Chapter 2: Goodbyes

With a gasp Gawain awoke to the sound of Eriy's voice yelling at someone to go get Brommel. When the young girl's gaze turned back to her brother, relief flooded her features and she wrapped him in a bear hug. "OW E-Eiry I can't Breath" Gawain huffed out before feeling his sister's grip loosen. "Gawain you musn't keep worrying me like this I'm not sure how much more I can take!" the young woman scolded before smiling warmly. "That spell was only meant to cause you to sleep for a couple of hours but you've been out for almost twelve and nothing could wake you. Then you go and start glowing as bright as the sun, you almost blinded me! What on Alternia happened while you were missing? Do you remember anything new?". A look of confusion formed on the young boy's face as he remembered the strange dream he had just awoken from. "I'm sorry, but no I still can't seem to recall anything before that man found me." Eiry's face was set in deep thought but before she could question the boy further Brommel burst through the tent flap. "Lady Eiry, is master Gawain alright!" the man exclaimed before his gaze rested on the seemingly healthy boy staring back at him on the hospital cott. "E-everything's fine now Brommel" Eiry breathed with a start, the man's sudden entrance breaking her thoughts "My little brother just happened to illuminate before waking up from a magically induced coma" the girl said with a laugh but her face remained serious. "That's not possible! Master Gawain is much too young to use magic. The older man said bewildered " There's also the fact that he was unconscious" the girl added just a tad bit sarcastically. "I was hoping you might have some insight on what is happening to Gawain." "I have no idea," the man said, taking a seat next to Gawain's cott. "Gawain did you dream of anything while you were asleep? Did you say an incantation in your mind before your sister put you under?" the man asked, trained eyes scanning the boy for any abnormalities. " I had a very strange dream. I dreamt I was in a great stone palace and at its center was a magnificent throne room with incredible tapestries that changed as you looked at them. There was also an old man there wearing beautiful armour, he called himself the keeper and the palace the hall of fate. We had a talk and then he told me to touch an orb he produced out of nowhere and it made me glow, then I woke to the sound of Eiry screaming for help." At the mention of the keeper excitement filled the man's features "Gawain please remove your shirt!" "Uh Brommel I'm not sure that's right with Eiry in the room." the boy said blushing "Gawain I used to bathe you as a baby it's nothing I haven't seen now follow Brommels instruction" the girl said sternly. "Okay" the boy sighed seeing there was no winning the argument as Gawain raised his shirt over his head to expose his torso he heard both Brommel and Eiry gasp. "W-What is it'' the boy asked sheepishly, self conscious of his exposed skin. " It's a miracle" Brommel finally whispered after a minute of tense silence. "What do you mean a miracle" both siblings said in unison before casting bewildered glances at each other then at Brommel. "Gawain you've been marked by the keeper!" the man said ecstatically. "You've been chosen to bear a great destiny in service to fate itself! None within our ranks have been chosen for over a thousand years to be his champion. Gawain this is incredible! We must show captain Sinerl immediately! Jumping up from his seat he practically dragged the boy from the medical tent torso still exposed.

