They went towards Tumuo in total silence, no one wanted say anything. Mercer walked briskly, he was clearly upset, and was stiff and emotionless. Lera walked behind him, not really focusing on anything, her face stained with tears. Silachlume, followed behind, silent but always ready, he was on the lookout for soldiers. Mirnia walked with Mercer not saying anything, just looking over to keep an eye on him during their walk.
...
The cave seemed darker than before, it was almost pitch black, it seemed no light made it in. Looking in they could see two golden eyes hovering in the dark. After a moment the eyes made their way out of the dark revealing Tumuo.
"I knew you would be coming today. It's time to leave. There is nothing left here." Tumuo handed Mercer a simple book. "This is for you to learn more about how Magic interacts with the world. It will get you started before we go to the many Universities around the continent." Mercer nodded and turned around, walking over to a tree where he took a seat for a moment opening the book and looking through it.
Silachlume took a step forward, "So it is true..." He was staring directly at Tumuo.
"So you can see what others can not, you must be quite advanced." Tumuo took a step forward and laid a hand on Silachlume, "Oh... you are the library... I see, did you grant your services to young Mercer because you wished freedom?"
Silachlume bowed slightly, "Yes I wished to see the world, and he was without a core. I left a part of me there to keep me supplied with magic."
"No need to bow, I will not be me for too much longer. I am growing old and must continue my journey." Tumuo looked past Silachlume at Lera.
"You who are blessed by the Goddesses must protect the master wizard at all costs." Tumuo walked forward and handed Lera a round shield with the symbol of the goddesses engraved above a Runic Core. "This shield will never fail you, use it to protect him and yourself." Tumuo then looked back to Mercer, "It's time to leave, we must reach the Taldor on the border of Ligeria, it is the only way to reach the Manian Theocracy in a reasonable amount of time. There you can both learn to use your gifts before we move on to face the Shiragagian Theocracy, who will try to kill you Lera, and capture you Mercer. We must make are way to the Ahmeshian Diarchy... or at least the desert that is there." Tumuo turned, heading towards the house, southwest where they knew there was a road.
Mercer, Lera, Silachlume, and Mirnia all followed along, still quiet but moving with purpose. Lera held some focus now that she had a direction, but still did not take strong strides.
"Why must we go to those murderers. I don't want to see them." Mercer glared at Tumuo, "They have only never helped our family, and instead chose to slaughter us while we could not even fight back."
"The people there are not bad, they are just frightened." They were nearing the clearing now. "There was a time when they helped magicians, but then many turned on them and slaughtered entire cities. When they finally were brought down the kingdom outlawed all magic... punishable by death."
When they reached the house Tumuo found the grave and knelt down, sitting quietly for a moment, then he said a quick prayer and stood back up.
They left shortly after, making their way down the road keeping an eye out for soldiers.
...
After about an hour, they reached the road and Silachlume began humming a soothing tune, it wasn't much but it lightened the mood considerably. Mercer and Lera both relaxed a bit while they listened.
"Do you remember the words to that tune? What was it called... Quiet Streams? Seratolusu Souiluomiso?" Tumuo looked over at Silachlume.
"I believe so..." He began to sing softly. The sound came out like a stream that ran quiet, it had ups and downs as it weaved around rocks, but never went quick and never loud. After a moment he began to sing, words from his ancient tongue, words that were long and beautiful, they were drawn out, each word fluid in its own way. It was as though the words asked to be sung rather than spoken, they called out for the air, and he could not refuse.
He sang the song to its fullest hitting every note. The words traveled over everyone there and soothed them. When he finished, they were happy. They had not forgotten the tragedies, but the music had given a soothing way to think. Mercer was still silent and stern, but he was less rigid. Lera was walking with focus, and held her head up.
Behind them they heard the rattle of a cart.
"I'm sorry to interrupt, but that was one of the most beautiful things I have ever heard." Mercer snapped his head towards the man an angry glare twisting his features. A man riding on a horse drawn cart had managed to sneak up on them during the song. "What language was that it was not one I recognize?" The man spoke Ligerian, Mercer was not fluent, but could speak it well and understood what he said, even with his accent.
"It is an old song, from an old language." Tumuo answered the man calmly. "Our friend is entranced in the old cultures and has learned much of them." He gestured towards Silachlume, who seemed oddly shorter and much more human in appearance.
"Well, it certainly is enchanting. Please, let me give you a ride to Taldor if you are heading in that direction."
Tumuo looked to Mercer who sighed and nodded. "Of course, we would love to accompany you." They all jumped on the cart and continued their journey. The cart ride was much more bumpy, but Silachlume continued humming and singing the song making the ride enjoyable. The trip was not very long, and they soon saw the town in the distance. Just a small village but it was beautiful. The people there must work very hard.
[ Seratolusu Souiluomiso (Eldar Version) | Quiet Streams (English Version) ]
(Eldar)
Sorilu'usu souiluami laso rumura soritoth,
Tameuritomote thsimuralei thlu rimu'uloso,
Liamei miru tiluasiu lamolo silusou miru meurelu,
Seratolusu souiluame laso rumura ritoth,
Tameuritomote thsimuralei thlu rimu'uloso,
liamei miru mitomolo lamolo silusou miru somurame,
Sorilu'usu souiluami tamae'e muta sitochluso,
Tameuritomote lamitolosou thlu simulimaso,
Tesilamosu milu la soumuolu tamuti miru meurelu,
Seratolusu souiluame tamae'e muta soalu'uchluso,
Tameuritomote lamitolosou thlu simulimaso,
Tesilamosu milu rimusiloso tasimuo miru sorame,
Lame'e sumu teorelu miru meurulu ritilasu thlu lousotosiluso.
(English)
Sweet stream as you swish,
Flowing through the woods,
Calm my heart and rest my love,
Quiet stream as you wish,
Flowing through the woods,
Calm my mind and rest my soul,
Sweet stream full of riches,
Flowing amidst the rocks,
Grant me a stone for my love,
Quiet stream full of speeches,
Flowing amidst the rocks,
Grant me words from my soul,
All to give my love what she desires.
[ (End) ]