_{Chapter 2 – The Illuminators}

They bore no lights, but as they stepped in a shimmer of light, like the light of the moon above the rim of the hill before it rises, seemed to fall about their feet. Their eyes glistened like diamonds and the starlight glimmering on their hair. They were staring at Lord Edgar with some courtesy. Lord Edgar in a soft humming voice said to Elvyn” They are few of the fairest folks. They descend from heaven itself. They come at times when there is no hopes and everything is dark, and hence the name Illuminators. Some say they are the messengers of the God “Elvyn was seeing all these with a gaped mouth, he was totally spell – bounded by their beauty, and his instincts refused to blink his eyes. Then, there was a soft sweet voice like the song of a male nightingale at dusk, to this Elvyn moved with a sudden jerk, as if he has been disturbed from a deep sleep, “We deeply regret for the mishaps. We have come when people in between birth and death (life) live with fear and agony. Humankind has suffered such fate for two hundred moon years, but goodness will befall upon us very soon and God knows that. Then, a few may doubt it “said the two illuminators and turned their head to face Elvyn. It looked like; they knew what he was thinking. He blushed with both shame and anger. Then the Illuminators continued, “Our only hope lies on your hand (child), sleepy and unaware of the outer world. But one day he will be known for his wisdom and strength just like his father.His father, was undoubtedly  the most noble person of his time, what a loss to our mother earth. The child would certainly imbibe his nature, for I know  freedom would come from his hands.” Lord Edgar smiled and looked at the baby. “But they all are assumptions Edgar. We live because we have hopes. Hopes which makes us feel safe and happy. But they need not be always true. No one knows that better than you”. There was a wry smile on their  face.

                                      

                                                                                Windswept pines were now moving against the cold chill breeze which swept the graveyard. Ingrith whispered something in the ears of Ingrede. Her eyes widened and her mouth rounded like something popped – up in her mind. “forgive me Ingrith I totally forgot it “apologising to Ingrith she said “We have come here, to give the child, the gift of god”she was pointing towards the child. To this Lord Edgar opened his mouth to say something but he was interrupted by Ingrith“Yes, the Gift of God “. The two illuminators were now standing errect and upright,and with a swift movement of their hand they brought a bag, from nowhere. The bag as it looked, was made of feather with pearls studded on it. It was giving light of it’s own and it was overshadowing the Illuminators. They handed it to Elvyn and said “Our time is passing out we have to go back “saying this Ingrith quickly took out a sand clock from the inside of her cloak. Something was protruding from it and as they pressed it hard, they started dissolving in the air, as if an ice in water. After a few seconds, they were gone. Both Lord Edgar and Elvyn had storming questions about the bag but they were unanswered. As they disappeared, it was as if somebody sucked out light from the graveyard to complete darkness. The bag was not glimmering any more, even the winds ceased to blow.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 Elvyn broke the silence and said,” It is empty. The bag, which the illuminators gave, it’s empty”. Even then Lord Edgar didn’t look surprised and he said” Listen Elvyn, I do not know what it is and what it does, neither did they told us. Now listen carefully, the child stays with you. Yes, you will be his guardian. Raise him as your own child, and never let him know he is an orphan. You owe me that much, do not you. I have some pressing issues; which I cannot explain right now. I will come for him when he comes off age.

                                                                                                                 “To this Elvyn said, “I cannot, I will...” but Lord Edgar wasn’t looking at him, he bowed and began to sob lightly he was looking at the tombstone with tear – filled eyes. His words were no more coherent. It seemed like he was saying

“

Rest in peace, Oh! Creator of our hope

A long way you have treaded

To keep up the peace instead

I vow my life, Oh! Bringer of rain

The Dead Lord is going to bend

Moreover, people will remember you till the end

For now, rest in peace my friend.

“

He paused for a while and said, “Your worries are mine now.”

                                                                                               Then he stood up and in a commanding voice and called out a name “Apsarus !”,and continued “see you when it’s time Elvyn, and be careful. Keep the child safe because out, there are people ready to snuff out the world’s one hope for reason and justice. Hope, you understand It.” there was a fast clicking voice, like that of a fast approaching beast. However, from the darkness came a white hairy horse, whose name was undoubtedly Apsarus. It was sprinkled with lights from the stars they could not see “Ah! Here comes my horse “said Lord Edgar he climbed onto his horse and gave Elvyn the child. Then he set off at a relaxed trot. He was gone, and was nowhere to be seen which left only Elvyn and the child in the graveyard, but suddenly from the distance came a reverberating voice “Elvyn give him the name Aron “.

Chapter 1 – The Graveyard

It was rather a moonlit night and the clouds were moving lazily on the sky, but it was unable to eclipse the effect of the moon, and the name “ALLERIC CARLTON (6 A.D.)” emblazoned with it. It was neither on a card, nor on a door, but on a dead man’s tombstone, carved out of a silver block. Such was the importance and stature of the person. But unfortunately his funeral was attended by only a few. One amongst them was a small child lying curled up on two hands of a tall, thin and an elderly figure. His beard reached up to his ankles and his light blue eyes were gazing the tombstone with a tinge of sorrow. He was totally unperturbed by the magical effect of the night. He was like; he has been living for ages. Then suddenly this man with a sharp hoarse voice said, “He is our only hope Alleric “and he stressed his name again “Alleric Carlton! “

                                                                                          Then came a sound of “Hem Hem“by a man with short blonde hair and dark watchful eyes who was standing just beside him. He was very sorry for the disturbance but his head was swirling with lots of dubious questions and he asked one out of them “Is he really the needed one? Lord Edgar”.

There was silence for a moment, a long cold silence and his eyes drifted out of focus. He looked like he was thinking hard about something, something he was not clear about, then lord Edgar turned his chortling face, to face the man with the question bank and answered”long since we have lived in the dark age and Vorus dynasty have paid their price, you know that Elvyn don’t you ?” Elvyn was filled with shock and fear; he bent his head more with fear and less with respect and answered “Y-Y-Yes my lord”. Smile on the face of Lord Edgar widened a bit “Hope and intellectuality have always been the factor which makes us apart from other beings. I still remember your mother had a strong belief that one day you will outshine”. His head bent down listened very aptly “Don’t you believe Yong and what he said about the boy. We have lived a long age of misery and death , we all have lost our dear ones in this dark age and if someone says it’s going to end then I would risk believing it.”. He took a deep breath and continued again “It’s a beautiful night isn’t it?” The whole graveyard was now dappled with moon light due to a brisk movement of cloud which created a jubilant effect. Elvyn was awe-struck by the magical performance of the nature. He immediately answered “Yes”. Lord Edgar without a change in his expression “I know what you are worried about Elvyn“. To this Elvyn raised his head hesitantly for the first during this conversation. Lord Edgar gazed Elvyn with a deep penetrating look and said, “I know whom Evius fears the most, but even though the child is very vulnerable. However, we know something he does not. Don’t you reckon it”. Elvyn tried to say something, but stopped himself.

                                 Then suddenly out of thin air came two elderly figures. Elvyn was moved with this sudden bolt of voice but Lord Edgar was glued to the Earth, as if he was expecting them long since. They were hidden and were unable to be seen as if they were wearing a shawl of darkness. With a warm welcoming voice, Lord Edgar said, “I welcome you both Ingrede and Ingrith to this ceremony hope your presence gives peace to his soul”. Pointing towards the graveyard he welcomed them” Oh! The only surviving illuminators please step forward and bless us by your presence“.