Destiny, Jinxrox [latest ebook reader TXT] 📗

tripping over upturned stones and tree roots. She followed the sound of Adrian's shallow breath and sank to his side.

'Adrian? It's okay, It's Destiny, I'm here now, I'v' brought someone who will cure you.' He mumbled something in response and she reach for his hand. Helan quickly got to work, stripping Adrian of his soiled bandages Destiny had put around him, along with his shirt. He poured water onto the gaping wound, then slathered it in a green paste that smelled like pine mixed with something foul. Helan then bandaged him up tightly. Destiny held Adrian's hand the whole time, and when Helan had finished and Adrian and drunk some water, she felt a faint squeeze. His eyes fluttered open.

'Destiny?' he croaked and she gave him more water.

'Destiny,' Helan said,' the contract.' Destiny gripped onto Adrian's hand. Then, slowly leaned towards his lips. Adrian put his hand on her cheek and pulled her closer. Right before their lips touched she whispered,

'I love you.' Then they kissed. Destiny felt whole, she knew he was her other half. She was in love. Destiny felt a tug at her heart and stopped kissing Adrian. He looked confused as she held her hands over her chest.

'Destiny? Are you okay?' He asked. A sharp pain pierced her heart as Helan took her emotion of love. She screamed. Destiny took Adrian's hand as the rest of her ability to love left her soul. Tears streamed down her face. She stroked his face and apologized for his heartache that was sure to follow before kissing him one last time.

'I love you Destiny.' Adrian told her after the kiss. She didn't respond because she felt nothing, she felt nothing at all. She turned around and asked a content Helan,

'What does love mean?
Chapter 11

Chapter 11


Adrian's heart felt it had been trampled on by a gang of wild horses. If felt like it had been split open for surgery and not been sewed back up. He had finally admitted to not only himself, but Destiny as well, that he loved her. One moment they were kissing and the next her love for him had evaporated. Adrian knew it had something to do with Helan. Adrian stood up and walked over to him

"What did you do?!!" he yelled, his fists clenched in anger. Helan smiled.

"She had to for fill her side of the bargain."

"What bargain?" Adrian questioned.

"Her ability to love was my price for healing you. I had to almost bring you back from the dead, you know." Helan picked at his fingernails. Adrian's shoulders slumped in defeat. She had done that for him? What was life without love? Destiny would soon find out.


***


Destiny was confused at the strange looks Adrian was sending her way. An emotion, along with pity, were mixed into his eyes. She felt different somehow, like the feeling when you know you forgot something but cannot remember. something was tickling the back of her mind, trying to remind her of something important. The strange bearded man who had healed Adrian had fled during the night. Adrian seemed distressed by the matter and very angry, but Destiny could not really remember who the man was.

Adrian had decided this morning that they should continue down the face of the mountain into the town of Manque below. He was eager to get away from the cave for it held bad memories for him. He still was in love with Destiny even if she could no longer love. He just prayed that this shaman they were searching for would have a cure to her ailment that she was completely unaware of. If not, he was not sure what he would do.


They traveled on horseback for the most part of the day. At the bottom of the mountain, a small village nestled at the edge of a large lake. People bustled to and fro and several fishing boats were out on the lake. The silvery fish tempted the men searching for a meal. The sun rested at the 2 o'clock place in the sky as Adrian and Destiny trotted up to the badly constructed stone wall the village used as fortification against attackers. A lazy entry guard yawned at his post, spear in hand. He glanced over them and admitted the travelers inside. The town was mostly bare, save the few adults lumbering around. They rode around the town in search of an inn. The strange thing was that they saw no children. None at all. No baby's wails or little girl's giggles. The town was void of any laughter.


***


In the Red Rooster Inn, Adrian took Destiny's hand and led her inside. The elderly patrons stared at the two in wonderment.

"Where do you come from?" one man asked.

"Over the mountain." answered Adrian. He paused and thought about what to ask.

