As Kyia waited
patiently for the others to arrive her thoughts started to wander.
"I hate waiting… but the others will arrive soon, I'm
sure." The others, a fine assembly of brave
souls. They have such high ideals. Some are new to adventuring
and are not aware of what
waits them on the road they have started to travel. Others are
veterans of many campaigns and she can tell they have had
as many
twists and turns as she had. Japhith especially.. she feels his
heart has been broken before.. as has hers. Kyia thinks
back to
other times .. to other companions.
"I've come a long way from my nice quite elven home. A lot further
than dear Mother wished for, that's for certain. I never could
be the sweet and placid daughter; staying in the city and behaving
myself; healing the locals and finding a nice elven lord to marry.
I guess she has Father to blame for that." Kyia thinks to herself.
Smiling, she remembers the trips she took with her father, Parrix,
as a young girl. They seemed such exotic places and peoples.
Parrix was successful merchant in elven goods and often visited
other places and people in his trade. He is well known and respected
for the quality of his goods and the exotic nature of his items.
He used to travel far and wide to find items of interest and of
course brought elven goods in trade for them. He could always
get a good price for the fine craftsmanship he brought. He often
would go far out of his way to procure a special item for an interested
buyer. Oh, most of his transactions were done with brokers,
but for special items he would go himself. He is still very
careful that the quality of his trades remain at the highest levels.
Since Torik’s death, however, he never ventures far from home.
It had been a hard blow for Meiroa, his wife.. and of course
for
Kyia.
Tears begin to cloud her eyes as she thought of her brother, Torik.
. They were inseparable for so long. They used to go adventuring
together, laughing and sharing the days. He taught her to
fight, to defend herself and encouraged her to explore other lands,
and meet other people. He would tell her that their city was full
of old thinkers and cowards, afraid to learn from others.
She used to miss him when he would go off with their father on
his business trips. That's when she began to wander to nearby
places, meeting others that her family would not approve of;
people other than elves.. such as gnomes, dwarfs, trolls, centaurs,
minotaur, humans, ogres, and more. Although her people
tolerated some, others were hated by her kind. She had to learn
the hard
way why.
Torik was very proud that their father began to trust him more
and more with the trades. He envisioned some day working
hand in hand with Parrix , perhaps in lands even further away
in places he had only dreamed of. He was always very careful
about the goods he chose and found several choice items that
they
did not expect. He enjoyed traveling and often took Kyia with
him, as did her father in her younger days. One of the places
he took her to was not too far from their family forest, to a
city named Evermist in a neighboring land. This was the largest
city Kyia had ever seen and so many different kinds of people.
Kyia became friends with many of the people there, and being
a
healer of some worth, went on an adventure or two with them.
On one such trip to Evermist Torik left for home before Kyia as
he had a special item that their father needed for an eager client.
Kyia stayed behind to care for one of the friends she had made
in Evermist. It was a minor wound from a small skirmish
in town. She left for her forest home two days after her brother
had departed and was nearing the forest trees of her childhood
when she came upon a cold battle scene. There, slightly off the
road were two bodies, one elven. As she rushed to see what her
skills could provide her heart stopped.. it was her own
brother Torik!! Carefully she reached out to him with her senses..
but he was not there. This was only an empty shell. Torik
was gone; his body destroyed, broken and empty. Kyia’s heart was
being ripped from her. She knelt by his side for an unknown
amount of time, tears of guilt and pain and anguish flowing unstopping.
"If only I had not stayed!" she cried. Then she heard a weak moan
and realized that the other body was still alive, although barely.
It was a minotaur. She had only seen those kind a few times
in her travels.
Feeling her responsibility to care for all the injured she knelt
beside him to examine his wounds. Even in his weakened and injured
condition she could tell he was very strong. His wounds though
were very serious, maybe more than she could deal with; and it
appeared that infection had set in too. She tended to him as best
she could to get him comfortable. She then returned to the
body of her brother. Carefully arranging Torik’s battered
body she covered him as best she could and prayed that another
traveler might pass by who could help.
When she returned to the minotaur she found he was conscious,
but only barely, and very weak. He asked how Torik had fared and
she sadly told him that he had not survived the battle. The minotaur
explained that he had been traveling with Torik on the road and
that they had been attacked by robbers. That IronHorse, the minotaur,
had fought as best he could but their attackers were skilled and
they had been outnumbered. That he had been carrying a hefty weight
of gold to deliver to a city beyond hers and that the robbers
must have known for they had looked exactly where he had hidden
it in his belongings. Kyia used her magic to heal IronHorse
enough to reduce the pain so he could rest. Still
stunned, she set up a small camp and toward twilight a traveler
did pass by, Mutrak, a long time family friend of her fathers.
