Symphony of Sorrow

Chapter Three

The pungent smell of burning meat wafted through the air as I jerked upright a bit too quickly. My head pulsed with each beat of my heart as I steadied myself against the side of the stone wall. Alaric turned with instant concern on his face, “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to wake you. I am not much of a cook and have burned our breakfast.”

I glanced around the cave, noticing that the wolves had joined us through the night. I tried to steady my racing heart, but found it was of little use. Most of the wolves were ignoring the rancid smell and kept their eyes clenched tightly shut, feigning sleep, but Onyx sat in their midst. The black alpha wolf’s amber eyes focused on me, clearly skeptical of my intentions. I hesitated for a moment before slowly leaning myself against the wall, sliding back down, hoping he understood I wasn’t a threat.

Alaric watched our exchange with peaked curiosity, “Don’t be frightened of Onyx. He just doesn’t trust outsiders.”

“Well, I don’t trust him either,” I said through gritted teeth. “Why do you help them?”

He glanced with admiration at the alpha. “Because he saved my life, and I believe I owe him.”

I raised an eyebrow, suddenly intrigued by his story. “What happened?”

Alaric hesitated for a moment as he glanced off in the distance, seeming to recall a memory long past, “I was born in a village far from here where the winters were short, and the summers were long. My family was blessed by the Gods with plenty, so they did what any good person would and shared with those in need. It was a beautiful life, but it was not meant to be. There were marauders that came in the night, taking what they wanted and destroying what they did not. They had heard of our abundant crops and what wealth they could gain from a drunken man.”

He paused as if the memory pained him but forced himself to continue, “I was out in the forest when I heard the screams from the village. I had met a girl at the market from another village, and like a fool had met her. It turns out that she was working with the thieves. She stuck a knife through my chest and left me for dead, but she didn’t finish the job. It took everything in me, but I climbed through the forest until I made my way back home.”

He got quiet as he fought to regain his composure for a moment. I looked at him with empathy for his past as I whispered, “You do not have to tell me anymore.”

But he must not have heard me, or ignored me, because he continued, “I was too late. My family was all murdered in their beds, even the baby. I would have died there, but the Gods gave me favor or punishment one because Lorryn and Bellamy found me. Just a coincidence for some, but for me, they saved my life for the first time. For years, I was angry and tried to hunt the men that killed my family. When I finally found them, I was mad with rage and didn’t think it through well. We were outnumbered five to one against trained killers, but I couldn’t see past the blinding anger. I led us into their camp without considering the consequences. I nearly got us all killed. We were surely defeated when Onyx and his pack unexpectedly attacked. I don’t know why he spared us, but the marauders were not as lucky.”

A stray tear fell from the corner of his eye as he gruffly wiped it away. “So, I owe him. He saved us, and we have been helping each other ever since.”

“I’m so sorry for all you have been through. I hope you have found some peace now,” I offered with sadness, but Alaric seemed to be done with talking about his past as he changed the subject.

He frowned as he held up the remnants of an unidentifiable small creature. “Maybe the wolves will eat it.” He whistled for the alpha as Onyx glided towards him. The black wolf sniffed the scorched meat and huffed in disgust before turning his nose away. “I guess not,” Alaric said with an obviously insulted ego. “Lorryn left to go hunt for a bigger game and left me with this measly squirrel.”

I tried to suppress the grin threatening to turn up at my lip’s corner, but when Alaric took a small nibble of the crisp flesh of the poor creature, I nearly lost it. His face contorted into a shocked expression that looked to be masking pain before he lurched forward, spitting the remnants from his mouth. “What in the Gods’ names is wrong with this?”

I chuckled as I replied, “Well, I imagine that you cremating it wasn’t the best option?”

He glanced at me with a wry look as he answered, “And I suppose you could’ve done better?”

I grinned, “Well the dogs would have at least eaten mine.”

The corner of Alaric’s mouth twitched with an annoyed smile. “Good point,” he conceded. “Well, I suppose we will have to survive with a few morsels of bread instead.”

He grabbed the bag from the floor of the cave, sifting through its remnants. He pulled a small portion of wheat loaf from the cloth wrapping, offering it to me. I glanced at the light peaking over the horizon, “I really need to head home, but thank you.”

I couldn’t help but notice the fleeting look of disappointment that crept across his face. “Oh. I hoped that you would stay a bit longer. I would love to talk more with you.”

Hesitation settled upon me as I raised an eyebrow in questioning, “What would we talk about?”

Alaric’s eyes lit with a playful glee as they danced across my face, “I am intrigued by you. I feel compelled to know all your secrets.”

