Thrain had been traveling for what felt like an enternity,the magic map guiding him through the rolling hills and forest. At some point he began to doubt the map but remembered Eryndor's words to always trust the map no matter what. He took one last look at the map and it showed Elevndom's Heartwood in a golden glow, which means he was currently in elevndom forest,his next stop was Aldor l'thia,he shrugged and continued.
As the sun began to set on another long day, shadow suddenly snorted and shied, nearly unseating him.
"What's wrong boy". He asked,patting shadow's neck, but the horse only danced sideways, eyes fixed on something in the underbush. As he followed shadow's gaze,a snake slithered out from beneath a nearby bush, it's beady eyes glinting in the fading light, shadow let out a terrified whinny and bolted, Thrain struggling to maintain his seat. But it was too late. Shadow's sudden movements sent him tumbling through the air,his head striking a nearby rock in a sickening crunch. His world went dark,his body crumpling to the ground.
The harmless garter snake, slithered away, unaware of the chaos it has caused.Shadow, realizing his rider was no longer on his back, slowed to a stop,his ears pricked in concern. Thrain lay motionless,his head throbbing with pain as the forest of elevndom loomed above him.
After a while,he opened his eyes,his head pounding with a dull headache. Suddenly he heard a very familiar voice calling out to him,he turned towards the direction only to behold Aries, galloping happily towards him.
He tried to sit up,now fully alert, the pain in his head, suddenly disappeared. He couldn't believe the person infront of him.
"Aries?". He said gazing up at her, unsure if he was dreaming or not. Aries gave him a warm smile, one he had not seen in along time.
She dismounted and walked slowly towards him laughing.
" I told you didn't I, I'm simply the best when it comes to horse racing, not once but twice Thrain,I beat you twice!". She announced excitedly,her hands on her waist,her nose high up in the air.
" I think you need more lessons, from the best of course ". She paused and looked at him.
" Are you alright?".
Thrain was confused, wasn't he just on his way to rescue her?. How was she standing before him all of a sudden?.
" I don't understand, Aries how are you here,I mean,I thought you were in some kind of danger,no Eryndor did say you were in trouble and needed help ".
Aries wanted to laugh. " What are you talking about Thrain, what danger and who is Eryndor?".
He looked around him, scanning the place, that was when he realized that he was in a strange and unfamiliar environment ,it didn't look like the forest he entered few hours ago.
" What is this place?". He asked, slowly getting up to his feet. Aries was confused and wondered why he was acting the way he did.
"You were the one who suggested we race with our horses, we did,I won and you fell off your horse, now you are acting strange and it's scaring me".
" I fell off my horse?". He whispered to himself, before scanning the surrounding again,he saw shadow and mala grazing peacefully, everything seemed normal but he thought otherwise.
" Look Aries I don't know what is going on, maybe I-I need to refresh your memory a bit. We went to tamra in search of kamaita, remember?, there was a mysterious old lady, she -she". He couldn't continue, his mind was foggy and Aries was clearly loosing her patience.
"It's been a month since we visited that temple and what old lady are you talking about,I didn't see anyone, it was just you and I in that temple Thrain". She moved closer to him and began to inspect his body for any kind of injury.
" How bad was that fall?". She asked slipping her fingers into his hair." There's a bump,a big one, you need a physician Thrain, come on let's go ". She said pulling him along.
He decided to trust her and push his doubts and confusion aside, perhaps he just woke up from a bad dream. He held unto her as they walked in silence with their horses following them behind.
As they entered into the street of a town, Thrain's doubts and confusion returned,it wasn't a town in Eldrida, neither was it in valtoria or even Herthstone. Where was this place?.
But he only observed in silence, trying so hard to shake off the feeling of unease.
"Aries, Thrain, come quickly, there's something you both need to see". It was Lyrien, Thrain recognized his voice even before they turned to look at him, but wasn't he supposed to be at the tower in Eldrida?.
Seeing Aries out of the blue was weird enough now Lyrien as well!?. Something was definitely off.
"None of this is real". He muttered to himself.
" I need to get out of here immediately". But before he could swing into action, the world around him began to fade into nothingness,then he heard a voice calling out to him, but this time, the voice sounded urgent and rough.
"Hey wake up, you are having a bad dream".
He opened his eyes to a very unfamiliar face. A girl around his age with a pair of ocean blue eyes that seemed to bore into his soul with concern.
"Who...?". He mumbled, disoriented.
The girl's expression softened. " I'm Eira and you are in our home,in brindlemark village".
As Thrain sat up, rubbing his temples, Eira's family came into the room. Her brother,a freckled boy of eight, clutched a wooden toy sword, stared at him with wide eyes. Their mother,a warm-smiling woman approached him.
"Thank the light you are finally awake traveller. I'm Althaea, this is my husband Arin". She nodded towards a rugged, bearded man who was busy examining Thrain's sword.
"My daughter,Eira and my son Belor". She added still smiling.
