Legend of Parocaav: The Quest for Redemption (First Draft)

Chapter XXXVI: Cottage on the Border

Images of the flashbacks keep racing through Roku's mind. A simple thing like the sixth day had made her remember her whole life with Crito in what seemed like a few minutes, but had been hours. The sun started rising again, shining bright on the remains of Oro. After all that time remembering, Roku found herself unable to sleep. If she hadn't been succumbed to these memories, they would not have been in Oro for the attack. Thoughts of what would have transpired here if they hadn't run in her mind.

Roku looks over at Drayk to see him still awake as well. It appears as though even he has been affected by this battle. Knowing his father was involved in everything must be hard for him to bear. His own father murdered his wife when she discovered the truth. Drayk had trained his whole life to aspire to the greatness of his father. Lance had betrayed him in more ways he could count. He noticed Roku staring at him and looks over to her.

"I'm sorry Lance has been such a burden," Drayk whispered.

"No need to apologize Drayk," Roku tried to say with a smile.

"Roku?"

"Yeah?"

"I lost my whole family. My mother, my sister.... and now even my father. Was killing him really the best choice I could have made?"

"I don't imagine that was easy for you to do Drayk, but yes.... under the circumstances.... I do believe that was your best course of action."

"We should head out soon."

"I heard something in the winds the other day."

"Like what?"

"A female voice talking to Kraag and whom I believe to have been Father Time. She whispered 'this is for you, Drayk' before I heard an old wooden door close."

"I don't know anyone that would he associated with Kraag."

Without saying a word, Roku stands up and looks around the throne room. The other survivors are still sleeping. Only a handful remain, including Lady Quintly herself. Drayk stands up as well and they walk over to the sleeping queen. Once they draw near, Lady Quintly opens her eyes and looks at them.

"Thank you Bringers of Hope. If it hadn't been for you.... none of us would have survived the attack," Lady Quintly smiles.

"We're sorry we couldn't have done more Lady Quintly," Roku tells her with sorrow in her voice.

"Nonsense. There's nothing you could have done further," Lady Quintly begins, "Please, call me Hailie from now on."

"Alright Hailie," Roku tries to muster up a smile, "I know we could've stopped this from happening if we-"

"Enough Riinah," Lady Quintly interrupts, "No one is at fault but our own. We are too trusting in such a time of war."

About an hour later~

All of the survivors of the attack are now awake and chatting amongst themselves. Drayk had gone outside a few moments before everyone started waking up. Roku had stayed behind to talk with Hailie for awhile. The winds are completely gone. Wind Country is now just as barren as most lands in this world. Oro is nothing more than a scar from this war like most cities before it. Determination to continue this quest and put an end to this war is all Drayk finds himself thinking about. Roku walks out of the palace and puts her hand on Drayk's shoulder.

"So. Through the land of ice?" She asks softly.

"Yes. We must put an end to this war while there are still those left who fight for the right cause and light," Drayk answers, "Xivaac must pay for all that has happened."

With no further words, Drayk starts walking off toward the Ice Country. He throws his sword over his shoulder as Roku dashes to walk at his side. A feeling of remorse hits Roku as she turns to see the once vibrant city all but gone. The one building still standing after the attack and the unburied bodies lying about. It wouldn't have been possible to bury them all. Hailie had made it quite clear it wasn't their responsibility to do so anyways. They had their own task at hand. They must get the Sword of Light. This weapon was once wielded by Lady Parocaav and was the only thing strong enough to defeat the tyrant God of Darkness.

The land of winds looked like any other countryside that had been overthrown by the Elite Forces. Desolate, lifeless and the ground stained with the blood of the Resistance. The land of ice wasn't going to be an easy country to pass through. Snow always falls there. Blizzards tear through the valleys and mountains of this terrain. Roku had done some reading on it before they left in the palace library. Not even the Elites had remained when Kraag left. An everlasting winter cursed the land.

A few days later~

A thin rising stream of smoke can be seen up ahead. Just passed the smoke, all that can be seen is a blanket of white snow clouds. Roku looks at Drayk confused. She wants to ask him, although she doubts he knows the answer. It looks as if someone had made a home on the edge of Ice Country. Taking a closer look, Roku realizes it is a cottage or sorts. The smell of fresh baking bread trails itself to them.

"Mmm. That smells good," Roku says almost like she is under a trance.

"I wonder who lives there. I wasn't expecting to see anyone till after we had passed through Ice Country," Drayk pondered out loud.

The closer the Bringers got to the cottage, the stronger the scent of bread got. Roku licked her lips, almost mesmerized by the aroma. The cottage is made completely out of logs, from the ground to the roof. A brick chimney sits at the right side of the structure with smoke still pouring from it. The cottage does not have a door or any kind of glass in the windows. A woman walks out wearing a dress that looked as smooth as satin. It went all the way down to the woman's ankles and blew in the light breeze. The dress is solid white with very unique looking designs etched into it. The woman is hiding her face under a white veil, but her long red hair shows out the back of it. Once the woman sees them, she pulls the veil away from her face. Her face looks just like Roku's, only without yellow eyes.

"Riinah? Is that you my child?" The woman asks in a soft and harmonious voice.

"I...." Roku couldn't find the words to speak.

Drayk looked in pure amazement as he continuously looks back and forth at Roku and the woman. They look so much alike. The woman looks a bit older, closer to middle-aged, but in every way similar. Tears fill the woman's eyes as she runs over and holds Roku in her arms. Roku still cannot find words to speak as she is enveloped the woman's arms.

"Are you.... Synn?" Drayk asks nervously.

"Yes. My name is Synn," the woman replied in a calm and delicate voice, "I am your mother Riinah."