The stone felt cool under his feet as he stood up. Where am I? He thought, as he looked around the unfamiliar room. The room was large with a vaulted ceiling and arched doorway. Alex made his way towards the door and peaked into the hallway. The hallway followed suit with vaulted ceilings and arched doorways. Alex walked slowly, tracing his fingers on the wall as he did. The halls were brightly lit but he saw no source for the light and a warm breeze fluttered through the halls.

  I feel like I know this place, Alex thought to himself as he continued walking, a sense of familiarity tickling the back of his mind.

  “Alllllleeeeeexxx”, a voice whispered, a cool breeze drifting through the hallway.

  “Hello? Who’s there?” Alex called, looking around, but there was no reply. Huh, that’s strange, Alex thought as he continued walking. He rounded a corner and heard someone talking. Slowly he made his way towards the voice. As he got closer he heard the gentle singing of a woman. His heart seized as he looked into the room and saw a woman holding a baby gently swaying as she sang.

  “Arin arin weg un baye,” she sang softly. Alex watched the petit woman, not wanting to interrupt her singing. Her black hair tied back with braids and adorned with jewels. She made her way towards a bassinet and carefully laid the child down. As she stood, she smoothed her gown and turned. “You shouldn't be here.”

  Alex gasped as her sapphire eyes pierced him, freezing him in place. “I, uh..” he stammered.

  The woman smiled and walked towards him, then passed through him, causing him to shudder, and out the doorway towards a mountainous man who smiled lovingly at her. “I know my love but I just wanted to check on you and our son.”

  Alex watched them for a few moments with a longing in his heart that was so strong it hurt. He watched until they walked away mesmerized by the vision. When they were out of sight he walked into the room and went to look at the infant. He approached slowly and peaked into the cradle. The baby lay there sleeping, with no cares in the world.

  “I envy you little guy. Your parents love you a lot,” Alex whispered. The baby stretched and opened his eyes. Alex looked into the infant's eyes, into his eyes. The ground shook and opened beneath him, sending him falling into a dark abyss.

  Alex’s eyes flew open as the sensation of falling left him. Untangling himself from the sheets he sat up, placing his feet on the floor. Rubbing his face, Alex sighed and got up and stretched. Looking out the window he saw the first light of dawn peaking through.

  “Man, I feel like I got no sleep. I don't know if that was a dream or a vision,” Alex yawned. “Let’s try for fifty meters today.” Alex’s hands flashed quickly as he focused to push his kulsom out, searching for Kelile as he did. Hmmm, I don't feel him anywhere nearby. Furrowing his brow he concentrated harder pushing his kulsom out further until he felt his presence. Ah, he thought, as he made his way towards him.

  Making his way through the woods he slowly reeled in his kulsom until he was back to fifty meters, keeping it there as he completed his walk to Kelile. As he neared, the trees gave way and he entered a clearing. In the center he saw Kelile sitting cross legged with his hands on his knees and his eyes closed.

  Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road.

  “Good morning, I am surprised to see you so early,” Kelile called as he stood with ease.

  “Yeah me too. I had such a strange dream. When I woke I couldn't get back to sleep. Figured I would look for you and get to work,” Alex smiled.

  “What was your dream about?” Kelile asked.

  “Well, it started with someone calling my name. I sat up but I wasn't in my room. I was in a strange house. It had super high vaulted ceilings and everything was made of stone and marble,” Alex started.

  “That sounds familiar,” Kelile said slowly.

  “It was weird. I almost felt like I knew the place. I walked towards the end of the hall, I heard a woman singing but I didn't recognize the words,” Alex continued.

  “Do you remember any of the words?” Kelile asked.

  “Areen areen wegh un bahyeh, or something like that,” Alex said, scrunching his face as he tried to recall the words.

  “Arin arin weg un baye” Kelile corrected him softly.

  “Yeah, that was it, how did you know that?” Alex asked.

  “That is an Earthen lullaby. I haven't heard those words in so long,” Kelile said with a tinge of sadness in his tone.

  “The woman who was singing it was beautiful. She had black hair and these deep blue eyes,” Alex added.

  “You are describing your mother. I don't think you were dreaming. I think you had a vision of the past,” Kelile said.

  “My mother? She was talking to this giant man in the hallway,” Alex said.

  Kelile barked with laughter, “Your father.”

  “He was a giant! I didn't get any of that size!” Alex exclaimed.

  Kelile laughed, “he was a giant among our people but one of the most gentle in the kingdom.”

  “They were really in love though. I could see that in just the few minutes I saw them,” Alex said.

  “Your mother claimed that she had a vision of your father when she was a girl. She didn't know at the time who he was but when visiting the capital she saw him and knew. They locked eyes and were basically in love at first sight,” Kelile said with a slight smile on his face. “I still regret not being able to save them. I am sorry I couldn't do that for you.” The air was heavy as they stood in silence, each in their own thoughts.

  “Well, what is on the agenda for today?” Alex asked after a few moments.

  “Yes, I made this clearing for our work space today,” Kelile said, shaking his head and clearing the dark thoughts from his mind.

  “You made this clearing?” Alex gaped looking around.

  “A simple task and something you should be able to do easily,” Kelile said. “I want you to make a hole seven feet deep on that side of the clearing and put all of the removed earth on the other side. Also remember to maintain your kulsom.”

  “Okay. I have my kulsom out to fifty today. Well, I am trying to anyway,” Alex said.

  “Fifty meters. That is easily doable for you,” Kelile said.

  Alex walked to the center of the clearing and faced the direction that Kelile wanted him to move the dirt. Closing his eyes he concentrated on making a box on the ground. His hands started to glow as he thought about the box going deeper into the ground. Furrowing his brow and clenching his jaw, he tried to move the earth over to the designated area. Once he was done he opened his eyes and was disappointed by what he saw.

  “I want you to try that again,” Kelile said, moving the earth back over to the two foot hole that Alex had made.

  Alex’s disappointment was etched on his face as he nodded and reset himself. Closing his eyes he pictured the box again. As he dug the box into the ground he tried to firm his grasp on the materials. Slowly bringing it up out of the ground. As he moved it higher the ground below his feet began to crumble underneath him. Oh no! He thought as he lost his balance.