DREAM MAKER: A MYSTICAL TALE
--Maria Lerna's Escape-
"Marius called for Eldyn, told him of our plan, and asked if he would do that for him, not as a slave, but as a friend. Without hesitation the giant man agreed. Then Marius made him take an oath to take care of me. I was a bit apprehensive, but trusted my brother's judgment, and Eldyn seemed very loyal and had an air about him I immediately liked.
"When we consulted with Aramas, he agreed with the plan, and told us it was destiny.
"Marius then instructed Eldyn to take weapons and provisions. Eldyn chose two swords, two blankets, some water, and dry biscuits. He told Marius the forest would provide the rest.
"I bid Aramas goodbye. The gentle teacher blessed me, and told me he would always be with me.
Maria Lerna was silent for a moment. "Our departure was sad but quiet, and it all happened so quickly we had little time for sorrow. That would come later, in the middle of many nights when I would lie wondering about their fate, as they must also have, of mine.
"Eldyn took me by the hand and we climbed over the courtyard wall and then went down the quiet street. After a short walk we came within sight of the wooden fortification Cassius was building around the city. It was at that point things became blurry for me. I saw two soldiers approach us. Eldyn and I had stopped as commanded, and I trembled with fear. But when the soldiers were but two paces away, Eldyn fell them both with a quick flash of the swords he kept hidden, one under each arm. It happened so fast and it was so unexpected that at first I didn't realize what had come to pass. Eldyn stood with one sword in each hand and the soldiers were on the ground, blood pouring from their severed throats. He pulled me away by the hand and politely suggested that from then on, when soldiers approached, I close my eyes.
"We continued on past the palisade, and it seemed to me that the same thing was repeated several times. I saw soldiers approach us, then some who looked like bandits, and each time I closed my eyes, and each time when I opened them the soldiers had been slain by Eldyn, who seemed to proceed calmly, as though it was all pretend, a game, in which he was reluctantly involved. I was terrified, and not sure of what; of getting killed, or watching Eldyn kill again, so easily...I didn't know quite what to think of him; he was a brutal killer, but also my savior.
"Finally we were out of sight of Dunum and had walked for some time through wooded thickets until we came to the top of a hill from which we could see the city, and even my house. Eldyn stopped to let me rest, he took out a leather water bag for me to drink. I looked over at the quiet place, and could see a faint light coming from my house, what I imagined would be Mother's chambers. I saw her in my mind's eye, lying in bed crying, while Father and Marius tried to comfort her.
"It was then I realized that there was more to Eldyn than I had imagined. While grief and fear had me in their grip, I felt a gentle wave of love envelop me. In that miraculous moment I knew all was fine, for the presence of Spirit was everywhere, just as Aramas had told me so many times, but now I felt it. And I knew it was Eldyn who was embracing me with his spirit, lending me his essence, the depth of the divine he knew. I turned around to look at him. He had put down his swords in front of him and was sitting cross-legged on the ground facing me with eyes closed. He didn't look at all like the terrifying killer, but had changed and was now one of the most beautiful and awe inspiring sights I had ever seen."
