"Heart of Destiny Chapter 5"
By;fernand jiro
The entire forest was silent. The force of the voice held a demanding tone that none could disobey. No one moved, except to turn their heads to the source of the voice. There stood a tall, sturdily built man with an beard and short, brown-red hair, which had started to gray at the temples. He wore long forest brown colored robes, and had a twinkle in his eye despite the stern look he gave the three young adults. "This bickering is pointless." he stated.
"You!" Lori exlaimed as she recognized the stranger.
"Ben!" Alex and Miriek exclaimed in unison. The three all glanced at each other with questioning looks, and then turned to 'Ben' for an answer.
Ben smiled. "I see you've all finally met." He raised an eyebrow. "But one is missing..." he shrugged. "No matter, he will be with you shortly." He glanced to Miriek, but she didn't seem to understand.
"You know these outsiders, Ben?" she asked.
Again, Ben smiled, and gave a small nod. "Alex here, I have known for quite some time. I gather herbs for him. And she," he motioned to Lori, "Is a new aquaintence. I see you did as I said."
Lori nodded, but still didn't quite understand what was going on. "I met him." She pointed to the Prince.
Ben put a finger to his beard. "So you did." He turned to the forest spirit. "My child, this was not how you were supposed to meet. I suggest you apologize."
Miriek stood there for a moment, then took a calming breath. His relationship with her, Lori realized, was probaly a great one. She did exactly what he said, no questions asked.
She looked down at Lori. "I'm sorry I kicked you," she attempted an awkward smile, "You scared me. I'm not used to people." She held out a hand, which Lori took, and was pulled to her feet. "Most of them are not at all kind."
Loraina looked back, about to help the Prince up, but he was already being helped by the 'Ben' stranger. She turned back to the girl. "Who are you?"
"I'm Miriek." she said, in a much more friendly tone than before, "The forest guardian here. Who are you?"
"My name's Lori. I live in town."
There was a change in Miriek's face, like a grimace when Lori said that. "I don't like going out of the woods." she explained, "There are too many people there for my liking."
Lori cocked her head at the information. "You don't like people?" she asked, "You mean you live here? In the woods?"
Miriek calmly nodded. "Yes, I do."
Lori took a half-step back, remembering all the old legends of the forest demons. "You're not... you're not one of the ones of the old ways... are you?" she asked nervously.
"I am." The forest guardian raised her head. "Does that scare you?" She said, almost chalanging.
Lori raised an eyebrow. "No." she replied just a little too quickly. "I just... it's heard that these woods are haunted by black Magic."
Miriek laughed. "No, there's just me. And my teacher and godfather, of course." She waved a hand at Ben, who nodded.
Lori was confused and curious. "I thought the old ways died a long time ago. You cannot be who you say. Magic does not exist."
There was a almost inaudible chuckle from the old man. "Oh, it exists alright." Miriek smiled. "The old ways exist inside those who can hold wisdom in their hearts." With a wave of her hand, a small rainbow appeared in the air.
Lori gasped. "Its... it really is magic!!!"
"This?" Miriek waved her hand again, and the rainbow dissipeared in a shower of sparkles. "No. That was only illusion. To fool the eye. Real Magic is a combination of creation and destruction." She grinned. "Illusion does not take much power. But," Miriek added, "This does." The girl raised her arms to the sky, and in a flash of light and glitter, she was gone.
In her place was a snowy white owl.
There was a sudden yelp and a dull thud from behind Lori. She turned to look, and found Prince Alexander was on the ground again, and grabbing for his sword. "D-d-d-demons!" he exclaimed.
There was a soft chuckle from Ben, as Lori raced to Alex. "What's wrong?" she asked.
"She's a demon!" He yelled, pointing to Miriek, who was again in her human form. "An evil creature!" He held his sword in front of him in 'defense'
Miriek's fists immediately balled, and a frown appeared on her face. "I've had it up to here with you men and your close-minded world!" She yelled, but Ben held up a hand to calm her.
