“Long have been my days and longer were the nights my child. Nothing is worse than thinking you’re forsaken...” Zion whimpered.

“I’m terribly sorry avva...” Maruth held his hand and kissed it, tears running down her face.

“Don’t be my child. You have nothing to do with this. I am glad he didn’t get neither of you.” He held her face and smiled. “I wish I could’ve told you when I knew, I didn’t get the chance to do it.”

Her father was worn out, if it wasn’t for his unique eyes and his voice, she wouldn’t have recognized him in a crowd. Skin and bones was all he was, scars have engraved his body and spoiled his gentle face, he was a decaying shadow of a once revered wizard. Zion have been a renowned figure in his continent and his status in the Ministry of Wizards was of great importance, and yet he was reduced to an elderly who can barely hold his tears.

Maruth felt betrayed and angry but her grief and her relief clouded her mind for now.

“I wish Haruth was here too. He probably still thinks I’m behind all this chaos but I barely have the power to stand on my own right now and my hearts ache for him and for me...” He was devastated.

“He knows.” Reassured him Goldeneye who was sitting on a couch next to the fire.

“How? He is miles away and we haven’t sent him word of this. How would he know?” Asked him Haruth.

“He is currently with a Summoner. He overheard my conversation with the Brymhelians. I saw him.” Goldeneye declared.

“Oh heavens!” Cried Zion in joy.

“Why didn’t you tell me earlier?” Asked him again Maruth.

“Oh child. You were sceptical about what I told you about your father only a few hours ago, and you think you would have believed me if I told you about this?” He smiled warmly. “You still can’t trust me with your mind and that is all on you.”

“Don’t be too harsh on her Erving. Not everyone believes in unconditional friendship, and my children have been through a lot of treachery.” Zion said.

“No one moves without motive father. I am simply not naive.” Maruth argued.

“Maruth, Goldeneye is not evil nor deceitful...” Objected Zion.

“Father you’ve trusted a veer and look where it got you.” She replied harshly. “Nothing guarantees that he will not do the same.”

Goldeneye stood up and walked towards the witch and her father who were sitting on the table behind him. The living room was pleasant and warm, the flickering of the flames painted everything orange. A chandelier hung in the middle of the room with old burnt candles.

“Don’t trust me if you wish Maruth, but do not compare me to Marid, that I will not tolerate.” He looked hurt and annoyed. “If you’re persistent on not trusting me, you’re free to leave.”

“Leave? Where to?” She asked in surprise.

“Somewhere worthy of your trust child.” He replied.

“She doesn’t know what she’s talking about Erving.” Zion tried to persuade Goldeneye.

“It doesn’t seem like it.” Argued Erving.

Maruth wasn’t expecting that reaction from the Samaritan she knew. Goldeneye never rejected someone’s call of help and never forsook those who needed it the most, but to think that a small observation like the one she made would drive him to kick her out was unsettling to her. Maybe I crossed a line she thought.

“I didn’t mean to be rude Goldeneye. Trust isn’t something I give away easily. And your kin did us more wrong than right.” She said trying to explain herself.

“My kin made you who you are. If it wasn’t for Mahavhar or me, you would have remained outcasts, unwanted and slaves to normal Men. Sahr were lesser people before we unlocked your potential. There’s always two sides of a coin as there’s light and shadow. If evil were my intentions, neither of you would be here.” Goldeneye declared.

“To condemn all for the sins of few is not how I raised you.” Zion spoke firmly. “Erving pulled me from hell and asked nothing in return. The motive you’re looking for is kindness. He wants to prove to himself and his kin that they’re capable of doing good. And he proved that to me.” He nodded at Goldeneye.

“Avva that’s a child's tale, of divine and saint knights with noble spirits willing to sacrifice their lives for peace and prosperity. This is not how the world works. We should know better, we’re historians for heaven’s sake. He might be helpful I’m not denying it, but don’t tell me his help is free." She rolled her eyes at him. “Again, I’m not trying to be rude I’m simply trying to understand…”

“Before disappearing, Mahavhar sought me.” Goldeneye was growing tired of Maruth distrust and interrupted her venting.

“You met him?!” Exclaimed Zion in surprise. Him and his daughter stood up from their seats in astonishment.

“Indeed. I admired him but many of my kin feared him and they were right to do so, for he was beyond any of them. And to think that the strongest of the Veer was looking for me, I was without doubt terrified. But I knew that he would find me wherever I go so running away wasn’t a solution.” He smirked “I thought he was trying to punish me for my deeds but I only did what I did to save a friend from an unjust end.”

“You taught Sahr magic just to save someone?” Asked him Zion.

“Ay, I saved Salmanazar the shipwright.” He declared.

“So it was you who gave that man the mark?” Asked Maruth in shock.

“Yes. In fact, all the marks were my work.” Goldeneye confessed with a smile.

Zion started laughing and shaking his head in astonishment. “You’re full of surprises my friend.” He said, coughing and gasping. “The Veer’s bid was a mystery we couldn’t solve for centuries. It almost drove my father mad.” He added.

“Were you known to the prodigies you made as Goldeneye as well? Because nowhere did your name appear in the records we were able to recover. No clues, no hints, nothing.” Maruth inquired.

