Episode 6: Land of the Rising Star
The night was a long and stressful one as Locke tossed and turned, his mind racing with thoughts and worries. However, the sun soon rose on a new day. Bidding his final farewell to Charlie, he leaves the Inn and makes his way as quickly as he can through the crowds of people already gathering in the city as they prepare for another busy day. Locke finally reaches the city limits, where the crowds considerably thin and before he knows it, he is back out into the wilderness of Murrad – this time, on his own. His journey moves along slowly as he struggles to find his way back to Illias, night falling before he is able to complete his journey; nevertheless, the sun rises once more and perhaps by luck or by fate, he continues ahead and soon sees before him what appears to be the back entrance of the Merchant's Grotto! As memories begin to rush back to him, he shakes it off and continues towards the tunnel.
Yet, as he steps forward, something feels different. The wind blows, yet the birds and animals around him have suddenly become completely silent. Suddenly, he hears a low growl. . .
Locke stops in his tracks as he hears the growl and mutters under his breathe.
"Oh, what next?" He asks, eager to make his way back to Illias to find his master, Akorrin.
Immediately sensing a threat, Locke reaches back for his crossbow and arms it with an arrow. Locke then slowly continues on his way, his eyes looking back and forth as his crossbow hovers in the air – ready to shoot at a moments notice. As the land around him continues to be silent, he hears another low growl and soon the rustling of bushes nearby. Locke immediately turns his gaze to said bushes and soon is taken very back by the creature that steps out from them.
Suddenly, a massive Displacer Beast walks slowly before him, slinking along in an aggressive fashion with its tails whipped forward, as if preparing to leap. Without a second thought, the Beast launches forward as if greatly angered. He reaches forward with one of his spiked tentacles and, with a whipping motion, slashes it across Locke's chest – instantly drawing blood upon impact. Locke stumbles back in great pain before he raises and aims his crossbow at the large beast – deciding that such a large target will make an easy one. Immediately, he fires; however as he does he feels a large surge pain rush through his chest, causing him to hunch over and grip his chest with his free hand. His stress, coupled with the arduous journey he has taken so far, has placed a large physical strain upon him which he now feels the consequences for.
As Locke clutches his wound, he does not see that the beast slashes another one of its long and forceful tentacles at the young man. Locke feels himself be thrown back with such force that the blood simply gushes from his wounds. He slams into a nearby tree trunk with a large “boom!” before sliding to the ground and falling back onto his face. As the pain surges throughout Locke's body, the sound around him begins to slowly drown away – his own breathing growing louder and more laboured to his own ears as his vision begins to blur. His eyes begin to close as he grows closer to unconsciousness. Yet before he passes out, he turns his head onto its side in the tall grass he now lays in – and sees the swift movement of a shadow swiftly approaching his position. Unable to stay awake any longer, his world is then suddenly shrouded in a veil of darkness.
The time lapse is unclear to him, but he eventually comes to. His eyes open painfully, as his vision readjusts to the light, and he feels a dull throb of pain in his head. As he begins to regain his wits, he observes his surroundings – finding that they appear quite similar. Doing a double take, he finally realizes where he is – Akorrin's Hall! Indeed, just a few feet away, sits the large frame of Akorrin who, his back turned to Locke, is quietly meditating on the ground before Locke's bed. They currently reside in Akorrin's own bed chamber – the bright sunlight of early morning shining through a nearby window.
"M. . . master?" Locke weakly sighs.
"Hrm," Akorrin quietly murmurs as his concentration is disturbed. As if just realizing Locke has stirred, he suddenly rises from the ground and turns, stern eyes resting down on the rogue's tired figure as he responds, "Locke. . . My pupil. You are finally awake. Since I found you in the wilderness and brought you and your things back to Illias, you have been unconscious for several days. As always, you are the same – causing this old dragon's heart to race with worry." Akorrin's snout slightly shifts into a grin before suddenly growing serious as he continues, "Locke. . . Where is Lilanei?"
Locke closes his eyes for a moment before snapping them open. He tries to sit up but strains as he struggles. Lying back down, he weakly looks over to Akorrin.
"Master," Locke sighs with a heavy breath. "I'm sorry, but I've failed you. Lilanei was taken from me several days ago by a gang of thugs. I attempted to rescue her, but when I found the villain who had taken her, she told me that Lilanei was long gone."
