Deciding the northern route would likely be watched and guarded, and also seriously in need of a rest, Garinor headed to the east. He trudged along, occasionally glancing over his shoulder as he approached the slow incline of the grassy knoll.
As he climbed up the hill, the sun peered down and lit the way. All around the hill were different sorts of trees and foliage, making the hill itself look a bit like a giant bald spot. Cresting the hill, Garinor saw a series of small cabins in the distance, smoke rising from some of them. It was the hamlet of Arvion, he knew, having visited there once before. He hoped he could find a friendly face there to hide him away long enough to eat and gather his wits.
Jogging down the hillside, Garinor made his way toward the hamlet, his stomach rumbling in anticipation. The last time he had visited this place was in the winter, when heavy snows had fallen to the land and his father had taken ill. Arvion had the best healers and he’d needed a potion that would help his father. Tomli had joined him on the journey over the thick field of snow. They had reached the hamlet, sought out the needed remedy, and returned with little time to spare. His father recovered several days later.
The first hut of the hamlet was close now. He could see people in the distance, some tending their gardens, others catching up on news. Two men were near a watermill, scraping out some weeds that were slowing down the mill.
Garinor looked off slightly toward the north where an overgrown grassy hill strewn with large boulders shadowed the town. Any number of hunters could be hiding there. Perhaps he was being paranoid, but he was starting to feel like nowhere would be safe for him.
“Ho, stranger!” called a young woman, startling Garinor out of his reverie. “You look weary and injured. Can we lend a hand?”
He kept his head down, hoping to avoid being recognized now that his fears returned. He offered a curt nod to the girl and accepted a swig from her waterskin. The water inside had been treated with special herbs and it tickled his throat on the way down. The aroma wafted into his nose and gave him a dreamy sort of feeling while the water soothed his thirst.
“Thank you, you’re very kind,” he said, returning the waterskin at last. “That water is delicious.”
She laughed. “All water is delicious, if only you care for it well.” She hesitated a moment, looking him over from head to toe. “You don’t look particularly dangerous. I would guess, then, you’re in some sort of danger. Come then.”
She took his hand and pulled him forward. Still feeling a bit dreamy from the drink, he didn’t resist her pull. She passed by three sheds and sought out a larger one closer to the center of the hamlet. With a gentle rap on the door, she alerted the man within to her presence.
“Elder Dorin, this poor boy staggered into town just now and I think he needs your attention.” She guided Garinor inside but didn’t follow him. Instead she bowed her head and pulled the door closed as she left.
“Sit, boy,” said a warm voice.
“I’m sorry, Elder, I shouldn’t be here. They’re after me. I shouldn’t have come.”
“Be still. And sit,” he repeated. Garinor hesitated for only a moment before obeying. There were no chairs in the room, only a straw mat. Garinor bent to his knees upon the mat and kept his head lowered.
“I shouldn’t stay—”
“Be still, boy,” said the man. “Harm will not find you here.”
Garinor bit his lip. Everywhere he had turned today had led to harm in one form or another. He hadn’t even considered the hunters might follow his footsteps to this place. He hadn’t done anything to conceal his tracks, and if they followed and came here to this peaceful village, it would be all his fault.
“Still your mind, boy.”
Garinor looked up into a face that was wise beyond anything he had ever seen. He had seen old men and women who spoke in mystical tones, bestowing the wisdom of ages. But this man was different. He appeared to be no older than thirty, yet his eyes overflowed with knowledge. A green cloak was wrapped around him and the hood was pulled up with the line of his forehead. His face was kind and gentle, but held within it a sense of fierce power.
“I am the Elder Dorin,” he said. “Welcome to my home.”
“Thank you, Elder. I am—”
“You are Garinor of Paligar to the southwest. Yes, I know. This is not your first visit to this place. Nor is it destined to be your last, though few can find this hamlet at all.” He turned to his right and reached for two porcelain teacups, into which he poured a steaming mixture from a nearby urn. “You would prefer this sweeter, I would imagine,” he considered, then pulled out a block of sugar from a bowl and dropped it into one of the cups. The sweetened drink was then handed to Garinor, who accepted it without question.
Steam wafted up and the scent of peppermint soothed Garinor’s thoughts. He touched the liquid to his lips and, though it was very hot, drank deeply. He couldn’t stop himself. His throat scalded and burned, but he gulped and gulped until the cup was empty. When he lowered the cup, Elder Dorin filled it again. Four times, Garinor downed the tea without word. The last cup he took two sips from but the urge to pour its contents in finally subsided.
The Elder took the cup from him then. “You will not need more of this today.”
“What—what was that?” Garinor gasped.
“Tea,” Elder Dorin said mysteriously with a grin, “the likes of which you are unlikely to find elsewhere.”
“I feel invigorated.”
“It is special tea,” he conceded. “And you will find your cuts and scrapes will heal within hours instead of days now.”
Garinor examined his scratched hands as if waiting to see the wounds vanish. “Amazing,” he muttered, though not because he had witnessed any actual healing. “I feel so calm and at peace all of a sudden.” He looked up at Elder Dorin and then felt sad. “I’m grateful for this gift you’ve given me, but I shouldn’t stay. There are people after me and I forgot to hide my tracks. They might come this way any time now.”
Elder Dorin turned to his left and took a loaf of bread from a counter there. He tore off a third of the loaf and handed it to Garinor. “Eat this now.”
He did so. The bread was soft and warm, as if it had just come out of an oven. It was moist as if butter and jam had been baked inside of it. He found he didn’t even need any water while he ate it, and it didn’t take long to sate his appetite.
“Feeling better?” Elder Dorin asked.
“Infinitely, Elder, yes, thank you. But I still—”
Two gentle hands raised into the air. “Patience now, Garinor, for as I said before, you are safe here. While you remain at peace, you will remain within safety.”
Garinor opened his mouth to protest, but instead blew out a sigh and nodded his head. “It’s been such a trying day,” he admitted. “It feels odd to sit still at all right now.”
“Let me assuage your most current fear,” the Elder said. “This place cannot be found by just anyone. Those pursuing you will look upon this hamlet for hours and never see it. Your arrival here is cause enough for us to welcome you openly and to share with you as we will.”
This didn’t make sense to him, but he couldn’t find words to refute the man. He didn’t want to insult him, either, so he simply nodded his head.
The Elder smiled. “I see you are growing calmer already. You have things you wish to know, but before I will reveal answers to you, you must prove yourself worthy of knowledge. Will you join me?” He stood up and walked toward the door.
Garinor agreed and rose to his feet, following the eccentric man outside. From there, six other huts encircled the Elder’s home, though he could discern nothing distinguishing about them. He followed Elder Dorin for a short walk where three other huts were clustered together, and it was there they stopped.
“The choice is yours now, Garinor.” He signaled from left to right, “The past, the present, the future. Choose one. Of which would you like to know more? You will walk through the doorway of your volition. You will witness events that may have passed or may yet come. What you see within is for your own self. After, come and visit me.”
Garinor stared at the doors and then at Elder Dorin. “But what’s to stop me from visiting all three?”
“Only your integrity.” He smiled, then turned and walked away.
Garinor should view the present.
Garinor should view the future.