Chapter 36

Everything is Different

- Some wander, some stray, yet fate descrees all paths lead toward destiny -

The bark boat sped swiftly downstream with Chaeron and Thonavar helping to steer its path with long sticks.

The trio were weary and were drained from the night’s excitement. Desperate to flee from Gargan and his band, they took no chances and had stayed awake till the morning keeping lookout. Fear allowed their imagination to wander. Once, Chaeron was convinced he saw the figure of Gargan pursuing the trio along the bank. As they travelled further away downstream, however, they began to feel more assured and confident that they had truly left Gargan behind them.

"Let us take turns to keep watch," suggested Thonavar. "Lyla, you should rest. Get some sleep."

"That would be good," said Lyla, wearily, from her position in the middle of the barkboat. She lay down on her side curling her body in a small ball. She did not stretch her legs out fully for fear of dangling them out over the water. Though a significant strip of the barkboat had been sliced off by the sharp blades of yellow grass back, the barkboat was still largely intact and fully functional as a means of transport downstream.

"Lyla," said Thonavar once more. Lyla turned to look at him. Her eyes were tired and her face was weary.

"T’was a good plan you had back there," said Thonavar, with a nod of his head "You managed to fool Gargan. For a moment, you had us all fooled…".

His words trailed off as he shook his head, looked to one side, and chuckled softly.

Lyla was about to speak when Chaeron interrupted.

"I agree with you on this one Thonavar. Lyla, you were quite wonderful," said Chaeron grinning at her.

Lyla glowed visibly and her face turned a slight pink.

"We did it together," she managed to say.

Thonavar could see that she was unsued to receiving praise. Lyla managed an awkward nod at them before turning to the side and closing her eyes. She was asleep within seconds.

Allowing his finger to trail in the passing water, Thonavar felt the powerful current which propelled the barkboat forward as it carried them ever closer toward the mountains. Thonavar could already see them looming ahead. They still had some ways to go, but the end was in sight.

It was now the morning of the second day. They were making very good progress.

We are getting closer.

"It is now morning of the second day. We have a day or more left before we reach the mountains," said Thonavar, turning back to Chaeron.

"Yes, but we will need some time to scale the mountain," said Chaeron, scratching his head. "And then we need to locate that place. Now, what was it called again?"

"Sanctum," said Thonavar softly and he looked upon the mountain face. He was troubled. He had not thought about climbing the mountain. The mountain face was steep. One look told him that the climb would be treacherous.

Let us get to the mountain first. Then we shall see how to go from there, he thought to himself. A renewed sense of determination surged through him.

"Yes. Sanctum," whispered Chaeron, lost in thought. "Biron Malcus, I mean, the overseer, said that there were four classes. They were the class of Blade, the class of Stave, the class of Range and the class of Fist. I wonder which I would be classed into? I think I would make a great pupil of the class of fist," said Chaeron, mock-punching the air cheerfully.

Lyla scoffed and rolled her eyes. Thonavar grinned.

"No doubt Chaeron. But let us focus on getting to Sanctum first."

He sighed and shielded his eyes as the sun came out from behind a cloud.

"This land, Ayumah, where the sun god walks upon the earth during the midday and where enemies stalk us from the forest within, is a treacherous one. What else lies in store for us?"

At this, Chaeron’s eyes darted to the bank. Thonavar knew he was scanning for signs of Gargan.

"I am sure we have lost Gargan and his ilk, Chaeron," said Thonavar reassuringly. "But we must be alert. Experience has taught us not to be complacent. For danger lurks at every turn."

Even as he said those words, like Chaeron, Thonavar’s eyes were constantly darting to the opposite side of the bank, ever alert to sensing danger.

Hours passed and morning deepened into late afternoon. The trio took turns taking naps and keeping watch. The bright and white light of the sun faded to an orange glow and the shadows grew long and a hush came over the woodland realm. Even the merry sound of trickling and rushing water died as the current slowed. But as the current pulled them ever forward, Thonavar let his mind wander. He remembered the last time he saw his father and mother. He could still remember the look of pride Jesse had given him and the encouraging words Mirya had left him with. He wondered what they were doing at this very moment. He would not be seeing them in a long time.

"Young ones," continued the overseer, "the path that you will now take is a difficult one. But you bring great honour to your families. Take one last look at them. See their proud faces. Remember them. For you will not see them for a time. Only as you approach your eighteenth birthday will you be able to see them again."

His hand curled into a fist. Thonavar missed his parents dearly. But he was determined to live up their expectations and would put all his effort into training. But first he needed to get to the mountain. The mountain is my true enemy.

He cursed aloud.

"You should get some sleep friend," said Chaeron, looking at Thonavar. "You look tired."

Thonavar spun around to look at him. He was lying down sideways, with a hand on his forehead with his feet dangling in the water, the curled-up form of Lyla separating him from Thonavar.

"I thought you were sleeping," said Thonavar."Were you awake the whole time?"

"Aye. I was thinking back to those days where I lived in my father’s house," said Chaeron, his voice dropping low. "You know, life was good back there. I had everything I wanted and could ever want. He spoiled me. He spent time with me. He taught me how to behave like a child of the Houses. Then those cursed hooded figures came and took me away. I remember the last look on his face at the parting ceremony before I joined the Angerius Order. He had wanted me to be the next in line after him. To take over the family business."

Chaeron looked at Thonavar who listened intently, intrigued.

"Till now, my life has always been dependent on someone. I had a dozen servants and maids at my call and beckon. I have never tasted independence like this. But sometimes I wish I could return to those days. Perhaps I could have done something to avoid the path I now tread. Perhaps I could have succeeded my father as the next head of the House. How different life is now," muttered Chaeron as his eyes closed in sleep.

Thonavar took a glance at the still and sleeping form of Lyla.

What kind of life did you leave behind?

"Aye," agreed Thonavar softly, his mind straying once more into the past, slipping into the streams of memories and days gone by.

"Life is different now."

And life will never be the same.