Chapter Eight: Revelations-The Mark of the Fire

Aliosha, Dylara and Megrez, followed by Vladimir and their companions, set out and traveled through the quiet forest to reach the Sentinel Mountains while they appreciated the beautiful sunset, which with its magical colors reminded them of the sunrise that they had seen days ago in their first contact with the range. The wind blew softly, moving the leaves of the evergreens with a sweet melody while the herbs that had not perished before the previous snowfalls followed their dance in silence. The high mountains with their grayish and ocher colors,alongside their eternally frozen peaks, watched the group of travelers as stone sentinels.
They reached large lake at the foot of the mountain range. This had several islands of various sizes inside. Its stony shores were surrounded by cliffs covered with a forest bathed in a white blanket of snow, creating a landscape of incomparable beauty. This lake in was Lake Lamu, one of the largest and most beautiful, but also most mysterious in the empire. Its blue-green waters were so clear and crystalline that the communities in the area used to say that it is possible to see the truth through them. In addition, the lake was surrounded by many legends about supernatural events that captivated those who approached to its shores.
Both Megrez and Vladimir agreed that the lake's shore would be a good place to camp and spending the night before resuming their journey, so they all settled there as the sun went down.
The group members removed several of the objects from the horse-drawn cart, among which were various blankets, food, and drinks. Dusk continued its course as owls and owls began to take the place of the golden eagles. The sky had finally darkened and the frayed-looking purple clouds had been blown away by the wind, leaving it almost completely clear. The stars were already beginning to be visible and the atmosphere was flooded by the calm of the winter night. Malaika, along with some members of the caravan, volunteered to collect branches, pinecones, firewood and other items that could be used to light the fire in the campfire and cook dinner. Meanwhile, the pair of teenagers were on the shore of the lake, watching with great surprise the transparency of the water and throwing stones at it. Megrez guarded the perimeter in case there were other wild animals around the settlement.
"I don't remember ever having gone that far... " the boy said to his friend with a melancholic tone as he looked at the stars.
"Neither do I ..." she replied with a slight smile as she used her arm as a catapult to throw one more stone into the lake. "But hey... here we are. You don't know if is worth going into the unknown if you never try."
The men in the caravan who had already gotten enough firewood were lighting the fire and putting the necessary cooking materials into it. When they had everything ready, it was time to sit down to eat by the campfire.Dinner time was also a time of rest in which all members of the group could talk more and gain more confidence.
"The truth is that this trip is distracting me from my problems ... but do you know it would be really good? Let us release them right now! There's no one here watching us! Let's spit out our thoughts! "said Taras -one of the travelers- with his glass in hand while the others served their kebab and began to eat sitting around the warm and bright fire.
"It's a good idea" answered Vladimir, who was sitting with his glass of water in hand and smiling slightly "It could be fun."
"I'll start," said Sergei." I hope the power of Ivar falls soon. It is already unbearable for everyone..."
"Yes! It's true! We no longer tolerate his mania for attacking people for no reason! Nor his arrogant and overbearing attitudes! And that is dedicated especially to his apprentice, that one needs a good lesson in manners!" The voyagers shouted euphoric and chuckling, making silly jokes about the terrifying ruler and the spoiled Tsarevich. If it had not been for being far from the city, surely the jokers would have gotten several broken bones.
"Look at me, I'm Mikhai and you are going to clean my shoes or I'm gonna blow your teeth!" said Evgen trying to imitate Mikhai's voice and laughing.
The children were amused by the sudden change of mood in the environment, although they did not say anything out loud, but like the rest of the travelers they expected better times. They still did not fully understand the madness of politics, they were too young for it. Usually the talks that touched on the topic started out interesting and then turned into a heavy and monotonous sermon. Or at least, that's how adults did it.But the Tsar's troops had done a lot of damage to his people, which they were just learning about thanks to the books gi witch. And especially to Aliosha and his family, the perjury was unforgivable.
"That people don't know what love is, do you know what it is?"
" Love is ... what you feel for your family ... for your friends ... or for food." Dylara answered with a laugh, being that the first time she got involved in the conversation.
" Exactly! Love is when your friend passes you the vodka or the potatoes while having dinner. But that's what those who share do. And the Rabid Dog with his henchmen don't share anything. Well, maybe what they share is pain... and torture." replied Ivan.
"Down with the Rabid Dog's horror reign!" They all shouted including Vladimir, raising his glasses in the form of an euphoric toast. This last sentence echoed with an air of hope in Vladimir's mind, who for the first time that night was smiling broadly. He was determined to finally make that wish come true.
