The wind blew hot against his skin. Lips parched, body stretched to the point of collapse, and yet he journeyed on in this forsaken land. Overhead, the sun beat down onto a broken land dotted here and there with bits of dead shrubbery and bracken. He wanted to stop, to rest for a bit before continuing on, but he knew well that to stop was to die. And so he continued on and allowed dreams of cool shade and fresh water to invade his mind.
Aedon had been here many times in the past, but this time was different. He did not venture here to save a life, but to end his own. As he struggled on, more than one time Izznet danced through his thoughts. His heart ached at the thought of their time together ending so suddenly. But at least the thought, Skylar bought me some happy times.
He wondered if the woman ever understood how much of a gift she had given him when she took Ahoun that day. There was never any doubt that she did so not to benefit Aedon, but for some means of her own. But none the less, she had for a time lifted the specter of a curse which had dogged him for some millennia. And in doing so, for the first time since he could recall, Aedon had been truly happy.
But times change, and others came forth looking for what they thought to be a demon blade. This was never so. Ahoun carried the same curse Aedon did, and only though his death would the blade also be free. This was the plan of the maker, the design of the one who forged the blade and then set it in his hands. He was not sure if any amount of study of the blade would yield anything of worth. But perhaps it would set to rest the minds of many.
And so, he had offered to bring Ahoun to the man called John. He knew there would be a cost for doing so, but sometimes sacrifices must be made for the common good. He did not bemoan the end, he had long ago expected and should have been lying in his grave. His only regrets were betraying Skylar, and leaving Izznet behind.
Moving slowly, he brought his hand up to shade his eyes and peered off into the distance. Wind swirled on the dusty plain forming a small whirlwind which seemed to be coming towards him. At first he was a bit fascinated by what he saw, then curiosity gave was to discomfort as the winds coalesced into the form of a man.
Aedon had been here many times in the past, but this time was different. He did not venture here to save a life, but to end his own. As he struggled on, more than one time Izznet danced through his thoughts. His heart ached at the thought of their time together ending so suddenly. But at least the thought, Skylar bought me some happy times.
He wondered if the woman ever understood how much of a gift she had given him when she took Ahoun that day. There was never any doubt that she did so not to benefit Aedon, but for some means of her own. But none the less, she had for a time lifted the specter of a curse which had dogged him for some millennia. And in doing so, for the first time since he could recall, Aedon had been truly happy.
But times change, and others came forth looking for what they thought to be a demon blade. This was never so. Ahoun carried the same curse Aedon did, and only though his death would the blade also be free. This was the plan of the maker, the design of the one who forged the blade and then set it in his hands. He was not sure if any amount of study of the blade would yield anything of worth. But perhaps it would set to rest the minds of many.
And so, he had offered to bring Ahoun to the man called John. He knew there would be a cost for doing so, but sometimes sacrifices must be made for the common good. He did not bemoan the end, he had long ago expected and should have been lying in his grave. His only regrets were betraying Skylar, and leaving Izznet behind.
Moving slowly, he brought his hand up to shade his eyes and peered off into the distance. Wind swirled on the dusty plain forming a small whirlwind which seemed to be coming towards him. At first he was a bit fascinated by what he saw, then curiosity gave was to discomfort as the winds coalesced into the form of a man.