He took the news of her brothers death quite hard and begged Kyia
to leave the minotaur to die. Their kind was evil and he wanted
to finish the job of his death right then and there, but Kyia
would not hear of it. IronHorse had been a companion of
her brothers and had fought at his side. Mutrak agreed
to hurry to her father and ask for aid to be sent, but only after
he examined IronHorse and knew him to be too weak to cause any
harm to Kyia.
Soon, true to his word, Mutrak returned with her father and several
other townsmen. The death of Torik was a hard blow and you could
see Parrix age as the evening deepened. He ordered Kyia to leave
IronHorse and return home to her mother while he prepared Torik’s
body for the rites. It was the first time Kyia flatly refused
her fathers wishes. There was an injured being that
needed her help. She would not leave him. He had fought beside
Torik and been wounded defending her brother's back, she would
not abandon him. In his pain her father cursed her and attended
to the task of Torik’s broken form. Kyia retreated to IronHorse’s
side, feeling at least she was needed there. So much lost in so
short a time. Sobs overtook her but her father was unable to see
anything but Torik’s body. As they finished what they needed to
and their friends carefully carried the heavy burden towards
the city, Parrix came to Kyia and held her in his arms.
"Daughter, I know you have a kind heart, forgive my harsh words
of before. But I still must ask you leave this evil creature
and come home. Your mother will need you.. as do I."
She had never seen him in such pain. Kyia felt her world
crashing in around her. Seeing her father so broken, her
brother gone, and knowing her mother would be lost.. but there
was a body she COULD heal.. or could try. "Please
forgive me Father. IronHorse fought beside Torik.
I came too late to do anything for Torik, may the Gods forgive
me, but perhaps I can help his companion. If I CAN help
I must try. I cannot lose this last bit of Torik. He would
want me to give aid to his friend." Fresh tears flowed from both
Parrix’s and Kyia’s eyes as they parted.
With a sigh Parrix says, "I cannot support you in this daughter,
but you are head strong and I know your heart is too big.
I will see that you are supplied and when that being is stronger
will take steps to protect you. Promise me that when he
is out of danger you will return home." Kyia made that promise
to her father and returned to IronHorse’s side.
For days he laid barely conscious. Infection had taken over his
body and he struggled with high fevers. Kyia used all her
skills to bring him back from the brink of death many times.
She would not leave his side. She was becoming weak herself.
People from the city did come daily and made sure she took food
and had a fire for warmth. They brought her the supplies she asked
for only so that she would return swiftly to her family. She hardly
slept for over a week and would not trust those that visited her
to watch the minotaur, certain that they would undo all her efforts
to prevent his death. The fever finally broke and he seemed
out of danger of immediate death, however Kyia felt she still
could not leave his side. He was still very weak and unable
to defend himself. Her father, true to his word, did begin
sending others to their camp to sleep by their sides, unwilling
to believe that this evil creature could do her no harm.
These friends made sure there were no weapons near the minotaur;
nothing that he could use to harm her. Unfortunately they
didn't realize that his most dangerous weapon was hidden in his
words. Conscious now IronHorse spoke to Kyia of many
things. He told her of his friendship with her brother.
They had traveled together before but not often. They had just
traveled some of the same routes and so had recognized each other
on the road. Torik, being a kind soul had shared his
fire with IronHorse on occasion, and had accepted IronHorse’s
hospitality a time or two. IronHorse worked for a guild
in Evermist and traveled widely on guild business. He was from
the city of Valmyr but preferred the company of those in
Evermist. Kyia was fascinated with his tales. He knew
so much and it certainly seemed he was not the demon that
her townsmen seem to think. He spoke of beauties he
had seen and shared thoughts of sorrow with her. They shared
much as he healed and grew closer and closer in the weeks of
his
recovery.
Kyia
hesitated to declare him well enough for travel, afraid she
would never see him again. She found she thought of nothing
else
but IronHorse, and it seems he was as taken with her. He knew
he was now strong enough to return to Evermist and asked
Kyia
to come with him. There was no other place Kyia would rather
have been but she had promised her father she would return
home when
IronHorse was out of danger and so she returned to her family
home when IronHorse left for Evermist.
Of course her family was overjoyed to see her return. People said
it was the first time they had seen her parents smile since Torik’s
death. She hated to cause them further pain but she
felt so empty without IronHorse at her side. She said
nothing for three days but cared for her parents and assured them
she was fine. They shared their grief for Torik and most
of the people of the city came to give what comfort they could.
On the morning of the 4th day she told them that she was leaving
for Evermist. That IronHorse was waiting for her and she
wished to share time with him. Her parents wept and begged
her not to go but knowing their daughter, they knew it would do
no good. Meiroa had not the strength to argue with her headstrong
daughter. She was empty by that time; only a shell of her
former self. Kyia wished she could heal her mother but knew
that it would take time for things to find their place again.
She would not abandoned her parents but the draw to be with IronHorse
was great. She left that afternoon for Evermist. It
was only a week and a half's journey by foot. When she arrived
in Evermist IronHorse greeted her most warmly. They spent much
of their time together, hunting and traveling the lands.
