The Eighth Dream

July 10, 2012

William and Simon walked out of the hut. Philip was sitting outside, waiting just as he said he would.

“I must be going, William,” said Simon, “I will see you at the gathering. Remember, make the best of it.”

Simon patted William on the shoulder and walked off.

Philip looked at William, stood and showed his familiar smile.

“Well?” said Philip, “How was it? Were your questions answered?”

“Not exactly,” said William, “I learned a little about Woodspring and Aldenin, but nothing about myself or why I am here. Simon told me he and I could keep meeting daily if I want to. Until then, he suggested I make the best of my time here. Now is as good a time as any to start.”

William still had questions, but he figured some down time would be nice, and he planned on starting with this gathering Simon spoke of.

“That’s great,” said Philip, “You can start by coming to the gathering.”

It was good to know he and Philp had the same thought.

“What is this gathering?” asked William, “Simon mentioned it a few times. In fact, it’s the reason we cut our meet short.”

“No surprise there,” said Philip, “The gathering is of great importance, and the whole village attends.”

“Well what is it then?”

“Right, sorry. The gathering is something villages across Aldenin do every harvest. The whole village gathers together and feasts in celebration of our safety from evil and the might of the great Aldruhim.”

Philip paused for a moment and actually stopped smiling.

“I never told you about Aldruhim,” he said, “Please forgive me William! Somehow it escaped me that you would not be familiar with Aldruhim.”

William didn’t want to talk about this “Aldruhim” again, but he was trying to make the best of it all, so he decided to just carry on with conversation.

“It’s okay Philip,” he said, “Simon explained what Aldruhim is.”

Philip’s smile returned.

“Good,” he said, “Because he will be mentioned many times tonight. In fact, we should be going now.”

Philip started walked and William followed close behind.

If nothing else, William was looking forward to getting to see more of Woodspring.

On their way they saw many villagers. They were carrying assorted foods, mainly consisting of fruits and vegetables, some of which William had never seen before.

“Is this all for the gathering?” asked William.

“Yes it is,” said Philip, “Those who are able bring food that they have grown or scavenged from nearby. What we receive is our feast, and it is plentiful every time. Because of this, we give Aldruhim our thanks for our provision.”

To William, this sounded familiar enough.

“That reminds me of something from where I come from,” he said, “It is a similar concept, but is meant to bring families together as well. We call it Thanksgiving.”

“Interesting,” said Philip, “Whom do you give your thanks to?”

William thought about it, and he honestly did not know.

“Well we don’t really thank an individual,” said William, “We mainly just eat and fellowship.”

William knew he was speaking only for himself. He knew that many people gave thanks to their god, but that wasn’t him, not anymore.

“Oh,” said Philip, “Forgive me if I insult you, but I believe that should be different. Look at the trees, the sky. Smell the air, feel the breeze, your own heart beating. It is all a gift from something, someone. If such a being gave such gifts to us, that being must hold us dear, and would keep watch over things so precious as life. For all of this, man should look beyond himself and send his thanks and credit where it is due. For example, tell me about where you came from.”

Normally William would shrug off the question and walk away, but something about Philip made him want to keep talking.

“Well my life isn’t exactly a good one. I don’t have parents to be accounted for, and not a friend either. All in a place I really don’t like.”

“Are you not glad to be alive?”

“I didn’t say that. I just have a hard time finding joy when life can be so mundane and tedious.”

“Learn to find joy in the little things, William. Life itself is a gift, the greatest gift of all in fact. Be thankful for it, and take joy in the fact that your heart still beats.”

It felt like a lecture, but to William, the words felt true. For a long time, William hated the world. Hardly anyone cared enough to even speak to him. If he was being completely honest though, he couldn’t really say he had made much effort of his own.

“Please do not take offense to what I have said,” said Philip, “I tend to talk a lot, and often end up speaking random nonsense. We should find a seat.”

William hadn’t even noticed that they had made it to the place of gathering. He was too busy paying Philip all of his attention.

