Chapter 65

Chapter 65: Roland Snare Journal

*****Content Warning: Language*****

My life began and ended with my wife: Shia. Her family was a branch member of the Warrick family. Known for their power, the main family had planned to marry her off to an arrogant prince. She was beautiful, as well as powerful. Her dark red hair and ocean blue eyes made her quite the catch... Why she chose me over Ardin, I’ll never understand...

Shia was a Light magic user: the first in Alcona’s history! Can ye understand how amazing that is?! By the gods, she was amazing on the battlefield. That’s where I fell in love with her.. She saved Lazarus and myself many times over. I still don’t get why she never really liked to fly... Laz is just a big flying teddybear..

Anyway... I’m getting off subject. And don’t expect these journals to be perfect. Do ye have any idea how hard it is to make a simple fucking book cover?! Laz was a tough old bastard! My friend will make sure these journals last. HE said so...

You’ll see how hard it is to work with. All my notes and findings are in the other two journals. This one is for them.. My family. My life. I’m old now. I don’t like getting old.. But then again, who does? This book is about how my loves and I saved the kingdom.. Or rather, doomed the world.

Just so you know: if a creepy old man in a swamp tells you not to do something, ye better damn well listen! He was called the damn guardian for a reason.. Why does no one listen to reason? If Shia had– No. It wasn’t her fault.. It was mine. All mine...

I should’ve stopped her. I knew I should’ve stopped her. She wasn’t strong enough.. I knew it. But I let her come with me anyway.. I didn’t want to be apart from her, ever. She’d just started to get used to riding with me. Lazarus and Shia were finally getting on.. Why did I ignore the Fae?! It’s HIS fau– No. It’s mine. My sin, not the guardian’s. He warned us not to touch it. He said we could, but that we shouldn’t.. But we needed the power. Shia was the only one with the suited trait, but it wasn’t right. They lied! They lied to get the spear! She died because of her so-called family!—

.....

They knew we’d do everything we could to save the people. We knew the risks, but not the consequences.. We were just another piece to the puzzle. Another calculated move, another sacrificed pawn for fate’s grand fucking design...

Why?! Why did she have to die? Why not me!——

The war was terrible... I can’t even describe the carnage. The entire continent split. Our once united Alcona was ripped apart by greedy, power hungry bastards. They wanted the Catalyst, but we stopped them! Those bastards may have taken everything from me, but I did the same! The Ethereal Spear is back in their shame, to add to it. I will never let anyone get their hands on that abomination! And even if they do, I’ll be ready– Wait, no I won’t! Ha!

Ye poor unlucky soul... Or are ye lucky? Yer lucky l know their secret, I’ll tell ye that! I may be a rambling old drunk, but I’m going to save yer ass! For Shia and Lazzy! That’s a good nickname. I should’ve called her that!

They think I’m beaten. That I came out here to die.. Well, they’re half wrong... I will die soon, but not until I tell you: Dragons are amazing! They’re magic. They’re from the same place as the Fae. I wonder what that place was like? Probably beautiful and peaceful.. Why are humans so terrible?! We’re never happy. Everything has to be better all the time, or it’s not worth it.

Why is good bad? Good is good. When does good become not good enough?

When did we stop caring about the consequences of our actions? Humans are a curious lot... And hubris is our greatest weakness.

We ripped everything apart because we had to be better than before. I read that people used to fly in machines! Isn’t that something?! We could talk to another person on the other side of the world like they were right in front of us! Why did we go so far? We destroyed everything...

I was happy. We were happy. We just wanted to save people. They used us! They killed her! She killed the bastard too. But there’s always more...

Greedy parasites that thrive off of the misery of others. Why Shia?! Shia. Shia. Shia—–

Remember these things: Read the books. Dragons are magic. Don’t touch things you shouldn’t. And MOST IMPORTANT! Keep yer woman close. If you want her close, keep her there. And don’t ignore creepy warnings from creepy, cryptic Fae. The Catalyst will heal all With All. May the Gods give you a quick death....

**********

“What in the bloody hell did we just read?!” Tidas asked out loud.

Skye slowly closed the flap to the book. It was the author’s note at the back of the book. Most didn’t read them, or even realize they were there. It was jumbled and sporadic, but Skye had gleaned quite a bit of information from the drunken ramblings. It was a lot to process.

