Eternal Forest [Episode 22]
The 5th Compass | Book Two [1,215 words]
The Eternal Forest is the second book in The 5th Compass series. Daxton and his best friend, Barton, are looking for the other compasses while fending off an immortal foe. Nelle takes Adelaide under her wing, to help her develop her untapped power. Meanwhile, the most hated pirate in all of Stonehaven must decide whether to stand and fight or flee from the Paragon. This book delves into the life of the Paragon and the many lives it touches and destroys.
“Where did you say you found these men?” the Paragon asked, his face cringing every time he heard the loud voice of Dimitri in the background.
“You sent me out in the middle of the night, with little instructions, and a direct order to find us a ship and some men. He had a ship and the tavern I found supplied the men. They may not seem like much now because they’re drunk. Once they’ve sobered up in the morning, I’m sure they’ll be more impressive.” General Corwinn tried his best to sound convincing of his own words, but even he knew, as he listened to their drunken chatter, that was a tall order.
“I do not trust him. He seems like he will get in my way. And you know what I do to men who—.”
“What are you two standing around here looking stern and commanding? Why do you not drink with the rest of us?” Dimitri asked, slapping both General Corwinn and the Paragon on their backs. He held a glass half-full of ale in one hand, which he held remarkably well for a man who was supposed to be drunk, and the Paragon noticed this fact.
“I don’t drink.”
Dimitri took in the cold, dark stare the Paragon gave him and felt a cold chill creep down his spine, but tried to ignore it. “Fair enough. Some men just can’t hold their liquor. Isn’t that right Corwinn the…” He stopped himself, letting his mistake trail off into silence. He wasn’t drunk by any means, but was a bit tipsy. He didn’t know this man Corwinn called ‘the Paragon’ but he knew it was in his best interests not to overplay his hand whenever he was around. His qualm was with Corwinn the Coward and he needed to remain near him long enough to exact his revenge. “If you’ll excuse me, gentlemen.” Before his near accident became a problem, he walked away and rejoined the group of rowdy men he spoke with earlier.
“There is something about that man I do not like. Get rid of him, before I get rid of him for you.” The Paragon moved away from the merriment of the men before Corwinn could respond or plead his case.
The ship belonging to Dimitri was large enough for the Paragon to find a place of quiet at the other end. It moved at a steady pace and he stood and watched the foam the water kicked up the faster it went. He let his mind wander the closer he stared at the bubbles till he was transported back to a time when he was at school, in Woodvale Academy.
He and his classmates were out on a field trip in a mountainous area where they would go to practice spells out of harm’s way. They were taken to the mountains more to protect the people who lived in the village that surrounded the school than for the students, but they always enjoyed the hike.
On this particular excursion, the teachers decided it was a good idea to take all the classes on a hike at once when news of ‘the Chosen One’ was spreading around quickly. They knew this day would come some day and warned Woodvale himself of this, but he believed in fate and letting the idea of this person come to light on its own. The students don’t much remember where they first heard the phrase, ‘the Chosen One,’ just that it was unheard of and unbelievable.
They were all gifted in their own right and were seen to possess the ability to do great and powerful things, if given the correct training and over a long period of study. The idea that someone would one day be born with abilities they all worked hard to accomplish all their lives they thought to be silly. On this particular day, the teachers gathered all of their students to explain how this rumor was, in fact, true.
Young Stephan sat on the ground, a distance away from the rest, as he listened to one of the teachers explain about ‘the Chosen One.’ As he listened his ears began to perk up and for the first time since his parents forced him to attend this Academy, he felt he understood his purpose there.
“…As far as we know this Chosen One has not yet been born…” The teacher continued talking but Stephan stopped listening. He was the Chosen One. He always felt deep down inside of him that he was far superior and different from all the others. None of them took their lessons seriously and the main reason he hated going there wasn’t the teachers or what he was being taught, but the students. He could tell they were not as committed to the craft as he was.
Everyone in front of him began to stand, and he realized he missed his opportunity to tell them they were wrong and that the Chosen One was among them now. He stood quickly but was stopped dead in his tracks by a tight grip on his arm. He turned sharply to find he was held by Woodvale himself. He’d never met the man personally, very few had, as he was known for being a recluse and only making appearances when necessary. Stephan recognized him because there were stone statues depicted of him in multiple places throughout Nightthorn, though very few knew who he was or why there were so many likenesses of him everywhere.
“Yes, sir?” Stephan asked, cowering at the sight of him.
“Your assumptions are incorrect young man. You are not the Chosen One.” Woodvale released his grasp on the boy as he watched his statement sink in.
“How did you…” Stephan couldn’t continue his sentence as no one ever questioned Woodvale. Instead, he remained silent as he could tell there was more to be heard.
“You are special, Stephan, that is true, but what you are destined to become will carry much more importance.” Woodvale’s eyes beamed with joy as he spoke as Stephan realized what he spoke of.
“No, you don’t mean…” Stephan backed away from Woodvale and the smirk he wore upon his face. How could he think being the Paragon was something to smile about or find important? Being forced to live a life of solitude forever, having no feeling whatever, and only being allowed to exist when called upon by a member of the Royal bloodline. Woodvale spoke of slavery as if it were an honor but the teachers did not paint the same picture. Stephan wanted no part of it, so he ran down the mountain and into the night.
“Paragon. Paragon?” The voice of General Corwinn calling out for him pulled him back to reality.
“Yes, what is it?” he asked, hoping he was not caught in such a trance for too long.
“We’ve picked up a man overboard just now who tells us his ship was attacked by one containing a woman capable of magic. I think he speaks of that young girl raised by Traix.” Corwinn eyed the Paragon carefully as he spoke, noticing his eyes grow wide as he spoke of the girl. “She interests you, doesn’t she? Why?”
“Because if I’m correct, she’s my destiny.”