Ashborn Primordial

Chapter 5: Into Darkness

Vir never knew that three hours could feel like such an eternity. After agonizing alone in silence, Maiya finally returned, skirting around the guards and entering through the hole.

Dad says to pack your things, she whispered, careful not to alert the guards outside. Were to meet him in the old storehouse. Your homes no longer safe. And he wants you to bring as much as you can, just in case you cant return.

Vir worked quickly to pack whatever he had into his rucksack. It didnt take long; he didnt have much. He followed Maiya out through the hole, and after ensuring theyd slipped the guards, she led him to a storehouse where Rudvik and Apramor waited, some distance away.

Now they all huddled over a crate in the storeroom.

Well? Whyre all these knights really here? I dont buy this routine inspection grakkery theyre spouting, Rudvik said. Fat reason to post guards outside my home!

Hmm, why indeed Apramor paused, giving Vir a worried glance. I fear theyre here for your son, Rudvik.

Huh? What do dey want with my boy? Unless Rudviks eyes went wide.

Apramor shook his head. No, no. Not that. It appears that theyre hunting for Ashborn.

Why, though? Are Ashborn dangerous or something? Maiya shouted.

Apramor held his finger up to his lips. Quiet, Mai! These knights are everywhere. Maiya clamped her hands over her mouth and voicelessly mouthed sorry.

But to answer your question, its unknown. Not much is known about Ashborn, but I have heard rumors among my priestly circles.

Apramor had every eye on the room on himeven Neels. The small storehouse was more silent than the villages grave.

The new religious advisor to King Rayid may be colluding with the Pagan Order. These are just rumors, mind you, but it seems they are rounding up Ashborn to be brought to the capital.

Makes no badrakking sense, said Rudvik. Pagan Order hunts demons. Whyre they targeting Ashborn now alluva sudden, hmm?

I do not know, Rudvik. They claim they are bringing the Ashborn in for protection, but I am skeptical.

Youre grakkin right! Protection, Rudvik scoffed. Whyd they bring so many soldiers, then?

Apramor nodded. Indeed. Whatever their reasons, it does not change the fact that we must act. And fast.

Any way to convince those tinheads Vir aint Ashborn?

Apramor shook his head. Im afraid not. His appearance matches the Ashborn in scripture to a T. Even if they cant prove it, I fear they will still take him in the name of holy duty. Janak only knows what they will do to him.

The room fell into a long silence. Vir was the one to break it. Ill flee to the Godshollow. Alone.

Rudvik grunted. Yer outta yer mind if ye think Ill let ye go alone, boy. Aint nobody knows the woods better n I do. If you go, I go. Id like to see those knights just try to find us there.

And where would you go from there? Apramor asked.

Viridian Coast, Rudvik said. Ive a bit of coin saved up. Plenty oships bound for Saran or Zorin that put in near the coast. Figure we work sumfin out.

Zorin would be your better bet, even if it is Pagan Order, the priest replied. Best to escape Hiranya entirely. Though fleeing would be an admission of guilt, Rudvik. You realize this, yes?

Guilty of what!? The lumberjack roared, his face flushing red. Refusing to hand my son over to some highborn chals from Daha?

Logic does not work on the government, Rudvik. Itd be seen as an obstruction of knightly affairs. The punishment will be severe He paused, Rudvik, you dont have to do this. You have fulfilled your end of the bargain. If that four armed giant ever returns, he can have no qualms about how youve raised Vir. And that is a big if.

What? Vir asked. What four-armed giant? Father, whats he talking about?

Not now, Vir, Rudvik said, waving him away. I promise Ill tell ya, but nows not the time.

Rudvik looked the priest in the eye, his rugged expression etched with conviction.

He's my son. What father abandons their child in his time of need? He said.

Vir had never seen Rudvik speak so strongly before, and if he was honest, he was more than a bit happy to see his father sticking up for him like that.

But to leave the village was something he could scarcely even imagine. Was this truly the right decision? Hed be leaving behind everything. Hed be walking away from his dreams of fitting in and helping Rudvik. Would he even be able to survive in the outside world?

