Avos left with his uncle the very next morning, they both felt there was no need to prolong their departure. There were still tears and smiles and lots of hugs between he and his parents before they left and it didn't really feel like he was leaving home, more like going on a vacation. He'd see them again, he promised them both he would.
The pair travelled on horseback. Avos's parents had given him Chariot, though Marcus had left his parents with enough coin to purchase a new horse. He rode his black mare, named Dot.
Their journey began by making their way North up Squire's Road. Part of him was thrilled; he was finally on the open road like he always wanted to be with his dad, but now the thought of his father only brought him pain. He didn't let on before he left, but he still felt hurt by the secrets his parents kept from him. More so his father, for never letting him go anywhere. Even though he now realized it wasn't because his dad wanted him to take care of the farm, it was because he feared what would happen if Avos was discovered. Would leaving now put him at risk?
He looked at Chancellor Marcus Thane for a hint of comfort, though saw only a stranger. He wondered if this Chancellor felt the same way about him and why he was never told he had an uncle. This stranger had said some crazy things about what he thought Avos was born to do and who he was going to become.
Avos didn't really believe they were related, or at least he believed his father and mother had no brothers, so who was this man to him?
It still felt a bit like a dream. The sun shone down from a clear blue sky and as far as he could see was the green of the meadows and the violet glens far off in the distance. He wasn't sure he wanted to wake up. He'd never been this far away from his home.
"We'll make camp here tonight." Marcus surveyed the area he had chosen with a quick look around and then got off his horse. He led his mare off the dirt path and up into a clearing tucked away behind a small hill that must have caught his eye. Avos had missed it completely, but the earth was scorched and damp. Other travellers must have stopped and had a fire here not too many days ago.
This was already the third night they had stopped and made camp. There hadn't been much conversation between the two of them yet. Avos didn't really know where to begin. He wanted to tell Marcus about the vision he had on the morning of his arrival, but every time he tried to bring it up, his words failed him.
Marcus had been closed lipped, for the most part. Avos thought it was wise of him to give him his space and let him have time to digest his new fate. Though on the road, he pointed out some landmarks he must have assumed Avos had never seen before. He was right of course, on most counts Avos had never even heard of them.
They had passed the Sampson's Quarry on their first day together. What an odd sight that was to him; a crystal blue lake surrounded by mountainous stone staircases. It was hard for Avos to imagine the manpower and time it must have took to excavate such a large piece of land. Limestone, Marcus had explained, was well in demand in the cities and could be used to construct great buildings and monuments to the Light.
They travelled by large forests and small towns. They never ventured into either, they always passed by the outskirts and stayed off of the main roads. Most of the time, Avos worried that this Chancellor didn't know where he was going at all. It didn't seem to him that they were following any one direction, so he was glad to now have a rest and get his bearing. He hoped to get more of a chance to speak with his chaperon.
As soon as they were settled, Avos worked up the courage to open up to the Chancellor.
"I wasn't as surprised as I should have been," he began. Marcus looked at him and raised an eyebrow. He smiled and nodded.
"I remember the feeling." Marcus assured him. "I too, was once called to serve the Light as a Primordial."
"Wait, you too?"
"A time ago, yes."
"Where is your mark?" Avos waited a moment for the Chancellor to respond. He didn't say anything to Avos, he just simply lifted his sleeve to show him. In the exact same spot and shape as Avos, there was a Water Element mark.
"How? I mean... why do you need me then, if you are the Water Primordial?"
"The Rain Maker," he corrected. "And because I'm no longer a Primordial. That responsibility left me many years ago, long after the Shattering, when I was appointed Chancellor."
"The Shattering? But Chancellor Thane, that was over 500 years ago. How old are you?"
Marcus chuckled. "Well, I stopped keeping exact count long ago. The years simply no longer had significance to my work."
"As Chancellor?"
"Well yes that, but waiting for you was always my primary concern. And Avos, please, if you would start addressing me as your Uncle, it will be better if when we reach Bolster it comes to you naturally, for your own safety."
"Sure, ok. Uncle Marcus?"
"Yes that will do."
"No I, I was just wondering what it was like. To be a Primordial?"
"Now that, well, that is something you should always keep hidden. No one should know who you are, what you can do. Least of all it could cause a panic. Rumours would spread, townsfolk become anxious and unsettled. No, that is something not to boast about. On the other hand, to be a Primordial? Well, I would think it's different for everyone."
Marcus continued long into the night about what it was like for him to be a Primordial. The struggle, the fear of facing the Great Dark. Getting to know the other Primordials, making relationships, breaking relationships. He spoke of the Shattering and how those who survived had to part ways. He knew of only one other living ancient, though possibly there were one or two more still alive. He didn't think they were anywhere on Valterra, maybe across the ocean, in the lands of the Sun, or hidden away with Valterra's ancient elves.
The mention of elves peaked Avos' curiosity. He knew many Elven fairytales, but he really hadn't thought they were real. Like dragons, he always figured they were only stories, told to mesmerize the children by the fire, to spark imagination or fear. Now he wondered what else of legend would become a reality.