Thrain's gaze drifted between the family members, confusion still clouding his mind, but he was thankful for one thing, being able to see and interact with real people.
" My name is Thrain ". He managed to say.
"What-what happened to me? ". He asked feeling the painful bump on his head,he did fell off his horse for sure.
"My father found you unconscious in a field not too far from here,at first we thought you were a victim of armed robbers or bandits ". Eira's voice rang out.
"How long was I unconscious for?". He asked still rubbing his head.
"Just three days ". Eira replied. Thrain's eyes snapped towards her,he thought his eyes were closed for just few hours, what does she mean by three days!.
His thoughts cleared,he remember falling off his horse and having that bizarre dream or was it all an illusion?.
"That forest... It was tricking me ". He began.
"You are speaking of elevndom's heartwood, only a few escapes its illusions unscathed,you are one lucky bloke"
Arin spoke for the first time and in a voice befitting his massive size.
Althaea moved closer to Thrain and said." You are safe now Thrain, we'll help you find your way come dawn ". Thrain nodded. "I appreciate your kindness ".
Althaea smiled warmly. Something about this woman reminded him of someone, someone he holds so dear to his heart.
" You can rest now ". She added.
As he drifted off, he heard Eira's gentle voice." Mother will bring dinner soon ".
He closed his eyes in total surrender to the weariness he felt,the warmth and comfort of the bed enveloping him completely. And for the first time since he began this journey, he felt absolute peace.
Later that night, Althaea brought in a tray of roasted meat and vegetables. Thrain devoured the food, not minding if it was appealing to his taste buds,he only wanted to fill his empty stomach and besides,the meal was very tasty. As night fell,the family gathered around the fire that was lit in the middle of the compound. Arin strummed a soothing melody on his lute, while Althaea and Eira spun a tale about brindlemark's history. Thrain listened, feeling a sense of belonging he hadn't experienced in years.
Eira moved nigher to him. " So, tell us Thrain, what's your story". She stopped and observed him more carefully.
"You look like a Lord, you must be a Lord, right?".
He smiled faintly, evading her question."Erm...am not a Lord, just-just a traveler". Eira's smile faded, she wanted to know more about this stranger or perhaps, she already knew who he was.
"Seems like you are not willing to share your story , but I do know one important thing about you though . You are on your way to rescue her, aren't you?". She asked, searching his face and just as she had expected,her words caught his attention.
" What do you mean?" He asked trying not to act surprised.
" I know you are going to Aldor l'thia, that's where the child of prophecy is ".
He remembered looking at the map when he entered that forest and it did say Aldor l'thia was his next and final stop. How much does this girl know?. Arin noticed the unpleasant expression on Thrain's face and set his lute aside, his face somber.
"Eira has a gift Thrain, she sees visions, she actually saw a vision of you even before you came into this village " He explained,his voice deep and firm.
Everything made sense to Thrain, but he wasn't ready to divulge anything about himself or the journey ahead. He became less worried about the girl,besides this family has shown nothing but kindness towards a total stranger like him. He had nothing to be worried about but he couldn't bring himself to fully trust them.
As everyone retired for the night, Thrain's thoughts swirled, deprived of sleep,he kept turning and tossing, thinking about the remaining journey ahead and the danger that awaits. He prayed silently for Aries' safety wherever she was at the moment. He eventually succumb to sleep,his heavy eyelids fluttering a few times before they finally shut close.
The next morning,he descended to the warm kitchen, where Althaea prepared breakfast.
"Ready to depart?". Arin asked handing him his sword and pouch,Thrain collected his belongings with a slight bow. "Yes, I'd like to be on my way now ".
Eira entered,her eyes avoiding Thrain's,her expression subdued. His gaze lingered on her, sensing her unease.
"Hey, everything alright?".
"Yes, everything is fine". She said with a hint of disappointment fleeting across her face. Althaea intervened,her voice calm as usual.
"She's just worried about you Thrain, nothing serious".
"Here take this, you might need it". She added, putting some food and water into separate containers then wrapping it up with a white clean cloth to keep the food warm. Thrain let out a smile as he received the package." Thank you,I promise to enjoy it".
"Be careful lad". Arin said placing a hand on his shoulder.
Thrain nodded, shouldering his pack. "I will,I really do appreciate your hospitality ".
As he stepped outside, the family followed suit. Shadow was saddled and ready. Belor walked up to Thrain and said. "I was hoping you could teach me how to ride a horse but - you clearly have to go". His eyes cast down, sadness in them.
Thrain smiled warmly and pat him gently on the head, promising to teach him when next he comes. Belor's face lit up."Really?, will you come back?".
" I might return Belor and when I do, we'll ride the fields together ". He mounted shadow, patting the horses neck.
" Time to find Aries".
As he rode off, the family watched on,Eira muttered."Liar, you are never going to return ". To her self, while Belor's voice called out." Come back Thrain,we will be waiting!".