The flight of a dragonfly caught Ayden's attention long enough to distract his mind from visions of dark-souled people escaping Hosgrow's gray area. Losing interest, he turned away. But, as the "dragonfly" came closer, Ayden gave it a closer inspection. He gasped as he realized it wasn't an insect, but the tiniest human-like form he'd ever seen; the thing zipped around so rapidly that anyone not paying close attention could have easily mistaken it for a bug.
Volos raised his hand as a signal to keep quiet, and then whistled a soft, lilting note. The sound was high pitched; Ayden was certain that if his ears hadn't been so fine-tuned, he probably wouldn't have heard it at all.
Jynx watched curiously and even attempted a swat at the tiny creature with his paw. It dodged away easily and then came to Volos as he outstretched his hand, allowing it to land noiselessly in his giant palm.
The pixie looked as if one of Freya's pictures had magically come to life. The veins in her oval shaped, transparent wings sparkled as she surveyed Ayden with her stunningly large, orange eyes. Her hair, which was kept in a braid, was exactly the color of a brand new, shiny penny. A colorful top accented her bare, bluish arms, and pants made of butterfly wings covered long, slender legs that tapered to her delicate bare feet. A mesmerizing air hung about her that caused Ayden to stare stupidly, his mouth hanging open.
Volos gave Ayden a sidelong glance and smiled. Then he turned to the pixie, who was batting her long eyelashes at Ayden. Volos conversed with the creature, using the high-pitched whistling. The pixie jerked her head toward Volos and, "whistling" back at him, scowled. He chuckled and continued their conversation. The pixie's expression relaxed and she smiled again. Ayden felt awkward being excluded from the conversation.
But as Ayden listened to Volos and the pixie, he could swear he heard words. Maybe he was being paranoid, but he was certain they'd said his name and then something about Freya.
After giving Ayden a wink, the pixie shot off and was out of sight within seconds. "What was that all about?" Ayden asked dreamily, suddenly intoxicated over the pixie's winking at him.
"Nyxia is a messenger. Your grandmother was checking up on us. I sent word that we've completed the mission and are heading home."
"What did you two say about me?" he asked suspiciously as they walked through the forest.
Volos looked surprised and then shrugged. "I only told her your name. She thought you were handsome," he said in a teasing sort of way. "She would've tried to trick you if I hadn't been with you."
"She wouldn't have tricked me," Ayden replied coolly.
"Judging by the way you were staring and drooling, I'd say she would have!" Volos replied, laughing.
Ayden had a strong urge to change the subject. "How is it that you know Ahriman so well? Did you used to fight together?"
Volos' expression sobered, and he took a long time to answer. Ayden thought he hadn't heard and was about to ask the question again when Volos spoke gravely, "I once lived at Hosgrow."
This was not what Ayden had expected. He'd never known much about Volos' past, but that had never mattered before. Now, curiosity tugged at him, and he couldn't resist asking more questions. "You lived there? You mean, as an inmate?"
"As a resident," Volos corrected him.
Mischievously excited, Ayden asked, "What did you do?"
Volos' body tensed and his face became as stone. His jaw muscle bulged as he clenched his mouth shut and marched on, his eyes set on the path ahead. Ayden wished he'd kept his mouth shut.
Ayden walked silently behind Volos for nearly an hour, his mind racing with possibilities of what Volos had done. He didn't ask more questions, however, scared the rage that had suddenly gripped his friend might somehow be released in a violent way.
They finally came to the path leading back to Lostar. However, Volos turned and told Ayden that they would not be taking that path, but one that trailed to the south. This way, Ayden could learn more of the area. It would take three more days to reach home.
"Three days? Aren't there any vehicles or horses or any quicker forms of transportation here?" Ayden asked in protest.
"Yes. But you need to keep in shape, and you'll be able to get a better mental picture of our surroundings if we walk."
Thankful that Volos was back to his normal self, Ayden didn't push the matter. Then, thinking of the pixie, he asked, "How long will it take Nyxia to reach home?"
"An hour. She's probably been there and gone by now."
"AN HOUR? Insane!" Ayden said admiringly.
Their entire journey home was a learning experience, and Ayden was actually glad that they were walking. For the first time, he saw more of the plant and animal life that Freya had told him about. Volos often pointed out specific land marks so Ayden could make a mental note.
At last, at noon on the third day, they reached familiar territory. They were still a couple of miles from the gateway, but Ayden was so excited he started running. Jynx shared Ayden's enthusiasm and arched his tail and friskily raced after his master. Even Volos joined in the race as all three sped toward home.
Upon stepping through the caragana hedge, Ayden suddenly felt as if he'd been gone a decade. Freya waited for them with outstretched arms and a brilliantly warm smile. She giggled happily as she embraced her grandson. "Welcome home! Welcome home!" she sang. She released Ayden and hugged Volos in turn before leading them to the house.
Inside, Daktari bustled over a stove full of bubbling, steaming food as they entered the kitchen. "Ah, welcome home! How was your journey? Did the dwarf give you any trouble? Where did you stay? Lostar is so nice this time of the year, don't you think? Did you see any fairies while you were there?" She asked this succession of questions, hardly taking a breath and leaving no chance for anyone to reply.
She would've continued, but Freya interrupted her friend, "Daktari, dear, give them some time and some air. I think you both are ready for a hot bath." She turned toward Ayden and Volos as she wrinkled her nose.
"Go ahead," Volos said, looking at Ayden. Even though he knew good and well that Volos would be telling Freya all that had happened on their trip, he couldn't resist the hot bubbly water that was calling to his tired muscles.
After a soothing bath and the best dinner he could remember eating, Ayden followed Freya into the living room where they sat down to talk. Ayden's full stomach flip-flopped as he knew they would have to discuss what happened near the river. However, Freya didn't begin with that subject. Instead, she smiled and gave his hand a gentle squeeze. "My dear Ayden, I am so proud of you! Volos told me how well you did at Lostar."
Feeling uncomfortable, Ayden answered, "Freya, I failed. Didn't Volos tell you how I fell apart and how Skeezicks would've gotten away if he hadn't been there?"
Freya continued to smile and replied, "It is as Volos told you by the river. You did not fail, only learned. Every experience is given us to choose what we will take from it. The important thing is that you gave it your best effort, and you never gave up. Although, meditating beforehand would've helped you greatly."
Ayden dug at his fingernails as he remembered how he'd brushed off meditating the night before the mission. As for the rest of what Freya had said, he wasn't convinced she was right. He felt no pride in his mission to Lostar.
Reading his mind, Freya spoke again, "It is good, Ayden, that things happened the way they did. If you'd had no trouble whatsoever on your first mission, you might've become prideful. Pride makes you weak. If you had become prideful over this mission, you certainly would have failed the next."
Still not feeling good about the whole thing, Ayden decided to confide in Freya about his vision by the river. Creases formed between her brows as she listened intently to every detail. Ayden couldn't keep himself from shaking as the memories of that day rushed his mind while he spoke.
When he finished, Freya sat silently for several minutes. Finally, she spoke, "Ayden, it is good that you are beginning to rem
ember. Don't be afraid of your past. If you don't allow it, your past can no longer harm you." She stopped and it seemed that she was contemplating saying more, but decided against it. Instead, her expression softened and she gave him a warm hug before instructing him to go to bed.
Not even the bed at the Lostar Inn could've felt better as Ayden sank into his covers. His body was exhausted, but his mind raced on, thinking over every event of the past week. He wondered, too, what Freya was still hiding from him. A strange foreboding settled over him. Whatever she's hiding, it can't be good!
Chapter Seven
The Dead Sorcerer