Heart of a Berserker: Hope (School of Dragons)

Chapter 2

A/N: It's Leopold! ^_^

***

"It isn't possible to love and part. You will wish that it was. You can transmute love, ignore it, muddle it, but you can never pull it out of you. I know by experience that the poets are right: love is eternal." — E.M. Forster

Chapter 2

"So... what's the story with you and this Harald fellow?"

I tried to act as casual as possible under Eret's watchful gaze. We were on our way to Auction Island, and apparently my companion thought this was a good time for a chat. "There's no story. Didn't Astrid tell you how he pretended to be our friend on Dragon's Edge and then betrayed us?"

"Yes, I know that story." Eret crossed his arms and moved closer to me. "What I want to know is why you in particular are so passionate about catching him."

"Is it so odd to want to stop him from hurting someone else?"

Eret's eyes told me he didn't buy it. "Come on, Brennda, don't you trust me?"

I looked down at the floor. Perhaps it would not hurt to give him a little more information. "Fine." I took a deep breath and met his gaze. "I am the most 'passionate,' as you put it, because I am the one who became the closest to Harald when he was with us. I don't get that close to people easily, so it was a big deal."

Eret's expression softened. "I'm sorry, Brennda."

"The time we spent together was incredible. I didn't know life could be that good, you know? I thought he felt it too. Sometimes I still think that. But then just when I was happy, he took it all away." I took a shaky breath. "It wasn't just his betrayal that hurt me - though that felt like it would kill me - it was the fact that he left me alone." I examined Eret to see if he judged me for basically admitting that I missed Harald, but all I saw on his face was compassion.

"That sounds awful," he said. "I am sorry you had to go through that. Will finding him again really help?"

"It has to. Maybe I just need closure..." I knew it was not true, but I could offer him no other explanation.

Eret grew silent. After a minute, he softly spoke: "You still care about him, don't you?"

I flinched at his words. "What are you talking about? Of course I don't! He's a pirate. The enemy."

"Why do  you speak as if caring about someone is so bad? You can't help how you feel."

I looked away. "It would be easier if I could."

"Life isn't easy, mate. Denying the truth doesn't shield you from its consequences. Take it from someone who knows."

I recognized the pain in his eyes, and I wondered what he was remembering. This could be my chance to reach out to him, but instead I pulled back to protect myself. "I'm not denying anything, Eret. I don't care for Harald, and he certainly doesn't care about me."

"You don't know that."

I turned away from him and stared over the edge of the boat at the water. "It doesn't matter if he does or not. It doesn't change anything."

"It could if you let it."

"You weren't there with him on Dragon's Edge. You never felt the pain of betrayal."

"And maybe that's why I have a more objective view on the situation."

I turned to see him watching me with a steady gaze. "You know we're supposed to be catching him, right?"