RuneScape Forum Archive | Echoes of the Gods

Chuk

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After the Headmaster returned Cormin's sword, he crossed to the platform's further side and sat exactly opposite his previous seat. He wore a small, almost disbelieving smile, and Aletayr thought he must be struggling to keep it from spreading from ear to ear. In his own stomach, the butterflies fluttered violently. Xaran's turn next, then his.

His voice held a weariness that had not been there when he called Cormin, but Xaran did not notice. He stood before the Assistant Headmaster finished, as soon as he had heard his name. His steps were quick and jaunty; he almost seemed on the edge of skipping. He unsheathed his sword with a flourish that made Cormin's seem plain, spinning the blade in a circle that almost touched the Headmaster's face before he presented the hilt. The Headmaster did not flinch, but Aletayr thought his eyes darkened.

"If I have failed our Lord Domi, Exalted Headmaster, my life be forfeit for my transgressions." His tone said that such an idea was beyond comprehension, that he said it only because he had to. "But if I have achieved and surpassed expectations, may the Exalted Headmaster grant me the honor of joining the Divine Will of our Lord Domi."

His tone was stronger, almost commanding for the second; it was clear there was only one choice, and the Headmaster did not hesitate. He took the hilt in bony fingers, twisted it slightly for a better grip, and shoved the blade into Xaran's chest. Aletayr's friend screamed, a sound of shock and pain so terrible that Aletayr clutched at his own chest while he stared wide-eyed at the sword protruding from his friend's torso, blood staining the tunic purple.

14-May-2010 00:46:32 - Last edited on 21-Jun-2013 07:07:41 by Chuk

Chuk

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Xaran's scream trailed into a low moan. His head was bowed, and muscles knotted in his jaw with the effort of clenching his teeth. His hands clawed at the blade, heedless of the jagged cuts that followed, as if they might make it disappear, as if they could reverse time. The Headmaster spoke again, his voice level, face impassive.

His words, soft as they were, carried to every ear in attendance. There was steel in them, too, a warning to those remaining. Aletayr hardly heard. "No," he muttered beneath his breath, but gaining volume. "No, Xaran!"

Somehow he was on his feet -- though unaware of rising -- about to start toward the platform when a hand grabbed his arm. He turned in surprise and found Ahriele leaning forward, her light blue eyes worried. She motioned to his seat.

"Please, Aletayr," she whispered when he did not move. "Look at him. Look at the Headmaster! He'll do the same thing to you! We," she swallowed, not looking to the platform. "We can't do anything for him."

Aletayr turned back to the stage and found that she was right; the Headmaster had pulled the sword from Xaran while Ahriele spoke. Xaran collapsed on his face, and two groundskeepers were already at the platform. They tossed a sheet over Xaran and dragged him away, though he was not yet dead. Aletayr could hear the faint coughs and groans that rose beneath the covering. He almost stood again, and likely would have if Ahriele's hand had not been resting on his arm.

Except to drop Xaran's sword out of sight behind the platform, the Headmaster had hardly moved. Now he stood glaring into the stands, daring the watchers to fault his action. Angry, dissenting mutters ran through the crowd, and Aletayr thought he could hear sobbing from the stands, but now that the moment had passed, all he felt was numb -- numb and empty. Eventually the audience quailed beneath the Headmaster's daunting glower, and a haunting silence fell across the courtyard.

14-May-2010 00:46:33 - Last edited on 21-Jun-2013 07:10:25 by Chuk

Chuk

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Aletayr hardly noticed when the assistant began speaking once more, did not react when he was called to rise. Only after Ahriele nudged him did he move. He plodded towards the platform, drew his sword and recited the words. To his muted surprise, he found he did not care whether he failed; if the Headmaster really was representative of Domi's Divine Will, then it had left his best friend dead, and he would serve nothing that could do such a thing.

"You have done well, Graduate Chaelom. On behalf of our Lord Domi, I bestow upon you the honor of joining His ranks as a servant of His Divine Will. Welcome."

