Post by Deleted on Mar 24, 2023 18:18:32 GMT -5
It was always going to come to this, wasn’t it? If Hiram was the predator, goodbyes were the inevitable scavengers feeding off the misery he left in his wake.
Now that the moment had come, however, nothing Embric could think to say seemed adequate. One of the most dangerous men in Terra Nova had set his sights on Xanthe, and instead of protecting her like he should, Embric was going to let her leave with him. What words could possibly make up for such unforgivable inaction?
Aine flew over to Savi as Embric took Xan’s hand and stood. Shared through their dyrs, Xanthe’s words washed over him, and he swallowed and nodded in a silent promise that he could never hope to keep: he would always worry. “We’re sorry, too, for everything.” The gyrfalcon spoke for both of them as she peered up at the maned wolf. “Promise us you’ll take care of yourself, Xan. You too, Savi.” Embric wanted to pull her into a hug, but he recognized the hesitation written across her face. Perhaps it was for the better this way. If he did, he didn’t think he’d ever be able to let her go.
Instead, he held her gaze and saw the steely resolve in their familiar depths. He shuddered to think of what she found in his.
Then she walked away, back to Hiram, and he watched her go. After years of not knowing what had become of the other, Embric and Xan had only had a week, perhaps slightly longer, to find comfort in each other’s company. It felt horribly unfair, but nothing about this night - this life - was remotely fair.
Life in Elderkeep was a nightmare but not just how one would expect. Arbitrary torture, rape, and murder attacked the body and mind, but the worst cruelties of Elderkeep targeted the soul. The city took, and it took, and it took. Then, when it had nothing left to take, it offered up a shred of respite - only so it could take that away too.
After all, what power would hell have if those imprisoned there could not dream of heaven?