The next morning, Evian was jolted from a dreamless sleep by the loud sound of a gong, signaling that it was time to get up and pack. He felt dazed from being woken so suddenly, and the packing happened in a blur for him. Before he knew it, they were lined up and ready to march again.
As they walked, thoughts still swirled in Evian's head, making it hard for him to focus or hold a conversation.
"Hey, did the whole being selected and marching thing take a bit too much out of you?" Vax asked, nudging him.
"No, I just slept really heavily. It's taking me a bit to fully wake up," Evian replied quietly.
"Haha, yeah, he's definitely taking his time waking up!" came a voice from behind.
Evian turned to see Ryamus laughing loudly with his friends. He shot his brother a glare but said nothing. Ryamus had unknowingly just backed up Evian's lie, which an great help for Evian.
The funny thing was, Evian was usually up far earlier than his twin, and it was Ryamus who had trouble waking in the mornings. More than once, their father had asked Evian to get Ryamus out of bed: "by whatever means you think necessary to get that lazy lump out of the blankets," Torin had said, with a twinkle in his eye that meant Evian wouldn't get in trouble no matter what method he chose to use.
The group continued their march down the dirt path that wound through the forest, the morning light filtering through the leaves, casting dappled shadows on the ground. The air was crisp, filled with the earthy scent of pine and damp soil. Evian tried to clear his mind of lingering thoughts, focusing instead on the rhythmic crunch of boots against the ground and the distant sound of the river gurgling nearby.
Vax and a few others chatted about the challenges ahead, but Evian was only half-listening, his mind wandering back to the conversation he had overheard the night before. What was this about the royal family? And who was Mira? He couldn't shake the feeling that there was something significant about the conversations of his parents and Darwen, something that might change everything he thought he knew.
As they continued walking, the suns began to rise higher, illuminating the world in vibrant colors. Going first from a world of green nuances to the diversity of colors as the suns completed their ascent over the horizon. The trees around them stood tall and proud, their leaves shimmering in the soft light. Evian found himself captivated by the beauty of the moment, but it was a fleeting distraction. The weight of uncertainty pressed heavily on his chest.
"Evian! Earth to Evian!" Vax's voice broke through his thoughts, and he realized he had fallen behind the group. He hurried to catch up, forcing a smile as Vax grinned at him. "You've really zoned out there. What are you thinking about?"
"Just...stuff," Evian replied, hoping his vague answer would suffice.
"Stuff? Like what?" Vax pressed, his curiosity piqued.
"Like... how far we have to go today," Evian said, trying to keep it light. "I'm just ready for a break, you know?"
"Right! Because we just had such a relaxing morning," Vax joked, rolling his eyes dramatically. "Next time, I'll make sure to bring a pillow for you to nap on while we march."
The banter helped ease Evian's tension, and he found himself chuckling. But even as he laughed, a gnawing anxiety lingered in the back of his mind. What awaited them at their destination?
The group made a quick stop by the river for water. The sound of the rushing water was soothing, and Evian took a moment to dip his hands in the cool stream, relishing the sensation. He watched as a few of the younger ones splashed each other, their laughter ringing out in the fresh morning air.
After a brief respite, they continued onward, and the path began to climb gradually. The elevation offered a breathtaking view of the valley below, sprawling out like a green quilt, dotted with the occasional wildflower. Evian stopped for a moment to take it all in, feeling a sense of awe wash over him.
"Come on, slowpoke!" Ryamus called from up ahead, waving him to hurry. Evian frowned but quickened his pace, not wanting to fall too far behind. He would never hear the end of it if his brother teased him about lagging behind.
As they crested the hill, the path opened up to a small clearing. In the center stood a makeshift camp, where the remnants of a fire smoldered softly. A few tents were set up, and the smell of something cooking wafted through the air, making Evian's stomach growl.
"Finally! Some food," Vax exclaimed, rushing ahead.
Evian felt a wave of relief wash over him at the sight of the camp. They had been walking for hours, and the promise of a meal was enticing. As they approached, the camp's inhabitants noticed them, and smiles spread across their faces.
