A World Beyond the Dark

by Andrei Navala

  Chapter 5 - Chance encounter

  “How long has it been since I came across civilization?” Anvalth dragged his feet, exhausted from his tiresome journey. He was full of scars and bruises, dirty and with messy hair and a tangled beard.

  The world around him was way too lively compared to what he was used to during his journey. People on horses strode through town and even carriages would pass by. The loud voices of merchants or rowdy people forced him to go through less populated alleyways. He had to move at a much slower speed in order to avoid running into people or objects, which was still an annoyingly often occurrence. Even though the livelihood of the town’s inhabitants was particularly better than any rural, minor village, diseases were spreading much quicker and filth and over population were a large issue.

  Suddenly, something grappled his ankle and he drew out his rapier. The few people around on the alley walked away from him hurriedly and he could hear their frightened mumbling.

  “Would you give me a hand?” the voice was gruff and low.

  As irritated and nervous as he was he shook his foot free, kicking the person on the ground away.

  “Who are you?” asked Anvalth as he sheathed back his rapier.

  “A poor slave, tossed aside on the road.” Right before hearing him out, Anvalth was ready to leave but he had a change of heart. He leaned down and extended his arm, helping the man stand up. He searched around in his knapsack and took out one of the coin sacks acquired from the bandits, handing it to him. “Tela bless ye’ but this is too much. I can’t possibly take it.”

  “I’ll give it to you if you take me to the best tavern in town.”

  “Right away, sir knight.” Anvalth was startled by the title given to him, taking him back to a time he could never forget, as much as he tried to.

  Since he walked next to the slave, the people around them were avoiding him and he had no worry running into anyone.

  “Here is the best inn I know off.” Anvalth tossed him the sack of currency and stepped forward, opening the door and going inside the building. As soon as he entered, the lively mood died off. His slow, heavy steps were the only sound echoing through the tavern. He could feel all the eyes fixed on him, glaring in despise.

  “Innkeeper?”

  “Y-Yes, what may I help you with?” He used his voice as guidance towards the bar. There was some fright in the innkeeper’s tone.

  “I’d like a room.” His request was followed by a few moments of silence.

  “All rooms are occupied-” Before he could finish his sentence, Anvalth dropped on the counter the final sack of coins taken from the bandits. “I-I’ll see what I can do. Would you like a drink while I find a suitable room? It’s from the house.”

  Anvalth was tired and annoyed. All the hateful glares were really wearing him out mentally.

  “Whatever.” He responded, feeling around until he found a chair and took a seat.

  “Oi, ‘tis my table.” shouted someone way too close for comfort.

  “Can’t you see I’m blind? Give me a break with your whining.” He heard loud movement as the person stood up and instinctively extended his hand, catching a fist headed straight for his face.

  “What the-” The other person backed away from him, stumbling on a chair. “You better watch out, ‘cause I’m well acquainted with the lord here.”

  Anvalth sat quietly at the table as the other guy stormed out of the inn. He longed for the forest’s peace and quiet. Everyone around him was whispering and he could hear the words stranger and weird spoken more often than not.

  “H-Here’s your drink, sir.” Anvalth gulped it down in one shot and stood up. “Mila, show this man to the chamber.” A set of hurried small steps approached them. Anvalth was able to pick up on something the innkeeper whispered to the woman named Mila. “Be careful with him, he’s blind.”

  “Did you refuse to give me a room at first because of my looks? You thought I was a beggar or perhaps a bandit because of my blade?”

  “I would never… Mila show the gentleman to his room.”

  He felt a warm touch as a hand intertwined with his, leading him slowly through the room and up a set of stairs. As soon as he left the first floor, he could hear loud talking and music played by a bard.

  “M-Mind if I ask… is it hard living like this?” Mila’s voice was young and soft, like a gentle melody.

  “You mean blind and with one arm missing?”

  “Y-Yes…” She seemed rather shy towards him. He probably looked quite fierce and scary to a town girl.

