" he asked softly.
"No, not this time, you can not aid in this task, so I can not divulge any detail to you." She turned her head from him when she saw the hurt in his eyes that her words had caused. "I would like you to hear what I can tell father though," she said quietly. "You need to hear it as well. If anything happens to father before I return you will need to know what the vision has required of Hokaren."
"Surely you do not believe it will take you so long to complete this vision?" Moraken said. "Uncle has several years in him yet."
"I do not know how long it will take. The Gods gave me no indication."
Moraken took her hand to stop the fidgeting. This time she was able to give him a real smile. "Why does this vision worry you?" he asked softly.