Years had passed in the near blink of an eye, yet the events of them stuck to me like the clinging of the morning dew. The demon's boast, my brother's threat, all of it fresh and endlessly echoing in my mind. Lelienna and I had become closer, others can see it as much as she wishes to hide it. My father already speaks of planning a day of bonding, celebrating us and the blossom of a new couple. Helika of course teases of when we will get the next prodigy hunter, a son or daughter that can make an arrow sing through the air as I do. Yet all my mind is consumed with is the burden and fear of what may become of them.
If I should bond with her and she does bare me a son, what will be his fate? What turmoil will he face being the son of "Wolfsbane"? Worse possibly is if a daughter is given, the horrid men that would try to claim her just for the namesake alone. And the words of that demon, the taunt he gave, the smile that lingered on his blackened face as my dagger ran across his throat. Even in defeat would one such as he show falsity in their expression just to make me dig myself further down? Those eyes, the pressure that was felt behind them, the surety in his words, even a mad man be he mortal would show some sort of fear in the end. Though there was nothing, not even a shred of fear or pain. Only certainty.
I found myself idly wandering the village while deep in my own thoughts, though at this point it could be considered more of a town. A nearby kingdom had even sent an envoy to speak with us about our purpose and who we aligned ourselves with. Of course giving the simple answer of "No one" and "To thrive". My father and the envoy laughed for hours, discussing older times as he called it. Perhaps they knew one another? Though the one I did not like being within our village was the Envoy's escort, Vorin, titled the "Kings Best". Said to be able to cleave a bear in half with a single swing of his sword, I don't believe it for a moment. He is small, smaller than myself at least, and his stance shows that of a showman with a sword rather than a true guardsman. Gleaming in his weighted armor that only slows a man down rather than truly protect him.
He watched me carefully, pointedly, making sure I knew his gaze was on me when I passed by to check on my father. Though he said nothing, nor did I to him if he is brazen enough to forego introductions. Perhaps however that was simply him doing his job? In which case I admit he was always watchful, even the slightest motion caught his eye. When they left he offered a hand to shake, as if we had spoken for hours as comrades or even equals. I took his hand and could tell immediately that it was a threat, his gaze hardened and he nodded once. Though as he tried to take his hand back my grip locked him in place, he paused for a moment, only a moment. A returned threat without words, one that he gave a small grin to with another nod.
My father in his growing age thought nothing of it, "young men showing bravado" he would claim. Yet for his own son he should know better, I do not boast without reason or purpose. Yet as we entered the Elders home he insisted it was nothing. "Oh come now Ysellian, you act as if he were trying to wage war upon us." My father sat with a groan and sighed heavily. "I have known a great deal of men like him in my years, most simply act the part because it is the part they play." I sigh and shake my head moving to pour him a cup of water. "Playing his part or not you do not test ones force without a word then gaze at me as he did. He was challenging me as not just your son but the protector here. Even if it were a passing test, at least hear me out and set extra night scouts. I do not trust this new kingdom or whatever they wish to claim themselves as."
My father chuckled and took the cup of water with a small nod of thanks, drinking before continuing. "Is that not your job to set more now that your title has once again changed?" He grinned with pride not a pointed taunt, my mouth closing as I sighed. "Yes, yes it is father. Forgive me please, I just do not feel that it was an idle passing." He stood and smiled to me as his hand rested on my shoulder. "You will make a fine elder one day, though something you must learn first is that not all who show bravado, have bravado. Most simply throw it around as one does words, pointless in most said yet when used properly can get a rise out of someone. Perhaps your actions are what he expected, or perhaps your returned grip was something of a test as you say. Or perhaps even he was surprised you were able and willing to answer in the same fashion as he did. Regardless of the answer, I do not believe that this new rise of kingdom so far from our home will strike at a central trade point of such value."
He pat my shoulder and shuffled slowly towards the hearth, lowering to lift another hunk of wood to settle it in the fire. The small tuft of ash that lingered and the new catching of fire was all I stared at for a long moment before closing my eyes and nodding. "Of course father, again forgive me. I simply do not wish to be seen as weak or easily controlled, we have been here far longer than this king and his servants. Your great father before him broke ground in this place before their first stones had been cut to place." He laughed softly and nodded a few times as he lifted a hand to lean against the hearth mantle. "Spoken as a true warrior." His smile faded slowly before he took a deep breath. "My son, it is a secret to no one that I am getting old, aged, weak." I opened my mouth to protest but his hand raised to stop me, he turned slowly and returned to sit in his chair. Offering for me to do the same next to him.
"For seventy years now I have watched our home grow and prosper, made choices that cost some their lives but saved the greater whole. I have held men's hand as they passed from the great hunt, I have given the rights to the lost that never returned. Spoken them into the winds so that it may carry their souls to peace within the wilds wherever they may lie." He adjusted slightly and closed his eyes setting his cup on the table between us. "My time here is not long, I know this better and have accepted this sooner than anyone else here." I harden my gaze to keep myself from protesting, I know my fathers age and his feebleness that grows daily. Though I never wished to accept it.