  “It is.” He said as he sighed. “There was a time when I would’ve never imagined I would end up like this. Even though I don’t look it, I’m not that old. The journey I’m on has taken its toll.”

  “I-I see. Here is your room. If you need anything you can find me or my patron downstairs.” She was just about to walk away but he grabbed her wrist.

  “Say, Mila. If I were to pay you, would you trim my beard and cut my hair for me. I assume I don’t make quite a pleasant impression with my current appearance.”

  “Uh, I…” She seemed both confused and embarrassed. “Now we are pretty busy, but I’ll try to find some time later, I promise.”

  “You’re a kind soul in a sea of faceless hate.” He smiled at her and let go of her wrist. The girl darted off down the stairs and Anvalth was by himself on the corridor. He reached for the door and opened it. Once inside he moved slowly, feeling everything around him. There was one large, comfortable bed for two, a nightstand next to it with a drawer, a table with three chairs on the opposite side of the wall on which he found a jug of water and a window opposite to the door. He took a short sip from the jug, opened the window large and jumped in bed, idling away for the rest of the day. How long was it since he last rested for real? He was swiftly drawn to a quiet, dreamless sleep.

  When he woke up again, he went straight for the noise and could feel the cold chill of the night. He closed the window and listened carefully. Even the noise downstairs was gone.

  “What was I thinking, inviting a young girl to do something like that?” He said rubbing his eyes and yawning. “All this loneliness must’ve done something to my mind and the deprivation of seeing her for so, so long.” He sat down at the table and sipped from the water jug. He grabbed the knapsack lying on another chair and searched through it for a ration of polenta which he ate along with a remaining chunk of cooked meat. “I can think more clearly on a full stomach. Can’t believe I’m getting so close to home, Liliana. I wonder how you were all this time.” He sighed and returned to bed, trying to remember her visage. He was stirred from his thoughts by the sound of footsteps along the corridor. “It must be someone resting at the inn.” He thought, but to his surprise the steps stopped right before his door. There was a long silent pause in which nothing happened. He had his hand ready on the rapier. Two weak knocks on his door were followed by a soft, silent voice.

  “Are you asleep?” The one outside his door was in fact Mila.

  He wanted to stay silent, he wished for her to go away. He clenched his fist and bit his lower lip. A single thought passed through his head. “It isn’t a temptation, nothing will happen. She’ll do as I requested and the next day will come as if everything was unchanged.” He cleared his throat and continued aloud. “You can come in.” He was still nervous and had a terrible feeling about what was about to happen. He could hear the door creak as it opened and someone stepped inside, closing the door.

  “D-Did I wake you up, sir?” She was keeping her distance and spoke to him in a bashful manner.

  “You don’t have to be so formal with me. I’m a peasant at heart. The name’s Anvalth.” He stood up from bed with agile movements and headed straight for the table.

  “I-I’ll help you.”

  “Don’t worry, I can handle this much.” He pulled two chairs and arranged them facing each other. He took a seat on the one closer to the window and tried to relax. She sat down in front of him and leaned cl
oser to him. She started trimming his beard with care. Her hands were slightly shaking but he smiled, trying to cheer her up. “Never thought I’d have a blade around my neck so soon.” She giggled and caught some courage. It took some time for her to finish because his beard was really tangled and messy but she managed it without a scratch. “You’ve got soft hands, but I can feel their determination. Your parents must be proud of their hard working daughter.”

  “I… I’m an orphan. I’ve been taken in by mister Bough, and in exchange for two meals and a warm bed every day, I work here.”

  “I’m glad that things worked out in the end for you. I was not so fortunate, as you can see. Life on the battlefield is harsh.” There was some nostalgia in his voice as he remembered the time he’d spent with Tarna.

  “Were you afraid, when the changes occurred?” She seemed really honest and caring, as kind hearted as he had guessed.

