The hand pushed him down, putting his forehead against the hard wood. A strange puffing, wheezing noise buzzed in his ear. He realised it was his breathing.
He peered up. The Highest was standing in front of him, Shahemdilor in hand. The blade lifted up and out of sight. Derrin closed his eyes, trying to still himself. His hands were shaking and he balled them into fists.
He caught the merest of intakes of breath as the Highest prepared to drive the sword down.
A crashing sound. Doors slamming open.
“Stop!” a woman’s voice boomed through the quiet room.
∞ ∞ ∞ ∞
Derrin opened his eyes. The tip of the sword hung by the Highest’s side. His free hand lifted and someone pulled Derrin up. He remained on his knees. A rustle of fabric as everyone gathered in the Hall of Angels sank down on one knee – even the Highest.
Derrin’s back was to the door and whoever had stayed his execution. He itched to turn around. Heavy footsteps tracked the newcomer’s progress to the front of the room. She swept past everyone, but didn’t step onto the dais. “You may rise,” she said.
Derrin started standing up with everyone else, but a rough hand shoved him back down. “Him too,” the woman said.
Stomach cramping from the tension, Derrin stood. The woman was a good seven feet tall and had long silver hair that glistened. Even from where he stood, Derrin could see her deep emerald eyes. She exuded authority. One couldn’t help but feel in awe. “Highest Aretez,” she said and Derrin had to stifle his gasp. No one addressed the current Highest by anything but their title. “You are not permitted to carry out this judgement.”
“My Lady,” the Highest said, “I do not understand. Derrin Rhai is guilty of breaking our first law on more than one occasion. The just punishment for that is nothing less than damnation.”
“I am fully aware of the situation. I have been the Overseer assigned to monitor this particular case.”
“Do you have an alternative punishment in mind?”
“We do not punish actions that were predestined.”
“Predestined, my Lady?”
The Overseer’s eyes flashed. Surely, she was never questioned, never made to explain. But she contained her anger. “This was a highly unusual set of circumstances,” she said. “That is the only reason I will take time to explain.
“Have you not noticed that Derrin isn’t able to heal any but Khaya Pherela? He failed to heal Zera and you yourself?”
Derrin’s eyes dropped down in shame. “Do not lower your gaze,” the Overseer said. “It was not a failing on your part. You could only ever heal Khaya. This was because she was meant to continue living. She was destined to have a long life.
“And you were destined to save her life.”
“For what purpose?” the Highest asked.
“That is beyond even me,” the Overseer said. “Suffice it to know, she had to live. Derrin’s entire existence, his life that led him to become a Collector and everything that followed was leading him to that day – to that encounter with the little Khaya.”
“So, you are saying he had no control over what he did?”
“Of course he did. We all have choices. Those choices lead us down one route or the next. He could have chosen to uphold Collector law and allowed her to die. Bad choices will lead you down a dark path. That way ultimately leads to damnation.”
“You are saying Derrin made a bad choice,” the Highest said.
“No. Good choices can also lead to a difficult path.”
“But,” the Highest said, “he wouldn’t have known that it was the right choice to let her live.”
“It cannot always be known at the time of the decision, which would be the correct action. Derrin would have had to decide what felt right for him at the time. In this instance, he made the right choice.”
“What does all this mean?” Derrin asked. “I broke Collector law, yet you say it was the right thing to do. Where does this leave me?”
“You have redeemed yourself,” the Overseer said with a small smile. “If you so choose, you can enter paradise.”
“Oh,” Derrin said, baffled. “If I choose? What is the alternative? Do I have the option of staying a Collector?”
“No, your time as a Collector is done. You can no longer function in this capacity.” She paused, the smile dropping from her face. “As a reward for what you’ve done, you may return to life.”
A gasp ran through the room followed by a murmur of talk. “Forgive me,” the Highest said, “that does not make sense. As Collectors we are forbidden to interfere. Now, not only are you saying that he did right, but that he gets rewarded. He can choose to go back to earth? To live a life that was destined to end decades ago? This doesn’t add up.”
The Overseer seemed to grow in stature, towering even further over everyone. “You are not permitted to interfere because you are like ants. You see only what lies before your miniscule feet. As an Overseer I am blessed with the ability to see much beyond the here and now. I am able to see what consequences there would be and assess whether they are desirable.” She turned to the Highest. “And please, recall the one you sent to keep watch over Khaya. She is free to do as she pleases and needn’t be monitored.”
“You mean,” Derrin said, still disbelieving, “I can choose to resume my old life?”
“You will go back at the age you were when you died. As for taking up your old life, that is for you to decide. After all, it is your life.”
