By: ToeClaws
| Chapter 11:
| The ensuing silence amongst the rocks overpowered everything. No one moved, not even the powerful Zagoran leader, Massic, after what had just happened. His great chest heaved with a mixture of shock, fear, and confusion. The human, the frail tiny creature he had once nearly killed, was the Realm Walker; not a self-proclaimed prophet, but announced by Dar Souljeth himself! By Sioleth!!! I nearly killed him! The thought rang through Massic’s mind, filling him with a sense of horrible guilt that he might have well destroyed them all if not for the wise actions of his Seeker. Snapping himself back to reality, he looked to the motionless forms of Eric and Rothar on the rocks before them, and then to his sides for Fessar and Zio, finding them as frightened and shocked as he was. “What are we doing like this!? Help them!!!”
| The three Zagoran’s staggered to their feet and dashed for the fallen pair. Fessar and Zio went to Rothar, and Massic to Eric. Massic knelt at Eric’s side, and hesitated a moment before shaking him on his shoulder. “Realm Walker…Er…Eric… can you hear me?”
| Eric’s eyes slowly opened. Standing over him was a blurry figure that he couldn’t quite make out yet. His body tingled and vibrated with odd sensations. He knew what had happened - he remembered everything as if he had seen it from each and every point of view. Rothar had been right, he was the Realm Walker, somehow, it was he. Oh god he was right! His vision cleared enough that he could make out the figure over him - it was Massic. Wordlessly, Massic helped him gently to his feet, looking quite shocked, and… hurt, somehow.
| Leaning on Massic, Eric limped over to Rothar, who was still unconscious. Fessar and Zio were nudging him, and checking his pulse. Fessar looked back at Massic “He won’t wake My Lord, he seems to…” then let out a gasp. Fessar looked at Eric, the Realm Walker, and saw the same ghostly pale eyes as Rothar staring back at him. “Your… your eyes Eric…”
| Dismissing the comment and staggering free from Massic, Eric squatted weakly at Rothar’s side. The Seeker’s eyes were closed, and his breathing shallow. Tiny wisps of smoke floated up from cracks in his eyelids. Eric knew why, felt why… he had seen Dar Souljeth enter Rothar, and speak to the others. The god’s power was too much for a mortal body to bear in full, and caused injury the longer the exposure was. He had to fix it… somehow he needed to undo the damage, but how? Eric reached his hand to Rothar’s eyes, and rested his palm along them, then placed his other hand on Rothar’s chest and closed his own eyes. He felt for jantra, easier to seek now, and eager to come to him. He still did not know exactly how to use it, but Rothar would, if he could still sense it. He let it build around him; swell and swirl about him. He felt for Rothar’s mind, his soul. Please take it Rothar… use it…I don’t know what else to do!
| The others backed away a couple steps, seeing the red glow about Eric. They watched, in silence, as their champion worked, in awe that it had all happened so suddenly. The jantra swirled around Eric and Rothar, flooding them with its potential. Rothar could hear Eric, somewhere in his mind. He had been right… Eric was their champion, and was trying with what little knowledge he possessed to save him. The Seeker sipped at the Jantra swirling about him, little by little, all he could manage, and begun to bind it to his wounds to undo them. The more he worked, the more he could take, and faster he could heal. After a few moments, the swirling cloud of jantra had faded to glow around Rothar. The Seeker bared his sharp teeth in determination and began to growl as he bound the last of the jantra to his god-made wounds. His pale eyes fluttered open, and he sat up with a roar that trailed off to a hiss. He looked at the three other Zagoran’s, visibly shaken, and regarding him with awe. Rothar turned his head to Eric, meeting a pale set of eyes like his own. He smiled warmly and chuckled. “Did I not say we would know for sure about you after the offering?”
| The two friends laughed, further confusing the other three. They rose to their feet and walked to the others, who shifted nervously where they stood. Rothar was first to speak “The prophecy has begun. It is our destiny to lend Eric our knowledge, our understanding, and our obedience in any way we can.”
| The three Zagoran’s nodded, and one by one, dropped to one knee before Eric - even Massic, who spoke. “All that is our is yours, Realm Walker.”
