The Chaos Circles #1

The Choice

Once in the realm of Suvon, there were two youths on the verge of adulthood. They had spent their childhood together in the village of Enatuh and were as close to each other as any two great friends. Their families were simple farmers and goatherds, but their ancestors were great men with great magicks. Many of them still do practise the Chaos, though their methods were crude as compared to the great days before Collapse.

The kingdom of Asuqaro was rich in landscape, history, culture, languages and religions. Many times as children did little Jaque and Lya had wandered to the Table Cliff high above their mountain village and saw the sun rose from the horizon of a distant sea. And to the north, barely visible at the foot of a green neighbouring mountain range is a white star, sunlight reflected from the crystalline tops of Aqanau, capital of Asuqaro.

One night, the Jaymes clan had a meeting with the Samuels clan in the village hall. Both clans agreed that they saw the relationship between Jaque Jaymeson and Lya Samueldottir is of good nature and arranged that the two of them shall be married and their clans be united. However, the prospective bride and groom had other plans.

The young lad Jaque knew little of the world beyond his simple shepherd life. Often he dreamed that he would leave his remote village for the Capital. He dreamed that he would seek his fortunes as a soldier, to become a person of legends, not unlike the legends before the Collapse. But he knew he could not achieve such dreams as a married man.

The young lass Lya knew more secrets of the Outside than anyone in the village, for she had unwittingly spied and studied her clan's locked manuscripts. Often she dreamed of her inheritance, breaking the old vows of silence and sharing the secrets of the Realm. She dreamed of expanding the lost Chaos skills from before the Collapse. But she knew she could not achieve such dreams as a married woman.

It was barely a week before the wedding. Preparations were proceeding smoothly. The cooks had chosen the meatiest animals for the feasts. The forest gatherers had found the brightest of blossoms. The seamstress took out the most variety of cloths and colours for the couple's dresses. The troubadours were practising their music eagerly. Even the season of spring was ready, bringing a gentle breeze and good light to Enatuh.

Other than the other once hopeful youths, Jaque and Lya were the unhappy ones of the village. They stood together under a tree at the Table Cliff and watched as the people below worked their days with a little more spirit than usual. Only the soft wind of the fifth month was with them.

"Have you decided? Completely?" asked Lya, her gaze was strong.
"Yes, I have."
"And?"
Jaque squeezed Lya's shoulder to avoid looking at her. He kept the tiny white distant city in his sights.
"I will leave Enatuh. No one will know my absence before tomorrow's first light."He felt her hand clasped on his own at her shoulder.

To be continued...