Othen's Tale

Othen's Tale

         A faint voice called out for Othen as he looked into the western horizon. The sky was clear above showing radiantly with faint wisps of clouds. With the cool breeze and the bright midmorning sun he couldn't help but find himself day dreaming. The voice rang out again louder this time.

"Othen!" Valina was nearly shouting in frustration.

         "Coming." Othen blew out his breath muttering to himself.

         Turning back to the hut he could see that his mother was standing the doorway looking at him incredulously. He smiled weakly at her shrugging his shoulders. She sighed waving for him to move more quickly. Othen picked up the pace.

         "What mother?" Sounding more indignant than he'd meant it to.

         "Don't be so disrespectful. I swear you think yourself a man just because you can hunt and have grown a foot over the last winter." Othen shrunk a little at her righteous tone. "I need you to run to the spring today to fetch water."

         "Yes mother." Othen wasn't sure why they needed the spring water. It was only used for special occasions.

         "How many buckets will you need?" He asked minding his words more carefully this time.

         "Two at the very least." Valina walked to the back of the hut next to where the hearth still burned. The night had been cold which forced them to keep the hearth warm till morning. She retrieved two large buckets from a cupboard set in the corner.

His home was small but not shabby. A single table sat in the center of the kitchen area with three chairs set around it. To his right just inside the entrance he could see the empty cots in the other room lying on the floor with two wooden chairs against the wall facing out. The windows at the front of the hut were open letting the morning light pour through showing the dust in the air.

His mother dropped the buckets at Othen's feet looking at him with her fierce hazel eyes. Her dress was simple, as expected, showing only earth tones but held to her form. Red brown hair flowed to just past her shoulders as she hadn't yet bound it up for the day's work. By most accounts many considered her quite a fair and beautiful woman. "Now... please be quick. Your father may be home tonight and I want to prepare something special for him. Do not waste your time."

Othen felt a smile on his face. "Father's coming home?" Excitement nearly made his voice crack.

"Yes," her expression softened, "I hope so. Now hurry and fetch the water. I can't make what's needed without it."

Othen grabbed the buckets in a brisk motion as he headed for the door and out to the road. The spring wasn't far at least. It was just a little over two hours inside the Demevian Forest west of the village. On a clear day like this the journey would prove to be pleasant enough.

Othen walked at a fast pace looking at the small village homes and the dirt road winding out to the forest. Today would be a good day, he could feel it.

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         Demevian was said to have been a lord of the western reaches. His tale told of glorious battles, unparalleled heroics, and dark magic. It's even believed that his spirit walks the woods looking for maleficent forces to destroy. Othen had idolized the idea of Demevian listening to his legend over and over when he was younger. He had hoped that someday he would make himself a hero and leave the village. This way his family would be wealthy living in a palace. Childhood was too brief it seemed and Othen had realized that such things were fantasy at best. Coming to that realization however had left a bitter taste in his mouth.

         The trail that Othen used was well traveled. Trees crowded closely together making the morning light break through the canopy in tight beams scattered all around him. This place always felt a little magical to Othen. There was a harmony here that he'd become used to. He'd spent much of his time in the wilderness with his father and on his own. There were a number of times he found it easier to be in the thick of the forest than in the village.

         Toting the buckets had made Othen's arms burn. By themselves they didn't have much weight but after nearly two hours they felt as though they were full of rocks. He'd begun to sweat as he moved along the trail. Just after enter the forest he'd let his mind wander thinking of his father and his swelling excitement for his return.

         Something ahead broke his mental drift. Othen stopped looking out over the ferns for movement. After a moment he could see the color of blonde hair that was unmistakable against the green of the low brush. The sound of faint humming was barely audible. Recognizing the sound he approached slowly listening to the lilting tones of the her voice. Ahmaea stood from a crouch holding a number of flowers in her hand.

         It was like a bird was set loose in his chest and beating against his ribs. She was only slightly older than himself and had nearly become a full woman. Her dress was red and brown shrouded over by a cloak made of wool. Her pale blonde hair cascaded over her shoulder cradling her soft features. The most stunning of those features being her radiant green eyes. Othen could not stop himself from staring at her. She stole his thoughts entirely. That's when he realized she was looking at him smiling while he stood in place with his mouth sitting partially open with a dumbfounded expression.

         "Othen. What are you doing?" Her voice rang through his mind like a silver bell waking him from the stupor.