Aliosha, who was still curious about Vladimir's hometown, felt that he should join the conversation in some way. He was urged by the need to ask about the city, to clarify some of the many doubts that he had running through his head. Finally, he steeled himself to limit:
"I know you are talking about the Tsar and all that but ..."His voice was mixed with the bustle of the travelers who were talking rapidly among themselves while eating , "What happened in Nodvragoda?"
The voices and bites lowered their pitch and speed until they sounded like almost non-existent murmurs. Vladimir froze watching the dancing flames of the fire, then closed his eyes sadly and opened them again."The Dark Army," he said with a sad tone.
There were no more traces of the smile that just a few minutes ago reacted to the humorous imitations and jokes made by his caravan companions. In his place was a somber face and his grayish blue eyes were dull. After a gasp, the travelers fell into an absolutely awkward silence. The mention of the Dark Army had startled Dylara and left her with bulging eyes. She was a girl with few fears, but if there was something that terrified her to the point of causing nightmares, it was the Dark Army and the idea that they could do something to her loved ones. Aliosha moved his eyes from one side to the other slowly. She was starting to feel bad for probably ruining the good mood of the night. An "ouch" was the only word that crossed through his mind that moment. They all looked at the red fire as did Vladimir, who swallowed hard to tell his experience...

******

It was a hot summer in 1362. People in the Republic of Nodvragoda lived most quietly in their prosperous city. Despite having ceased to be the capital long ago, and even having separated from the then principality, its good relationship with it allowed life to be pleasant for its inhabitants for about two hundred years. It was just a few days before the classic summer festival that used to be held annually on the shores of the lake.
Along with the town assembly, families were already putting together preparations related to games, food, handicraft stalls and tents while the temples of the Sun prepared for their solemn ceremonies.
The Assumption of Ivar to the throne a few years before was something that had taken the city by surprise, and from what the new ruler seemed, a friendly relationship with his neighbors was not in his plans. For some months there had been rumors about a possible attack on the city, but no one was really sure. The emperor seemed too busy trying to conquer the nomadic tribes and some southern cities to focus on a place that did not have much trouble with the kingdom, even though his rulers did not like the ways of the Tsar and company. What could have caused some paranoia, vanished into thin air without pain or glory and people were focused on bringing the festival to life.
Vladimir, together with his family and his brother, were in charge of a stall of beautiful ceramic vessels while his parents continued with the family's blacksmith tradition and sold cutlery and other metal objects.
The long-awaited day of the festival arrived, and apparently it arrived with even more excitement than usual due to the fact that this was planned to be a night of the Red Moon, an event that cannot go unnoticed as it captivates anyone who has ever raised their view to the sky. But unbeknownst to them, the excitement was about to end. The moon would not be the only thing that would end up dyed red that night.
Everything was going perfectly, people played and ate, a large contingent watched the color change of the moon reflecting on the lake... until from the shadows of the nearby forest came black horses with their hooded riders. These riders were carrying long swords and in the blink of an eye they pounced on the tents, the stages and everything that had taken so many weeks of preparation.
People tried to flee in terror. But this was only the beginning of the worst. Scores of horsemen had come into the city from the city's southern border wall and roamed its streets, subjecting its inhabitants to truly horrendous acts. They carried torches and were setting fire and destroying everything in their path. Their black garments contrasted with the red flames of the fire they caused. Many people who tried to flee perished and others were captured. Those who managed to run away from the horror ran into the forest and would not return to the city until later.
How such a large number of invaders snuck in the city was something that some people was wondering amid the confusion and general chaos, the answer is that the citizens had been tried to retain their leader at the south gate, a priest from one of the temples had begged him that he did not enter and did everything to prevent it but sadly ,he did not succeed. An alleged betrayal of the city chiefs towards his authority and his person was his pretext to spread panic.
Who was running the whole disaster was not just a whoever. The fire reached the area where the fun festival that had become a carnage was being held. A large figure stood in the middle of the mob riding his horse and carrying a torch. He pulled off his hood to reveal his black hair topped by a glittering gold crown that reflected the flashes of destruction. Beside him was another man riding a horse, who seemed smaller in age and stature but whose wickedness was just as big or even more. He carried a large double-edged ax but did not participate, he had remained immobile next to the apparent organizer of the massacre, observing the mess in the same way in which a student observes a perfect work of his teacher. They both gave a satisfied laugh, showing perhaps the most wicked and cynical parts of the human condition.
Vladimir tried to escape in despair but he and his wife were caught. He only had two options: become a servant of the palace, or lose his family. He chose the first one.
