The Land Below our Feet COMPLETE

EXODUS

Ishtun walked tiredly along the wild path, two of his best soldiers escorting him while the rest flanked the seemingly endless line of people that had been following him on this desperate journey for weeks.

Not all of them had trusted his judgment. The council had been split between considering him a coward for instigating them to flee, or a foolish, idealistic boy, for pretending to join forces with an already fallen city.

But he had remained firm in his convictions, and when even the Elder, who had initially thought it was a good idea to listen to the woman's message had ended turning his back on him, he had turned towards his subjects instead, and offered them the choice to join him willingly.

Most of them had taken it, along with his father's loyal army, once Anam's wise words had portrayed the horrors that were in store for them and the imminent dangers of staying behind… So, now the majority of his people walked this road beside him towards an indefinite future, while the few ones who had stayed waited for the chosen certainty of their death.

But as much as he tried to convince himself that this was indeed the way, he was also terrified of leading his people to a much worse destiny in the long run… And his fears had started to materialize as soon as they had left Mavaer´s secure walls and began this mad exodus.

Only a few days had passed since they'd started moving south, using lonely back-roads and keeping their heads low in an effort to elude their enemy's passing, when a famished bear had ventured towards their crowd and killed a couple of infants.

The untimeliness of the calamity adding to the already somber mood and turning into an evident dark omen in the eyes of his already doubtful people.

In the end, his men had managed to hunt and kill the beast, and thankfully, it had become a welcome source of food back then.

- It is sad, but tragedies are part of our fate too, son – Anam had assured him one night as she handed him some of the animal's roasted meat – But disgrace can also merge into good fortune, as you can see.

-We are already losing human lives! – The young monarch had yelled at her in anger – And the fight has not even begun yet!

-Lives are lost daily, Ishtun – The old woman had sighed, patting his shoulder – But rest assured you are only missing the tiniest part of what you would have if you had chosen to stay.

While they traveled, Anam had been a wise counselor. Her words comforting him and giving him hope. He had even regained his pace and urged his flock to press forward with renewed spirits, and with a little luck, they had managed to stay together and alive throughout their long and troubled expedition.

But now, as they stood staring at the immense sea waves greeting them on the horizon, the woman who had become his major advisor was laid up hopelessly on the verge of her death.

Ishtun had seen her health slowly deteriorate as they progressed through the mountains and down the river. He knew that the woman was old, and her health was frail. But he had expected that, as they gradually approached more benign and warmer lands, she would recover enough to help him finish this odyssey she had set him on.

Regardless, as days passed and her condition weakened, he had started losing hope along with every belief that he'd nursed about being on the right path.

When he entered the dark tent in which she had rested immobile for the past few days and found her even more emaciated than she had been the night before, the burden of his youthfulness, and his deplorable inexperience were weighing heavily on his shoulders.

-I know you are afraid – Anam's bristly voice whispered at him – But that is not a bad thing, on the contrary. It is a sign of how much you care, my sweet boy... You are going to be a righteous leader.

-I don't want you to go! – The young monarch whimpered, his still childish voice painfully betraying his hierarchy – Why do you have to die?

-Because my destiny is finally fulfilled – The old woman smiled kindly at him – Now I must rest.

-But we are almost there – Ishtun urged her, clutching her hand – Can't you smell the saltiness in the air? Lowland's gate is right ahead!

-Lowland was never my home, nor was Midland or Upland… I was always an inbetweener - She chuckled slightly before bursting into a coughing fit – It is only suitable that I meet my fate here.

-Yet I will be alone. Who will help me achieve my own destiny? – The young ruler cried out – Now that I am so far away from home, how will I find my route without you? I need you!

-You don't need me, you never did– Anam replied, cupping his cheek – You were the one ruling Mavaer on his own, you are the one who led your people all the way to this place, and you are the one who will claim his land again. Not me... Now go ahead and find my grandchildren at Lowland's gate.

She had died that night. And a strange sense of purpose along with a newfound calm had born inside him instead.

So, when morning came, he finally let her cold hand go. He wiped his tears and straightened his clothes. He had ordered his men to bury her by a peaceful clearing down the roadside, and then he had started walking down the river and towards the nearing shores.

It was beginning to get dark when they cautiously approached the surroundings of the once lively city of Lowland's gate.

Ishtun´s eyes widening when he spotted the crowd of diverse people earnestly reassembling its doors. Tired, yet hopeful faces smiling at each other as their hands worked assiduously together, bringing the structure back up.

When they were close enough and the surprised workers noticed the presence of this numerous incoming group, an affable lanky man had been the first one to run towards the young monarch with a sincere smile on his lips. A strange object hanging from his shoulder, similar to the ones that some of the others were aiming at them.

- King Imohen! – He had greeted him with rejoice, waving his hand at the guards and making them stop pointing at them with their sticks – I am so glad you made it! My name is Iktan, we have been waiting for you!

-It is King Ishtun, my father is dead – The youthful man had muttered, frowning at him, a thousand questions arising in his confused mind – How do you know who we are?

-We were the ones who sent Anam to warn you – The man replied cheerfully – And we were the ones who told her to get you. Is she here?

-No – Ishtun responded, his voice creaking painfully – She died on the road. I´m sorry

-I see – The host nodded, gesturing at the entrance and urging them to follow him – I am sad to hear that. But happy to see that she succeeded, nevertheless.

-I thought Lowland's gate had fallen… - The Mavaerian commented when they marched under the large threshold, the city opening before their eyes as he observed hundreds of soldiers busying themselves on various tasks.

-It had… - The man simply said, gesturing to one of the warriors and signaling to the crowd– Your people will be fed now, and your questions will be answered soon. Come, I will take you to the Commander.