Akorrin emits a low rumble as he says, "Villain. . . What villain is this? And what would they want with our Lilanei?"
"I'm not sure what they want with Lilanei," Locke weakly announces, "other than the villain's partner seems to have eyes for her. But the villain's boss is one I have been told you might know of, and this is the reason I've come back to Illias. Master Akorrin, Lucio has Lilanei."
"Lucio!" Akorrin exclaims as his eyes widen, before directing their gaze to the nearby window. "I had wished that I would never have to hear that name again. . ."
"Master," Locke calls, "Forgive me, but I know of some of your past. I know of the island Fukai, and I know of the town Tengai. There was a Dragonborn in Blackcrest city who knows you, but I don't know his real name. I need to know for my own peace of mind; why did you leave your home in disgrace?"
"Locke," the old Dragonborn begins, "I'd wished the day that I had to face my past would never come. But I cannot keep it from you any longer. . . Lucio is an old adversary to the Dragonborn from Tengai. He is a vengeful man, set on destroying the enemies from his ancestors' past. He took over Fukai, or at least half of it, and turned the eastern part of the island into a wasteland – fit only for monsters and bandits. In an attempt to overthrow this bandit lord, my hometown – Tengai – dispatched a small group of Dragonborn to assassinate him. Myself, another Dragonborn – and my younger brother. We had infiltrated his mansion and were locked in an epic battle; however I was a fool. So absorbed in my desire to be great and an honour to my people, I ignored my brother's own cries as he fought one of Lucio's evil minions. After delivering a swing at Lucio, I turned and saw the most horrible sight I'd ever seen in my life; my own brother stood with a sword pierced through his heart – and soon he was dead. I could not continue, and overcome with grief, I and the other Dragon were forced to retreat. We came home, not to a Hero's welcome, but to great dishonour – for we had not only failed our people, but let a grand soldier die in cold blood. Since then, I traveled around the world, searching deeply for a way to redeem myself."
"How could you think that training Lilanei and I would vindicate you?" Locke asks with laboured breath. "I do not criticize, but I am curious."
The Dragonborn now smiles very softly as he places his giant hand on the boy's head, "I did not. By the time I came to Illias, I had given up on ever finding my redemption. . . I opened my school and was merely planning to settle down and live off the rest of my life in the dishonour I had sowed. However when I came to town and first saw you and Lilanei fighting in the town centre, I could not help but feel that the spirit and kinship my brother and I once possessed lay in you two."
Locke sighs softly, tears forming in his eyes as he reaches out with his hand weakly to his master, "Yet your dishonour brought honour to me, master. . . Surely you have vindicated yourself."
"Your honour has brought great happiness to this old Dragon's heart; however I can never be vindicated. Not for what I have done."
"Perhaps there is a way," Locke softly suggest. "The Dragonborn I spoke with. . . I suspect the one you fought along with told me I could not hope to last in Fukai without you. If Lilanei is still alive, and I feel in my heart she is, you must come with me and rescue her. And we shall avenge your brother's death by slaying Lucio!"
"Locke," Akorrin finally says as he withdraws his hand from Locke's head. "Over the years, you two have become like children to me. And like any parent I would be willing to put my life on the line to ensure your safety. I will come with you, Locke, and battle at your side. But I feel I may no longer be considered a teacher. From this moment today, consider me – your friend."
"I don't," Locke sighs weakly once again as he reaches out to Akorrin. "I consider you my father."
Akorrin smiles, "So be it."
"Do you have a plan?" Locke asks weakly as he begins to lie back once again on the bed.
"Hm," Akorrin grumbles before explaining, "Fukai is not long from this island. In fact a merchant's ship in this very town is able to make the short journey in about half a day. As it is still morning, we could leave immediately – if your strength is willing."
"Whether it is or not," Locke replies, slowly sitting up, “for Lilanei, I will go. We should as soon as possible, but first, I have some people I need to see."
Akorrin nods, reaching for the young man's things, as he says, "That will be fine. However, let us first head to the town center. I have business I must attend to first."
