For Glory or Gold

Prophecy Unravels

The ship set anchor just outside of the La’Koda West harbor. Plans were made for them to go out by long boat to the docks, as the tide was dropping and it was unsafe for them to go the whole way in.

"We'll meet you at the Eastern Harbor when this is done." Hesashin said as he coiled rope around his arm. "We'll wait for you there. Send word if you have no need of me, but I feel that you will."

His eyes were serious as he looked at Estien. "That Qorum feeling?" He whispered coming close to clasp his arm. They paused and looked to each other, exchanging slow nods.

“I’ll send word as soon as I can.” Estien said quietly, before they parted ways.

It would take them two days for get from the harbor to the great tree, where La’Octa would be waiting their arrival. The only one with excitement about them, was Torin. The others had there encounters with The Qorum, the angelic beings that dwell in the North. It was originally thought they medaled in others affairs, but it eventually came out that they couldn’t see the prophecy’s they helped others discover. They were immortal creations of the elements of Edalon, there to assist but not interfere.

They boarded the small craft to shore. Sariphyn had shifted back to her previous form and took flight as the small vessel was lowered to the waters. The distance from the ship to the dock was not far, about 250 cubits they had to give a number. The small crew that came with them to man the small boat moved the ores with ease, brining it into dock gently and swiftly leaving the dock as soon as they had left.

“Oi, Estien!” A familiar voice shouted from the docks. They turned in that direction to see a man about Estien’s height, his blond hair pulled back and his blue eyes twinkling as he smiled. The sun had tanned his skin and the strength from working the docks showed through his comfortable attire.

“Ay, Geffen!” Estien smiled to him and embraced him like a brother.

“What brings you back to the isle?” He asked as he grasped Estien’s shoulders firmly and looked beyond to the others. “By the Gods!” He gasped and looked from his mates and back again. “Is it true then?”

“Stop rambling, Geffen.” Estien did everything he could to keep from drawing attention, “I can’t follow your words.”

“Ello, Geffen.” Kestrin approached and greeted Geffen eagerly.

“Kestrin, it is good to set eyes on you again.” Geffen offered a friendly hand to the familiar face. “Where is she?” Geffen began to search for the other familiar face. “Sestina, don’t keep a man waiting, love.”

The unfamiliar giggle of Sestina rang through as she ran up to Geffen and embraced him well. “I’ve missed you, old man.” She joked as he hugged her tight.

Torin moved while they were hugging, hiding her small stature behind the tall guardian.

“We need passage to the Great Tree.” Kestrin stated clearly. “We have a,” he cleared his throat, “delivery.”

Torin was tucked behind, something had taken the excitement out of her since we left the ship. She was acting almost timid, thought it could have been taken as overwhelmed. Estien looked down and Nel was weaving in and out of their legs.

“Ay, leave the poor girl be.” Sestina chided Geffen. “She’s been through a lot, ya know.”

“Oi, where are my manners.” Geffen corrected himself, “Sorry miss, just didn’t think I’d live to see you com’in is all.” Geffen was ringing his hat in his hands. His body language had changed as he addressed the young lady.

“Geffen, we just need horses.” Estien tried to relax the situation.

We can walk, can’t we?” Torin piped in. Speaking for the first time since they set foot on Kodaven.

“Torin, thats two days by foot.” He tried to plead with her.

“I’d rather walk.” She spoke clearly, gave a short smile to everyone and glanced to Estien last. Her eyes locked with his and everyone knew he lost this one.

“Looks like I’m walking with her.” He sighed. Torin gently squeezed his hand, in an attempt to reassure him.

“What?!” Sestina about fell over, “I ain’t walking.”

“You guys can take horses if you want.” Torin said, “I know I have to walk there.” Her eyes were on the twins, a sort of confidence in how she was addressing them. She still appeared timid, but her words implied a confidence she was having difficulty in displaying.

With a gruff sigh, Kestrin picked his pack up from the floor, “Guess I can’t let you two walk the isle alone.”