Lori looked up to the other girl. "I know what you mean." she said with an air of friendship. "None of the men in the city will accept me just because I work."
Miriek's anger almost immidiately dissipated, and looked surprised. "Really?"
"Yeah. So far, I've only met two or three guys who didn't care."
Miriek frowned. "I thought I met one... but he turned out just the same as the rest." She got a sad look in her eyes but quickly snapped back into reality. "And then there's Ben."
"Lori.." Alexander coaxed, "Stay away from her. You can never trust these forest people. She's trying to win your trust, so she can turn on you!"
Again, Miriek's anger rose. "Can't you get it through your thick skull that people who are different are still people?!?! I--"
Once more, she was cut off by a wave of Ben's hand. "Let me." He said, turning to the Prince. "Alex, how long have you known me?" he asked.
"Almost my entire life." he replied softly. "Since I was very young... why?"
"Do you trust me?"
"With my life."
"Then beleive me when I say that this girl will do you no harm, and that maybe the rumors are not all correct." Alex still looked hesitant, "Were they right about Lori?" He asked. "Is she as weak-minded and stupid as your father and Martigan say?"
Alexander paused. "No.. Lori is very smart."
"...for a peasant?" Ben helped the Prince, once again, to his feet. "You will find, your majesty, that things are not always what they seem. It all depends on your point of view."
"But--"
"That goes for you two as well." Ben looked hard at the two girls, but his tone was soft, and gentle. "You will find, Lori, that not all men are as closed-minded as you think, and some do and will care for you no matter what you do for a living." She was speechless, and he then faced the other. "And Miriek, not all non-believers are bad, and people can learn. This is your lesson."
The young adults stood in silence, thinking over Ben's wise lecture, until, finally, Alex spoke. "Ben, we need your help."
Lori's head rose suddenly in rememberance. "Yes! That's why we came! We need--"
"I know." Ben cut her off. "Your family is in trouble. But I'm afraid that our safe haven in the woods will not be safe for much longer." His eyes now looked sad.
Miriek looked shocked. "What do you mean, Ben?"
"I mean, that soon, you will have to leave here to stop a danger stronger, even than you and I." He raised his arms, including the three. "You all have a destiny, and it's time you embrace it. You must fight the coming evil."
"Wait!" Lori said with sudden realization, "Does this have anything to do with that shooting star the other day?"
Ben smiled. "You are wiser in the magic arts than you think."
"No." Miriek said with disbelief, "We can't. We can't fight something that powerful. If it's stronger than you we don't have a chance. If--"
Ben calmed her. With a smile and a sad look in his eyes, he put both hands on her shoulders and spoke. "This would have happened eventually, my daughter. I cannot protect you forever. You have power even you don't understand, and it is time you used it. Put your fears aside, gather your strength, and trust in me."
Miriek, on the brink of tears, nodded, but stayed strong. A determined look appeared on her face. Ben gave her a reassuring hug, then pulled away, turning to the East. "The beginning of your jouney starts here." He said, raising a finger in the direction he was facing. "That is where the star fell. You must find it, and destroy it before it falls into the wrong hands, and believe me, they will come." He looked the small group over. "You will soon be joined by one other. He will help you on your quest. If you fail, it could mean the destruction of all any of you have come to know and love. Be careful."
The three nodded, absorbing the overwhelming news. They may not be ready for the experience, but they would take what they got and do their best, and that's all anyone can ever do.
Ben turned to Lori. "I will inform your family of the situation." he said softly, "I assure you, they will be safe."
"Thank you." she whispered, and Ben turned, at last, to the Prince.
"Be prepared." he said, "For you may come to a situation where you will be torn between duty and honor, and you may not like the consequences."
Alex seemed desterbed by this, but said nothing. Seeing that the three were as ready as they could be at this time, Ben nodded, and turned. "May the spirits guide you on your journey. And remember, in times of trouble, I will always be with you, even if you cannot see me."
Alex looked to the other two for reassurance, but they had none to give. When he looked back, there was a great white stag standing in Ben's place. It gave a nod.
Be well.
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