“This is a small country called Danenya.” Raymond piped up. “There once were several large tribes spread across it, leaving in harmony. Eventually, like everything, the peace between tribes diminished. One tribe lives on.”
“These are probably the people you lost your scout to Zoeloft.” Jasper said. Zoeloft got up from the rock he had fallen to, his eyes were slightly red, but there was no sign of sadness left in his voice.
“I suppose we should find this tribe then.” Zoeloft’s voice cut through jasper in a way he had never heard before. For the first time Jasper began to wonder if his friend had worse intentions then first told. This thought was interrupted by Raymond’s announcement about he how knew the way. Shaking his head, disregarding the imagined betrayal, he gestured Raymond to lead the way. The three wonderers pressed forward; youngest at lead, Jasper stood close after, Zoeloft bringing up the rear.
The forest got thicker and thicker, Zoeloft began to doubt the rift raft they picked up knew anything. Eyeing up the boy, he couldn’t imagine any reason of which Jasper wanted to keep him around. Raymond glanced back, catching Zoeloft’s observation of him.
“Right this way lays the only remaining tribe.” He took a step back, avoiding as much eye contact with Zoeloft as possible, the boy spoke strictly to Jasper. “The tribes name is Yelha.” Worry took over the boys’ voice, all trust for Zoeloft had left him as he watched him tense and squirm. Pushing past the final mass of vines, Zoeloft reached the opening first, with his first step he sunk to his ankles in water. The flood hadn’t been kind to Yelha, it was the only place still even the slightest submerged. The man pressed on, leaving his crew steps behind, looking for signs of life. Moments passed before Zoeloft snapped back at the young boy, who now sat on the shoulders of Jasper. “They should be here, I swear sir.” Raymond shook in fear. Jasper looked past his friend, seeing what he had missed.
“There,” Pointing at a corner of a settlement peering from behind a rock cliff. , “Somebody does live here.” Zoeloft eased his eyes, and turned to see what Jasper had discovered. To his surprise and foolishness he found the corner of the hut Jasper was pointing to. Huffing to himself he trudged further, getting to the hut he pushed the beaded door aside. A devilish grin grew back on Zoeloft face as exited the tent.
“She lives among them.”
A loud voice boomed out from behind them and a figure emerged. He was dark skinned and broad shouldered; several scars could be seen, they were recent, and his hand was bandaged.
“Could this be?” Jasper said out loud.
“Jasper, old friend, I did not think I would see you in these parts.” The two men embraced, kissing each other on the cheek.
“Zoeloft, this is my comrade and friend Bastian. We fought alongside each other in the Phoenix War.” Jasper said. “He saved my life many times.” Bastian nodded at Zoeloft, as a sign of custom and Zoeloft responded in kind. Jasper and Bastian continued to exchange old war stories as a fire was started and a hut prepared. Raymond had made himself at home, wrapping up in a quilt, sleeping soundly by the blazing fire.
“Of course you will stay as long as can!” Bastian said. Zoeloft sent Jasper an urgent look as Jasper hesitated on his words. “My friend” Jasper said. “We are in search of a princess by the name of Taya, you would not have seen her? She is Zoeloft’s love, and he has been in search of her for over a year.” “Yes, there is a Taya here” he eyed up Zoeloft. “I was unaware that she was a princess.” “The fairest of all” Zoeloft responded, a less sincere smile evolving on his face. “She is currently tracking an army of elves with my sister across the Burrowdowns, they have taken my father captive.” Their faces were serious and their brows were furrowed. Bastian and Jasper exchanged glances, their eyes met
and then the two turned away; knowing all too well that they were to speak late into the night after the crickets had fallen asleep.
Well into the night, the campfire flickered and warmed the party of four. Bastian had lead the travellers up the rock ledge to where most of the village still sat, waiting for the ground to absorb the rest of the storm. They sat out of ear shot of anybody passing by, Bastian being in charge in the absence of his father he didn’t want to cause any panic. Zoeloft had fallen asleep facing the fire, Bastian watched the man as his eyes finally give way. The two war friends engaged in eye contact, Jasper moved Raymond from his side, laying him next to the fire. Getting up the two walked into the home of Deimos, the saber tooth tiger stood next to Bastian, showing loyalty and protection. Fangs still covered in blood from dinner, Jasper stood a little uneasy.
“How do you know that man?” Bastian spoke quietly but disapprovingly. The trust in the man’s eyes reflected that of the sabertoothed tiger, the trust existed in the man he wished to protect, but not with the man he brought. Jasper looked deep into the rough eyes of his war partner, telling the tale of the good man he brought with him. Deimos growled and came between the men, Bastian called him off, “I don’t trust him, he has been lying to you.”
“We grew up together, why are you so quick to judge?
