Lines

Notched

Something about the trees standing against the heavy winds looked so serene to me. Perhaps that was why I dwelled upon them as long as I did.

It was in those brushed back branches that I saw him there, within the leaves. A god of sorts, though I knew not his name.

Upon my eyes meeting his, he descended to me. At first as a raven, and then as a man. He looked like any other.

"Hail, and safe tidings Wrujik" was all that he said, and he smiled once my thoughts generated response.

"You know my nam-"

"Of course, though strange it is. I know everything and more about you. Since your eyes, so keen, observed me atop my perch, I have a gift for thee."

"A gift, milord?"

"Aye, a gift of words. Listen closely or you'll squander them." I nodded and he continued. "You'll find yourself in a few cold weeks overlooking a cliff. Great rock, stone for miles, surf below. It will be as serene as the trees that you caught me thus."

I nodded again, trying to keep up. His words fell swiftly from his lips. "I want you to do one simple thing," upon this he held up a finger to indicate accordingly. "I want you to take out your sword and hold it firmly when you find yourself realizing this is where you are. Can you do that?"

Moments ticked by as I waited for the continuation, but my mind clicked into gear and I nodded once more.

"Aye, that holds my gift for thee. Use it wisely."

"But I-" the second my lips began to form the words, I realized he was no longer in front of me. Turning, scanning, no trace. He was gone as if he was never there at all.

Weeks passed by, and I found myself not even close to the nearest cliffs or even bluffs. But still at night I repeated his words out loud, insisting upon myself that I hold them close.

And upon finishing the words, I clutched the leather bindings of my hilt. My sword in hand, it felt comforting. Abstract dreams always took shape on these nights.

The night before the prophecy's reveal, I dreamt of a goat. Strange, friendly little ball of curiosity. It ambled up to me and brayed, to which I scratched at its horns that were just budding. Swearing upon the sky, it smiled at me for this. Then I swear further it spoke. But it was a language I have no understanding.

I woke up deep into the day, nearly peak of noon. And after a short hike, I ripped off the fugue state the dream had left me to discover the cliff.

My eyes swept over every detail, I found myself muttering the words again, and upon checking it all off I grabbed my sword. I went to speak, to pray or to beseech the god from before. To give me some indication of the significance therein.

It was then I saw a blur. Queer, pointed shape, it entered my vision for but a moment before a cascade of geometry crashed over me. Then, as suddenly as the rest, it all fell away and I found myself back at the cliff. Only a Valkyrie stood next to me.

"What are you doing here? You're supposed to collect the dead."

She did not speak, as the legends state they never do. Instead, she pointed solemnly behind, and I turned and saw her quarry. 

There I was, motionless on the ground. An arrow stood erect from one of my eyes. A perfect shot, I didn't even have time to comprehend my death it came so swiftly.

Tears filled my periphery. "But I have so much left to do. My pa, he's fading and needs me to bring home the game. I'd only just begun courting the lady in the village that I fancy. I had so much left to do."

I found myself repeating it, again and again. I don't know why. The Valkyrie simply observed me patiently.

Another look upon my form below, I looked oddly peaceful. A dreadful, melancholic warmth, an awful blanket of slumbering woe enveloped me. But then I realized the nature of it all, the culmination of all the pieces.

Had I not wrested my hand upon my sword, I'd simply be a ghost lost to the void. Instead, I may ascend to paradise.

And it was then that I took stock of the gift in totality. It was then as well that I saw the man again.

"My friend, one last question before I go" I asked the god.

"Aye, ask me what ails you. Then I'll meet you upon the eternal mead hall."

"Why not warn me of the arrow notched against me?"

With that he smiled again. "Valiant warrior, I may not stand against fate itself notched. But, fate is finite. Fate is the toy of mortals. My gift to you, was a life that would have been lost the maelstrom. And instead, you may spend it with me, with us," he gestured above himself, but I didn't see anyone. "Is that not the greatest gift of all?"

"Suppose it is, suppose it is exceedingly generous. I just-"

"Had so much to do?" his eyes wrinkled now as his smile deepened.

Another nod fell against my form. "I know, boy, I know. Your father will now join you soon. And the war effort that is brewing and could have used you will be one fewer. But like before, I cannot block the arrow of fate from crashing against your mortality. All I can offer, is what I gave ye."

With that, I understood a bit more and nodded with more finality.