Chapter 19

The late afternoon sun cast long shadows across the training grounds of Lumenshire. Ariella stood at the edge of the field, watching as the new recruits practiced under Dorian's guidance. Their laughter and shouts filled the air, a lively symphony that contrasted with the quiet stillness of her own thoughts.

"You're miles away," Selene observed, approaching with a faint smile. She carried a woven basket filled with herbs and flowers, their scents mingling in the warm breeze.

Ariella sighed softly, turning to face her mentor. "I suppose I am. It's just... sometimes I wonder if we're truly prepared for what's out there."

Selene studied her for a moment, then gestured toward a nearby bench beneath a blossoming magnolia tree. "Walk with me?"

They settled on the bench, the petals above them swaying gently. Ariella plucked a leaf from the ground, tracing its veins absentmindedly.

"Something's troubling you," Selene said gently. "Is it the Guardians?"

"No," Ariella replied, shaking her head. "They're progressing well. Better than I could have hoped, really." She hesitated, then added, "It's more personal."

Selene waited patiently, her gaze encouraging.

"I've been having dreams," Ariella confessed. "Not the usual kind. They feel... real. Like memories that aren't mine."

Selene's expression grew thoughtful. "What do you see in these dreams?"

"Flashes of places I've never been. A city by the sea, bathed in golden light. And faces-some familiar, others not. But there's one that stands out." She paused, swallowing hard. "A woman who looks like me, but older. I think... I think it might be my mother."

Selene placed a hand on Ariella's arm. "Have you spoken to anyone else about this?"

She shook her head. "No. I didn't want to worry anyone. Especially not Dorian. He's been so focused on the training."

"Perhaps these dreams are a sign," Selene suggested. "A message from the Veil, or from your own subconscious, urging you to explore your past."

Ariella looked down at the leaf in her hands. "But where would I even begin? My parents never spoke of their history. They always seemed content to live simple lives, moving from place to place."

"Sometimes, the answers we seek are closer than we realize," Selene said softly. "Have you considered visiting your childhood home?"

Ariella blinked. "I haven't been back there in years. Not since..." Her voice trailed off.

Selene squeezed her arm gently. "It might provide the clarity you need."

Just then, Dorian approached, his face flushed from exertion. "There you are," he said, smiling. "I was beginning to think you'd run off on some grand adventure without me."

Ariella managed a small laugh. "Not yet."

He glanced between her and Selene. "Am I interrupting?"

"Not at all," Selene assured him, rising from the bench. "I was just leaving." She gave Ariella a meaningful look. "Think about what I said."

As Selene walked away, Dorian took her place beside Ariella. "Everything alright?"

She hesitated, then decided to be honest. "I've been having strange dreams. About my family."

He frowned slightly. "Do you want to talk about it?"

"I'm not sure," she admitted. "But Selene thinks I should revisit my old home. See if I can find any clues about my parents' past."

Dorian considered this. "It might be worth exploring. Do you want me to come with you?"

She met his gaze, gratitude evident in her eyes. "Would you mind?"

"Of course not," he replied without hesitation. "When do you want to leave?"

"Tomorrow, perhaps? It's a few days' journey south of here."

He nodded. "I'll make the arrangements."

The following morning, they set out at dawn. The journey took them through rolling hills and dense forests, the scenery shifting from the familiar landscapes around Lumenshire to the wilder regions Ariella remembered from her youth.

As they rode, Ariella found herself lost in thought. Memories surfaced-her mother's gentle laugh, her father's stories by the fire. The way they would pack up their belongings at a moment's notice, moving on without explanation.

"What's on your mind?" Dorian asked, breaking the silence.

She glanced over at him, the sunlight catching in his dark hair. "Just remembering bits and pieces. It's strange how some things stand out so vividly, while others are a blur."

He smiled sympathetically. "Our minds have a way of holding onto what's important."

They arrived at the village by late afternoon. It was smaller than Ariella remembered, the streets quieter. Children played in the dusty square, their laughter echoing off the worn buildings.

"This is it," she said softly, dismounting her horse.

They walked toward a modest cottage at the edge of the village. The garden was overgrown, weeds choking the path leading to the front door. Ariella hesitated before pushing the gate open, its hinges protesting with a rusty creak.

Inside, the cottage was empty, a thin layer of dust covering the sparse furniture. Sunlight filtered through the grimy windows, casting muted patterns on the wooden floor.

"Doesn't look like anyone's been here in a long time," Dorian observed.

Ariella wandered through the rooms, her fingers trailing along the familiar surfaces. In her old bedroom, she paused by a bookshelf, the volumes still neatly arranged as she'd left them.

She pulled out a worn journal, its pages yellowed with age. "I forgot about this," she murmured, opening it carefully.

Dorian peered over her shoulder. "What is it?"

"My mother's journal," she replied. "I used to see her writing in it, but she never let me read it."

They sat together on the floor as Ariella began to flip through the pages. The handwriting was delicate, the ink faded but legible.

"Listen to this," she said, reading aloud. "'We move again tomorrow. I fear staying in one place too long will draw unwanted attention. Ariella is still too young to understand, but I hope one day she'll forgive us.'"

Dorian frowned. "Unwanted attention? Do you think they were running from something?"

"Maybe," Ariella replied, her heart pounding. She turned the page, scanning the entries. "Here's another one. 'The Veil grows weaker. If only we could do more. But with the child, we must be cautious.'"

She looked up at Dorian, realization dawning. "They knew. About the Veil, about everything."

"It seems so," he agreed quietly.

She continued reading, her voice shaking. "'She shows signs of her abilities manifesting. It's happening sooner than we anticipated. We must find a way to guide her, to protect her from those who would seek to exploit her gifts.'"

Ariella closed the journal, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. "All this time, they were trying to protect me. They never told me because they wanted me to have a normal life."

Dorian placed a comforting hand on her back. "They did what they thought was best."

She nodded, wiping her eyes. "I wish I could talk to them. Ask them so many questions."

He gave her a sympathetic smile. "Perhaps there's more here that can help."

They searched the cottage thoroughly, uncovering hidden compartments and secret drawers. Among the trinkets and letters, they found a small, intricately carved box. Inside lay a pendant identical to the one Ariella wore, but with a different stone at its center-a deep sapphire that seemed to swirl with inner light.

"It's beautiful," she whispered, holding it up to the light.

Dorian examined it closely. "There's an inscription on the back."

She turned it over, reading the tiny script. "'To our beloved daughter. Trust in your heart, and you will find the way.'"

Ariella fastened the pendant around her neck, feeling a warmth spread through her. "I think they left this here for me. Knowing I would return one day."

"Then they had faith you'd continue their legacy," Dorian said gently.

She looked at him, a renewed determination in her eyes. "I won't let them down."

As they prepared to leave, Ariella took one last look around the cottage. It no longer felt like a place of unanswered questions, but rather a connection to her past that would guide her future.

Outside, the sun was beginning to set, painting the sky with hues of pink and orange.

"Ready?" Dorian asked.

She nodded. "Yes. There's so much more to do."

They mounted their horses, the road ahead bathed in the warm glow of twilight.

"Thank you for coming with me," Ariella said as they set off.

He smiled. "Always."

As they journeyed back to Lumenshire, Ariella felt a sense of peace she hadn't known before. The echoes of the past no longer haunted her-they empowered her. With newfound clarity, she was ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead, confident in the knowledge that she was not alone.