The Runes

Alvaro's expression can no longer be painted as she stared at the audacious snoring girl while Elderifrey temporarily exited the room to get another book. He was disgusted by the clear liquid streaming out of her cheeks from her open mouth. Alvaro could no longer contain himself and rose to his feet, grabbing a thick old book and making his way slowly towards Gala.

He hit the back of her head with the book hard enough for Gala to whimper softly. "Good, you're now awake."

Gala could not believe the man's impertinence. "Dear heavens, your way of waking people up is straight up rude and brutal." Gala complained as she massaged the back of her head and yawned in front of him.

Alvaro crossed his arms on his chest, looking down at the glaring girl. "Coming from someone who was sleeping in the middle of her lesson. The next time I catch you napping again, I will not hesitate to pour cold water on you." Alvaro scolded Gala, whose lips curved downwards.

Gala's face was scowling. "It's been a week, and all I've done is study the history of your land." She grumbled. "How the kingdom was founded; who were the first king and queen of Aelfrey, blah... blah... blah. What does history have to do with being a whisperer? You can just tell me what to do."

Gala realized that she had spent her entire life confined to the four walls of their house and, on rare occasions, the town when her mother would take her with her to buy their necessities. Aside from that, none. She only knows three places, basically all her life: her house, the town, and the forest near their home.

She didn't recall being entrusted with serious matters at home; the only noteworthy thing she ever did was keep an eye out for a clay tea pot in front of their fireplace and fill their massive water bucket with water. Aelfrey made her realize how much she desired to do something daring and to be entrusted with something of great significance. Gala felt guilty because, as the day passes and the more time she spends on this magical land, the thought of missing home wanes.

"You think of our history so lightly, Gala."

"You're mistaken. I think your history is fantastic, but spending a week reading about one topic bores me. I am an avid reader myself, but history really drains my energy. Why don't you suggest to Elderifrey that I test myself to see if I can awaken another gift?" Gala wiggled her brows and smiled impishly. "Perhaps throw me off a cliff? Maybe wings will grow on my back," she said childishly, clearly excited about what she was imagining at the time.

When Gala catches a glimpse of Alvaro's brooding expression, she stops with her childish remarks. "Fine." Gala finally surrendered as she rebelliously slumped down in her chair.

Elderifrey eventually emerged from behind the closed door. A massive leather-bound book with gold bandings was clasped beneath her arms. Gala gleamed with delight at the object Elderifrey was carrying; she could tell it was special.

Elderifrey cast a doubtful glance at Alvaro, who stood next to Gala. "Oh, Elderifrey, I was just having a word with Gala," Alvaro explained as he returned to his seat, a few feet behind Gala.

Gala slouched back in her seat with a bored expression as Elderifrey settled into a chair in front of her as she carefully put down the book on the table in front of her. Gala's interest was piqued by the foreign transcripts on the book cover. "Whoa. What's this?"

"A book." Elderifrey sarcastically answered.

Gala frowned. "I know, what I mean is, what's this book for?" she still asked politely.

Eldrifrey took her time before glancing at Gala. She was busy flipping the pages of the other book she had on the table. "That is Aelfrey's most important book, Duræn; it contains Aelfrey's true history as well as some hidden oracles."

Gala's right brow rose in curiosity. "Hidden oracles?"

"Yes, we can only read a few pages of this book because the majority of the pages were transcribed with ancient runes that we can't read. The first whisperer chosen by Dylareia was the one who wrote the book," Elderifrey explained, her beady eyes fixed on a map she was inspecting.

Gala was all ears to Elderifrey's explanation, too immersed in the topic at hand. "So, how do you all know that those pages were hidden oracles?"

Elderifrey was beaming with pride. "I see you're interested in the subject." Gala smiled dryly as she moved closer to the table. Elderifrey continued. "Well, it was a known myth in Aelfrey that the runed pages are about an Aelfrey prophecy, but no one really knows." Elderifrey handed Gala an old parchment, which Gala took absentmindedly. "It was a belief that was passed down through generations."

Gala was just bopping her head in agreement while her fingers were on her chin. "I don't know, but it could also contain a crucial point in the past, unbeknownst to your kind; in fact, these pages can contain both the past and the future," Gala said, her mind wandering.

