“I understand why you did not stop running.” He said. “To be afraid is to be alive. I was merely putting things into perspective for you.”
“You think me leaving a child behind is the same as raping, butchering and eating one?” Crinnan snapped. “I cannot help anybody if I am dead and unlike you I can not simply push bullets out of my skin when I get shot.”
“No.” Garb replied patiently. “I'm trying to make you understand that I care for these children; that I would risk everything to make sure that they were safe. I am not like the other Toraan thus they are not my people.” Crinnan silently nodded his head and walked onward.
“Look… I am sorry.” Crinnan said. “I did not mean to...”
“Oh tis quite alright my boy!” Garb said gleefully and slapped Crinnan on the back... “I do look a bit of an abomination. Your prejudice is perfectly natural.”
“Ok.” Crinnan replied, feeling a bit confused.. Garb nodded and turned toward the children.
“You are safe babies.” He said with the same amount of glee in his voice, “You are finally free.”
“Free.” Eshan said, sounding a bit sullen. “Life is freedom. Breathing… freedom. Hugging your child is freedom. But you would understand none of that.”
“I am as free as a being can be.” Crinnan replied. “I do not follow your empire.”
“Whose do you follow then?” Eshan asked “Whose slave are you Crinnan?
“I am my own man.” Crinnan said. “If you only knew…”
“You are no man.” Eshan said, “I do recognize the error of the ways of the Govian Empire, Crinnan… but you must understand… nobody in this world is right… nobody is free. Truth is only seen perceived from one angle but there are an infinite amount of perspectives in which to analyze everything… guard your heart friend.”
“We are not friends.” Crinnan said.
“Crinnan…” Eshan continued. “I know you more intimately than I ever even knew my wife. I have seen and felt every tear that has ever fallen from your eye. The same tears you tell nobody about. I have felt your shame in moments you wish you had made better choices, I have felt the joy that you withhold from even those closest to you… to say I am not your friend may be true, but you cannot ignore that I am now an extension of you.”
“You can not just simply become an extension of me just like that.” Crinnan said. “I am sorry for your death but that does not mean I am willing to keep you in my head for the rest of my life.”
“Oh good.” Eshan replied. “Then let me out.” Crinnan opened his mouth to argue but found no words. Eshan had won.
“Great.” Freyja the Wolvyn boy said as he picked up his stride and walked alongside Crinnan. “Freedom for everyone but me.”
Crinnan looked over at him as he, with furry knuckles, moved his tail out of the way and slumped down onto a rotten stump. He hunched over and ran his fingers across his bald brown head. “This is so typical.” He mumbled to himself.
Crinnan ignored the boy and turned to walk toward Sage but Freyja looked up at him. “Crinnan!” he called out. Crinnan stopped walking and glanced back at him.
“What.”
“Come over here.” He said, looking around to see if anyone was looking, “I want to ask you something.”
“What do you need?” Crinnan asked. Despite feeling sorry for the boy, he was not wholly interested in what he had to say.
Just come here.” He repeated. Sighing, Crinnan turned around and walked towards the Wolvyn boy. He sat up straight when Crinnan stood next to him and looked up at his face.
“Can I have one of your cigarettes?” he asked, “I'm really stressed out.”
“You smoke?” Crinnan asked, looking down at him. “How old are you?”
“No, not really.” He said, “And I'm thirteen.”
“It does not really make you less stressed unless you are used to them.” Crinnan said, “They are not medicine… more like a comfort food, something familiar to calm the mind down into thinking straight again.”
“I don’t know what comfort food or medicine is.” He said. “Can I have a cigarette or not?”
“Sure.” Crinnan said, slowly pulling out the pack from his pocket. “You will cough a lot if this is your first one.”
“Well maybe it will get my mind off of things.” Freyja replied, “You know?”
Crinnan shrugged and handed him a cigarette.
“Do you have something to light it with?” Freyja asked.