“Right,” he said, “Lead the way. I will sit with you if that’s no problem.”

Philip smiled.

“Not at all,” he said, “Let’s go.”

Philip began walking again, and William followed close by.

The place of gathering was a very peaceful courtyard-like area with a garden and tables around it. The scene looked almost like a common portrayal of an outdoor wedding reception, without all the white.

Many people were there talking amongst themselves, placing food at tables.

At one of the tables, William saw Kayla. She quickly jumped up and waved at Philip, signaling him to come over.

On their way, William saw Andrew to his left, sitting at a table with Marcus and some of the others from the fight ring.

Andrew gave him a bad look.

William tried to quicken his walking pace to avoid the look. Once he reached the table, he saw the team that had fought Andrew before, though he couldn’t remember their names.

“You may have a seat William,” said Philip, “You remember Jacob and-”

“Thomas.” Said William as he sat in the chair to Philip’s left.

“Oh look Thomas,” said Jacob, “He remembers us. Was our defeat that memorable?”

“It wasn’t that bad Jacob,” said Philip, “Keep at it with a level head and pride in check and you will beat him some day.”

“Knowing how to fight helps too.” Said Thomas sarcastically.

Everyone but Jacob laughed.

At William’s table were Philip, Kayla, Jacob, and Thomas. There was an empty seat across from William though, and he wasn’t sure who it could be.

“Philip, are we missing the person across from me?”

“She should be here shortly.”

William assumed it was someone he had not yet met.

“So when do you plan on entering the ring, William?” said Jacob.

Everyone turned to see his response. He chuckled nervously.

“Probably never,” he said, “I’m not a fighter.”

“You will be,” said Jacob, “Eventually everyone fights some. It’s our pride you know.”

William already had this speech, so he wanted to stop Jacob there.

“Yes I know,” he said, “Marcus told me all about it. I just don’t think I should.”

It was a lie. He didn’t have what it takes and he knew it. He wanted, more than a lot of things, to get in a fight to just let out aggression, but he was afraid.

“Whatever you say,” said Jacob, “But you seem like the kind of guy who would want to get his share of hits on someone like Andrew.”

He wasn’t wrong.

“Andrew certainly seems like the kind of guy who could use a good beating.” Said William.

Jacob, who was on William’s left, gave him a quick pat on the back.

“You catch on quick, Will.” He said.

William wasn’t sure how to take that, so he just grinned, and then looked straight in front of him to see a girl was standing next to the empty chair. He couldn’t help but feel like he had seen her before.

“I’m sorry to have kept everyone waiting,” she said as she placed a basket on the table, “I was tending to the garden so I could pick these.”

William knew that voice. It was Megan, who was with him when he woke up in the dark room. He had yet to see her in the light. She was only a bit shorter than him. Fair complexion, bright blue eyes, and long flowing black hair. She wore a white dress with a blue sash around her waste. She was beautiful; in fact, William was stunned when he saw her.

“Thank you Megan.” Said Philip.

She sat across from William and smiled at him. William could tell that She and Philip were twins, or at least relatives.

“Hello William,” she said, “Feeling better I hope.”

His inability to speak properly to women kicked in.

“Uh..Y-yeah. Thanks.”

For the most part, the awkward response was dismissed.

Shortly after, Simon walked to the front of the tables, much like one would when proposing a toast at a reception or banquet.

“Family, friends,” he began, “By the look of the tables, it has been a great harvest, surely one to remember. Let us rejoice, for Aldruhim is ever gracious and vigilant.”

Simon continued to speak for several minutes, and Philip was right. Aldruhim was mentioned many times.

Eventually, Simon finished his speech, and everyone began eating.

By what William could tell, almost all of the food at his table was fruit. Fortunately, fruit was a favorite of his. Despite this truth, he was still hesitant.

“So William,” said Philip as if he saw William’s hesitation, “Have you ever eaten any of this before?”

He recognized a few. Apples, grapes, and the sort. Some of them though, he had not seen before.