Clutching the side of the bed, Locke stands, albeit on weak legs. Slowly, he notices his bare chest is fully bandaged from the wounds. He slips his shirt back on, laces up his boots, slips on his newly found gloves, and gathers his weapons and ruck sack. Within moments, Locke and Akorrin leave the hall – Locke's eyes filled with great pride as he walks alongside the man he still considers to be his master and his father, even though they are now brothers in arms.
Our Hero and his former mentor quickly make their way across the shoreline of Illias before heading north into the center of town – passing the large Mistyvale Temple and cemetery on the way. Finally, they arrive at a small brick building, smoke streaming steadily out of its tall steel chimney. In the front of the building is a counter, where onlookers can peer in and discuss business. As the two approach the counter, they see a large lizard crouched in the back of the room, rhythmically hammering at a piece of hot red metal that he holds with clamps on an anvil. Akorrin clears his throat, and the lizard looks ahead, face hidden behind a large mask. Seeing the two, he immediately stops hammering and places his tools to the side before marching to the counter. As he flips his mask upwards, revealing his reptilian face, the Lizardfolk blacksmith looks to them with a curious and bemused expression.
"Heh, heh, heh. . . Well, ain't thiss a pleassant ssurprisse!" The lizard chuckles as his reptilian tongue flicks out from his snout, causing him to lisp. "Akorrin! You never told me the gruessome twossome were back in town! Tell old Forge all about your adventure, boy – I've been dying to hear the newss!"
"It hasn't been my finest hour," Locke replies slightly forlorn. "I fear I've brought shame upon Akorrin and Illias. Lilanei's gone, but we will find her. And I will bring honour back to Illias Upon the Sea with her return."
"My little Elven cupcake!" Forge hisses as his eyes widen. "What ssort of Troglodyte would take our preciouss Lil?"
Akorrin finally grumbles, "A very evil man. . . Anyway Forge, I have matters at hand to discuss with you."
Forge looks to Akorrin with concern, "What iss it?"
"Locke and I are headed on a perilous journey – and I do not know when we shall return. Therefore, I need you to take my place in the Hall and train the remainder of the pupils in my absence."
Forge simply nods his head, tipping Locke a slight wink of his reptilian eye, "Old Forge will busst them little cretinss into sshape!"
"Well, if you could," Locke speaks up, "train young Jack as hard as you can. I know it's not my place, but I see something in him."
"No problem. Forge will work the boy until he sweatss and smellss like Goblin'ss breath!"
With nods, Locke and Akorrin turn to leave. However, Locke suddenly hears a call from behind him.
"Locke, m'boy! You sstill carrying that old crossssbow about?"
"I am," Locke replies, nodding.
With a low chuckle, Forge says, "Let'ss ssee if Forge can fix that for ya. . ."
The large lizard disappears into the back of his shop, before coming back and holding a large repeating crossbow and three magazines, each magazine holding ten bolts.
"I'll trade ya thiss repeating crossssbow for your hand crossssbow. I know it ain't one handed, but it doess the trick! Take some magaziness with it – on the housse! And then bring my little Elven cupcake home, y'hear? Next time you sstep on thesse sshoress, I ain't expecting to ssee you walking solo!"
Gasping in awe, Locke takes the repeating crossbow in his hands and looks to Forge with child-like enthusiasm.
"Thank you, Forge!" Locke cries with appreciation. "For this, I will guarantee Lilanei comes back to us safely."
With that, Locke withdraws his old hand crossbow and hands it to Forge before then strapping the repeating crossbow and the magazines onto his back. Finally bidding farewell to an old friend, the two men walk into the center of town.
Akorrin finally looks to Locke and says, "We may not be back in Ilias for some time. If you have need to speak to anyone, now is the time to do so."
"There are some," Locke replies, “but I want you to come with me, because I'm not sure I can face them alone."
With a low grumble, Akorrin complies, as Locke says, "Let's first make a stop at a little shop I know. . ."
Locke and Akorrin make their way to Fae's General Store, west of the town center, and with each step Locke takes towards the store, his stomach churns and grumbles with nerves. Soon, Locke and Akorrin stand outside the door of the general store. Locke reaches for the handle of the door and then looks to Akorrin with a worried expression.
"I've never really spoke to Faefindiel before," Locke announces to his old friend. "And I'm about to tell her what's going on. I don't feel it's right she's kept in the dark. Do you think it's wise?"
Akorrin says quietly, "Locke. . . You must follow what's within your heart."