| Eric shook his head in disbelief. That morning, his only title from Massic was “human” and he lived in a constant state of trying to prove himself to the others. Now he had come about as full circle as one could come! “Umm… thank you.” He looked at them all before him, heads held low in respect, no one meeting his eyes. “Umm… guys, you don’t need to be like that. I… I am the Realm Walker, and I swear I will try to do for you what I am supposed to, but I don’t want to be a symbol of divinity. Please… stand up.” They rose, slowly, and stood before him. It was odd in a sense - Eric was shorter than every one of them - dwarfed by Massic, but that’s not what their eyes said of him. Eric smiled and extended his hand to Massic “I swear to you… I will try, sir.” Massic smiled - actually smiled - and extended his own clawed hand, gripping Eric’s forearm as Eric gripped his in a warm shake. After a moment, Fessar and Zio each did the same.
***
| The return trip seemed much in reverse of the one before as well. Eric walked with Rothar in front, as the three other Zagoran’s followed at a slight distance behind them. They had left the rocky outcropping in the direction of the trees and bush that they had camped in the night before. It was nearly right on the path home, and it afforded them good shelter for the night. For at least the first hour, nothing was said. Eric paced along, wondering. Crap… what am I supposed say? What am I supposed to do? Rothar walked beside him, staring a head purposefully, silently. “Rothar, what happens now?”
| The Seeker turned to him and they locked their pale gazes. “There will be much to learn now Eric. I must start by showing you the weaving and binding of jantra, but you need also learn your destiny, hone your fighting skills, and learn leadership.”
| Eric frowned “I know I promised them Rothar, but I’m scared. I’m suddenly supposed to be the one that saves you, IF prophecy is right anyway, but I don’t know if I really can.” Eric looked from Rothar’s powerful form to his own. “It’s just… I don’t feel like the person I apparently am.”
| Holding is hand up to gently silence Eric, Rothar smiled. “The news has come abruptly, but that does not mean you will not be afforded the time to learn what you must. Your size and your strength, are not something you should see as a physical manifestation of all you are, for truly that is what lies inside you.”
| Heh… figures - he has an answer for everything. Eric closed his eyes while walking, and took a deep breath. “I guess. Maybe it’s that part of me that I doubt, I don’t know.” He opened his pale eyes and looked at Rothar. He was so beautiful - not just his physical strength and stature, but the strength within - his caring soul. “I’m glad, more than ever, that I have you to help me and be with me through this you know.”
| The smile that crossed the Seeker’s face was almost bashful. “I am glad too. I pray I will not fail you.”
| “Fail me?” Eric groaned. “Oh brother, don’t you start treating me like a god too! I’m the same little human I was this morning you know.”
| Rothar chuckled. “Forgive me. I do think it will happen often though, considering how others will see you now. Just tell them the same you have told me, they will listen.”
| It took only a while longer before they arrived at the trees and bush of their morning camp. They found the same spot, and unpacked their provisions to ready for another night’s stay. Eric set down the provisions sack he was carrying, and stretched out. “I’ll go find some more wood.”
| The others looked at one another and Zio spoke up. “You need not do that Realm Walker, I can fetch the wood we need.”
| Oh brother. Eric clapped a hand to his forehead “Zio, I can still do chores. Look… like I said before, you guys don’t have to treat me like that… really.”
| Zio nodded “A…as you wish Realm Walker. Is there something else I should do then?”
| Sighing, Eric shook his head. “Ask Massic… I don’t know, and my name is Eric, please just call me Eric.” Zio smiled a quick smile and nodded. Eric turned to Fessar “Same to you - I’m just Eric, same as before, okay?” Fessar nodded and smiled in acknowledgement as well, though had a nervous look about him from Eric’s new gaze.
| Later that evening, Rothar chose to prepare the fire while Zio and Fessar hunted for the night’s meal. Eric chose to sit alone, near the edge of the thicker bush. He felt a great sense of oddness now. Before Dar Souljeth’s appointment of him, he kept hoping that it was just coincidence; that Rothar had been wrong. There was no way to doubt it now - not after what had happened. Strangely, he didn’t wish it otherwise now, but he was scared of a potential that he wasn’t quite sure that he could live up to. After a time, he looked to his right, and saw Massic in the distance, sitting on a rock at another far end of the bush.