“I have had a few of these.” He said.

One fruit in particular caught his eye. It was a reddish-blue color, and was shaped like a pear.

Kayla noticed his glance.

“Are you wondering about this fruit?” she asked as she grabbed one.

William nodded.

“It’s called a varinela,” she said, “It is very common around Woodspring. It has a very sweet taste and is quite good at waking up a tired mind.”

She took a bite.

“Try one!”

William grabbed a varinela and bit into it. Kayla was right when she said it had a sweet taste. It tasted nothing like a pear at all; in fact, its nectar was syrupy like a peach.

“Good?” asked Philip.

“Very.” Said William.

William continued to try many of the fruits he had never seen before. Some were good, and some were not.

For what felt like hours to William, he had many conversations with the group at his table. For once, he felt included, even if it was just small talk within a group. He seemed to get along with all of them, even Jacob.

Unfortunately, the conversation did not last as long as William hoped. The feast ended, and one by one, the people at William’s table started to leave. Eventually, only William, Philip, and Megan remained.

William felt obligated to thank Megan for bringing the food, but he just knew he would stumble over his own words.

“Megan.” he said. So far so good.

Her eyes met his. He lost his bearings.

“Um..” he continued, “Thanks for the..uh..the..”

She was smiling, but not laughing at him, so he at least had not yet made a total fool of himself.

“The food. Thank you for the delicious fruits. I enjoyed them very much.” He said.

It sounded rehearsed and strange, but William was glad he at least got the point across.

She laughed slightly.

“Well I would not say I had much to do with it,” she said, “I simply filled a basket. Adlruhim is the one who blessed us with a good harvest.”

William smiled back awkwardly.

“Right.” He said, trying to remember exactly how many times he had heard someone tell him the same thing since the feast started. He had lost count.

“I should be going now,” said Megan as she stood from the table, “I will see the two of you tomorrow. Sleep well.”

She smiled and walked away.

At this time, the sun had set, and everyone was heading home.

“Where do I go, Philip?” asked William.

“You can come stay with me,” he said, “There is room for you.”

William accepted, and the two of them started walking.
On the way back, the two talked about various things and places around Woodspring. It was a good conversation, much like the many good conversations he had that day.

After a few minutes, they reached a small hut even smaller than Simon’s.

On the inside, the hut was only one room, with one bed.

“I will sleep on the floor tonight,” said Philip, “I insist.”
William didn’t plan on arguing.

“Thanks.”

Philip laid out a blanket on the floor.

William sat on the bed and began wondering how the living arrangements worked in Woodspring. He had yet to see Philip’s parents, and he seemed to live alone.

“Where are your parents, Philip?” he asked without thinking.

Philip was quiet for a moment. This made William more curious.

“Well,” he said, “I don’t know. No one does. They were here one day, and then they were simply gone. Some people told me they were out scavenging but wandered out too far, but I know that to be false. They were smarter than that.”

Philip was silent again. He stared blankly at the wall, motionless.

William felt horrible. Earlier that day he had been complaining about life when he didn’t realize Philip had a dark past of his own.

“Philip..I’m so sorry.”

Philip looked back at William and smiled.

“Don’t be,” he said, “You had no way of knowing. Everything happens for a reason, even the bad things. Whether it is the absence of my parents, or your being here in the first place. Besides, Megan and I are fairing quite well.”

It was impossible not to admire Philip’s optimism.

“You’re a great guy Philip,” said William trying to push himself through a sentimental moment, “And I could not have gotten through today without your help. Thank you.”

“It was a pleasure,” he said, “But you may want to get some rest, because tomorrow is a new day, and I’m sure there is plenty you want to see.”

“Right.” Said William, though he was not sure if his mind would return him here. To him, this felt like it was the end of a very good dream, and that if it was indeed all just a dream, who’s to say his mind would return at all, or that anything would be the same.

Either way, William felt that he learned a little bit about himself, and truly believed that he would be better for it all. As his mind continued to wander, he slowly began to drift off..