If, out of everything else, and by any measure, there was such lostness from feeble oblivion, then for a man whose life was buried in the depths of his name, it was to the extent by which lostness was farther still.
"He's a bit of a labyrinth, isn't he?"
That was the common refrain among the villagers of the lower valley whenever they saw the tall and lean hired individual passing through with a crook in his hand. They would watch from their porch steps as he guided the bleating flock toward the high ridges.
"You mean he's a wanderer? A bit lost in the head?"
"No, I mean that's tied to his name . . . somehow. Maze. Or so what everyone says."
"Maze? Like a labyrinth? What kind of mother names a boy after a place you get lost in?"
"Look at him — he's been tending those sheep for seven seasons, and I still couldn't tell you anything about him."
It was like this.
Mizmaze of Welfanshelm's Fifth District. A youth of five-and-twenty years. Shepherd for seven years. His life was meek and silent, a bit unfriendly and isolated — he couldn't even tell anything to the other workers in the manor, nor did he want to. As they stated, he was a maze, but not a single-path labyrinth; it was one of multiple paths, and hence, Mizmaze, as such paths led to confusion, and such confusion led to nothing but lostness. This sheer shepherding was all he loved to do, and for seven years it was what had saved his life; therefore, it was his only truth that came to light when darkness consumed his past.
The herd of sheep was spread on the pasture, eating their fill of what nature had given them. On top of a large rock stood Maze in his white tunic and draped cloak, a perfect fit for his milky-white complexion, as he looked over the sheep that were not his own. At this time, the sunlight was gentle to the skin and the wind carried a brumal gust from the morning dew, with his treacle-black hair swaying wherever the wind flew.
"At this rate, you'll turn into stone on this hillside."
It was an overseer who was bald and bearded, whose height was only Maze's shoulder.
The shepherd bowed politely. "Mr. Ivory, what service can I do for you?"
The overseer placed both hands behind his back and observed Maze. "There is no need to tend to me, as there is no task at hand that I can give."
"Then, may I ask what brings you here?" Maze gazed at the blue sky with wandering, thin clouds. "I presumed there was something else, if not tasks."
Mr. Ivory drew an exasperated sigh and sat on the same rock where Maze stood. "The workers in the manor are given a day off and are being sent home. It's the last day of the year. The Day of the Eclipse." He paused. "As one of the workers, you also have the privilege to go home. That is, if you want to."
Maze noticed one sheep that was wandering farther from the flock.
He whistled with a raised crook, and the sheep galloped near him before consuming the grass on the pasture.
"So, what will your decision be, then?" Mr. Ivory asked gently, trying to look at the back of the shepherd.
Maze chuckled. "You know my answer, Mr. Ivory, and it would never change."
"Well, it's your seventh year, so I hoped to send you home, but it seems you're really not interested in doing so."
"That is true."
"In fact, you love the flock and are always loyal to the master."
"Also true."
"You also told me you do not wish to go home."
"Because how many times do I have to tell you again, dear old man, that I have no home to return to?"
It was silent for a while.
For the overseer who knew Maze well, Mr. Ivory, it was a moment to savor what the morning had to offer. However, for Maze, it was simply another day he got to take care of the flock; this was what had become of him, and he could not wish for anything else. Home was where the herd was.
At least, for him.
"Home," Mr. Ivory emphasized. "I remember when you were eighteen; it was your first time entering the manor and learning from me how to shepherd."
"It's been . . . that long, hasn't it?" The morning wind brushed against Maze's cheeks. "In the blink of an eye, what seems to be yesterday becomes a distant past."
"Such a sentimental young man you are." Mr. Ivory dusted off his black tunic and stomped his feet. "Anyway, it's been a while since we last talked. Just as you said, it's almost as if it's a distant past, indeed."
He began walking sluggishly, with his hands clasped behind him.
"Before I forget, you are to meet with our master at dusk, an hour before the eclipse. It seems that he wants to meet you after all these years."
"Did he say anything else?"
"He said he would like to give you rewards for taking care of his sheep."
"Are they bread and milk?"
Mr. Ivory grunted. "Have you had enough of those, Maze?" He glanced at the stupefied shepherd. "It's different this time, something that not even wealth could offer . . . but I do wish your life will take you somewhere else with that," he sighed in relief, "not concerning your shepherding, but a life of your own."
Maze tightly gripped his crook.
Somewhere in his chest, there grew heavy thumps as he began to yearn for a certain something.
Finally meeting the master who saved him in his darkest days.
And so, when dusk began to settle, Maze guided the flock into the estate and to the sheep-cote, then searched for Mr. Ivory to ask where to meet his master. However, he stumbled upon someone else near the garden who had sweat trickling all over her forehead, wearing a black tunic indicative of her being an overseer like Mr. Ivory.
"Maze, I've been looking all over for you." She ran until she was breathless and held Maze by his shoulder. "Mr. Ivory left earlier, and he said he forgot to tell you where you will meet our master."
That's what I was about to ask him anyway, Maze thought with worry, but he was relieved somehow.
"Then, where is our master?"
"That is the problem!" The overseer lady exhaled loudly. "He just left. According to what we've heard, he needs to do something."
"But I thought he was going to meet me . . ."
She tapped his shoulder. "Which is the reason you must be quick, because the ride only happened minutes ago. Don't worry, he'll stop at the border; you can catch up to him from there!"
Which was what drove Maze to run, and run, and run.
With steps uncountable.
Even when he grew tired.
When he left the manor and wandered along the crooked path down the ridges toward the lower valley, he did not cease.
What unfortunate luck there had to be, to somehow cut short the moment in which he was supposed to see his savior.
As the sun was setting and the dark was about to blanket the sky, the ground was already dimming, devouring what was left of daylight.
Surely, the manor was near the border, but the border was ghostly and emptied of people. Fog was everywhere, and a carriage had lost a wheel, tilted against a barricade, as if an accident had occurred.
Without thinking further, he became weary with the fact that something terrible had led to such a predicament; and so, when he went as quickly as possible to search inside the carriage, he thought he would find his master wounded.
But there was no one.
Other than an envelope . . . and a chest the size of his fist.
Maze didn't want to care about them, as he was eager to find his master, or anyone else who had seen such an ominous scene.
What was more ominous, however, was the fact that the note had a recipient.
「FOR MAZE」
Picking up the envelope, Maze felt a cold shiver. The flap was held shut by a black wax seal, with a horizontal crescent moon cradling a wide, central eye. It was the same mark branded into the lid of the fist-sized chest.
Then he went to a bench nearby and placed them beside him, before opening the envelope to read the letter within.
「As you're reading this, things might not be the same for you anymore. You might think I am in danger and would try to find me instead. Fret not, young man, for your life has just begun. Simply do not look for me. Never dare to go back to the manor, as you've got to fulfill your days ahead.」
「For seven seasons, you have tended my herd of sheep without asking for anything in return. So shall there be a sevenfold reap for you alone as a token of my gratitude. I bestow upon you my blessing, but beware, for there is a flaw.」
「My blessing is inside the chest. I assume you have it with you right now. You must hurry and open it before the eclipse takes over the land once more.」
「I wish for your well-being.」
「May a path be open before you, Maze.」
「With sincerity,
Your Master」