33 - Whispers Among the Trees

  Valrion adjusted the straps of his well-fitted leather boots while sitting on the bottom rung of the staircase. His bow lay propped against the wall nearby, and his new quiver was filled with arrows, glinting in the morning light. His mother stood a few steps away, a warm smile spreading across her face as she held out his coat, the fabric rich and sturdy.

  “Ready?” she asked when she noticed he was finished with his little task, her tone a little more excited than usual.

  “Ready,” he replied as he rose to his feet and walked to her. Once she helped him into the coat, he grabbed his bow and slung the quiver over his shoulder. The familiar weight comforted him as he headed into the side yard with her.

  Sergius was already there, standing tall beside Centurion. The animal stamped its hooves lightly on the ground, as if eager to be on the move. A large sack was tied securely to the horse, ready to hold whatever game they would catch during the hunt.

  The atmosphere felt reminiscent of their first trip to the market, brimming with the delight of a new adventure. Back then, Sergius had only carried his sword. Now, he had added a bow to his arsenal—a weapon Valrion had never seen before—alongside a longer quiver, both strapped securely across his back. At first glance, it resembled Octavia’s bow, but closer inspection revealed its darker wood and a more pronounced curve on its edges.

  “Hey, are you really okay with this?” Sergius asked Valrion’s mother, and Valrion wished he could kick Sergius’ leg to stop him from speaking. Questions like that would only make his mother second-guess her decision to let them go.

  “Yeah. I trust you both,” Valrion’s mother replied. She must have grown accustomed to her son’s antics since there wasn’t even a flicker of worry in her eyes.

  “All right,” Sergius said, a reassuring smile on his face as he spread a hand toward Valrion, beckoning him closer. Valrion understood the signal and walked over, allowing Sergius to lift him onto Centurion’s back. The horse’s warm, solid body felt secure beneath him, and he instinctively adjusted his quiver to ensure it wouldn’t get in Sergius’s way as he mounted behind him.

  “Take care. Please return while it’s still daylight,” Valrion’s mother reminded. She sounded a little concerned, but there was more love than anything else.

  “No worries,” Sergius replied, settling himself behind Valrion. He glanced at Valrion’s mother and smiled. “We’ll go now, yes?”

  “Take care,” she repeated, waving both of her hands at them.

  With a gentle nudge of his heels, Sergius urged Centurion forward. The horse stepped into a smooth gait, and the wind began to brush against Valrion’s hair and cheeks. If the town center was to the right of their house, then the forest must have been to the left, as that was the direction they were heading.

  As they left the familiar sights behind, the landscape transformed. Houses grew fewer and farther apart, scattered sparsely, until the final traces of civilization vanished entirely. Valrion’s gaze stayed on the horizon, wondering if they had crossed into another world altogether.

  The road ahead led them further into the embrace of the forest. The towering trees thickened, forming a natural canopy that muted the fading sounds of the town behind them. Sunlight danced through the leaves, shifting shadows across the ground in intricate patterns.

  Sergius kept a steady hand on the reins, guiding Centurion down the winding path. Valrion leaned forward, eyes studying the terrain as a mix of exhilaration and anticipation coursed through him. The air, crisp with the scent of trees and damp ground, invigorated his senses. This was where he had always dreamed of being—far from the constraints of home, immersed in untamed beauty. Just like how it was in Heaven.

  The journey stretched longer than Valrion had anticipated. Time seemed to stretch as they delved further into the wilderness, the forest gradually unveiling its secrets. He marveled at the vibrant wildflowers peeking through the underbrush, their bright hues striking against the muted earthy tones.

  Small creatures flitted in and out of view—squirrels leaping nimbly between branches, rabbits pausing to nibble on tender grass before darting away. He couldn’t believe that this was his first time seeing all of this in the last five years. Handbook should have given him a reward for being patient.

