The Lost Dreams of a Broken Poet

Of mages and bones

This is probably one of my most favorite short stories. The protagonist is my OC Zane High-Hill (you can find their design on my Instagram page).

"Hello? Is anyone there?" There was a dry sound as I fumbled in the dark, trying—and failing—not to disturb Vivvian, who mumbled and turned in her sleep. She did not wake. "Hello?" I repeated, and a blue fire began to glow. Mage fire.

"Who's there?" A voice pitched with fear replied. They approached until there were mere steps separating us. "Who are you?" They asked, lifting the hand holding the fire.

"I admit that I don't really know anymore...." I replied as the white of my bones reflected on their eyes.

"Talking... skeleton..." They whispered in awe. "You must have a name, surely!" They said aloud.

"Once, perhaps. Now, Vivvian just calls me Shivers."

"Who's Vivvian?" They queried. I pointed at the dragon. "Ah, great! I'm stuck in a dungeon with a sentient skeleton and a dragon. Hopefully Thorin will find a way to bust me out..." They began to pace, testing the walls, the floor, looking for any loose tile. "Hey, Shivers! Know any way out?"

"I'm afraid that—as dungeons go—this one doesn't have an exit either. But, hey! Look at the bright side! At least you have someone to talk to!"

The stranger muttered something, still searching until the sound of a hollow tile filled the cave.

"So... what brings you here? There aren't any towns near this waste, y'know?"

"I heard there was gonna be a party and I wanted to check it out. Why do you think I'm here!? The Blackheart Band is here!"

"But they're dozens and dozens! What could you possibly hope to achieve?" I walked over and helped them lift a tile almost twice their size. They grunted, sweat coating their forehead.

"Kill them, capture them. I want my revenge. And I want to get my sister back!"

"Oh. They got her, then? She hasn't been here, I'm afraid."

"There," they nodded once the stone was finally set aside. They turned to look at me. "She's here, I know it!" Then, they lowered themself down into the tunnel. "Wanna come? A helpful hand will certainly be useful." I looked at Viv, softly snoring still.

"Well, I can be back before she wakes, I suppose. She'd be devastated if I actually left." I jumped and followed the tunnel. "Do you know where we're going?"

"No, but this must lead somewhere!"

"So, what's your sister's name? Maybe I heard it before."

"Dyvanna," they replied. I felt a slight tug on my bones, my joints. I shivered.

"That's a very pretty name."

"Just as pretty as her... She'd be proud of me, you know? Seeing me all grown up..."

"I'm sure she is very proud," I nodded.

Maybe we walked for a few minutes, maybe a few hours—time passes strangely for a skeleton like me. But, at some point, a light began to glow at the end of the tunnel. "Finally!" They muttered, extinguishing their mage fire. Treading softly, carefully, we walked out, crawling the last few paces.

"Are you a prisoner too?" They suddenly asked.

"I—what?"

"Are you a prisoner? Held against your will?"

"Do I even have a will? But Viv..."

"I understand. I'll get you both out, then. I just need your help a little while longer." They paused, turned and offered their hand. "Will you help me?"

✶✶✶

"Will you help me?" A small child with a mischievous grin.

"You're up to no good," the young, teenage girl smiled back, taking their hand. "Of course I'm helping!"

✶✶✶

"Shivers? You okay, buddy?"

"Sorry. I think... I think I was remembering something. Nevermind..."

We slowly walked along the longer tunnel, each step painfully showing me some scene with that small child. They were playful, clever and laughed easily, making the other girl laugh in turn.

"Get ready," the mage whispered, offering me their shortsword.

"Wait! You... you haven't told me your name yet!"

They turned and smiled. "I'm Zane. Zane High-Hill."

✶✶✶

"I'm Zane, Zane High-Hill, mage of Deepburrow, Protector of the Weak and Buster of Arses! Now eat this sucker!" The child jumped down from the tree wielding a staff—a stick, in truth—as the girl, as I, lifted my own, matching her strikes.

✶✶✶

And memories flooded in as I slashed and turned and killed. "Zane..." I whispered. They were a flurry of motion and magic. Powerful.

✶✶✶

"Dyv? Will you read me a story?"

"Of course, Zizi." I replied fondly.

✶✶✶

"I heard mom and dad talking."

"I know..."

"They want to take me away..."

"They want a brighter future for you. They want to give you an education..."

"Will you go with me?"

"Ah, well, I can't. I have to stay here and help. But, you can visit whenever you want. And when you're having a hard time, remember, I'm so, so—"

✶✶✶

There was a scream, a cry of pain. I looked up, my sword bloody, dripping little drops of crimson. Zane was frozen, a sword through their stomach, a dagger through the ruffian's throat. They turned to look at me, a weak grin on their face, blood burbling in their mouth.

"It seems... cough... it seems I have been... impaled..." Before sinking to the ground.

I help them, cleaning their cheeks, wiping their tears.

"You barely know me... Don't mourn me..." They closed their eyes, turned their head away.

"But I do know you. We played pretend, I read you stories. Of course I know you. You're Zane, you're Zizi, my little sibling."

They looked at me, crying. "Dyv..."

"I'm here. I'm here now..."

"You really have lost weight..." They giggled. I snorted and shook my head.

I took a deep breath then and pulled out the sword. They screamed, sobbed. They hugged me tightly, dying my bones a deep magenta. "I'm here and I'm never leaving you again," I rested my forehead on theirs. "And you have to know..." I took a deep breath, resolve settling in. "I am so, so proud of you, Zi. And I love you so much," I exhaled, a puff of magic escaping through my gritted teeth.

"I—I love you too..." They shivered, their eyes unfocused.

And I gave them my life energy, the magic holding my bones together, my mind alive. "Do say sorry to Vivvian for me."

Their gaze suddenly snapped back to me, as they realized what I was doing. "No!" They struggled, trying to get away, but even as a skeleton I was much stronger than them. "No, don't go!" They pleaded.

"I'm not going anywhere, Zi," I cried one last time, empty, dry sockets that just leaked magic.

And I saved them. I saved them just one last time.