The First Well Chapter Four

Okay, and here we are with the next chapter! Within a week of the last chapter! Yay! Okay, so with Artham point of view, and Kalmar is next chapter so….you’ll get some answers then

Artham moaned. His feet ached. Rain pelted his back, and his hair fell in raggedy clumps in front of his face.

He hadn’t found his family. All he had found were cuts, scrapes, bruises, and berries. Well, he had to eat something.

Finally, after ages of walking, he found a place of shelter. A tree. There was no lightning, so it appeared safe enough.

Scrambling up, he sat on a thick branch and began eating his berries, trying to think of nothing. He knew just stressing about trying to find his family would not help very much. But those thoughts of whispered failure kept flooding his mind.

He sighed and looked at the stars, shining brightly. He closed his eyes and rested, intending to fall asleep. But as soon as his eyes drooped shut, he heard a soft melody on the wind, and looked up.

“Leeli!”

No answer, the music just grew louder and then he realized. This was a vision. He paused everything, even breathing.

Images rolled in front of his face. He saw Leeli strumming on her whistleharp and Nia in the distance. He saw Kalmar lying flat on his back, forehead bleeding, hands tied up, and Artham’s red flag went up. But when he saw a graceful hand take a rag and dab the wound gently, he relaxed a little. There was something familiar in that gesture. Then he began to see the person who was helping Kalmar. He couldn’t clearly see her face, but sensed her nervousness, and then she vanished. As the vision slowly began to fade, he heard a low moan, and a soft, but terrifying voice whisper, “I knew I’d see you again.”

At that voice he shrieked and started back, almost falling out of the tree. He hadn’t noticed, but the rain had ceased and and now the skies were clear.

He looked to the right of him and saw a large stone castle that made him shudder. Throg was still up.

“B-But’s it abandoned. She-she can’t come near anymore,” he whispered frantically. 

Something made him look over again, and he saw smoke coming from that direction. Was there a fire? He stood up, but saw nothing. He didn’t smell anything either, and wouldn’t the rain have put out the fire…..unless someone started it?

A chill ran up his spine, and one thought pounded his brain.

Is she back?

He didn’t want to know. He had to find Kalmar. Right? He was the Throne Warden. He had to protect his king.

“Then go there,” a soft voice whispered. He jumped. Then he stopped. He knew where the voice came from. He relaxed a moment then tensed up.

The Voice said to go…so was Kalmar in Throg?

But Kalmar wasn’t really his king. Esben was…………then was Esben alive?

His heart sank to his heels and guilt settled in. Had he somehow survived? That was impossible! Though nothing was impossible with the Maker. But maybe if he was alive Artham could finally make up for his mistake!

He stood a little taller and shook his wings to dry them.

“I will go, and not leave this time,” he said in a quavering voice. The Blackwood was terrifying yes, but Throg?

“Only You can help me through that mess,” he whispered. Then he spread his wings, ran off the branch, and started flying in the direction of Throg.

Were you expecting a trip to Throg? 😌