"Why are there no children here?" a wave of sadness crossed over the man's face.

" 'Tis the Curse. They have all Burned. But what about you? You are still alive and you are past the fifteen years. " Adrian nodded.

"The curse came to my village the month after my sixteenth birthday. We are looking for more information about this curse, is there anyone we can speak to?" The men all glanced at each other. The eldest nodded, and the first man said,

"There is an elderly woman by the name of , Atropos who lives in a small hut in the west end of town. Her brother, the shaman Helan, lives some ways up the mountain." Adrian bristled at the mention of Helan's name.

"Thank you sir." The man nodded. Destiny was quiet through the exchange. As she laid on her bed she though, Atropos, I know that name.

Destiny. Are you still looking for a way to break the Curse? You will never be able to find it, for it is a thing that cannot be found. You foolish child.


***


Destiny woke up, the blanket plastered to her like a second skin. She took a deep breath. It was only a dream. she told herself. Destiny hopped out of the bed and tied her hair up with a piece of spare string. She stripped her nightgown and downed a pair of tan pants and her light blue sword competition shirt. A couple minutes later she heard a knock on her door.

"Come in." Adrian walked in with two slices of bread and a mug of milk. Destiny felt something funny whenever Adrian was a round, like something was missing. She accepted the breakfast gratefully.

"Are we abandoning the search for the shaman then?" she asked mid chew.
" The old lady might be she" Adrian replied. Honestly he was afraid that her brother, Helan, was the person they were looking for. In truth, perhaps Helan never meant them harm, but it had turned out that way. Adrian was showing his affection to Destiny, but she having no emotion to love could not reflect his feelings. The next time he saw that horrid shaman he was going to demand for Destiny to get her love back.

They decided to keep their tired horses at the inn and travel on foot to Atropos. Even though Destiny knew here were no children, she still strained her ears in vain for their noise. All the laughter and joy was still at the Home Tree. But for how much longer? Destiny remembered her childhood.Everyone had made fun of her, but she still came out strong. They actually made her stronger. The insults did get worse about a year ago. Sometimes the others would even beat her. Destiny's father thought it would make her stronger, so he did nothing to stop it. So she left. She traveled on her own and met a group of rebels who taught her how to wield a sword. she only came back because the leader grew unnerved by her and forced her out. So she came back to the Home Tree.


***


The bells jingled in greeting as they walked inside the hut. From the outside it seemed dirty and fit for a poor peasant. On the inside however small purple tin bells littered the door to signal the entrance of a customer. Even though the floor was cluttered with unnecessary objects it added a certain charm. The small fireplace was lit and it's aroma smelled almost like lemons. In the middle of the room sat a small two person table with a frayed midnight blue cloth draped over it.

"I'm coming!" a frail female voice called from another room who's entrance was blocked by a rather ferocious looking duck. It quaked at them and prances around in it's pink waistcoat.

"Now now treat our customers with respect" the plump woman called Atropos bent down and picked up her duck. She had a large multicolored headdress on along with many layers of dresses including one that jingled when she walked.

"Now sit down. " Adrian offered the chair to Destiny, which she gladly took with a grateful look.

"You have come for a fortune reading?" the lady asked and stared at Destiny with her ancient eyes.

"Actually-" Destiny started.

"Yes yes let's get started. Give me your hand" Destiny sighed but handed it over.

"Let's see..." the lady furrowed her big white eyebrows in concentration.

"I-What did you say your name was again?"

"Destiny."

"Are you sure?" Adrian looked puzzled, but Destiny was deep in thought.

"Clotho. It's actually Clotho isn't it?" the lady smiled and then clapped her hands together in excitement.

"I knew it!" she yelled, "I knew you would come! My sister she didn't believe me but" she looked at Destiny's silver necklace " It looks as if she left her mark on you. And without telling me too. How rude. " the duck squawked in agreement. Adrian's eyes went wide and Destiny knew the truth was bout to be revealed.

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