“Have a seat, Aubriet.”
Desmond the Managing Director was a burly man. A little gruff and all business, he wasted no time in giving Aubriet the low-downs and current reality of the Joint Venture.
“It’s a frickin’ mess I’ll tell ya Aubriet.” Desmond snarled. “and know this – should you take up this position, you will have to resign and join them on their terms. Your current position will be given to someone else, and there’s no turning back, you understand?”
Aubriet did not flinch. He had expected this. It’s you versus them – never ‘Us’.
“I get it, Desmond. You will receive my answer in the afternoon.” Aubriet got up and proceeded to leave Desmond’s office.
Nothing personal. Aubriet heard these last words as he closed the office door behind him.
Aubriet’s ride back home was uneventful, although the encounter with Desmond left a sour taste in his throat.
Back in his own home office, Aubriet stared out the windows, taking in the view. He may not see this scenery for much longer, he mused.
Aubriet could feel a tussle within him. Should I, or should I not? Do I have what it takes to succeed in a foreign place? At the end, what needed to be done was clear. The Covenant was clear. He spun around, shuffled his mouse, and clicked ‘Send’.
It’s done.
Aubriet sighed and heaved out hard. The wheels have started turning – in a different direction.
* * *
As Aubriet tucked himself to bed later that evening, he was excited at what might be different in his dream this night. Exhausted by the enormity and stress of the decision, Aubriet was indeed longing for a good night’s rest. But the rest would not be complete without more affirmation and assurance(?) from the ‘other world’. As he contemplated this, the last thing he saw was himself standing looking out the window as before… but … wait? The scenery had changed?!
In this dreamscape, Aubriet saw in the horizon something vaguely familiar…
Stonehenge.
What does that mean? Aubriet noticed he could not move from his current location. He was stuck!
Yes Aubriet, you are stuck – unless you are determined to forge ahead on your quest.
That voice… there was a sense of familiarity, yet the image in front of him was unclear. A faint visage. It looked like…
Yes, it is I. I am the Archmage Merlin, young knight. Banish Hydra from within you for now. We will deal with your many fiends later. Your hero within, that shining Knight, has been blocked by the many creatures who have been manipulating you all this time.
I don’t understand. Aubriet cried out, feeling utterly confused. Where should I go? What do I need to do?
Go seek out Riadok in Mascon. I will guide you. But first, you must resolve to leave Castle Camelot this instance, and take the first act of exercising your free will.
Do NOT listen to him! The three-headed hydra roared as it made its appearance in front of knight Aubriet, blocking out the sight of Stonehenge. He is sending you to your death! The three heads fumed and growled at the hesitating knight.
Unfazed, Merlin rebutted. Pay no attention to Hydra’s lies. It seeks only to generate anxiety, guilt and find fault with everything you do. It is there to mess with your mind. Turn your back towards it this night Aubriet – and begin your journey and march towards your destiny!
Aubriet – without me, you will achieve nothing. Stay here with me. Hydra coaxed. Don’t leave Camelot!
The scene faded and returned to the familiar courtyard Aubriet had been stuck in … rain continued beating down on him this night. Aubriet knew he had reached the fork in the road, and he remembered his covenant. Breathing in hard, the prince clenched his fist. You are right about one thing, hydra. I will achieve nothing – IF – I listen to you tonight. The Kingdom needs me, and I need to discover my true self! So be gone – Hydra. I have made my decision.
With a great roar, Hydra dissolved into the night. Aubriet resolutely walked towards the Outer Gates. Mounting his steed Sora, knight Aubriet gave the reins a firm tug and the horse galloped into the night.
Northwards beyond the forest… Mascon, here I come!
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