| Guess I’m not the only one with things on my mind. Eric watched him for a while, wondering what Massic was thinking… or maybe working out in his head. I bet he feels strange knowing what I am now… jeez… I hope he’s not taking this the wrong way. Leaving his own thoughts at rest, Eric stood up and headed for rock with the Zagoran leader. Upon arriving, Massic seemed lost enough in thought that he didn’t notice Eric’s approach. “Umm… would it be alright to talk, sir?”
| The powerful body twisted around, bringing Massic’s defiant looks to meet Eric’s. Eric felt a chill run along his spine from the look, but the look faded, and was replaced with a lost gaze. “I would prefer to be alone, Realm Walker.”
| Eric groaned “Just Eric, please.” He hesitated a moment, noticing the lost gaze in the powerful leader’s eyes. “I have times where I like to be alone too, to think about things. Sometimes though, you can’t think through them on your own.”
| The chief’s big head nodded subtly, and after a moment, he patted the rock in front of him with his giant clawed hand. Eric helped himself up onto the rock, and sat facing the big Zagoran leader, trying not to look down at the big-clawed feet in front of him. “Tell me… Eric… do you wonder about your choices in life?”
| “I suppose everyone does to some extent.” Eric searched his head for something that sounded more meaningful. “I sometimes wonder if I’ve made all the right choices.”
| “Yes…” Massic leaned back on his claws and looked at the colourful haze in the sky where the sun had sunk below the horizon, sighing. “That is exactly what I sit and ponder - if I have made the right choices. If I am the one who should be making those choices.” The big Zagoran’s eyes held the fading pink and orange of the skyline in his lost gaze.
| Something in his past was obviously tugging at him - Eric could derive that much easily enough. “Something happened to make you think that, what was it… if you wish to tell me, sir.”
| Massic lifted his lost eyes from the skyline, and brought them to meet Eric’s strange new gaze. “You wish to not be called Realm Walker, thus I think it only fair that you need not call me sir, yes?” Eric nodded. “Good. “ The Zagoran lord closed his eyes a moment and took a breath to begin. “What happened is well known, but not in the way it truly unfolded. It was not long before I became the leader of the tribe, just over 125 seasons ago. We lived in a different place then, but the Hethren were as much as threat as always, and like we do now, we fought them for our Sioleth. They came again and again, in greater numbers every time, ever harder to overcome. Still we fought them. I was still young - only 100.”
| In his head, Eric thought about the measure of age. Let’s see… if they have 4 seasons per year, that would make Massic… holy shit… that would make him in his mid 70’s! It became readily apparent that Zagoran’s lived for quite a while, since Massic didn’t look nearly as old as Naffit. He found himself momentarily wondering just how old Naffit really was… or Rothar, for that matter.
| After only a momentary pause in reflection, Massic continued. “One night, the Hethren came again with more numbers than ever. They had attacked only two nights before, and the Seeker, Sarieth, had been weakened too much to see them coming. We had no warning, and the fighting was desperately fierce. I fought with all my skill to save my village, but it wasn’t enough to save Kilathe.” Massic’s eyes closed again, and the story paused.
| “Kilathe… was he… a mate?” Eric felt a knot in his stomach form, suddenly realizing the potential severity of Massic’s pain.
| The Zagoran lord nodded slowly. “He and I fought like warrior spirits in flight… we always won against evil, until that night. The Hethren came so fast and in so many numbers, we were overwhelmed. They slaughtered Sarieth in his sleep… even slaughtered the sleeping young ones. I was so enraged at the Hethren that I lost control of my senses, of my purpose! I was supposed to defend the village - defend my mate as he would me, but I failed to notice two Hethren had downed him during our fight.” Massic’s eyes closed harder, wincing as the memories played themselves out anew in his mind. “I heard him scream in pain for me… again and again as they tore into him. I rushed to him - slashing through the evil about him with a crazed determination, but I reached him too late… he lay there… pouring blood onto the ground… his eyes were frozen open… and… he…” The words stuck in Massic’s throat and a tear traced down along his snout, glistening in the faint dusk’s light.
