Chapter 05a: The Fate of the One Who Acts Without Thinking

Recollection of Blizzard Hawk, Sun King, Loremaster, Keeper of Lore and History, Brotherhood of the Sun, a trinity member of Grand Council of Solaris.

I’m here with Lord Aldebaran, the current Solaris Primus, 103rd among the great line of Lord Supreme Grand Master of the Brotherhood. And who also happen to be my old friend. I’m in his personal chamber, with both of us looking grim at the issue at hand.

“Are you sure, Aldebaran?”

Instead of replying to me, Aldebaran opened up his study desk drawer and took out his smoking pipe. As he looked outside from the windows of his chamber, he lighted the pipe and began to smoke.

“Is there any other way?”

I shook my head.

“Does what the Wood Elf Elders conveyed to us earlier consistent with your findings, old friend?”

“It is so far.”

The Council of the Elders were the leader of the Wood Elf in Elaeseryn. Because of what happened in the forest the other day, we contacted each other via a telepathic communication crystal ball to discuss our next steps. And our next steps will be very crucial to overcome the issue at hand.

“Do we have any other choice? If what the Elders say is true, then we have a grave matter at our hand. Tell me, what do you think of Hasty One as you see him grew up more than I do for all these years?”

I recalled all of Hasty One’s past behaviours and attitude, especially his creative and cunning mind throughout his 12 years in the Brotherhood. I left nothing out.

Perhaps, by properly recollecting his behaviours and attitude, his strengths and weaknesses, we can find something in common to lighten up the issue and perhaps will give us better propositions to handle this issue.

“I see. He is like a son to you. And a grandson to me. Perhaps a great grandson.”

I gave a bittersweet smile.

“The finding has been consistent. The light we saw 12 years ago and the one we saw three days ago were the same. The situations were the same. And the survivor, was the same. Hasty One”

“But, Hasty One was…”

Aldebaran continued despite my halfhearted protest.

“I understand your feelings, old friend.”

“But you were there, at both of the scene. As so do I. And I can deduce to the best of my abilities and with our findings of what currently we have at hand. But we need to know, is the power that unleash the light, a friend or a foe? So far, the evidence points us to one conclusion. A great power, far beyond measure that we have currently, resides somewhere in Hasty One. Or I say, Hasty One is the host to this great power.”

I gave a solemn look.

“That’s why he alone must take this mission. Both you and I need to know, at the end of this mission, is he a friend or a foe. But….”

I looked at Aldebaran and as he turned, he breathed out a hearty cloud of smoke from his pipe. He then smiled to me, and continued on.

“We taught him the way of the Brotherhood. As you recalled, he learned a great deal from us. Especially from you, old friend. Which also includes our secret hobby”

“Ah!”

I smiled at the thought of it.

“And if I were to have my personal feelings involve, no one ever, who has our secret hobby and develop that certain special skills can be an evil person. Naughty maybe, but never evil. So, I believe that Hasty One, if he stays true to himself, will not trouble us that much, other than his usual hasty self.”

I began to chuckle at the thought of Hasty One with his secret hobby. Well, he did learn it from us anyway.

“Yes, you are right Aldebaran, I just have unfounded fear, that’s all. No one with our secret hobby can be evil. Panty stealer is a special breed indeed. Naughty, yes. Criminal in the eyes of law? Yes. A pervert in the eyes of women? Yes, but which women does not love a pervert. That’s how we met our wives, from our secret hobby.”

The slight chuckle quickly turned into a laughter. Both of us laugh and the situation became somewhat a little lighter now.

Evil? Not a chance. I trust Hasty One.

Knock! Knock!

“I’m Hasty One. May I enter?”

Speak of the devil. Here he comes.

Quickly, both of us resumed our serious expression and welcomed him in.

“Come in, Hasty One!”

Aldebaran beckoned him in and as our young Initiate took a step forward inside the chamber, my mind wandered off to what the future will brings for him. May the soul of our forefathers guide us and Hasty One.