“See all around you, the misery left behind by your torment”. The young wizard boy stood, shaking, as the northern wind whipped around his small figure. “Cruelty will not serve you!” he proclaimed as his blue lips trembled. “And there will be no-one to save you from your ruin, not even me.”

The people of Ardengate had been kind, they were not a savage people, they looked after their neighbours and cared for their town, but like everyone in this world they were not free from the burden on pain.

Pain.

That wholly consuming fiend, which leads only to your destruction; one way or another. You, like I, are burdened by pain, there is no escape, only that you pray to the Saints that you will survive it’s persecution.

“Have no fear, I do not plan to become on of your fables, this was the Saints doing.”

“Caused by you!”

Once, a long time ago Hiraith had been the one he had looked up to with awe, now his darkened, brooding figure loomed over him, anger rearing it’s claws hoping to gut him. Again he had over reacted and like last time he was not going to apologise for it.

“I did not ask for your opinion.” Hiraith grumbled, pushing his bloody sword into its sheath.

“Turn around and look at me!” Pleaded the boy.

The brown fur cloak shook, seemingly in distain, and a face appeared, eagle eyes gazing down at him.

Tables of cloaks had been laid in front of Hiraith to choose from, yet he decided the tattiest looking one would fair the best.

“Three towns we have been through, none have seen your father and yet we stand here, on a hill, while the last town burns, the people slain by that there sword, for what, they were not even his captors, but innocent people Hiraith!”

“Times of War call for unpleasant actions.”

Three heartbeats passed, the boy thought of what to do, he wasn’t trained for this.

“Bring me my writing tools.” Hiraith shouted from the cliff edge, where he had moved to to survey the town. Light was not lacking due to the raging fire of the town, it was as if it was its own sun, or raging typhoon swallowing everything in its grasp. To be part of his plan, maybe more torment of innocent people, was not in his future, although he knew he had to accompany Hiraith he could not, not any longer.

“You can do it yourself!” He shouted throwing the sack from his shoulder at Hiraith’s leather boots. Actions he hoped he would not regret.

“I hope that you are prepared for the consequences of your actions?” Hiraith calmly said, anger brimming behind his eyes.

“Will I?” The young wizard questioned under his breath, sorting through his brain for enchantments or spells that could help him, the sound of boots thundering toward him.

“Be but returned to ash!”

Free, his hand lashed out, but as his eyes opened he saw nothing but the cloak lying on the floor, it’s tinged hide worn and full of holes.