Demund wasted no time after they reached Mashal and split for the their own homes. Filled with panic he ran faster than he ever had before. What happened? Had anyone they been close too harmed? Was this...because of them?
Demund pushed the thoughts out of his mind. He had a task and it needed to be done quickly. He paid no mind to the empty streets or the neighbors peering out their windows. Arriving at his home knocked on the door and announced his presence. The door swung open and Demund’s father rushed him inside.
Relatching the door his father let out a long sigh of relief,
“I was so worried something happened to you. Are the others alright?” Demund asured him everyone was well followed quickly with his own questions,
”What is going on? Why is everyone hiding?”Taking a deep breath, his father did his best to explain everything.
“Not long after you boys left, a woman with deep red hair showed up and started asking questions about ‘magic’ and ‘rider swords’. Of course no one knew what she was talking about. She must have thought we were lying because then she...she...” his father looked visibly disturbted and his voice trembled as he spoke.
“She went to the house in the center of town...and murdered the poor family that lived there." Demund couldn't believe what he heard. That family never did anything to warrant such crulty! The whole town must have been like this father, struggling to make sense of this senseless violence. Demund knew though. She had come for the eggs. For them. Despite the shaken state his father was in, Demund knew he couldn't wait any longer.
”Father...The time has come for me to leave Mashal.”The old Smith was caught completely off guard,
“What?” Demund knew more questions would follow and instead of lying, he decided he deserved the truth; though not all of it.
”Me and the others…We found something in the woods. Something many powerful people would be angry if it became known. I can't tell you anymore but. That woman? I'm almost certain she was looking for us.” A cold silence fell over the room. Demund's father stated at him with shocked wonder. Though Demund prepared for a bombardment of questions, he instead walked over and put his hand on his son's shoulder and said calmly, “Whatever you need. Take with you.”
The two scurried about the house putting together a pack of various supplies and filling a small purse with coins. Just before he was ready to leave, Demund's father emerged from his room with a long cloth package loosely tied together. Before he could ask, his father explained.
“I wanted you to have this when you left for your travels. Though it's not how we planned, I think you'll need it now more than ever.” Handing it to him, Demund could feel it's shape and knew what it was. He pulled the string off and revealed the finely crafted sword resting in its sheath.
It was
beautiful. The full length was easily just above three feet and made completely of steel. The blade was perfectly straight and balanced for one or two hands as needed with an edge that could cut a gently falling leaf. It's hilt was wrapped in soft leather strips and had a remarkable design. The whole thing must have taken weeks if not more to craft yet he never once saw his father working on it.
Before he could thank him, his father pulled the boy in and hugged him tightly; tears streaming down his cheeks.
“I only wish your mother were here. She would be so proud.” It was when he spoke these words reality came crashing down on Demund. This may be the last time he ever saw his father, or the town he had called home for so long. He nearly didn't let go, but doing so would seal the fate of everyone here. The tie had come. He needed to leave.
Giving a last tearful goodbye to his father, Demund strapped his new sword on his back and carried his load of supplies outside. The fire from the center of town still clouded the sky and burned his lungs with the dark fumes. Whether it was to fully convince him of what he was doing, or simply out of morbid curiosity, Demund knew he had to see what the final fate of the family was. And so he headed to the center of town.
Danyel,
FourtyTwo,
Forsythe,
Auz,
ButtsnBalls,
DELETED08741
