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Rated: 13+ · Book · Action/Adventure · #2116877
A sorcerer named Gayle is caught in the middle of a war while trying to find acceptance.
Chapter One
Home Again
Wind seemed to carry him as he walked on the road he traveled many times before. With a disguise in place, he moved forward carefully. Not much had changed in Roxbury since he last stayed there. The houses and stores were still had their pale colors of cracked paint. Young children romped around the streets, playing their games. Their parents negotiated prices on goods as the children weaved through them, the Roxmere Mountain behind the busy little town
The sun’s dying lights cast long shadows before he reached the base of the great mountain. He paused only a moment to remove his disguise and adjust his sack that hung from his shoulder. Bringing a glow to his finger, he unzipped the magical barrier that protected the creatures of the mountain. A small smile came to his face as he began to hike up the mountain.
Not long after he started, a few small creatures hid poorly as they followed after him.
“Come out now, please. It isn’t like I can’t tell you guys are following me.” He said, pausing after a while of hiking.
Three snake-like creatures came out from the trees. Each had little fangs sprouting from their mouths. Long tails followed behind their small bodies. A long neck stretched from their bodies. Two of them were coated with black scales while the other had dark gray ones.
“Are you Gayle? The one Celia talks about all the time?” The gray one asked with a sparkle in her lavender eyes.
“I guess I am. Can I trust an important mission to you three? Do you think you could tell Celia I’m back?” Gayle asked as he crouched down to their height.
“We can do that!” The three exclaimed before they scurried off.
Gayle stood back up and continued onward. He easily navigated his way through the collection of trees. Each tree filled him with nostalgia as he remembered the little kid who ran through them with his Slitherous friend. About halfway up the mountain, he stopped once he reached a plateau. A small cabin rested at the edge of the plateau. Everything had remained the same as Gayle left it the last time he left.
With a gentle push, the cabin’s door squeaked open, kicking up dust in its swing. The old wood whined under Gayle’s weight as he made new tracks in the inch thick dust. Gayle took a deep breath as he stood in the middle of the cabin as he let his sack hit the floor. Warm memories came flooding back as he took in everything around him. The old books still lined the shelves, the three chairs still sat around the dogwood table and the three handprints were still faded on the old wood wall. Gayle ran his hand across the handprints. Tears came to his eyes as he remembered the owners of the two large handprints. He wiped them away, trying to wipe away the guilt they carried with them.
“Well, I guess those little birdies weren’t lying.” A voice boomed from the doorway, “It took you long enough to come crawling home.”
Gayle turned to see a larger snake-like creature. She looked just like the three only bigger.
“Celia… “ Gayle smiled as he gave her long neck a hug.
“Welcome home Gayle. It’s really good to see that you’re still okay.” Celia said, resting her head on his shoulder as her voice started to wobble.
“Come on now Celia, don’t start crying on me now. I told you I wouldn’t let anyone get me. I don’t want to worry a certain crybaby.” Gayle joked.
“I’m not a crybaby! Not that you’re one to talk. I worried about you ok? You were gone for so long and didn’t send any word. So I had no idea if you were ok or not. You’re a jerk.” Celia cried, letting her tears fall like rain.
“I’m sorry Celia, I didn’t mean to make you worry. I just thought it would be better if I weren’t around anyone. I’ve been forgetting to be careful so I decided to stay here for a while. Could you help me clean up?”
“Fine, but you have to cook for me when we’re done.”
Gayle grabbed two brooms from a closet in the hall. He handed one to Celia before he took a corner and started sweeping. Celia took the broom with her tail and did the same.
The sun’s light had completely vanished from the sky when they had finally finished the cleaning. Gayle lit several candles with white flames that he made jump from his hand before going to the kitchen. He grabbed the old cookbook from the top shelf. He peeled back the age-colored pages as he remembered each hand-written recipe his mother made for him.
Gayle pulled out the last of the food he had in his sack and set it on the counter. Just as his mother had, Gayle peeled, chopped and mixed the ingredients together. A warm aroma filled the tiny cabin.
Not long after, Gayle set the table with the soup he made. Celia smiled as she sat down next to the table on the floor. Gayle took a chair opposite of her.
“Delectable as usual” Celia commented after she took a bite, “So how long will you stay this time?”
“Not much more than a month or two. I have several bounty hunters who tracked me to Oban. I’ll leave when they reach Roxbury.”
“The outside world still hasn’t changed I see. I wish you didn’t have to keep running from humans. I remember when they loved you and you loved to be around them.”
“Celia, those days are over. Humans are deceitful beings who seek the destruction of those they despise. They always have been and they always will be. In their eyes, I’m just as bad as Rylon.”
“Rylon fights for sorcerers you know. Maybe you could join him.”
“Don’t say that. I don’t plan on joining any army, especially Rylon’s. I agree that things need to change, but not in the way he’s doing it. Even if he does conquer all of Ortman, the humans would eventually rise up and this whole war starts again. I don’t see any point in it.”
“Even if it isn’t to help the war, Rylon could offer you protection from the bounty hunters and what not.”
“Celia, I’m not so weak that I need protection from bounty hunters. So, don’t worry. I can handle myself.”
Celia looked down at her empty bowl trying to let go of her worry. Gayle stood up and carried the dishes to the kitchen. He started to wash the dishes as Celia left the table and came into the kitchen.
“I’m worried the humans will kill you one day. So please, think about joining Rylon seriously. You would be safe there with him.”
“Okay, I’ll think about it, but Celia you have no reason to worry so much. I’ll be fine.”
“I trust you, Gayle. I have to get back to the clans. The elders have us report in to make sure everyone stays on the mountain. I’m probably late as it is now. I’m really glad you’re back.” Celia said as she made her way for the door.
“It’s good to be back. Good night, Celia.” Gayle said as he waved to her with a smile. As soon as the door closed behind her, his smile vanished. Gayle went back to the kitchen and finished cleaning the dishes he used.
Once he finished, Gayle grabbed a blanket from his old room and went out into the night. The air felt cold against his face, but he felt numb to it all. He walked to the back of the cabin, long grass tickling his ankles as he went.
A small path opened into the plateau behind the cabin. Slowly, Gayle walked up the path. He didn’t pause a moment until he reached another plateau. Its size paled in comparison to the other plateau.
This plateau had two smooth stones in the center. Each had a white gem in the center that made them glow in the moonlight. Carvings in the stones surrounded the gems. Gayle gently sat down on the grass between the two.
“Hey, I’m back. It’s only for a little while, but I’m here. I know you guys can’t hear me, but I really miss you guys. You have no idea how much. I wanted to visit you both while I’m here. What kind of son would I be if I didn’t visit your graves? I’m so sorry.” Gayle apologized letting his tears rush out before sleep finally consumed him.
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