Connar braced himself against the hot desert wind as it raked sand across his face and arms. His companions often wondered what made him smile at the wind?any breeze for that matter. Connar would give them nothing to abate their curiosity other than that teasing grin and silence.
Thoughts of Rhydin had been pushed from his thoughts by the burdens Connar now carried, by the duties he essayed to perform. Many depended on him now, more than he could have ever imagined during those months he strayed in Rhydin?s shadows. And yet, in the quiet of the night, when the sun and heat gave way, albeit for but a short spell, to darkness and a soft breeze, Connar?s mind wandered back, thoughts of Shea and broken promises.
The night they parted for the last time, Connar had no idea what lie in wait for him in his realm, that it would require his full attention for such a long time. He had promised he would be back?he honestly thought he would, but days away soon turned to weeks, and weeks to months. When he finally did break away to cast the soles of his feet once more on Rhydin?s soil, he saw that Shea had found another. This gladdened his heart for he wanted, above all else, for her to be happy. He wrestled with the notion of seeing her again, just to let her know all was well, but opted not to. Whether she thought him dead or just gone away, it was best that her life and the path she was now on go unfettered by ghosts from the past.
As he passed through the moon-lit streets of Rhydin, Connar stopped at a make-shift memorial of sorts in the cemetery, crafted, not doubt, with him in mind. He wondered what he might leave behind, what token would pay tribute to the happy thoughts and warm memories he held for those in Rhydin who had touched his life in one manner or another. A smile curved his lips as he thought of a fitting tribute, rummaging through his pack, setting everything just so before stepping back to admire the arrangement. Connar brushed his hands clean as he turned and walked away, heading back to the portal and to his realm once more.
Upon that place in the cemetery Connar left a mug of ale, a tribute and toast of health and happiness to all those who may have leaned an elbow to the counter or table and shared a smile and a laugh with one of ancient earth?s wandering souls.
Thoughts of Rhydin had been pushed from his thoughts by the burdens Connar now carried, by the duties he essayed to perform. Many depended on him now, more than he could have ever imagined during those months he strayed in Rhydin?s shadows. And yet, in the quiet of the night, when the sun and heat gave way, albeit for but a short spell, to darkness and a soft breeze, Connar?s mind wandered back, thoughts of Shea and broken promises.
The night they parted for the last time, Connar had no idea what lie in wait for him in his realm, that it would require his full attention for such a long time. He had promised he would be back?he honestly thought he would, but days away soon turned to weeks, and weeks to months. When he finally did break away to cast the soles of his feet once more on Rhydin?s soil, he saw that Shea had found another. This gladdened his heart for he wanted, above all else, for her to be happy. He wrestled with the notion of seeing her again, just to let her know all was well, but opted not to. Whether she thought him dead or just gone away, it was best that her life and the path she was now on go unfettered by ghosts from the past.
As he passed through the moon-lit streets of Rhydin, Connar stopped at a make-shift memorial of sorts in the cemetery, crafted, not doubt, with him in mind. He wondered what he might leave behind, what token would pay tribute to the happy thoughts and warm memories he held for those in Rhydin who had touched his life in one manner or another. A smile curved his lips as he thought of a fitting tribute, rummaging through his pack, setting everything just so before stepping back to admire the arrangement. Connar brushed his hands clean as he turned and walked away, heading back to the portal and to his realm once more.
Upon that place in the cemetery Connar left a mug of ale, a tribute and toast of health and happiness to all those who may have leaned an elbow to the counter or table and shared a smile and a laugh with one of ancient earth?s wandering souls.