Between Wind And Fire

A Stubborn Grudge

Jirad gave a sigh of annoyance before turning, before Uriel could say his piece, Jirad stopped him. At last, when he turned, they found a burly, red-faced man—Magnar, Gaunt's father.

No time was wasted by Magnar. "You!" he roared, pointing a thick finger at Jirad. "You've got a lot to answer for! My boy's dead because of that... that monster you're harboring!"

Jirad raised a brow, his expression a mix of amusement and disdain. "Ah, Magnar, always a pleasure. I see subtlety remains as elusive to you as ever."

Magnar's face twisted with rage. "Do not mock me, old man! My son is dead, and it's that boy's fault!"

Uriel flinched at the words, guilt and anger resurfacing within his already battered mind. Instinctually taking a half step back Jirad lifted a hand to stop him.

"Your boy," Jirad began, his tone icy, "was a terror to this village. Him and his gang of runts put fear into the eyes of everybody, including Uriel. It was a tragedy, I admit, but it was not unprovoked. They tried to kil him, Magnar. What did you expect would happen?"

Anger forced Magnar's eyes wide open. "You dare speak ill of my boy? He was no saint, but he sure didn't deserve to die like that! I couldn't tell where his ashes ended and where his friends began !”

Jirad took a step closer, his gaze unflinching. "And Uriel didn’t deserve to be beaten within an inch of his life. Tell me, Magnar, would you prefer I let your son kill him? Would that have suited your sense of justice better?"

First murmurs spread through the crowd; the square seemed to crackle with tension. Uriel felt the anger rise within but bit his tongue, he knew Jirad had a way with words that he couldn't possibly contend with.
"Justice?" Magnar spat. "This is no justice. This is a boy with too much power and no control. He is a danger to us all!"

Jirad squinted. "Yes, he has power. And power that needs guidance, not scare tactics and hate. If you really cared for this village you'd know that, instead you come here hurling accusations and threats because it's easier to put the blame on a scared boy than face the truth  about your own son."

Magnar's hands tightened their grip, his knuckles turning bone white. "You watch your tone, old man."

"Or what?" Jirad fired back, a smirk forming on his lips. "You do to me what your son tried to do to Uriel? Don’t kid yourself Magnar, you couldn't even hurt me if you tried."

Uriel watched, a mix of awe and fear at Jirad's audacity. He had never seen this side of him before.

Tension hung in the air, each second drawn out to feel like an eternity. Magnar panted heavily, his face a mask of rage, “I will not let this matter rest so easily, mark my words you two will pay for your transgressions !” Finally, with one last glare of fury, he turned on his heel and strode away, shoving through the people unfortunate enough to be in his path.

Jirad sighed, glancing at Uriel. "People are just very scared of what they do not understand. They would need a little time before they start seeing you as something else rather than a threat."

Uriel nodded, mostly feeling relief but with a small residue of anger. "Thank you, Jirad. I don't know what I would have done without you."

Jirad's smiled with that familiar warmth in his eyes. "No need to thank me boy. I've been wanting to tell that pig off for years. You just gave me a perfect window to do it."

“But do you think he will have his way ? Are we in the clear ?”

“That my dear boy, I'm not so sure of but we will be ready for when that time comes, now hurry along you have lots to learn !”