Disarray

Chapter Five

Rylan chuckled to himself.

“It might be slightly difficult to find your way to the dining hall if you know not the right path!” He called out, jogging after him. Aden was waiting outside, his arms crossed.

“And how would you know the way?” He demanded with a mischievous smirk.

“Raelein showed me.”

“What else did she show you?” Aden inquired with an impish laugh.

“Aden!” Rylan chastised. Though he was well aware his friend was only toying with him, he still was slightly irritated “You are more courageous than I once thought to say such a thing, or more stupid. Care to enlighten me?”

Aden simply chuckled and shook his head.

“Stupid. Definitely stupid...” Rylan muttered to himself. He found the correct path, and the two of them made their way toward the dining hall.

All through the morning, Malifar taught Rylan more on fruits, and the history of Ubaria. His attitude was the same as yesterday: cross, annoyed, and rather snide.

Quite bored of their current subject, Rylan waited patiently to finally change the subject.

“I have quite a few questions on Zayleth,” he stated. “Would you be willing to answer them?”

Malifar crossed his arms, though his face suggested he was slightly pleased with his inquiry.

“What exactly do you wish to know?” Malifar asked.

“Who is he?”

“Quite a vague question,” Malifar stated. “From what we know, he is an insane man who has taken it upon himself to control Ubaria. We know not of his origin, nor of his location. He just appeared. For nearly two years, he has been acquiring soldiers. In the past year, we have managed to obtain a solid description.” Malifar took up a paper, and pushed it toward Rylan. He looked, and saw a drawing of a somewhat handsome man with a broad jawline. He bore a scowl, and looked to be around twenty years of age.

“The ones that survived his attacks described him to have dark red hair, and blue eyes,” Malifar added. “We know not much of this man, which concerns me greatly. If you know the right people, and have the correct resources, it is rather easy to find anyone in Ubaria. However, we have found all but nothing about Zayleth.”

“Ubaria is a vast realm; I understand why you’ve not yet found him. Nevertheless, that is unsettling. Perhaps he makes those who discover him forget.” Rylan suggested.

          Malifar looked mildly surprised.

          “It is possible, but there is no way we could know.”

          “We will know soon,” he stated, struck by a sudden burst of determination. “Hearing of this only makes me want to end his deranged attempt to acquire power all the more.”

          The old elf chuckled lightly.

          “So you’ve begun to accept your destiny?”
          “I believe so, yes. It was quite a foreign thought at first, but I am starting to acknowledge that I am fated to save Ubaria.” Rylan answered.

          “Good. Furthermore, do not underestimate your power, boy.” Malifar stated sincerely. “You possess far greater an ability than you could hope to comprehend for quite some time.”

          Malifar then continued with their lessons, and noon soon approached. Just as they did the day before, Rylan went with Korthan to his training session with Jalmar, and Aden stayed to learn from Malifar.