“Ya, who knows what mischief you’d get into.” Sestina picked up her own pack.

Estien looked from the twins to Torin, she held Estien’s hand firmly in her own and shared a tight smile with group.

“I suppose we should be off.” Estien said briefly to Geffen. “We’ll see you in the two days at the feast, ya?”

“Aye!” Geffen clasped Estien’s hand, “I’ve not missed a feast in all my years.” A wide smile spread on his lips.

They gathered their things and made their way from the small dock. Torin clung to Estien as they entered the small town. Making all attempts to hid herself from the view of the on lookers that would stop and gawk at them.

“Do they always look at everyone like that?” Torin spoke up, from her position behind Estien’s arm.

“No,” he replied calmly, “they know you are different.”

“How do they know?”

Estien, trying to ease her tension, replied, “Because you are hiding behind me.”

Torin froze, dropping his hand. She took in a deep breath, her shoulders rising heavily and fallilng with it. She then pushed herself forward. Something had her overwhelmed, it was obvious to Estien by the look in her eyes. When he reached for her hand, to help calm her, she pushed him away. They pressed on through the village, the occasional greeter to the party, but they moved on quickly. It wasn’t long before they were beyond the watchful eyes of the village and on the path into the forest.

“We should reach Sumner Farm by night fall.” Sestina said casually, as they continued onward.

Estien took notice that Torin was intentionally lagging behind the party. So he slowed his walk to come alongside her.

“You know,” he said as she caught up to him, “if we run now, they’d get the hint and let us walk alone.” Estien smiled down to her.

“I just need a minute.” Torin said, not looking up to him, “I have a lot to process.”

“Ok,” Estien said as he slowed his pace more and took up walking behind her.

“What are you?” Torin stopped and looked to him.

“Walking,” he said as he pointed to the path they were on.

“Behind me?”

“Well, ya,” he smiled, “I said I would protect you.” His hand resting on the hilt of his sword as he walked up to her and stopped.

Torin gave out an exhausting sigh, “Fine.”

They began walking side by side, in silence. Kestrin and his sister had gone fairly far ahead, enough so that either pair could barely see the other. The silence of the forest was soothing, as they made their way. The sounds of birds chirping and the occasional animal passing by, and so the grouped walked in silence.

Torin felt the pressure of the isles upon her. Voices she had only heard in whisper, now spoke clearly to her. She was not aware that she was pushing away the one that cared so much for her. In silence, she took his company and in silence, he stood by her.

Ocha Sumner greeted the pairs happily as they entered her property around nightfall. Kestrin and Sestina arrived first, telling Ocha of the journey they were on.

“Please, no questions.” Sestina pleaded with the homesteader. “We can’t answer them.”

Ocha nodded, “It is an honor to have you all here,” her arms coming about the shoulders of the assassin.

Sestina’s appearance seemed to shift as the set foot on the isles. She appeared happier, more relaxed, as if she had come home. Kestrin had shown the same relaxation, however his concern for Estien and Torin was present as he glanced down the path to them. They approached with a visible distance between them.

They group ate their meal in silence, and when it was over, Torin quietly slipped out the door. She made her way down the porch to an area just off the yard. It was obvious they probably chopped wood around there, as she was quick to find a stump to sit on. She sat there, kneeling near the stump on the grass. Her head hung low as she listened to the forest, more specifically, she could hear the sounds of the trees. She listened to the wind as it whispered to her and the ground as it cried out to her. Warms tears began to slide down her cheeks as she listened to them call out to her. She was seated at the edge of the property when she heard the door to the house open and close. The familiar foot steps for Estien could be heard as he stepped off the porch and padded across the yard to her. She stifled her tears and wiped her face, trying to silence the voices she was hearing. She was worried she was going insane, or had hurt herself more then she realized.

Clearing his throat, Estien approached her. The twigs that normally wouldn’t have made a noise, cracked beneath his feet. It was apparent that he was trying to make his presence known.

