Heart of a Berserker: Love (School of Dragons)

Chapter 7

"True reconciliation is never cheap, for it is based on forgiveness, which is costly. Forgiveness in turn depends on repentance, which has to be based on an acknowledgment of what was done wrong, and therefore on disclosure of the truth. You cannot forgive what you do not know." - Desmond Tutu

Chapter 7

Harald

Harald wasted no time in his pursuit of the third key. He searched for Stormheart on Auction Island but had trouble locating her. He finally decided to risk visiting her at her home in the village. It was getting late, and he figured she may have retired for the day.

He was almost at her house when the door opened. Stormheart and Toki stepped out, smiling and standing way too close together. Harald immediately tensed. Though he was an expert at concealing his emotions, he found it nearly impossible keep from glaring at the man before him, especially when he touched his leader in a much too friendly way. 

Toki noticed him first and plastered a fake smile on his face. "Harald," he said brightly, "please excuse us. We were just getting to know each other."

Harald's eyes narrowed. "I'm sure you were."

Stormheart looked from Harald to Toki, her expression unreadable. "Give us a minute."

Toki dipped his head. "Of course." His eyes seemed to taunt Harald as he smiled at her. He walked off without another word.

Harald glared at his retreating form. He hated Stormheart's gentle tone. As far as he knew, she reserved that for him. Not that he didn't want her to form bonds with other people. But the thought of her with Toki made him sick. "What are you doing?" he growled, unable to keep the venom from his voice.

"Come now, Harald," Stormheart said in a diplomatic tone, "we were just having fun."

Harald clenched his fists, not liking the implication. "Not him. Anyone but him."

"He does have his positive qualities."

"They don't make up for the bad ones. He's only using you to get what he wants!"

Stormheart smiled almost sadly. "I am no fool, Harald. I understand the game he is playing and am under no illusion that he actually cares. I have my own reasons for being with him."

Harald averted his gaze to the ground. He felt like a helpless child again, unable to do anything to prevent the people he cared about from getting hurt. "You deserve better."

"That is sweet of you to say," Stormheart said gently with a hint of regret, "but you are mistaken."

Harald glanced at her and was surprised to see unusual softness in her eyes. Something inside him told him this was an opportunity to reach out to her and form a connection. It was what Brennda would have done. Yet, although he knew how to manipulate people with what they wanted to hear, conveying the truth was a whole new beast. And fear kept him from even trying.

"Anyway, did you need something from me?" Stormheart said, ending the moment.

"I am making progress with the map," Harald said stiffly. "Auction Island is the next location. I need your key."

"Very well." Stormheart reached into a pocket in her robe and withdrew a key. "I assume you have a plan to make sure everyone believes what they need to."

"I always have a plan. Trust me." He held out his hand, palm-up.

Stormheart slowly placed the key in his hand. "You are the only one I trust."

Harald closed his fingers over the key as he pushed down the surge of guilt. This wasn't his fault. He never wanted her to trust him like this. She should have known better. Though he no longer had a master plan, he knew the inevitable result of the path he had chosen. Brennda would disagree, but he was too afraid to find an alternative way. "Thank you." He placed the key in his bag and turned to leave.