"Welcome back, travelers!" an older man called out, his voice warm and inviting. He wore a thick cloak, and his hair was grayed with age. "I trust the journey was not too rough?"
"Not too bad," Evian replied, forcing a smile. "Just long."
The man nodded knowingly, motioning for them to come closer to the fire. "We have stew and bread ready. Help yourselves!"
"Stop right there!" a harsh and brisk voice sounded behind Evian.
He turned and saw Darwen enter the clearing. He walked over to the old man and said:
"Good to see you Hermes, but you know the rules of the caravan".
The old man looked at Darwen and said in a hushed voice:
"I know my friend, but I always feel a little sorry for the youngsters".
"I know you do, but they need to learn" Darwen replied and continued
"There is still quite a long way before we reach Selvin".
The youngsters eyes went blank as they learned that they once more had to make their own supper. But they were hungry and tired, so they set about their chores and set up camp and fires and cooked.
Once they started to eat their meal, which Evian again had spiced up with some of the wild plant growing in the clearing and along the nearby stream their good moods slowly returned.
As they ate, the conversation flowed easily. Tales of their journey, laughter, and playful teasing filled the air. For a brief moment, Evian allowed himself to relax and forget about his worries. He found comfort in the fact that all the youngsters suffered as much as he did.
However, as the suns began their descent in the sky, painting the horizon with hues of orange and pink, Evian felt a familiar tug at his heart. Something was still amiss, and the conversation Darwen had with his parents still lingered like a shadow.
"Evian, you okay?" Vax's voice broke through his reverie, pulling him back to the present.
"Yeah, I'm fine," Evian replied quickly, but Vax's expression told him he wasn't convincing anyone.
"You sure? You've been quiet. It's not like you," Vax pressed.
Evian took a deep breath, knowing he had to share what was bothering him. "It's just... I overheard something last night. About our parents and... Mira. I don't know who she is, but it seems important."
Vax raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Mira? Who is she? A friend of your parents?"
"I don't know. That's the thing. I've never heard of her before, but it sounds like she's connected to the royal family somehow," Evian explained, his voice lowering as if sharing a secret.
Vax look puzzling at Evian and he quickly in a low voice retold the things he had overheard and his thought about his parents.
"Maybe she's the reason they're so secretive about their past," Vax mused. "Do you think it has something to do with why they left Atmylon?"
Evian nodded. "It must. I mean, if they were part of the royal court, it makes sense that they wouldn't want us to know. But why?"
"I guess you'll have to ask them," Vax suggested. "Maybe it's not as bad as you think."
"Or maybe it's worse," Evian countered, his heart sinking. "What if they're hiding something dangerous?"
"Then we'll figure it out together," Vax said, determination flickering in his eyes. "It sounds like an exciting adventure."
Just then, the older man who had welcomed them earlier approached, interrupting their conversation. "Excuse me, young ones, but I couldn't help but overhear. You mentioned Mira and the royal family?"
Evian and Vax exchanged glances, surprised. "Um, yes," Evian replied cautiously. "Do you know her?"
The man nodded slowly, his expression growing serious. "I know Mira well but it is not often that her name is mentioned in these parts".
"Where did you hear her name?"
"I overheard some of the guards mentioning her name" Evian replied before Vax could tell the truth.
"Hmm. Well it is not a state secret so you might as well hear it now" the old man said while stroking a hand over his beard.
"Mira is the crown princess" he said flatly and continued
"She just turned 18 a few weeks ago so you'll all be meeting her at Selvin".
"What? We'll be classmates with a princess" Vax exclaimed.
"Yeah but mind you that Mira is a very common name for girls in the capital so there will be at least 20 Miras attending Selvin" the old man said.
"What does she look like?" Vax asked innocently.
"Only the royal family and the royal guards know. She is kept closely under watch in the palace for her own safety" the old man said.
All the youngsters looked at each other and started talking about how wonderful it must be to always have everything you'd want at you fingertips. Evian thought differently. He couldn't help but wonder how lonely it must be to be confined to such a degree.
"Well enough about that" the old man said and looked at the sky.
"Go to bed and get some sleep before we move out tomorrow"