The morning sun sparkled on the river as Rioran rowed their small wooden boat. His strong arms pulled the oars in a steady rhythm, creating gentle ripples across the water. Beside him, Aelar looked from side to side, trying to spot anything unusual among the thick trees lining both banks.
"Father," Aelar asked, touching the moon-shaped mark on his forehead, "how will we know when we reach Padas? All these trees look the same to me."
Rioran smiled. "Trust me, son. We'll know it when we see it."
Aelar relaxed and enjoyed the journey—the splash of water, birds singing overhead, and the fresh scent of the forest. After a while, Rioran steered the boat toward a hidden spot on the shore.
"We're here," he announced, tying the boat to a tree root.
Aelar stepped onto land, his legs a bit wobbly after sitting for so long. A narrow path wound uphill through the trees. As they climbed, Aelar noticed small carvings on some of the tree trunks—symbols that looked almost like writing.
When they reached the top of the hill, Aelar's jaw dropped. Below them lay a hidden valley with a village nestled at its center.
"Is this Padas?" he asked in wonder.
"Yes, son," Rioran said proudly. "We've found it."
Padas was unlike anything Aelar had ever seen. Stone buildings with wooden roofs surrounded a central square, with smaller homes spread out around them. People moved about their day—some practicing with swords in training yards, others selling goods or carrying water from a central well. Children played between the buildings, their laughter carrying up to where Aelar and his father stood.
"It's beautiful," Aelar whispered.
They walked down to the village entrance, where a guard stepped out from behind a tree.
"Hey, you! Kid with the mark on your forehead, and you, man! Who are you and what are you doing here?" the guard demanded, his hand on his sword.
Aelar froze. Back home, people always stared at his birthmark, and now it was happening here too.
Rioran touched Aelar's shoulder. "Don't worry, my son. I've got this."
While Rioran talked to the guard, mentioning names and places Aelar didn't recognize, Aelar moved under a nearby tree for shade. Suddenly, he heard a sharp crack above him. The tree trunk was splitting!
"Get out of there, you might get hit!" someone shouted.
Aelar jumped away just as branches crashed down where he had been standing. When the dust cleared, a young woman stood nearby, watching him with concerned eyes.
"Are you okay? Did you get hurt?" she asked, reaching out to help him up.
Aelar's heart skipped a beat. The woman was about his age, with dark hair tied back and a training sword at her hip. Something about her—maybe her kind smile or the way she carried herself—made it hard for him to find words.
"It's a good thing you moved," she said. "If you'd been hurt, my father would have been upset with me again. But I'm glad you're safe." She smiled warmly.
"Thank you," Aelar finally managed to say. Even after she walked away with a friendly wave, he couldn't stop thinking about her.
Rioran finished talking with the guard and returned to Aelar. "What's on your mind, son? You look distracted."
"Father," Aelar said hesitantly, "when I saw that woman with the long hair, something strange happened. My heart started racing, and my chest felt tight."
Rioran laughed. "Well, my boy, it looks like you've just experienced your first attraction. Love has a way of finding us when we least expect it."
"Love?" Aelar asked, confused.
"Your grandfather met your grandmother right here in Padas," Rioran explained. "He always said he knew she was special from the moment he saw her. What you're feeling is perfectly normal."
As they talked, Aelar's excitement grew. "Let's go in, Father. I want to see more of this place you've told me about."
Walking through the main gate, Aelar was amazed by the bustling village life—swordsmen practicing their craft, merchants selling colorful goods, and children playing freely without fear. It was so different from their home village, which lived under constant threat of raids.
Their sightseeing was cut short when four men in white uniforms approached them.
"Both of you need to come with us," one announced. "The lord wants to see you."
"Alright," Rioran agreed. "How will we get there?"
"Crid! Where are the horses?" another man called out.
"Here they are," someone answered, leading two beautiful horses toward them.
"Excellent," the first man said. "Rioran, take this horse. Aelar, what are you waiting for? Get on."
"Father, what's happening?" Aelar whispered, climbing awkwardly onto his horse.
"Don't worry. We've been summoned by the lord. It must be important, but everything will be fine," Rioran assured him.
As they rode through Padas, Aelar noticed how people stepped back respectfully—or fearfully—when the white-uniformed men passed. He had many questions but decided to stay quiet for now.
They arrived at a large stone building set apart from the others. Its walls were decorated with the same symbols Aelar had seen on the trees, only more elaborate. A man stood waiting for them at the entrance, wearing a fine white uniform and carrying a sword with a black handle that gleamed in the sunlight.
"Welcome to Padas! Welcome, welcome!" the man greeted them cheerfully.
"I am pleased to be here, sir," Rioran replied formally.
"It's so good to see you again, my friend Rioran," the man continued. "Aren't you happy to see me?"
"I am," Rioran said carefully, "but it's been a long journey, and it's very hot today for my son."
"Oh, your son?" The man looked at Aelar with interest, his eyes lingering on the crescent mark. "I didn't know you had a child." Then he smiled and added, "Never mind that now. Welcome to my home."
"Father, what's going on?" Aelar asked quietly as they dismounted.
"We've been summoned by the lord of Padas. Just follow my lead," Rioran whispered back.
"But why us? We just got here," Aelar pressed.
"We'll find out soon. Stay close to me," Rioran said.
"Hurry up! The lord is waiting," one of the escorts urged.
"This is so strange," Aelar muttered as they walked toward the grand entrance.
Inside, the building was even more impressive, with high ceilings, beautiful rugs, and walls decorated with maps and weapons. The lord turned to face them.
"Welcome! What brings you to my home, Rioran?" he asked.
"We were summoned, my lord," Rioran answered. "What can we do for you?"
"All in good time," the lord replied, studying them both. "But first, tell me about this young man with you."
"I'm Aelar, sir," he said, trying to sound braver than he felt. "Why did you want to see us?"
"Ah, Aelar," the lord said with a knowing smile. "You'll find out soon enough. For now, make yourselves comfortable. We have much to discuss."
Aelar and Rioran exchanged worried glances. Whatever awaited them in Padas, it was clear their journey was just beginning.
"Father," Aelar whispered as they followed the lord deeper into the building, "this place is amazing. Look at everything!"
"It's very different from our village," Rioran agreed quietly. "Just watch and listen for now. There's much to learn here."
With each step, Aelar felt both excitement and fear. Padas was nothing like he had imagined, and somehow, he knew his life would never be the same again.