The Elderkin Prophet

Chapter 9

…Another tainted dream. Her peace of mind is disturbed and plagued by this foreign sequence of nightmares. It seemed like pieces of the past torn away into time. The painful echoing of lost souls returned to her clouded mind, the weight on her chest. This time, a colossal figure stood before her. Its head set aflame, its dark cracked body revealed scars from battles millennia ago. It was a godly figure. It lay on its knees looking downward onto Ophinia. Its hollow eyes stared down at her and the thousands of other souls that stood beside her in unison. The dark sky seemed to be tearing, thousands of fiery purple orbs sunk down from the ripped sky leaving behind a trail of burning gas. The ground shook as he spoke but nothing could be understood from what he said. The mighty figure raised its arm towards Ophinia, its long finger almost touching her. She felt an unbinding force around her; something was calling to her, communicating.

Ophinia struggled in her sleep, finally waking up with a sudden jerk. Her motion set the boat shaking almost tipping it over. Uul gets up immediately and looks at Ophinia whose face had turned pale. He holds her in his arms and comforts her.

“What happened? Hey, are you okay? Nothing will happen to you, I’m here now.”

Ophinia was still shivering from her nightmare. She looks up at Uul and hugs him tightly. She stops panting and decides that she should share her nightmare to Uul.

“Another nightmare… It came once again.”

“What did?”

“I don’t know how to explain… This thing, it was huge and godlike. It seemed to communicate to me. Everything was dark and the skies were bleeding. I couldn’t even shut my eyes.” Ophinia begins to cry.

“Hey! Calm down, It’s gone. It was just a dream although strange indeed. You mentioned that this was another one, since when are you getting these nightmares?”

“I had another one of these dreams last night. Before you woke up I had another dream where I was in some kind of underground cave. I felt bounded and paralysed in the middle of a large stone ring.”

“Why did you not tell me about this earlier?”

“I… I’m sorry; I thought it was just a nightmare from the exhaustion. I did not want to bother you about it since you were already so tired.”

“It’s okay.”

“I’ve been getting these nightmares ever since I casted that spell. I don’t know what to do…”

“Don’t worry; I’m sure Glunarg will be able to help you. He has the cure to all kinds of things. Let me know the next time you get another nightmare.”

Uul looks around. The Hulu River had carried them out onto the Yowa bay. The calm and gentle waters rippled as their small rowboat drifted in the centre of the bay. The water body opened out into the Widow Sea on its left while its right side was small rocky coastal beaches. There was a forest that wrapped behind the coast with a small clearing at one side. There was a small gull settlement which had not more than fourteen huts. Uul picked up both the oars and began to row towards the village dock. As they moved closer, Uul could see the large mountains that disappeared into the white fog behind the forest. He could see Kenyut pass between the mountains as it cut through them; Froli was not far away.

Uul points towards Kenyut pass to show Ophinia where they were headed. They had taken a different route from Froli to reach Horger forest when they had left on the quest to find the scouts.

“See that over there? That’s the pass I was talking about. Beyond that is Froli.”

“It looks beautiful all the way from here.”

“It’s even more wonderful when you get there.”

Ophinia begins to break pieces of the remaining muskbread they had left. She gave one half to Uul and one half to herself. She broke her piece into another smaller fragment and fed it to Moogi who was curled up in her lap, sleeping. Once Moogi was awake she began to play around with him.

As the rowboat neared the shore, Uul could see a few gulls sitting on the rocks below the dock; they were trying to catch fish with spears and fishing rods. Soon they reached the docks where Uul began to tie a knot to a wooden post to anchor the boat. He jumped out of the boat and then helped Ophinia out as well. He began to unload their belongings from the boat. Ophinia began to look around, she looked very excited. She loved visiting the gull settlements and could never have enough of them. She loved watching the small community work on their individual duties. Once they finished unloading, they began to walk into the village. Moogi had seated himself on Ophinia’s shoulder and gazed down upon the unfamiliar territory he was in.

Upon entering the village, they could see a few fishing boats docked near the coast where one of the huts extended out onto the water. There were a few gulls who were repairing their nets. Besides them they saw two more gulls who were seated atop wooden crates and were locked in a competitive arm wrestle.

