Raivy lived in the hut for two reasons: to break from the initial marriage frictions between Javen and Velica—their marriage hadn’t reached the elastic phase yet—and to study his mother’s death with a clean and undisturbed mind.

Also, his father and the doctor of Madarma, Valen, had agreed that Arbara had died at her bed from a strong fever that summer. But Javen had made one fatal mistake. Faint red marks remained on the walls of their room which he had failed to clean. People do not splash blood up to the walls when they die from fever, Mister Javen, Raivy wanted to tell his father but kept it to himself.

In disguise, Raivy had tried asking the villagers in both Madarma and Medres about his mother's death. While they had believed Raivy to be a mere foreign traveler, all they had said was, "Better ask her son and husband, Raivy and Javen", or "She died a natural death." The only exception was for a mentally ill man who had told him, "Her husband killed her for her wealth." Raivy had almost punched the lunatic for insulting his father, but he had reminded himself that the person had no control over his thoughts and actions.

When people lose hope in the logical, they resort to the illogical. That was why after Raivy’s findings in the village had not met his expectations he turned to Jigan—the infamous sage of the forest.

Jigan used to live in Raivy's village, Madarma, twenty years ago. After he had realized that they all lived for social status and wealth, he had run away to the forest. The common belief was that Jigan had attained profound knowledge from wandering in the forest, which had all started when he had saved a traveler from Madarma from an incurable disease. The traveler, known for having two restless tongues, had spread the story to his entire village.

Over time, Jigan had cured diseases, explained dreams, chosen marriage partners, and had even told fortunes. Surprisingly, though, Jigan never gave incorrect advice.

At first, Raivy hadn’t wanted to interact with him. He had thought Jigan’s achievements were mere fabrications—too good to be true. But Raivy had changed his mind after becoming desperate to know the truth behind what had happened to his mother.

A month ago, Raivy had journeyed to Jigan's whereabouts—a small cave about an hour’s walk north of his hut.

Raivy had entered the cave and saw that Jigan was wearing a yellow headband over his eyebrows. His clothes were made out of leaves, and he had a pile of wide leaves beside him. He had been making a new dress since his current clothes were turning pale yellow.

He is indeed a strange person, I should not have come to him, Raivy had thought. How does he manage in the snowy winter with this attire?

Despite hearing Raivy's loud footsteps, Jigan had not bothered to look at him. While continuing to make his leafy dress, Jigan had said, "You should not know about your mother's death. Just go away."

That had come as a pure surprise to Raivy. He had started wondering… So, without saying a word, he knows who I am, what I have come for, and where my inquiry will lead me. And he is yet to even look at me...

"Don't worry, even if you spoke, my knowledge about you and your distress—if you consider your trivial trouble as distress—would not change. The sky has burdened me with foretelling powers. It orders me to advise and help whoever needs it, be it someone with a dark or a pure heart, though most have a gray one."

Jigan had remained silent for about a minute. Raivy did not speak as well, realizing that there was no need for him to do so.

Jigan had resumed speaking, his eyes closed. "Despite the public opinion, it is acknowledged that there are things that are better left unknown... The answer to your question will alter your life, as well as the lives of those around you. It will keep cracking through your mental and physical limits—often prompting you to suicide."

He went silent for another minute and then continued, "Though every route in life has its sweetness. After all, it is through these hurdles that you will achieve kingship, one like no other! I will need you to answer one question of mine before I answer yours."

Jigan had looked at Raivy for the very first time since they spoke. "Would you rather have droplets of happiness sprinkled quite often in your humble village?" he had inquired. "Or, would you rather be showered with happiness over few stages of your life? The quantity of happiness would not change in any case, but its quality will. Along with your response, you may tell me your reason." Jigan had known Raivy's answer, but he had wanted to fully experience his reply.

"When Mother passed away, I felt like someone had stabbed my heart," Raivy had answered, "and then stepped on it until warm blood gushed from my veins. It was so cruel, so harsh, for the jewel of Madarma and Medres to disappear like that. And even after a year, my heart has not stopped bleeding. I thought living in the forest might heal it, but it did not. The only recourse I found was to discover the reasons for her death. And after six months, you—the person who has all the answers—are advising me to keep on bleeding? My answer is the latter. I don't care where life will throw me anymore, as long as I can uncover what caused her death. Throw all the cruelties you want at me, for nothing can agonize me the way losing Mother did."

"Very well..." Jigan had said, "But, Raivy, your feelings are normal, for every heart cries on the death of its parents. And, the way to heal it is by looking after what it brings to life—its children. In fact, the conclusion to your investigation wouldn't soothe your pain but inflame it further instead."

"In any case, I am not the one who will answer your query,” Jigan had said, “because it will affect the future of many people without their permission. But worry not—I shall guide you to it. When the moon rests next month, leave your hut at midnight and keep walking wherever you wish. You will see a blue mist; enter it. It will initiate your lifelong journey of finding out what you will never, ever expect..."

Upon hearing the answer, Raivy had bowed his head out of respect for the sage. After all, Jigan was unlike anyone he had seen, but before Raivy had left, he had wanted to ask Jigan one more question.

"Why do you wear a yellow headband over your eyebrows?" Raivy had asked.

"To hide what must not be shown," replied Jigan. With that, Raivy had left, thinking about what the sage had meant.

A few minutes after Raivy had left, Jigan couldn't hold himself back anymore. He had burst out sobbing, wetting the leafy dress he was about to finish. He had much to say, but the sky did not allow him.

"May the gods of Metzra protect you... my king."