Bittersweet Farewells
Posted: Fri Nov 29, 2013 1:22 am
Bittersweet Farewells by GrayOverload, on Flickr
The air was bitingly cold. A shrieking wind cut through the bare trees, causing them to creak and whine. Grass waved with each gust, and the wind swept over the walls of Minten, forcing the guards to seek cover. Despite this, the sun still bathed the land in brilliant light.
Deep within the city, Harold smiled lovingly across a table to his soon to be wife, Elizabeth. They sat and enjoyed a meal together, overjoyed to finally be with one another. The on goings of the rest of the realm were unimportant to them in that moment. Their end game had been reached, their quest finished. From then on, they would live their lives in peace, together.
Outside the walls of Minten, Scott, Ryan and Holly awaited George’s approach. Scott took in deep breaths of the fresh air surrounding him, glad to finally be free from the prison. Free, but lacking his staff. The crossbowmen who stifled his passing earlier were not ready to let him “enchant some sort of wizardly curse” upon them, and thus George was left bringing his belongings to him.
Ryan, too, waited for the jade clad traveler. Although saddened by the departure of Harold, Ryan was determined to keep his spirits high. He still had his canine, after all, as well as his dagger. And of course, Scott was at his side once more.
Scott shuffled his feet, growing ever more impatient. “Where is he? Do you think the guards killed him? I sure hope not, for his sake and mine! That staff is valuable to me, you know!”
Ryan patted his friend on the shoulder. “Don’t worry, I’m sure he’ll be out here in no time at all!” He peered closely at the gates, which creaked and clattered. Out strolled a green dot, followed by the sound of slamming gates. “See, Scott? He’s right there!”
George came jogging up the path to them, the staff tucked under his cloak. Scott’s eyes widened, eager to continue the journey he had set out on. Ryan had been able to buy more than a few of the potion’s ingredients in the market, but the remaining few would have to be gathered quickly before the icy talons of winter took hold of the Middle Continent.
George was displaying his ever-confident smile at the young men before asking, “Are you ready to see this?”
Scott replied, “Yes, I am quite ready to see my staff!”
The black object was whirled out from underneath the mass of moss colored cloth, and at it’s tip shone an azure jewel. Scott gasped, and Ryan’s eyes flashed with recognition.
“That’s the stone Elizabeth gave you!” Ryan blurted, shocked and amazed at the same time.
“This much is true, my friend! I have no use for such an object, but I figured the most magical of our crowd would find use for it!” George proudly remarked.
Scott was dumbfounded, and cradled the staff in his hand. The gem was seamlessly fixed in the staff. There were no marks to indicate where the staff was carved to allow for the attachment of the gemstone, it seemed almost as if the ebony wood had grown around the sapphire, enclosing it.
“How were you able to do this, George? The craftsmanship here is incredibly, completely unlike anything I’d figure was capable of the carpenters in Minten.” Scott wondered aloud. He caught the cheery glance of the wandering knight, however, and fell silent.
“Luck, my friend. It’s always on my side.” George winked, before quickly continuing, “Consider that my parting gift as well. As much as I enjoyed my time here spent with both of you, I must depart. My own journey and purpose calls for me, as it has been kept silenced these past few years.”
He turned on his heels, and strolled away, waving behind his head as he walked away from the two along the cobbled road. Ryan waved after him, but Scott remained transfixed on the staff and it’s jewel.
Scott realized the jewel was not of earthly origin, and that it contained unearthly properties as a result. What puzzled him the most, however, was how George was able to fuse the wood to the precious stone. It was not possible by any physical means, unless there was some sort of strange alchemy involved. He pondered more and more, before the conclusion sprung up in his mind.
He turned to watch the emerald vagabond continue on his way. Scott smiled, and in that moment he knew that there was much more than meets the eye concerning George.
Back to the original group that had set out on the journey to begin with! A happy ending for Harold, and a seemingly positive ending for George as well. I had a hand at forced perspective this time around, my first real foray into that technique. C&C welcome!
