Avra Stavros's Story

Aurel couldn't rest or more like something was preventing him from resting. It was only moments ago that Aurel was enveloped in silence, than the peace was quickly invaded by noise. Not noise one could hear with their ears or see with their eyes. No. It was the one you could feel with your gut, an impending noise that if not contained it cold cause much havoc. Maybe it was this that was causing him such disarray, such uneasiness in his mind.

A soft touch, almost like a feather, landed on his nose. In reaction he quickly twitched his noise and he heard a soft laughter. Slowly opening his eyes, Aurel locked his eyes with Aria’s own red orbs. His sharp gaze stared at hers for what seemed forever, but was only a few seconds. He quietly listened to his friend's voice, ”You are right Aria. Something is here. And just not in the clearing, but throughout the forest.” Reaching for his mask, Aurel put it back on. Silence once again returned until he spoke up, yet this time one could no longer see his expressions as the mask restricted their visibility.

He stood up and stared out toward the east, “But….someone has passed my illusions.” Aurel could feel Aria’s gaze on him and he turned to her, his expression soft behind the mask. ”Do not worry, it is just Argo and Rain.”

Aurel spoke cheerfully, though he had left out the small detail that they weren't alone. Though he knew Aria must have felt this as well, so he said nothing. Walking to the edge of the rooftop he swiftly jumped down onto a nearby branch. Once balanced he than preceded to the next and to the next until he had finally reached the bottom. He didn’t even have to glance behind him to see if Aria was there, as he could feel her soft footsteps following him with great ease.

About to exit the village, he paused at the sound of extra movement behind them, “What is wrong?” He saw that some of the villagers stood behind Aria and Aurel with grimaces on their faces. One of them spoke, a tall muscular man by the name of Decim, “Aurel! Why are you leaving the village?! Is something the matter?”

Aurel stared at them for a while before speaking in a calming voice, “Well…it seems Argo has brought back some new friends. So I was- “ Before he could finish Decim interrupted, “If it is new refugees why hasn’t she brought them here? Why has she kept them out of the village, if they are allies?!”

At this question Aurel looked straight at Decim, ”Do you…not believe in Argo or I?” At these words everyone froze saying nothing. A different kind of silence surrounded the area and everyone could feel it.

Quickly Aurel lightened the mood making everything seem as if it had only been a minor issue, “Well! Why don’t you come with us Decim? I would like for you to see our guest, and maybe if they see you they won’t be so uneasy."

Decim could sense the hint of teasing in Aurel’s tone but he only let out a simple sigh, “Of course. If you want me to than I will happily come, Aurel.” With those words Aurel, Aria, and Decim exited the village.

Arriving at the clearing Aurel spotted only one familiar face, which was Argo, quietly walking up to her he noticed that the others had their eyes on him. He lifted a finger to indicate them to stay silent. Standing behind Argo he spoke to her, “Argo you weren't being mean to our guest were you?” He said this in a playful tone as he knew Argo was not one to play around. She was a woman who got the job done without any unneeded attachments. So if that meant the people who she helps doesn’t like her, oh well.

Aurel was now crisscrossed on the ground examining the four new intruders. Was that a harsh word? Well, that was what Aurel thought of them, and he was doubtful he wold change it anytime soon. “Well isn’t this a surprise. When you told me you had some new faces…I didn’t expect them to look so…interseting.” He couldn't help but let out a light laugh at the expressions of the four. But than he stopped and looked at them. The air turning sort of serious.

“Well, to be honest I don’t quite understand all this either. All I know is what Rain has given me. He told me that five people need my help. But…” Glancing around Aurel surveyed the surrounding area, “It seems neither he nor our fifth guest has arrived. Oh well…I guess I can introduce myself in the meantime.”

He stood up with ease and bowed at the four, “Hello, it is nice to meet everyone. My name is Odysseus Aurelius, but you can call me Aurel.” Pointing his finger behind him he introduced the others, ”The one with the doubtful expression is Decim, Decim Titian. And the other one is Ariadnê Spyros, but we all call her Aria. And it seems you already meet Argo.”