Those rumors that nobody wanted to be true were confirmed. The city was being devastated by the empire. The Dark Army was the mob and their leader was the Tsar himself. Nodvragoda's golden age had come to an end. The city had fallen and the marks of the fire were still visible five years after the horrifying day. Not all the buildings had been destroyed, but if something had been broken it was the joy of the survivors, which had been replaced by melancholy.

*****

The whole group got frozen. Aliosha had a very noticeable expression of disgust and discomfort on his face, like that of someone accidentally stepping on an object of dubious provenance with their bare feet.
He felt absolutely guilty that he had ruined the night, although it was more than obvious that he was not to blame for what had happened to the city.
Dylara meanwhile not only shared the facial expression of her friend, she also felt terror. Her face, usually ocher shaded as the fallen autumnal leaves, was pale. A warm sensation had begun to rise through her body, very similar to what she feels in a situation that combines anxiety and anguish. Not even the shapeshifting demons seemed to upset her as much as the Dark Army. Maybe it was time to sleep and think of something more joyful and lesser traumatic. The fun she had while learning to use the sword and the beauty of the crystal clear lake with its green waters and rocky bottom were good options to calm down and avoid having a bad night.
The stars turned out to be a pleasant company, which also aroused intense curiosity in her. With their twinkling lights; they seemed so far away and unreachable up in the sky and at the same time so beautiful and full of magic. But two of them were no longer in the sky,. Them were lost, and she was one of the people who had to be in charge of finding them. How did they look in person? What kind of powers did they have? What situations were they in? How was it that Megrez was an envoy of them? She had so many questions! She lay down on her makeshift bed, covered herself with the thick blanket, and stared dreamily at the sky, waiting to give in to sleep.
Aliosha was not sleepy yet, his mind was restless and still full of questions like Dylara's, although the bitter taste of the story of the attack on Nodvragoda left in his mind was no longer as strong as hers. He rose from the thick log he was sitting on and saw Megrez walk past him. He hadn't had a very close relationship with Megrez since they had met in such strange circumstances. Like all humans, fear of the unknown and denial had flooded his mind at first due to his unique and mysterious nature. But now the fear had been replaced by the intrigue of knowing the true origin of her and perhaps being able to build a more pleasant relationship with that being who at that moment was the only authority figure other than Vladimir who was in his way.
The reading times in Baba Yanga's cabin with his friend had opened up a rather curious universe before his incredulous eyes and had made him remember things that he had heard about during his childhood and were trapped in the depths of his unconscious. He decided to follow the tiger that was approaching the shore of the lake. It was a good time to talk, as there was no bustle to interrupt. The pair walked slowly along the crystal clear water that had turned into a dark void by nightfall, while its islands had transformed into barely recognizable silhouettes.
"Ehmm ... I know we met at a very strange time. But I wanted to show you that I am grateful that you saved our life ... even if it does not seem like it. You are not angry, are you?" The boy said to the big cat with a little embarrassment as the stones crunched softly under his boots.
"I know that, my dear Aliosha. And I shouldn't be angry, your reaction is completely normal." The animal replied with the typical serene and sensible tone of him. His voice had an air of grandeur befitting his image, but at the same time conveyed a peace and humility that were in sharp contrast to his fierce and imposing beast-like appearance.
The duo in their nocturnal wandering had changed course and from the lake they were approaching the forest.
"But ... I still want to know ... Why do you know our names? What are you and what did you mean when you said that the stars had sent you? Your explanation was not very clear that time in the forest."
"Did you read those legend books that were in the witch's cottage?"
"Yes, although I think Dylara was more interested in those than I was. One of them is on the cart. I remember seeing on some page the same story that the letter has but with illustrations. And in another one, something related to souls and beings that have to do with the stars."
"I get it. Now, let me explain it better."
Aliosha widened his eyes and stopped walking.
"Those of my kind are not of your same nature, although that is not the case throughout our whole existence. Surely you have read in one of those books that when people take their last breath, their energy, their vital spark, does not disappear but is embodied in another form of life."
"Yes, I remember that. Although it still seems confusing to me". The boy replied." But what does it have to do with you?"
"When the person who died was a hero or someone with a positive impact on the world or their environment, their soul is recruited by the stars, with the aim of serving them in each of their next lives. Seeking and guiding mortals with the potential to carry on that legacy or to create their own one . This is how we train. Some call us daemons, although we are also known as "messengers of the stars" because...well, people tend to confuse it with "demons". We are mentors, we are part of the conscience" Megrez replied.
