How to Find your Way in the Incomplete Archives

Five

'Need to talk to the Archivist,' they added in a smaller note under the observations.

****

Archaea was ready to embark on her journey.

The oracle had not tried to dissuade her after the initial attempts. Preparations were complete. She had handed over her authority to the Council of Elders. They would guide the tribe during her absence. It was decided in secret that should she fail to return after two years, the Priest would be entrusted to choose her successor.

Her worldly concerns were settled with surprising speed. It made her wonder if she had failed to forge deeper connections with the people around her.

Most of her tribesmen were unaware of her departure. She had arranged it that way with the Council so as not to create unnecessary panic amongst the Boglanders. Instead, a general rumour had been spread that Archaea would be travelling soon to assess the situations of their neighbouring settlements in an attempt to quell curiosity about her absence.

Her aged mother had come to say her goodbyes the day before – she did not wish to show up on the day of the journey lest she distract the traveller from leaving with an easy heart.

Even so, her eyes swept over the gathered group of Elders. She hoped to see one more face but he was nowhere to be seen. Perhaps, he too wishes not to break my resolve, she consoled herself.

The auspicious hour of midnight was upon them – the dark hour that marked the beginning of new struggles. There was neither fanfare nor a cheering crowd of well-wishers to see her leave. None outside her closest circle knew that their leader was going on a perilous journey in these trying times.

"I bless thee, Princess, that thou mayst have a safe passage at the border of the Boglands," the Priest tapped her shoulder with the blessed staff, "May you return to us in glory,"

"I shall fulfil my destiny, Lady Erdith," the warrior Princess raised her naked sword, "I shall return victorious!" She turned to mount her steed. Her partner in the shining black coat greeted her with a warm neigh, "Off we go, Onyx,"

They rode off down the forest road that led to the outside world. The beasts of the night avoided her forlorn path. The usual chatter of neither insects nor night birds was not to be heard. A resonating lull swallowed all sounds of the forest.

About half an hour into her journey she noticed the silhouette of another rider waiting by the side of the road. As she drew closer, her predatory eyes could make out a chestnut horse with a familiar crescent on her forehead, "Arlan?"

"Greetings, My Lady. Shall we head out?"

"What are you doing?" she had hoped to see him before leaving, yet meeting him filled her with an unspoken anxiety.

"I was waiting for you, My Lady,"

"Did you not hear where I'm going?"

"Yes, My Lady, you are on your way to face the Holy Maiden. Please allow me to join you,"

"Join me? Have you no fear of what lies ahead?"

The reflective turquoise eyes met her own, "I am afraid. I am frightened at the thought of losing the one person that matters most in my life. I have experienced it once, please do not command me to suffer through it a second time,"

"And what about me? Do you wish me to suffer through that loss then?" she felt her face growing hot with each word but she could stop herself, "Do you think I want to see you die?"

"I wish I could promise you that it would never come to that but my selfishness would get in the way," the man turned away his gaze, "I could never bring myself to let you die again. Not while I live, not after what we have witnessed, not after knowing there is no recourse this time."

"I must say I agree with you there," her voice trembled, "You are more than my advisor. You are family to me. I cannot allow you to follow me this time,"

"Will these excuses hold any meaning if we don't succeed?" he tried a different approach, "Will you regret not having an extra pair of hands if danger threatens to snuff you out? Were you not willing to be a cog in the machine that fells the Holy Army? Please allow me to play my part,"

"I," she had no retorts. Arlan was right.

It was childish to hope she could handle every obstacle that would come her way. In the path she had chosen, there would be safety in numbers. She could strategise complex plans if they had the strengths to pull it off but it would also mean drawing unnecessary attention to her people.

Even amongst the Elders, many had tried to dissuade her, calling her plan foolish and immature. It would be impossible to gather the unanimous support of her people after the experiences of their recent battle.

That was why she felt compelled to go alone. She had resolved to face the severe fate that awaited her at the end.

Arlan's words opened cracks in that resolve.

"I am grateful to you, Arlan, for coming to my aid," her voice was tinged with a tender emotion, "I hope you will continue to support me though I may falter and lose sight of what lies ahead. And I hope you will forgive me bringing you these unasked for hardships,"

A warm hand grasped hers in a tight clasp, "I can never stay angry with you,"