A Wish Granted

Chapter 9

2,890 years ago.

Aroxl walked down the road. Dry blood covered parts of his arms, he was dehydrated. His whole body ached.

"Then again, it's not like I have a choice." is what he said, as he continued down his path.

Then he halted. Leaning a bit towards a thick tree, he listened to the noise of horses trotting, somewhere near. His pursuers would detect him any moment.

'I don't wanna be a slave. I'm born for something much better, aren't I?'

Then he thought. Of his family. His father, a devoted and renowned blacksmith. His weapons and armory marked an important part in the final casualties of the war. His mother, kind and talented. So what if people didn't appreciate women enough? It never stopped her from expressing her skills and gaining popularity. His brother.

'No..I don't want to think about that.'

Yet in his mind, in one of the most silent sections, the memory played. His brother, an army general. Who, in his eyes, was the most disgraceful of all. His brother had betrayed the kingdom, and joined the enemies. And it was his brother, who had sent spies to pursue him.

'But I haven't let them get a look at me, not yet. Nor do I plan them to do so. Looks like the more people who know you, the greater the danger you're in.'

His parents were both dead. His father, by one of his brother's men, to stop the production of durable and strong weapons, and his mother, due to 'rituals and traditions'. In his eyes, none of it would've happened, if they weren't this popular. Who would've shown the assassinators the way to their abode, if neither were so known?

Regardless of what he thought, he was going through the foggiest woods, so it would only be close distance and sharp noises which could warn him. Townsfolk have dreaded this place, the priests speak of it as an 'paradise of spirits', and any human to enter is someone who have since sold their soul to the masters of the forest.

'Here I am though, thin as a stick, but still my own man. Oh dear spirits, albeit I don't believe in you but, take my pursuers away. Would help me much more than you think.'

×

The fog wouldn't simply end. It had been days since he had last tasted food. Water would run out, there wasn't any purpose of saving it anymore. One positive part was the fact that his pursuers, were indeed, gone. He scouted the area several time over the past few hours, but never saw the shadow or outline of a figure. All what was left was his way out.

A low whistle played. Aroxl stopped in his tracks and his eyes perched up. He had no idea where it came from. It was shrill, light, and frighteningly soothing, all at once. And then, it made a sharp turn, turning into grave, melancholic and wavered in its mood. The clearing in front of him lit up into unworldly lights, when he finally heard a voice, which sent shivers down his spine.

"Well? I got rid of them, now, wouldn't you reward me?" A voice, light, hollow and sharp, spoke from behind.

Aroxl frantically looked around, there was no one.

"Oh! You can't see me, I am just like you wish to be!"

"Like I wish to be? What do you mean?"

"Didn't you, so so silently, wish to be faceless? That way, none could recognise you."

"I never meant to be that hidden!"

"Oh but, we went on with the trade anyway. You must pay the price. Now now, turn back, let me have a look at your lovely face!"