"When my time is called and I am taken from this realm to rest with my fathers and theirs before them. I want to ensure that there is no secrets or things we will regret not speaking to each other about." His words confused me at first, though struck harder than one of our wooden training swords as his eyes opened. He had secrets that he kept from me? He took a steady breath and sighed heavily before looking to me. "You are my greatest pride Ysellian, a better son there is none. A greater defender there will never be and a wiser man will never grace the path of our home."
I could feel my throat tightening, something was wrong, something he was trying to tell me that required him to speak such greatness as if he himself was not the best our home had ever had. "I have told you of the great visions of our elders, the grace of sight that has been bestowed by the forests to gleam into the paths we all walk." I nod slightly, focused on every word that left his lips. "I have spoken to you of some of these visions, most of which have been of a thriving home that was built upon greatness and pride." My hands tighten slightly on the arm of the chair, I am waiting for the worst of it. As if it is all I can think about, what is hidden behind his encouraging words.
"Though as I am sure you are anticipating not all of them are so...glamourous...Many in fact are horrible, terrifying, something that no father should ever see his son become." The moment he finished speaking my eyes widened slightly, my gaze on him locked. Did he see the same vision given to me by the demon, the same monster I became out of anger and rage. Impossible, he couldn't have, there was no way that he could know what I saw. His gaze locked onto me though it softened almost painfully. "I watched you bring death my son, to so many that did not deserve it. Slaughtering innocents with an anger that is matched only by the darkest of beings. Your eyes broken and shattered into crystals of blood, and your arm..." The moment he mentioned my arm, my mind snapped, I spoke without thinking and shot up from my chair. "Enough!" I stood with my hands balled to fists, my left arm shaking, the pain of that day in the village centered radiated down it as if it were happening again. His voice, the demon's voice echoed in my ear. Danced within my head as I grit my teeth and growled.
"These visions are nothing! We have secured a place of peace and trade, no version of this place has been happier or more successful than we are now! It was done by MY hands, with MY name sake! By the blood I spilled to bring the title of Wolfsbane that sang across the winds and drew others here! I..." My mind returned to me and I realized where I stood, towering above my elder father as if he were a boy to be scolded. Preaching about my own accomplishments as if I were a pathetic man that needed to reassure the rest...And mostly myself...Of who I was. My hands loosened and my head dropped, my gaze shifted to anywhere but my fathers own as I sat back down slowly. "I...Am sorry father, I don't know what over took me. I simply-" Before I could continue he cut me off with a statement that cut deeper than any blade. "Hear the demon's voice linger in your mind." My eyes shot to him as if he were in my head, I shook slightly as I sat up. "How did you-"
He raised his hand and sighed. "You are not the only burdened by whispers of the darkness, many a man is tempted and thrust into such things without even noticing...The demon however, the one you believe you vanquished in town. He is after you for a reason I do not know, one that I am forbidden to know. For this reason my son, I am terrified for you and your future. I see you walking blindly some days, not answering calls to your name. Ignoring those who simply wish to speak with you for a brief moment, both villagers and traders alike. I know his words haunt you, I have seen what those things do to the minds of men. For that reason alone I ask only one thing of you." He reached his hand over to rest upon my own for a moment. "Do not listen, a far more challenging task than simply doing it I know. Though your will must be your shield, should they find a single crack in it. They will tear it to pieces, using your own hands to do so."
I sit quietly for a long moment, looking into my father's eyes. Searching for anything that would give me reinforcement aside from his words and advice, though finding that they are all he can offer. I close my eyes and take slow steady breaths, nodding once slowly after a short time. "Thank you, father. I am sorry for how I acted, my words and their selfishness. I will do better...Be...Better. If not for my own sake for those around me, I will not become the monster that plagues us both. I swear to you." I take his hand and grip it firmly, nodding with more steadiness as I stand slowly. "I need to return home, Lelienna will be asking every question she can to try and know what we talk about. Though I feel this is more to kept between us yes?" My father nodded slowly. "I would never ask that you lie to your beloved, though I would ask that you not speak to her about this if you can avoid doing so." I nod once, moving towards the door without another word.
The silence that followed was almost deafening, even my silent steps upon the floor became as loud as a crash of thunder. It felt hours before I reached the door and stepped out into the cool evening. Silently staring into the sky as stars slowly began to shine as the sun faded behind the mountains. Every words my father spoke played over and over again in my head, especially the only advice he could give me. "Your will must be your shield." A simple thing to say though one that is far more difficult to set in practice. Especially when simple words are what can crumble a man's mind into nothing. I shake my head and take a deep breath of the crisp mountain air, sighing heavily as I begin my walk home. Stopping only to give a small command to have additional Night Watch, before I know it my door stands before me. A warm hearth fire burns within and I can hear Lelienna settling wooden plates in place as the smell of roasted boar and freshly stewed vegetables pours from the home. I take a deep breath and feel a smile over take my lips for the first time today, my center and my comfort from her alone was the only anchor I still had. The whispers of the day died slowly as I pushed the door open and I saw her smile beam like a ray from the morning sun. "Hey Wolfboy, welcome home."