“Yes?” Torin called out, without turning.

“Are you well?” Estien asked, unsure of what was going on with her. She nodded her head in response, but the sounds of sniffling could be made out in the silence of the night. Estien came up beside her, “Are you sure?” he asked as he knelt beside her. She nodded once more, but then suddenly thrust herself into his arms. Sobs leaving her body, she leaned into the one she called her champion, his arms coming up to wrap about her gingerly. Her fragile frame trembling as she cried in his arms. For a time they sat on the grass like this, he held her as she cried. Soon the sniffling began and it was obvious she was trying to compose herself. Estien continued to sit there, holding her in his arms. He promised to protect her, and he would.

“I,” she sniffled, and tried to speak again, “I’m scared.” Tears leaving her eyes as she spoke, her head lifting up to look at Estien’s deep brown eyes.

“You’re allowed to be scared.” He reassured.

Torin pulled herself from his chest. “Were you?”

“When?” He asked, wiping a stray tear from her cheek with his hand.

“When you met her.”

“The elder?” he asked, his hand going absently to her shoulder. Torin nodded slowly, as her gaze remained upon him. “I was raised in her village. My mother sent me there to learn when I was young. I’ve known her my whole life.”

“So, you were raised by her?”

“Not exactly, but raised in the same village.” He smiled softly as he fixed a stray brown hair behind Torin’s ear. “She’s a lot like you.”

“Is that why you like me?” Torin’s words were harsh, as the startled reaction came across Estien’s face.

“She sent me to protect you, to bring you to her safely.” His words came out just as harsh as hers, he regretted them as soon as he stopped speaking.

“So that’s it then?” Torin wiped her eyes and stood from the ground. Her knees were wet from the grass and she started to walk away.

“Torin!” Estien reached for her arm as she moved, but Torin was quick to move away.

“Don’t” she spoke softly, hurt obvious in her tone. “Don’t touch me.”

Estien could do nothing, as he watched her walkaway and go back in the house. Everything in him wanted to hold her until she felt better, and then part of him was certain that either he or she was crazy. He gave an exasperated sigh as he leaned back against a tree. Looking over, Harpy had landed on a nearby tree, she was looking down to him. “Don’t give your two cents.” He tried to silence her before she had the chance to speak. Instead, she gave a loud screech and took flight. “Thanks.” He sighed. He stretched his legs out and crossed his ankles in front of him.

He leaned back and took in the sound of the forest, his fingers going into the soil beneath him, he closed his eyes.

“Estien, you know that Prophecy doesn’t mean everything.” Sestina said as she continued to strip the hide from a recent kill.

“Ses, you don’t get it.” He urged, “I felt it, the calling.” Moving away from the table she was at he went toward the window, “For the first time I feel purpose.” She set the knife she was using down and the snap of a rag as she began to wipe her hands could be heard through the small home.

“What are you saying?” She walked over, he could feel her directly behind him.

Turning to face her, he answered, “I know my future,” he watched the tears start to form in her eyes, “and it’s not with you.” He reached for her shoulder and she slapped it away.

“Don’t touch me.” She pushed him out the door of the cottage her brother and her were sharing just outside of La’Koda. “Get out and stay away from me.” Her her voice cracking, as tears began to fall.

Kestrin was waiting outside, he sat perched on the fence that surrounded their home. “That was faster then I thought.” He said as he jumped down. “Did you tell her about the girl?” He stepped alongside his best friend, matching his stride.

“Nope.” Estien kept moving.

“What happened?”

“You heard it all, the door was open.” He shot a firm glare to Kestrin.

“Ya, but I wanted to hear it again.” The smirk that Kestrin shot him force Estien to resist the urge to punch him.

“Some friend.” Estien turned off the path into the woods.

“Are you going to see her again?”

“Ses?”

“No, you fool.” Kestrin reprimanded, “The girl from the forest. I know you have been asking the winds to help you commune with her.”

“Leave it alone Kestrin.” He replied shortly, “Go be with your sister, she needs you.”