Elderifrey was deep in thought about what Gala had just said. It does really make sense, and she won't be surprised if there's any truth to her words. "In any case, keep that map I gave you and memorize every location on it." You will be needing that once your gift for connecting with nature directly awakens."

Gala slid the parchment underneath her robe and stared at the book. "You seemed to be so sure that I am a Whisperer, aren't you skeptical?" Gala blinked and turned to Elderifrey.

"About what?"

A faint smile laced with a subtle sadness and frustration appeared on the girl's face. "About me? About being a whisperer despite being a human. What if?" Gala paused. She looked down at her toes. "What if I don't meet your expectations? What if I fail?" The last words were no longer audible, but Elderifrey and Alvaro picked up on it.

"What if you don't?" Elderifrey asked Gala back. Gala stared at the elder faye, feeling a lump in her throat. The elder faye rose up from her chair and went towards the large window, and was disheartened at the desolate land in front of her. "Nothing will happen Gala, if we just focus on these what ifs. It will only drain our energy. After all, only time can tell if you're indeed a whisperer, if you're going to fail or succeed, and if Aelfrey will survive."

Elderifrey went back to her seat and settled onto it. "If you think you will fail because you're a human, scratch that thought, Gala. All of us have our innate strength within us, regardless of which kind we come from."

The girl's face gradually brightened with a smile. "Thank you, Elderifrey," Gala said, feeling much lighter this time. Although she still felt fear, insecurity, and frustration, Elderifrey's soothing words were enough to keep these negative emotions at bay.

Gala's attention shifted to the book. "So, why did you bring Duræn with you here?", she asked.

Elderifrey chuckled at Gala's rapid emotional shifts. She took the book from the table and handed it to her. "Well, I was hoping you had the ability to read the runes."

Gala's eyes bulged with excitement as she swiftly grabbed the book from Elderifrey's hands. "You're kidding me!"

Elderifrey can't help but smile at how Gala looks so giddy while staring at the front cover of the book. Her hands traced the gold bandings along its spine. The elder faye didn't know, but she saw a spark in the human the first time she saw her. Indeed, there might be a possibility that she might not be a whisperer, but she knows that Gala is special.

Gala traced the cover's engraved golden runes. The runes stood out against the crimson color of the leather.

Gala is enveloped in a hypnotic state, her heart racing erratically in anticipation as she finally opens the Duraen. The rough old parchment feels strangely comfortable against her skin.

Gala stared at the runes on the pages, trying to decipher them. The runes were lined vertically on the parchment, their ink slowly fading. Gala is not sure if there are missing strokes on the runes. Frustrated, she moved her eyes closer to the parchment and closed her eyes dreadfully, trying to feel anything deep in her.

She hollered and puts the book down in her lap. Nothing's happening.

She gave Elderifrey and Alvaro disappointed smile for failing to decrypt the cryptic messages of these runes.

"I'm sorry but I don't feel anything, I'm afraid I can't decipher them."

Elderifrey just shrugged her shoulders and smiled as if what Gala said was just nothing. "Take your time, Gala. Don't expect that your gifts will come anytime you want. I'll let you keep Duræn but promise me, you will take care of them or else the Majesty will definitely take both of our lives."

Hearing what the elder faye just said, Gala rushed towards the faye and hugged her. "Thank you; I promise to do my best to extract any gist from this book."

It wasn't long before a visibly distressed Deviro barged in through the door, panting and sweating profusely. He bends near the door, his arms on his knees, taking in breaths at the same time.

"What's wrong, Deviro?" Alvaro inquired, his voice tinged with concern.

"Can't tell, but the Majesty has asked for you, Elderifrey, and Gala," Deviro replied, taking his time to compose himself.

The three of them were staring at each other. Each was bothered for different reasons.

"But I heard, that the king will send you three to the mountains of Spîcolion."

"What?" Both Elderifrey and Alvaro answered at the same time. To say that they were both in shock is an understatement, seeing the expressions on their faces. Gala, on the other hand, who has no idea what they're talking about, can only blink nonchalantly, but sensing that they're going on an adventure makes her all giddy deep within.