NOVEL NEXT WORLD Chapter 2: Secret in the Flowers
Eogan's stomach churned with unease as Aine hid behind him. Her small hands gripped his tightly, her knuckles white.
"What might the two of you be up to? Young lord? Young lady?" The gardener's voice was low and steady, but an edge of worry was hidden beneath his calm tone as he tipped his wide-brimmed straw hat up just enough to peer at them.
Aine peeked out from behind Eogan, her face serious as she spoke in a near-whisper. "We're going to the flower field to play." Her words were soft but deliberate, and despite her age, her voice had a quiet authority. She had inherited their father's ability to command attention with the simplest of statements.
Eogan gave a slight nod, squeezing her hand in silent reassurance. "That's right. I wanted to see the wildflowers, and Aine decided to come with me."
The gardener's expression softened as he chuckled, though the concern never left his face. "It's good to see young ones appreciating the beauty of flowers, but it's not safe to go alone. Wait here, and I'll fetch my daughter to accompany you."
As the gardener turned and walked off, Eogan glanced at Aine. Their silent agreement was immediate. Once he was out of sight, they darted down the path, eager to reach the flower field before anyone could stop them.
Aine's voice rang out, light and playful. "Big brother, do you think we'll get in trouble when we return?"
Eogan flashed a mischievous grin. "I'll definitely be in trouble. I'm older, and I'm skipping a lesson." He paused, his grin widening. "But don't worry—if anyone asks, I'll say I dragged you along so you won't get in trouble."
They sprinted together, the grass beneath their feet soft and welcoming. As they ran, Eogan's mind began to drift. The vibrant images from his recent dreams lingered in his thoughts, vivid and unsettling. Dreams of strange creatures—monsters, even—and of taming them. He furrowed his brow, his pace slowing as the weight of the thoughts pressed on him.
Taming monsters had been outlawed for centuries. Yet, the dreams felt so real—so possible. One creature he remembered clearly was a sprite, a delicate, magical being often found in wildflower fields if you knew where to look. If the dreams were true, if there was even a kernel of truth in them, then perhaps he could find something real in the field of flowers.
A sudden noise broke his reverie—a loud ker-thud, followed by the unmistakable sound of Eogan falling into something soft but sticky.
Aine, who had been running ahead, stopped immediately and whipped around to face him. "Big brother, are you alright? What happened?"
Eogan let out a frustrated sigh, his face half-submerged in mud. "I was overthinking and tripped over my own foot."
Aine giggled, her eyes sparkling with amusement as she rushed to help him. "You're funny."
Eogan, red-faced but grinning sheepishly, brushed the mud off his face and clothes. As he stood up, he thought he heard a faint, distant laugh—soft, like a breeze. He paused, straining his ears, but the sound faded quickly. Shrugging it off, he turned to Aine.
"Come on," he said, taking her hand once more. "The flower field is just over the hill."
They continued their walk, the anticipation of something unknown stirring in Eogan's chest. This wasn't just about flowers anymore. It was something deeper that seemed to tie into the strange dreams that had begun to haunt him. He couldn't explain why, but this field—and whatever lay in it—felt like the key to unlocking a mystery he didn't yet understand.