| Eric watched and listened, shocked; shocked at the horrific nature of the memory, and equally shocked at Massic’s sudden show of emotion. The love Massic had felt… still felt for Kilathe was profound. Slowly Eric reached out, and placed his hand on Massic’s knee. “For what it’s worth, I’m sorry for what happened to Kilathe. You don’t have to say anything more if you don’t want to… if it hurts too much to say, I understand.”
| Long moments passed in silence, as Massic sat with eyes closed, breathing heavy, trying to let the memories run their course. Slowly his eyes came open bearing a lost look again. “I could have saved Kilathe if I had not let my instincts rule me. I have always questioned my ability to rule when I was so arrogant as to kill the one I love.”
| “Massic, you didn’t kill him - don’t think that! I’ve seen you fight, Zagoran’s that is - you all fight with a furiousity that’s blinding. Rothar nearly killed me during a practice!” Eric rubbed his throat without realizing it at the memory.
| “Perhaps.” Massic sighed. “That night, our chief was killed, along with the Seeker as well as many others. The Seeker had a young pupil, Rothar, who was then less than 50 seasons old. Rothar knew enough to open the gates for the offering, during which, Dar Souljeth chose to make him our Seeker, despite his young age. He then told us what Dar Souljeth had instructed - that I was to be made leader of the tribe - that my loss would leave me ever vigilant to neglect.”
| Eric rubbed his chin in thought. “Have you told anyone else this?”
| Massic shook his head “No. You are the first since that terrible night. Everyone knows what happened that night, as I said, but none knew the Kilathe’s death was on my fault.”
| Sighing, Eric closed his eyes and shook his head. “I think you’re being a little hard on yourself about it - I mean, there’s just as much chance that you could have gotten killed trying to save him as actually saving him. I can’t say for sure, but I think Dar Souljeth knew that you would always double think things through because of what happened, and that’s probably why he made you our leader.”
| “Kind words, but how then do you explain that I almost killed you as well?” Massic growled and hopped down from the rock. He walked a few steps to a small tree, then turned to face Eric again. “How can I be the one to make the choices that rule our destiny if I nearly destroyed the one who is to save us!? Where was my leadership then!?”
| “But you didn’t kill me!” Eric felt tightness in his chest at the memory of Massic’s weight. He hopped down from the rock as well, holding his pale gaze with Massic’s. “Considering the evil I’ve seen here, I probably would have reacted the same! Rothar stopped you - THAT was destiny. Do you think he would have challenged your authority if Dar Souljeth had not willed it so?!” Eric surprised himself with the passion of his own words… wondering what Dar Souljeth had put in him besides the Jantra. His pale eyes shone with a fiery defiance at Massic, fuelled suddenly by a mysterious sense of reason. “You lead because you understand what’s at stake better than any of the others. You lead because you have a commanding nature that leaves only to be followed by the hearts and souls of your family. You lead because you are selfless enough to naturally bear the wounds of your battles, reminding yourself of the pain and suffering of your people - of your mate! Yet you sit and wallow in regret day by day from an insolent piece of your mind that refuses to admit to your innocence!”
| Massic, at a complete loss of words, blinked in surprise at the human’s passionate outburst. By Sioleth - Dar Souljeth’s fire burns in him! Eric stood in place, seeming solid as a mountain, eyes lowered and glowing a pale white in the darkening night. Massic felt a shiver traverse his spine at the sight; it was almost like looking at the ghostly eyes of his god. “Truly you are the work of Dar Souljeth.” He walked cautiously to Eric, and placed his hand on the Realm Walker’s shoulder. As he did, the pale glow faded in Eric’s eyes, and they returned to a pale cyan, as before. “I have much to think about, and perhaps admit to myself.”
| Eric raised a hand to his head suddenly feeling dizzy and sore, and staggered a step. He steadied himself, wondering what had brought that spurt on. Looking up at Massic, he regained his train of thought. “Good… at least that’s a start. Maybe you should talk to Rothar about it - he’s better than I at having answers.”
| Nodding, Massic smiled (still a rare thing to see), “Perhaps I should. Until then, I wish no others to know of this - of what I have told you, and what you have seen.”
| Smiling, Eric did a small bow. “As you wish my lord.” He rose back up and smiled. “The others look to you for strength and guidance. I hope they have it in you when you come back to camp with us.”
| The Zagoran lord nodded, and redawned his usual look of intimidating defiance. “They will have it; as it was charged to me.” Eric nodded his satisfaction and turned to head back to camp. “Eric…” He turned back to Massic’s massive silhouetted figure. “Thank you.” With that, the Zagoran turned and starred at the first of the shining stars to appear in the new night sky.