Locke simply nods and announces, "Okay. You might want to wait here. I don't think she holds either of us in high regard, and from what Lil has told me, she would really be seething to see you."
With that, Akorrin nods as Locke enters the shop. He steps in and closes the door behind with a clunk. Looking to the head of the shop, he sees Faefindiel behind the counter. Nervously and silently, Locke walks up to the counter, casually grabbing a bottle of potion and placing it on the counter top.
Looking up from a book she currently reads, Fae's gaze rests on the young man and his potion as she says, "Oh! Hello there! Is that all?"
"Erm, no," Locke replies, shifting uncomfortably. "Ms. Rolonae, we must speak. . ."
The woman's bright eyes narrow at the boy as it slowly begins to dawn on her that he is Locke; her smile turns a bit sour before she grumbles, "Yes, what is it?"
"It's about Lilanei," He says looking down, his gaze not leaving hers despite the shame he feels.
"Lilly!" She exclaims anxiously. "What about my daughter? What have you done to her, you brute?"
"Please, be calm," Locke says, raising his arms and speaking with some restraint. "I know since I was a young boy that I never got along with your daughter well. But many things have happened since then, as you know, and we became close—"
Locke hears a sudden boom as Fae drops her heavy tome on the counter, eyes now wide and on the verge of tearing, "She's dead! You've killed her! How could you? My daughter! Oh, Lil. . ."
"No, madame!" Locke cries. "She isn't dead! Please, let me finish. . .Now, like I said, thanks to our Master, we became close, and since we left Illias together half a month ago, I feel we have grown closer than we ever had been. I know this probably isn't the best time to tell you – nor may you actually believe me – but madame, I wish to tell you now in strict confidence that. . . I love your daughter. And I am deeply sorry and dishonoured for what I and my idiot of a father did to you in the past. But I no longer look at you and your daughter with hate and venom, but love and deep admiration."
Fae's eyes soften slightly as Locke tells his story, the Elf sitting down on the stool behind her as she mulls over his words; finally, she says, "Lil often spoke very fondly of you. . . Locke. I will tell you now. I do not hate you, either. But," she pauses, "I also do not appreciate the way you and Lilanei left so suddenly. I have been so absorbed in worry for both of your lives."
Locke bows his head deeply so that he looks to the floor as he sighs, "Madame, your worry is not unfounded. A few days ago, Lilanei was taken from me. . . I sought down and slayed the people responsible; yet she is still held captive by an evil man." He then looks up to Fae with tears in his eyes. "An evil man my Master and I will kill to rescue your daughter. Ms. Rolonae, the reason I'm telling you about my feelings for your daughter is because I want you to know we are about to embark on a journey and do everything we can to bring her back. I love her and I will do whatever I need to make sure she comes home safe. You have my word as a student of Akorrin."
Fae's eyes glimmer slightly in the light of the shop as she gazes into Locke's own eyes, before she snaps her head away swiftly, tears beginning to stream down her cheeks as she quietly utters, "Locke. . . If my daughter does not come back alive, I will hold you responsible and I'll never be able to forgive you. . ."
"I already can't forgive myself," Locke states. "But she will come home, because I will make sure of it. No evil in the world will stop my master and I from doing that. If we don't come back, it's because I died fighting for her. I suppose. . . I came here to make peace with you because of how strained things are between our respective families. I know this is a strange way of doing it, but I wish for you to know that I love your daughter and admire you deeply. My mother looks upon you both with friendship in her heart and my sister wishes she could come and see you. It is my father who will not allow it. So before I go, I ask that if you remember me, it is not of the little boy who was a devil to your dear daughter. And if you ever see my mother or sister in the town, please smile and say hello. I know they would like it very much."
The Elf, silent until now, suddenly snaps her head back to Locke, her eyes narrowed in a glare as she exclaims, "You will never understand what your family has done to ours! You were an insolent little boy – and cocky too – and you caused my daughter great pain! So much that not even I could comfort her. . . Your father has haunted us regularly and still reminds me to this day that our family does not belong. Nonetheless," she sighs, her tone now calming as she says softly, "my daughter has come to love you, too – I know that in my heart. As her mother, I could never come to hate you, despite all that has been done. Now I merely beg of you to bring her back to me, and safely.” Her gaze on Locke now soft as a small smile appears on her lips as she quietly adds, "Besides. . . I think you two would make the most attractive children together!"