“No.” Crinnan replied, looking eager to get away from the boy. “Sage has been lighting them for me.” Freyja sighed and looked back down at the ground.
“Figures.” He said. Crinnan turned to walk away but heard the boy’s voice again.
“Life is... really weird.” he said, jerking his neck as he did so. The boy looked tired, nervous… unable to concentrate.
Crinnan stopped and looked back at Freyja. Freyja stood up and walked up to Crinnan. “I mean... I have spent basically my whole life as a prisoner.” His eyes looked glazed over and hard, almost like marbles instead of actual eyeballs. “Now here I am. Free... and I know nothing and have nowhere to go. What the hells am I supposed to do?”
Crinnan did not know what to say.
“I don't even member what my mom and dad look like…” He ticked nervously and looked behind him. “The Toraans took me when I was about five... I have been there for eight years I guess… never really thought about it too much. I have no clue what to do with myself.”
“Why are you telling me this?” Crinnan asked impatiently, “I cannot tell you what to do with your life and I do not have time to make your worries my own.” Freyja shook his head and turned away from Crinnan.
“Nobody can tell me what to do anymore.” He said, clenching his fists. “I think I'm better off on my own anyway… just me and the voices that is...”
“Well you have it figured out then.” Crinnan said as he looked around and tried to find a reason to end this conversation.
“What do you mean?” Freyja asked, moving back into Crinnan’s line of sight. “Are you saying that it is fine for someone my age to be all alone in these woods with no place to run to?”
“Stop being dramatic.” Crinnan said. “You will find your way if you try.”
“I don't even know where to start though!” The boy said as a tear streamed down his face, “I have nothing! These rags I'm wearing are all I own. I have no friends, no family... just myself... just my fucked up pitiful self.”
“You are young.” Crinnan said, “You have plenty of time to heal and find where you belong.”
“That'll never happen.” He said, shaking his head. “This world hates me. I'll be dead soon.”
“Oh shut up.” Crinnan said, shaking his head. “You may die soon if you keep talking to people like that. Nobody likes a whiny little bitch. You need to learn how to handle your life if you want to know how to live it. If you cannot live past your variables then you are probably right and will end up dead sooner than you should.” Freyja was silent and looked down at the cigarette in his hand.
“I'm scared.” He said, “Of dying.”
“Then you had better try your hardest not to.” Crinnan said, turning around toward the village. “I am going to find out what Sage is doing and where I am going next. Have fun crying.” Crinnan started to walk away but heard Freyja run up behind him.
“Hey!” Freyja shouted, “You don't have to be such a jerk.” Crinnan ignored him and kept walking. Freyja followed.
Crinnan indeed felt sorry for the child but he did not have it in him to go easy on him. He was never the type to tell people what they wanted to hear for the sake of their feelings… nor was he the type to talk much at all....
Crinnan walked past a few village inhabitants as he looked for Sage and they eyed him strangely. Crinnan heard them speaking to one another under their breath as he passed. He did not know what they were saying but he was certain that it had something to do with his presence there.
The people of Pado were a group of mostly Elves. Many of them had braids in their hair or beards, but a select few had completely shaved heads. They were mostly dressed in tattered clothing or robes and many carried simple tools made of the wood and reclaimed metal of the world that surrounded them.
“Elf!” One of the people of Pado shouted as Crinnan walked by. “Come here.” Crinnan ignored him and kept walking. His tone was similar to that of a teenage Brayball player who was a bit high on himself; deceptively friendly with a suggestion of ridicule.
“Hey Elf!” He shouted as Crinnan passed, “You're in my village, don't ignore me!” Crinnan sighed and turned to face him. Crinnan could not believe he was being bothered considering how formidably armed he was. He turned toward him.
“I am half-blood.” Crinnan said. “My father was Humaan. Is there something I can help you with today?”
“Yeah I need something.” He said in his cocksure tone. “Why are you bringing guns into my village, are you Govian?”