“Your friendship has blinded your senses. Do you not see the sickly look in his eyes? That hunger for power, the desire to control overwhelms him; Zoeloft is not the same friend you had long ago.” Jasper placed his hand on Bastian’s shoulder turning him away from the entrance and whispered in his ear. Nothing further was said, and Jasper went back to his place by the fire, wrapping himself in a long robe that he carried. The stars dimmed from sight and soon he was lost in a place that scared him more than reality.
Bastian sat on a rock that overlooked the fire, his eyes did not waiver, and no sign of fatigue could be seen upon his face. He heard the song of the owls, and soon the cry, and gentle weeping of his friend Jasper. Bastian moved from his rock and approached the fire, which had now turned to brightly lit coals. Jasper called out, reaching out his hand has he did. Calmly Bastian crouched down to his friend, and whispered; whispered a soft and beautiful love song, a poem of ages past. It
was the story of broken love, and the sadness of seasons, but as he finished the poem it resolved into a story of peace that set in his mind as the ocean rests its body after the storm.
The Colours of Autumn Breeze
In the Autumn when the leaves do fall
And the wives of Winter smile.
The skeleton trees follow me close,
Their eyes are shattering hearts.
I, the colours of Autumn breeze
Warming to the touch of fingertips,
But the ever cold North Wind,
With her chills of fear and hopelessness,
Lead me to the edge of being,
Though I fight for the warmth of light.
I cannot find my peace in this dark time.
So when the Autumn leaves have fallen
And Winter’s wives have breathed their song
I will hold the air of love for Her.
For the North Wind is my lover,
Though She knows not of my breeze.
So when the last of leaves have fallen
And the skeletons call my name,
I will disappear forever;
The North Wind takes my place.
She will hunt and growl and show her teeth,
Her heart shown on Her smile,
But with the cold caress of death
She cannot linger through her tears.
For the buds of spring appear,
She cannot help but join me too.
Through every warm month of the year
We will sing and play and shout,
But when the first leaves start to change
And the colours of Autumn call my name;
I, the colours of Autumn breeze
Will leave my lover in the wind;
Until the spring will come again.
Jasper moved his head and a calm rested on him, a smile forming in the corners of his mouth. Bastian moved back to his place on the boulder and did not move for the remainder of the night.
Morning dew hooked onto Zoelofts brow, a warm wind pressed on his face, irritated the man awoke. Eyes growing wide at the sight staring down at him, the piercing eyes of Deimos looked deep into Zoeloft, threatening him to lay still. Raymond awoke watching the fear in the deceiving man’s eye grow and grow, inside a small joy grew in the boys heart. Not death, but fear. The boy hoped the beast starring the man down would induce a state that would be peaceful. Finally, the sabertooth tiger huffed and left the man to know he was not welcome. Getting up, brushing himself off he glanced over at the other two in the group. Instantly Raymond dropped his gaze, pretending he was asleep the entire time.
“We’re leaving.” Zoeloft fired his robe and some food into the pack he was carrying. Without waiting for an answer he began walking toward the edge of camp. Jasper woke Raymond, and slowly packed up. Bastian was standing near the edge, recovering his stance after had being pushed by the disturbed man.
“Jasper, they went that way.” Bastian gestured to the opposite end of camp from where they had entered. “Go after her, but keep her safe.” Jasper and Bastian were now face to face, Bastian put his hand on the guests shoulder. “Keep her away from him.” The grip got tighter, “Please don’t let her into his hands.” The man showed true worry in his face, Jasper nodded and pushed Raymond ahead.
“Thanks for the tip,” Jasper looked away, then again over his shoulder “I will make sure she is safe.” The poem lingered in Jaspers head as the two walked to catch up to the leader. As they reached him he was investigating the area, anything for tracks. Zoeloft knew it would not be theirs, but the elves. They exited Yelya.
The three travelled and tracked for several days, they were unaware of it but they were always only matters away from who they followed. Travelling continued the way it began, Zoeloft making it harder and harder for anybody to trust him. With trust diminishing, Jasper and Raymond came closer together, keeping a close eye at all times. The nights haunted Jasper for he did not want to see his friend as something evil, often he would battle the thoughts with memories. Confronting his friend indirectly, trying to bring him to a time when everything was right. Little did Jasper know but this only turned Zoeloft darker, memories reminded Zoeloft of all that was ripped from him. Taya was not going to be the same, and not Zenith or anybody was going to stand in his way.
Days of tracking passed, finally the three looked over the terrains that lead to Garitarc. The men looked at the castle that taken them both in under its roof, their home. Zoeloft looked in sadness, the castle as a gloomy place tore him even more apart, this time it was his fault. The three got closer, reaching the castle walls, a scream of an innocent old man lifted over falling to the three travelers ears.
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