In the garden

“Old friend, it seem you have finally arrived” Lorn had fallen asleep not long ago. Not far from where they sat stood a large feline and a man. Slowly, they made way towards where the two sat and stopped an arm’s length away.

“You have waited long.” the voice of the man had stirred young Lorn awake. He starred in bewilderment at the image in front of him. A man that could not be described as human, with a presence that seemed to exist everywhere and eyes that saw everything. His voice reverberated and everything around seem to come alive at the sound of it. By his side, a large black feline. She stood full of grace and nimble, staring back at him with just the same intensity.

“It seems I have awoken the young one.” He said after glancing at Lorn then back at the Ioran.

“Lorn, my child-...” Lorn glanced up at Ioran, but rather than fear, his eyes were filled with excitement. The boy was not afraid of what he saw. Ioran smiled. Truly, this boy that sat on his legs was one of his descendants. Normally, one would quiver in fear at the sight of such, especially if this image greeted one from sleep. Lorn hurried down from his Ioran’s legs and walk towards the large feline. He started to stroke her fur with a smile on his face.

“Lorn, have you no fear in you?” the young man asked. Turning his attention to the man

“If the old man does not fear you, then I have no reason to. Rather than needless fear, it is better to understand what I see, is it not?”

Both men laughed at his reply, not to mock him. No it seemed more like a sign of approval. However, Lorn paid no mind and played on with his feline friend who responded to his affection.

“Ioran, it is almost time. You know I can’t leave you here any longer.” The atmosphere was no longer playful and the eyes of the young man had turned serious. He sat beside Ioran.

“You cannot correct the mistakes of your sons, it is unfair that you have to keep watching them kill eachother.” Ioran smiled sadly. It’s true. After he retired as the emperor, in a bid to sit on the throne, his sons, those foolish men, became tools for greedy men with wicked hearts and killed each other. Some had even attempted to start wars. Rebellions rose from dissatisfied tribes. It was chaos everywhere and a complete waste of the empire he had built.

“I can’t seem to forgive myself, perhaps if I had not retired or if I had been a better guide to them all this would not have happened.”

“My friend, you can’t keep blaming yourself for all that has happened. You did your best and your sons did what was in their hearts.”

“Indeed... but I fear for the life of poor Lorn.” He gazed lovingly at Lorn, who was still playing with the large feline. “He is alone here... i don’t think I have it in me to abandon him. Deos, my friend, please...” Ioran was softly crying now. The thought of living poor Lorn alone tore his heart into shreds... he truly loved the boy.

“He is smart, he’ll survive.” Ioran looked sorrowfully at Deos.

“Please, understand me. I...”

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