Activity

A flash of flames, and smoke. A boom. Nithel stumbled back, mind lost for words as he stared at the fire, and the cloud with wide eyes. Then so many thoughts raced through him none prevailed. He swallowed hard, and glanced around.

Isaac was looking over his responsibilities… “That should tie him up for at least a half hour.”

He sounded satisfied, if only temporarily. How long was an hour? Nithel cleared his throat and pushed to his feet. One of his elbows hurting whenever he moved it, But that would be fine.

Alessio stood nearby. He looked unharmed. Nithel sighed, relieved.

Then Nithel’s arms shivered a bit. This room was a bit colder than the last. There was no fire, no window. Rocks lined the walls, glowing like worms, in dull blues and greens. The light was a sad one.

An incessant trickle reached Nithel, and his ears perked up, Water… Though he wasn’t thirsty yet, he knew the rest and himself probably needed it.

His eyes ran along every wall, slowly, looking for the shimmer of light off liquid. Nothing.

Was it inside the stone? 

“It could be worse,”

Nithel looked over his shoulder to Alessio.

“We could all be estranged from our homes, being chased by some metal monstrosity, trapped in an enchanted stone castle that is bent on our own demise.”

Nithel’s brows almost came together. Isn’t that what’s happened? But, Alessio knew that. Why, Nithel sighed softly, and shook his head mentally, turning back to face a wall. Of all the things to figure out, that was the least.

He then went and pressed the side of his face to the nearest wall. He jumped back like he’d been burnt.  Nothing should be that cold. Ever. He shivered from head to foot. And it wasn’t water making it cold. He hadn’t heard rushing or trickling water through the ear that touched the stone.

Nithel slowly drifted back toward Alessio, eyes looking over the strange glowing stones again, then the ceiling.

“Why do you call yourself ‘son of Father’?” Alessio’s voice was so soft Nithel almost missed it. “Is it a title or…”

Nithel’s turned to look at his friend, running over the question. None had ever asked him that before either. His stomach did a strange motion, It was close. Very close to what Mihael had advised him never to tell. “It is the name of Who gave me being.

The first man who helped me was called Gabrel son of Tasc. His name, and then the name of his father. His daughter is called Elia daughter of Gabrel, and his son Corban son of Gabrel. The father’s name is retained, but the mother’s released. For the woman becomes part of her husband, and they are one. That is why I call myself, Nithel son of Father. It is required to have a second calling in The Ten, and required that it be the father.” And… this was assuming Alessio didn’t wish to hear the blessing bestowed on good parents, and the curse on those who were wrong. Nithel’s forehead wrinkles a second, and his eyes are hopeful but willing to try again. “Does it make sense? I will try again.”

_____

@this-is-not-an-alien (Sorry about not answering you yet… I read it!!! Life’s pretty crazy right now. (: )