I say let em come! Rudvik continued, if thats what it takes ta ensure Virs safety, den count me in. But if we do dis, wed best be quick. Not liken we got much time now, do we?

I suspect the knights will make their move by tomorrow at the latest, Apramor said. Im afraid its only a matter of time before the villagers confirm their suspicions. The only reason they havent acted already is because they do not want to foster ill will with the locals.

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Well then, lets hop to it! Rudvik said, slapping his knees.

The priest hesitated. I think we should let the boy have a say in this matter, dont you?

Ye. He should.

Vir? Apramor said, turning to him. What would you like to do? Will you stay? Or will you flee?

Vir hadnt gotten a word in this entire time, but that was because hed had few objections. He wasnt about to let some strangers from the capital dictate his future. Well flee. Tonight.

Apramor gave him an appraising look while Rudvik set his jaw and nodded.

That is I admire your determination, the priest said, but you do understand what this means, yes? You may not be able to come back to the village. Perhaps not even after the knights leave.

Vir nodded. I get it. It does scare me, you know. It scares me so much its taking everything I have not to shiver right now. But Id rather take my chances in the Godshollow than with these knights.

One look at how the Knight Captain had treated Apramor told him all he needed to know about those people. There would be no happiness in his future if he followed them. Only misery, and Vir suspected that even the village bullies wouldnt hold a candle to what the knights would do to an Ashborn freak.

Neel sidled up to him, whining. Vir smiled. Well take you too, boy. Dont worry.

If that is your decision, then we shall support you, Maiyas dad said with a sigh. Rudvik and Vir will flee the village tonight. Meanwhile, I shall stall the knights for as long as I can.

Rudvik grunted. Godshollow aint no place ta be after dark, but well, he smacked his chest, youve got the best badrakkin lumberjack in these woods right ere! Well do alright.

Vir was already moving to retrieve the rucksack hed packed earlier.

Come on, Mai. Lets go home, Apramor said.

But Maiya shrugged him off and stepped away. Im going with them.

No challin way ya aint, Crimson! Rudvik roared.

Vir had to agree. I think thats a terrible idea, Maiya. Youd be hunted just like me if you come with us.

Rudvik nodded vigorously. You tell her straight, Apramor!

Hmm, the priest said, deep in thought. He kneeled down and looked deeply into Maiyas hazel eyes. Are you sure about this, Mai?

Maiya nodded vigorously. What kind of friend would I be if I abandoned Vir now?

Apramor, ya outta yer mind? Tell her straight! Tell her she cant come with us! Its far too dangerous!

The priest turned his gaze to the lumberjack. You understand, dont you? You know why I wish for her to go with you, yes?

WhaI Rudviks words caught in his mouth. Spose I do, he said at last, his expression grim.

What do you mean? Maiya said. What does he mean, dad?

Maiyas father spoke with a sad smile. Youll understand, someday. But not today. Go with your friend. Support him when he falls. Protect him in this dark hour. Be his anchor in the sea.

Maiya nodded slowly. I will.

Rudvik, my daughter will meet you and Vir at the forests edge as soon as shes retrieved her things. We shall now take our leave. May Adinat favor you.

Apramor and Maiya left shortly thereafter. So much had happened in the past half hour that Virs mind still hadnt caught up.

Im really leaving he finally realized. It hadnt really sunk in yet. Yesterday, he thought hed live out his entire life here. But now? Now he might not spend another cycle in his house ever again.

His thoughts drifted to the modest log house. It wasnt much, but it was home. When he realized he may never see it again, he suddenly appreciated its coziness. He felt its warmth and the sense of security it had always given him. Why had he never noticed those things until now?

Rudvik rested his giant hand on Virs slender shoulders. Every child leaves da nest some day. Jes yer days comin a bit earlier than expected, eh? Sides, seein the worlds not a bad thing. Havent seen much of it meself, but it oughta be a whole wagonload more exciting n this boring village life, eh?