         "Uh... Fetching water, for mother. Why the flowers?" The words came out rushed and shaky.

         "I'm gathering them for the festival later tonight. You do remember don't you?" She asked casually.

         "Right. I hadn't given it much thought. Uh... Wh-who are you taking with you?" He almost immediately regretted the question which made his stomach spin. This was a little embarrassing.

         Ahmaea looked back at Othen with a smile but something in it seemed wise to his real question. "Daegon has asked to bring me. I will see you there though will I not?" Her eyes held his making him almost breathless.

         "Y-yes of course. I would at least get the chance to ask a dance from you." Gods you sound nae.

         She chortled slightly, "Well I may be inclined to accept your offer. I must be getting back though. I will see you this evening then?"

         "Yes. I'll be there." His voice carried a mild note of defeat but he managed a smile despite it.

         "Good." She stepped past Othen taking the trail back to the village. Othen stood for a moment trying to think of something else to say to slow her departure but nothing came to mind.

         Shaking his head he picked up the buckets and started back for the spring. It was a short walk but one that left him brooding about his conversation with Ahmaea. Before long the spring was becoming visible through the trees

         As he came upon it the trail opened up to a minor clearing with a small pool of clear water. The spring was fed by a small rivulet that wound its way into the forest out of sight. At the water's edge the soil was rich and dark. Several shafts of sunlight scattered across the clearing as the canopy was thinner here. Even with Othen's darkened mood this place was serene making soothing his sore pride.

         Othen moved to the water's edge after setting the buckets down. Looking down he could see his lightly shifting image on the surface. A mop of brown hair hung down over his face. He noticed that his eyes matched the color of sky. Othen smirked at the boyish looking face staring back at him.

         There was a plop from something making impact on the water not far from where he stood. Othen looked up searching for whatever caused it. Othen narrowed his eyes finding it odd that he couldn't immediately see any change. A faint movement of something very small blurred by the mouth of the flowing rivulet creating a minor mist in the sunlight. Othen's curiosity flared.

         Without realizing it a smile had begun to emerge. He moved slowly around the pool to the flowing water. It didn't appear that this was some bird or large insect. It was something more strange. He could feel it in his gut that this was something more. Something unique.

         Some of the ferns rustled lightly nearby. Without moving his head he glanced at the vegetation seeking any sign of something hiding. Othen eased his weight into his steps slowly keeping aware of everything he saw and heard. His father's teachings had made him confident that he was moving with relative stealth. By another several steps the brush shifted again making his nerves tingle.

         Turning toward that sound Othen moved to crouch to see below the thick vegetation. He couldn't see past much. The dark green of the leaves made it hard to notice anything beyond a few feet. Othen suddenly heard a merry laugh as though from a child. Only it was sweeter, pure, and with clear crystalline tone. Othen felt his heart racing with elation. It was all he could do to stop himself from laughing aloud with unrepentant mirth.

         Taking his next breath Othen saw everything around him as it was meant to be seen. The sunlight pouring through the leaves above looked rich, golden, and life giving. The trees seemed almost to breathe yet remained still. The earth beneath his feet pulsed with a warmth that nurtured everything rooted into it. A glowing energy flowed through everything around him. It was like seeing life itself coursing through everything. His thoughts were frozen in place at this miraculous sight.

         "Gods..." Something emerged from the brushes. It was small but very human like it's appearance. It was wreathed in light and coursing with power.

         Her features were immaculate leaving nothing to the imagination as she had no clothes. The entities wing beats were barely slower than a dragon fly and she glide in such a way that made her seem as though she coasted on unseen currents of air. Her miniscule countenance was set to a mighty grin making her slightly large eyes crinkle in the corner. Atop her head was like a crown of tiny branches and small leaves set open like the head of a young flower.

         It reached for Othen with a whimsical expression and Othen felt himself lost in the moment and returned the gesture. The creatures touch lasted only a moment. In that fraction of a second he felt her hand on his extended fingers her form became drowned in darkness like a flame extinguished by water. The world around him exploded into a brilliant light making Othen jolt in surprise.

         Rapture turned to panic and blindness. The woods filled with the sounds of crackling wood and shifting earth. Othen's head spun with the overflow of sensation. His skin felt like it was on fire and his ears rang with piercing unknown tones. A burning agony from deep within body rippled through him making him scream. His body gave out letting gravity pull him to the ground. The world became black.