∞ ∞ ∞ ∞
The view was amazing. Standing on top of Inarepmi mountain, Derrin could see for miles in the fresh dawn light. For the first time in years, he noticed the birdsong heralding the new day. Even the air smelled sweet.
“It is time,” the Overseer said behind him and he turned to face her. “You are certain you do not wish to enter paradise?”
“I am sure of where I want to go.” He eyed Shahemdilor in her hands with some trepidation. He’d seen the damage that blade had done to the Highest’s arm and seen it nearly kill Khaya – he’d seen it kill Zera.
The Overseer placed the tip against Derrin’s bare chest, positioning it directly over his still heart. The blade turned gold, emanating a strange light. “Arentey, ghoratem, falandara!” the Overseer intoned and plunged the blade through Derrin’s heart.
His mouth dropped open and instinctively, he grabbed the pommel. It felt as though he’d been hit by lightning, its tendrils reaching throughout his entire body.
Sinking to his knees, he looked up at the Overseer who still held the sword. “Live an honourable life, Derrin Rhai,” she said.
He dropped to his side. Strangely, he was still aware of the birdsong and the ever-lightening sky.
His breathing slowed and he closed his eyes.
∞ ∞ ∞ ∞
Khaya wiped away a tear as she closed her front door for what would be the last time. She didn’t care about leaving her home. Not really. But she’d stayed there for as long as she’d dared, hoping that against all odds, Derrin would come back.
When first light had brought yet another morning without him, she realised it was time to face cold reality. He’d been punished. He’d been sent to… She couldn’t even bring herself to think it. It was unbearable. She hated the Collectors for it. How could they do that?
She allowed herself a last look back at her home as she walked down the dusty road towards the market place. Suddenly it seemed empty and forlorn.
She couldn’t bring herself to return any of the smiles she got from stall keepers. Her face felt frozen. As if she would never again be able to smile. To feel happy. She forced back her tears as she thanked the man who handed her the bread. Stuffing it into her bag, she set off towards the northern road.
With no idea of where she was heading, choosing which road to take had posed no problem. She didn’t care and until leaving the marketplace, she didn’t know which way she would go. The northern road seemed as good as any. They all led in the same direction. Away from Derrin.
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Gritting her teeth, she squinted to clear her vision beneath her tears, and forced him from her thoughts.
Thundering horse’s hooves were racing towards her and she stepped off the road to let the rider past. At that pace, he was likely to knock her off her feet if she kept walking along.
A cloud of dust enveloped her as the rider drew rein just before he reached her. Waving a hand in front of her angrily, she said, “Didn’t you see? I got out of the road. You could have passed easily!”
Eyes full of grit and watering, she squinted at him as he jumped from his horse. She backed away, looking behind her for attackers. Bandits were about further afield, but surely they wouldn’t dare come this close to town?
“Who would pass by a woman as lovely as you?” a familiar voice said.
He sounded like Derrin, but that was impossible. She must have been imagining things. “I have little money. I carry nothing of value.”
“Perhaps you should look at me again,” he said as he stepped from behind his horse.
The dust settled and Khaya gaped at him, stomach fluttering. “Derrin?”
He stepped towards her. He looked different somehow, except that he didn’t. “How is this possible?” she asked. “Are you on the run? Did you change your mind? Are you coming with me?” she asked, traitorous hope blooming in her heart.
“No. We’re not running away together,” he said and her smile melted.
It had been too much to hope for. Foolish woman, she cursed herself. “Why are you here then?” she asked, folding her arms across her chest to stop herself from reaching out to him.
“I am here for you.”
“Am I going to die?” she asked, confused.
He burst out laughing and put his hands on her arms. “Hopefully not for a very long time.”
“Then why? And how did you find me?”
“I went by your house first of course, but when I didn’t find you there, I went to the market. I asked a few people and they said you’d been there not long ago and one observant young man had seen you heading north.”
“So, you haven’t answered –” she cut off, realising what he’d said. “What do you mean you asked some people? And why were you riding a horse?”
“I’m human, Khaya.”
“You’re not making sense, is what you are. What are you talking about?”
He drew her closer and kissed her. It was even sweeter than before. He wrapped his arms around her. Holding her tight, he kissed her on the top of her head. “I’m human,” he repeated.
Khaya looked up, put her hands on the back of his head, and pulled him into another kiss.
She was safe.
She was home.
A word from the author:
Thank you for taking the time to read Riddle of Fate. I hope that it took you on a journey of adventure and excitement.
I’d love to hear from you. Connect with me online:
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Until next time!
Tania
Riddle of Fate Page 26