Deep in the woods I sat down by a large spruce tree. I looked up and I saw the hasty red clouds covering the moon. I needed some time on my own to find out why this place felt so alluring to me. I kept looking north, the strange visions I had earlier with shadows whispering did not want to let me rest. I still saw the shimmer from the campfire where the Flower's and Sulaer were camping for the night. I did not want to go far, but I had this strange feel and my awareness felt so clear. I felt I could see and hear beyond the present, beyond this moment.
We were to return to Thamas Lorn tomorrow as Hirgonui apparently had further news for us. I felt we left many lose ends again, but it was our duty to patrol close to our borders and not venture too far away. Still, It felt a never ending task to do, as the enemy did not care for borders, they just lurked around everywhere and settled down on places where they seemed most fit. It was a nice thought of assurance that Sulaer would still keep watch and he had allies around to give him news if something nasty would approach again, he would message us if he needed our aid.
I notice a single blue flower glowing next to me, I picked it up and I recognized it, it was an Iris flower, blue and colourful which symbolized wisdom, faith and friendship. I closed my eyes and went into a state of meditation, focusing on nothing, but I still felt awareness of everything around me. When I tried to fall deeper, I got distracted by images appearing in my mind. It was like clouds shifting and rushing back and forth. Faces of loved ones and faces I never seen before. I felt warmth inside me, as I saw my sister Silessa and my mother waving goodbye when I was leaving home to serve the Flower. I remembered it was a sunny lovely day, but it was a day of sadness as I had to leave. I felt this deep longing to be around them again and hold them just one more time.
The images of their faces slowly faded out and I saw them again doing their duties in a large field, harvesting wheat and preparing themselves for the winter. I did not recognize that memory, perhaps it was my awareness of them in this moment. What they were doing just right now?
Then everything faded out again and I slowly saw dark threatening clouds covering the sky, and I heard a faint battle-horn in the distance, warriors where approaching on horseback to my family’s farm. Some of them I didn't recognize. From the hill a dark-haired ellon, that looked ancient with eyes of wisdom making haste toward me, he held an elf-sword covered in blood in the air. He also wore a dark robe and silver circlet with a red diamond. I did not see him clearly although he kept pointing out a place I have seen before in my dreams, a place with rugged stones, snowy and cold environment. I fell deeper and now I could see my mother and my sister Silessa, running from fire.
“Hallothel, help us”. It was the same whispers I heard earlier tonight and I decided it was enough. I forced myself up from the trance I was into. I breathed heavily and tried to catch for air. I looked around and felt very stressed. So did I truly had a vision? Were my family in danger? I suddenly had an urge to find out, something in this forest had blurred my mind. I would not know if my visions were true. Would this truly happening? How about the ellon I saw, why did he pointed out this snowy place. Was that a place I would go to soon? or a place with answers?
I decided not to never speak of this to anyone, not think of it anymore. I could not allow it. I had way too much on my mind.
I went back to the camp, with the Iris in my hand, and very silently I found my bedroll by the campfire. No one noticed my absence or at least I hoped no one had. I had to make preparation to the journey back to Thamas Lorn. There was more news to be shared now from Hirgonui. Would we finally have news from Culir?
Would we finally have an answer on the mysterious commander that escaped? The tribe that wounded a few of our Wardens? What news would Istuir bring from Gondamon?
I truly had too much on my mind, and it really did not help that I had those strange visions, I felt confused and did not know how to handle all those strange events lately. I looked at the Iris again and somehow I felt at ease.
(music made by this player: Evening twilight)
