After Rash finished packing, he left the cabin and headed towards Kieren's cabin—exactly as Kieren was stepping out of his own.
"I want you to wear this," Kieren said, handing Rash a pendant.
"What is this?" Rash asked.
"It will help you with your training."
"What is drawn on the medallion?" Rash asked.
"It is an old song that speaks of angels and violins, and it goes like this:
Violins playin' and the angels cryin'
When the stars align, then I'll be there."
Kieren's voice filled the clearing—deep and beautiful. Rash looked at Kieren in shock.
"You know how to sing?"
Kieren ignored the question.
"The song is in a language that has vanished from the world. It speaks of angels and violins."
Rash, still in shock, said: "How did you not tell me you could sing?"
Kieren gave Rash a single look, and Rash got the message and changed the subject.
"So, where are we going?"
"Essentially, we need to go to Paneria, the capital city of Fangmor. But we will start in Vernash. I left something there a while ago that will help us on our way."
"Vernash of all places?" Rash wondered. "Why there?"
"A good friend of mine used to live there, and he promised he would keep it safe for me," Kieren replied.
This book's true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.
"You have friends?" Rash asked with a laugh.
Kieren gave him another threatening look.
"Alright, alright, it's just a joke, no need to get upset," Rash said.
"Anyway, it's a five-day distance. We should start walking," Rash added.
"I have a slightly faster mode of transportation," Kieren said, pointing at Light.
Rash turned pale and muttered: "I think I'd rather walk."
Kieren smiled a wicked smile and pushed Rash towards Light.
Rash mounted Light, and Kieren mounted behind him. Light neighed—and the world blurred. When the world stopped being a blur, they were at the edge of the forest.
Rash jumped off Light and vomited. Kieren dismounted and patted Light, then Light turned and vanished.
"From here, we continue on foot."
Rash stood up and wiped his mouth.
"I think I’d rather walk ten thousand kilometers, and then ten thousand more—than ride Light ever again."
Kieren smiled. "From here, it is a one-hour walk to Vernash."
"What are you looking for there?" Rash asked.
"I recently discovered that something I thought was destroyed might have survived. When I last searched for it, I used an old device my family created to help locate it. I left the device with an old friend of mine, a man named Erwin Salchar—a blacksmith who lives in Vernash."
Kieren and Rash started walking. After a few minutes, they saw houses on the horizon.
"The village looks empty," Kieren said.
"That’s the normal state of Vernash. When was the last time you visited here?" Rash asked.
"It’s been a while, but it used to be a bustling town."
"Well, I last visited here on my way to..." Rash said and went silent in the middle, embarrassed. "You know."
"To kill me?" Kieren said sarcastically.
"Well, yes. But back to the subject—there are about 200 residents in all of Vernash, and at this hour most of them are in their houses. They are poor farmers; they rise and sleep according to the sun," Rash continued.
"Bebuso," Kieren muttered.
They continued walking in silence until Rash fell forward onto the ground. Kieren caught him before he hit the dirt.
"What happened?" he asked.
"The pendant you gave me is very heavy. It’s pulling me forward."
"Right, I forgot it is still tuned to my brother," Kieren said. "Do you remember how you practiced breathing in the forest, and breathed in the golden particles?"
Rash nodded.
"Good. I want you to do it again—only this time, hold the medallion and concentrate on it."
Rash sat down with the medallion in his hand and began to breathe. Suddenly, the medallion began to glow with a golden light. Then Rash opened his eyes—and the golden light vanished.
"Wow. It still has weight, but much less. I can walk with this weight."
Rash stood up, and they continued walking towards Vernash.