***
| The remainder of the night progressed smoothly - tensions seemed less now, and the others were talking with Eric close to a normal level again. Dinner was eagerly consumed, consisting of more of the strange mammals that populated the region. Massic gave out his orders from time to time, and they included everyone, including the Realm Walker, to prepare the bedding and secure the food against nighttime animals.
| A problem that had arisen was the diminishing supply of water. The day had been hot, and they had all consumed more than usual. Fessar and Zio had scouted for any sort of waterhole or stream, but the area bore nothing visible. What little water was left would make the remaining day’s journey a very dry one. Eric sat thinking around the problem. After a time, his head perked up and he looked to Rothar. “Rothar, do any of the leather skins that we carry with us have a smooth, water proof, finish?”
| The Seeker had been sitting next to Eric, starring wearily into the glowing coals of the fire. He turned his head to Eric with a perplexed look. “Yes - Fessar and Massic both carry skins that are stitched together and coated with a plant sap that makes water bead from them. We carry them in case of a flash storm, which can come with little warning. Why though do you ask?”
| Grinning wide, Eric hopped to his feet. “Perfect! I know a way we can get some water. I’ll need some help though - do you feel up to it?”
| Rothar nodded “Yes - a little tired, but well able to assist you. Will we need the others?”
| “Hmm… yeah, we should probably get Fessar and Zio to help - it will go quicker.” Eric smiled up at Rothar. “I’ll explain in a moment, but I think I should tell Massic first. I’ll be right back.”
| After a few moments and a rather perplexed look on Massic’s stern face, Eric had the two skins in hand, the jie pot, a cooking tin, and lead Fessar, Zio and Rothar to an edge of the bush that was quite sandy. “Okay… this looks perfect. Now, what I plan on doing with all this stuff is collecting the morning dew in these containers.” The Zagoran’s looked at one another questioningly. “I know… sounds crazy, but I saw this on a desert survival special on TV.”
| “TV? Is that a type of learning place?” Zio asked with a raised brow.
| “Err… it’s a… well… oh never mind… that would take a LONG time to explain.” Eric set the provisions down and began pointing and gesturing as he explained. If we dig two circular holes about yay deep…” holding his hands about 30cm apart “… we lay each of the skins over top of the hole, pulling them tight and securing them with some of the rocks around here. One rock goes into the centre to weigh down the skin at that point, creating a downward slope on the inside. Under that point, we put a container. The colder underside will begin to form condensation, or dew, as the temperature rises on the topside. When enough dew builds, it will begin to trickle down the slope to the centre, and drip into the container.”
| The idea was astonishing. Rothar smiled wide and chuckled “Well done Eric.”
| Fessar and Zio looked at one another, then back to Eric. Zio asked “Are you sure that such is possible? Catching dew?”
| Eric grinned “Quite… now let’s get started on the holes.” That being said, the four of them began digging out two holes. Rothar and Eric worked on one while Fessar and Zio dug out the other. The Zagoran’s claws made the digging much easier for them than for Eric. Zio and Fessar finished their hole first, and helped Eric to finish his half. Once completed, the skins were put in place, and the four tribe members returned to the camp for a much-needed rest.
| After another quick meditation by Rothar, the night was proclaimed safe, and the travellers each laid down to finally rest. Eric made his bed near Rothar. Each laid on their sides, facing one another, admiring. It wasn’t long before sleep took them both from the end of the eventful day.