  “How beautiful,” Valrion murmured, watching a patch of upturned violet flowers swaying in the breeze. Their tiny petals stood out among the rest of the leaves.

  “Glad you’re happy,” Sergius said.

  Valrion chuckled, his heart swelling with wonder. The forest seemed alive, every sound and movement intertwining into a symphony of calm and vigor. For a moment, he longed to freeze this moment, to lose himself in exploring every corner the enchanting place. He didn’t like the idea that he had to leave in a few hours.

  Eventually, they arrived at a clearing where Sergius reined in Centurion, bringing the horse to a halt. He swung himself off the saddle in one smooth motion and tied the reins to a sturdy tree, ensuring Centurion wouldn’t wander. The horse released a sharp breath, and Sergius ran a steady hand along its back to soothe him.

  Valrion remained atop Centurion a while longer, his gaze sweeping over the landscape. The interplay of sound enveloped him—leaves shifting with a quiet murmur, birds exchanging melodies between branches, and water gliding over stones with a soothing rhythm. It felt removed from the burdens of the world, a secluded haven existing in perfect stillness.

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  “Hey, come on.” Sergius patted Valrion’s side, snapping him out of his reverie. With a firm but gentle motion, he helped Valrion down. Once Valrion’s boots touched the ground, Sergius untied the sack from Centurion and fastened it around his own waist.

  “So, what’s the plan?” Valrion asked. He inhaled deeply, filling his lungs with the fresh air surrounded him, but he was also eager to transition from the serenity of the forest to the thrill of the hunt that lay ahead.

  Sergius removed his bow from his back. “Stay close to me, yes? First, we’ll scout the area for tracks. Rabbits often stick to open spaces near thickets. Understanding their patterns and movements is key if we’re to be successful today.”

  “Let’s go,” Valrion said with a smile, stepping deeper into the forest right after Sergius. With each stride, his anticipation grew, his heartbeat quickening to match their pace. The forest seemed to hum, as if responding to their presence, drawing them forward into the unknown.

  They moved in silence, the only noise being the crunch of leaves beneath their boots and the sporadic flutter of birds. Sergius suddenly raised a hand, fingers splayed wide—a clear command to halt. Valrion obeyed, his body tensing.

  “There,” Sergius whispered, pointing ahead. Valrion followed the guard’s gaze and spotted a rabbit darting across their path—a fleeting blur of brown against the green underbrush. It moved with startling speed, almost disappearing into the foliage before pausing where it remained visible.

  Sergius moved swiftly but without haste, his motions fluid and deliberate. He nocked an arrow, the bowstring groaning as he drew it back. Valrion held his breath, his eyes locked on the rabbit. The world seemed to shrink, everything else fading into the background except Sergius, the bow, and their target.

  The arrow flew with a sharp hiss, cutting through the air, but the rabbit zigzagged at the last moment, vanishing into the dense thicket. A miss.

  Sergius lowered his bow and exhaled. “Ah, it’s okay. We’ll find another. You’ll see soon enough—it’s not always about the first shot.”

  Valrion snickered. Sergius sounded a bit embarrassed, and he found that quite endearing.

  They continued forward, weaving through the trees, their steps careful and measured. After some time, Sergius stopped again, gesturing silently toward a small clearing. There, nibbling on clover, was another rabbit. This one remained still, its ears twitching, seemingly oblivious to their presence.

  Sergius turned to Valrion, a smile playing on his lips. “Want to try?”

  “Yes,” Valrion said softly. There was no way he would refuse it.

  “Don’t use your fire. You’ll burn the entire forest,” Sergius warned.

  “I know.” Valrion let out a giggle. He reached for an arrow, his fingers steadier than they had been years ago, and nocked it to the string. Drawing the bow back, he focused intently, shutting out all other objects and sounds, even Sergius’s stare. His grip remained firm as he aimed, seconds stretching out before he finally released.

