The Seven Frog Brothers, a story in 9 parts, Thariel, the Knower

More about The Seven Frog Brothers, a story in 9 parts, Thariel, the Knower

The moon hung large and round in the sky, its silver light casting a bright path across the forest path. Thariel ran his fingers over the rolled map he kept in his backpack pocket and took a deep breath. Beside him moved Cadrus, the Mirror Squirrel, his companion. It was as if he were looking into a second reflection of himself, only larger, more powerful, and covered in metal armor. The creature's every move seemed deliberate, and there was a knowledge in its red eyes that often shamed Thariel. "You know more than I will ever know," he murmured as they walked slowly through the nighttime forest. Fireflies danced in the air like shards of stars, and Cadrus snorted softly, as if in agreement. Thariel was the Knower, yet he often felt like a Seeker. While his brothers embodied strength, boldness, or courage, he had collected books and maps, heard stories from travelers, and listened to ancient voices in ruins. He knew much, but he wondered if knowledge alone was enough to find the way to the Source. The call of the pool vibrated softly within him. A sound that never faded, no matter how many moons had passed. He could remember the smell of the water, the first quiver of its gills, the shimmer of the dragonflies above the surface. "We must return home, Cadrus," he whispered. "Not only to find ourselves, but to understand why we were once separated." The mirror-swimmer stopped. His eyes reflected the moon, and Thariel thought he saw a hint of the past in them. Suddenly, the forest opened up, and an abandoned chapel lay before them, half-ruined, overgrown with ivy. On the stone altar lay a broken compass, its needle still trembling. Thariel dismounted and carefully picked up the instrument. "A sign?" he asked. But before he could think further, a voice sounded from the shadows: "Knowledge is a compass without north when the heart is silent." A figure stepped forward—an old wanderer with a gray beard, his eyes like two pools in the mist. "You collect maps and words," he said, "but have you ever heard the silence?" Thariel wanted to answer, but he remained silent. Instead, he placed his hand on Cadrus's neck. The mirror-swimmer didn't move, but slowly closed his eyes. And in that silence, in the absence of all sound, Thariel suddenly felt the call of the pool more clearly than ever before.