Aliosha was absolutely silent, his eyes wide in surprise. The "sent by the stars" thing was apparently not metaphorical. As he went farther from his native Barkistan, more and more secrets were revealed, but at the same time more and more questions arose. His world was no longer the same. The boy and the tiger walked in a straight line and went a little further into the coniferous forest without straying too far from the camp. Normally, he would not go out at night to avoid episodes like the wolf chase. But the advantage of Megrez accompanying him was quite obvious. The wind blew lightly and owls hooted. The night was cold but beautiful. Nearby lived a community of the Evsk tribe that they will probably visit the next morning to get more supplies.
Suddenly, red flashes began to be seen among the trees, similar to the fire in the campfire. The duo slowed their march, and Megrez's ears were held high in warning. They turned to go back to camp and footsteps began to be heard. They decided that it would be best to return quickly. More footsteps began to be heard, and faster as the flames grew larger and larger, covering the forest. The boy and the tiger ran towards the camp, but no one was there. There were only flames and smoke. Dark human shadows with swords, horses, and torches shot out of the smoke toward them.Immediately, Megrez grabbed Aliosha by his coat like the last time and left him on his back to run as fast as possible around the lake. They reached what appeared to be a safe place, although far from the camp. The young teen was worried about the rest of his companions and was startled, although he was already safe again.
He gasped for a while lying on the ground until he caught his breath. For the first time he looked directly into the emerald eyes of the tiger. His penetrating gaze for some strange reason seemed familiar. He remembered what he had explained to her about the "messengers" - daemons- before running away and a strange feeling washed over his body. The being in front of him had had a past life as a human.
"You said ... that you are the soul of a hero but ... Why do you know me? ... Who are you really?" Asked the boy with heavy breathing.
The tiger glanced at him and began to walk slowly towards the water's edge. Aliosha followed him and again stared at him face to face. The light from the fire in the distance was enough for the reflection of the water to be seen clearly, as if the night was nothing more than a memory. "The right question would be <Who I have been?>. Come closer, and watch the water carefully." the creature replied while approaching the water.
Surprisingly, his legs did not get wet, it seemed that he was suspended above the water. Aliosha approached and could see that the same strange effect occurred on his feet. He obeyed what the animal told him and looked at the crystal clear water that was beneath his feet between him and the animal. The image of the stones in the background began to change. Aliosha put his hand on the big cat's head and felt its soft fur. The transformation of the image brought tears to his eyes.
The figure next to the reflection of him was no longer a tiger. He was a man in similar clothing to his, with dark skin and hair and mahogany eyes. The figure in the reflection put his hands on his shoulders, looked into his eyes and then hugged him. Aliosha, unable of saying a word, broke down in tears. But it was not necessary to speak. Only a gaze was enough for telling more than a thousand words could.After so many years he was seeing the image of his father Vladek, who had perished at the hands of the Imperial troops. He was there. As if time had stopped. It was an impossible rendezvous.
Suddenly the fire of the reflection took on a pinkish tone, like the color of the aurora. In the water the dark figure of a hooded young man appeared behind Aliosha, swinging his battle axe towards his neck. The boy shouted a distorted scream that ended in silence and he felt the icy cold of the water all over his body.
"Aliosha!" Dylara's breaking whine was heard"What are you doing in the water? It's late at night!"
The water was so cold that at first it felt like touching ice, but then all sensation was gone and his skin was stiff. Aliosha jerked his torso up, he was dizzy, feeling like the night of the chase. He put his hands on his forehead staring at his friend who, like him, was startled at her bed and next to her was Megrez trying to comfort her.
"How strange" he thought.
The camp was perfectly in his place and apparently he had been sleepwalking and fallen into the lake. However, it all felt very real. He wasn't sure if he would be able to discuss his incident with anyone.
"Eh? What? .. What 's happening? " he asked, stuttering in a state similar to that of the girl.
"I dreamed of a fire and... the... the... Dark Army... our parents ... They captured our parents !" She said quickly, desperate, almost out of breath. Then gave a deep sigh and rested her head sharply on the rug she used as a pillow.
"You better go back to sleep and think about something else. Believe me, we are already very traumatized with that." Malaika said from her tent. She apparently was awakened by the impact of the child with the water and the ensuing commotion.
The boy got up from the water and tried to dry his clothes without success. Telling from the shades of the sky, it seemed that in a few hours the sun would rise. He crawled into the blankets he had prepared by the fire, still thinking about the fire, the Dark Army... and Megrez.

TO BE CONTINUED...