Locke blushes and smiles, “Yeah, I think we would, too. That's why she'll be coming home. My master informs me it will take time. But we will be back. So, if you do see my family, please be civil with them. At least to my mother and my sister. My father is a terrible man, one who I do not consider to be my father, and so I do not feel they should suffer because of him. Most of the townsfolk hate her because of him. . . I suppose I'm just trying to say that she needs a kindhearted friendly face to see in the center of town every now and then."
Fae smiles and says, "I bare no grudges to your mother and sister so I will keep your request in mind. However – I only ask you go to her, now. I have seen her lately and she is ragged in appearance. No doubt this is in worry for the son she thinks she may have lost."
"I was about to do that," Locke answers, before sighing and looking to the door which he then begins to walk to, "Well. . . Time is short. Ms. Rolonae, I bid you farewell and I thank you for your forgiveness."
Locke continues on his way towards the door when suddenly Fae cries from the back of the store.
"Before you go!" She exclaims, "Tell that old Dragonborn outside my shop that I still plan to make leather boots out of his hide!" With a smile, she also adds, "And take some of those potions on your way out. I have no doubt you will need them. . ."
Locke looks towards the shelf that holds the vials of heavenly blue liquid which has helped him before in dire straights. He bows his head to Fae and takes four vials of potion, putting them quickly in his bag.
He looks back to Fae once more and announces, "In respect for my master, I'll keep your intentions for him to myself. But thank you again, and I promise Lilanei will come home soon."
Locke then turns around and leaves the shop, walking through the front door which then swings closed behind him. He looks to Akorrin, who is now eyeing the door of the shop suspiciously as he grumbles.
"Hrm. . ."
"That went rather well," Locke announces. "I told her a lot of truths, some of which you don't know."
Akorrin now chuckles in a low grumble as he says, "Boy, I know more than you can ever imagine. Now let us go, before I become a piece of women's clothing."
"Master!" Locke exclaims. "You made a funny!"
Growing serious once more, Akorrin grumbles before beginning to march off. Locke runs behind him to catch up.
Once they are side by side, Locke looks up to him and asks, "Master, I have one more place to go. And this time, I really want you by my side."
Akorrin nods in silence and Locke once again looks to the trail ahead. The two walk in a northern direction to a settlement of houses, which lie by the large city gates. Eventually, Locke and Akorrin come to a humble sized house which Locke once called home. They stand outside the gate which leads into the front garden, which is teeming with growing vegetables as Locke once again turns to Akorrin.
"I'm no longer welcome here," Locke announces to Akorrin, "but I came back and brought you with me because I want to make a point to Longrin. I wish for him to realize that this racism is stupid. So please, if you could," Locke says with a grin, "scare the wits out of him."
Akorrin sighs as he gazes towards the house, "It is not my wish to harm anyone."
"You won't have to," Locke replies. "He's such a coward, you just need to growl a bit and threaten him in some way. But first, we need to say hello to my mother."
Locke opens the gate as Akorrin simply growls under his breath, and the two make their way to the door. Locke knocks on the door and the door opens revealing behind it in the house to be the small figure of a little girl. The child's gaze immediately settles on Akorrin as her eyes widen in intimidation; however she suddenly notices the figure standing beside him and exclaims, "Locke!" She immediately dives forth, wrapping her arms around Locke's thighs in a hug, to which Locke ruffles her hair as he laughs.
"Hi, Zelsa!" He says affectionately. "You know who this is, don't you?"
"Yes. . . He's scary."
"He's not scary," Locke says, crouching down to his sister's eye level. "He's Akorrin, my friend. He won't hurt you, will you, Akorrin?"
Akorrin grumbles awkwardly before saying, "Of course not. . ."
Locke looks to Zelsa with a grin and says, "But he won't speak much. So don't pester him with questions, okay?"
Ignoring her brother's request, Zelsa lets go of Locke and rushes in front of the Dragonborn, tugging at his armour as she shifts her feet shyly and says, "Hey mister! Where's your hair?"
Locke walks over to Zelsa and puts his hands on her shoulders as Akorrin stands, still looking very awkward, "Zelsa, he's a Dragonborn. Dragonborn's don't have hair!"
