Chapter 46:
Heart Dream - How I Got To Chase My Dreams and Myself In Another World!
The four travelers entered the forest, which was close to the beak of the hummingbird. Caoilainn walked hastily while the others followed. As they advanced, the vegetation changed from sparse trees to densely packed lush trees which rose above small flowers and plants. Isabella caught up with Caoilainn and said:
- "Let's go a little slower, we must find the bird."
- "Yeah, right" - Caoilainn eased her pace. Now, the four strolled paying attention to the birds they could find.
Green parrots, couples of blueish finches, lone yellow sabias and brown cuckoos were spotted. Caoilainn said:
- "I love birds so much, I would like to grab them all and hug them!" - she spread her arms - "I love birds so much" - Isabella laughed. A voice said:
- "I love birds so much!" - Isabella said:
- "Well, there must be also a mockingbird somewhere. But I couldn't find any red eyes around."
- "I'm keeping an eye on that, but nothing yet." - said Richard. They went on and heard a woodpecker. A little later, Caoilainn said:
- "Look, a blackbird!" - she pointed at a blackbird eating a fruit. Then, it turned around, opened its wings and showed its back, before flying away. - "did you look at that?"
- "Yes, the red eye!" - said Richard. There was a clear red pattern on the blackbird's back which looked like an eye. Isabella asked:
- "Well, it seems to be what we've been looking for. I say we follow it."
- "Yes" - said Caoilainn, and the four followed the bird.
Caoilainn and Richard went ahead keeping close to the restless bird. The grove was getting more foggy with each step and Isabella and Mazanlold followed them trying not to get lost. Isabella however, couldn't shake the feeling that something seemed off. "It's just the nature of this grove I guess, it seems magical" - she said to herself while pressing on.
The bird suddenly accelerated, prompting Caoilainn and Richard to do the same and Isabella and Mazanlold to keep up with them. Shortly, they arrived at a huge circular clearing. In the ground there were markings and remains of stone structures and an altar in the middle. On the opposite end was a simple wooden house and an old woman was there sweeping the ground. The bird went away, but the travelers believed they had reached the spot.
- "Well, let's take a look at the altar" - Caoilainn said, walking, when a voice came from the other side.
- "Wait!" - it was the old woman, who released her broom and went in their direction going around the altar. Mazanlold and Isabella were silently ready to fight.
The woman had her white hair up and wore commoner's clothes and an apron. She wasn't too slow, but used a walking cane. As she approached she said:
- "Welcome travelers, it's been long since I saw anyone" - Isabella replied stepping forward:
- "And who might you be?"
- "I am Dacrina, just and old lady."
- "I am lady Isabella of Kitatik and those are Mazanlold, Caoilainn and Richard" - she said pointing at them.
- "What an honor!" - the old lady smiled - "And to what do I owe this visit?"
- "Well, we are doing some research for the kingdom investigating ruins and we are interested in this altar" - Isabella did not hesitate.
- "Oh I see" - Dacrina smiled again - "do you wish for its contents?"
- "Well" - Isabella now hesitated - "we might, we are investigating it first."
- "I see, I hope you are ready."
- "What do you mean?"
- "I am very experienced and I understand you crave what it is in the altar." - Dacrina answered - "this would not be the first time and I find no problem with it. I just hope you have a good warrior."
- "We do." - Mazanlold stepped up.
- "That's good, because you see, I'm not sure what you seek. What I know is the people of old who built the altar also created a golem to protect it. One that only accepts to fight one warrior at a time."
- "How do you know that?" - Isabella looked suspicious.
- "Unfortunately" - she looked down - "I've already buried a few adventurers here."
- "I see." - Isabella replied.
- "If it is one warrior at a time." - Mazanlold replied - "I will take this challenge."
- "I wish you the best of luck, dear" - replied Dacrina - "please get ready first." - Mazanlold started stretching.
Moments later, Dacrina continued:
- "I will be back inside my house if you need anything, I don't like to watch fights."
- "No problem, and thank you" - replied Isabella. On this moment, Dacrina's eyes widened. Then, she stared at Isabella and said:
- "There is one more thing, actually." - she bowed - "you see, I am a mystic, able to receive prophecies from the world and peer into people's hearts." - she gesticulated - "And, now I've just felt an energy around you. I feel I have a message to pass on, from the world to you" - she stared at Richard - "and to Richard too. Please come with me."
- "This is all too sudden" - replied Isabella - "we may have to think."
- "My dear" - Dacrina held her hand - "when I feel those things it is usually important. I will just see things and tell them to you. Don't worry, it will be worth it." - Isabella looked at Richard, who seemed suspicious also. Isabella sighed and said:
- "Okay, we will go with you." - Richard reluctantly consented. Caoilainn asked:
- "And me?"
- "Please, keep an eye on Mazanlold." - Isabella replied and blinked at Caoilainn. Caoilainn consented.
With that, Isabella and Richard followed Dacrina to the house and Mazanlold got ready to approach the altar and fight. Caoilainn sat down to watch the fight and keep on eye on everything.
Please sign in to leave a comment.