by Dan Mat
“Who are you?” Sharn suddenly asked him.
“Roshnak…Roshnak Baanar.” shaman answered “I am a friend.”
“A friend?” Sharn said in haste “Then how come I’ve never seen you before?”
Roshnak said nothing.
“You are not from these parts, that’s for sure.” Sharn said “Where are you from?”
“From Chaygor.” Roshnak retorted “From Vur-Paan, to be exact.
“I’ve never been there.” Sharn blurted “I heard there are trees and woods and meadows everywhere. All green and bright and clear.”
Roshnak said nothing.
“You say you are a friend.” Sharn proceed “Whose? Ghnot’s? You aren’t mine, that’s for sure.”
“Yes.” Roshnak answered “I am Ghnot’s friend.”
“How do you now him?” Sharn asked.
“His brother, Uggut, introduced us.” Roshnak answered “After we defeated Phall.”
“Phall?!” Sharn shrieked, her face twisted in pain, at a mere mention of that name.
“You recognize that name?” Roshnak asked.
“Y…yes.” Sharn stammered, her body shook in a painful recollection.
“From where do you know it?” Roshnak asked.
“He…he is terror. He is dread. He…he is evil.” Sharn cried “He is murder.”
“Murder?” Roshnak hastily asked “Who did he kill?”
“He…he killed many.” Sharn said in disgust “He killed me.”
Roshnak said nothing.
“But how am I…I am…I am dead?” Sharn spluttered in confusion “Am I not alive?”
“I am sorry.” Roshnak said quietly.
“And Ghnot?” Sharn asked “Is he also dead?”
“No.” Roshnak answered “Ghnot is alive.”
“I…I saw him.” Sharn remembered.
“I know.” Roshnak said “That is why I am here.”
“I had to touch him.” Sharn tried to rationalize her action.
“I know.” Roshnak said.
“I miss him so much.” Sharn continued “I had to hug him.”
Roshnak said nothing.
“But this isn’t him?” Sharn glanced towards the ripped piece of Ghnot’s soul, sitting behind the table.
He sat still and with the vacant expression on his face.
“No.” Roshnak answered.
“Oh what have I done?” Sharn cried.
Roshnak said nothing.
“Is he alright?” Sharn asked “Did I hurt him?”
“No. Well yes.” Roshnak answered “It is of utmost importance I return the missing piece.”
“You can do that?” Sharn brightened a bit.
“Yes.” Roshnak answered “But I need your help.”
“Say it.” Sharn said hastily “I’ll do anything.”
“All you need is to let him go.” Roshnak said “You need to hand it over to me.”
“And what if I don’t do that?” Sharn asked “What would happen to Ghnot?”
“He’ll grow weaker.” Roshnak answered “And then, I’m afraid, he’ll lose his mind.”
“Oh what have I done?” Sharn whispered.
“It’s not too late.” Roshnak said.
“You can fix this?” Sharn asked again, as she took the hand of Ghnot’s cracked soul into hers.
“Yes.” Roshnak answered patiently.
“Very well.” Sharn said, walking the stolen piece of the soul around the table “Here, he’s all yours.”
“Thank you.” Roshnak said, as he offered the palm of his left hand.
Shaman remain still for a couple of seconds, until he was sure, he absorbed all of it.
“And now what?” Sharn asked “You’ll hop back, and return it to him, just like that.”
“Yes.” Roshnak nodded.
“You’ll se him, now?” Sharn asked.
“Yes.” Roshnak answered.
“May I ask you something?” Sharn would blush if she could.
“Of course.” Roshnak said.
“Can you deliver him a message from me?” Sharn asked shyly.
“Yes.” Roshnak said quietly.
“Can you tell him, when his time comes, I’ll be waiting for him, here, with a full pot of hot, rabbit stew.” Sharn looked down.
“With pleasure.” Roshnak smiled.
“And tell him…tell him I miss him so much.”
“I will.” Roshnak nodded.
“You…you are a friend, Roshnak Baanar of Vur-Paan.” Sharn looked straight into shaman’s eyes “You are my friend also. That’s for sure.”
“Thank you.” Roshnak smiled “Goodbye.”
Moments later, his soul raced towards the place, he used as an entry point into the shadow realm. Ten seconds later, he returned into his body. It took him another ten to came out of the trans. He opened his eyes. Ghnot was still in front of him. Sitting still and silent, as he left him. Roshnak smiled, immediately placing his palm on Ghnot’s chest.
“Am I still in danger?” Khoill chieftain asked
“No.” Roshnak answered “You’ll be fine.”
“So, what happened to me?” Ghnot asked.
“You were missing a piece of the soul.” Roshnak said, as he stood up, stretching his arms and legs.
“A piece of my soul?!” Ghnot’s eyes widened “But you got it back?”
“Yes.” Roshnak answered.
“I can’t believe it.” Ghnot scratched the spot, shaman had touched a few moments ago.
“Also.” Roshnak said “I have a message for you.”
“A message?” Ghnot asked “From whom?”
“From Sharn.” Roshnak answered.
“C…come again?!” Ghnot stammered “Is this some kind of a joke, shaman?”
“Not a joke.” Roshnak said sternly “She said to tell you, when your time comes, she’ll be waiting for you, with a full pot of steaming hot, rabbit stew.”
“W…what?!” Ghnot was shocked.
“And she said, she misses you very much.” Roshnak said.
“Oh,…oh Sharn.” Ghnot choke “It was really her?”
“Come now.” Roshnak pat him on his back “We have to catch up to the lads, before they ruin the surprise attack, with their impatience.”
TO BE CONTINUED IN BLOOD VENGEANCE PART 2