"Oh," she says innocently before tugging at the Dragonborn's armour once more. "Hey mister! If you don't have any hair, what do you brush before you go to bed at night?"
Locke looks up to Akorrin and smiles slightly, hoping he'll answer and not be too harsh.
Akorrin, a slight sweat forming on his brow, looks down to the small little girl and says, "Dragonborn don't brush anything."
"Oh," she says again, now smiling at the large Dragon. "Hey mister! You sure do talk fu—"
Locke covers Zelsa's mouth and laughs slightly.
"Children!" Locke exclaims. "I'm sure you've heard all these questions before, now haven't you, Akorinn? Zelsa, be a good girl and don't ask Akorrin anything else. You know what you could do for me?"
As Locke speaks to his little sister, a voice and a shadow emerges from the back of the entry room as someone calls, "Zelsa! Who's at the door, honey?"
The owner of the voice walks to the door and gasps as she reveals herself to be Rivka, Locke and Zelsa's mother. Locke looks to her, love in his softening eyes.
“Hello, mother."
"Locke!" She exclaims. "You've come home! . . . Where have you been?" She then steps out from the house and closes the door slightly as she walks up to him and hugs him tightly, kissing his cheek before whispering, "You know your father doesn't want you anywhere near here."
"Mommy!" Zelsa suddenly exclaims, "He's got his funny friend with him too!"
Rivka looks to Zelsa and then up to the large Dragonborn that towers in front of the humans; she gulps slightly and shyly announces, "Hello, sir. You are?"
Akorrin speaks, attempting to sound as least threatening as he can, "Akorrin. It's – a pleasure to meet you?"
"Akorrin is my master," Locke explains. "My teacher, the one who taught me how to survive as Lilanei and I went off on our quest. Mother, the reason I came back is because Akorrin and I must travel a very long way away to rescue Lilanei from some awful people. I didn't want to leave without making peace with you and seeing you and Zelsa one last time. And I wanted you to meet the man who helped mold me into the man I am today."
Rivka looks to Akorrin and nods her head with a friendly smile, before looking to Locke with worry.
"Locke," Rivka begins, "your father is inside the house. Bringing your Dragonborn teacher here, especially when you yourself aren't welcome by him, isn't a good idea. If you like, I will grab my coat and meet you in the town center where we may talk more, but—"
As she speaks, the door behind her quickly swings open and the figure of a grim man emerges from the room.
"What is this?" He asks, venom oozing from his voice as he sees his wife and daughter with a Dragonborn and an unwelcome visitor.
Rivka immediately places her hands on Zelsa's shoulders as she whispers, "Run along now, sweetheart. . . Go and play in your room."
"Rivka, dear," Longrin announces. "Please, go with her."
Rivka nods obediently and follows Zelsa into the house, where Rivka takes Zelsa upstairs to her room to distract from the ugly scene that may be about to take place outside.
Longrin looks at Locke and Akorrin, hatred burning in his eyes as he tells Locke, "You were told never to come back."
"That's true," Locke replies, his nerve strong as he has Akorrin behind him. "But I came back because I'm leaving Illias and I don't know when I'll be back. I said goodbye to mother and Zelsa, and as for you, well, I wanted you to see the face of the man who helped me grow up more than my own father did."
"Him?" Longrin asks, looking up at Akorrin; Longrin feels intimidated, but he doesn't let it show to either of them as he says, "This walking coin pouch taught you how to be a man, did he? Filling your head with nonsense, probably with stories of adventure, and wizards, and all that tripe, eh? Well, Locke, let me tell you. He obviously did raise you more than I because you disappoint me. I said it before. You are not welcome here. You're selfish and are better off wandering the world like some putrid vagabond who holds no responsibilities. It's a good thing that you will probably never have children because they would suffer for your selfish ways. As for you—"
Akorrin, now noticing Locke's strong stance beginning to weaken, steps before the comparably small man as he glares down his snout; with a grumble, he says, "Silence! I have heard enough! Your son is anything but selfish. He is a great hero. . . And soon he will risk his very life to rescue his closest friend. Tell me – would you ever do that for your own loved ones? I think not!"
