The Invisible Whisper
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I saw faces around the little campfire. I taught some of these boys. When I was just starting to teach, if that respect was still there, it could have given me an influence. Yes, it was accompanied by a few glasses of rice wine to make them talk to me about things that the older tribe members did not want to hear.

"SHHH calm down" I said to the young man

The tribal elders should not learn anything from this conversation.

"What about the stranger Arcano, I mean stranger than the villagers you met on your way? Have you ever met anyone who travels?"

I need to shorten it because I don't really care who they are traveling to, where and what trade can be done with them. I only focus on the questions that lead to my search for the mysterious figure in Aruna's dream.

Ever since I started my little quest, it seemed like I had gotten nothing. All the people I asked who had traveled to other settlements were only interested in the women and livestock they met.

"Martino Stranger?" He looked at me suspiciously. "You'd rather hear about strangers than about Sei and his sister?"

She shook her head; "Sei's sister, Anika, told me about a stranger. Strange travelers who have passed through the village. They wore gold and black clothes and neither their appearance nor weapons were like weapons that his grandfather had seen before. They had a habit of spending the night in the settlement and exchanging the two best swords for wine, food, and livestock."

The next day they continued their journey to the mountains. I've seen that Katana with her own eyes, they're like.... He nodded his head and stared intently into his eyes.

I left the young man alone with his wine in the fireplace and went home. This was the first time I had heard of any stranger. I learned nothing more from the previous conversation. Although their story gave me a good picture of the region and its composition.

In the hut, I started sketching on rice paper. I tried to map out what they told me about the surrounding villages and natural landmarks. I use the same details as used when described.

I even added things that I had never seen and were just rumors. For example, the map even contains mythical figures, magic trees, and magical waterfalls. That according to knowledge, everything has been seen by travelers exploring the known ends of the world.

Meditating, gathering plants, listening to the guides and spirits of the forest, all remind me of the master Enoch. I have respected him more than I want to admit and now I am stagnating.

The death of Master Enoch has separated me from the world within, even more than before. My soul now wanders my private abyss, chained to heavy steel chains, bound to tin balls. So that I don't have to see it, not hear it.

Since the absence of my sister, I withdrew from association with other members of the tribe. My mother and Mr. Enokh were actually the only people I could talk to freely.

I know everyone in the village, but mostly because of my role as a teacher. I'm adapting this role as the second skin. A role I will never be able to let go of completely. Losing a loved one is a heavy burden that I don't want to experience anymore. My mother's death didn't make things easier.

The departure of Lord Enoch was different. His body announced his departure long before his mind did. But even in my relationship with the teacher, the distance seemed to remain.

Partly out of respect, but also in self-defense. But his death made me even worse, fortunately, I was able to devote myself to this quest of mine.

Spiritual stagnation was of course reflected in the visible world like the stagnation of my quest, leaving me despairing. I thought about giving up and continuing my normal life. After all, there was a gap left by his master. I thought about the idea for a while until my eyes were fixed on the low stone table.

The candle that had been burning there all night, started flickering signifying the first phase of the inevitable ending.

The sight did not release my eyes. The flame retreated into the chandelier, only to struggle out with new power. This fight lasted quite a long time and only when the sunlight started to enter through the stitching of the door closing cloth did the candle decide not to give up.

He chose the only other way. He formed a small blue ball and was thus able to live out his final hours in a safe shelter in the candlestick. Wouldn't a single breath of mine end it all.

Tired yet inspired, I gathered incense, cloth, and jugs of water. Then I walked into the valley. On my way, I ran into some village men. I knew their faces but did not remember their names and realized how quiet I had become.