Secret of the Mystic

The songs of memories blew softly across the emerald blades, caressing the hearts of those who held them still. The mist grew heavy amongst the evening sky, reflecting the essence of a setting sun against the north. Soon, the mist would shed the love and sorrow for the early passing of a young warrior, falling with the dew that drifts down from the mountains’ great pinnacles.

There in the valley, just south of Felwren, the hwervag tribe gathered to place one of their youngest back into the cordial earth, from which all things were created in the beginning. The mystics watched in their distinctive silence, their kind leader still in wordless prayer. He listened with deep sympathy to the Healer’s melancholy speech, feeling the lamented energies of the mourning creatures around him, a soft and desolate requiem for their loved one.

As the last words were spoken, the casket placed tenderly into its eternal peace, they gave Faron their final adieu by dropping the white flowers they held into the grave. Once covered, soft petals of lavender were spread across the fresh earth, a stone of quartz placed at the head to forever mark his remembrance.

The mystics waited at the northern edge of the village for their leader, their faces again concealed in shadow from their cloaks. Raz smiled softly at his warriors of legend, strands of his scarlet hair falling into his eyes, searching through his endless thoughts for the words to say farewell to them.

“It has been wonderful having met you both, and to travel with you as well... Something I had been waiting a very long time to do, you know. You are just as I always expected you would be.”

Aniki smiled shyly. “I hope that is a good thing.”

“Of course.” The Mystic chuckled. “I had hoped to have more time with you, however I must go. This village is quite far from our castle... Hm, but I know our paths shall cross again one day, our destinies are entwined after all.”

Tai frowned. “Do you really have to leave, Raz?”

He pondered for a short moment. “I am afraid I must. There is much that I must do. So, I must bid you farewell my young friends.”

Tai nodded with a sigh. “Good bye Raz. I hope you’re right, that we will see one another again.”

The Mystic nodded and smiled, then pulled the hood of his cloak over his head, forcing his wise, young features into shadow once again. As he turned to leave, he paused. “Tai... Never fear an end, for a new beginning is soon to follow in the footsteps of what was to what is, and shall lead you on to what shall be.”

Tai smiled at this odd creature, one that he never expected to claim as a companion, as he led his family north out of the village and into the mists of commencement…