The Arcane Odyssey

"What is my purpose, mama?" Little Ealdred chimed, tugging the hem of his mother's skirt. She looked down at him with a full on glee. Walking out of the kitchen into the living room.

" You tell me Ealdred, what do you think it is?" She faced him and patted his head. She took him into her arms, plopped down in the couch with him now in her laps, enjoying her cradle.

" I don't know mama, can I be like you?"

" Like me?"

" Yes. You make healing soups for Mrs Noora down the street, you love healing the people of Eldrithia and you make me so happy." He mused, with a giggle.

" I make you happy? " Erin mumbled.

" Yes. Yes. Mama, it's like what they call uhmm… uhmm. Destiny."

Erin burst into laughter at her son's silliness. " Destiny? Why do you think making you happy is my destiny?

" Because you're always with me, Mama."

Always.

Always.

The word rang through Ealdred's head like the jingles of shackles on a captured leg. Nothing else mattered, his heart ever punctured at the memories of the only person that he thought eternity was possible with. The one he thought was his destiny.

Sitting by the bonfire and staring at it with a frown, anger spreading in his heart at the sight of the flames going up, reaching out for a victim it will consume in its blaze. He waved his hand in anger and ceased the fire, but not completely as the smoke from it still hung out like a demon escaping a soul. He wasn't going for that.

These stupid powers. He thought, letting out a sigh.

" You know we do need that fire for the night." Thorn deadpanned.

" It's annoying." Ealdred confessed, turning his head towards Thorn. His blonde hair packed up in a bun, and glittering with the moonlighting. His stubble beard online, his perfect jaw and tan skin complimenting his green.

" Remember what the master said, you have to tune that anger down if we're going to get to our destination safely and find answers."

" How are we ever gonna find what we are looking for? We have no idea what it is." Ealdred fumed.

" It would be hard, yes. But it would be easier if you calm down and think, Ealdred. "

" I can't," Ealdred snapped, " I'm struggling right now, my thoughts are all over the place. I don't understand what I have to do. What is supposed to help me? I just wanna go back to when she was here."

Thorn then stared at Ealdred with concern. He could only imagine the confusion Ealdred faced. Only seventeen and already left with a heavy burden. Losing his mother was a shatter to five years old Ealdred, surviving alone didn't help him to heal. He constantly blamed himself for her demise. Never forgiving himself. After the master took Ealdred in, he manifested his first sign of a great gift, one that was set to change his life forever and there he met Thorn.

Growing up together with Thorn three years older than Ealdred, the two grew as siblings. Despite the training of the master, Ealdred never grew to harness his power fully. The master sought to discover the reason for the error, only to find out Ealdred was part of a great prophecy. A prophecy that would determine the destruction and saving of Eldrithia Kingdom, all resting on the shoulders of Ealdred.

So yeah, his life wasn't all roses.

" You miss her, don't you?" Thorn reasoned out loud.

Ealdred's eyes darted to the ground, growing sudden interest in the fallen leaves and sands that danced in his fingers as he rolled them there.

" I just don't understand, why? Nothing.."

He paused in his speech at the crackle of dry leaves a few distance away. He dashed to his feet, glanced at Thorn with an eye raised in curiosity.

" Could be an animal," Thorn suggested, judging his shoulders out of obliviousness.

" It can't be, I enchanted a boundary around us." Ealdred defended.

" And you didn't tell me?" Thorn whined holding onto his chest feigning a broken heart.

" You don't like it. That's why I never told you. You keep blabbing about protecting me with your life, guess I'm not ready for you to die yet." Ealdred retorted. Embarrassed by his little confession of care towards Thorn he walked over to the direction of the sound, eyes darting around the dry woods filled with trees that ran down miles. He found nothing, and with the glowing of the moonlight causing a clear vision of the night he was sure saw nothing.

He gave up the search, turning towards their sitting point. Thorn hadn't moved an inch in an attempt for the search. Ealdred raised his hands in exasperation.

" What? I told you there was nothing there. You never believed me." He gleed.

" At least get the fire back up, idiot."

" Ever heard of taking responsibility of your actions Eally?"

Ealdred grimaced, " do not call me or I'll…"

He was paused in his speech again, this time by the weight of something big falling on top of his head and knocking down on his butt. Hands grabbed his face, and he heard a soft " ouch." But that wasn't from him, now was it? He felt the soft hair of whatever it was, swept his face like the embrace of the wind and the hair fragrance was enchanting. His subtle delve into the land of bliss was cut short as he got a fast kick to the thighs, waking him up from the night dream. He raised himself from the ground with his hand pushing him upwards, turning swiftly to check what had caused him a great fall.

His eyes popped out in awe as he stared at the most beautiful woman he had set his eyes on. He couldn't pick out the color of her hair, since it shone a stride of blue and a fierce ebony. Eyes as hazel as the fire that burns only the soul. Slender body engulfed in the tight leather gear she had on her. She looked like a warrior and someone who would beat the shit out of him if they ever got into a fight.

" Woah. Who are you, beautiful?" Thorn mumbled, finally making his way towards them.

He was definitely a woman - driven man, if that was even a thing.

" Do not call me or I'll knock your teeths out and sell' em off at a gamble." The girl threatened.

" You're a fiesty one." Thorn complimented. Giving Ealdred a wink, that said ' I like this one." Ealdred rolled his eyes at Thorns mischief, curiosity plagued his mind as he stared at the girl before him, petite but strong. Smart mouth, he had noticed she had. That means he was right, it was not just an animal. The barrier was supposed to keep everyone out, and he had made sure there was no one around before he made the barrier, only someone with his kind of powers could disrupt the barrier, that meant the girl was no ordinary girl.

It clicked.

The girl turned away with the intention of leaving and Ealdred hands moved before his brain as he rushed in to stop her from leaving, grabbing her hands. Her eyes popped up at Ealdred action and he saw the fear that ran through.