Vir smiled, but his heart wasnt in it. Rudvik clapped his back. Dont worry, boy. Ill be right here. Not goin anywhere now, am I?

A melancholic fifteen minutes later, Rudvik, Vir, and Neel stood at the edge of the Godshollow. The forest was spooky enough during the day, but the voices only grew louder at night. Vir was having a hard time staying calm, and the bizarre sounds only he could hear just added to his worries.

Where are they? he asked, pacing around as he searched for Maiya.

Relax, Rudvik said, dropping a heavy bundle of lashed firewood. We only just got ere. Maiyas got ta pack her things n then come all the way back. Sit tight.

Sitting tight was the last thing Vir wanted to do at that moment.

So instead, he focused on the new voices in his head, as hed done in his spare time since his encounter with the cultist. Slowly, he was beginning to identify the patterns in the voices.

One thing was obvious; they were consistent. They whispered the same gibberish for the same objects. Utility orbs all sounded similar, while the Godhollows resembled other trees, but were far louder in his head. At his home, Vir felt little, other than the faintest whisper that was always present.

Just a bit more, and I feel like Ill have it!

A whole half hour passed in nervous silence before Maiya and Apramor finally arrived. Neel noticed them first, perking up the instant he caught a whiff of their scent.

This is it, then, Apramor said as he hugged his daughter. They stood that way for a good minute before he broke the embrace. Be well, Mai. Be strong. I love you, dear.

Maiya looked away. Not like its set in stone that well never come back, yeah? Whyre you acting like this?

Apramor laughed, wiping away his tears. Youre right, Mai. Youre quite right.

He turned to Vir. Remember what I told you at the temple. Hold your head high. Protect those close to you, and never feel ashamed about who you are. You bow to no one, Vir.

Vir gulped. He nodded. Yes, sir.

And finally, to you, Rudvik, I bid goodbye and godspeed. May Janak watch over you, he said as the two clasped arms.

Rudvik whispered something to Apramor, but Vir couldnt hear it. The priest smiled sadly. Im afraid nothing will change that now, old friend, he said, leaving Vir and Maiya scratching their heads.

Apramor watched his daughter and the boy who he treated as his own son disappear into the darkness of the Godshollow before returning. The priest had many thoughts during his long walk back to the village.

He contemplated his life. He remembered his daughter and his beautiful wife. He gazed up at the stars and thanked Adinat for all that he had been given in life. And he prayed. For Rudviks success in evading the knights. And for his daughters safety.

But he did not pray for himself. Not even when the steady clacking of hooves grew louder and louder, coming to a stop right in front of him.

Priest! Odd for you to be out and about at this hour, Knight Captain Vastav said from atop his steed. Where were you?

Just taking a stroll. Lovely night, wouldnt you agree, Knight Captain?

A lie. We know about Ekavir. You helped him escape, didnt you? The captain didnt wait for a response. This is a grave crime, Apramor. A grave crime. Dont think for a moment that your station protects you from the law. I just wish the knight said with a sigh, shaking his head. We already know that theyve escaped to the woods. Your actions have amounted to naught.

You do not know those woods like Rudvik does, Knight Captain. You have no hope of catching them now, Apramor said. He kept his tone even, but panic welled up inside him. Something wasnt right. Why would the captain casually reveal his plans? Unless

Oh, I am quite sure youre right, priest. But you see, few men can outrun our hunting bandies, let alone a child. The forest may be vast, but their noses will find them, mark my words.

Hunting bandies? Apramors eyes widened. He'd heard stories of the royal attack canines' capabilities. They were animals to be feared.

You have bought them a few days at most, priest. They will not get far.

Apramor looked up at the sky with a deep sadness. You are playing with fire, Knight Captain. That boy is larger than methan even you. Vir is more special than you could possibly imagine. Cease your pursuit before you get burned. Let sleeping Wyrms lie.

Burned! Us!? Vastav scoffed. Well just have to see about that, wont we?

Apramor smiled grimly. I suppose we shall.

Rudvik, Vir, Mai My prayers are with you.

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