Free The Path Of Destiny by Mike Shelton Page B

coast of the Realm, opposite Mar, it was the
responsibility of one family. This family was paid and supported by each king.
A small village had grown up over time in a western bay of the island to
support all of the activity.
    Everyone in the village shared the responsibility to care
for the white horses, from farmers growing fields of hay, to groomers, doctors,
and caretakers. In current times four distinct herds covered the island. Haman,
as master caretaker, cared personally for the largest herd. From this herd the
king chose those that would pull his own carriage.
    As the man and boy watched the strange behavior, one by one
each horse left the circle and raced towards them. Haman put out his hand and
the lead horse approached, touching Haman’s hand with his mane. No man other
than a caretaker touched a Cremelino without their permission. In fact, once
they allowed a rider, that rider bonded to them for life.
    A soft voice filled Haman’s head as the horse stayed in
contact with his hand. It took a few minutes of concentration for him to
recognize what was being said.
    Master caretaker, a wizard has found his power again. A
true wizard of royal birth walks the Realm again.
    Haman could feel the excitement in the horse’s voice.
    “Father, what did she say?” asked Jakob.
    “They are excited about a wizard in the Realm again.”
    “A wizard? Really? I want to see a wizard, papa. Is he old
like in the stories? Does he do magic? What’s his name?”
    Haman tousled his son’s hair and laughed. “So many
questions.”
    Tell him he is only a few years older than your son. His
name is Darius and he will impact the entire Realm and beyond for either good
or evil.
    Haman relayed the message to his twelve-year-old son.
    “I would like to meet Darius,” commented Jakob.
    The other horses joined the man and boy next to the fence.
One of the younger ones reached his long white mane over to Jakob, toughing his
skin slightly, and spoke.
    Soon you will meet him, but he doesn’t understand who he
is yet. In fact you will escort me to him to be given into the care of another.
I will watch over the young wizard. It is the beginning of the prophecy.
    Jakob jumped. This was the first time one of the horses had
had direct communication with him. It was thrilling. “Papa. It’s wonderful. I
heard her voice. She spoke to me.”
    Haman smiled a large, toothy grin, which looked almost too
large on his thin face. Looking down at his son, he felt the pride he was sure
his father had felt when Haman had heard his first Cremelino voice. He felt the
connection with himself, his son, and the Cremelino.
    His son looked up at him and brushed away some of his blond
bangs. “She said there is a prophecy about Darius, and I will meet him. What do
you think that means, Papa?”
    “I am sure I wouldn’t know, Jakob. Things of wizards are not
known much to man. I hear the Jordanian empire have their share, and I have
heard of a few from the Kingdom of Arc, and of course there are rumors of great
wizards across the Blue Sea to the east, but none have walked the Realm for a
long time.”
    Haman reached out again to the Cremelino nearest him, while
his son still touched the smaller female. They both heard the words at the same
time.
    Forgotten lines of ancient magic and the power of the
throne
    One will make them both his
own if his heart sees the true power. . .
    Jakob took his hand away. It became clear the Cremelino was
not going to share any more of the prophecy. “I’m going to go tell Mom!” Jakob
yelled as he ran off towards their small home.
    Haman cleaned up a few things in the barn before heading
back. The sun hung low above the harbor. Shading his eyes with a tanned hand,
he could just make out the strait of water between the island and Mar. He
spotted a speck on the horizon. Watching for a few moments, he saw the shadow
continue to grow: a ship coming to port. A large one.
    “Hmmm,” he said out loud to himself. “I wonder whose