章 28: The Mark Of Fate
Morning light filtered through the trees, sending gentle patterns across the forest floor. David stirred awake, stretching as crisp air wrapped itself around him. The remains of last night's fire smouldered faintly; thin wisps of smoke curled into the air. He looked around, and, yes, Giorgi and Ivane were awake already, talking in hushed tones to one side.
"Morning, sleeping beauty," Giorgi grinned as he saw David's stirrings.
David rolled his eyes, and, getting up, he brushed off his clothes. "I was keeping watch in my own way," he returned with dryness. "What are you two up to?"
Ivane looked over, a soft smile on her lips. "Just talking about the next steps... and maybe how we could use a warm breakfast."
David chuckled. "Yeah, I'm starving. Got anything left from last night?
Giorgi rummaged in his satchel, tossing David an apple. "We're running low, but I figure there's bound to be something around. Worst case, I can go hunting."
David took a bite, savouring the crisp sweetness of the fruit. "Hunting sounds like work, Giorgi. Don't you hate that?"
Giorgi shrugged with a mischievous grin. "I'm willing to make exceptions when it comes to my stomach."
Ivane stared off, her eyes introspective. "We're near a river," she said almost to herself. "Perhaps there's something here. Fish, or something edible nearby.
The three gathered their belongings and left no trace of ever having been there. Heavy underbrush swallows them whole as they make their way to the river. The sound of rushing water grows louder. The morning chorus of birds rings out across the forest, their calls echoing from within the trees. The leaves rustle in the cool breeze as beams of light filter down, lighting patches of moss-covered ground.
"Feels peaceful, doesn't it?" Ivane breathed as they reached the riverbank.
David squatted down beside the water, his gaze following its rush by him, the clarity cold. He plunged his hand into the water and let the icy current run over his fingers. "Yeah... feels like we're a thousand miles away from everything."
Giorgi leaned against a nearby tree and squinted in his direction. "You say that like it's a good thing. But it's a reminder, isn't it? We're not just on some hike."
David turned over to look at him; his eyes drifted slowly to nod. "True. Sometimes it's too easy to forget why we're out here.
Ivane sat on a nearby boulder, her face contemplative. "Do you ever think it's going to feel. normal?" She hesitated. "Carrying this knowledge of the prophecy, knowing we're. part of something more?"
Giorgi let out a deep sigh and kicked a small stone into the water. "Normal? Probably not. Then again, nothing about this is supposed to be normal. Maybe we're just not meant for that ordinary stuff.
David watched the ripples in the water from the stone, reflecting the morning light like shards of glass. "I don't know. Maybe normal is overrated."
They sat in silence for a moment, the weight of their mission pressing down on them. Each knew very well the gravity of what lay ahead. And yet, for all the uncertainty, there was something centering about being together, facing the unknown as a team.
Giorgi finally interrupted, "Alright, alright, enough with the deep talk. Who's up to catch some fish?"
Ivane laughed and rose, rolling her sleeves. "Guess it is time to see if we have some hidden talent."
David smiled, stepping into the shallow water. "We shall see. Just do not blame me when I scare them all off."
The next hour was spent down by the river trying to fish in their own haphazard way; much more laughing and splashing went on. For both of them, it was a rare lightheartedness. But then, when they had enough for a small meal, they were soaked and smiling, seated in the sun on the riverbank.
As they were cooking fish over a makeshift fire, Giorgi looked over to David. "You ever wonder how this prophecy even started?"
David turned to him, his brow furrowed. "All of the time. I mean, who decides who's worthy of these kinds of things?
Ivane stirred the fire with a stick, her eyes afar. "It feels. almost unfair. Like someone just pointed at us and said, 'Here, carry the fate on your shoulders.' It's. heavy."
David nodded slowly. "But maybe that's why we're the ones here. We're the ones who can carry it."
Giorgi shook his head, smiling. "Leave it to you to find something noble in all this.
David shrugged. "I just figure we have two choices: we either let it crush us or we let it shape us."
Ivane looked over at him, her eyes warm. "Maybe that's what the prophecy really is about—choosing to rise to the challenge."
Giorgi leaned back, closing his eyes. "Yeah, yeah. You two go ahead and ponder fate. I'm going to take a nap.
They laughed, the river carrying the sounds of their voices as the fire snapped beside them. And for a single moment, the weight of prophecy didn't feel so hard to bear amongst the comfort of good food and friendship.
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