The morning sun slowly emerged from the horizon, casting long shadows along the landscape as a cold morning breeze swept through the village. The smell of various foods filled the village as many villagers were making their breakfasts. However, at the edge of the village, stood Drystan and Mathis in front of Gideon and a small group seeing them off. Gideon worriedly looked at Mathis. “And you’re certain you’re okay with all this, Mathis? It’s not too late to attempt to think of something else and–” 53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMQ4iITG5By
Mathis nodded. “Do not worry, Grandfather. I wasn’t fond of the idea when it was first mentioned…but after listening to his reasoning, I too am in agreement that this is the best possible chance of rescuing Mother. It’s shown in scripture that nothing valuable is gained without some degree of risk, and I’d wager the risk here is well worth the reward, wouldn’t you say?” 53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUtpkREytMf
Gideon was silent before nodding. “I do agree that the reward of your mother coming home safe is indeed worth the risk…but, if things were to go wrong, I’d be losing both my only daughter and my only grandchild. Despite my best efforts, fear grips my heart and refuses to release its hold.”
Mathis stepped forward and brought Gideon into a tight embrace. “Thank you for worrying about me, Grandfather. It brings me great joy knowing I have you and so many others who care about me so, to the point they’d risk missing breakfast to see me off.” Mathis chuckled, trying to break some of the tension in the air despite the unease he was experiencing. “I don’t know what the future holds in store, even if mother were to escape safely. If I don’t return immediately afterwards, I’ll be sure to write whenever I get the chance. You have my word.”
Gideon squeezed Mathis before finally releasing him from the embrace and wiping away tears that had formed in his eyes. “I shall very much be looking forward to reading these letters of yours.” Looking at Drystan, who had been silent the entire time, Gideon took a deep breath. “I’m entrusting to you my grandson’s life, and my daughter’s. Should things take a turn for the worst, and both of their lives are snuffed from this world…you’ll still have a place here, should you ever need it. Just please, do whatever you can to save my daughter, and use the sword gifted to you as you see fit. Just please, if the need arises, use your blessing without hesitation.”
Drystan nodded, his hand resting on the top of the pommel of the sword. “I promise I’ll do everything in my power to bring your daughter home safe and sound. I don’t know if I could ever come back and look you in the eye should I fail in keeping my promise.”
Gideon smiled weakly before nodding. A few other villagers walked up to Mathis, all offering him words of encouragement. After everyone had said their piece, Mathis looked at everyone, smiling.
“You all have my gratitude for sending me off. I do not claim to know what the future has in store, but even if my death is nigh, I do not regret the paths I have taken. Every one of you has watched over me as I grew up, and for that I am forever grateful. Please…take care of my grandfather for me…”
Mathis’s voice cracked as he spoke, wiping tears from his eyes. Reaching out and embracing Gideon one last time, Mathis stepped back and turned to Drystan, nodding. “Alright…let us be off. We have a lot of ground to cover, and the sooner we leave, the better.”
Drystan nodded and gave a short wave to the crowd. “Thank you all for having me these past few days. I promise, I’ll keep Mathis and his mother safe.” Turning around, Drystan began walking away, with Mathis right behind him. Gideon watched as the two became smaller and smaller, soon disappearing altogether. Taking a deep, shaky breath, Gideon turned and glanced at the small crowd. “Alright everyone, let’s get started with our day. They’re both in the goddess’s hands now, and worrying about them won’t do us or them any good.” As the crowd began to disperse, Gideon took one last, longing gaze where Mathis and Drystan were previously before turning around and walking back to his cabin.
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Alfe calmly walked down the narrow hallways of a dark, cold building, the stench of rotting flesh and feces permeating the air, making every breath difficult, despite what his outwardly calm demeanor would suggest. Lifting up his torch, the soft glow of the flame illuminated the path ahead, ending at a cell at the far end of the hallway. Walking over to the thick, rusty bars, he set a wooden plate that was filled with food barely fit for human consumption down and slid it across the uneven stone floor. 53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi46ed9rUsU
“Here you go…I have your breakfast.” He said, his voice soft as he peered into the cell. A middle-aged woman, lying in the fetal position in the far corner, slowly stood up and stumbled over to Alfe, reaching down and picking up the plate. Alfe gave her a pitiable expression, his own heart breaking at the state the woman was in. “I have some good news, I’ve been given orders by my captain that you are not to be harmed. In fact, this is your last meal in which the dungeon ‘cooks’ will be responsible for. For the noon meal, you shall be eating the same food we in the Order eat.”
The woman was silent as she took a small bite of food, gagging as the foul taste assaulted her mouth. Forcing down the slop, she turned away from Alfe, finally speaking in a weak voice. “I have nothing to say to you…for when my son arrives to save me, even if I were to trust your words, his life will surely come to an end, and the last reminder I have of his father will be taken away from me.”
Alfe shook his head. “Don’t give up. If the captain were to hear of this, he’d have me imprisoned alongside you, but an Eldar is on her way to the city and should arrive tonight. The captain…he’s terrified of what she could do should she be informed about your plight. There’s still a chance for your son to keep his life, though I can’t guarantee his freedom…”
The woman was silent before gagging down another bite of slop. “You know as well as I do that after what my son spoke of…that his life will be forfeit. Don’t delude yourself into thinking otherwise…or to try to instill in me a false sense of hope.”
Alfe quietly sighed before grabbing an unlit torch hanging on the wall, lighting it before putting it back into its sconce. “This should provide you with light and a bit of heat for a period of time…I shall return at noon with another plate of adequate food. Please, hang in there. There are others in the Order like me who sympathize with you. Not all is lost for you yet.” With that, Alfe turned and walked down the hall, the gears in his head turning, trying to figure out how to bring a satisfactory end to the woman’s plight.53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPq5RCsgz0c
