Dark Age Year 871
Twenty-ninth day of the First month
“While Tharos was well known for his wisdom and intelligence, and even though most of the time he was correct and made all the right choices, that doesn’t mean he is without fault or unable to make misjudgments from time to time. His decision to not fully finish off the snake cult would be one decision out of many throughout his long life that he would regret. However, I would like to state for the record that I do believe that if Tharos fully knew the true scope of the snake cult or of the snake people, he would have destroyed them all without mercy or hesitation, right then and there. If he had done so, it could have saved so much heartbreak and loss, for the power of Nagazarzul and his champion, the Serpent Queen, was a power that we underestimated. But that will be a story for another time.”
—Excerpt From the memoirs of Cenric Dellcreek.
After another two weeks of gruelling travel, our trio was greeted by a marvellous sight at the break of the new dawn. It was a sight that some of them thought they would never live to see again, or if they did, it would be in bondage and chains. It was the sight of rolling grassy plains, dotted with fields of colourful flowers, small and bumpy hills, crystal-clear blue lakes, and riversides. It was the lush green of woodland forests thick with the smell of pine trees, teeming with life. It was the frost-covered and rocky mountains that were as grand as they were imposing. Sights like this were becoming a rarity of late in the lands of Aria, as the fires of unrelenting human greed and pointless ambition sought to burn and destroy everything they touched. It was like a poison seeking to corrupt every aspect of the human spirit. However, regardless, Cenric would enjoy this sight as much as he could. This time, he wasn’t taking in the sight as a slave, using it as a distraction from the torment he suffered or the seedlings of darkness that lay deep and dormant within his young, beating heart. One day, these seedlings would be ready to bloom and reap a terrible harvest, bringing woe to those who encountered it. But now, he was enjoying the sight as a free man, his bright green eyes darting across his face, absorbing every minute detail. He felt the cool dawn breeze blowing and washing over him, his golden blonde hair shining in the rays of the dawn light.
As Tharos stood there, Cenric noticed him enjoying the view as well. Taking in every sight, smell, and touch as if he were savouring the tapestry of life unfolding before him. Tharos then turned his head towards Cenric, who felt a familiar sensation.
(“Beautiful, isn’t it, Cenric?”) Tharos asked, though Cenric sensed it was more of a rhetorical question. Nevertheless, he decided to humour him.
(“Why do you ask, Tharos? Of course, it’s beautiful. Was it just as beautiful in your time as well?”) There was a brief pause as Tharos folded his arms.
(“Yes, it was, but in a different way. It’s rather hard to explain.”) Tharos stated
(What is different about it?” Cenric asked, feeling curious. Although he had a sense that Tharos was much older than he appeared, he couldn’t resist wanting to learn more about him. Cenric thought that by doing so, the strange feeling he always had around Tharos might dissipate.
(“Well, you see, these places and sights, while familiar to me, also feel unfamiliar. They are different in ways I can’t quite describe to you. But…”) Tharos continued, (“If I were to put it into words, it’s like I’m witnessing an idealized memory in real time. The faded image of what once was and what is before me is blending together to the point where reality and the figments of my mind are blurring in ways I can’t imagine. For i don’t know where one ends and the other begins.”)
Cenric didn’t know to respond to that. Because he didn’t really fully understand what Tharos was saying, and if Cenric gave it some deeper thought that, maybe just maybe he could understand. But for now he didn’t want to dell on it to much (“I see,”) Cenric responded. But before either of them could say more, they were interrupted by Rayner, who spoke up, directing his gaze towards Cenric.
“If you two are finished with your secret conversation, I would like to keep moving,” Rayner said.
“It’s not so secret, Rayner. You’re free to join in if you wish,” Cenric replied.
“No thanks, whelp. I’ll pass. It’s not worth the headaches,” Rayner said as he moved ahead of them.
Cenric shrugged and looked at Tharos. (“He is right, you know. We do need to go.”)
Tharos gave him a quick nod, and Cenric felt Tharos’ presence leave his mind. The two of them walked together to catch up to Rayner, who at this point was almost half a mile ahead of them. Cenric saw Tharos pause for a second and turn his head, looking upon the Deadlands with a look of sadness before turning back and continuing to walk, following behind Rayner. The slowly rising sun behind them lit their way.
To be continued.