“They have indeed known me as Goldeneye. This has always been the form I chose.” He answered. “The only reason why you didn’t find anything that lead to me, is because I simply asked them not to mention my name, and I trusted them with my secret.” He gave a suggesting smile to Maruth.

“You could have threatened them.” She opposed once again.

“I gave them the knowledge they needed to become the greatest of their time. It was a fair trade and an honest one.” Goldeneye declared. “The only thing I kept for myself was The Phoenix. Well, it was a gift after all…” The captain was stricken with a wave of grief. “More importantly.” He finally said after a relatively long pause. “Mahavhar found me and gave me this.” He put his hand on his chest and a red light shone from it. He pulled a book and showed it to them. The leather covering it was red and very simple, with no details save only for a small engraved tree at the bottom of its spine.

“What is that?” Asked him Maruth.

Zion took the book from Goldeneye and examined its covers and the spine. He ran his finger on the engraved tree.

“I have no idea.” Goldeneye simply said. “The pages seem to be empty but I know they’re not, I simply cannot read it because I am not allowed to. No one can.” He declared. “None but you three.” He added as Zion was about to open the book.

“It cannot be.” Disagreed Maruth in disbelief.

“He told me to give it to you.” Goldeneye added. “Thousands of years ago, your names were foreign to me. But of all veers, Mahavhar entrusted this book to me and told me to find those who can read it.”

“And you think we can?” Asked him Maruth.

“You’re more worthy of this than any Sahr I met so far, and I believe you’re The Trinity of the prophecy.” He stated.

“The Trinity? Us?” She chuckled. “Impossible.” She added.

“Maruth… have a look…” He father muttered in a shaky voice. His daughter looked at Goldeneye and then looked at her father. Zion was holding the book open on the first page.

“To the forsaken father, to the ruling son and the peerless daughter, to you descendants of the ascended…” She read and looked at Goldeneye, his eyes widened in amazement.

“You can read it!” He cheered.

“What does ‘descendants of the ascended’ mean?” Asked Maruth in denial.

“You know what it means.” Asserted Goldeneye.

“We’re Sahr, wizards from father to son.” Maruth objected.

“Child…” Zion was shaken by what they read. “I was meant to pass this on to you in my death bed only, never before, like tradition dictates it…” His voice broke as he spoke.

Maruth looked at her father, fear burning up inside her like wildfire. “What do you mean avva…?”

“We’re not Sahr my child.” Zion declared; a tear ran down his left eye.

“What do you mean we’re not Sahr avva? have you lost you mind!” She became enraged in her confusion.

“We are not Sahr.” He repeated his hands were shaking.

“Avva don’t mess with me like that… please…” Maruth lost her balance and tried to sit down on her seat. “If we’re not Sahr, then what are we? Veer?” She chuckled nervously. “Oh heavens be merciful! I’m not having this conversation am I?”

Zion looked at Erving who wasn’t aware of this secret either but wasn’t surprised. He handed him the book back and Zion sat next to his daughter.

“We’re descendants of Mahavhar.” Zion declared. “And until tonight, I too couldn’t believe it. I always thought my father was mad and even madder in his death. When he told me we weren’t Sahr, I didn’t believe him entirely but a part of me did, somehow… and he told me to pass this on as well…” He looked at Goldeneye. “Tell me my friend, did you know about this.”

Goldeneye shook his head. “And I wouldn’t have guessed.” He admitted. “This unravels many mysteries, starting with why you’re the only three able to read this book. The approaching wave seems less frightening now…”

Maruth sat silent, confused and lost. She closed her eyes and sighed. I am sorry… help me… she thought. Goldeneye walked towards her and knelt. He held her hand and smiled at her.

“Thank you for trusting me with your thoughts child.” He said. “I know this certainly is not the right time to tell you this, but the two of you should know that no matter what it costs, I will be here for you. You are the protectors of this realm and only the three of you can stop this festering madness that is Marid. And I shall help you succeed with all I have.”

Maruth looked at him with desperate eyes.

“If we’re descendants of Mahavhar, it is our burden to save this world. We have to clean after him.” Zion declared. “I am sorry Maruth. In different circumstances this would have made you laugh and you’d not trust me as I didn’t trust my father, but it seems like this family secret ends with the three of us.” His daughter remained silent and perplexed.

“Do you know more about your ancestors before your father Zion?” Asked him Goldeneye.

“No, but back in my house I had archives of my family. Some I saved when I was assaulted along with other books I retrieved, but everything else burned with the house.” Said Zion.

“I see… But I have a feeling we will find answers in this book. You should read it when you feel better.” Advised them Goldeneye. “For now, I think you should rest, and let the night wash your woes away.”

“I think you’re right… we should all rest for now.” Zion agreed.

“I need it as well.” Said Maruth.

“You will find your room at the end of the hallway, on your right.” Told her Goldeneye. “If you need anything, I’ll be here for a moment.”

“Thank you.” She replied before leaving to her room.

“Erving… I didn’t mean to keep this a secret…” Zion confessed. “I promise…”

“I know, Zion. I know.” Reassured him Goldeneye. “Go rest my friend. Tomorrow we discuss this matter.”

Zion left as well to his room with heavy guilty steps.

They carry your selfish burden against their will. Erving thought.