“You are enlivened by your passion to protect the ones you care about, and that is your strongest weapon. Stronger than the power that runs in you, or the curse that flows in your bloodline” Meko declared.
“I care about you,” Hermon told her. His voice was low, almost as if he was not sure how Meko was going to take it.
“I know,” she said and looked at him. “I know, and that is why you will do one thing for me.”
“What is that?”
“You will go with your friends, protect them, lift your curse if you can. And then come back here. To me. Can you do that?”
Hermon looked into Meko’s eyes. He had never thought beyond what would happen when Eldana found her another way to restore balance to the world, or what would happen if his curse were lifted. He never even thought of living past the chaos of this time. But standing at the riverbank, a few moments away from boarding a ship, and heading into uncertainty, he realized that his future was not as horrible as he had thought it was.
“Yes.” He told her. “Yes, I will come back to you.”
“Do not disappoint me.” She said.
With amazing speed, Meko pulled him in and pressed her lips against his. Hermon felt blood rush to his cheeks, and then he gave in and kissed her in return. At that moment, they each matched each other in passion and fierceness.
Finally, they broke free of the kiss, and putting their foreheads together, and sighed.
“Go in peace, Hermon, son of Biniamin.” Meko whispered.
Instantly, Hermon felt coolness bloom inside him. He felt it sluice away the fears and doubts in his mind, and fill him with clear-headed intent.
Meko placed her palm at his nape and stared him in the eye.
“Remember what I said,” the elf told him.
Hermon nodded and then looking at her one more time, turned, and walked towards the ship.
Onboard the ship, Eldana, Siem, Hermon, Mikko, and D’rmas huddled at the side of the ship, waving goodbyes to Fraweyni, Kochob, and Meko below.
“Eldana,” Fraweyni called.
“Yes, mother.” She replied.
“The name of the person you seek is Shewit. You will find her, or she will find you,” Fraweyni said. “But it is more likely that she will be the one to find you. Go in peace, all of you.”
Immediately, there was a rush of wind that brushed through all of them on deck, infusing them with a refreshing determination, and leaving them stronger.
The ship began to crawl further into the sea. Slowly and slowly it moved away until the elves on the beach looked like miniature dolls. Then the ship picked up speed and accelerated away following the designated path that had been keyed into its command unit before Eldana and her friends came on board.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Chaos in Chaos
Sinto sat in his chamber, a pensive look on his face. Sunlight slanted into his room from partly opened windows, bathing half of the room in light, and the other in half-shadow. He was still partly furious that somehow Lord Taboon had gotten wind of Eldana’s location in the Ciroc. He had gone alone to prevent such a brash attack as the one that Lord Taboon had instigated. Up until this very moment, he was still at loss as to how it happened.
Sinto had rushed home from the King’s palace that evening, Lord Taboon had come to the King with news that he had discerned Eldana’s location, and searched his home and his person for monitoring charms.
Sinto had laughed in his heart when Lord Taboon made the declaration to Henok. And then that mirth had quickly turned to horror, which he hid perfectly well when Lord Taboon divulged Eldana’s true location. Henok had asked Lord Taboon how many soldiers he would need to make the arrest, but Lord Taboon had declined the use of the soldiers, insisting that the kingdom did not have enough to spare and that the elves would just finish them off like chaff in a tray of sorghum. Arresting Eldana, they felt, would make them look strong again and capable, it would restore the morale of their men, and quell the rebellious Tonar. Ordinary humans were supposed to be under the druids, not at the same level as them! The uprising, they felt, must have been a result of the chaos that Eldana’s escape had brought with it.
“What then, do you suggest?” Henok had asked. He was restless and wanted the meeting to be over.
“I would like for you to leave the girl’s apprehension to me,” Lord Taboon had said with a courteous bow.
“Fine.” Henok had said immediately. Even before Sinto could voice his reservations.
Lord Taboon had looked him in the eye, as a knowing smile split his face...
But right now, he sat on his bed feeling like an utter failure. Yesterday, he had the sixth visit from Camin and Lowus in just two weeks. Things were getting heated. And he knew that soon, if he did not do the necessary, he would be damned with the consequences.
He got up, wore a straight face, and headed out for the palace. The sky shone pink with the light of dusk. The streets that led up to the royal residence was a mockery of what it had been before now. It was manned throughout, every street and corner infested by soldiers of the kingdom. An attack from Tonar had only recently been repelled. The puny Tonarians had gained courage and sought to end any perceived form of dominion against them. The Middle Kingdom did not have much to show as a testament to the attack. Much of its infrastructure was still intact. The streets were still patrolled by a multitude of soldiers. However, they had still suffered some casualties among the soldiers. Enough to make them retreat to the inner gate and fortify it. The houses lining the streets gaped emptily with doors and windows