  The arrow streaked through the air, straight and fast, but the rabbit darted to the side at the last second. The shot missed, landing mere inches from where the rabbit had stood. It bolted into the underbrush, vanishing as swiftly as it had appeared.

  Valrion heaved a sigh, his shoulders slumping slightly. He glanced at Sergius, unsure of how the man might react.

  “That was excellent for your first try. Be proud of yourself,” Sergius said, his tone encouraging. “Let’s move on.”

  Valrion nodded, his earlier disappointment giving way to renewed determination. Each mistake became a lesson, honing his skill with every attempt. This wasn’t just about landing a shot—it was about growing and adapting.

  They resumed their search, venturing further into the forest. The air grew cooler, shaded by the thick canopy above. Valrion sharpened his focus, his eyes looking for movements while his ears caught even the faintest rustle. Nevertheless, Sergius was the one leading the way. Valrion trailed behind him closely, another arrow nocked in hand, ready for the next opportunity.

  Valrion halted as a flicker of movement near a cluster of ferns caught his attention. Narrowing his eyes, he spotted it—a deep brown rabbit, larger than the ones they had seen earlier. Its fur blended almost seamlessly with the forest floor as it nibbled on fallen leaves.

  “Sergius,” Valrion called, his voice barely audible. “There’s one there. Watch me.”

  Sergius stopped and turned, his expression curious as his eyes darted around. It was obvious that he hadn’t pinpointed the rabbit’s location, but he nodded, granting Valrion permission to proceed.

  This time, Valrion didn’t overthink. He let instinct take over, his focus was solely on the rabbit. The bowstring stretched taut as he drew it back. Releasing the arrow, the string snapped forward, sending it cutting cleanly through the air in a graceful arc.

  His heart surged as the arrow struck true. The rabbit fell, and a wave of pride swept through him. At last, he was capable of doing something quite worthwhile with this body. He turned to Sergius, who broke into a wide grin.

  “Well done,” Sergius said, clapping Valrion’s back lightly. “That was a perfect shot.”

  “Thank you.” Valrion beamed. This would surely convince Sergius to take him on more hunts.

  “Let’s retrieve it,” Sergius said, walking toward the rabbit as he removed the sack from his belt. Once finished, he held it in one hand, his bow in the other. Valrion realized how cumbersome hunting alone would be: setting down the sack each time to store the game, picking it up, walking around with lopsided weight, and dropping it again before every shot. It was definitely far more effort than he had imagined.

  “Son of Heaven.”

  Out of nowhere, Valrion heard a male voice drifting through the air like a distant echo, youthful and resonant. Each syllable was clear, capturing his attention and sending a chill down his spine. He halted abruptly, glancing sharply over his shoulder, but no one was there.

  “Sergius, did you hear that?” Valrion asked, his voice low but urgent.

  “Heard what?” Sergius responded.

  Valrion stared at Sergius, noting that the older man had also stopped moving. “A voice. A male voice. Like a young guy.”

  “Huh?” Sergius looked around nervously before turning back to Valrion with a frown. “What do you mean?”

  “Did you not hear it? It sounded like a young man speaking.”

  “What? No! Don’t scare me like that!” Sergius snapped, his unease evident.

  Valrion stayed quiet, his gaze drifting back to the wilderness as he searched for the source of the sound. The forest felt different now, imbued with an eeriness he couldn’t ignore. Son of Heaven. He hadn’t misheard. Someone had spoken those words, but who? A messenger from the heavens? A fallen god lurking nearby?

  “L-Let’s move on?” Sergius asked, his voice trembling with fright.

  If this had been any other situation, Valrion would have laughed. Who would have thought Sergius was afraid of ghosts? However, if it turned out to be a dark entity, then Valrion would have been the one terrified. He knew his limits, and one of his biggest fears down here had always been falling victim to such malevolence.

  “Hey, V,” Sergius said. “Please tell me you’re fine.”

  “Yeah, I’m fine,” Valrion replied, though it was obviously a lie.

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