Chapter 67 - Jaspen

The next day, I was woken up by a slight shake to my shoulder.

"My prince," whispered Ishtar. "My prince Shaman Bane and Shaman Rentook have requested an audience with you at once."

I groaned. "Tell them the prince will come when he is better rested."

With that I tugged back up my furs and rolled over.

"My prince, it is your father's orders as well as theirs. You must come at once. Do not eat anything. It is their orders."

My stomach growled, but I got up groggily and dressed and went to my father's room to see the two men in red robes with their hoods up and all I could see under them were their eyes- the one to the left of my father had eyes that glowed like the embers of a fire and the one on the right had eyes that glowed silver.

"You are the prince Bane saw in his visions," said the one to the left of my father that I guessed to be Rentook.

I gulped.

"Do you know who we are?" asked the ghostly voice of Bane.

"Shamans Rentook and Bane- the ageless ones of the gods Asher and Zenti."

They both gave a quick nod.

"Your father has left you to our care," came the deep voice of Rentook. "Are you ready?" Of course I wasn't ready- these two were immortal children of the God of Chaos and the

God of Death. Was my father mad? Couldn't he see that this may result in my death? But as the prince, it was my noble duty to show no fear and do whatever was necessary to ensure the safety of my people and right now I was a threat to them.

"Aye," I said.

The two men rose.

"We will ride north of the oasis, safely away from the village," said Bane. "After you, my prince."

"What of my guards?"

The two men turned their heads towards my father.

"They will stay here," said my father. "You are a danger to them and they are safer here."

Hurt filled my fast beating heart for a fleeting second. Of course he was right, but it still hurt that he didn't trust me.

"As you wish," I said quietly and walked out and grabbed my horse, waiting on the ageless ones to mount theirs. Why did they seem so shrouded in secrecy? We rode north past the oasis and on towards the Foghorn Mountains that were northwest of my village. If that was our destination, we would be there in two days.

"Where are we heading?" I asked finally.

"To our home, my prince," answered Rentook.

A cold chill ran up my spine. "Can we stop for food?"

"Nay, my prince. You must fast," said Rentook tiredly.

I fell silent not wanting to talk to the eternal ones more than necessary. Their voices sent a cold chill down my spine every time one of them opened their mouth.

"As you wish."