With his bags packed he set out to find the temple of Lethrana. The river Tal went on for miles to the north and the south. He wondered how long he would have to travel before they found him. He walked that day as far as his strength could take him. Until finally exhaustion over took him. He rested that night under the light of the waning moon.
He continued his slow journey, it had been many nights ago since the attack, and his thoughts were still reeling from the information he had been given. He stopped in his tracks. Something was tugging at his senses, although he didn’t know what it was. The snapping of a twig brought his attention to the trees lining the river Tal. He ran for a moment, and then took cover underneath some brush. He watched, and waited to see who or what had been following him. The stranger stalk out of the bush, and immediately Andreas recognizes his cousin Nickolas. Andreas makes the sound of an owl, and Nickolas responds to the familiar tune. Nickolas, ecstatic at finding his cousin said, “Andreas is that you?” “Yeah it’s me. How are you? Are you alright? How is everyone in the town?” Nickolas starts to speak and finds he is unable to do so. Andreas takes this as a sign and says, “They are dead aren’t they?” “Not all of them,” said Nickolas, “The Renai came in and swarmed the outer homes, but my father formed a barrier. He kept them at bay until the guards from the city could arrive. Most of the town fled to Morilain, but I went back to find anyone who had survived. When I saw your house I thought u had died, but then I saw your tracks leading from the cellar.” Andreas embraces his cousin and says, “You must go now, back to Morilain I have to travel to the temple up north.” “You aren’t going alone Andreas” says Nickolas. “You can’t, and besides why would you want to go there.” Andreas recants the tale of what happened, and shows the book to Nickolas. “I see” he says. “Well I’m going with you. You are going to need some help traveling there. It’s one hell of a trek, but I think we can do it if we stick together.” Andreas intended to reject his cousin’s offer, but decided it would be best to have a familiar face after all of the uncertainty that had developed from his new found lineage. “Let’s get going then.” Andreas and Nickolas clasped arms, and begin their journey again. Both glad to have found the one another.
They had both been walking for quite some time. Nickolas brought weapons and gave a short sword to Andreas. “It’s yours, father made it for you,” said Nickolas, “He was planning on giving it to you when you turned eighteen, but I guess sixteen is just a good an age as any.” They both laughed and started telling tales of distant battles and ancient heroes.
An arrow sped past them and landed in a nearby tree. They pulled their weapons, Nickolas pulling a bow and arrow. They stuck behind trees till their target revealed who he was. It was a lone Renai warrior. He had been out hunting and had missed his catch. The stag leapt away as the boys approached causing the warrior to miss his prey. He had yet to notice the two boys, and they had every intention of keeping it that way. They both watched as the warrior collected his arrow, and went off in search of other game. “I had hoped they wouldn’t come this far north, even to hunt it is farther than I would have thought,” Said Nickolas. “I know but they are desperate, and if the king’s men did come they may have been pushed out and forced to make camp up north while they figure out their next move,” replied Andreas, “We must keep moving.”
Seven days have passed since their journey began, they were both tired of the travels but they know they must keep going. Nickolas, already tired and bored of the long travel asked, “How much further Andreas?” “I’m not sure,” said Andreas, “grandma didn’t say. She only said that they would find us, whatever that means.”
As soon as they had set up their camp both boys were paralyzed. Unable to move or speak, they watched as a group of riders approached. “Why have you come to the woods of Dareth? This is a sacred place,” said the first rider, “the Renai are not welcome here!” “We are not Renai; I am Andreas, grandchild of Rosaleen.” At this the riders were angered. “You dare speak lies, and dirty the Name of our Queen.” In anger Andreas yelled as loud as he could make himself heard, “I am no liar. However, if you wish to test me, then I shall show you what I am.” Andreas closed his eyes and started to speak some of the language his grandmother used when she attacked the warrior. Instantly his body was lit up and the spell that kept him paralyzed was removed from both him and his cousin. They both drew weapons and prepared for the warriors attack, but they did not move. “We must apologize my lord.” the last warrior came into view. It was a female priestess. She carried a sword, and had her hair in a long pony tail that was the length of her torso. Andreas was mesmerized by the women. Andreas, now frozen, and this time by her beauty said, “Who are you?” The priestess spoke with the nobility of her station, “I am Alexandria, the high priestess of Dareth. We were placed here long ago by the demigoddess Althea. Come, we will continue this discussion at the temple.”
Both Andreas and Nickolas were lead to the temple of Dareth, as they entered they could see the symbol of the goddess on all things. The priestess spoke eloquently of the family tree to which she was a part of. Of how the demigoddess Althea constructed the first temple to her mother Lethrana. As well as the premonition she received after the birth of her child Aldane, the first queen of Ilrand where the temple was built four hundred years ago. She also told the tale of how Nicodemus, the high priest who first worshiped Lethrana not only as a goddess but as his love, was granted enormous powers. She also told him of his grandmother and how she was one of the most powerful in the line. Rosaleen commanded the power of all of the elements, and could bend light and sound like no other. She also spoke of how Larna betrayed Rosaleen, and stole her throne. “How could her own sister do this to her?” he asked. “She gave herself to Kailan, more so then any other person has,” replied Alexandria, “she gave Kailan her soul in return for power. That is after she put a spell on Rosaleen’s husband to kill him.” After this the conversation swiftly ended, and both boys were shown to their quarters. They were also given fresh cloths, and food. The day ended with sleep taking over them both. Tired from the ordeal they had faced, they both entered the safe haven that was their dreams.
