Oblivion: Part Five of the Redemption Cycle
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Eladrid nodded, listening carefully to all that Neth’tek said. “Wise words, Neth’tek Vulzdagg,” he said, “But even now I doubt that the world is ready to ponder such questions, though I do believe it should at least be spoken to them.”
“Yes,” Neth’tek replied distantly, “you are right... But, what will become of you? Where will you go now, Eladrid?”
The Woodlander shrugged. “The world is big. I do not know what I will do, where I will go, or what will become of me. But for now I think I shall heed all that you have told me, and will wait for the sun to come again, although I may be at another part of this wide world. It will shine on both of us, Neth’tek, and in its light I will prepare the world for the hour that it will go again. It is my hope that night will be like unto day, and not the hour of fear and trouble that it has come to be known as.”
Neth’tek nodded in accord. “Well, I wish you luck wherever you may go.” He turned and put a hand on Eladrid’s shoulder, gripping him firmly, and the woodlander returned to gesture. “I will always be at your back, friend.”
“And I at yours,” Eladrid replied.
Eladrid Woodhaven took up his bow, the mighty weapon that he called Starsplitter for as long as he had known Neth’tek, and found his trail into some other part of Aldabaar. He looked back only once, and saw Neth’tek Vulzdagg facing the western horizon, the sun almost completely gone behind the mountains there. He wasn’t certain if he stayed the entire night to see if the sun would rise again.
He did not need to know, because he watched it rise for himself.
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Early one morning in Evenstar, Helen was wiping tables and clearing dishes in the tavern. It had been her work for as long as she lived alone in the small town, but she continued to look for signs of Neth’tek’s coming to the town, half expecting him to return to his old home, but also realizing that after all that happened he would perhaps turn to other paths.
She took Vexor’s plate from him as he sat, conversing with a couple men about work in the fields of a farmers house. He was always looking for work, some knowledge to gain from these people, something to further his existence.
As she crossed the room with an armload of dirty dishes, and handed them over the counter to the tavern keeper, she noticed someone sitting in the far corner of the room. It was hard to tell who it was, a dark hood pulled over the face so it was completely hidden in shadow, but she was almost certain he had never come through the town before.
That place in the corner used to be Neth’tek’s spot, so it could be possible...
The stranger stood, walking across the room to the door even as she turned to look at him. He stopped, though, just in the doorway and looked at her. The hood fell back from his face just enough for her to see who it was, but Neth’tek turned and walked out into the daylight.
When her work for the day was done, she headed out of town to look for him, and found him where she knew he would be. Standing in front of Skifel’s grave, his hood still pulled over his face, Neth’tek looked at the tomb with solemn reverence.
“You’re not staying,” she said as she walked up beside him.
He looked at the burrow for a while longer, and then breathing outward a puff of steam he looked her in her blue eyes. “No,” he said, “I have stayed my time in Evenstar. I think it is time that I move to higher grounds, pursue the course that life has led me to.”
“You are welcome in Evenstar,” she said, almost hoping he’d change his mind.
But he shook his head. “These people rejected me when I needed them most,” he replied. “In time, perhaps I will be welcomed back under their roofs. For now, though, I look to higher grounds.”
They stood their for a moment, neither of them speaking. Neth’tek pulled his satchel out from beneath his cloak, holding it in one hand as if testing its weight. He was almost tempted to open it and see if the mysterious ashes were still inside, but decided otherwise.
“Well, are you going to call her?” Helen asked from beside him.
“No,” he answered with a soft voice.
Helen regarded the satchel in his hands. “Why not?” she asked.
Neth’tek shrugged. “I don’t know,” he admitted. “One reason is because I’m afraid she won’t come, or that she isn’t there at all. The other, though... Well, I figure that if she is there, she will come unbidden when I need her.”
Helen nodded. “You trust her a lot, don’t you?”
Neth’tek slipped the strap over his head and under one arm, and let it hang at his side like in the past, when Ezila had been inside with the ashes. “I trusted her in life,” he answered, “Why not now in death?”
“Can a spirit die?” she asked softly, looking into his eyes with remorse.
Neth’tek felt a small tear escape his burning eye, and cool his cheek as it slid down to his chin. “All things must pass away,” he said. “I for one will come back, no reason to doubt that. But the time and reason are unknown to me still.” He bowed to her, smiled, and then strode away.
He walked from there, the rogue he had been when first coming into that land. Helen watched him go, and took note of how he walked with a faint limp.
It was for perhaps the first time in his life, Neth’tek Vulzdagg was alone.
Epilogue
I have been joined in company by many people throughout these kingdoms, and each of them had something to give to another, lending strength through the arm of brotherhood. Dril’ead gave us his will to continue fighting even when there seemed to be no hope in resisting, and showed us all that that hope is always there. Ezila had always been kind to each one of us, especially in our most pivotal moments, listening to our heartaches and sharing words of wisdom that shall be cherished forever. Eladrid endured the hard times right beside us to the end. Skifel taught us to look beyond what others say, and not hate what deserves to be loved. Vexor Hulmir was one who guided me out of the shadows and into the light, long ago and yet I still recall his words. Duoreod graced my passage with the Adya’s blessings, the very king of the followers of Muari himself. The three hunters, Hakal, Jakal and Mope, will never be forgotten; their sacrifices having been paid dearly on the worlds behalf. And then Helen, the child who we fought to protect from all of this. There is no stronger bond than that of brotherhood!
It relieves me of some frustration to speak aloud to some person who could take my words to heart, perhaps even aid them in their own daily struggles. I used to turn to Ezila and speak to her, if I could turn my emotions into audible words, but I dare not call to her for fear that she will not answer.
Such disappointments are disheartening, slackening our own self confidence and strength, causing us to doubt our own ability to hold fast to what we know and believe. How far could such a creature as me wander from goodness? But that is no message from the teachings of Dril’ead, or any kind word from Ezila. Eladrid cannot endure forever with those who purposefully shove themselves downward without falling himself, nor could Skifel ever continue to love someone when he can no longer see them as the good person they had been. If I am to keep the rest of these companions at my side, then I must hold strong and not falter beneath my grief.
We must thrust aside our doubts and fears in order to allow the goodness and light into our lives, hope for a brighter future ahead. I have every one who has ever entered company with me to thank for getting me this far, for redeeming The Fallen. Now, after so long, I can lay my head against a stone or root, my home along this long road I am taking, and know that I am well in the eyes of the First Born.
When I walked from Evenstar the second time, leaving Helen at the grave of our father, even Skifel, I was alone. For the first time in my life, I knew I had no guardian to watch my back. No power of the First Born to guard my passage through this land. But the world is big, even as Eladrid spoke, and full of wondrous places and people. I do not doubt that those I crossed paths with will come to call me friend and comrade, if they haven’t already. But for now I will sit
here, beside a crackling fire in the shadow of some forest not yet known to me, telling my story.
I am content, with my satchel at my side, searching this world for those who have parted company with me. I pray, and I pray with all my heart unto the First Born, that I will join with them in the magnificent halls.
So until we meet again, friend; Muari guide you!
~ Neth’tek Vulzdagg
The End of Oblivion
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The End of the Redemption Cycle