The Headmaster was smiling down, his expression, almost kindly. Aletayr wanted to beat it off his face, to strangle the neck that held it, but it was a distant desire, and passionless. He had no energy for such action. Taking his sword back, he sheathed it without thinking trudged to his chair, leaving one empty between himself and Cormin. Then he dropped his head to his hands and stared into the ground.

Seven more students crossed over without incident, the Assistant Headmaster calling out their achievements with their names. Ahriele Salocar, the scholar; Keran Fallos, unmatched with a bow; Jerin Teremon, a master of espionage; Dael Ivisen, the best on horseback; Bremmi Calomir, a persuasive diplomat; Calyt Armani, who could disarm the best swordsmen with her bare hands; last was Myria Dalore, and she could follow the trail of a single man days after he had passed. But Aletayr knew their skills already; they were his friends, and the Assistant Headmaster's voice was far short of drawing his attention.

14-May-2010 00:46:34 - Last edited on 21-Jun-2013 07:10:38 by Chuk

Chuk

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After Myria the rest of the students began, and without special accomplishments, they moved more quickly. They shook hands with the Headmaster when their names were called and then moved on, one after another. How long it took, Aletayr could not say; he spent most of the time submerged beneath his own dark thoughts. Only when Ahriele nudged him again did he lift his head from his hands. He found that the last student was seated and that the Headmaster stood ready to make a parting speech.

"Today we witnessed the rise of two hundred new servants of Domi's cause. May their years of service be blessed with continuing peace and order, prosperity and success."

Aletayr could not decide if the Headmaster smirked after that or if he imagined the expression. He had no time to wonder, though, as the Headmaster's next words pushed thoughts of anything besides Xaran from his mind.

"And also may they heed the example of today. Do not become prideful, and do not be vain, unless you wish to bring your own downfall upon yourself, bring about your own destruction. Heed my warning, and you shall accomplish greatness in our Lord Domi's service. Fair you well."

As the Headmaster turned to make his way from the podium with his assistant, Aletayr realized he was quivering with fury. His hand moved to his sword hilt without thought, and he gripped it so tightly his hand ached. It was not enough for the Headmaster to kill Xaran; he had to demean him as a mere example, and the insult was enough to lift him from the earlier void, enough to light a scorching hatred that coursed his veins. Ahriele caught the change in his demeanor just in time to grab his arm before he could draw his sword. A second later Cormin gripped his other arm, trying to keep him from chasing down the Headmaster.

14-May-2010 00:46:35 - Last edited on 21-Jun-2013 07:10:49 by Chuk

Chuk

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"You can't do it," his friend said. "Not now, you can't. Save it, man, for when it'll do something."

Aletayr realized he was still trying to rise, still trying to draw his sword. Cormin and Ahriele together might not have held him back had Calyt not joined in from behind, pressing down on his shoulders. Finally he relaxed, slumping back in his seat, but his friends still waited until the Headmaster went inside before releasing him.

"I know," Aletayr muttred, "It's just… Domi! The man had no right, no reason. Anyone else, and it'd be murder, but it's him, so we can't do anything. Xaran dead before our eyes, and we don't even get justice. Bloody hell."

They sat in silence, all nine friends, while people began to rise around them, to mingle with friends and parents and then to leave. After a time, Cormin's parents arrived to take him home. Sympathy flooded their eyes as they caught the mood, but they donned forced smiles and congratulated the friends on their wonderful achievements before they left. Cormin said his good-byes with false cheer, but Aletayr knew his friend's wan smile was on the verge of slipping, of being replaced by tears. For himself, Aletayr could not manage even that much, not so soon.

After Cormin left, Jerin's parents arrived, and his departure played out much the same. By the time it was over, Aletayr had had more than enough sympathy and attempts at gaiety. Even the beautiful day began to irritate him, and as soon as he could manage, he slipped away, retreating to the darkness of his room.

14-May-2010 00:46:37 - Last edited on 21-Jun-2013 07:10:57 by Chuk

Chuk

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He was still there more than an hour later when the door opened, admitting a delicate stream of light. He did not look up from where his head rested on knees that he hugged tightly to his chest, but the almost soundless footfalls and the graceful weight that settled softly on the bed beside him said that it was Ahriele before she spoke.

