Last Watch - Living My Best Life

Gonyaul was curled up on his right side with his left arm extended and draped over the handle of Voah’s sword when Alexis came to wake him up for the last leg of the watch. He was experiencing a deep, dreamless sleep and it took her a few attempts to stir him. As his alertness lulled into place, Gonyaul sore body crawled out of his tent; his vision impaired by his long dark hair freely falling in front of his face. As he moved the midnight tresses from the front to the back, he opened his eyes and confirmed to Alexis he was ready for her to be relieved.

He watched Alexis disappear inside her tent as he took a sentry position. It was quiet and boring, a stark contrast to the series of events leading up to the night. This was technically his first ever night watch over others and he wanted to do an excellent job. He paid attention to every detail his senses could discern of his surroundings; however, it was next to impossible for his mind not to wander after a long while of nothing changing, save the star’s positioning.

Gonyaul found himself contemplating the past nine months. He had not planned to come to Arcadia, it just serendipitously fell into place because he was trying to be helpful to a group of farmers in Salos. When he first arrived he remembers self isolating himself, performing random acts of kindness when opportunities presented themselves, and focusing on his work. It was safe, certain and comfortable. It was also peaceful, especially once he found his hidden retreat in the forest. Over time he had been turning it into a viable place not only to escape to, but to be self-sustaining.

He was one day away from making the decision to leave Ostiarium and fend for himself in the wilderness, when he unintentionally met Islana; the girl on fire. That meeting, unbeknownst to him at the time, would become a catalyst for unimaginable change. His involvement in her investigation foremost reminded him of who he was and how he had been hiding from his purpose in life without having realized he had drifted from it. He soon found himself wrapped up in danger and drama.

Gonyaul smirked as he thought about all the hardships and adventure he had experienced since knowing these people. He had more beatings, near death experiences, trials and tribulations since knowing them than all his previous years combined. He also had never felt better and more hopeful.

Islana, Alexis and Boyce were his adopted new family. He was growing friendships with good Wim, Nicolaus and just recently Hunter. He sighed happily as he thought about everything; the good, the bad, and the ugly. He felt like he was living his best life and was saturated with gratitude.

And just recently he had found love? He had been attracted to Voah since the first time they met, but back then he would not have guessed his daydreaming would turn into reality. After all, it would be forbidden. He was only supposed to be with someone through a match made by the Elders of his community. He was only supposed to be with a Vauxian woman. He was to avoid the inquisition, especially an Arbiter, at all costs. These were what he was supposed to abide by and he was still internally working through his desire to break them.

He smiled longingly, his entire countenance beaming with adoration, thinking about Voah and the brief time they had shared together; both in person and possibly in dreams? Would Voah return the same passionate commitment to traverse the distance between their two hearts as him? He then grew sad thinking of the current situation and had to spend a good while turning his worry into hope, the negative possibilities into positive affirmations.

Gonyaul’s train of thought was interrupted as he saw a sliver of sunlight highlighting the edges of the terrain in the distance. Today was going to be a great day, he told himself, come what may. He was going to see her again. He made a conscious choice to continue being vulnerable and let kagim flow.

Gonyaul began waking the others. It was time to get the rescue underway again.