The forest gradually thinned. The trees, previously a dense, menacing mass, now stood farther apart, their crowns allowing scattered rays of sunlight to penetrate the canopy. The undergrowth was no longer as thick, the ground no longer so littered with roots and underbrush. Seth and Eldric slowed their pace, their breathing grew calmer, the panicked hammering of their hearts gradually subsided. The immediate danger that had chased them through the forest like an invisible predator seemed to have dissipated.
"We should take a break," Eldric gasped, his voice hoarse and brittle. "I can't go on anymore."
Seth nodded, his eyes still darting through the undergrowth, ever vigilant for potential threats. He, too, felt the exhaustion that lay like a leaden cloak over his limbs. Every muscle ached, every step was agony. They sat down at the foot of a mighty oak, its gnarled bark bearing witness to countless years and storms. They leaned against the rough trunk, which offered them support and a deceptive sense of security, and closed their eyes.
The silence of the forest enveloped them, a soothing silence broken only by the chirping of birds and the rustling of leaves in the wind. Seth listened to the calming sounds of nature, trying to banish the images of horror that had been burned into his memory. The fire, the screams, the wolf – memories that haunted him like a nightmare.
But the fear remained, a gnawing feeling in the background, a constant threat that wouldn't let go. They were still on the run, alone and defenseless in a hostile world. Where should they go? What would become of them? Seth felt the responsibility for Eldric, who had entrusted himself to him. He had to be strong, for himself and for his friend."Seth," Eldric said suddenly, his voice still strained from the exertion. "What was that with the wolf? How did you do that?"
Seth shrugged, unsure how to explain the inexplicable. "I don't know," he replied honestly. "I just... felt the energy flowing out of me. Like a... like a lightning bolt."
Eldric stared at him with wide eyes, a mixture of awe and disbelief in his gaze. "You have magical powers," he whispered reverently.Seth shook his head, trying to suppress the burgeoning hope. "No, that can't be. Magic only exists in stories."
"But you drove away the wolf with a beam of light! That was magic!" Eldric insisted.Seth fell silent. He couldn't refute Eldric's argument. What if he really did have magical powers? Where did they come from? What did it mean for him? Was it a curse or a blessing? A burden or an opportunity?Suddenly, they heard a sound, a faint creak in the distance, breaking the silence of the forest. They spun around, looked around, searching for the source of the sound. There it was again, louder this time, closer. It sounded like... a wagon?
Indeed, between the trees they saw a wagon appear, drawn by two strong horses. The wagon was covered with a tarpaulin, and on the coach box sat a figure they could not make out.
The wagon stopped in front of them. The figure on the coach box jumped down and came towards them. It was a man, tall and strong, with a weather-beaten face and friendly eyes. He wore simple clothes made of linen and leather, and a sword hung from his belt.
"Greetings," the man said in a deep voice. "I am Theron. What are you doing alone in the forest?"
Seth exchanged an uncertain glance. Should they trust this stranger? He seemed friendly, but you never knew. In these times, distrust was often the better choice."We are... we ran away," Seth finally stammered, unsure how much to tell this stranger."Ran away? From what?"Seth hesitated. He didn't want to tell this man about the Kik attack, about his magical powers. What if he didn't believe them? What if he thought they were crazy? What if he betrayed them to the Kik?
"We... we got lost," he lied, hoping Theron would believe him.Theron studied them intently, his gaze sharp and penetrating. He didn't seem to entirely believe them, but he didn't press the matter further. "Well," he said, "then you've come to the right place. I'm on my way to Argovarn. You'll surely find refuge there.""Argovarn?" Eldric asked. "What's that?"
"Argovarn is a school," Theron explained. "A school for magic."