“Not at this time, though if possible, I would like to stay here for a while, if that’s okay. I’m not sure what I can do for a living in my current condition and it will take me time to figure it out.”
“Take as long as you like. Until then, you will stay as a guest of my family,” said Drake.
The giants then turned to talk of other matters that did not concern me. I don’t remember any of their conversation. All I could think of was what I would say to Graham when he arrived. I didn’t know how he would take the news of my affliction, but I was certain he would be understanding.
After a time, a giant entered and exchanged words in a hushed voice with the High Elder. My sense of hearing had improved enough to make out that much, though I couldn’t hear what was said. After a few minutes of uncomfortable silence, the High Elder addressed me.
“Alaric, I’m not sure how to tell you this…”
I had never heard a giant at a loss for words. “It’s Graham, isn’t it?”
“I’m afraid so. He’s been murdered.”
“Murdered!” I felt my fury grow and only managed to check it with more will than I thought I possessed. “What about the guards?”
“What guards?”
“You said he was being confined.”
“Graham was an honorable man and didn’t need guards. His confinement was voluntary and self-imposed. He was only waiting until I reached a decision on what to do with him. There were no guards. My messenger found him lying in the center of the hut, his throat slashed. There was a note for you on top of his body.”
I felt the blood drain from my face. Please, not Graham … not like this. I was rapidly losing my battle with anger. My voice was a cold hard thing. “Read it.”
The High Elder obliged.
“Alaric. By the time you read this, I will be long gone, but not before I have taken your best friend from you. As far as I’m concerned, we are even. Your actions have caused me pain and I have returned the favor. The Boots of Darkening made the task of killing Graham quite simple. He never knew I was there. He did not suffer, as I had enough respect to make quick work of him. I suppose I don’t need to remind you, if it weren’t for you, Graham would still be alive.”
I felt flame begin to burn in my heart.
“I would tell you not to bother pursuing me, but I suppose that’s hardly necessary, since you’re completely blind. As a point of interest, it was Alicia who came to my rescue and killed Leif. She also feels balance has been restored and sends you her best. Hopefully your wisdom is sufficiently advanced to prevent you from attempting to find us. If it’s not … you shouldn’t be that hard to handle at this point anyway. Those are the breaks, I guess. Just remember, you brought this all on yourself. Aynslae.”
I threw back my head and howled in rage and frustration. It couldn’t end like this. It couldn’t. Drake spoke, but I could barely hear him through my pain. And still tears were denied me.
“I’m so sorry, Alaric. I swear your pain will not go unanswered. I will find Aynslae and make her pay for what she has done.”
“I’m coming with you,” I said.
There was a long silence, before he replied. “I’m afraid that’s not possible. I have a great respect for your abilities and nothing but appreciation for your offer, but I can not afford to saddle myself with your handicap. All I can do is avenge Graham’s death for you. Nothing more.”
“I see.”
I stood there, fighting alternating feelings of rage and helplessness. I was useless now. Without my eyes, how much help could I possibly be? Aynslae’s revenge was more devastating than she could ever imagine.
“If anyone else wishes to accompany me,” continued the giant, “it would be a privilege to have them along.”
Anyone else, but not me. I was the one who should be hunting down Graham’s killer, not Drake.
“If Alaric stays, then so do I,” said Tindal.
I drew a deep breath and forced myself to smile in his direction, though I felt like doing anything but smiling. Kharrah spoke next and I was stunned by her words.
“I too will stay here with Alaric. I feel it is the least I can do for him.”
I was surprised and appreciative of her show of loyalty, though I didn’t understand it. “Very well,” said Drake. “Then I will go alone. Hear me. I shall find Aynslae and make her pay for her assault on Graham. And I shall reclaim the Boots of Darkening for my family. On this day, I so swear.”
No sooner were the words spoken, than I heard him walk across the hut. I listened until his footsteps were no longer audible. I almost followed him. I actually took a step in his direction. Kharrah gently, but firmly, grasped my arm. I only fought her for a second. Deep inside, I knew Drake was correct. I would only slow him down.
I spent a long time in Rikkordia, during which, I learned to live with my disability. Tindal and Kharrah both stayed with me, though it was a long time before my depression began to ease.
I relived my adventures over and over again in my mind. Once, I had been Alaric Swifthand. No more. These days, I was Alaric Mason again.
For more than a year, I did everything I could think of to try to regain my sight. I saw countless healers and mages, but the damage to my eyes was just too extensive. My days of adventuring were as dead as Graham … or so I had then believed.
Yet Tindal had been right about one thing. Impaired as I was, the gods were not yet finished with Alaric Swifthand.
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Author Bio
Steve Lazarowitz is a writer with a singular goal. He tries to make people think. His short fiction has been compared to The Twilight Zone, which very much appeals to him. “We live in a world of wonders, some of which are shrouded in shadow. My job is to remind people of that.”
His award winning short stories and innovative articles and essays have appeared in Jackhammer, Exodus, Planet Relish, The Wandering Troll, The Hood, Conflicting Spectrums, Dream Forge, Aphelion, Titan, Twilight Times and many other ezines.
Visit Steve’s web site.
http://www.dream-sequence.net
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