Chapter 2
Three Years Ago:
A tight blindfold covered Roelon’s eyes. He used all of his remaining senses to try and figure where he was being taken. All that he could discern was the scent of cut apples, the feel of tall grass at his feet, and the hand on his arm that led him to his unknown destination. He stirred, obviously uncomfortable with the lack of control that he had over the situation.
With his low, coarse voice, he spoke with his usual calm, “Where are you taking me? You should know, I’m not fond of surprises.â€Â
A harsh “Shhh!†was the only response.
A sudden tug on Roelon’s arm forced him to stop in his tracks. Now, the arm pulled him down to the ground, dropping him to his knees.
The blindfold was tore off of Roelon’s eyes, his thick brown hair now falling back into place.
He was indeed surprised at what he saw around him. The area was unfamiliar to him. The faint haze of a white fog surrounded him. Canopies from the high trees seemed to play with the daylight that cast down. Swaying in the wind, the vibrant light from the midday sun shone down, dancing through the thick foliage above. In front of him, a breeze cast ripples on the surface of a large, clear-water pond. Green grass, tall trees, and small woodland creatures adorned the opposite bank. Fallen trees lay sporadically about the edges.
Beneath him, at the shore of the basin, lay a small hand-quilted blanket. At his left, lay a small basket, a bottle of wine, and 2 glasses.
Two hands suddenly reached out from behind Roelon on either side, startling him. As the hands pulled him closer, he felt the rapidly beating heart of a warm body embracing him. He turned to look over his shoulder, one of the hands moved a strand of hair from Roelon’s brow. Roelon’s eyes were still adjusting to the light when he felt the warm soft lips meet his. Closing his eyes now, the two kissed.
“I love you.†whispered a soft, familiar voice. Slowly opening his eyes, Roelon saw the figure of a beautiful brunette now looking deeply into his eyes.
Roelon turned toward her, pulling away slowly, as if to take in take in the moment to memory. He responded softly, “And I, you.â€Â
The fog seemed to roll in slightly closer. Even through his rugged, defined facial features, he seemed to soften, eyes glazed as if he were ready to cry with joy. “I’ve missed you.â€Â
“I know. I’m sorry.†She responded.
He sighed, pulling her closer. His face met hers, softly resting his forehead on her brow, staring into her eyes. “Why? Where have you been?†Roelon said, now realizing that the white haze was not a fogâ€Â¦ he was in dream.
“You have to be strong.†Jude said, her eyes glassing over. “You need to know something.â€Â
The haze seemed to thicken as tears rolled down Roelon’s face.
“It’s not over.†She softly said. “There’s still time.â€Â
Roelon looked back at her, tears steadily streaming. He noticed the haze thickening even more. Still on his knees he embraced her.
Pointing to a small spot on the ground, near the base of a downed tree, Jude spoke, “I’ve left you something. Don’t forget about me.â€Â
The haze enveloped Roelon. He tried to speak, but found himself unable. Arms outstretched, he reached for Jude again, but felt himself being pulled away.
The haze had completely consumed him in a white lightâ€Â. He felt cold.
Roelon raised his hand to his brow, pinching the bridge of his nose as he squinted. Lying in bed, he looked about the small, familiar wood-paneled room. Clambering to his feet, he walked across the coarse wooden floor to an open window. Roelon placed both hands on the sill, now staring out, looking over the grove of apple trees that spread out into the distance to the horizon that gave way to an orange setting sun.
Leaning in the doorway, with arms crossed, stood the modest, aging form of his new friend and mentor, Welkin.
“Good. You’re awake.†He spoke, taking a long moment to inspect Roelon, squinting, as if he knew what was going on. “Come with me. It's time for your training."
Three Years Ago:
A tight blindfold covered Roelon’s eyes. He used all of his remaining senses to try and figure where he was being taken. All that he could discern was the scent of cut apples, the feel of tall grass at his feet, and the hand on his arm that led him to his unknown destination. He stirred, obviously uncomfortable with the lack of control that he had over the situation.
With his low, coarse voice, he spoke with his usual calm, “Where are you taking me? You should know, I’m not fond of surprises.â€Â
A harsh “Shhh!†was the only response.
A sudden tug on Roelon’s arm forced him to stop in his tracks. Now, the arm pulled him down to the ground, dropping him to his knees.
The blindfold was tore off of Roelon’s eyes, his thick brown hair now falling back into place.
He was indeed surprised at what he saw around him. The area was unfamiliar to him. The faint haze of a white fog surrounded him. Canopies from the high trees seemed to play with the daylight that cast down. Swaying in the wind, the vibrant light from the midday sun shone down, dancing through the thick foliage above. In front of him, a breeze cast ripples on the surface of a large, clear-water pond. Green grass, tall trees, and small woodland creatures adorned the opposite bank. Fallen trees lay sporadically about the edges.
Beneath him, at the shore of the basin, lay a small hand-quilted blanket. At his left, lay a small basket, a bottle of wine, and 2 glasses.
Two hands suddenly reached out from behind Roelon on either side, startling him. As the hands pulled him closer, he felt the rapidly beating heart of a warm body embracing him. He turned to look over his shoulder, one of the hands moved a strand of hair from Roelon’s brow. Roelon’s eyes were still adjusting to the light when he felt the warm soft lips meet his. Closing his eyes now, the two kissed.
“I love you.†whispered a soft, familiar voice. Slowly opening his eyes, Roelon saw the figure of a beautiful brunette now looking deeply into his eyes.
Roelon turned toward her, pulling away slowly, as if to take in take in the moment to memory. He responded softly, “And I, you.â€Â
The fog seemed to roll in slightly closer. Even through his rugged, defined facial features, he seemed to soften, eyes glazed as if he were ready to cry with joy. “I’ve missed you.â€Â
“I know. I’m sorry.†She responded.
He sighed, pulling her closer. His face met hers, softly resting his forehead on her brow, staring into her eyes. “Why? Where have you been?†Roelon said, now realizing that the white haze was not a fogâ€Â¦ he was in dream.
“You have to be strong.†Jude said, her eyes glassing over. “You need to know something.â€Â
The haze seemed to thicken as tears rolled down Roelon’s face.
“It’s not over.†She softly said. “There’s still time.â€Â
Roelon looked back at her, tears steadily streaming. He noticed the haze thickening even more. Still on his knees he embraced her.
Pointing to a small spot on the ground, near the base of a downed tree, Jude spoke, “I’ve left you something. Don’t forget about me.â€Â
The haze enveloped Roelon. He tried to speak, but found himself unable. Arms outstretched, he reached for Jude again, but felt himself being pulled away.
The haze had completely consumed him in a white lightâ€Â. He felt cold.
Roelon raised his hand to his brow, pinching the bridge of his nose as he squinted. Lying in bed, he looked about the small, familiar wood-paneled room. Clambering to his feet, he walked across the coarse wooden floor to an open window. Roelon placed both hands on the sill, now staring out, looking over the grove of apple trees that spread out into the distance to the horizon that gave way to an orange setting sun.
Leaning in the doorway, with arms crossed, stood the modest, aging form of his new friend and mentor, Welkin.
“Good. You’re awake.†He spoke, taking a long moment to inspect Roelon, squinting, as if he knew what was going on. “Come with me. It's time for your training."