His upper right chest bore a striking tattoo of a side view of two birds. One bird was crimson red, while the other was shimmering silver. The birds were depicted as if they were in a loving embrace, their wings outstretched, with the tips delicately touching, creating a powerful and intimate image.
The birds appeared like twin phoenixes, their fiery and icy feathers entwined in an intimate embrace. Below them, a crescent shape with a star adorning each tip completed the striking tattoo.
Angel blinked and looked away from the tattoo. It reminded her of a dream she had a few weeks ago, of the carving on the tree where the king's grave was buried.
As she gently wiped Leoric's body with the damp towel, she carefully tended to his form in the hope of waking him. Despite her efforts, Leoric remained unresponsive, his unconscious state lingering unchanged.
Angel exhaled deeply, feeling the weight of the moment. She pressed her right hand against his chest, above where his heart beat beneath. She concentrated, willing her mana to flow from her core and through her fingertips into the unconscious man. A subtle, ethereal green glow began to emanate from her touch, casting a faint light upon his still form.
Angel's brow was glistening with sweat as she abruptly withdrew her hand.
Angel was puzzled by the sight before her. It was as if a flash from a distant memory or a dream had just flickered across her mind. Could it be a recollection from Leoric's past, or perhaps a fragment from his own dreams?
...
Leoric found himself in the midst of a dream, but something peculiar was happening. Instead of being an active participant in the dream, he was experiencing it from a detached, third-person perspective.
No matter how hard he struggled, he found himself unable to escape from the confines of his dream, desperately attempting to rouse himself to no avail.
"I'll go back to the palace tonight. I need to save my sister and her son. Zurin's second wife will kill her because she is a stumbling block to her becoming an empress."
Lando expressed his concerns, "It's too dangerous. Zurin is incredibly cunning. If he captures you, he won't hesitate to show no mercy, especially considering your support for King Toren."
Earlier, Lando had fished Nahor and four other warriors of King Toren from the river. They had successfully escaped from Zurin's clutches.
"Zurin, that Traitor! All the more that I need to get my sister and niece from the palace," A tall man with raven hair and dard orbs said, gritting his teeth. He stood up, his chest heaving as he paced around.
"He will pay for his atrocities one day!" Lando paused and looked at Nahor, who stopped pacing and had his back against the tree.
"Tonight is my only chance. I'm pretty sure the new King will celebrate, so everyone will be busy and drunk." Nahor said while looking at the river, thinking of something.
"But first, I'll help you to move deeper into the forest as our location now is very dangerous. The new king might have ordered a search for the princess."
Lando nodded in agreement.
"There is a cave not far away. It's big. We slept there last night. You will be safer there." a midget tugged at Lando's arm and pointed to the south.
Lando contemplated for some time. He cut some bamboo and fashioned them into a simple sled. He attached a few vines to the sled so up to six people could pull it.
They carried the warriors on the sled and started the grueling journey to the cave, which took them three hours. The cave was difficult to find. While the opening was big, it was covered by many vines and shrubs.
"There are no snakes or deadly animals here, right?" Nahor asked.
The midget hesitated. "I am not sure, but we slept here last night. The fire will keep them at bay, " he added uncertainly.
The cave was dark, so the midget started a fire.
Once everyone was settled, Nahor packed his things.
"I have to go now, Lakan Lando." Nahor headed for the entrance of the cave.
"Nahor…" Lando held his arm. Be careful and come back safely." He paused. If… you can see Mona, please tell her I love her. " He stopped as a lump blocked his throat, and he could not continue.
Nahor paused, nodded, and left without looking back. Without any baggage to hamper him, he reached the boat's location in no time. The sun was still up, and he decided to rest and conserve his energy while he went over the rescue plan in his mind.
He set out on his boat when the sun started its quick descent to the west. He carried with him a sword, the two daggers hidden inside his thigh trousers, and the twenty arrows Lando pulled from King Toren, neatly kept in a bamboo quiver and slung at his back.
He faced the west, closed his eyes, and silently prayed. 'Abba, grant me wisdom, strength, and success today.'
As he opened his eyes, he was greeted by an awe-inspiring sight. A blazing sphere of fire slowly descended into the water, casting a magnificent display of red, orange, and yellow across the sky. The setting sun appeared to be radiating warmth through the golden glow emanating from the now-diminished reddish orb, streaking across the bay and into the river where he stood.
He turned his back on the breathtaking view and started rowing upriver. When he reached Adhara, it was completely dark. He navigated his boat through the narrow canal to the back of the king's durga and into the underground tunnel. This secret passage was known only to the king's secret guards and pharis.
With unwavering resolve in his heart, he took a deep, measured breath. He had made a solemn promise to himself to put everything on the line, including his own life, in order to rescue his sister.
His niece, however...
Complex emotions swirled in his black orbs.