CHAPTER 47: SUCH ILL FATE

Aeron was deep in sleep when it began.

At first, it was faint, a distant noise. But then it grew. Voices. Screams. The cries of men, women, and children all mixed together in a terrible chorus. He could hear feet pounding against the ground, people running for their lives. Somewhere far away, he heard wood breaking and cracking. The sound of fire filled the air, and the smell of smoke and burning flesh seemed to stick to his skin, even though it was only a dream.

In the dream, he found himself walking toward the chaos, even though every part of him wanted to turn away.

The closer he got, the louder it became, screams turned into painful cries, and the fire roared so loud it was all he could hear.

His chest felt tight, and it was hard to breathe.

Suddenly, he woke up.

Aeron sat upright, his heart was pounding in his ears. Sweat covered him from head to toe. He sat there for a moment, breathing hard, and trying to convince himself it was just a dream. But something about it felt different... heavier. He could not remember the last time he had dreamed, and never had it been something so vivid, so real, so full of terror.

He rubbed his face with his hands, still catching his breath, trying to calm the rapid beating of his heart.

That’s when he heard it, soft voices outside the door.

At first, he thought he was imagining it, but then it came again: muffled words, serious and low. Slowly, he got out of bed and padded across the room. He stopped by the doorway and saw his mother standing just outside, her back to him, speaking to someone hidden from view.

Her voice was tight, as though she was forcing it to stay calm. "What if he left? What if he moved to somewhere far away, somewhere distant, where no one could find him? Could it be avoided then?"

A deep, familiar voice replied. "Such a destiny is not one to run away from. You have run long enough."

Aeron froze. He knew that voice.

"Varek," he said under his breath.

He stepped closer, out of the doorway. "What do you mean I have to leave?" Aeron said suddenly, startling them both. "I’m not running away, and I’m not leaving you." His eyes went to his mother, but then shifted to the tall figure of Varek standing outside.

Varek looked at him with that steady, unshaken gaze. "I thought you wouldn’t be moving until a few more days," Aeron said. "And here you are, in just two days, still fussing over me."

Varek’s mouth curved into the faintest hint of a smile. "I’ve had worse wounds than this in battle, boy. This was nothing. Not compared to the matter we face now. I can’t lie in bed while the threat grows stronger."

Aeron crossed his arms. "And what? You want me to disappear? To hide while others fight?"

"If disappearing is the only way to protect you, yes," Varek replied without hesitation.

"Well, I cannot do that," Aeron shot back. "There must be some other way."

Varek’s eyes narrowed. "And if there isn’t?"

Aeron’s jaw tightened. "Then I’ll make one. There’s always a choice. You’re the one who told me that."

"..."

The sound of hooves suddenly broke the tense silence between Aeron and Varek.

They both turned toward the road and saw a dark horse stop quickly in front of the house..

The rider jumped off in one swift move, it was Nyella.

Her hair was messy from the wind, her cheeks were red, and she was breathing hard.

She had clearly ridden fast to get there.

"Nyella?" Aeron stepped forward, surprised. "What’s wrong?"

She didn’t answer right away. She was bent over slightly, one hand on her knee, trying to catch her breath. Her eyes shifted from Aeron to Varek, and there was almost fear in them.

"There’s trouble," she finally managed to say. Her voice was tight. "Big trouble."

Varek was already walking toward her. "Easy," he said, raising a hand. "Calm yourself first. Breathe in."

Nyella obeyed, inhaling deeply, then slowly letting it out, though some of the tension left her shoulders,

"Alright," Varek said firmly. "Tell us."

"They... they went to the palace."

Aeron frowned. "Who?"

Nyella hesitated only a moment before saying it: "The Ashantis."

Both Aeron and Varek’s eyes widened. "What?!" they exclaimed in unison.

"How?" Aeron demanded. "Why would they?"

Varek cut in. "That has never happened before. Not once in all these years. Why now?"

"I don’t know," Nyella admitted, shaking her head quickly. "But I know this, they asked the king for permission to hunt you down." She looked straight at Aeron as she said it.

Aeron’s stomach dropped. "And... what did the king say?" Varek asked.

Nyella’s expression was grim. "The king gave them a few days. He wants time to reach you first. But after that... if they don’t see you, the Ashantis will be free to do whatever they want. Hunt you however they wish."

Aeron’s face paled. "What do I do now?"

Nyella stepped closer to him. "The only option left is to go to the palace and answer the royal call. If you go willingly, I can make sure you are safe, unharmed."

Before Aeron could reply, another voice cut sharply through the air.

It was Elarya. She had been standing silently in the doorway behind them, but now she stepped forward, her eyes blazing.

"You," she said in a hard voice. She was looking straight at Nyella. "So you are the princess who has brought all of this upon us. I have you to blame for every single thing that has happened. If not for you walking into my son’s life, we would have been at peace!"

Aeron stiffened. "Mother."

But Elarya didn’t stop. She stepped closer to Nyella and raised her voice more. "When will you people leave us alone? What kind of fate is this? When will you let us breathe?"

People had begun to gather now, neighbors, drawn by the raised voices. Varek stepped in, trying to place a hand on Elarya’s arm. "Elarya, enough. Don’t say something you’ll regret."

But she ignored him, her anger took over. "Leave this house," she said to Nyella. "Leave my son and never come back."

"Mother, please!" Aeron said, his voice breaking with frustration. He moved to stand between them. "This isn’t her fault. Stop."

Nyella stood frozen for a moment, her eyes were darting between Aeron and his mother. She didn’t speak. Slowly, she took a step back... then another.

Without another word, she turned, mounted her horse, and rode away.

"..."