“Sarah” the father spoke quietly, “are you in here?”
“Yes” she replied, “One moment I need to dress myself”
Quickly throwing a robe over her shoulders, she opened the door to see the tall father hands clasped at his waist, covered by his silky sleeves. She looked him up and down, before stopping and staring into his eyes, caught in the undertow of his blue eyes.
They reminded her of the ocean.
“My apologies” she quickly spoke as she dropped to her knees. “Had I known I was to be in your presence I would have... uh”
He brought a hand up, “it's alright child. I don't mind I assure you.”
Without waiting for the invitation, he walked himself into her room; it wasn't a very big room, quite cozy actually. He gazed around, inspecting, as if to find something out of place. Before she was able to make a weak excuse for the tattered bedding and the wardrobe with only one door on it, his eyes caught a pleasant sight that brought a smile to his face
“Lovely view Sarah,” he spoke crossing the room in but three steps, then rested both palms on the window sill.
“I do love the ocean; so much life is out there just waiting to be seen.” She replied taking a place by his side.
“It’s funny you should mention that, it's actually one of the reasons I am here today.” He said still staring out at the waters, “my home was out there, way out past the great barrier that separates us from the North Lands. In a land where wizards were as common as the sea birds you see before you.”
He stood quiet for an extended moment before turning to her and taking her hands in his. “I lost my homeland to a king who sought out power just for himself; he did not care for his people or his home. He was tempted by a great darkness that shrouded our land and turned it into a desolate waste land where not even a single grain of grass can now grow. What was once a beautiful and prosperous land now is in a permanent grip of death”
Turning back to the window, a tear fell from his face. Landing on a patch a soil, a tiny plant began to grow, slowly at first, taking in the sun and warmth that was present in the room.
“How did you do that” she asked trying to comprehend what her eyes witnessed.
Life needs four requirements; earth, water, air and fire. Earth to give life its foundation, water to give life its nutrients; Air to breathe life into the world and fire to warm the spirit within. Without these elements no life can exist.” The father spoke “the king took my land; strip it of water, fire and air, leaving but a dead land where nothing can grow.”
“Why would he do that?” She asked,
“A very evil spirit whispered temptations of immortality and power beyond belief. Some think it to be an old wives tale, but the evil force will not stop with my home, his greed and temptation fuel an ever burning lust for power, which will ultimately destroy us all.”
Again turning to her, he placed his hands in hers. “If he ever steps foot in the sacred lands of Rendort, You must run child. Run with all of your might, and never look back. There are dangers lurking over the horizon, and the winds set its course for Rendort. Pray he does not reach here in time, and that the Forgotten saves us all.”
“The forgotten, who are they?” She asked puzzled.
“The forgotten are in so many ways unknown to us, not exactly knowing their heritage, some say it is but a single hero, who when pushed, stands against the evil. Others believe it be a band of righteous and moral men cast away by the deceptive lands they called their home. It does not matter who or what they are, only that they must stand for life or we are all lost.” He kissed the side of her face before walking to the door.
Turning, he gazed into her eyes, with a smile, that seemed to be the last smile he would ever wear, “remember child. Strength comes from need, never lose that strength”
She nodded after he headed through the door, noticing a weight in her right hand; she opened to find a metallic raindrop pendant. She kissed the raindrop and hung it around her neck.