He dozed off next to his uncle under the stars, questions rolling around in his thoughts. Why me? Why now?
Morning happened upon them too soon. They were quickly back on their horses, shaking off the remainders of sleep and ready to travel again for a full days ride. They ate cheese and bread while they rode. They meandered through the Glens of Moros, a vast meadow of violet thistle, a sight Avos would never forget.
Up and down they rode, hour after hour, violet hill after violet hill. By midday they entered a more cultivated area of land. Small homesteads lay scattered across the countryside. He could see lochs in the distance, and hints of karst and caves protruded from the grassy hillsides. They continued on all afternoon and after supper, following no path. Avos felt at ease now with Marcus and trusted his sense of direction. He was able to relax and take in the beauty of his surroundings. He felt inspired to protect it and to love it like his own home.
Finally, they came to a marked path.
"Well son, we're almost there now. Let's stay on this path west for now; it's not well used." Marcus guided his mare to the right and started a bit of a trot.
At first, Avos was curious. How did Marcus know this exact spot where an intersection lay? Then he remembered what he was.
Primordial. He didn't really believe that although it was in his past, Marcus didn't have any kind of leftover magic within him. He had begun to see his uncle in a different light, a man so aged, was he even a man at all? Will I become like him?
There was a sign posted at the intersection. To the right was marked Dunn, straight ahead was to Bolster, and back up to the North East was Endure.
"It will be dark soon though. Let's get over that pass before it's upon us."
Avos looked up towards where Marcus had nodded. He saw the small wooden rope bridge connecting this side of the path to the next. It crossed what looked to be a small creek or brook, most likely runoff from the larger lochs in the distance. The path seemed to follow the flow of the water on the other side.
They rode quickly for about a quarter of an hour, until they reached a larger stone bridge. It was marked Shuck's Pass. They traversed it easily enough, but Avos wondered what was wrong with his uncle. He had grown anxious, his eyes searching the horizon. The sun was just setting and the moon was now visible in the western sky. Stars had begun to pop into existence, as the Light kissed all there is. It would be a beautiful night sky.
After crossing, Avos slowed Chariot down a bit and began searching for a good place to rest for the night, yet Marcus kept riding.
"Not yet son. We can't stay here. Only a few more leagues and we'll be safer."
"Safer from what?"
"Ah. Well, perhaps just a myth, though I'd like not to take the chance." Marcus gave his mare a small boot and continued at a slightly faster pace.
Suddenly the hair on the back of Avos' neck rose and put him on guard. His fear returned. He began to feel very hot and anxious like he should be riding as hard and as fast as he could out of there. A crash of lightening blasted out of the clear sky and almost threw him from his saddle. Chariot flared and neighed her concern. It landed west of them, back where they had crossed the brook. Another blast, slightly closer, broke Chariot from Avos' control.
Then he heard it. A low unearthly howl worked it's way up his spine and sent shivers throughout Avos' entire body.
"Damn Darkness, ride!" Marcus bellowed as he bucked his mare into full gear. Avos regained control of Chariot and the two of them gathered speed together and followed the path west. Avos looked back towards where the lightening had struck and he saw the silhouette of a large animal chasing after them. It was shaped like a dog, but it was much larger. The tips of it's fur glowed red like fire, and its eyes held the same glint of evil.
"What is that thing?!" yelled Avos, but Marcus did not respond. They kept riding for what seemed like leagues, until finally Marcus let up. He turned and looked back at the path that became their escape. It was empty. The beast had not followed them far.
"Light, Uncle Marcus, are you going to tell me what just happened? Why did you lead us to that thing?"
"I'm sorry. I'm sorry, I did not mean to make that pass so close to moonlight. I miscalculated the time it would take us getting through the glens. Perhaps I should have stopped earlier, but I was curious about it too. It was the Black Shuck. Legend says they're drawn to initiates. " Avos stared blankly at Marcus until what he said sunk in.
"You mean I summoned that thing?" He turned again to make sure they were alone. He ran his hands through his hair, feeling like he may vomit.
"No, not summoned. The Darkness summons a Black Shuck to do its biding, you are merely on it's radar."
"So why did it stop following us? Was it made of fire?"
"You saw it?" Marcus asked. When Avos nodded Marcus was silent for a moment but continued. "The Shuck could not follow us for long because it is said to be limited to a certain area where great death occurred, at least until the full moon. The pass, where we crossed the brook, that's where it is said the source of its powers lay. It should also be confined to that area because of the great death that occurred there. During the Great War, that brook was used as a defense from the Bringers. A defense that was easily broken. Many lost their lives trying to keep them out of the South." Avos' heart sank. So much chaos and war that he never really thought about. So many people had died protecting their homes and their families. All for what? For him? According to Marcus that threat was back, or close to it.
"Uncle Marcus, what started the Great War?"
Marcus looked down at the ground, shook his head and sighed. When he looked up at Avos, he looked sad and broken. He took a deep strengthening breathe and confessed, "I did."