As the man marched Gawain through camp he heard the gasps of bewildered adults and felt their eyes stare into his back. "Captain Sineral come quick!" the man exclaimed excitedly "the boy has been marked by the keeper himself!" As the last syllable left his lips the captain came storming out of a massive dark green tent, her dark eyes filled with annoyance at the sudden interruption of the crazed looking man. "What are you on about Brommel, I was in the middle of planning our next attack against the Edurites. The bastards took out a whole garrison of troops yesterday!" the woman spat, placing her hands on her hips, a single eyebrow raised. Gawain was shocked at the massive presence a person of captain Sineral's stature could give off. The woman was only up to brommels chest but not a single soldier would meet her fiery gaze. Even Brommel seemed to lose his confident stature as he shrank under the woman's gaze. " I apologize for my rudeness, Captain" The man said before rising back to his full height " But this is a matter of utmost importance. Young master Gawain has been marked by the keeper himself!" the man beamed as he spun the boy to show off the tattoo on his back. "This is incredible" the woman breathed, the fury in her eyes turning to wonder as her finger ran over the glowing sword encased in a brilliant sun that now resided just above Gawain's left shoulder. The woman turned the boy back toward herself and got down on her knee to be face to face with the champion of the Keeper. "Gawain you have been given an unbelievable gift this day." the woman exclaimed, excitement taking over her features. "You have been chosen by the Keeper of the hall of fate to be his champion. He has selected you to be his conduit in this world to help maintain the weave of fate. The keeper has gifted you the responsibility of providing peace and light to all of Eternia. We must get you back to the city at once to begin your training for the future to come. I will get a party together at once to escort you back to the city from the front lines. We mustn't delay as this is the Keeper's will." "Captain do you mind if I join the young masters escort back to the city. I'd like to visit my family while I am there and ensure Gawain settles into training alright." said the man shooting the captain a look of hopefulness. "I understand Brommel and I'll allow it but you will write a report and send it to me as soon as Gawain has been delivered to the castle and you have reached home. Also I want you back here within three weeks time, understood?." The woman spoke with absolute authority. "Yes ma'am" the man beamed before once again taking the boy by the hand and leading him back to his tent to gather his things and prepare for the long journey ahead.

As gawain wandered his quarters looking for clues as to who he might be he saw some unusual items. The first was a fairly simple looking short sword but upon unsheathing it Gawain was shocked to find it was perfectly balanced. The boy took a swing and it was then that his body reacted and he moved with the grace and agility of a practiced swordsman. His muscles took control and though he did not know how, he felt as if he had performed these moves thousands of times before. A uniform quite like brommels had been neatly folded and placed at the foot of his bed as he took notice a god awful stench hit the boys nostrils and he realized he had not washed since he'd been found earlier that day. After quickly washing himself he dressed and found the clothes were a perfect fit. On the small desk in the corner of the tent he found a lamp with a fresh candle and matchbox beside it, after lighting the candle Gawain saw maps of the surrounding area as well as a half written letter.

Dear father,

We have finally become fully established in Larria Forest's new outpost. This has been our deepest push into Edurite territory and our canvassing operations are going well. As you requested I'm continuing my strength training with brommel every day and he says that in one months time I'll be ready for the squires tournament. Having seen the frontlines my knowledge of forigen tactics has grown substantially. I hope all is well in the capital and that you and the king are doing well…

"Interesting' thought the boy "who is my father to work closely with the king. Based on Eiery's skills I wonder if he's a physician of some sort".

Before Gawain could continue with his investigation head heard the rustle of tent fabric and turned to see Eiery gently closing the flap "Brommel just informed me that you were to leave for the capital first thing tomorrow. I envy you little brother. I wish we could both return home." This was news to Gawain as surprise overtook his features. "You're not coming with us Eiery? I had assumed that as my sibling you would be taken along as the parties healer." Eiery gave a small chuckle and rolled her eyes. "I wish that was the case but I have already been informed by captain Sinerel that I am needed more here on the front lines. Looks like you'll just have to manage without me oh great champion of the keeper." The girl then shot Gawain a playful wink. "I don't even know what that means." the boy said glumly his eyes glued to the floor. Blushing Eiery quickly apologized for her insensitivity, it was hard for her to accept the trauma Gawain had experienced. Just thinking of all that had been thrust upon him and at such a young age brought tears to her eyes. She strode over and embraced the boy. "You will be amazing Gawain. I have absolute faith in you and you will never leave my thoughts and prayers." She squeezed the boy tightly before making her way out of the tent. Just before she stepped through the flap though she said something Gawain would not soon forget. "May the keepers light guide you little brother, now get some sleep for you have a long journey ahead of you." Seeing his sister off and his tent packed Gawain laid down on the soft cott and soon drifted off to a dreamless slumber.