Peter Koevari - Prophecies Awakening

“What are your names?” asked Vartan quietly, sheathing his new sword.

The guard lowered his voice and spoke with haste. “We are Aidan and Stenwulf, royal guards to the throne. If you hadn’t accompanied Princess Helenia on her journey, it would have been our duty to be alongside her during the ambush. I fear that, unlike you, we would not have had the abilities to make it back alive. Consider our debt paid."

Turning toward the crowd, Aidan slapped Vartan's horse, pointed at the gate and cried, "Now begone, as fast as your horse can carry you!”

“I won’t forget your kind deeds, Aidan and Stenwulf. I pray that we meet again,” said Vartan.

He roughly slid his helm back over his head, put his sword’s leather strap gently over his shoulder and rode as hard as he could out of Greenhaven’s gate. Looking back over his shoulder, he saw a furious Derian watching him closely through the throne room windows.

It had all happened far too quickly, as if it had been a freak whirlwind that had torn apart his structured and carefully planned life.

Helenia, when will I see you again? he thought.

Vartan left Greenhaven with a troubled heart.

The sun sank deeper into the horizon as its warm rays gently caressed the earth in preparation for night. Leon relaxed in his old rocking chair. The sweet sound of wood creaking created an innocent ambience in the calm afternoon. In his hand was a piece of freshly cut oak, and with each precise stroke of his carving knife, it came a little closer to its intended shape. He led a peaceful life, tending to his many farm animals and growing food to trade for much-needed supplies at the local markets.

At rare times, he would trade in cities that were built in faraway lands. It was not the most glamorous of lives, but it was a lifestyle that was cherished by both Leon and his wife, Victoria. It was here that they proudly raised their two sons, Vartan and Finn. Vartan was the elder of the two boys and was today celebrating his fourteenth birthday.

The farm was built near a freshwater river, which could always be depended upon to provide fish for supper. There was one lonely dirt path which led from the farm to the nearest town. It made its way like a snake, slithering through thick forests that led past the Elven Woods. Marithia’s forests were thick and lush with greenery, with wild mushrooms and flowers painting a kaleidoscope of colours throughout the highlands that were worthy of an artist's brush strokes.

Leon felt Victoria’s warm, soft hands ease their way onto his sore shoulders as she spoke. "You‘re tense today and the day is long. It’s strange, isn't it? Growing old? I’ll never forget the day we found each other."

Leon placed the carving on a nearby table, leaned back to enjoy her massage, and breathed a deep sigh. "I’m just waiting for our boys to return home."

“Would you look at that? I never grow tired of its beauty. It’s such a wondrous jewel upon our land, shining like a diamond.” Victoria gazed out over the lush forest surrounding their farm, toward the golden city far in the distance.

It really was a majestic sight, even for those who had seen many of the great wonders of the world, and was one of the reasons their farm had been built where it was. Although they could never afford to live within Greenhaven’s protective walls, it almost felt like home ground after all these years sharing a horizon with the great city.

Leon stirred and his tension returned. “Victoria, it's getting late and the boys still haven't come home. Have the horses been fed? There’s still much to do, and I need their help to finish it all.”

“Sweetheart, they hunt in the woods. I’m sure they’ll return shortly. Vartan wanted to bring home a special meal for supper. It is his birthday after all, and he’s using the new bow you brought him from She’Ma’Ryn. Don’t worry about the horses. I shall tend to them,” Victoria said warmly. She hesitated for a moment, thinking back on the strange bow.

“I do have one question about that bow. How did you happen upon it?” she asked.

Leon thought back to his most recent trip to She’Ma’Ryn. “I won it from a traveling merchant, who told me he won it himself in a game of chance from an elven warrior, many years ago. That drunken fool sure was lucky to get his hands on such a finely crafted weapon. He did mumble some story about the bow being used to channel power, but I can’t quite recall the exact words he used. I thought Vartan would love such a gift; He’s always had a keen eye for quality.”

Suddenly, Leon did not feel so sure that the bow was the right gift for his son. He placed his head in his hands and Victoria walked around to kneel in front of him. She spoke softly. "What’s wrong? Please tell me."

"It worries me that we are raising them as if they aren't special. We can’t protect them when we are like this."

Victoria brought his hands down and looked deep into his eyes. "It is our way. We knew this when we agreed to be reborn. Only when the time is right will they find out the truth, when she deems them ready to know it. Let's focus on enjoying our life together. We never know how long our hearts will beat."

“A bit higher, Finn, and remember to strike using your full body weight as the sword comes down. There are forces you can use to your advantage. Use the ground’s pull to your favour,” said Vartan, leaning against a nearby tree.

Finn nodded knowingly with boyish confidence, returned to his stance, and once again hacked into the old tree trunk.

“I can do this, brother! I know I can. I want to be a great knight of Greenhaven and fight glorious battles for the king. Like the old tales Mother reads to us at bedtime, that are so exciting and full of wild adventures.”

As Finn took another swing at the old tree, Vartan slid his sword out to meet him. The sound of weapons colliding echoed through the thick forest. Finn immediately lost his balance and landed with a soft thud next to the tree.

“Ow! What was that for?” asked Finn, nursing his sore backside.

Vartan chuckled softly. “Remember, little knight, in a real battle you won’t face an old tree, but someone who will fight back, and most likely send you flying onto your rear. Have patience, young brother. The time will come for you to fulfil your dreams of knighthood and glory, but this poor tree cannot take too much more of your sword. Then again,” he laughed, “you're not really damaging it.” He helped Finn to his feet and dusted off the dirt and grass from his brother’s pants. He smiled and gave his younger brother a quick, reassuring hug. “You will be fine, Finn. You can’t expect to conquer the world in one day, you know. All good things will come in time. Are you hungry? I packed some spiced meat for us. We should eat now, to regain our strength.”