The Reckoning

Chapter 4

Izahr spent the day with the mysterious woman. He debated whether to think of her as a 'mother' or just let the idea go. At some point, she spawned a new set of clothing for him, letting him change out of his old rags. It felt as if it was created with the finest cotton. Never had he felt before such comfort in clothing.

The boy noticed that in all the time he spent in the area, the sun never moved. It stayed in the same position, its rays never faded. Not a single cloud was visible. He couldn't tell how much time had he spent around.

Fed, rested and with new clothing, Izahr felt completely fresh. All the physical pain and exhaustion he suffered prior to his encounter with his 'mother' was gone.

Now, the moment to part ways had arrived. At least that was what she told him. Both of them walked towards the edge of the forest, where Izahr came from. Belrus walked by their side, his head held high and tail wagging. They halted.

"I can't go past this point." The woman said, observing the giant boulders Izahr passed in his journey. "This is where I say goodbye." The boy nodded. He felt his heart shrink, but remained strong. He had already allowed himself to show too much weakness. No more.

"Will we meet again?" He asked, trying to keep a hold of his voice tone. He didn't want to sound as if he were begging.

She offered a small, warm smile. "We will. When you need me the most, I will be here for you." She placed a hand on Izahr's chest, where his heart pounded. "Your heart remembers the way to come here." She withdrew her hand and Izahr wondered how would he remember the way to a place he found by accident. The idea didn't make sense to him but didn't pry any further.

She leaned, placing a small, chaste kiss on Izahr's forehead. It left a small tingling on his skin. He didn't understand why she would do that? Was it a way to show affection? The gesture was alien to him, his kind never acted that way. Should he do something in return? It was strange, but it didn't disgust him.

"Belrus will lead you back." The woman said, signaling at the hound. "You saved his life and see him as something more than his course. For that, he will accompany you in your journey as your familiar. You now share a bond." With that said, she turned away.

"Goodbye Izhar"

"Goodbye, and thank you."

Izahr and Belrus roamed through the path that led them out of the mysterious place they wandered in. Though the beginning was just as he remembered, some things were different. The strange carvings and ceremonial ornaments were gone. Trees were cleared and boulders left unmarked. He turned back, eyes trying to catch a glimpse of the paradisical place, but there was nothing, almost as if it never existed.

He didn't know for how long they'd have to walk or where they were heading. Izahr thought of the possibility Belrus would lead him back to their people's campsite, but he doubted the strange woman would send him back to his demise. Besides, his kind would've probably already left, moving elsewhere to cause more chaos and raid other villages. They thrived on the pain and misery of others, or that's what Izahr always thought.

Sometimes he wondered how harrowing it'd be for people to lose everything they worked for, victims of greed and avarice. His kind always attacked and searched for those who were weaker and easy targets. Could they be the only ones who took advantage of the weak? Sometimes they had altercations with lesser clans or tribes who fought the territory their kind controlled. The kingdom of Garthage is vast and rich in many valuable resources. Precious metals like gold and silver, fine woods and rich farmlands were abundant.