Read Online Dreams and Shadows (The Aylosian Chronicles Book 1) by Jeffrey Collyer - Free Book Online Page A
Authors: Jeffrey Collyer
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wasn’t afraid. A love beyond anything he had felt before filled him. No, that wasn’t right. He had felt that love before: by the stream with the bumblebee, and again in his dream. He was falling, but he was at peace.
Col lay on the floor of Michael’s flat, blood pouring from his chest and trickling from his mouth, unable to move. He was dizzy with the loss of blood, and his eyesight was already diminishing. But he retained enough to see the blonde man staring in disbelief at the empty armchair where Michael had only seconds before been sitting.
The assassin screamed – a scream of rage, a scream of despair. Col knew that this man’s life would now be forfeit, the solitary purpose of his life failed. He would be severely and painfully punished; ultimately executed. He felt pity on the man, his scream continuing as he turned and ran towards the window, jumping headfirst through it. The glass shattered, tearing into the man’s face, as he fell headfirst down the three floors onto the pavement by the front street, preferring death to the wrath of his master.
Col was not despairing though. He knew his life was inexorably ebbing away, but he had served his purpose. He had protected and nurtured the boy for six months, and even now when the enemy had found him, he had succeeded in his efforts. Six precious months. And now as the last flickers of life left his body, Col smiled, knowing that his sacrifice had given their land of Aylosia a chance. The boy had returned, and with it, hope.
And Michael also smiled, closing his eyes as he whistled through the air, and as the words thundered in joyous exultation in his mind, I’m coming home .
CHAPTER FOUR:
New Beginnings
As a man takes his first steps on a path never before walked he may be filled with excitement to learn of the trail’s destination, or with fear of what lies hidden along his journey’s route. These feelings may dictate whether he runs or crawls on his way, fear or excitement bidding his pace. Either choice, however, will leave the man missing the most valuable lesson his travels have to offer – that of the wonder of new understanding; for each new journey will offer such in abundance if only the time is taken to contemplate the path’s experience.
In truth, all new trails will be strewn with both horrors and joys in different degrees. The content of each journey is less important than the manner in which we make our way. For paths newly travelled, when sufficiently pondered, will lead ultimately to a greater peace, as the heightened understanding of our place in the universe gives anchor to the soul.
From the Wisdom of Ashael
***
He awoke slowly, his surroundings gradually making themselves aware to his senses. The memory of when or how he had arrived in this place was absent from his mind. He remembered only falling through the air towards the new earth lying hundreds or thousands of feet below him and the joyous feeling that accompanied it.
Even before his eyes parted, he could feel the long blades of grass along his left cheek and surrounding his arms and legs. The sun’s rays were caressing his back with a benign warmth that maintained his mood, feeling as if he could lie here forever in wondrous bliss.
As he wiggled his toes, he felt the velvety blades tickle slightly, and only then realised that he was naked; but he didn’t mind, nature’s environment clothing him with its own comforting blanket.
Keeping his eyes closed, he could hear the slight rustle of some leaves not far away, the gentle breeze softly moving through the branches of nearby trees. The long grasses swayed in the light wind, tickling the skin across his body. And slightly further afield was a river or stream, the gurgling of water just reaching his ears.
Without moving, he eventually opened his eyes, peering through the grasses that lay with him. Thick green blades were accompanied with tall stalks. An untended pasture , Michael thought, or maybe a meadow .
Col lay on the floor of Michael’s flat, blood pouring from his chest and trickling from his mouth, unable to move. He was dizzy with the loss of blood, and his eyesight was already diminishing. But he retained enough to see the blonde man staring in disbelief at the empty armchair where Michael had only seconds before been sitting.
The assassin screamed – a scream of rage, a scream of despair. Col knew that this man’s life would now be forfeit, the solitary purpose of his life failed. He would be severely and painfully punished; ultimately executed. He felt pity on the man, his scream continuing as he turned and ran towards the window, jumping headfirst through it. The glass shattered, tearing into the man’s face, as he fell headfirst down the three floors onto the pavement by the front street, preferring death to the wrath of his master.
Col was not despairing though. He knew his life was inexorably ebbing away, but he had served his purpose. He had protected and nurtured the boy for six months, and even now when the enemy had found him, he had succeeded in his efforts. Six precious months. And now as the last flickers of life left his body, Col smiled, knowing that his sacrifice had given their land of Aylosia a chance. The boy had returned, and with it, hope.
And Michael also smiled, closing his eyes as he whistled through the air, and as the words thundered in joyous exultation in his mind, I’m coming home .
CHAPTER FOUR:
New Beginnings
As a man takes his first steps on a path never before walked he may be filled with excitement to learn of the trail’s destination, or with fear of what lies hidden along his journey’s route. These feelings may dictate whether he runs or crawls on his way, fear or excitement bidding his pace. Either choice, however, will leave the man missing the most valuable lesson his travels have to offer – that of the wonder of new understanding; for each new journey will offer such in abundance if only the time is taken to contemplate the path’s experience.
In truth, all new trails will be strewn with both horrors and joys in different degrees. The content of each journey is less important than the manner in which we make our way. For paths newly travelled, when sufficiently pondered, will lead ultimately to a greater peace, as the heightened understanding of our place in the universe gives anchor to the soul.
From the Wisdom of Ashael
***
He awoke slowly, his surroundings gradually making themselves aware to his senses. The memory of when or how he had arrived in this place was absent from his mind. He remembered only falling through the air towards the new earth lying hundreds or thousands of feet below him and the joyous feeling that accompanied it.
Even before his eyes parted, he could feel the long blades of grass along his left cheek and surrounding his arms and legs. The sun’s rays were caressing his back with a benign warmth that maintained his mood, feeling as if he could lie here forever in wondrous bliss.
As he wiggled his toes, he felt the velvety blades tickle slightly, and only then realised that he was naked; but he didn’t mind, nature’s environment clothing him with its own comforting blanket.
Keeping his eyes closed, he could hear the slight rustle of some leaves not far away, the gentle breeze softly moving through the branches of nearby trees. The long grasses swayed in the light wind, tickling the skin across his body. And slightly further afield was a river or stream, the gurgling of water just reaching his ears.
Without moving, he eventually opened his eyes, peering through the grasses that lay with him. Thick green blades were accompanied with tall stalks. An untended pasture , Michael thought, or maybe a meadow .
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