***
| Eric found himself standing in the centre of the rocky formation where he had been proclaimed earlier that day. Rothar stood with him, beside him. It was the dream realm again - he could feel it now more than ever. He smiled at his friend “I knew we would come here tonight… the others want to meet me, don’t they?”
| The Seeker nodded “Well read Eric. You sense purpose and direction now - one of the gifts of a Seeker. The Seekers of the other tribes will come to see you - to behold you as our champion.”
| “I suppose I have to get it over with at some point. What do I do?” Eric closed his eyes, trying to sense the answer to his question, but found nothing. When he opened them again, Rothar’s hand hovered just by his left cheek. Eric moved his head slightly to rest his cheek in Rothar’s palm, and closed his eyes again. The warm scales against him felt reassuring… comforting, especially since it was something to express openly now. “I worry that I might make the wrong choices… that not knowing what to do will bring about disaster.”
| Rothar moved his hand to Eric’s shoulder, and gave it a little squeeze. “When you walk the path of life, the way before you is always shrouded in darkness, while the path behind is lit. So long as you walk forward with caution, you will walk the path and find your way. When you assume you know the way, and run, the path may change and bring about disaster. Your path is indeed a dark one, but you are not walking it alone.”
| Eric felt a shudder run through him at the magnitude of the life that now stretched out before him. Even with his friend’s reassuring words, Eric was scared of a potential that remained concealed from him. Without Rothar, he would be blind and helpless. Wordlessly, he stepped forward and embraced Rothar in a warm hug, resting his head down on the warm scaly shoulder. Rothar’s arms wrapped gently about him, and Eric held on as if to assure himself that there really was someone else in this with him.
| After a moment, Rothar lifted Eric’s chin with a clawed finger. “It is time.” He stepped back and dawned a look of concentration. His sword appeared about him, as did Eric’s at his hip. Rothar moved behind Eric, and closed his eyes. Eric could feel a surge of power in the realm - hundreds of minds awakening and coming in answer to their own. One by own, figures began to blink into existence. They were Seekers - the Seekers of every Zagoran tribe were appearing to see Prophecy made reality. They winked into existence again and again, filing into view before them, in the rocky walls around them - everywhere. One by one until they numbered several hundred. Every one of them gazed upon Eric with the same pale eyes - hundreds of piercing gazes locked on a single being. Nothing was said, no sound was made until Rothar drew his sword and raised it high above his head just to the side of Eric. Loudly, he called out across the plane “Behold - The Realm Walker is among us!” One by one, the Seekers drew their blades and held them aloft as Rothar did.
| Instinctively, Eric drew his own blade, and held it high. As he did, a cheer erupted and thundered across the plane. He felt an odd sense about him again - that mysterious sense of reason. He did not realize it, but his eyes began to glow a pale white again. Another cheer sounded, and then everything vanished. Eric bolted upright in his bed to the sun inching its way over the new morning horizon.
***
| Up before the others, Eric quietly left the camp to check the dew traps they had made the night before. He gave the first skin a couple taps near the centre with a stick, and smiled when he heard the sound of water dripping, then did the same to the other skin. When he pulled the skins back, each container had gathered about 2/3 of a litre of dew water. Not much, but a lot more than they had!
| He turned the skins upward to let the warming air dry them, and returned to the camp. The others were now stirring, with Massic awake and stretching in near the cook fire. Eric smiled wide and brought the two containers to Massic. “See… it’s not a lot, but it should help.”
| Massic took the containers, and stared at the crystal liquid inside. “By Sioleth… it worked! Well done Eric - perhaps there are more things you could teach us in time, yes?” Massic handed the containers back down to Eric.
| “I will try sir… Massic, I mean.” Eric took the containers and brought them to the water skin by Fessar so that it could be refilled. While Eric filled the skin, the others prepared for a brief morning meal. It didn’t take long before the party of travellers were off again, Eric and Rothar choosing to walk in the rear again, as Eric mentioned that he wanted Massic to assume his leadership without interference.
| Even with the extra water that Eric had managed, there was still little to share, so mouths were dry for much of the journey home. The only positive note was that the weather had been a little cooler than the previous day. Conversation, as usual, was scarce. Zagorans seemed to travel with a determined focus. As they neared the village, Massic ordered a halt. “Eric… come here.”
| Looking at Rothar a moment, then back to Massic, Eric walked the few steps to the big Zagoran. “Yes my lord?”