“No I am not Govian.” Crinnan replied, “Me and a few others are just passing through. We will be gone soon.”
“My people don't take kindly to anyone who brings one of those into our village.” The person continued, “Guns are a tasteless form of combat and a slap in the face to Sym, our one true God who provides all with his ever abundant light.”
“I apologize for offending you.” Crinnan said and turned to away.
“You ignore our ways and then turn your back to me?.” He shouted, “You dare insult us like this? Would you walk into Cidroska and defy their ways?”
“I will leave you alone..” Crinnan said as he started walking away again. “Let me find a place…”
“Infidel!” He shouted, running up behind Crinnan. Crinnan tried to ignore him but the person grabbed him and spun him around.
“You deserve less than this!” He then launched a big, sticky wad of spit into Crinnan’s face. Crinnan closed his eyes and wiped the saliva from his cheek, flinging it to the ground.
“You will burn in the Hells.” He said, pointing a finger at Crinnan. “For all who have heard and knowingly choose to turn their ears cannot escape the sinner's fate!”
Crinnan had had enough of him. He reached his spit covered hand out, grabbed the zealot’s finger, and quickly bent it backward, breaking it. A look of sheer surprise shot across his face and he jumped back, clenching his hand in pain. His friends immediately ran up to his side and started yelling at Crinnan. He waved them off with a flick of his wrist.
“What are you going to do?” Crinnan asked and turned around a final time.
“That was awesome!” Freyja shouted when the two got an appropriate distance away from the angry crowd. “You're such a badass!”
“Dumbass is more fitting.” Eshan said.
“They were church crazy.” Crinnan said, shaking his head and ignoring Eshan, “When somebody gets in a religious high you generally need to diffuse the situation. A little altercation at their expense usually does the trick.”
“So you broke his finger!” Freyja said, laughing. “I could have never done that.”
“You are probably right.” Crinnan said.
The rest of the rescued children were standing outside a small building made of logs with a tanned hide roof. There was a tree growing through a hole in the roof and a steady stream of smoke also escaped through the hole. Crinnan wondered what was going on in the building. Garb saw the duo coming and smiled.
“Freyja is an interesting boy is he not?” Garb asked, walking up to Crinnan and Freyja. “I am delighted that you have taken a liking to him.”
“I think it is the other way around.” Crinnan said, crossing my arms. “Where is Sage?” Garb pointed to the building before the group. “What else is in there?” Crinnan asked.
“That is apparently the village minister's residence.” Garb said. “Sage went in there to explain our situation I suppose.”
“What is our situation?” Crinnan asked. Garb shrugged his broad shoulders and Crinnan shook his head.
Their surroundings were becoming progressively dimmer. Crinnan looked to the sky and realized that the suns were setting. He did not like that. The idea of traveling through Belhaas at night did not settle well with his mind for he had no idea what kind of dangers awaited him in the darkness.
“Sage mentioned resting here until morning.” Garb said, “Though I feel I will not be welcome among these people.”
“Resting?” Crinnan asked, “That is not part of the plan. My squad could leave in the time that we rest.”
“What are you talking about?” Garb asked. Crinnan realized that Sage really did not know much about my whole situation. He looked at Crinnan intently and Crinnan sighed.
“I am going to the Izla’Axi Caverns.” Crinnan said, “That is where my squad is.”
“Why are you not with them? Your squad?” Garb asked.
“Long story.” Crinnan said. “When is Sage coming out?” Garb began to speak but stopped suddenly. A look of pain shot across his face as if he had remembered something horrible, and he turned to walk away. Freyja looked at Crinnan and then followed him.
For a moment Crinnan was confused. Garb's behavior had been consistently strange up to that point but not that strange. He soon remembered however Sage's tactless revelation to Garb that his long dead wife was in fact not living in the eternal bliss like Garb believed she had been for a thousand years...
