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Edan leant back against the tree, watching the sheep grazing around the base of the hill. Assured that his flock was fine, he reached for his flute lying on the grass. The dog resting nearby raised his head. "So, Shep, what should I play this time?" Edan lifted the flute to his mouth and played a slow tune. As the last few notes faded, he looked back to the field, taking in the long early morning shadows. He took a deep breath, filling his lungs with chill morning air. "My favourite part of the--" He stopped as the dog sat up. "Something wrong?" He looked in the direction Shep was facing, and saw two men walking across the field. The one at the front reminded Edan of a temple priest, dressed as he was in a flowing purple robe trimmed with white fur and mud. The second man was shorter, wearing a dark green tunic and brown breeches. "Visitors? I wonder what brings them here?" Edan tossed his flute aside. Then walked down the hill towards the newcomers. The short man pointed to the mountains. "Look, the sun coming up between the two peaks." He spread his hands. "The field with the mighty river running through it. It's just as described in the Book." |
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Edan glanced at the creek that was struggling to flow. "Morning to all. Can I help you?" The purple priest tugged at his robe, removing it from the branch of a thorn bush. "That you can. My name is Zhannuki, my companion is Jaydre." The priest paused, as if expecting a response. Edan nodded, hoping that was enough. Zhannuki drew himself up. "We are on our way to Morcethair, but we lost our guide. Perhaps you could be so good as to accompany us and show us the way through this fair land?" Edan looked back to his sheep. He ran a hand through his hair as he considered. The fair land probably extended further than the paddock. "Sorry there, but I'm busy." "But it is an important thing we do. We have to be there by the setting of this day's sun or the world will be lost." Edan shrugged. "I have to stay here or my sheep will be lost." Jaydre gestured towards the sun. "It's almost a day's travel to the city, too," he muttered, barely loud enough for Edan to hear. Edan kept his attention on Zhannuki, whose face was starting to match the colour of his robe. "You do not understand, boy, we need to be there to take part in the ceremony or the world as we know it is doomed." "I see. You'd best be moving then." Edan started to walk back up the hill, but he stopped as Jaydre stepped forward. |
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Back to My Work page Monissa Whiteley Monissa Whitely Monissa Whitley |
"Look boy, we need you to
take part in this ceremony because the prophecy says so."
Edan looked over the sheep again. Then he turned back to the two men. "So you would trust the fate of the world to someone who would just leave his responsibilities and follow a couple of strangers?" Jaydre stepped back towards Zhannuki. "He does have a point." Zhannuki pushed his companion out of the way. He pointed at Edan. "Look boy, you are coming with us." Edan picked up some rocks, then whistled. "Heyo Shep, come see these two off for me." The dog trotted down the hill, head lowered, watching the strangers. Jaydre backed away. "You know, if we head over to the next farm, the view should be much the same." Zhannuki glared at him. He started to speak but it turned into a yelp as Edan hit him with a stone. Jaydre turned, running down the hill. Zhannuki hoisted his robe to his knees then took off after him. Edan put his fingers in his mouth and whistled. Once Shep was back at his side, he started up the hill to his favourite resting place. "Religious fanatics. At least those two didn't want me to change my name." |
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