Chapter 4: The Omen

  The sound of raging waves could be heard in the distance, the sea was in turmoil. Torren shouted in desperation, running across the beach to the sea, as soon as he got close, the little one was already far out at sea, at that moment begging for mercy, he watched him drift farther and farther away, heard his heavy sobbing. In panic, he removed his cloak and sword and threw himself into the sea, swimming against the force of the tide to reach the baby. His heart broke with the pain of separation, in fury, he swam faster, but the sea showed no mercy and it was becoming increasingly difficult to stay afloat. The waves were getting bigger, they dragged him to the bottom with violence, reaching the surface, he searched for the child and shouted for him, but he had vanished from his sight... he had lost him... Already without strength to fight, he let himself go. He was dragged to the bottom as if currents held him and pulled him down faster. He could only see a white light and what seemed to be smoke on the surface, which he could no longer reach. The sea finally calmed, but... it was already too late for him.

  "Don't give up fighting, I will always be by your side." A deep voice echoed, so strong that it was capable of shaking the earth and the sea.

  Suddenly, just he was closing his eyes, he felt a push on his back that carried him toward the surface and the light.

  Torren woke with a start, his heart racing, his body covered in cold sweat. It was a nightmare. His breathing was ragged, he sat up in bed for a moment, as soon as he remembered the nightmare and how he had lost the little one, he jumped up, running to the room next to his, where the baby was. He opened the door in panic, approached and saw how he slept peacefully in Syrna's makeshift cradle. The captain's chest rose and fell still unevenly. Looking at the little one, he felt a calm and sighed in relief.

  "It was just a nightmare, but it seemed so real..." At that moment, Torren's heart calmed. But something still troubled him, his heart was still restless, that dream had been too real, it wasn't just fear of losing, it seemed like a kind of warning, like an omen etched in fate. But what could it mean?

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  Loud knocks echoed through the house. Torren heard muffled voices, it was Syrna, who had gone to open the door. Realizing he had visitors, he hurried to his room to dress quickly. Once ready, he went down the stairs and spotted the maid at the far end, in the entrance. As he crossed paths with her, he said, "Check on the child, please", he asked politely, as always.

  "Of course, I'll go upstairs now and stay to look after him", she nodded, worried. She noticed that Torren seemed more tired than normal.

  In the living room, by the fireplace, Jorem waited for him seated in the armchair, his face was grim.

  The captain approached and greeted him, then sat beside him. Jorem was surprised to see him disheveled, it wasn't common, he valued his image greatly. His gaze was no longer the same, there was genuine fear in them, something he had never seen before in his captain. He feared nothing.

  "Captain... Garrick and I went back to the trail. We searched for the child's parents..." Jorem said, in a low voice. "Unfortunately, we found nothing, not even a bloodied blanket, no footprints. We spoke to the inhabitants of Miran, but, apparently, no one knows anything, no recent pregnancy, birth or disappearance."

  Torren furrowed his eyebrows, disbelief mixed with fury, "It's impossible, someone has to know something... They're lying, but to protect whom?", there had to be a clue.

  "They can only be lying, no one disappears like that without leaving a trace", the captain growled. "I'll speak to them myself, even if I have to go door to door in all the houses in Miran, if necessary. No one abandons a child without leaving a trace."

  Jorem swallowed hard and nodded. The captain had changed, he had always been a lone wolf, but now it seemed he had something greater to fight for, besides the king.

  He stood up from the armchair, turning to the soldier, "Let's investigate right now, prepare my horse, please, it's in the stable."

  "Very well, captain, I'll take care of it now." Jorem, despite being stubborn, was a good soldier and respected Torren above all.

  Both went to prepare for the new mission they had at hand. Jorem knew the captain would never give up searching, he wanted justice for what had happened.

  Thank you for making it this far, reading warriors!

  May epic winds guide you through unforgettable adventures!