Kyia was very happy. Torik’s death had left a hole in her life
but IronHorse was filling part and adding even more to her life. She
was falling very much in love.
IronHorse told her of his work. It was hard for her to imagine
that the being she cared so much for was an assassin. All
Kyia stood for was opposed to his profession. Kyia was Life,
IronHorse was Death. Kyia was Light, IronHorse was Dark.
Kyia was warmth, IronHorse was cold. They were opposites
in most ways, but only together did they feel whole, and somehow
Kyia found she could accept it. After all, on her
many adventures she had known others to kill for no cause at all. At
least IronHorse chose who he would kill.
After much time IronHorse bowed before Kyia and begged her hand
in marriage. Showing a part of himself he hid from
the rest of the world he told her of his great love for her and
his fear she might leave his side. He asked her to be his bride
and stay with him forever. All she could think of at the
time was how happy she was. She accepted without hesitation.
Only later did she realize how her parents would feel about their
union. They were married in Faerie Circle outside
of Evermist with many friends blessing their union.. but no family. There
was much joy but still an empty hole.
"All of this seems so foolish now, thinking back on it.
How could I have been so blind?", Kyia thinks to herself.
She remembers that over the next several weeks after their wedding
IronHorse had become moody and quiet. She did not
know what she may have done to upset him and when she tried to
talk to him he would try to reassure her that it was nothing.
One morning as she was taking her stroll threw the forests around
the outskirts of Evermist, IronHorse met her and asked if
they could sit and talk. Kyia could see there was something
troubling her beloved. As they sat to talk IronHorse weakened
and began to cry. He told her he could no longer continue
the lie, that his love for her was so great he had to clear his
soul, even if it meant losing her love. That it had
been him that had killed her brother Torik. That he
had been hired by a rival merchant to kill her brother and take
the rare item he had been carrying. But Torik was
a skilled fighter and had luck on his side that day. He
had wounded IronHorse mortally during their battle before he succumbed
to the wounds that IronHorse had inflicted on him.
When IronHorse did eventually come back to Evermist he confronted
the merchant that had hired him and refused the fee, vowing never
to deal with that man again. Since his return he
found it hard to take any further
contracts and was considering giving
up his profession. The pain he saw in Kyia over Torik’s
death was more than he could bare. His love for her was such he
could no longer lie to her. It had been him. He
was the murderer.
Kyia was stunned. He had lied to her.
He had told her tales of Torik to gain her trust.
Her whole family.. nay.. her whole CITY had warned her of the
treachery of their kind and she had refused to listen. She had
not only healed the one that had murdered her brother, she had
given him her heart, her body and her soul.
Kyia ran leaving IronHorse behind in the forest. She
left , she had to get away from him. How could she have
been so blind? How could she have trusted so completely?
For the rest of the day Kyia wandered in the woods.
It provided strength to her, as it always had. She
regained some of the peace she needed in their soothing sounds
and motions. When reason returned to her she could
see that IronHorse seemed to have been sincere in his confession.
After all, he did not have to tell her at all and she would never
have known. But although she might feel him to be
sincere, perhaps even in his love for her, there was no way she
could abide his presence in her life again. She made
her way back to Evermist and going to the head builder of the
land asked him to please divide the house she shared with IronHorse.
She no longer lived with him in any way. Seeing her
state of resolve he complied immediately and before the night
was done Kyia had her own rooms, secure from IronHorse.
In the days to follow they saw each other on occasion. Each
time Kyia felt her heart break a bit more. No words were
spoken between them. Kyia eventually left Evermist to find other
places to adventure. She could not stay at home with her
mother and father although they still wish it. And IronHorse?
She heard he had taken another lady; one from his past that had
returned; but she tried to hear as little as possible about his
adventures. She continued to aid all in need, her
compassion even seemed to grow in her solitude. Almost
as if she would fill her life with love and compassion of her
own making to fill the void of the betrayal done her.
Still, some times, when she sees a couple newly in love, a tear
will form in her eye and she will have to turn away.
Some have heard soft sobs coming from her direction on some nights,
as she lies alone. And hidden deep in her pack of
belongs she carries a picture she had done of IronHorse. He had
signed it "… with my undying love. IronHorse".
As
Kyia gazes at the stars, remembering, the sounds of approaching
people break her reverie. "Thank the Gods it has grown
dark and they cannot see my swollen eyes", she thinks
to herself. Smiling she says to the newly arrived group "Greetings
all! And welcome back. It is so good to have you all return
safely." She then gives each person a warm hug,
sharing the energy of their mutual caring. "So tell me what
you have discovered?" and she listens attentively as they
tell her their findings. "I am truly blessed with such good
companions.", she thinks to herself as she looks at the group
of gathered friends surrounding her. "I can find a measure
of happiness even though I may never share my heart with another
as I did with IronHorse."
But then of course,
we do not know what the Gods have planned.