Page 7 of Forgotten Fate
I told him about my dream from start to finish in detail. I discussed how I found the trap door within the library that led me to the strange book. I swore that the atmosphere shifted as I continued, but my uncle’s facial expressions never changed. He only looked curious and confused, much like myself.
“So you went to the library and found this book about dreams hidden in some secret room,” he said, gesturing to the book that remained unopened on my lap.
“Well, I’m not sure it’s about dreams. Here, take a look.” I handed the book to Balor and watched him turn each page, eyes burning with curiosity. When he finally got to the page with the map, I rushed to point at the height of my own curiosity. Zolmara. “There is a fifth kingdom,” I addressed.
Balor was silent. His emotions were more difficult to interpret than anyone I’d ever known. He closed the book and handed it back to me before standing up. I waited silently as he paced the stage.
“There is a rumor that a fifth kingdom existed centuries ago,” he finally said after a few moments. “It was nothing like the Four Kingdoms we know today. Then one day, it was written out of the history books until it was forgotten.”
“Why?” I asked. Balor looked at me and shook his head, indicating that he didn’t know the answer. I opened the book to the picture of the wolf and stood to show him. “This is the wolf from my dreams. At least, it’s extremely similar. I need to know why.”
Balor looked down at his boots, and appeared to be contemplating something. “Is there something you’re not telling me?” I asked.
He looked up and stared into my eyes. “I think…” he began before stopping, like he wanted to tell me something but couldn’t. “I thinkyou should go to this fifth kingdom,” he finished.
I stared at him blankly. “Why?”
“I believe this recurring dream, and the fact that you found this particular book, are no mere coincidence. This secret kingdom may have the answers you are looking for.”
My brows rose quizzically. “Did you see where it’s located? The Forest of Torment. Even with my father as an escort, there is no way he would let me go there. Not in his lifetime.”
Balor grinned. “There is no way your father would let you sneak out at night and meet with your exiled uncle either, and yet here you are.”
Well, he had me there.
“You are a smart and cunning warrior, Aurelia,” he continued. “If anyone is capable of making it to the Forest of Torment, it’s you.”
I bit my lip as I considered it. I would be sneaking out of my own kingdom to head so far north where the likelihood of anyone finding me was sparse. If things went wrong, my father would never know what happened to me, and my kingdom would be without an heir. And yet, my heart was telling me my uncle was right. I would never get answers, never live a full life, if I remained in Rimor and did nothing.
“Okay,” I started. “Let’s say I decide to go. Will you meet me here and then travel with me?”
My uncle’s smile quickly faded. “That I cannot do,” he answered. “You would have to find your own way.”
I grimaced. “You are an exiled man tied to no kingdom. Gods know where you’ve been staying for the last several years, because you won’t tell me. What in the heavens do you have to do that you can’t take me yourself?”
“It’s complicated,” he answered briskly. It seemed my uncle had just as many secrets as my father. I was getting frustrated, but I had noretort. “I want to help you, Aurelia, but my path is set in stone. What you do with yours is up to you.”
“You’re speaking in riddles,” I spat. “You’re either hiding something or you’re a coward.” The words I spoke were like fire burning from my mouth, but all I felt in that moment was anger and hurt.
Balor looked at me for a long while, and I stared back at him unwavering. “Zolmara will have the answers you seek,” he spoke. As I looked into his eyes, I could see how sure he was. But how did he know? What was he hiding and why couldn’t he just tell me?
“Fine. Keep your secrets,” was the only response I could come up with. He was a stubborn as my father, so pressing the matter would get me nowhere. I opened the book back up to the page of the map and inspected it before saying, “It’s just north of Sprath. Do you think if I went to Sprath, someone would know—”
“No,” Balor interjected. “Whatever you do, avoid Sprath at all costs. I know it will extend the journey, but it is not worth the risk of running into King Volund.”
My eyes narrowed. “I know you and my father dislike him, but don’t you think if anyone knows about Zolmara, it would be someone from the City of Knowing? Someone whose kingdom is just south of the forgotten one?”
“Aurelia, you need to trust me on this. Sprath is off limits.”
I crossed my arms. “Trust you? If you won’t tell me why you can’t take me, the least you can do is tell me why I can’t go to Sprath to find someone who will.”
Balor stared at me for a moment before letting out a defeated sigh. “King Volund is a snake. A vile excuse for a king. He treats his people poorly and worries only about himself. Not only that, but he’s manipulative and devious. I’d trust him as far as I can throw him.”
I only shrugged. “If you haven’t seen him in years, maybe he has changed.”
My uncle let out a breathy laugh. “The last time I saw the bastard was…” he paused, his face frowning. “Your mother’s funeral,” he finished, his voice suddenly a bit more gentle. “I overheard a conversation he was having with Callum.”
My body went stiff. “What did he say to my father?”