Fergus Farringdon the Second.. Rene Darker

man should tell of their find of the Obligors, because it would jinx the bearer to an undesirable death.”

      With that very thought, Fergus wished he had read the book on Obligor’s in more depth. Though for Fergus, Quinn could not have told of the Obligors any sooner. Especially as they could jinx him if disclosed. He decided at that very moment, how he would not say a word of his Obligors. With the Obligors, Fergus even began to consider how he may be a chosen one, or even someone special of some sort. Wanting to stay grounded. He still believed the finding of the Obligors. Along with his experience with the Elements and the Map. That there was definitely something mythic, or divine unfolding, and taking place. He could not but feel excited and apprehensive at the same moment. He then remembered how he was about to set off on his Maps journey.

      Quinn began to sense something was bothering Fergus. She felt she had to ask. “Is there something you are not telling me Fergus?”

      But when Fergus began to deny anything which he did not now wish to disclose, he began to hiccup. This only caused Quinn to become suspicious.

      “No, there is nothing I am not telling you,” he was able to say between hiccups. Coughing five times to clear them. He began to question himself by asking, “Did she want to cause him an undesirable death. By trying to get him to disclose his Obligors? She is not thinking.” All Fergus could do was to ponder the undesirable death of someone who tells of owning Obligors.

      “I do not believe you, but if that is how you wish to be, then fine," said Quinn. She walked out the cottage door, upset like never before.

      With this, Fergus was not going to say a word to a single sole of his dreams and the owning of Obligors. His thoughts then turned to his Grandfather. He remembered how his Grandfather spoke one early morning, many sleeps ago. He explained how man would slay for Obligors with madness in his eyes. He also remembered how his Grandfather told. If a man or women were not chosen by the Heavens. And he or she bore an Obligor in their possession, then he or she would lose his, or her mind to lunacy. The torment would leave them to take their own life. Such an event had not occurred to Fergus leaving him to feel ever more blessed. Fergus decided how he was now responsible for the Obligors. And he was beginning to believe they were given by the Heavens. Only, Fergus was yet to search deeper. About why he was able to keep the Obligors in his possession, while not experiencing any form of madness. But being blessed with Obligors left him feeling to be a lucky, and also somewhat, ‘Chosen’ person. Even if he did come from a little cottage and in a Gully of nowhere.

      From being on his own, Fergus could not but shake his conscience. He was feeling somewhat dreadful. The reason being, was how he was holding a secret from Quinn about his Obligors. He could not remember a time where he had ever kept a secret from her.

      After some time, Quinn stormed back in through Fergus’s cottage door. With tears in her eyes she said, “If you are not telling me something; but wait, you are leaving today. But wait, if you are not telling me something, I will never forgive myself; if, you know, something happens to you.”

      Fergus did not want to harm himself with disclosing the owning of his Obligors. So, he decided to leave Quinn on a need to know basis. But then after Quinn expressed how she was feeling. Fergus realized how big a deal it was to set off on his journey that very day.

      “What about the mysterious book you were talking about. You know the strange winds and the hidden Map”, Quinn changed topics.

      “Yes,” said Fergus. He could be a lad of little words at times.

      “Well, what are your plans? Are you still planning on leaving the only ever home you know?” Quinn continued.

      “I am not sure what my plan is. I guess I should begin to pack my sack if I am to leave today.” Fergus replied.

      Fergus began to think of the Map. Remembering he placed it into a sack under his feathered mattress. He moved to his bed to retrieve the Map. Fergus also thought of the Obligors tucked into his shirt. And under his jumper while still hoping they would not glow. Fergus adjusted his Obligors, so Quinn would not see, and then he took hold of his Map. Unwrapping it on the kitchen table, together Quinn and Fergus scanned over the lands. And it was then Fergus noticed how it showed much beauty towards life.

      “What do you make of it?” Fergus asked.

      “By looking at the trails, it shows you will be gone for a quite a long time,” said Quinn under a soft voice.

      “Do you think you understand the Elements?” Quinn asked. “I mean Earth, Water, Fire, and Wind. And also, what is with the Fifth Creation Element in the center of all Elements. Look how it bears the Earths direction. What do you think, because I do not know what to make of the Map?” Quinn replied.

      Quinn then continued, “If you look at the mountains for the Earth Element it shows a Women’s Image. The rivers and ocean for the Water Element. There was again, what appeared to be the same Women’s Image. Then the Volcanoes for the Fire Element, and the Air Element, all bore the same Women’s Image. Not forgetting the Fifth Creation Element. This Element; did not have a Women’s Image,” Quinn took a breath.

      “Must we look for what these Elements mean. Grandfather’s book shelf. Should have books which tell of these Elements,” Fergus suggested to Quinn. With enthusiasm in his voice.

      Together, they began to scour the book shelf for anything which resembled the images seen on the Map.

      “Hey Quinn,” said Fergus with much interest, “There is a book here called, the ‘Dictionary of Elements.’”

      “Awesome, quick show me,” Quinn replied.

      Fergus climbed down from the book shelf and sat at the table with the Dictionary of Elements in front of him.

      “This could be the most important life event taking place," Fergus thought to himself.

      Quinn sat beside Fergus as they began to look at some images.

      “Do you think these Elements are random, or do you think there is reason for their placement?” Quinn asked.

      “I am not sure, but I am willing to find out,” Fergus replied.

      “Here, do you think this could be the Earth Element?” Fergus asked, while pointing to something round, and with mountains and trees on the page.

      Together, Fergus and Quinn compared the Map to the Dictionaries Element.

      “They match, Splendid,” Quinn shouted.

      “Keep it down,” Fergus whispered.

      “What does it say?” Quinn asked, so itching to know.

      “It says the Earth Element is thought to be a vital, ‘Feminine Element’. She is abundant and unchanging to, birth, life, death, and then rebirth. As for the Earth. It is constant, cultivating, firm, and solid; while portraying strength and endurance.” Fergus finished reading.

      “Wow, that was beautiful. Quick, continue, this is so good,” said Quinn. “What is next?”

      “The Water Element,” Fergus replied while rushing through the next few pages.

      “Here, the Water Element. It is said to be another form of, ‘Feminine Power’. Who is associated with the aspects of cleansing, healing, and purification? She is also linked to understanding one’s emotions and desires,” Fergus finished.

      “Quick, find the next,” said Quinn, with much interest. Now being able to forget how Fergus was about to leave the Gully that very day.

      Fergus searched through the book with even more interest.

      “Here, the Fire Element. It is said to be a liberating, ‘Masculine’, vitality. It says Fire is able to abolish the old and worn, or to mend, this then bringing about new life.” Then finally Fergus moved to the last Element.

      The Air Element. It did not say whether it was a Masculine, or a Feminine representation. But it said how it was able to protect all, with the fresh breath of life,” for a moment Fergus could only sit