Eternal Forest [Episode 8]
The 5th Compass | Book Two [1,574 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.
The Woodvale Academy bonfire, a yearly event started by Woodvale himself the year his friend and co-creator of the Academy, Tobias, was assassinated. At the time, it was intended as a way to cheer up those who were despondent over his passing, namely Woodvale. But it has since become a celebration of the existence of the Academy and its ability to remain open and helpful to all those who are recruited.
It is held on the day of Tobias’ death as a reminder to those who would think to betray their location or trust those who are not members of the Academy and just before the hatchet is slammed down upon the head of the boar that has been roasting since before dawn, a moment of silence is held in his honor. This moment is signaled by a loud and lingering gong, normally rung by Woodvale himself.
Upon hearing its call, everyone from students to professors and the parents who have managed to brave the climb of the Hollow Mountains, make their way towards the billowing plume of black smoke, started by the roasting boar nearing cooked perfection.
Stephan followed the crowds but kept a watchful eye at all he passed and walked in front of him. He was searching for Woodvale, but most importantly, his uncle. He did not get a direct answer from Aranaeia as to what she overheard them discussing but he did not care to know.
In fact, taking this long to locate his uncle had left Stephan unsure of his plan once he found him. Would he dare attack him for laying a hand on his sister? Or would he employ some magic he managed to learn how to use, even though it is expressly forbidden to use it against each other, or family. His uncle was not a graduate of Woodvale Academy but as much as Stephan hated to think of it, he was family.
When he reached the point of the bonfire where everyone had gathered around waiting for Woodvale to make his speech, he saw him clearly on the other side of the crowd, an evil smile on his face. Stephan tried to maneuver through the thickening crowd to catch him but when he finally got to where he had last saw his uncle, he was gone, and his spot filled quickly with people moving closer.
“I want to thank you all for coming.” The sound of Woodvale’s voice made Stephan turn around and stand at attention the way everyone else was. It was almost an involuntary movement. Whenever Woodvale spoke, all the students were trained to stop what they were doing, look at Woodvale, and listen to his every word. As much as he wanted to go after his uncle, his body wanted to stand resolute. “Especially the parents. I know how difficult it has been these last few decades that we have been stuck here on this mountain. But it has served us well and I trust it will continue to do so.”
Parents and professors in the crowd nodded in agreement. Woodvale’s every word seemed to carry across the expanse and land in everyone’s ears no matter if they were in the front or the way back of the crowd. And the silence became nearly deafening when he bowed his head.
“Please join me as we honor my dear friend, Tobias.”
Every head bowed in unison, except for Stephan who kept his head raised, looking around to see if he could find his uncle now that he would have a better vantage point. He turned to look behind him but could not see movement or any sign of him. When he turned back to face Woodvale, his eyes widened with fear. Woodvale had lifted his head before anyone else and was looking directly at Stephan.
“Thank you,” Woodvale said, and everyone raised their heads. “Now, Tobias would not want us to be sad of his passing. He would want us to rejoice in his legacy. A legacy that we all hear carry a part of, in his…memory.” Every word he spoke was aimed directly at Stephan, then he shifted his focus to his left. “Tieg, are they ready?” Without a word, Tieg nodded his head and Woodvale clasped his hands with a huge smile. “Excellent. Everyone, Tieg has done us all a great favor today. One I knew he was more than capable of doing. He has captured two boars for our eating pleasures. Please, join me.”
Those last three words were how he always ended his speech every year. After he spoke them, he would come down off his perch and join the crowds, as if he were one of them, and they would follow him dutifully towards the feast.
Still searching the crowds of people, Stephan forgets about his sister who had been looking for him. She finds him and walks in his path.
“Brother, I must speak to you.”
Stephan steps back from her, remembering earlier when he hurt her the way he knows his uncle had. “I can’t right now. I am looking for our uncle. Have you seen him?”
“I believe he has gone back home. That is what I must speak with you about. If you would only listen—”
“Ah! There you are, my children.” From a distance came Woodvale’s booming voice walking towards them. He held a plate with a large piece of greasy meat on it and a mug in his other hand that sloshed as he walked. He stopped beside Stephan and put the arm carrying the plate of meat around him. Stephan scrunched up his face at the strong aroma. “I hope you have not spoiled my surprise, dear,” he continued, looking at Stephan’s sister and winking. “Has she told you yet, my son?”
Stephan shook his head. “No, sir. What surprise?”
“Your uncle has found himself unable to afford you both and has seen fit to provide you with the best guardian and home he could. With me.”
“What?” Stephan wiggled his way free from Woodvale’s arm and looked at both he and his sister. He could not believe what he heard. “He just gave us to you?”
“Heavens, no. I paid him, of course. But if your sister, here, proves to be as eager to learn as you have been, I trust—”
Stephan did not stay long enough to let Woodvale finish. Instead, he ran off in a sprint to where he knew the carriages and horses that brought the parents up the mountain would be held till they were ready to depart. He shoved past many students and professors, including both Aranaeia and Professor Engle, who were both deep in conversations at the time they could not simply interrupt to follow him.
Stephan skidded to a stop when he saw the row of horses tethered to a log laid on the ground and many carriages as well. He knew what his uncle’s carriage looked like, but among the many that were surrounding him he knew he would have to rely on his nose to find it. His uncle dealt in manure trading and would often carry it in the back of his carriage for transport. This made his mode of transportation easiest to spot and though there was a faint hint of horse manure in the air, Stephan knew it came from the horses there presently and not his uncle’s carriage.
He noticed a fresh pile of manure near the road that led down the mountainside and could tell by its coloring it came from his uncle’s carriage. He made a face of disgust as he hoped he did not make his sister ride in the back and had the decency to let her sit beside him.
The sting of tears hits his eyes. His uncle was gone and would not return for them. All he had left was his sister, but how could she love him after the way he lashed out at her? He thought he had Woodvale or at the very least, Professor Engle, but both of them seemed to want and expect something from him he did not feel he could live up to. They would only be disappointed if he stayed. There was only one solution to this overwhelming problem he was faced with at this moment. The road that led not only down the mountain but into the town below it seemed all too inviting right now. Filled with mystery, but most importantly, with people who would not know him, nor would they care to.
He removed his school robe, the one given to him by Woodvale himself when he first arrived at the Academy and placed it gently over a nearby horse who neighed and whinnied at him.
He knew upon entering the town he would need to acquire a horse if he ever hoped to make it far enough away from Ebonthorn, but he would not do it with one of these. They belonged to parents who risked their lives to visit their children; Stephan did not think it would be fair to steal one of their horses. But, he felt no emotional attachment or regard for the people in the town below and therefore decided, as he took his first steps on the road that led down the mountain, that the first chance he got he would steal one of theirs and ride like the wind out of town.