Chapter 26: Awakening
The carriage departed from the Dmond mansion early in the morning, when the sun was still painting the sky in soft shades of pink and gold.
The air was fresh, carrying the scent of wet earth from the previous night’s rain and the sweet fragrance of flowers from the inner garden that Aurora had picked to place inside the vehicle. Small clay vases filled with blue-petaled flowers gave off a calming, lightly sweet aroma.
The journey to the city would take several hours. The dirt road wound its way through golden wheat fields, groves of tall trees, and small crystal-clear streams whose constant murmur echoed through the countryside.
Here and there, Lukas could see peasants working in the fields, bent over the soil, their simple clothes and straw hats protecting them from the sun that was beginning to warm the land.
Inside the carriage, the atmosphere was lively.
Lukas sat between Aurora and Judite, his violet eyes shining with curiosity as he watched the world pass by through the window.
Tilbo remained hidden in his inner pocket, the small compartment Aurora had specially sewn into Lukas’s coat to accommodate the ant.
Tilbo was quiet, motionless, as if she knew it was better not to draw attention. Only from time to time did Lukas feel a faint vibration against his chest, as though she were adjusting herself or perhaps simply curious about the movement of the carriage.
Clavor rode alongside the carriage, mounted on Thunder, his black horse with a long mane that let out a low neigh every few minutes, as if it too shared the excitement of the journey.
Clavor’s posture was alert and upright, his broad shoulders squared, his eyes constantly scanning the road ahead and the trees on either side. His right hand rested on the hilt of his sword, not loosely, but firmly, ready to draw the blade at the slightest sign of danger.
Lukas noticed it immediately.
’The road must be dangerous.’ He thought, watching his father for a long moment.
’Why else would my father be acting as a guard? He’s not just a father traveling with his family. He’s a warrior on patrol.’
But he saved the question for later. Right now, there were more urgent things he wanted to know.
"Mother, what is the name of the city we’re going to?" Lukas asked, raising a little arm to get Aurora’s attention. His childish voice cut through the rhythmic sound of wooden wheels rolling across the dirt road.
Aurora smiled, finding it adorable how seriously her ten-month-old son asked questions. Her violet eyes curved into little crescents, and she tilted her head, white hair cascading over her shoulder.
"The city is called Great Rock City," she replied, adjusting the light blanket over Lukas’s legs with an automatic maternal gesture.
"It’s named after the enormous white rock that rises from the ground in the center of the city, like a mountain cut in half. They say the founders built the city around it because of the natural protection the rock provides, as well as its ability to improve magical affinity."
Lukas nodded, processing the information.
"What is the city like? Are there many people living there? How large is it compared to the villages near our home?"
Lukas fired off several questions in succession, his eyes shining with genuine curiosity.
His mind, eighteen years old, or ten months, depending on one’s perspective, worked at high speed, cataloging every detail, every word, every nuance.
Aurora laughed softly, ruffling her son’s white hair affectionately.
"You’re really curious, aren’t you?" She tilted her head, looking at him fondly.
"Even though you’re so little, you always want to know everything."
Lukas simply blinked, waiting for the answer.
"Great Rock City is enormous," Aurora continued, spreading her arms as if trying to encompass the city’s vastness.
"There are thousands of people living there. Many thousands. It’s much, much larger than all five villages we govern put together."
She began counting on her fingers as she listed them.
"It has enormous markets where you can buy anything, food, clothes, tools, books. Temples dedicated to the old gods and the new ones. An academy where young nobles train in martial arts. Weapon shops, blacksmiths, leatherworkers, inns, taverns, bathhouses..."
She paused, thinking.
"Everything you can imagine is there."
Lukas absorbed every word, imagining the scene. Busy streets. People of all ages and social classes. The smells of food, leather, and hot metal. Voices blending together into a constant hum.
’Thousands of people,’ he thought.
’Markets. Shops. Books. Maybe animals.’
His heart beat faster just thinking about it.
"The city is ruled by Count Hark’s family," Aurora added, still ruffling his hair. At this point it was more distraction than affection, but he didn’t mind.
"Count Hark is a just man, though a little proud. He has governed the city and the surrounding lands for more than twenty years. If we get the opportunity, I’ll introduce you to him."
Judite, who had been quiet until then, staring out the window with her cheek resting on her hand, suddenly said something that caught everyone’s attention.
"Mother..." she began, her voice hesitant, unlike her usual cheerful tone.
"I’m anxious about my Awakening."
Lukas looked at his sister. Her face, normally bright and full of energy, was now creased with an unusual expression of concern. Her fingers played with the hem of her dress, twisting the fabric into small knots.
"What should I do?" Judite continued, her brown eyes fixed on her lap.
"What if I don’t awaken useful abilities? What if it’s something... weak?"
Lukas frowned.
’Awakening?’
Aurora laughed softly, a calm, comforting sound, and pulled Judite closer, hugging her with one arm while keeping the other around Lukas.
The girl nestled against her mother’s shoulder, her brown hair spreading across the blue fabric of Aurora’s dress.
"You don’t need to worry, my love," Aurora said, her voice as soft as silk.
"Your Awakening will happen perfectly, just as it did with your brother Asmon. You were born into the Dmond family. You will become a great swordswoman as well. Just as Lukas will when his time comes."
"But what if—"
"Silence." Aurora raised a finger, making a pretend stern expression, though her eyes sparkled with amusement.
"There are no ’what ifs,’ Judite Dmond."
She gently squeezed her daughter’s cheek, a gesture she had used ever since the girl was a baby.
"I’m sure you’ll awaken useful abilities. You’re my daughter. You’re a Dmond. Strong blood flows through your veins."
Judite fell silent, but her eyes were still clouded with anxiety. Her mouth opened as if she wanted to say something, but then closed again.
Aurora softened her expression and smiled once more, caressing her daughter’s face with her fingertips.
"Even if they aren’t the most useful abilities at first," she said, her voice low and intimate, as though sharing a secret.
"You can still become strong if you work hard enough. Abilities do not define who you are. What matters is what you do with them. So don’t give up, understand?"
Judite took a deep breath. Her shoulders relaxed slightly.
"I understand, Mother..."