As Ophinia and Uul walked through the village, the gulls noticed them. Some smiled and returned back to their work while some did not care. As they entered the centre of the village, they came across a long obelisk like shrine made of stone. A few gull women were dancing around the shrine banging their tiny drum like instrument. They seemed to be chanting some kind of prayer and were painting themselves with some natural dyes.

“I’ve never seen this before” Ophinia stated.

“Nor have I.”

“I love visiting places like these.”

Uul lets out a laugh

“Why?”

“It’s because… These places are so wonderful to see, so many new faces. Living peacefully and they even seem to be happy too! They have such a lovely forest around them and calm waters nearby. The sound of folk music and dancing makes me happy.”

Uul looks at her and smiles.

“We’re almost there; Glunarg’s hut shouldn’t be far away.”

The two begin walking into the forest leaving the small village behind them. Soon they are engulfed into the forest where they follow a roughly marked path. The forest was large, compact and verdant. It was flooded with Pine, Rowan and Chestnut trees that grew in abundance along with a few dried up Larkberry trees. The sun shimmered through the cracks in the canopy and onto the fertile bed of the forest which was sprawling with berry shrubs and ferns. Some smaller climber plants hung from the higher tree branches and hung down like ropes. There were a few colourful flowers scattered across the forest which filled it with a pleasant and sweet smell. A few bees had made their hives on some of the taller trees. There were several variations of animal sounds that were heard in the distance. Smaller animals roamed the forest floors while some bigger flying birds of prey glided through the forest in search of food. The forest was wet and cold.

Ophinia takes off her hood and breathes in the fresh cool air. It was revitalizing and calming. There were a few smaller shrines that dotted the path they were on. Soon some torn and worn out Legion banners were seen hanging in the distance. As the two turned a corner in the forest, a small wooden hut was revealed. It had a small patch of farmland on which many herbs were flowering. Old buckets and pots lay stacked upon each other near the entrance.

Uul approached the door and gave a hearty knock. While waiting he turns to Ophinia and says.

“Don’t mind her behaviour. She can be a little strange sometimes.”

There was no reply so Uul knocked once more. Again there was nothing. He gently pushed the door which swayed open with a loud creaking sound. The air inside was far warmer than the outside and all they could see was the insides of a messy un-kept hut. There was a tiny fireplace lit in the centre of the room on which a skinned rabbit was stretched on a stake. There were bits of hay and pieces of torn paper all across the floor and the only furniture visible was an old trunk for a table and a few stools. There were numerous bookshelves which were surprisingly well kept and long lines of ropes ran across the room on which hung several herbs waiting to be dried. Sitting inside a little alcove near the bookshelves was an old figure. Uul walked into the hut with Ophinia behind him. The old lady seemed to be lost in thought, meditating and payed no heed to her visitors but the moment Uul took another step her fingers curled.

“I have a visitor.”

Ophinia tenses up but Uul was rather calm.

“I would hardly be called a visitor.” Uul replied.

The old lady turned around. Upon seeing Uul her face filled itself with joy. She slowly got up from her seat with the help of an old staff. Her eyes were very pale with a dull haze of brown. Her wrinkled face showed decades of experience on them. Her hair was frail and had turned grey. She wore a simple cloth tied down by a belt heavily ornamented with strange trinkets and rings which clinked when she moved.

“I knew it would be you, I could almost smell it in the air.”

“You aren’t getting any more visitors eh? I can tell by the mess in here.” Uul chuckles

“Oh, no… no no. I get the usual visitor but this time they come to accuse me of witchcraft instead of coming to me for my remedies. Call me the old hag that lives in the forest they say.”

Glunarg moves slowly to a dusty cabinet filled with several colourful bottles. She notices the girl behind Uul.

“So who is this beautiful sight standing behind you huh? I feel she is too young for you.” The old lady cackles.

Ophinia begins to giggle aswell.

Uul shakes his head. “Yea yea, whatever. Anyways, how are you?”

“Ah I’m doing well…Go on, have a seat!” She turns to Ophinia “Oh don’t be shy.”