“Oh come one!”

Turning abruptly Esiten and swiped his arm through the air, “Leave it alone!” he yelled, the wind coming along with him in force and knocking Kestrin back. He was frozen, staring at a dear friend. He had just hurt his sister and now possibly hurt him, and all he could think of was getting back to Shazer Peak.

“Wow,” Kestrin began to stand up, “that bad huh?” He wiped himself off and turned to go back to his place. Estien didn’t stop him.

“I’m sorry Kestrin, I can’t do this.” He said, leaving as quickly as he could, running into the woods.

Kestrin could be heard yelling after him, but it didn’t matter, Estien had to see her again. So often the winds had taken him to her, guiding him carefully to see the girl from prophecy. Her name was still unknown, as they were unable to speak to each other. He could see her though, it felt complete when she was around.

A twig snapped and Estien lifted his head from it’s position. Sestina had come from the house and was approaching him.

“I heard what she said to you.” She sat on the damp floor across from him. “Feels like yesterday when I said the same thing.”

“Seems to be a common phrase in my life.” Estien said coolly, setting his head back against the tree.

“She came in pretty shaken.” Sestina reached for a twig, and began to systematically break it, “Break another girls heart?”

“Go away.”

“I’m just saying,” Sestina began but was interrupted.

“No, you want to rub salt in a wound. Please go.” Estien lifted his head and looked directly at the woman before him.

Sestina gave an evil chuckle and stood from her place. “I have to say, I do like her.” She giggled as she walked back in the house.

Estien set his head back against the tree, a sigh leaving his lungs and a lone tear leaving his eye. So often he had begged the winds to take him to this girl, until La’Octa stopped him. He closed his eyes and thought back to what she had said.

Estien rounded the ridge to Shazer Peak, the path winding close to the cliffs edge. There on his path was the Great Elder, causing Estien to drop to his knee in respect.

“Great Elder,” He called out above the rushing winds.

“Get up, child.” She walked over and took his arm. “Walk with me down the path,” She said as he rose from his position. She had managed to turn him from his destination and began to walk him away.

Estien walked her to the base of the peaks and listened to her wisdom on the way down. “I can’t allow you to keep using your abilities this way, my boy.” She began, as her hand held his forearm tightly. “I know you feel drawn to your prophecy, but you can’t use Shazer Peak that way.”

They continued down the path. He didn’t deny what she was saying, but he didn’t want to admit it either. He kept quiet as they reached the bottom and then turned to go back up. Her hand was swift to grab his arm.

“Estien,” She looked him in the eyes, her eyes looked so much like the girl he longed to see again, “I forbid you from doing this. If you go again, I will remove you from the isles.”

Estien froze in place. He couldn’t see her anymore, this girl that made him feel complete. “But,” He couldn’t find a way to explain it in a way that would be acceptable, “I have to see her.”

“Go,” La’Octa said, which caused him to start to turn toward the peak, “away from the isles. Travel the world and learn all that you can.” Estien turned back toward her. “You are no good to her without knowledge. Learn from your mistakes, and challenge the truth you know until it’s reality.” She again placed a hand on his shoulder, “Go chase your prophecy, don’t rely on the winds of dreams to take you to it.” She gave him a smile of adoration, which caused Estien to give up his foolish attempts. He turned from the base of Shazer Peak and made his way to the Eastern Docks.

“I’ll go and adventure. I will make myself worthy of her.” Estien smiled to La’Octa.

Estien lifted his head from the tree once more. It was nearly 4 years he had been gone, when he was summoned back to the isle. He shook his head to clear his thoughts. He was so happy to be summoned back, he had never forgot the girl from Prophecy. He stood from his place on the damp floor, wiping the dirt from his clothes. He walked back to Sumner Farm, and stopped outside the door. Settling in on the porch, his back leaned against the wall, he chose to sleep outside. The silence was perfect and the peace was real. He wrapped his cloak about him. Tomorrow, they would reach La’Octa.