Asher the Insane

64 - Rike the Old King

He was not an elf, neither was he not an elf. I didn't truly know what the 'correct' reality about his being was, but, ultimately, it didn't matter. Neither it nor my opinion on the fact mattered.

The encounter with someone of my own race left me feeling perplexed, especially when it was not the norm for high-elves to present themselves unannounced.

But what was even more surprising was the revelation that this visitor was just like me, spirited away from his own world, his previous life, into this one, where, with a one-hundred percent guarantee, there must have been even more than just the two of us.

He said that his names; Cyrus previously and Asher now held no significance; if he believed this, then I would too. This was the truth of the matter.

I also had two identities, once. I was someone and then someone else, though one of them was eroded by the passage of time until it, just as it was to him, held no significance.

Now I was, and forever will be until my end, Crown Rike; within his own made kingdom, Chauk.

I am no longer what I was before. Could I even call myself Rike after all this time has passed? In the millennia of my being I changed more than once, from human to elf was the most apparent, but even so, I was no longer the elf I once was.

He must be going through something alike. Asher, in both body and mind, he was barely adolescent, and he had no call that he could claim as his own.

What does a man with no mission in this life do but wander the earth aimlessly?

He wouldn't recoil at the sight of an outstretched hand, I think.

"Asher," I said, looking into his piercingly golden eyes, they were the same as mine, though they were missing the age mine most have radiated, "I invite you to stay as long as you desire. Besides my own and Wystus', this metal tower has hardly ever seen another soul. Holding a place for mine own, in more ways than one, would be a privilege."

He had a moment of thought, which was fast, as were all of his insights. All of his ideas were heartfelt and unfiltered, even if they were poorly formed.

"No," he said emphatically, "there are still many things I want to see. This world has many adventures to offer, and I believe I have just scratched the surface of what is out there for me to experience."

Asher's response spoke volumes about his adventurous spirit and his desire to explore the world. He was unafraid of the unknown, and his curiosity seemed to know no bounds. Even though he was young and inexperienced, he was eager to learn and grow, and he was not afraid to take on new challenges.

As I watched him, I couldn't help but feel a sense of pride and admiration.

And yet, there was a twinge of sadness that I couldn't shake. I knew that I was no longer young and that my time in this world was limited by the state of my own mind. I had seen so much and experienced so many adventures, but there was still so much left to explore. I couldn't help but envy him his youth and vitality.

I feel like an old tree seeing a new leaf fall off and fly off to far lands when I see him in all his youthful energy.

Yet, even though I am firmly planted, I sense fresh hope arising for someone who will succeed despite my blindness.

But at the same time, I knew that I had something to offer him - my wisdom and my experience. And so I made him a proposal, one that I hoped he would accept.

I paused before responding, "I know, but if you won't remain, I have another proposition, if you'll hear it.

As soon as I mentioned it, I could see the man's interest piqued. He leaned forward and asked eagerly, "And what would that be?"

I took a deep breath and said, "You would need to continue being a high elf."

Asher's response was immediate, and he scoffed sarcastically, "That's no problem... I think."

But then he paused and looked at me with curiosity.

I continued, "Be my envoy, an informant of the world. It's been so long since I set foot outside of Chauk, and the world has undoubtedly evolved. I am sick of attempting to keep up with it on my own."