Prologue
The lanky youth yawned as he flicked off his bathroom light. He rolled his neck and shoulders trying to remove the tension from his wound-up muscles. He needed to meet with Lyn the next early morning. He pulled the blanket up over his shoulders and evened out his breathing. He felt warm and safe… suddenly the cold and the damp seeping into his skin and all he could feel was the rough texture of grass beneath his feet. A sudden sharp pain, but it was quickly gone. He was alone with just the sounds...of a forest, he opened his eyes fully.
A clearing? The area was foggy or was that his vision? How had he gotten here? Or even where was he? What day was it? He blinked the fog away and the clearing came into foucs. He could clearly make out the dense line of trees not ten meters away. They felt like a deep green barrier keeping him disconnected to the outside world. He heard movement causing him to jump slightly. He glanced around trying to figure out who or what was approaching.
Four figures crashed through the trees on his left. People? It was hard to tell...he could only...hope. All hurrying at a quick pace, toward him? Why? What was going on? Were they racing? Realization…. no…. was this what… no, he couldn’t be….
Cries. Both of effort and of pain echoed through the open space. Why were they fighting? Even though they were locked in a battle, they risked a quick glance in his direction. Their eyes just glowing whips of desperation in the darkness.
He wanted them to stop, he willed them to. There was no reason for this. He watched as vivid orchid sparks lit up the clearing. A flash, metal clashed on metal. He flinched as the swords crossed again and again… suddenly there was blood… just a deep red fountain from the Kind Traveler’s neck… Why, was all he could wonder, and watch in horror, he was powerless.
A slim figure approached him. He knew what she was there for now. He was the one who granted the wish, no matter what it was. She was shrouded in shadow. She glanced over her shoulder causing her long hair to sway, it looked gray in the dim light...but was it blonde? Two other people were still locked in battle.
Another large flash of magic ignited in the air. She had abandoned her duty, but it was not his place to judge. She had reached him first; so it would be what she wished, whatever she wished, and it would be absolute. He would make it so. It was the whole reason he was there. He had no say, whatever she wanted.
“I want my child to end this bloodshed.” The wish was clear, even and controlled. He would make it so. He felt himself undressing. His skin rose due to the cold night air. No…. I do not want this, he begged. He felt the wet grass slide under his legs and his back. No… no please…. his brain cried out, sobbed, and screamed. He did not want this! He did not even know her name.
The only thing he could make out in the darkness was her eyes. The vividness of the emerald green, it was something he would never forget. An offbeat rhythm, it just did not feel right but then again, he never really did this before. An ‘I’m sorry’ muttered just above him… a cold and empty climax...a tear…. his own….?
He was alone again... half-naked… shaken… and broken… he felt the pain pour from his eyes as someone called his name. He knew that voice…he was so happy to see her, but the warmth that began to spread through his body ceased. He realized that he did not want her to see him this way. What had happened? What is happening now? No one would want him now, she would not... He felt dirty… She was calling his name.
A man in his mid-30’s sat straight up in bed panting. His light blonde hair tossed with sleep. His complexion paler than normal under his freckles. His chest fell and rose quickly as he looked around. His well-organized room came into focus, he welcomed the sight of the dresser top with his clothes ready for the day. He could make out the door to the bathroom… a movement beside him made aware he had awoken his partner. The dark chestnut locks fell over one shoulder as she rolled over. Her wonderful light amber eyes focused on him.
“Atticus what’s wrong?” Her voice was drowsy, light, but also concerned she was already sitting up to inspect him, a long hand resting on his own.
“Just a nightmare.” Atticus’ light gray eyes looked away from her. Lyn could always tell when he was troubled. His eyes looked like a curing storm cloud. “I mean the students are coming back next week.” He joked, he was clearly trying to distract himself. She gave him a mostly scolding slap on the arm. “I mean, it’s back to paperwork…” He began making a mental list. “check-ins, grading papers…”
“Atticus.” She scolded. “You are doing it again.” He had developed this quirk when they were about eighteen.
“Sorry, Lyn.” He said quietly. He glanced at her with a small smile. Her name was Carlynda Kamili and she had been his partner, in many ways, for over 18 years. Atticus knew he was lucky to have her.
Lyn promised to stand by him as his partner and she kept that word even now. He knew he was lucky to have her. Atticus knew that anyone else would have left him by now. Not that Lyn would see it that way.
“Do you want to talk about it?” She began working at the knots that were almost always in his shoulders.
“No, talking about it is just going to keep you up.” His shoulders slumped slightly at her touch, she always knew how to help.
“Talking it over helps.” She reminded him. “We’ve talked about this, you need to let me help you...” Atticus turned his eyes to his partner. He flashed her a very toothy grin.
“Well, I do sleep better when you are closer to me.” He teased, not sure if he was going to get away with that.
“Oh, you.” She muttered in his ear while wrapping her arms around his shoulders. “We better figure out something else for you too,” She whispered into his ear. “Because you only get me for another week.” Lyn pulled him back on toward the pillows and Atticus seemed to have forgotten his dream for the time being. He did not awake again until morning.
