THE CHANGELING
Among dwarves, each child is a blessing. Their long lives rarely allow for newborns. Every few dozen childbirths, however, calamity befalls the dwarven folk. For this, there are but two ways out:
Callous sacrifice, or blessed deliverance from shame.
The dwarven boy Krugg had waited for a sibling for the longest time, imagining how grand it would be. He hoped for a brother. They would play in every back-alley of the Fen, and they would go hunting together.
Yet the news never came.
* * *
When he was older, his mother and father sat down with him, smiling:
"Krugg, son," his mother said, "you are going to be a big brother."
Krugg could not believe it. Finally! He would be the best big brother the world had seen.
* * *
One Wake, as Krugg was out sparring with his father, his mother shouted from the window:
"It's coming! The baby is coming."
The wooden axe hit Krugg over the chest.
* * *
"Push!"
The dwarven woman screamed as she gave birth to her second son. The father and Krugg both waited to see the newborn, eyes wide.
They froze.
"What ... what is ... that?" Krugg asked.
"It's ... a troll," the father said, hollow-voiced. "Of dozens of newborn in Deephold, we had to get the troll."
Krugg looked down at the stark-white abomination, gaping. "It has two heads. Is this my ... brother?"
* * *
Kneeling before the Nameless King of the dwarves, the parents pleaded their case, imploring for benevolence.
"We have also experienced the bleak curse of trollbirth," the king said. "So: When We can, We will grant you a changeling."
* * *
Krugg's parents kept their shameful offspring in shadows, waiting, hoping. Then the king's promise came true: A dwarven baby was brought to them.
A disgrace to be shunned, they traded the twoskull troll for the dwarf.
"Brugg," Krugg said, cradling the dwarven child. "My real brother. You, I love."
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Fantasi"Light the fuse! Light the blasted fuse, will 'ya!" Behind him was ... movement. Smooth, fluid movement, always in shadow. Always in pursuit. -continued inside- _______________________________________ A collection of quick-to-read flash fiction stor...