Uul sits down on the stool along with Ophinia after placing down their backpacks. Moogi seats himself next to the fire and curls up into a ball. Glunarg places a jar on the stump and brings the cooked rabbit and gives it to Uul and Ophinia. Uul begins to take a bite out of the rabbit, juicy grease spreads all across his beak.

“You haven’t changed a bit.” Uul, smiles.

“It’s been… what? Five years since you last visited me boy.”

“Four actually, your memory is getting old as well.”

Glunarg grumbles and whacks Uul with her staff. Ophinia silently observed the hearty conversation. She noticed the scars of the fold on Glunarg as well. This provoked her curiosity greatly but chose to remain silent about it. Meanwhile, Uul removed the scroll and unfurled it. He handed it over to Glunarg and asked.

“This map has ancient text all over it; can you figure out what written?”

Glunarg holds the map and looks through it carefully. Her expressions change immediately into a serious tone. Her eyes dash all across the sheet. She opens the bottle she had placed on the table before and removes its contents with a spoon. She begins to rub the oily substance across her hands and face. It was some kind of incense.

“Do you want some?” She asked Ophinia who quickly declined the offer.

She continues to read the scroll.

“Where did you get this?” She asked Uul with eyes still locked onto the map.

“Some scouts recovered this from an underground cave somewhere in Horger forest. It set off some kind of reaction causing several broken to hunt the entire unit down. None survived. Why? What do you read?”

Glunarg shakes her head in disbelief.

“This text, this map speaks of a passage underground that leads to a fragment of some kind. It reads that there are two such fragments which when combined will unveil and open the passage leading to the Nightwell. It also speaks of a very powerful ancient curse involving some kind of sacrifice. The remaining text fades off from here.”

Glunarg’s hands were shaking severely after she finished deciphering the scroll. Silence fills the room for several minutes. She hands the scroll back to Uul and begins to walk around the room.

“I… I cannot believe this. The myths have turned out to be true.” Ophinia remarked.

“Mulnac needs to know of this immediately. The sooner we locate this key fragment, the closer we get to stop the Nightwells madness.”

“As seer of the old Onxy Crusible, I am to accompany you to find this relic but I fear my age will only slow you down.” Glunarg looked sad.

“Don’t worry Glunarg. You did wonders during your years of service. I used to look up to you as a symbol of courage and willpower. You have earned your rest. I will carry this message to Mulnac and will begin the hunt for this relic and end this once and for all.”

Glunarg brings a bowl in which she crushed a few ingridients. She brings over the bowl to Uul and Ophinia. Dipping her hand in the paste, she marks their faces.

“I bless thee with my protection and fortitude for you have a long road ahead of you. May you achieve what you seek and guide you down this road of redemption or bring you peace, if shall you fail.”

Uul bends down on his knees.

“Thank you for your blessing, seer.”

“Take some rest before you leave; It’s a long and cold walk to Froli from here.”

Ophinia nods her head.

A few hours pass. Uul and Ophinia prepare to leave. The sun was still shining brightly above bringing warmth to the otherwise cool forest. Ophinia steps outside. Before Uul followed her out, Glunarg holds him by his shoulder. She begins to speak.

“She is connected to the fold.”

“Yes, I thought you would have known that long before we entered.”

“Indeed, I did. But I sense something else.”

“What is that?”

“She appears to be fade stricken.”

“Is that the source of her nightmares?”

“Possible. But there is one more thing.”

“Yes?”

“Her aura is very strong. She is very powerful and holds a strong connection to the fade. I fear that she may attract unwanted attention from darker forces. I feel like a prophecy is beginning to stir itself around her. Protect her and keep her close to you, for I feel that she has a big role to play in the events that may follow.”

“Yes seer. I shall protect her with my life.”

Glunarg hands over a bottle of Whistle-Dew seeds.

“Crush this seed and make her breathe into it, it will help her with the nightmares. Do this until they are all gone. I shall always be watching over you, Uul.”

“Thank you.”

Uul hugs Glunarg one more time before taking his leave. She watches the two until they follow the trail to Kenyut pass. They slowly fade into the distance, out of sight. Glunarg looked very worried and began to read through some old tomes from her bookshelf.