11 Discovery and Departure (1/2)
The seamlessly endless night drew on as Will slept peacefully within his sleeping bag under the stars in which appeared between the random branches of his tree. While the calm set in within the silent darkness, many miles away an old man looked out the window of his castle room.
The Crimson King as always kept himself isolated from others, the only thing that truly held his interest was his mirror. He didn't find his looks so appealing that he'd stare at himself, instead he used his royal flame on the mirror to try to locate his wife and son.
A twinge of sadness crept into the old king's eyes as he thought of his son. Three years old when he was taken away. Fourteen years of birthdays he had missed, fourteen years of raising his own heir. The king had been worried since that fateful day that his son would not be found in his lifetime. What would happen to the kingdom without an heir? Would his bloodline step down from the throne? But even more worrisome was the idea of his child growing up not truly knowing who he was. He couldn't think of a worse punishment dealt to him than to take away his heir before he truly knew who his father was. If he had just been older, the old king may have been able to get a trace on his flame in order to track him easier. The only thing he could think of that was blocking the scrye mirror was another flame that was holding his sons back.
As he had done every night since the disappearance of his family, The Crimson King waved his hand towards the mirror. ”Show me,” were the only words to escape his lips as his sad tired eyes gazed upon the mirror. He wasn't really expecting to find anything, if anything at all this had become a force of habit, a way to show the universe he had not given up and the only way he could possibly bare the nightmares in which he had.
The mirror swirled a golden flame, as if the reflective surface was a cyclone of gold as rich as his jeweled crown. In a few moments, the flames parted, leaving a wooded area. the king's eyes grew wide as in the center of the wood line, there was a sleeping mat, and on that sleeping mat was a crimson flame. He wouldn't have cared so much except the fact that he saw a small seed of gold within the flame, the identifier for the heir to the royal flame. The king was so astonished to see a reaction in the mirror, he didn't even question why the appearance was only his flame. The flame of lineage had burned brightly within the mirror, there was no question that it was youthful.
”My son returns,” The Crimson King said with a small sob. Without wasting any time, he zoomed out the picture in the mirror so he could get a better look at the location in which the flame was located. As soon as he had a proper view he called for his guards. Moments later, two men knocked and entered the king's chambers.
”I want you to memorize this location,” The king said quickly. ”Make a map, or just use memory I don't care what you do, just bring me anyone you find within this area.” He said within his full capacity as king. ”Any failure will have to report directly to me!” With the last of the kings brief done, the guards had already departed.
”Soon my son, we will be reunited.” He said with a smile on his face for the first time in fourteen years. The flame in the mirror reflected the flame in his heart. With this new discovery, a long died out fire rekindled within the old king's heart.
As the door closed to the room, a shadow appeared in the hall. With a wave of his hand, five shadow like figures appeared behind him. ”Follow the guards, if they find the boy, take him before they are able to collect him.” As he said the final words, a rush of their black cloaks were the only sounds they made as they departed.
As the sun shown through the tree of his camp, Will's eyes came open slowly. Today was the day in which he and Maya would set off for Nearwood Village. Excitement shining as if the sun had found a new home in his eyes, Will sat up and stretched his muscles.
Nothing really eventful had happened in the past few months of preparation. Will spent most of his time training his flames while Maya made preparations to leave. Putting small bags of herbs within larger bags, Maya had spent most of her time loading her small wagon. Though Will had offered to help her on many occasions, he was turned down as fast as he'd offered. Maya was so set on getting this portion of the job done on her own, as well as insisting that Will take it easy for the next week, that Will had begun to feel a new appreciation for her. Not only did she work hard, but she cared about others working too hard.