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         The first thing that Othen felt was pain. Like his head was hit with an axe. Everything was dark still but there were some blurry images that he could make out. A fire must have been burning in the hearth as he could see the golden glow flickering across the floor and walls. His head began to swim threatening to make retch. Stifling the impulse made him groan.

         Someone moved from outside the room and closed in on Othen. The form crouched by his cot and seeing the man's gentle brown eyes he knew who saw immediately.

         "Father?" His voice sounded hoarse and pained.

         "Othen! You need water. Try and drink." His low voice was urgent as he lifted a bowl water to Othen's lips.

         He did as told but the water made his body lurch as he struggled against pain and nausea. Taking several gulps before pulling away Othen lay there trying to remember what had happened.

         "That's a good lad." Ganus sounded relieved.

         "Father, what happened, why am I back home?"

         "You were stricken with something. I found you at the spring unconscious." Othen could see worry on his Ganus' face. His father had always been kind. His thick brown hair looked matted from hard travel. He still wore his leathers meaning he'd arrived recently to the village. Othen felt a pang of shame for having been distracted at the spring. What had he been doing? Was this even the same day as he had left?

         "Othen, you were pale and shallow of breath when I found you. I can only imagine what would have done this." His father's voice shook slightly though he tried to hold it back. Othen wasn't sure if this was from rage or worry but either way it troubled him deeply.

         "Father? Why are you so... what did you see out there? My head hurts but I feel alright."

         "Not tonight lad. Tonight you rest. Besides I would think you'd know me better than to tell me you're feeling fine when you can barely drink water. I'll tell you tomorrow what I saw. For now I want you focused on nothing else but sleep." He placed a warm callused hand on Othen's brow gently pushing him down onto the cot as he'd been trying to sit up.

         Sighing Othen acquiesced to lying down. Ganus nodded then set the bowl of water close to the cot in case he needed it again.

         Othen knew that finding him unconscious in the wilderness must have been terrible. Yet something else spoke to his instincts that made him wonder why else his father so concerned. What had happened out there that he wasn't speaking of?

         As Ganus left the room he heard the front door creak open from someone entering. Valina spoke in a hushed voice out of sight. "Ganus, tell me he is alright."

         "He's fine from what I can see. His color has returned and he's drinking water."

         "Thank the gods for that. I had almost sworn that the forest took him with how pale he was when you first brought him back." Even though he couldn't see her Othen felt the tremble in her voice at the memory of what she saw.

         "Valina, please do not worry. The lad is just fine now. All's well but no one should go back to the spring for a while."

         "Why Ganus, what did you see out there?"

         "It's changed. Nothing is the same now. The whole of the pool was shrouded with foliage so thick I had to cut through it all just to get to the water's edge. The trees..." His voice trailed off. "Come, we shouldn't discuss this here. The boy needs his rest." Ganus walked outside with Valina close behind. Othen sat up despite the whirling pain and strained to hear by moving to the window facing out front.

         "Ganus you're frightening me. Why have you been so secretive?" Valina sounded truly distressed.

         "My love, our son wasn't just unconscious. Something had happened there. It was like the whole of the forest had grown in a matter of moments. The trees had become giants towering over the clearing. Yet that was not all that disturbed me." He paused a short moment.

         "Ganus!" Valina whispered harshly.

         "He was bathed in light Valina. Like the gods themselves surrounded him. He was shining in a brilliant white light for a moment and then it faded like a dying candle. I felt as though something was there but I saw nothing. This was magic. Pure sorcery."

         Othen felt himself nearly collapse. Magic?! How could this... Without warning images rushed through his mind in rapid clarity. He saw the spring, the strange creature fluttering in the air, a piercing white light, and the unbearable agony that had followed. After the flash Othen braced the wall to steady himself. What is happening to me?

         "You're certain it was magic?" Valina asked with quiet worry.

         "I'm certain."

         "What will this mean for him? What should we do?"

         "Nothing for now. The gods have chosen him for something. Only if we wait will we know what that purpose is." Something about the words in his father's voice made Othen realize that his life had changed. For whatever reason this would alter everything.

         "Ganus what do we tell Othen?" Valina's tone softened but was tempered with a quiet readiness.

         "That he will always be protected here. That whatever the outcome we will see him through it. It's what we must do."

         For the first time in Othen's life he was afraid. In his gut he knew that his father was right. Destiny had made its choice. Othen could only imagine what came next.