The door to the minister's residence opened and Sage walked out wearing a big smile under his nose. He slowly exhaled a small plume of purple smoke into the air and nodded at Crinnan. A hooded being wearing a long green robe walked out behind him and pulled the door shut.
Sage walked up to Crinnan and coughed. “How are you?” He asked with a chuckle. He smelled a bit funny. “I am doing wonderfully. So, we are going to stay here for a few hours you can rest up and gather your energy to get through the second half of the trip. The minister said he knows a few people who can guide us to the caverns.”
“I feel fine.” Crinnan said, “We can make it on our own.”
“No we can not.” Sage said, “I do not know the way from here.” Crinnan was silent for a moment and when he realized what Sage had said he threw his hands up in the air and groaned.
“You do not know the way to the caverns?” Crinnan asked, almost in a shout.
“Relax.” Sage said casually, “I have it taken care of. The minister was happy to help since we brought him the village's missing children.”
“What of the child that is not from this village. Freyja, the Wolvyn boy?” Crinnan asked. Sage shifted his weight and shrugged his shoulders.
“Well I should say Garb was right about that.” Sage said, “The people here will not take him.”
“Then what do we do?” Crinnan asked.
“So many questions.” Sage replied, “The minister said that he is not the concern of his village.” Again Crinnan threw my hands up in frustration.
“This is ridiculous.” Crinnan said, “By the time I get to the caverns my squad will be gone.”
“They may be gone already.” Sage said, “You need to be a little less dramatic about the whole thing.” Crinnan opened his mouth to speak but remembered saying almost the same thing to Freyja about ten minutes prior to his conversation with Sage. He sighed.
“Our guides are currently out taking care of something or another.” Sage continued, “When they get back, the village minister will come and get us from our room in the Inn and we will be on our way. It will give you plenty of time to rest up. I should say it would be foolish of your squad to leave in the middle of the night if they are still there.” Crinnan sighed and nodded reluctantly. That was all he could do.
“The inn is just over there.” Sage said, pointing over Crinnan’s right shoulder. “Go get some rest.”
Chapter 7: Part Two
The Bishop III
22nd of Ramlia - 346AG
12:00 - Canrom City
/>
She looked down at her hands and saw the blood she had already washed away. Wide, flowing rivers of deep red running from the tips of her fingers, to her palms, and down to the floor. She saw only her hands, nothing more. She heard only the rapid beating of her heart in her temples and what sounded like static playing over and over in her head. She felt… afraid.
Quickly, Sarasin threw back another emerald green gulp of Dravink and gently placed the glass back on the table. She sighed as she looked around, she felt like every eye in the bar was on her. She worried that at any moment her face would be blasted across the television screen advertising her crime to the entire planet… she felt she was the Empire’s next demon.
“Do not forsake my Dura’Anna…” She muttered under her breath with eyes cast toward the table she was sitting at. “Forgive me for what I have done… allow my… our good works to continue.”
Sarasin nearly cringed. The words felt stale on her lips, over-used and insincere. She had felt her faith declining over those recent weeks and despite her greatest emotional attempts, could not fully bring her devotion to where it once had been.
At her greatest heights of faith and devotion, Sarasin had been unstoppable. She had participated in many great crusades, carrying (literally at times) the banner of her great and powerful Emperor. She had cut down countless heretics and blasphemers and used her abilities to elevate herself into one of the most powerful positions in the Govian Empire. Her one great weakness, however, had been the love for the family she had abandoned… both living and dead…
“Mommy?” A young red haired boy asked, rubbing his eyes as he walked up beside the table Sarasin sat at. He carried a ragged blue blanket with him and looked up at Sarasin with expectation in his eyes. Sarasin looked down at the boy for a moment and then around the pub. She saw no signs of anyone looking for a child… her eyes returned to the boy.
“Mommy…” The boy said, looking lovingly at Sarasin. His shaggy red hair hung down into his deep green eyes and stuck up on the back like he had been laying on it. Something about the child was eerily familiar.
Black Knight_Awakening [Part One] Page 15