The Eye of Woe

Doren sat in the dank jail cellar with his strong leather patch over his left eye, fastened by a lock at the back. Why was he here? What had he done to deserve his curse?

He had prayed almost every night to be delivered from the horrid affect his left eye that it had on people.

A guard showed up in front of his cell door. He unlocked it and entered. “Doren, your needed.”

“By whom? For what reason?”

“General Nix wants to see you. Come with me.”

Doren followed the guard out of the cell and up a spiraling flight of stairs. Doren’s heart soared as he saw the sun through a window. It was so beautiful he began to tear up. He had not seen it for three years. When they reached the main floor, Doren saw scores of royalty and nobility talking in small groups. His body relaxed and his mind drifted peacefully at the sight people conversing, another thing he had not done in three years as well, being isolated for so long.

Everyone stared at Doren in his drabby prison clothes and murmured.

“As you were,” said the guard to the people.

Doren was brought to an iron door and the guard knocked on it. A man in a silk, azure cloak clasped together with a golden brooch appeared.

“I have brought him as you requested, general,” said the guard.

“Very good.”

General Nix motioned for Doren to enter. “Please sit,” said Nix as Doren sat at a polished table. Nix sat across from him.

“Why am I here?”

“I have convinced the king you may be useful to our army.”

Doren reeled back. “You want to weaponize my eye for war! How am I supposed to control it! It is madness!”

“Your power to turn people to stone is useful. We have fashioned an implement to focus your gaze.”

Nix walked to a wooden box and took out a metallic patch-like item with a small visor slit having a small nob.

“This will regulate the intensity of your gaze. Rotate the nob clockwise to widen your focus and the opposite way to narrow it.”

“But how will I see what I am to look upon without, looking at people with my left eye?”

“Our alchemists have made the patch from a transparent iron we believe will allow you to see from your left eye without causing harm.”

Doren stood with bright face. “You mean I can see with both eyes?”

“And your test run will commence tomorrow morning. The kingdom of Thyre has already mobilized their troops in the valley between our two kingdoms. Your ability to turn people to stone with a mere glance will be our salvation.”

“My I try the iron patch?”

Nix gave Doren the patch. He closed his eyes as he removed his leather patch and replaced it with the metal one.

“Let us test it on an animal first,” said Nix. He stood and opened the door and brought in a dog. “I saved this dog for this purpose.”

Doren took a breath and opened his left eye; he saw the dog with the eye and the animal did not turn to stone!

“I will take you to a room. Get some sleep. You will be deployed tomorrow,” said Nix.

When Doren went to his room, he said a very sincere prayer to God, thanking Him for the wonderful gift of full sight. Yet Doren was slightly anxious about being used as a weapon. Nevertheless, the people of Thyre were indeed an evil, wicked people who were probably worthy of doom.

Doren went to sleep and it seemed like moments when General Nix opened the door. “It is time.”

Doren hopped out of bed and with the metal patch on. It was surreal to see with both eyes and a smile was on his face-until an hour later when he was brought to the battle plain by horse. The army of Thyre was at least ten-thousand strong compared to General Nix’s which was half. But Doren was their trump card

“What is the plan?” asked Doren.

“You and I will lead the charge. After I trail a little behind you, you know what to do,” said Nix.

Doren nodded and the charged commenced as the enemy did as well. When the enemy front was about two-dozen yard away and Nix had backed away, Doren turned the nob on his metal covering and swept his gaze from left to right across the battlefield. The first line of troops became petrified and when that happened, the next line of troops stopped behind the line of stone statues. Those who went past were turned to stone. Even those who dared peek around to glance at Nix’s army were petrified.

Victory seemed assured when a dart shot just outside Doren’s peripheral vision and hit the metal covering that came off and fell behind him as he rode forward. He instantly shut his eye, for now Nix’s troops were ahead of him as they pursued their foes.

When the first drove of Nix’s forces passed the row of statues, they encountered the remaining warriors of Thyre. When they saw their side were not turning to stone, they retaliated and pushed back Nix’s army.

Doren saw no other alternative, he knew they only thing to do; to save the people of his kingdom, he had to turn everyone into stone. Doren made eye contact with General Nix who nodded as to say “You must do it.”

Doren opened his left eye and weaved in and out of the ranks of Thyre troops who were mixed into with Doren’s side. He wept as he went about turning all fighting men into statues of stone. When he was done, a score or more of troops on both sides managed to flee. Nevertheless, it was done; Thyre’s army was crushed but along with his own army. He closed his left eye and rode for home.