"Hey," she said. Aletayr raised his head slightly, casting a despondent eye towards his friend before letting his gaze collapse back to his knees. Ahriele wrapped an arm around his shoulders and waited a moment before speaking again.

"Dael and Myria left while you were hiding up here. They were pretty disappointed you disappeared without saying anything."

Aletayr managed to shrug his shoulders, but did not speak.

"You can't abandon other people just because someone stole Xaran, Aletayr. It's not fair to them. Or to you."

Finally raising his head, Aletayr scrubbed his eyes with his palms and blinked back fresh tears.

"Yeah," he said. "I know. I just… I guess I didn't know what else to do. Can't you feel it, Ahri, the emptiness? It's like it's swallowed me whole, and I can't even find feelings for myself, much less anyone else."

Her eyes watering, Ahriele nodded. "I can't stand it, this giant void inside me. It's like it's taken all my happiness, all my joy, and hidden it forever where I'll never find it."

She pulled back, resting both hands on Aletayr's shoulders, and looked deep into his eyes. "But don't you see? That's why we need each other. It's why we have friends. Because none of us can face that void alone, not and keep on with our lives."

14-May-2010 00:46:39 - Last edited on 21-Jun-2013 07:11:05 by Chuk

Chuk

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::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
!- + -! Chapter Two !- + -! Journeys !- + -!
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

Aletayr woke early the next morning, when the sky was just beginning to gray. He dressed quickly, slipped on his pack, and headed outside, where he found Keran and Calyt in the courtyard; both were attired for long travel. It would take Aletayr more than two days to get home, but their journies made his look like an afternoon jaunt. Calyt’s home was almost two weeks away, afoot, and Keran claimed it would take him longer, even on horseback, to reach his country.

The air was chill for a spring morning, and clear. Aletayr could see distant peaks, still snowcapped, towering above the Academy’s walls, and he pulled his cloak tighter to keep out the dew that formed on the grass beneath his feet. Stepping carefully to keep his feet as dry as possible, he joined Keran and cal**, nodding a greeting while remaining silent.

Only a few minutes passed before Ahriele and Bremmi joined them. They waited in silence for a time, the sky brightening above. Now and again, one or another would open their mouth as if to speak, but the words seemed to vanish on their tongue, and all they ended up doing was staring at the ground. They were all thinking of Xaran, Aletayr knew, about how he should be there with them. Aletayr glanced at the sky; in the east, the sun’s first golden rays were spreading above the walls. He crossed his legs, and then after a few moments, uncrossed them; he glanced at his friends and adjusted his pack. Somewhere, a bird sang, welcoming the morning, but only when the sunlight touched the top of the courtyard walls did someone finally speak.

14-May-2010 00:46:41 - Last edited on 21-Jun-2013 07:11:15 by Chuk

Chuk

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“Well…” said Keran. “These last years have been most wonderful, most of them. Excepting…” Pausing, he did not finish his thought, but it hung in Aletayr’s mind all the same. After a glance at the line of sunlight on the wall, sliding lower while the sun crept upward, Keran continued. “I figure I should be off. Farewell. I will be sure to write if I come south, so you know.”

Then, with hugs for everyone and kisses on cheeks for the girls, he was gone. As if Keran taking the lead had freed them, Calyt and Bremmi soon followed. Once Ahriele and Aletayr were alone, they hesitated for only a moment before leaving the Academy behind. Ahriele’s path followed Aletayr’s for much of his journey, so they walked together, still in silence.

For a mile outside the Academy’s walls, the path led straight on, a soft brown line cutting through a meadow, vibrant with the colors of spring. The morning sun danced across fronds of grass, dew drops glittering like perfect gems. Unfurling their petals to catch the golden rays, wildflowers of pink and yewllow and blue the color of the sky woke throughout the sea of green like a thousand joyful faces. A bird called, glad for another dawn.