“I hate to disappoint you, but the point of secrets is that they are never spoken. Besides, I think you will find I am not nearly as interesting as you believe.” I kept my voice steady as I calculated my reply.

He leaned forward on his knee, making my heart skip a beat, as he whispered, “I think you are more than interesting. I think you are a rare find in this world and that makes me want to know more. Perhaps you could explain what I think I saw last night?” He said as he searched my face for answers, keeping his voice even as his eyes clung to my face.

I swallowed hard as I hid my fear and answered curtly, “I’m not sure what you think you saw, but the weather was quite blinding last night. I imagine your eyes were likely deceiving you.”

“Is that a fact?” He asked as he turned his head and studied my reaction. “Maybe you could explain the dog’s scorched fur?”

Dammit, I grumbled internally. “Again, the weather was quite bad. I seem to recall lightning storms. Perhaps they got hit?”

Alaric smiled at me with one of those looks that told me that he knew what he saw. “Why are you afraid?”

“I am not afraid,” I lied. “If you wanted me dead, you would have allowed the dogs to finish me.”

“You aren’t foolish, that’s good because in some places that could get you killed. What’s your name?” He asked with a curious glance in my direction.

I wasn’t sure if I should answer him, but at this point, he already knew more than enough to damn me. “My name is Mara.”

“You are much too beautiful to have a name that means sorrow,” he said with that piercing gaze burning holes into my soul.

I blushed at his compliment, “Well, it appears you are the only one who believes that.”

“Mara, of one thing I am certain, there is no man that would dare call you anything but beautiful.” Alaric hesitated before continuing, “But I imagine that there is more to your story than meets the eye as well.”

I frowned as I looked down at my feet, “You could say that.”

He reached the bread back towards me, “Take it. You will need to eat to help your head heal.”

I reluctantly reached across grasping the ration before I felt the intense feeling radiate throughout my body. Not now, I thought. But the vision crept through without regard to what I wished. I saw flashes of sadness; the wolves howling in mourning, and his perfect sky-blue eyes staring into the void of nothingness. I pulled myself from the vision and gasped for air as I tried to recenter myself. No, this couldn’t be. He was a kind man, but his future was set in stone already. I looked away from him quickly, jerking my hand back.

“I can’t. I have to go,” I said as I fought the sob that was caught in my throat. I hated this curse more than life itself. I didn’t want to know what awaited this man in his future, yet I did.

Alaric looked at me with apparent confusion, “What just happened?”

“It’s nothing,” I stumbled as I got to my feet, trying to escape the feelings that threatened to overwhelm me. “I just need to go. Thank you again for all of your help.”

He followed me as I went towards the opening to leave the safety of the boulders that formed the cave. “I am not a fool. You look as if you have seen a ghost!”

My heart broke for him, because whether or not he knew it, he was right. I had seen a ghost: his. I couldn’t tell him because that never fared well. “Alaric, I cannot be here. I can’t. I will be punished for simply speaking to you. I must go home.”

I told him bits of the truth, hoping he would understand. My gamble paid off. “Okay,” he said reluctantly. “But promise me this?”

“What?” I questioned, with curiosity as to what his request would be.

“You will see me again.” He gave me a genuine smile, “I don’t know why, but something tells me you will be back.”

My mouth fell agape as I stuttered, “I don’t think you understand what I am saying. I am forbidden to speak to you.”

He allowed a carefree laugh to escape his plump lips, “I don’t imagine that you can be forbidden anything that you truly want.”

I blushed, “And what makes you think that is something I want?”

“Because it is something I want. And I have a good feeling about you.” Alaric grinned. “You better hurry home, I don’t want to get you in any more trouble.”

I didn’t have to feign the shocked look that crept over my face, “You are certainly sure of yourself, aren’t you?”

“I’m a god, remember?” He said, laughing as he joked about my outburst from the evening before.

“Funny!” I said as I glared at him. “I was obviously brain damaged when I said that.”

Alaric feigned a pained expression as he grabbed his chest, “That hurt me in my core.”

I grinned, “Good, your dogs nearly killed me, so I’d say we’re even.” I hesitated for a moment before I walked away. “Hey Alaric, just be careful. The world is a dangerous place.”

It wasn’t much, but I hoped beyond reason he would heed my advice. He didn’t miss a beat as he replied, “I’m not worried. I am going to live forever. Have you seen my guard dogs?”

I forced a smile, “I hope so.”

But as I walked away, the vision of his lifeless eyes haunted me. And I knew that he wouldn’t.