XXXII – The March to River Lights
1119 Words
Raiden felt like it had been years since they started their journey toward River Lights. He asked Estelle why they couldn’t teleport straight into that magical land.
“We call it jump, not teleport,” she said. “And that place held magic I cannot breach.”
“Is that your home?” he asked as he created fire from stones, readying the fish he caught for lunch. “River Lights?”
Estelle gazed at him. “It used to be my home.”
“Oh.” He started to grill the fish, his stomach beginning to churn. “Are we safe there? Will the Silver Neraides welcome us with open arms? Or with wielding weapons?”
She smiled at his questions. “My home stood at the far end of the mountain. You’ll be safe in my home.”
Raiden nodded, trusting the witch. Once in a while he would look at her contemplating if it was the right thing to do. But he seemed out of choices and that was the only option he had.
His legs got firmer, his arms toned, his long hair kept in a bun. He slowly felt comfortable exposing his scars as he accepted his true race. Valkans symbolized scars as trophies. He got the scar for fighting for his life. His first battle scar.
“Why do you have to come back for Sanne?” he suddenly asked, unable to hold his curiosity.
Estelle was silent for a moment. “You will learn the truth yourself, young prince.”
“Do all witches live in River Lights Mountains?” he asked.
The woman said nothing as she watched the colorful birds, listening to their chirps. “Make haste, Raiden. We need to get going. A storm is coming.” Her face painted grim and terror. “It’s almost here.”
***
Azaiah freed Vera from his embrace. They spoke in Valkan language, telling her to always take care and not let anyone took advantage of her. He was about to climbed up the ship when his father called out to him.
“No farewell for your father?” he asked, towering over his son.
Aza looked away, putting on his vacant face.
Captain Raq stared at his son, suddenly feeling proud that he would be leading a sail. He thought of what their last conversation was. He knew Azaiah would compete and fight hard to prove his role to the whole valkan tribe. “Take care of our men, son,” he said, clapping his son’s shoulder. “Make me proud.”
“Worry not, father,” Azaiah replied, meeting his father’s intense gaze. “I will never break my vow to you.”
Raq felt a knot in his stomach, hearing him say that. He pulled out a sword from his side and handed it to his son. “Hilmer forged this sword. The sunstone on the hilt symbolizes leadership. And this I give to you, Azaiah.”
Aza’s cheeks warmed, not expecting that at all. Once a father gave his son a valuable sword, it meant utter trust and blessing. “Thank you, father.”
They stared at each other, not moving. After a moment, Raq held out his arm and reached out for his boy, pulling him in for a hug. It was tight and manly, an affection from a father to a son. It didn’t last long though. The captain pulled away and walked out, leaving his son behind.
Releasing a heavy sigh, Aza headed to his sail and stood at the ship’s ledge, waiting for the sun to rise up the sky. Gared trailed behind him, awaiting an order, together with Zelle.
People from different tribes started to swarm the Peachrow shore, Siler Neraides and their winged horse were present as well.
“Captain Azaiah,” a silver man approached. “They are ready to board the ships.”
Aza turned to Gared, commanding to guide the people to their respective ships. He looked up again to the sky, suddenly noticing grey clouds slowly forming. The weather became gloomy and the wind started to whistle. Stretching his gaze at the far end of the sea, he knew they would be having a rough voyage.
“A storm is coming, sire,” he said to the heaven fairy. “I suggest you board the ship. Your winged-horses won’t be able to make it the moment we crossed the Peachrow sea.”
The silver man looked at the horizon. “You are right.”
“My ship can accommodate more men. Welcome aboard.”
“My name’s Lavero, captain,” he muttered. “I’ll warn the others.”
As different tribes began to enter the ships with their horses and weapons, thunder began to rang, hinting them of danger. It took them some time to load everything into the ship, double checking if nothing was left forgotten.
Lavero trailed on the dock, expecting for Thaeros to show up.
“Lavero,” Aza called out from his ship. “We need to lift the anchor now.”
Lightning glowed across the sky together with the frightening growl of thunder. At the second strike of lightning, a man appeared at the shore and jumped toward the dock. Azaiah’s eyes grew wide, his first time to see such skill from a Silver Neraida.
Lavero smiled the moment he realized it was Thaeros.
“This is our Lieutenant, captain,” Lavero introduced as they climbed up the ship. “Thaeros.”
Azaiah could feel the new comer’s authority. “Welcome aboard, Lieutenant.”
Thaeros nodded respectfully. “We should make haste, young captain,” he said. “I hear the ocean’s horror. The barrier has been shattered.”
Lavero gasped, fear consuming his green eyes.
Azaiah composed his shoulder. There was no going back. He was a captain now, entrusted to lead the Valkans to this mission. He gestured his hand, giving orders to his men.
“Orgokh ancora!” he shouted and the Valkan crews lifted the anchors. “Ease the sheets!”
The Valkans blew their horn, a sign they were officially beginning their voyage. Thaeros could feel a heavy thumped in his chest, matching the anger of the sky.
“Lavero,” he called out. “Any word from King Evander?”
The Neraida Warrior shook his head. “No word from River Lights, Lieutenant.”
They could feel it. Azaiah could see it in Thaeros’s eyes- the grave danger that seemed to be waiting for them.
- Writer
