THE FORGOTTEN SAGE

THE FORGOTTEN SAGE

Episode 3: Whispers Beneath the Mountain

The tremor lasted only a few seconds.

But when it ended, nothing felt the same.

Kaelen stood frozen among the trembling trees, his spear clutched tightly in his hand. Birds fled from the mountain in great, dark swarms, their cries echoing through the Whispering Woods.

Silas, however, remained still.

His eyes were fixed upon the towering mountain above them.

“We have less time than I thought,” he finally said.

“What was that?” Kaelen asked, his voice unsteady.

“The mountain shifting.”

Kaelen stared at him. “Then we must get back to Oakhaven!”

They ran.

By the time they reached the edge of town, chaos had already begun. People crowded the streets, speaking fearfully about the strange tremor. A few shopkeepers had rushed outside their buildings, while children cried and clung to their mothers.

Silas noticed something else.

A thin stream of muddy water was flowing down the northern street.

He stopped immediately.

Kaelen turned back. “What is it?”

Silas crouched and touched the water.

“It is coming from beneath the upper ridge.”

“How do you know?”

Silas lifted his hand. Red mud covered his fingers.

“The eastern soil is darker.”

Before Kaelen could ask another question, a loud voice echoed from the town square.

“Everyone, remain calm!”

Mayor Vance stood on the steps of the council hall, surrounded by several town guards and guild officials. Beside him stood Master Boros, dressed in his long leather artificer's coat.

“The Guild Artificers have examined the situation,” the Mayor announced. “There is no danger to Oakhaven. The tremor was caused by minor activity within the Aether mines.”

A murmur passed through the crowd.

Silas slowly shook his head.

“Lies,” he whispered.

Kaelen looked at him. “Can you prove it?”

Silas's eyes moved toward the council hall.

“Not yet.”

At that moment, Master Boros suddenly pointed toward Silas.

“There!” he shouted. “The poor scavenger who has been spreading fear throughout the town!”

The Mayor's eyes narrowed.

“Silas,” he called. “Come forward.”

The crowd parted reluctantly as Silas walked toward the council steps.

Mayor Vance looked down at him with cold disapproval.

“Are you responsible for these rumours?”

Silas removed his battered cap.

“I warned you before the tremor came.”

“You warned us of a disaster based on what?” Boros scoffed. “Listening to rocks?”

Silas looked at the artificer.

“No. By paying attention to things wiser men have forgotten to notice.”

The crowd fell silent.

Mayor Vance's face hardened.

“Enough! The High Overseer will arrive tomorrow. I will not allow a beggar to create panic because he believes himself wiser than the Guild.”

Silas said nothing.

Then suddenly—

CRACK!

A deafening sound tore through the air.

Everyone turned.

Far above Oakhaven, near the eastern ridge, a massive cloud of dust rose into the sky.

The ground trembled once again.

This time, screams filled the streets.

Mayor Vance stared at the mountain in horror.

Kaelen stepped closer to Silas.

“What do we do now?”

Silas looked at the frightened people of Oakhaven.

For years, they had ignored him.

They had mocked his poverty.

They had dismissed his wisdom.

Yet as the mountain continued to groan beneath their feet, Silas knew one painful truth:

Their survival might now depend upon the very man they had forgotten.

To be continued...