Just a small little part.
Title: Destiny’s Refuge
Characters: Elden/Misham
Series: Another Life
POV: Misham
“You.” The word was a whisper of an answered prayer. Misham wasn’t sure who said it. Did the word slip from his lips? Or had it been the man who was standing just a few feet away? The man Misham had dreamt about for years. When he’d had the first dream, he thought he’d gotten the gift of the Historians from his father. But no prophecies were revealed. Only this green-eyed man. That green-eyed man came to him many times as he slept. On his worst days, he’d visit Misham in his dreams and he’d comfort him.
Craving that comfort now, Misham stepped forward. “I thought you were a dream.”
“I knew you were real.” The green-eyed man said, coming closer.
“Misham? What is happening?” Keena’s voice was filled with worry.
“My green-eyed man,” Misham said in wonder.
Timon bit back a sob, but his voice carried thick with emotion. “Your name. Please. We don’t even know your name.”
Without breaking the gaze with Misham, the green-eyed man said, “Elden. My name is Elden.”
“Noble friend. Elden means noble friend.” Timon turned to his wife. “The stars guided him here. Everything will be alright.”
Keena nodded, tears streaming down her cheeks. “Please. Sit. Take nourishment. You will need it for the journey to come.”
Chairs scraped against the rock floor as the two sets of parents pulled out chairs. Misham felt frozen. He didn’t know what to do, he knew nothing would stay in his stomach. Then Elden held out his hand. Instinctively, Misham reached out and took it. Elden’s hand was rough and calloused and so warm. The warmth spread through him, thawing his frozen body.
He followed when Elden, still holding his hand, led him to the table. They sat so close to each other only a prayer could slip between them. With the shock of seeing his green-eyed man wearing off, Misham felt relief radiating from his mother and father. Slowly becoming aware of the others, he heard his mother talking.
“Misham had always had a tender heart. He picked up Timon’s and my emotions, but we just thought we were such a close family. But when he went to school, the truth was revealed. On his very first day, the emotions of all around him filled his heart, body, and soul. We had to bring him home. We moved out of our village to keep him safe. It helped some, but not enough. He continued to feel what others around him felt. Then about the time of Misham’s twelfth moon cycle, He slept through the night.”
“I ran to his room the moment my eyes opened the next morning,” Timon continued when Keena’s remembered fear caught in her throat. “We rushed to his room. So afraid of what we might find. But he lay there sleeping. A peaceful sleep that he hadn’t had since he was an infant. Our noisy entrance must have woken him because just then he opened his eyes and smiled at me.”
Keena’s face widened with a smile. “He told us of a green-eyed boy who’d come to him in his dream. At first, we thought the gift of prophecy had finally developed. Yet, through the years the green-eyed boy, then man, only gave comfort to our Misham.”
“We’d come to believe his mind was giving him a friend that he’d never have in this life.” Timon turned awestruck eyes to Elden. “Yet, here he is in the flesh. The noble friend.”
“It was the plan of the Stars,” Rastus said. “And that plan is now being carried out.”
The parents' voices faded away from Misham’s ears as Elden squeezed his hand.
“Eat,” Elden gently ordered. “We need to leave within the hour. You need nourishment for the trek to come. We traveled a hard two days to get here. If we don’t leave before the snows come, it will take us longer to return.”
Sander spoke up. “We realize how distressing it is to leave, but Carrick cautioned us not to stay long. A storm had been spotted just over the summit. We really need to leave within the hour.”
Sander and Timon gathered Misham’s bags while Keena and Rastus packed some extra cheese, dried fruits, and nuts. With encouragement from Elden, Misham finished his bowl of stew and they were all bundling up to ward off the cold.
Keena helped Misham into his cloak. Timon slipped a knitted hat onto his head. “You’ll be missed,” Timon said thickly.
“When the snows lessen in the spring, you both would be welcome to visit Misham. We will keep him safe for you until then,” Sander reassured.
With promises given, the four stepped outside of the mountain home. Misham felt awkward walking in the snowshoes. He’d spent most of the winters inside and hadn’t used them in years. He gave one last look over his shoulder. He knew the image of his parents, wrapped in each other’s arms, would be one he’d hold onto for the rest of his life.
End chapter 4
Read more about Gliese on the Another Life blog.
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