The Forked Path by T. R. Thompson

Author:T. R. Thompson [Thompson, T. R.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: PublishDrive
Published: 2018-11-07T05:00:00+00:00

When he next knew conscious thought, Frankle found himself walking alone along a narrow forest trail, the trees on either side of the path looming over him, curving to form a high canopy that filtered the sunlight into a strangely blurred glow, as though he was walking through a memory.

He couldn’t be sure where he was, or how he had come to be there, but he felt no concern. He wasn’t lost, or late for some appointment, or forgetting some task he had been sent to perform. He simply walked, enjoying the fresh air in his lungs, tracing his fingers lightly over the tree trunks he passed.

Suddenly another figure was walking beside him, matching his stride. He didn’t look over to see who it was, just accepted their presence. He felt no curiosity or cautiousness. He just let the dream flow over him.

‘You’ve come a long way since we last spoke, Frankle.’

Delco. He smiled but continued staring straight ahead. ‘I’ve been shown many things. A lot has changed.’

‘Oh, yes. Tell me, how are the other Black Robes adjusting?’

Frankle’s smile widened as he thought of his friends in Redmondis, those who had been with him through the dark days and others he had met since. ‘They’re well. Most are still there, growing in knowledge. Petron is in charge of things now. He’s encouraged the wielders and crafters to work closer together.’

‘The “lesser skilled”.’

Frankle chuckled. ‘Yes. That’s a term that’s fast fallen out of fashion. The boundaries have blurred between our two schools. It’s already producing surprising results.’

‘That is good to hear. I’m glad you’re enjoying yourself more.’

‘Me too.’

Frankle stared down the path, unable or unwilling to turn and study his old friend. A small voice in the back of his mind was whispering to him now, whispering something important, something he didn’t want to hear just yet.

‘Although, I’m not sure how much longer I can stay in Redmondis. Since—’

‘Since it happened.’

‘Yes. It’s become clear to me the high stone walls protect us, but they also blinker us somehow. We need to spend more time in the real world if our skills are to be of any real use to people.’

‘You have grown in wisdom, Frankle. And here you are, outside those walls, on a quest of your own. You are already taking the first steps.’

Frankle looked around, aware that the air had changed, the light brightening, the dream ending.

‘Be sure you don’t forget what you learned in those days you would rather not remember. Be sure you can still recognise the dark when you next encounter it.’

The secret voice in Frankle’s mind was louder now, though he still avoided picking out its words. He wanted to turn toward Delco, just for one moment, but his neck wouldn’t move.

‘You aren’t really here, are you, Delco? I saw your body. Your remains.’

A tingle of fear tickled up Frankle’s spine as he spoke. He didn’t want to anger whatever it was that walked beside him, but when the voice spoke again it sounded just as warm as before.

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