"I would!" Longrin replies defiantly. "But I wouldn't for that ugly little half breed or her sickeningly alien mother! Locke, if you're going to rescue that Serpenthelm daughter, then you deserve to meet your end! Everything the Kallidins stand for, you have simply trodden all over. You disgu—"
Akorrin, now thoroughly enraged, raises his large claws and grasps the man's collar, lifting him into the air so that he is now a few feet off the ground.
Now holding Longrin at his own eye level, the dragon growls, "Your son is more of a man than you may ever hope to be. It is not Lilanei and Faefindiel that are disgusting. You, sickening wretch – you are the disgusting one! Scum like you are what make this world such a horrible place. It is people like your son and his friend who must toil and work night and day to rid the evil world of such rats and wretches such as yourself!"
"It is deadbeats like you who can't rise up to the responsibility of keeping a job and looking after their families that bring shame on this land!" Longrin counters. "He, that dirty little half breed, and yourself are all of the same cloth. Dreamers, wanderers, selfish people who would rather go where the wind takes them and to hell with everyone else! One reason I have such distaste for other races is because of their outlandish views of going where they feel. You have no responsibilities and you have no respect from me. If he is such a good man to you, then you take him! Because he is not my son!"
Akorrin immediately releases his grip of the man, causing him to fall onto his backside; still towering above him at about seven feet tall, the massive Dragonborn snorts, "You know not of responsibility. While you were forcing intolerance and hatred down the throats of those who – for some reason – love you, I've had to pick up your slack! I raised your boy almost on my own and taught him how to act like a true man – not like a sniveling little insect of an excuse for a human. Your wife, or that innocent child, do not deserve to be pandered such insolence on a daily basis. They deserve a son and a sibling like Locke, who unlike you, could truly care and love them. I will gladly take your son as my own with no regrets, as he is one of the greatest pupils – and family – I will ever hope to have."
Longrin looks up at Akorrin and then to Locke before snapping, mockingly speaking as breaks of fear betray his defiance, "Are you going to let him talk to me like that, 'Hero?'”
"Well, yeah," Locke pipes up. "After all, he's my father. Who are you? Just somebody named Longrin, right? If it were up to me, I'd let him eat you! You're such an intolerant little worm and I rue the day my dear mother and sweet sister had to put up with you. Akorrin and I must go now to rescue the one girl I love more than my own life – that 'sickening half breed.' When I return with her, I'll bring her to meet you, where you will treat her with the respect her and her mother deserve. If I return and find out that you've harassed Fae, then my sickle will meet your throat, old man! And when I return, mother and Zelsa come with me, or you'll have my father to deal with."
As Locke finishes his sentence, Akorrin advances slightly on Longrin, snorting with disdain as a small whiff of smoke puffs from his nostrils.
Longrin simply looks to Locke and says, "She isn't worth it. . ."
"Says you," Locke replies. "To us, she's worth everything. Come, Akorrin. It's time to find Lilanei."
On that final note, Locke and Akorrin leave the front garden of Locke's former home, leaving Longrin feeling shaken and ashamed as he looks to the ground in front of him.
"Thank you for that," Locke finally says to Akorrin. "I've wished to tell him those things for years."
Akorrin simply snorts as another puff of smoke emits from his nostrils, "Insolent buffoon. . ."
"I hope you don't see him in me anymore," Locke announces; Akorrin stops walking and places his hand on Locke's shoulder.
“. . .Son. I never saw you within that poor excuse for a man. You were misguided and now you have found the truth. You have made me, and Lilanei I'm sure, quite proud."
"Thank you," Locke replies with a large grin on his face. "Well, that's everybody I wanted to see. Where do we go now?"
Akorrin looks straight towards the eastern shores of Illias, "We must make haste to the Illias Import and Export House before we miss our ship."
"Then let's go!" Locke exclaims. "Let's got and get Lilanei back!"
Rushing quickly to the shore, they finally make it to a large metal building which contains the various imports and exports that Illias transports on a daily basis. Inside, they arrange a deal with the merchant ship that will take them to Fukai, and soon await for the ship to make its trip to Tengai – and ultimately, to Akorrin's hometown. The merchants load their wares and soon our duo are able to board. In their places on the deck of the ship, Locke and Akorrin watch the waves wash by softly against its hull – the island Murrad slowly disappearing into the horizon.
No comments:
Post a Comment