  “I was terrified. First I lost my arm but at the time I was still surrounded by people that could help me, people I considered my friends even though I barely knew them. I guess I was too trusting and it all seemed too good to be true anyway. Then I lost my sight and with it my love for this world. Some other things happened but I’d rather not talk about ‘em.” As he was talking, he was too caught by his own story to notice her warm hand over his cheek. Upon realizing, he became nervous and anxious but her hand moved past his ear and caressed his hair. With short snipping sounds, she started cutting his hair, arranging it as she saw fit. Silence fell between them and he just stood there awkwardly while she worked on his haircut.

  “It is done!” She exclaimed with happiness. “Now every woman in town will have eyes only for you.” He smiled at her childish remark and was about to get his knapsack, until he felt her warm grasp around his wrist. The mood suddenly changed and she was silent. He could hear her heavy breathing and he felt a sudden impulse, a hidden urge. She didn’t let go of his hand and so he pulled her closer.

  “No, no don’t do it.” He thought as he himself was doing an irreparable mistake. Her body was slightly and ever so slowly leaning over his and he could feel her breath. “Don’t do it you moron.” But it was too late. Their lips touched and she let go of his arm, caressing his hair and his chest with her soft hands. His arm moved around her waist, pulling her closer to him so he could feel her chest press against him. They made out for a while longer on the chair while he was groping her and then he stood up while she still had her arms around his neck. He picked her up with his only arm and tossed her into bed as he hastily took off his dirty trousers and cloak. She undressed as well and he hopped over her, making love to the young barmaid. Her soft moans were delightful to his ears and he forced himself harder on her. She grabbed onto the sheets and he leaned closer, kissing her as he continued to thrust. Anvalth was feeling dizzy and his mind was going blank. A vision was playing in his mind.

  He was there, watching his sister helplessly struggle. It was a bloody dusk and they were surrounded by faceless thugs. His perspective suddenly changed and he was not the one watching in anger, powerless to help. He was the one enacting the disgusting deed. The pained screams were echoing loud in his ears and his heart throbbed in pleasure. He was delighted and at the same time terrified. There was nothing that could stop him. He laughed and laughed like a maniac but the vision was fading away. He was in a bed, strangling someone with his only arm as he forced himself on her. She was crying and moaning at the same time and he froze in place. His heart was beating wild out of his chest and he was sweating profusely. Anvalth was scared of himself… he had become a monster, the very monster he swore to destroy. A faint voice spoke to him through silent weeping.

  “I-I love you.” He fell powerless and exhausted next to her in bed. “You should have been gentler…” she paused slightly and continued the sentence. “It was my first time.” She wrapped her arms around Anvalth and kissed him. His heart was breaking at the thought of his actions. Not only did he do a despicable thing to her, but he also betrayed his beloved Liliana. His journey was to get back to her and he shattered everything that he accomplished so far. His journey was a meaningless one, he was without purpose. He was so disgusted with himself that he couldn’t even cry. His whole body was numb and he fell asleep with his heart still aching.

  He had a dream, more so like a nightmare. Anvalth was being chased down a tunnel. It was dark and narrow, so narrow that he barely fit but he struggled to run forward. He couldn’t look back but he knew something was chasing him. The man couldn’t see the walls nor could he see in front of him. He was blindingly chasing after something. Cold hands grasped him and were dragging him back, slowing his movement. He yelled and tried to break free from their chilling prison but to no avail. The ground beneath his feet was crumbling and he was falling and falling. He tried to reach for something but there was nothing left for him.

  He stood up, all sweaty and tired. The birds were singing outside and he was there, still alive. Next to him was another person, a young girl named Mila, a girl who had poured her innocent love into him only to be disappointed. He tried to stand up from bed as silently as possible but she woke up right away, before he could even take the first step.

  “Good morning.” She jumped over him with her arms around his neck and kissed him tenderly. Anvalth could feel her bare breasts press against his back and her warm body clinging to his. “Wait here while I get dressed. I’ll prepare a really good meal for you to enjoy.” She excitedly jumped out of bed and dressed quickly.

