Different perspective - Chapter 19

CarTeradin had been waiting.. Porphyry and the horse could somehow feel each other's minds.. and what they were thinking. CarTerradin had felt the unrest in that old mans mind and sensed that they would be leaving. The horse had grown a bit impatient, at first thinking that Por had decided to go alone , leaving him there.

This saddened the stallion, who hung his head low and gently scruffed at the hay in the stable. Perhaps Aeternalia would want to go for a ride today, the horse thought to himself, he often stopped by the stable and brought him apples from the tree. He liked Aeternalia and not just because of the apples.. he had a peaceful feeling about him, and he rode slow, allowing him to look around and enjoy the walk rather than having to concentrate at placing his hooves carefully when he was canting or galloping. Not to mention it was much easier to walk. Some of the humans were in such a hurry..Porphyry was only sometimes.. when it really mattered.

Apparently now was one of those times. Porphyry walked into the stable and before CarTeradin was finished smelling him to see if he had any oats.. the saddle and bridle had been placed. There was no bit.. there was no need for one.. Por and CarTeradin had been together for as long as the horse could remember. They rode as one.. each reading the feelings of the other, and reacting for the best.

They rode out into the day, feeling lightweighted.. CarTeradin was concerned that Por had not brought any heavy bags with him. Those bags were where the oats and other treats usually came from... it was a strange day indeed. The restless feeling had not left the old man.. and he seemed to be mumbling to himself.. sometimes talking out loud .. but to the wind.. not to the steed he rode, and certainly not about oats or apples. The scent of smoke nearby and the yells and screams of people made the hair stand up on the back of his neck.. he did know the sounds of war, but the old man seemed oblivious to it.. mumbling the word Isabelle and staring off into the distance. The sounds were close by.. possibly outside the courtyard where the stables were, but they were getting fainter as they rode.. and the smell of smoke began to fade as well, even as a large black cloud lofted into the air behind them ..

There were apple trees ahead with fruit on them and CarTeradin changed course slightly to walk by the tree.. he reached up and snagged two of the apples as he walked by.. careflul not to stop. The old man didnt seem to notice the change in course, nor the apples, so as he moved.. CarTeradin gently circled around coming back by the tree for a couple more treats. Reaching up and grabbing only one more so as not to appear greedy, he looked back this time as he grabbed the apple. Por was still sitting there in the saddle..looking off into the distance.. tears streaming down his cheeks.. mumbling that same word.."Isabelle".

CarTeradin slowly circled around.. and found another low hanging fruit..
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Isabelle spoke softly to Ahron, she whispered into his ear leaving the warm moist condensation from her breath in the chilled night air. As she spoke she wove a spell .. a mean, vicious spell.. one designed to compell the listeners of her words.. she spun it into the words she spoke to him.. and he listened intently.. Ahron could see the effects of the spell taking place, saw his reality change right before his eyes.. and realized that it didn't matter. He felt how he felt, it was the right thing to do.. and nothing would change that.. he couldnt believe the words he spoke just minutes before.. He would set them right.. he would go back to The Cherubim Knights Temple.. he would await her there.. it was the best plan.. He hurried to gather his things.. The gold sword with an emblazoned gold wrought Lion engraved on the blade .. He sheathed it, and tied it to his bag.. he would need all speed to reach the temple as quickly as possible.. stopping just for a moment to kiss Isabelle goodbye.. he hurried down the stairs to the stable below.

He climbed aboard CarTeradin, She watched from the window above as he rode away at full gallop.. She sat there watching until he was no longer visible.. and for many hours still after that.. She cursed herself under her breath for what she had done.. and wondered again if she had done the right thing.. she knew it didnt feel right.. but it was the most she could do to protect him.. She loved him.. and could not see him killed. If she failed and he was there.. he would be.. for he would certainly avenge her death.. and that was the last part of her spell she had cast.. the part that was so viciously inspired.. she had compelled him to not take action if she died.. to let it go and serve the Cherubim as best he could.. to not seek revenge.

Thinking of that last part .. she bagan to weep.. she wept for all the times he would have to suffer.. knowing he could not seek revenge.. and knowing she had placed that torture on him. It was the only way to keep him alive. "I'm sorry she spoke softly" then she began to cast a spell. It was doomed to failure, for it could not succeed, but it was a worse fate not to try.. she chose the lesser of the two evils.. even though it meant her death..


or so they would think...

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Por relived that moment again.. he could feel the compulsion taking control of him.. he knew what it was.. he had begun learning magic in an effort to find a way around that powerful spell. He had become an accomplished wizard searching for the answer to the spells unraveling. He had not found one. He had changed his name.. he had changed his clothes .. even changed his hair.. but there underneath it all was the greying old man.. Ahron, who was still in love with Isabelle, and still trying to remove the compulsion.

CarTeradin slowed to a stop. The old man had fallen from his place on his back.. and was on the ground .. sobbing. Patiently .. as only a horse can.. he waited for Por to recover. The stars rose and set again.. and still CarTeradin waited..

bump, finished this chapter..