Despite the cheerful morning, Aletayr’s heart was heavy, his eyes downcast. He plodded along, slightly behind Ahriele, hardly looking up from the path. When he did look up, his grief seemed to cloud his sight so that all the colors ran together to become dull and indistinct. It was like the darkest void of night had left the sky only to settle in the hole left by Xaran’s passing. No longer masked by shock and anger, the anguish was worse than the day before. If he had not had Ahriele ahead of him, a person to focus on and follow, Aletayr was not sure that he would have been able to keep moving; inside, he felt like collapsing in the grass, never to move again.

14-May-2010 00:56:22 - Last edited on 21-Jun-2013 07:11:25 by Chuk

Chuk

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Even when he had finally realized his father was gone forever the pain had not been as strong. He had cried then, when he had understood that daddy was never coming back, that they had left hm in Derlo to die. Now, missing Xaran, he was beyond tears, his heart so lost that he could find none to shed.

After a time, short by the progress of the sun, but an eternity by Aletayr’s reckoning, they reached the forest across the meadow from the Academy’s alabaster walls. The path wound through the trees, whose branches offered shade form the quickly warming sun. In that shadow, aletayr found some slight solace, as sounds were muffled and less cheery, and the bright wildflowers fewer and farther between. While it was still a new spring day, and there was nothing to disguise that, the dimness of the forest was a better match for his mood than the open meadow.

They had just passed out of sight of the clearing when Ahriele broke their silence. “Aletayr? You okay?”

He offered a grunt in response.

“Come on now, don’t be like that. You can’t be like this, all plodding and listless. I need you to try and pick yourself up, try and get ahold of yourself.”

Aletayr sighed. “It hasn’t been a day, Ahri! My best friend dead – killed – and you’re already talking of moving on? By Domi! I thought he was your friend, too.”

“Of course he was my friend. You think I’m not hurting, Aletayr? Is that what you’re implying? I don’t need you talking like that. He was my friend, just as dear to me as you are. I may not know your pain, but I know mine. It’s trying to consume me from the inside out. But I can’t let it do that. I won’t. Belive me, I know it’s hard, but you have to be stronger than it is. You’ve got to go forward.”

“Isn’t someone just a well of wisdom today?” Ahriele started to speak, but Aletayr held up a hand, cutting her off. “No, you’re right of course. But it’s easier said than done, and I can’t do it. Not yet.”

“But Aletayr, you…”

14-May-2010 00:56:23 - Last edited on 21-Jun-2013 07:11:34 by Chuk

Chuk

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“No. I don’t have to, Ahri. I’m not you. Let it go.”

They lapsed into silence once more, but Aleatyr found himself looking up more often now, found that his thoughts were less dark. The shadows beneath the trees seemed slightly less inviting, the patches of sun less mocking. It was almost as if he was just waking for the first time that day, and when he saw a rabbit by the path, it’s soft nose twitching, he almost smiled.

Stretching away before their feet, the broad path wound slightly upward, passing between the trees. Mostly conifers, some of them rose like towers, their lowest branches more than a dozen paces above the ground and their girth so great that Aletayr doubted whether he and Ahriele together could reach a quarter of the way around their boles. While there were many younger trees, some mere saplings, the ancient giants were what caught and held Aleatyr’s attention. He found himself staring upwards through their branches as he and Ahrile passed beneath and brushing their bark with his hand. Finally, he stopped by a particularly colossal pine.

“How old do you think they are?” he said.

Ahriele turned, appraising and measuring first the trunk, then raising her eyes to peruse the branches. “This one? Maybe a thousand years, or a little less. Ancient certainly.”

Aletayr whistled softly. “It survived the God Wars, then, and was already old when they started.”

Her eyes glinting half with amusement and half bemusement, Ahriele nodded. “Yep. Though you wouldn’t know it now. It’s not even a native species. People brought the seeds when they first settled here, caught in their cloaks and in their boots. This tree might have actually come from one of those original seeds, if it really is a thousand years old. Why are you smiling like that?”

“No reason,” Aletayr said, straightening his face. Turning, he started to walk again. Ahriele caught him by the arm, spinning him back around.

14-May-2010 00:56:25 - Last edited on 21-Jun-2013 07:11:43 by Chuk

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Echoes of the Gods