Losses

by Kem Tressenden

During the War with Sorrow
(Zoluren: Moliko 363)

The door of the inn swings slowly open as Baresh glances up in irritation at the strong wind that begins to blow into the room. The words of reproach die on his lips as he see's the ragged figure that stands there quietly.. "By all the gods lad come in, come in." Baresh urges the figure from his pace at the bar. The figure, a young man warily looks around the bar as if looking for and enemy to spring out at him..

"Hello old friend" the man's voice hoarse with weariness.. "I need a drink Baresh and then I'll tell you my tale." Quickly Baresh fills a glass for him and places it in front of him. The man sips slowly as Baresh waits with barely ill concealed impatience.."I'm leaving Baresh, going home to Shard.. I've been in this bloody war from the first and quite honestly I gave no thought to what toll it might exact on me." A deep sigh comes from his visitor before he continues.

"Tonight I held my love as she lay dead in my arms , slain by an Elpalzi veteran" this last said in a harsh a whisper. "We were trapped behind the lines and ambushed by those hellish creatures.. We fought, what else could we do? But in the end she lay dead and I wounded unto almost death." It is several minutes before he continues his tale.

"By all thats holy I tried I swear I tried! She would not stay she said, to much had happened, to much death, to much sadness."Baresh watches in amazement as visitor begins to weep. "So I sat there her body cradled in my arms as we spoke of the happy times in our lives together, Our hopes for children and a home when our adventuring was over. I held her Baresh until finally I placed a last kiss on her lips as her body faded from my arms."

Baresh wipes a tear from his eye as his visitor weeps softly "So old friend I'm going home to heal, to forget and maybe to find a reason to go on. I have told my friends here that if they should need me to call and I will come but old friend I think it shall be a long time before I see you again"

Baresh nods silently as his visitor turns to leave a coin left on the bar for his drink. Softly to himself as the man exits the door Baresh murmmers "The gods watch over ye Kem and may your trails be safe."