  “Mila, how can I say this, I won’t be staying for more than another day here.” He was ready to be slapped, he more than deserved it.

  “It’s alright! I will be leaving with you then. Someone has to take care of you.” She didn’t seem bothered at all. She darted to the door but he leapt out of bed and grabbed her wrist.

  “Wait.” He couldn’t continue as much as he wanted to. But he had to tell her the truth. “You can’t come…”

  “Why is that?” She was still oblivious and innocent in her question.

  “I’m going home… to my wife…”

  “Don’t worry! Wait in bed while I prepare a delicious meal for you.” Her tone was as cheerful as before and she rushed out the door, not even closing it in her wake. Anvalth closed the door and sluggishly moved back in bed, contemplating his mistake.

  “This is how I repaid her kindness and help. Why do I even struggle to return to you when I’m not the least faithful?” His thoughts drifted to Rilwen and her squad and he remembered how promising everything seemed at first. Was everything that happened then his fault, or was it Rilwen’s fault for recruiting him? Even if he never joined them, the mercenary corps was still dragged along and he might have suffered the same, if not a much terrible fate. There were still confused memories of his about how he left them and what happened during the battle. He couldn’t even remember how he got to the mansion in the enchanted woods. Loud voices from downstairs brought him back to reality. They seemed distressed and highly agitated. He had a hunch but he didn’t want to find out at first. Still, he stood up from his bed and hurried out the corridor and down the stairs. Everyone was gathered around the bar. Loud crying was coming from a room behind the bar. With heavy steps he approached the crowd and asked someone what happened.

  “The innkeeper’s daughter hanged herself.” Anvalth’s heart skipped a beat. He expected what the man just told him as soon as he walked out the door. The loud weeping of the poor man was tearing his heart apart and he just couldn’t contain the hate he had with himself. He wanted to draw his rapier and slit his throat but the one who answered him continued. “A-Anvalth? Is it really you?” The voice seemed familiar to Anvalth at first too, but still he couldn’t place it. He wanted no more reunions. He didn’t want to meet anyone or have to deal with anyone. He was about to dart off out the tavern but the man hugged him tightly, patting him heartily on the back. Anvalth felt nothing but his friendship in that act to his surprise, and he wondered who the man was.
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  “I remember your voice, but I’m not sure who you are.” He said in return, patting the man on the back.

  “Let’s go someplace quieter. This sight is stressing me out.” He put his arm around Anvalth’s shoulder to his displeasure and wanted to go out but Anvalth escaped from his grasp with agile movements.

  “I have a debt to pay before I go.” He went up the stairs and through the corridor, all the way to his room. He counted the number of door knobs to make sure it wasn’t another room. After entering, he opened his knapsack and grabbed the sack from Ainnea which was supposed to contain currency. He never opened it until then so he was amazed to find what seemed like rocks to his touch, but were obviously precious crystals. He poured half the sack’s contents on the table and the rest he kept. Before leaving the room, he hesitated a while longer, reminiscing of his affair with the young girl. He clenched his fist and gritted his teeth, he was furious with himself. His thoughts jumped to Ainnea and his hand moved up to his neck. There he could feel the necklace given to him which he carefully held in his palm. He let out a long sigh and returned downstairs to the man that was waiting for him.

  “Hey Anvalth, over here!” he shouted, seeing as he was having trouble finding him. The two went outside into the open street where it was a continuous bustle. “We had some rough times in the past, but now that the war is over I can finally do what I want.”

  “Liam?” asked Anvalth still unsure.

  “That’s me. I have become a travelling merchant now. I have my own cart drawn by a strong horse. I just came in town to sell some of my wares.”

  Anvalth nodded, taking in the information quietly. He did not feel very talkative to the one who put him through so much.

  “How’d you end up like this? I mean, I remember the arm and I still owe you big for that time, but did you lose sight as well?”