Warlocks Index – Previous Chapter
A relaxed Graciul was a strange while welcoming experience. In the past week, I had come to know him as quiet, observant, even stoic. Underneath was a wise youthfulness, and even a mischievous playfulness. I learnt that he had a deep love for living in the wilds, beyond the walls of settlements and cities, and a deep awareness of the world at large. We talked about his years playing in the very forest I knew I had to eventually confront, and certain other thrilling adventures. It was difficult to account for the almost 15 years between my words of meaning to him and the man today. A young man of 28 years and he had lived more life than most twice his age. Certainly more life than me it seemed.
Then discussions turned serious as I opened up about my visions and concerns. His joyful expression hardened as he listened to my descriptions of the stranger.
“Yeah. I saw him a few times. Usually hanging around the markets, talking with mainly younger people.” He tilted his head thoughtfully. “I followed him once. There was something about him. He didn’t have much to do with the older folk, and I often wondered if they even noticed him. There was this one time where he bumped into old Tyler, and Tyler acted as if he’d tripped over his own feet, and you know what old man Tyler can be like.”
Farlo Tyler was well known for his short, if ineffective, temper. He was quick to find fault with anyone and everyone but himself.
“I followed him to the northern gates. Almost lost him a few times. He didn’t go directly. He sort of wandered around, stopping to talk the younger people, and even a few children. I mean, he seemed friendly enough, just the way he moved was… off, and then he was gone. I’d completely lost him. I checked beyond the gates, back in the inner courtyard. It had only been a second or two. I went to leave, back to the markets, and there he was just strolling up the main street towards the gate, except for a brief second, I initially thought it was you. I went to call your name when I realised it wasn’t you at all. He walked right by me, out the gates, and that was that.”
A deep wave of unease flowed through me with his final words. Words that now felt years old floated from my memories. “A Dream Maker has returned.” Most if not all students of the academy knew the tales of the Dream Makers, but usually as a cautionary tale about why it was essential that the lessons were strictly followed. Some of us knew a little more, like that the Dream Makers were a small and destructive breakaway group that existed almost 100 seasonal cycles gone. They exploited abilities beyond that of the Dream Walker with claims that they could create dreams, and they used these abilities to sow confusion and unrest until the founders of the Academy of Haven forcefully suppressed them, banishing them from the known continent.
The Dream Makers were a core historical foundation of the Dream Walkers. Graciul’s momentary confusion seemed rather too appropriate, something I kept to myself.
“If you ask me,” Graciul continued, “he didn’t like big open spaces.”
This was an odd observation to me, and I ask what he meant by this.
“Call it a feeling.” He shrugged his shoulders before looking at me directly. “I have tracked a lot of things, and those that prefer close tight spaces with many hiding places move differently to those that would rather find big open areas. Those that have speed or strength will seek the open. Those that are small, meek, and skittish will seek places to hide. He moved like something trying to hide.”
Suddenly, the mysterious stranger lost some of his mystery. It is often said that one fears most that which one knows the least, so know more to fear less. In that moment, I understood it more than any mentor could instruct. Knowing that this Dream Maker acted like an animal seeking to remain hidden suggested they had a weakness or a fear, and perhaps one I could exploit.
The knot in my chest unravelled a little, and only a little.
*****
Much of the morning was spent establishing new supplies, and discussions around hunting and survival. I admit I had much to learn in this regard, but in truth, it was not foremost on my mind. My subtle questioning also gave me insights into my unspoken plans to return to the village, see if anything could be salvaged from my home, and to then find a way into the forests and seek out the mysterious Dream Maker. I still had little idea on what I could do beyond that, but it was a start, and at the very least, I needed a start.
The morning was coming to an end as the sun reached it’s peak. It had been perhaps the longest period of peace I had experienced in days, and the shift in Graciul’s persona was a pleasant distraction, as well as a little infectious. I was considering how I was going to leave without him noticing as we contemplated a midday meal.
We were making our way back to the barn we took shelter in when Graciul raised a hand and motioned me to stop. He dropped slightly and I followed, now very used to trusting his instincts. We edged to the side of the barn and Graciul crept slowly along the wall towards the main courtyard. I followed a short distance behind. As he glanced around the corner, his body language changed, the alertness and tenseness dropped away, and he stood up dispensing all caution.
He stepped away from the wall into the courtyard, but motioned me to remain hidden. “Berlinia. What brings you here?”
Berlinia was someone I had very little to do with, but had spoken with once or twice. The sound of her voice confirmed my recollection.
“Graciul. I heard what happened yesterday. I had to see if you were ok.” Footsteps suggested she had started to run. Graciul stepped out of sight and I heard what could only have been two people hugging tightly.
“Who have you brought with you?” Graciul’s voice was stern, and there was a slight commotion as Berlinia went to say something, and a third voice was heard.
“I asked her to take me. I need to see Master Walker.” It was Brethna, the mother of Cassinda.
“Berlinia. We talked about this.”
“I’m sorry. She insisted, and she means him no harm.”
“Please Graciul. I only wish to speak with the Master. I want to apologise for Murtain.” Something in her voice sounded genuine, emotional, desperate. It was a similar tone to the one Cassinda had on that fateful night.
“He’s not here. He’s already long from here.”
His timing was unfortunate as I stepped into the courtyard. “Thank you, Graciul. I am not hiding anymore. Please forgive him. He is a very reliable protector.”
All three, Graciul included, were notably surprised by my appearance. Brethna was quicker to respond as she hurried towards before dropping to her knees in-front of me. “I deeply regret the actions of my bond mate. Our child returned but 2 days ago, and has decried strange tales, unbelievable things.” She reaching out pleading with me. “I know you Master Walker. You were there for our Cassinda during the nightmares of her youth, and you counselled me through many fears, but Murtain has always been wary of the Masters. He’s spoken in whispers when he thought I could not hear, about the Warlocks and claims you to be one.”
I crouched down to see her face to face. “I thank you for your trust in me.” And she smiled. “I vow that I have not, nor will not, give you reason to question it. I will discover the truth.”
“I believe in you Master Walker, but you cannot return to your home. Murtain and others wait for you, and they have burnt all your possessions to ash.”
So another gate was closed to me, another choice taken from the stack, and this strangely made my resolve stronger. “And what of you? Your return may prove complicated.”
A shadow fell across us as Graciul approached. “I may have a few ideas, but perhaps we could discuss this over a meal?”
Reflection of a Ham 