He glanced over at Argo, than back at the guest, ”It seems you have a lot of questions and not a lot of information, though until a certain person arrives I can’t tell you much.” He said this in apologetic tone. Suddenly he heard the crunching of twigs and maybe Decim heard it as well as he stood in attention with his weapon readied. Though he slowly lessened his grip once he saw who it was. You could see Aurel's mannerism change, happily welcoming the visitor, “You’re finally here Rain! I was wondering how long you were going to be.” Seating himself back down, Aurel let the side of his face lean on his fist. He waited patiently for Rain to draw closer so he could explain all the commotion.

Aurel was at a loss for words, which, if you knew Aurel, that rarely occurred. He always had an idea or something to comment on, but this time he was clueless, or maybe a better word would be cautious.

He silently gazed at the people who Rain stated held Original seeds. Such a rare thing, and if true it could only come from no other than it. Aurel felt the eyes of the strangers bouncing back and forth from him to Rain, trying to understand all this vague information.

Standing up Aurel faced Rain, his usual happy demeanor overlapped by a very serious air, "The Tree..." He didn't even have to wait for a reply as all his questions were answered by Rain's stone cold expression. Aurel turned to face Aria who looked just as worried as him, if one could see his face.

A small sigh escaped from behind his mask. One could feel how heavy it was, as if a huge burden had just landed on the man's shoulders. It could be interpreted for the fact he had just gained new people to take care of, but that wasn't it. No, what worried him wasn't them. It whats inside of them, its because they have Original seeds, and that in itself is a huge deal.

The man seemed to be pondering very deeply about the whole matter, "Rain..." Aurel's voice still remained in its unusual serious tone, which commanded the attention of everyone, "You know I trust your decisions...but..." He stared at the five one by one, "Originals...and on top of that they are wanted by the King..."

Aurel knew Rain would have never came to him if it wasn't extremely important. So all he could do was hear him out on this. He would never bring them here if he didn't believe they would be safe, "Okay Rain... They can stay with us."

At hearing this Decim spoke out, "What?! Aurel, you can't be serious?!" Aurel tilted his head, "Of course I am. Why wouldn't I be?"

Decim hit his palm against his forehead, "Didn't you just hear what that man just said?! You even said it! The KING is after them! The King! And lets not leave out yet another important fact. If the citizens learn who she is, they would definitely not approve."

He didn't even try to hide who he was talking about as he stared dead at the girl beside Rain, "Isn't she the King's daughter?!" Decim had only vaguely worked inside the Palace near the King, though he had seen her only a few times he had come to know who she was by the gossiping inside the Palace walls.

Aurel nodded slowly, "Hmmm, you are right. I guess we are gonna have to make sure no one figures it out. Right?" Aurel was staring Decim straight in the face, and this made Decim avoid the masked man, "Right...Aurel." You could only guess that Aurel was smiling brightly behind his mask.

Finally having the situation settled, sort of, the masked man nodded at everyone, "Now that everything is settled. You five are now under the protection of the people of Ankáthia, or what the people of the Kingdom call us, The Outsiders. I hope you five can come to trust us, even if it is only a little."

Pausing he looked up at the sun for a moment, "We must get going before darkness hits, and since we have five travels unfamiliar with the terrain, it might take us a little longer to reach the village."

Aurel let out a light laugh, "But do not worry I will teach you five how to maneuver through the forest later, also since I now understand the situation and it seems some of you want answers as soon as possible, once we get you all situated I will answer all your questions."

Believing he had said everything on his mind he started walking off but than suddenly stopped, "Oh! And don't lag too far behind me, because if you do, the forest will eat you." As Aurel said this the forest around them started to slowly grow closer towards them, and the clearing they were once in little by little began to disappear. The small rays of light that provided them with warmth and everything else was disbursing as if it was only an illusion. Without waiting for an answer he continued to walk.