at the moment, he could never forget what brought him this way in the first place. He had been called, and he could not stray from his path now. Cairn of Thermaye would have to gather the boy, Tomas, find Calyx and resume his mission. He had to reach Baladar as soon as he could and he still had a long and dangerous trail to follow. Now he would also have the welfare of a small boy to protect, an innocent lad, whose life had just been turned inside out, a life that he had just entered and one that he was now bound to forever, albeit, through a tragedy greater than any other he had probably yet experienced in his short lifetime.
Gathering his things from the cottage, he found his way through the bushes, back to the boy. He concentrated his thoughts upon Calyx, summoning him so that they could quickly inform Tomas of the new and harrowing circumstances and be on their way. As Cairn emerged from the trees and passed through the tall, green meadow grass, the beautiful Lalas once again in vivid sight before him, he observed the unmistakable motion of his companion bolting through the herbage to attend him. Almost simultaneously, he heard the distinct sound of a child humming, and only seconds later the air crackled in response.
Chapter Nine
Robyn dar Tamarand knew how to travel and how to do it quickly. He was by far one of the best horsemen in the city, and his horse Kraft, was among the finest in the land. Together, they would make the long journey from Concordia in the north west, southward to Baladar’s kingdom. Robyn always traveled without any other companions, entirely his own choice, so as not to frighten or confuse other humans who did not share his extraordinary abilities. He had few friends after all, and he had yet to meet anyone who measured up to his talents. He was anything but a fool, though, to assume that such a person did not exist. He had just not yet encountered him or her. That time would come, he knew, and he hoped that it would be under friendly circumstances.
As he slid down from the tree branch and bid a short and meaningful goodbye to Promanthea, certain that his soul-mate knew much more about where he was going and why than he had communicated to Robyn. But, he was also convinced that no amount of time or effort would serve to open the tree’s thoughts to his mind when it came to this matter. Robyn dar Tamarand realized when to expend his energy and when to conserve it. He was no common dolt. He would make his farewells, suffer the pangs of separation with grace and dignity as always, and move on. He knew that Promanthea would commune with him as soon as need required. In the meantime, he would get no more advice or help from him, of that he was certain.
Robyn signaled for Kraft and the big horse attended him immediately. Together, they returned to the castle so that Robyn could make the preparations necessary for the journey. He wished to bid farewell to his father, too, before setting off for the southern reaches, even though the Baron was well accustomed to his unannounced comings and goings. He felt compelled to say goodbye this time, as he truly knew not how long he would be gone, nor what was in store for him whence he arrived at his destination. He desired to see his father, to be in his presence once again, and to leave with the memory of his spirit and soul upon him. Robyn was a good son, not the careless narcissist that many people were led to believe he was.
“Your Lordship, your son returns,” Baron Calipee’s aide remarked, having spotted Robyn trotting lazily through the gates outside of the windows of the conference hall. “No doubt, he had a pleasant evening,” he commented with a knowing smirk on his face.
Ah, the indignities we have to endure to maintain this ruse , the Baron thought, hiding his eagerness to be with Robyn once again.
“No doubt, Dustin. No doubt. I only wish he would put as much energy into matters of state as he does into women and wine.”
“Do not
Gathering his things from the cottage, he found his way through the bushes, back to the boy. He concentrated his thoughts upon Calyx, summoning him so that they could quickly inform Tomas of the new and harrowing circumstances and be on their way. As Cairn emerged from the trees and passed through the tall, green meadow grass, the beautiful Lalas once again in vivid sight before him, he observed the unmistakable motion of his companion bolting through the herbage to attend him. Almost simultaneously, he heard the distinct sound of a child humming, and only seconds later the air crackled in response.
Chapter Nine
Robyn dar Tamarand knew how to travel and how to do it quickly. He was by far one of the best horsemen in the city, and his horse Kraft, was among the finest in the land. Together, they would make the long journey from Concordia in the north west, southward to Baladar’s kingdom. Robyn always traveled without any other companions, entirely his own choice, so as not to frighten or confuse other humans who did not share his extraordinary abilities. He had few friends after all, and he had yet to meet anyone who measured up to his talents. He was anything but a fool, though, to assume that such a person did not exist. He had just not yet encountered him or her. That time would come, he knew, and he hoped that it would be under friendly circumstances.
As he slid down from the tree branch and bid a short and meaningful goodbye to Promanthea, certain that his soul-mate knew much more about where he was going and why than he had communicated to Robyn. But, he was also convinced that no amount of time or effort would serve to open the tree’s thoughts to his mind when it came to this matter. Robyn dar Tamarand realized when to expend his energy and when to conserve it. He was no common dolt. He would make his farewells, suffer the pangs of separation with grace and dignity as always, and move on. He knew that Promanthea would commune with him as soon as need required. In the meantime, he would get no more advice or help from him, of that he was certain.
Robyn signaled for Kraft and the big horse attended him immediately. Together, they returned to the castle so that Robyn could make the preparations necessary for the journey. He wished to bid farewell to his father, too, before setting off for the southern reaches, even though the Baron was well accustomed to his unannounced comings and goings. He felt compelled to say goodbye this time, as he truly knew not how long he would be gone, nor what was in store for him whence he arrived at his destination. He desired to see his father, to be in his presence once again, and to leave with the memory of his spirit and soul upon him. Robyn was a good son, not the careless narcissist that many people were led to believe he was.
“Your Lordship, your son returns,” Baron Calipee’s aide remarked, having spotted Robyn trotting lazily through the gates outside of the windows of the conference hall. “No doubt, he had a pleasant evening,” he commented with a knowing smirk on his face.
Ah, the indignities we have to endure to maintain this ruse , the Baron thought, hiding his eagerness to be with Robyn once again.
“No doubt, Dustin. No doubt. I only wish he would put as much energy into matters of state as he does into women and wine.”
“Do not
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