Chronicles of a thousand realms: Saga 1

Part 4: Aithne

My heart was racing and I couldn’t stop thinking about Eiran’s words, his coldness, his strength, his touch, and the way his lips felt against mine. My head began to feel more dizzy with all that unraveled just now. Without realizing the sun was already setting, meaning I was running late for dinner yet again. I ran faster trying to steady my thoughts and my pace as I reached the castle. Hagan knew more about my culture than any other creature in Arden. It was time to tell him what I encountered and how to deal with the storm coming ahead.

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Hagan sat at the dinning room table poking at his food. He didn’t mind the usual cod fish with steamed carrots and potatoes but something didn’t sit well in his stomach as he sat there waiting for Verena. Normally he’d eat his dinner knowing she’s always been late and would catch up with him after, but the winds were unforgiving today making Hagan question what exactly could be coming their way. All he cared about was providing and nurturing Verena the best that he could. Hagan grabs his wine glass and begins to sip in silence.

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I dash through the dining table finding Hagan sitting there poking at his plate of cod with carrots and potatoes. He looks up at me with bewilderment as I stare at him with crippling fear.

“What happened V? What did you see?”

I couldn’t help but fall to my knees near his chair. He placed his hand on my head and wiped the tears streaming down my face.

“Verena?”

“I..I encountered a god at the boarders of Asteria seeking for my hand in being a friend. He..he told me that if I didn’t accept him as my friend…..I..I’d loose everyone and everything I know….including you…” I couldn’t help back the fear that froze my heart and turned my stomach upside down. The thought of loosing my people including Hagan made me feel helpless.

Hagan looked down at me and tilted my head up to look at him. “Did he say who he was?”

“E..Eiran, god of the underworld.”

Hagan’s face froze as I mentioned the name. His eyes glistened as the fire in the fireplace blazed softly in the reflection of his eyes.

“Is he after you?”

“N..no…he told me his brother, king of the gods is…”

Hagan sighs and gets out of his chair walking towards the fire place in the dining room. I get up and wipe my tears now concerned on what it all means to Hagan.

“I..I didn’t want to tell you this but…it appears that the king of gods has a fated bond with you before you were born. Your parents tried their best to run away and keep you protected as the Cealestis were murdered one by one. Your parents entrusted me to keep you safe and protected from harm. You remained undetected through their spell to keep you hidden from the gods. Over time however, the spell faded and I tried my best to keep you away from the boarders of Arden for it would allow unwanted guests to know your presence. With Eiran on your scent, it’s only a matter of time before the king of gods will find you.” Hagan looks back at me as I stand there mortified.

“Y..you knew all along?..This whole time I thought we’d be fine and that even though we trained and learned for 100 years about my powers and my people, we possibly could try to live a normal ish life…b..but you knew this and didn’t think to tell me until now? What the f**k Hagan?” My mortified expression changes to a heated tone unhappy with the fact that Hagan never told me something this important. I’ve been alive for 216 years and you’d think I’d be trusted with something important as this.

I place my hand on my forehead frustrated trying to figure out our next move. “What do you suppose we do Hagan? You don’t think I should’ve known about this? THIS IS MY LIFE!!! YOU DON’T KNOW WHAT IT’S LIKE TO FEEL ALONE!” I immediately regretted my words, Hagan looked hurt and just stared into my eyes across the dining room. “I..I’m sorry Hagan…I didn’t mean to yell at you and make you feel less. I know you know how it feels to be alone, that was unfair of me to say that. I..I’m just frustrated right now.” Hagan walks towards me and places his hand on my arm trying to comfort me. “It’s okay V, you have every right to feel that way. I just didn’t want to tell you and make you worry.”

“I think it’s best if you leave, that way you’ll be safe away from the king of the gods.” Hagan said as he looked up at me determined to keep me safe as he promised my parents he would. I walk towards one of the windows in the dining room looking out of the castle seeing the small lights of each city as the stars and moon appear in the sky. “Hagan, I can’t leave my people. I can’t leave you. What if he comes when I’m gone and decides to kill all of you? I can’t live with that.” Hagan sighs and joins me to look out the window together.

“Then I guess we’ll just have to wait it out. Hope and pray that he never comes or at least buy us some time.”

“Well Hagan, if we’re going to wait it out…we’ll need to notify all the cities to have them brace for the storm.”