Azrael's Stop

Brenday, 1 Serisinym, 1007 KR

“What have you learned about life, then, Nael?” Trin asked.

“I’m not the only blind one on the journey. We’re all lost, looking for meaning. Meaning that might not be there.”

“Gods, you’re a downer. No wonder Ceph likes you.”

Losday, 30 Draconym, 1007 KR

“So what’s your story?” Trin plopped down beside Nael.

“My story is everyone’s. I look to experiences to figure out how to live the life we’re given.”

“That’s an awfully pretentious answer.”

Nael grinned. “Fair. Really I’m just a bard with a few scars.”

Danday, 29 Draconym, 1007 KR

“You need a drink?”

“Looking for work,” Nael said.

“There are two rules at the Stop. You tip the crow. And you respect the dead.”

“I can do that.”

Sunday, 28 Draconym, 1007 KR

“I’m not sure I can ever forgive the elves what they did to us. To me,” Nael said. “But I realized that I don’t have to be an ass about it.”

Uunday, 27 Draconym, 1007 KR

On the fourth night, Nael finally spoke to Ceph.

“I was an ass.”

“Yep.”

Lorday, 26 Draconym, 1007 KR

“Hey, the blind guy’s back,” Trin said.

“Nael.”

“Didn’t you kick him out?”

“Yeah.”

“Well, good to forgive him. Let bygones be whatever, right?”

“I haven’t forgiven him. But he’s a friend.”

Byrday, 25 Draconym, 1007 KR

Nael had been quiet that first night, and the second. He didn’t sing. Ceph didn’t pry—but it wasn’t about fearing death anymore, he realised. It was about respect.

Brenday, 24 Draconym, 1007 KR

Ceph glanced up as the door opened that night. Nael stood on the threshold, neither inside nor out, between belonging here and not.

“Welcome to the Stop,” Ceph said, and the barrier dissolved.

Losday, 23 Draconym, 1007 KR

Nael stood at the end of the alley on Candle Street. The oaken door of the Stop was a barrier, a test—could he bring himself to walk through it again?

Danday, 22 Draconym, 1007 KR

As night drew on, Lona stared into the shadows of the bar, scratching absently at the scars on her arm as she repeated the Soulbind Oath to herself. As she reminded herself of what she had lost.

She had lived in the Shadowrealm, where the dead walk. She had seen the evil they did, the twisted forms they took when they were not allowed to pass to the Queen’s Land in the West.

She would have her revenge against them all.

[experience the Soulbind Oath with music and images of the Shadowrealm here]

Sunday, 21 Draconym, 1007 KR

It was too late for Rye, now. He was dead—he would never find someone who loved him. And he was stuck here to confront that.

Oblivion would be easier.

Uunday, 20 Draconym, 1007 KR

Rye had always known it was an impossible dream, especially after he’d died. But somehow seeing Ceph and Trin flirt made it all the more real. Forced him to see that Ceph had never wanted him.

Lorday, 19 Draconym, 1007 KR

“I’m scared, Rye. If I get too close to her, what if she dies, too?”

“I think you have to try, Ceph.” How hard it was, to speak those words. To give support to that which hurts most.

Byrday, 18 Draconym, 1007 KR

You’re supposed to be happy for friends who have maybe found someone. And Rye tried.

Brenday, 17 Draconym, 1007 KR

“Why’d you leave Icepeak?”

Trin glanced at him before answering. “Ah, had to get out of the city.”

“I’ve heard it’s beautiful.”

“Gorgeous. But nothing interesting happens, y’know?”

Losday, 16 Draconym, 1007 KR

“What brings you to Theore, anyway?” Ceph asked. He wasn’t prying, he told himself, he was just making conversation.

“School!” Trin said. “Going to Torgoth. Had to get out of Icepeak.”

Danday, 15 Draconym, 1007 KR

“That’s your problem. You aren’t really so unusual, but thinking you are is stopping you from letting yourself be normal.”

“Except apparently I have a lot of problems.”

“Ah, we all do.”

Sunday, 14 Draconym, 1007 KR

“What was your brother’s name?” Trin asked.

“Aiken. I miss him.”

“’Course you do. That’s normal.”

“…I’ve never been called normal before.”

Uunday, 13 Draconym, 1007 KR

“You know what your problem is?” Trin said, smiling.

“Crabs?” Ceph deadpanned.

She laughed. “Gods, I hope not. No, you take too much responsibility for yourself. Live a little!”

“…You hope not?”

She stuck her tongue out at him.

Lorday, 12 Draconym, 1007 KR

“You never answered my question last night. How old were you?”

“Three.”

“And you really think you could have saved them?”