IO : BACK AT SKYDRA

Back at Skydra

At dusk, they arrived at a valley shaded with wild rhododendrons, close to the stream with water splashed in which doves and linnets flew among the immense pines. Not too far from the stream, lay a cave, half-hidden by the crag above and the stiff heavy leaves that clustered below. The sky turned dark as a sign that nightfall had come. Jato instructed Io to enter the cave with Argos while he left in the dark. Io shivered under the cold weather. The next moment, Jato came in with some dried branches and started to make a fire. He brought along some fish. He cooked the fish in the fire. The smell aroused the appetite.

“You must be starving walking all day long with nothing to eat. Here, taste some. It’s not as delicious as your royal meal, though.” Said Jato cynically.

Io drew closer to the fire and started to eat the fried fish. The fire and the food had made her warm. She ate greedily and thought that Jato’s cooking was not bad at all. It tasted better than her usual food at the palace. She felt that Jato eyed her while eating.

“Stop staring at me!” Io shouted. “I’m not a freak. Where are you taking me anyway? Why don’t you just let me go back?”

“A simple thank you would be just fine, my dear!” grinned Jato. “You’re just like your mother! Sorry to tell you that it’s not in power to answer your questions. Tomorrow, I promise you, everything will be answered.” Said Jato calmly. “Now, just take some rest. We still have a long way to.”

Io did not try to argue with Jato as she knew her trials would be futile. She had to remain patient for the moment. Her mind was now occupied with the thought of her parents. They must have looked and worried for her. She wished she could tell them that she was just fine with Jato. At last, fatigue took control of her. She slumbered heavily near the fire.

The next morning, Io woke up only to find that she was alone in the cave. Jato had left with Argos. Io looked around and saw nothing. She immediately got out of the cave and washed her face in the stream. It was frozen. She jittered as the frozen water touch her skin. The woods were full of sound: the stream between the rocks, the wind among the needles of the pine branches, the chitter of insects and the cries of the birdsong; and a stronger gust of wind that made one of the branches of a cedar or a fir move against another and groan like a cello. Io sat at a big rock near for awhile, trying to figure out what has happened. Her thought was interrupted by a thundering voice behind her.

“You slept like a log, dear. I did not want to disturb you. Come, we must leave now.” Jato suddenly appeared riding Argos. “Argos and I were old friends. Don’t be surprised he was as tame as a goat with me, dear.” Said Jato as if he knew what Io was thinking about.

They walked along the narrow path beside the stream. Jato gave her some fruits to eat for breakfast. The weather got colder, and along the way leaves turned color and fell off the trees. They did not chatter much. Each seemed drowned in their own thoughts. The paths lead the way up encircling the mountain ridge and left the stream. At both sides, a thick forest trees stood tall and high. Io rode on Argos’ back while Jato kept walking speedily at her side. She amazed on how good he had his stamina. He did not look tired at all. A few hours later, the path got wider and the forest trees got smaller mixed with shrubs and wild flowers. They kept moving until they arrived at what looked like an entrance of a small village.

“I know this place. We’re in Skydra, aren’t we?” Exclaimed Io. She rushed Argos forward and found the house she looked for.

“Illario, where are you? Open the door, it’s me, Iola?” Io knocked at the door excitedly. It’s been awhile her father did not take her to Skydra. Illario was her playmate in this small village. She did not realize that these last two days, she walked down heading into the village. Jato must take the shortcut she did not know. She waited but the door did not open. She began to panic as she saw the village looked empty and deserted. The weather here was so cold and misty, due to the village being high up in the Mountain Range of Great Monteverde.

“Where’s everybody?” She screamed. Panic seized her.

“Iola…is it you?” said a voice from far end of the village.

A young man the same age with Io run swiftly from the misty pine trees above the village. He had tanned skin and dark brown hair with dark gray eyes. His figure was tall and muscular as if he had done continuous labors. He carried a sword in his belt. He looked excited to see Io and he instantly gave her a warm hug. They both like brother and sister.

“Atreus told me you’d come. We’ve been expecting you.” Said Illario. “Uncle Jato, it’s good to see you again. Atreus has been waiting for you in the council hall. Come, let’s not waste the time.”

llario led Io and Jato up to the dense pine trees. After a moment, the arrived at a wooden cottage. Inside, waiting three elderly men and one woman. Io recognized Atreus as Illarios’s father, but she did not know the other three. They sat quietly as if something was troubling their mind. When the three entered, each gave a slight bow.

“Atreus, Aiden, Leon, Hydra…, nice seeing you.” Jato bowed back at them and took seat next to Atreus. “I believe Princess Iola has many questions on her curious head. And Atreus, I need your healing herb. This little princess had given me a little trouble.” Jato signaled his gaze at his left arm.

“I demand explanation. Jato had dragged me way up here. He did not want let me go back. He said all answers to my questions will be provided here. And it’s not my fault you got that wound.” Said Io firmly.

“Princess, I’m afraid you can’t return to Navarro Palace at the moment. There’s been treason against your father. Minister Eresbos had led Lords and Noblemen who disliked King Orestes to seize the throne.” Said Atreus. “Jato was sent to help Lucius evacuating the royal family to a safety. But this plan somehow was revealed to our enemies. Eresbos had made a pact with the dark sorcerer, Demonthin, for a help.”

“That’s why we had changed our plan. Instead of helping Lucius, Jato was forced to bring you out of danger.” The elder women called Hydra continued. “Eresbos and his allies will not stop until they have you all killed, my dear. Right now, we wait for Lucius to return.”

Suddenly, Io remembered the enigmatic murmur she heard that night. It was like a half dream, it’s like a spell. “Then I must return now.” Io screamed and stormed to door. Before she leaped any further, she felt her legs weaken and she dropped to the ground. She could not move her legs as if they were chained into a big solid stone. Slowly, her legs moved without her control. They moved her back into the room. Bewildered, Io looked around her and found out that the well-muscled with white hair fixed his deep gaze at her.

“Forgive me Princess for doing this to you. Patient is key to success. We have to wait for Lucius here. In the meantime, you have so much to learn about us.” Said the white hair man.

“Don’t be frightened Princess. It’s not a dark magic you have just saw. Aiden is the master of mind controlling. He could control your body movement by controlling your mind.” Said Leon, the other elder with gray hair. “Jato, I think we must tell her who we are and why we are here.”

At that moment the world changed for Io. A kind of fog rose before her eyes, and when it cleared nothing seemed real. She was overwhelmed with worries and confusion. She was alone in the farthest land from her own home than she had ever been in her life. She saw the sun disappeared behind dark clouds, and the air smelled of rain. White showers of soft snow suddenly rush to the earth… the first snow in the winter. The wind swirled and gushed as if they cried for someone whom they lost. It was as cold as Io’s heart at the moment.

Illario lent her a shoulder to cry. She broke down and sobbed. Tears rolled down at her cheek like a river from her hazel green eyes. Her face went white for the cold and sorrows. Illario wrapped her with his coat and tried anything he could do to offer her comfort. The other five elder stayed still in silence.

“Father, I think it’s best to let Io get some sleep for the night.” Said Illario.

They agreed with this idea.Io followed Illario back to the his house. It was almost dark and the lamps in iron stands shed an orange glow in the house. Illario led her into one of the room. The room was small but tidy. There was an iron lamp on the table. A modest mattress was laid on the bed.

“Try to get some rest, Io. Don’t worry, Lucius will be here soon with your parents. If you need anything, you know where to find me. Master Aiden and Aunt Hydra will take the first round guard so there will be no harms to be worried about.” Said Illario.

“Goodnight.” Illario walked to the door and closed it behind him.