Vuroth's Tear: Even the Gods Cry

Chapter 3

Chapter 3

Aven and Donovan rode through the empty streets of Candon. The wind was harsh, blowing the icy breeze of the surrounding mountains down into the town. As cold as it was, there was no snow, but the frozen mud of the streets crunched under the horses' hooves with each step. The sun had long since set, leaving a crescent moon as the sole source of light. Aven wondered why there were no lanterns lit to offer light to anyone roaming so late, but he figured that when people went to sleep for the night, so did the town itself.

They found a small inn at the intersection of two roads, the sign hung above the door from one chain, twirling slowly in the wind. Aven read the words 'Sleep Well Inn' carved into the weathered wood of the sign with a faded painting that he couldn't make out. Both men were exhausted and starving, they hadn't eaten anything since the rabbit early the night before and Aven couldn't wait to sleep on a soft bed after a hard night on the root covered forest floor.

They both dropped from their horses and he grabbed Donovan's reins, "Go inside and get us some rooms," he said, "and ask where we can stable the horses."

Donovan looked at the building and the surrounding streets, "Seems peaceful enough, I guess," He said casually before walking inside.

Aven looked around, "yeah," he whispered to himself, "a little too peaceful."

A small, simply constructed temple caught his eye in the middle of the town square. It was the only building he could see in the town made of stone, and unlike the plain shacks all around, this one was decorated with statues on either side of the door of robed men with their hands holding their chest. Above the large wooden double doors was a stained-glass window of a man with his arms out as if ready to embrace all who step inside.

Donovan came back outside, he paused to look in the direction his friend stared, "It's empty."

"Are you sure?" Aven questioned.

Donovan looked at his friend, frustrated and tired, "Aven, I'm no fool so don't talk to me as if I were. The lanterns are all out and I couldn't find anyone." He looked around, Actually, I haven't seen a single light since we got here."

Aven pointed to the temple, "Except there."

the whole town seemed desolate and lifeless, shrouded in silent shadows, even the forest wasn't so quiet. Aven tied the reins he still held to a thick railing next to the door of the inn. If they searched the town and nothing was wrong, they could find a better place for the horses but Aven's gut told him they wouldn't be staying long.

"Something's wrong," Aven whispered as his grip tightened on the scabbard of his sword.

"What do you think it is, maybe the plague?" Donovan asked, but pulled his daggers from his sleeves when he saw Aven slowly shaking his head and holding up his hand to silence Donovan for a moment.

They both looked towards opposite ends of the short, dirt road, but Aven's gaze was pulled back to the temple. He stared at the stained-glass window. The soft glow of candles flickering through the clear windows on either side of the figures next to the door.

"Aven, come here," Donovan's voice broke his concentration once more and he realized his friend was no longer next to him. It took a moment to find Donovan in the darkness down the road. He was hidden by shadow, kneeling and looking at something on the ground beside him. Aven rushed over and as he came closer, even in the darkness he could tell Donovan found a dead body.

He knelt next to his friend and squinted to see better in the darkness, but it was no use. All he could see was an outline of a body on the ground, he couldn't even tell if it was a man or woman. Donovan touched the arm of the body and immediately pulled away, he stood and hurried back inside the inn. After a few moments, Donovan came back outside with a freshly lit lantern. As he brought the light closer, Aven stood, unable to understand what he was seeing.