| Massic leaned down to him in an effort to keep their conversation more private. “You need not refer to me as ‘lord’ either - it does not feel right for you to say so. Now, when we return to the village, I will sound my call to the others. I will instruct them to summon the village members to the centre of the village for we must announce you. Until they are gathered, I wish you to accompany me to the council chamber where we can wait without disturbance.”
| A thoughtful look crossed Eric’s face. “Thank you. Will Rothar stand with me?” Eric thought of the dream last night, wondering if this would be much the same, but on a smaller scale.
| “If you wish him to Eric.” Massic replied.
| Eric nodded and looked to Rothar “Yes… I do… always.” Another concern entered Eric’s mind. “I know this is off topic, but what about Geff? His wounds should be attended right away now that we can heal them properly”
| The deep chuckle from Massic surprised Eric. “Your thoughts are evermore that of a Seeker. The announcement will be brief - do not worry. When it is complete, you and Rothar may go with Geff and see to his wound.”
| Fessar stepped forward “My lord, would the others not wish to celebrate the proclamation of our champion?”
| “Of course they will, but they will have to wait - what good is our champion collapsing from exhaustion! Our two wielders of Jantra need their rest, and they shall have it. Celebration can wait until later.” Massic looked at the others as if to suggest there was to be no further discussion, then pointed towards the village. “Come - our family awaits us.”
| They walked only a short while longer before the village and its towering cliff came into view. Eric felt awkward at what was to transpire but grateful even more so. Grateful for soon being able to rest his aching body, glad that he could soon see that Geff was well, and secretly glad to soon have his time alone with Rothar again. They had made excellent time on the way back, and the sun was only at a late afternoon high.
| As they entered the gates, they were greeted with warm smiles by the guards, who also did a double take at Eric’s pale eyes as they passed. Massic raised his head and let out the strange and powerful screech as he had the first day of Eric’s arrival in Sioleth, and as before, all the heads of the Zagoran’s rose to see the party returning. Massic called out the names of several Zagoran again, including Fessar and Zio, instructing them to assemble the village, as he had said he would.
| The great Zagoran leader turned to Eric and Rothar. “We wait now in the chamber, come.”
| Eric looked to Rothar, who smiled gently back. “That chamber cover is the centre of all Zagoran villages Eric. From it, we plan the freedom of Sioleth, join a couple in the bonds of love, and wish them well as they pass to the Thira realm. It is a sacred cover that can only be entered on the authority of the village leader.” Rothar’s hand reached up and took gentle hold of Eric’s shoulder. “And now we have the honour of your presence within it.”
| They entered through the think doorway to a large room - surprising cool for the hot day outside. Eric looked from end to end, seeing the long table sitting in its centre, and standing room for a number of Zagorans. The clay walls sloped down to form benches that circled the structure, and Eric noticed the only chair in the chamber was a large one at the end of the table, obviously for Massic.
| Rothar and Eric seated themselves near the big chair, using the wall benches, while Massic swung the chair around slightly to face them. Seating himself, he closed his eyes and let out a relaxed sigh. Eric leaned forward “Massic, I don’t know what to say to everyone… should I even say anything?”
| The defiant eyes opened and locked onto Eric. “Of course you should say something. You should say something as you said to me - to us, when you were made. What you said then was from your heart - that is what they need to hear and believe.”
| Chuckling, Rothar poked Eric’s arm “Come now, this should be rather easy by comparison to last night.” Eric grinned and nodded while Massic bore a look of confusion. Strangely enough, he didn’t ask what Rothar meant. From the years of hearing such strange statements from Rothar, he had come to generally accept and dismiss them.
| A rather chubby Zagoran popped his head inside the door. “My lord, the village has assembled in short order. They are curious of the news you bring.
| “Thank you Leethan.” With that, Leethan vanished back into the village and Massic rose from his chair. “Time to meet your family, Realm Walker.” Massic opened the door, and held it, motioning for Eric and Rothar to exit. As they did, the moved to the side and Massic strode forward, with Eric and Rothar following in behind. The village had gathered around the counsel chamber, facing it, waiting for the news from their leader. Massic moved his stern looks from one side to the other, instantly quieting everyone. “Dar Souljeth has set in motion the fate of Sioleth, and blessed us to be the family of a champion.” Confused looked passed between the crowd, and many eyes rested on Eric. Massic turned to look at Rothar and Eric, motioning them to stand by him. Eric moved to Massic’s side, dwarfed by the great Zagoran. Rothar approached and halted at Eric’s other side. Massic boomed his voice over the crowd “Behold our prophecy - behold the Realm Walker!”
