16 A Mother's Secret

  Anna's return fills the village with gratefulness. They all kowtow towards the hill and their guardian spirit. No one can believe this miracle. They were sure Anna would die just yesterday, and now she is walking down the hill by herself.

  Franklin is the first to rush to his mom hugging her. Anna winces as her arm shoots with pain.

  "Your arm is still hurt?" Franklin asks worriedly.

  Anna smiles at her son and pats his head with her healthy left arm. "Don't worry. I'm sure it will be better soon."

  Arron walks over with a huge smile, "I'm glad you're back with us."

  "Thanks," she says with a nod and a slight smile.

  As more are about to rush over, Gregory steps up. "It's getting late, and she was just healed. Let's at least give her a night to rest."

  Laurel starts to run over anyways, but Mellisa firmly grips the girl's hand. "Now, honey, you heard Gregory. You can apologize tomorrow," Mellisa says, although, in her heart, she thinks it was all that Franklin's fault. It did no good to bring up the grievance now.

  "But mother," Laurel whines as she is dragged off.

  "Let's go home," Anna says to Franklin.

  With that, everyone disperses returning to their hovels to rest for the night. Franklin worries the whole way back, asking over and over whether she is alright. Arron watches over them from a distance making sure they make it home.

  "Stop fussing I've told you a hundred times that I'm perfectly healthy!" Anna scolds Franklin with a frown.

  "I know, but you were so hurt..." Franklin pouts while looking at his feet.

  Anna sighs and cups her son's face with her left hand. "I know you're worried, But I can tell you haven't slept, and you've been crying. Let your eyes rest and go to sleep. I'll be here in the morning just like always."

  The boy hesitates but then slowly nods his head and goes to his makeshift bed. Though he is reluctant, his eyes can't stay open a moment longer. Anna watches as the boy falls asleep. Even while sleeping, Franklin's forehead remains scrunched with worry.

  Anna begins to shift his hair, gently caressing the boy with love. Franklin quickly falls asleep feeling safe with his mother at his side. When Anna sees her son peacefully sleeping, her eyes burn fiery with passion. Her face contorts with hate as she began to sing a strange lullaby.

"Hold, hold, ye sons and daughters, though the lines have shattered n' despair abound.

Why must thy slumber for traitors and bastards whilst your decedents are battered and broken?

Fight, fight, all you descendants though the war horns fall silent n' destinies broken.

Why must thy slumber for traitors and bastards whilst your decedents are scattered and lost?

Charge, charge, filial warriors though your stamina exhausted n' no allies are found.

Why must thy slumber for traitors and bastards whilst your decedents are crying and wailing?

Hasten, hasten, all the survivors though the seal is still yonder n' hope has been lost.

Why must thy slumber for traitors and bastards whilst your decedents are fearful and haggard?

Woe, woe, for our enemies though the field has been taken n' your enemies flatten.

Why must thy slumber for traitors and bastards whilst your body still healthy and life hasn't left you?"

  Upon the hill, John is watching the son and mother duo. When he hears the song, his leaves shudder. "Who would have thought I would meet a Lamenter here," John Sighs to himself with memories of his past life flying by. "To think there are still survivors!" He exclaims with mixed emotions.

  Back in the hovel, Anna turns to her bed with deviant eyes. Slowly she crawls into bed while trying to keep her right arm comfortable. After having some issues getting her arm in a good position, she too drifts off to sleep.

  In Anna's dream, she sees an old man standing there as if waiting for a guest. "I thought you might show up," She says with a rye smile.

  "Indeed, I was quite surprised by your feat the other day." He says with a kind smile with a wave of his hand, a cozy table and chairs appear. "Here, why don't we sit and have a chat."

  Anna hesitates a bit nervously, chewing her cheek. However, what can she do? Shaking her head, she takes a seat opposite the old man. "What does a master such as yourself, wish to talk to a nobody like me about?" she asks, smiling.

  John can't help but laugh, "Can't an old man have a chat with a young lady without ulterior motives you wound me."

  Frowning, Anna responds, "I know you are helping my son, and for that, I'm thankful. But I don't see any reason to beat around the bush." Anna's forehead is covered in sweat as she slams her hand on the table. "I don't understand why you tease me like this!" She yells as her nerves brake.

  John shakes his head with a bright smile he lifts his hands in a calming manner. "There's no need to be so worried. I'm not someone who holds a grudge," he replies, motioning for her to sit back down. "Now, calm yourself."

  "Look, if you're going to kill me, go ahead. Just leave my boy alone. He knows nothing!" Anna retorts, refusing to sit. She swallows hard and continues, "still, I must thank you for letting me see my boy one last time."

  John's eyebrow raises as he counters, "Didn't you promise the boy to be there when he wakes up? I don't plan to make you a liar." With a light tap on the table, he continues, "as for healing you. I just helped a bit by stimulating your natural healing with the energy on the hill. It's not even worth mentioning." He finishes with a wave of his hands, showing he doesn't think anything of it.

  Anna deflates, falling on to her chair.

  John nods happily and says, "that's better now. To think I'd meet someone from the illustrious Emerald family out here." Then with a slight smile, he states, "a Lamenter no less."

  Anna feels a shiver run down her back. "Did you get close to my son because you knew?"

  "Nope, I'm just a long-dead guy who heard a boy proclaiming he'd become strong," John explains while Leaning back in his chair. He rubs his chin, musing, "it's quite dull being dead. Not much to do, you know? So I just thought it'd be fun to teach him a few things. Perhaps if he shows talent, I'll even bestow a simple cultivation technique."

  "Do you think he can become powerful like you?" Anna asks in excitement, fire returning to her eyes.

  John rubs his nose in embarrassment. "Even if you say it like that, being as powerful as me is nothing. Alas, he is too old. Unless his talent reaches the heavens, he'll never catch up to the geniuses that start at five." Anna's heart hurts upon hearing the news slouching back into her chair.

  "You don't hope to get your son to soar the heavens and take up the torch, do you?" John's eyes gleam, looking at Anna as if he can see through her.

  "It's too bad. By the time you have the fire for it. Your potential is used up." She says with a sigh. "I too was like my son, living a carefree life before everything was turned upside down."