Chapter Four:

A Distant Yonder <- tbc

The sparkling water, cast upon the morning grass began to gleam a flamboyant orange, as a mighty golden dawn broke from a far horizon. A new day awoke in the lands. A new era arose. Sunrise is a very sentimental time to a lost heart, especially when it is lost in itself. The waves of fog embraced under the glowing sunlight, with flickering lights shining from the damp leaves. In the distance, two men of a distant time echoed desire under the airy sky, longing for a just freedom.

The fire had withered away to a mere spark, but Aedomir cared not to rekindle it. He would not stay for long. He could be anywhere in the world as far as he knew. He walked over to Seridon, who sat on a ledge by the fire wide awake, gazing into the amber yonder, which shone down from the sun upon the glistening morning dew. The trailing golden hair from Seridon’s head whistled in the cool breeze. “How I long for freedom!” Seridon cried, sensing Aedomir’s silent arrival. Clouds overhead melted into the sunlight, and how Aedomir yearned to sprout wings and fly alongside them he could not describe.

“Yes,” Aedomir muttered. “A taste of it would be magnificent. Although, I do not know what you wish to be free of yet.”

“You will learn, fear not my friend!” Seridon turned to Aedomir, who looked about them admirably. The Guardian had sent him to a realm of wonder indeed. To the south, he saw a small river, running into a moist-clad group of lone trees. Their leaves floated under the sunrays and mirrored them so brilliantly, that Aedomir gasped in awe. Other than that, hills and burrows were the only likely landmark about. Even Aedomir’s keen eyes could not see past the far horizon, hindered by a great veil of mist.

Freshness floated earnestly though the early air, whipping through Seridon’s hair. He took a deep breath, and paused for a moment before bellowing a deep sigh. He turned and risked his eyes upon Aedomir. “I can help you stay clear of the Kalbarcs; they look for us now. But we have the upper hand. They don’t know where we are.”

Aedomir looked around and nodded. “No, but nor do we,” he grunted.

“Hold on,” Seridon said. He reached for two arrows, and took one in each hand. Raising them shoulder-height, he looked into Aedomir’s puzzled eyes. “I share a connection with my horse,” he explained. “Via Ethina, I am afraid, but nonetheless a great union. Every rider should have one with his steed.” Closing his eyes, he clenched the arrows tightly and rubbed them together with a swift swipe. Sparks burst from where they met, and lit up the basking ground. Aedomir turned and walked around to Seridon. In awe, he gazed at the fire on the ground. It was in the shape of a great horse, and as the flames grew and waved, the horse began to run, faster and faster. “Now watch,” said Seridon. The flames roared and hissed, and Aedomir could feel a vibration shaking his bones. The smoke that wisped from the fire faded away and the leaping flames beneath fused into a thick charcoal.

Without a word of warning, they exploded into puffs of gas, and hooves clashed into Aedomir’s stomach. His body was thrown backwards, and he hit the ground, thumping hard. Smashing his head on the mud floor, he let out a cry of anguish.

“Aedomir! Are you alright? Sorry about that!” Seridon grabbed hold of Aedomir’s hand and heaved him up. Slightly shaken, Aedomir squinted and looked around. He needn’t have searched far, as to front of his weathered face, was a great, magnificent beast.

Its fur, as black as the midnight shadow, and its fiery eyes, redder than an early sunset, glimmered and sparkled gracefully under the lazing light.

“Rothorn is his name,” Seridon said, stroking its back tenderly. “His crimson eyes do not mirror evil, fear not. It is but an Ethinian curse, yet he still follows me, not them.”

“You could have told me he was about to burst through like that…”

“I could have, yes.”

Aedomir studied the horse a little longer, and at length said, “This… connection… describe it to me more.”

^ Random, but it got me out of writers block! bty, there is a reason he called his horse!