| The great Zagoran leader slowly sank to one knee at Eric’s side, as did Rothar in synchronized fashion. The Zagoran’s that had gathered all flashed the same look of shock, quickly replaced by faces awe and happiness. They all fell to one knee before Eric, facing him in silence and waiting for him to speak. Oh no… not this again! Eric gulped down a lump in his throat, and tried his best to smile gently out at them. “I… I am the Realm Walker… of that I know, and of a destiny that I have yet to discover. More than that, I am Eric McColm, as I was when I left here. Please, stand up everyone, do not kneel to me.” The Zagoran’s slowly rose to their feet and listened. “ As I told the others yesterday, I know who and what I am, but I wish to be myself amongst you - not a symbol of divinity, or royalty or anything of a grand nature… not in that way. Massic is your leader - by Dar Souljeth’s will and for good reason. Listen to him as you always have, as I myself will do. I don’t know that path that lies before me, but I swear to all of you, to all Zagorans, that I will do my best to walk it.” Oh man… I hope that sounded okay.
| The crowd began to nod and look to one another, smiling. A cheer sounded from the crowd. Eric’s pale eyes shifted to see Geff, supported by Waverek, smiling back at him. Geff sounded a second cheer, and it erupted into a mass of happy cheers and a crowed suddenly overtaken with joy. Eric smiled and his eyes began to water at the warming site. He reached beside him, and took hold of Rothar’s hand, whispering to himself “Dar Souljeth… don’t let me fail.” Rothar squeezed it reassuringly.
| Massic boomed out over the cheers again “We will celebrate tonight! Until then, our Seeker and our champion need rest!” He turned to Rothar and Eric. The Seeker and the Realm walker stood, holding hands warmly. A strange sight indeed, though who could question Dar Souljeth’s ways with this pair. “See to Geff in your cover - I will send him with you, then rest for tonight, for the celebration will sound when the stars adorn the sky.”
| Nodding in compliance, Rothar and Eric waited a moment for Geff to appear with Waverek. They greeted one another warmly, clasping forearms and exchanging warm smiles and words. Geff still looked weak, but it did not dampen his elated mood. “I knew there was something more to you Eric… I knew it the morning you came to me. Little did I know it was THIS!”
| Eric laughed “Yeah well, I guess you could say I was a little surprised myself! I’m glad you’re alright - Rothar can finally heal that awful wound now. Come!”
| The four of them headed for Rothar’s cover. Once there, and settled, Eric carefully removed the old bandages from Geff’s head while Waverek watched with concern. As he did, Rothar hovered his clawed hand above the wound. The red glow of jantra swirled about, numbing the pain that Geff would have normally felt. Once off, Rothar slowly brought his hand to rest on the horrible wound. The wound itself had at least scabbed over, but still looked horrific to Eric. Rothar’s pale eyes closed, and the red glow brightened around his hand. Geff merely gasped as the surge of jantra rushed through him, binding the wound and ridding him of his weakness. It took only a moment, and Rothar lifted his hand away. The wound was healed - covered over by a smoother skin than the rest of Geff’s scales, but left a deep socket where Geff’s eye had once been.
| “There - you are nearly whole again.” Rothar smiled and shifted his pale gaze to Waverek, who quickly bore a look of nervousness as the cyan eyes bored into him. “See Naffit for a patch to affix over the socket so that the sensitive skin there is protected.”
| Waverek nodded “Yes sir. Thank you… both of you.” The two pale-eyed friends smiled, as the couple prepared to leave.
| Geff reached up and felt the side of his head gingerly, as if remembering the searing pain. He patted it softly and smiled sadly “Thank you… I shall try to be more careful next time since I cannot spare any more eyes. Until tonight, my friends.” With that, they quietly left, leaving the pale-eyed friends alone at last.
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