However, Skye was slowly starting to freeze to death. Her teeth were openly chattering, and Tidas wanted to take her back to their warm cottage. He scooped up Skye into his arms like before, and turned to walk away. When his wife had began to protest, Tidas explained; “These things aren’t going anywhere, but you might lose your toes if we don’t get some proper clothes on you.”

Knowing him to be right, Skye quit her griping and allowed her husband to carry her. Walking over to where they’d fell in, the couple looked at their exit with worrisome expressions. The hole really was only big enough for one person at a time, but Tidas didn’t want to leave Skye to fetch her clothes and some rope.

Realizing it was their only option, Tidas reluctantly put his wife down. He looked into his wife’s eyes with sternness reflected in his. Trouble seemed to seek out Skye, and he didn’t want her more than a few feet from him at all times now. Snare’s story had seemed a little too familiar for his liking. And when he’d mentioned the Catalyst, a terrible sinking feeling had filled his chest.

“I don’t want you to move from This Spot, Understand? And you can’t blame me, considering how we ended up down here..”

Tidas’ wordage had irritated Skye, but she nodded her agreement. The hole they’d fallen through was about an eight foot drop. If the rotted wood pile hadn’t been there, Skye probably would’ve died from the fall. The area wasn’t well lit and she was cold, so Skye replied; “Fine, I’ll stay put like ye asked.. But hurry up or-”

“You’ll freeze ‘yer nips’ off?” Tidas said in a playful manner.

“Oh! Get goin’ Tidas MacArthur!” Skye cheeks flushed prettily as she yelled at her husband.

Tidas barked his laughter sharply before quieting down to focus. The slants to the walls worked in his favor. He powered up his legs, and sprang back and forth against the walls with rapid speed. Propelling himself up the walls to grab at the entrance. He’d climbed about half-way up the hole when he’d lost his footing.

As he slipped down the sides of the hole, Tidas desperately tried to catch and hold his weight. He dragged his hands against the walls; kicking up mud as he attempted to grab hold of something. He heightened his perception as much as he could and saw a large root protruding from the wall. Grabbing hold of it, he slammed his body against the mud; leaving his feet dangling out of the hole.

Skye felt like she had three heart attacks is quick succession as Tidas had struggled. As soon as she’d seen his feet sticking out, she’d instinctively used her Earth magic. She compacted and solidified the dirt and rocks near the edge of the hole; giving him a ledge to stand on. She then did the same process along the wall of the hole, carving out a winding staircase.

Tidas was grateful Skye’d saved his life, but she’d done so at great peril to herself again. Shifting the soil like she had could’ve caused a cave in. Tidas might’ve survived, but Skye would’ve been buried and crushed. And if anything ever happened to her, Snare’s fate would become his own.

Roland’s words had resonated more with Tidas than he wanted to admit. Skye seemed very similar in attitude to Shia, and it scared him greatly. She would risk her life without a second thought, if she knew that there was a chance it could save someone.

“Teamwork, Husband! I can’t guarantee it’ll hold ye up there forever! Move yer Arse!” Skye screamed; knocking Tidas from his thoughts.

Tidas paused a moment in contemplation before yelling back; “Aye, wife.. Teamwork.”

Quickly ascending the stairs; Tidas used his speed to scoop up Skye’s clothes. He’d begun looking about for her underwear, but then remembered how he’d ripped them off and threw them into the woods. The images that flashed through his head at the thought brought a smirk to his face. He grabbed the blanket they’d cuddled under earlier, sped over to the hole, and called out to Skye to look out.

Best

“Wow, that was fast! Just another minute! Ima almost done!” Skye bellowed her reply.

Tidas wanted to protest, but he could hear her shifting around the rocks and dirt below him. He understood that Shamans require vast concentration and focus for their magic. He was unsure if Earth mages did or not, but considering her attempted task; the prince decided to do as she asked. After about four minutes, Skye gave him the all clear, and the prince walked down the now-complete winding staircase.

As he reached the bottom, Skye stood before him; covered in dirt due to her shifting the ceiling before. Her arms were wrapped about her, and she was openly shivering. As soon as her eyes fell on her clothes, she removed Tidas’ shirt. The prince grinned as he quirked his eyebrow and said; “Patience, wife.”

“Oh, shut it! Ima freezin’ me arse off! Give me my dress Please!” Skye shot at her husband.

After she dressed, Skye turned back to the cottage and begun to head towards it. When Tidas followed after, she hiked up her skirts, and took off towards it. While chortling at his wife, the prince kept to his own pace until just before she reached the collapsed wall. He then sped over to it, and touched were she was about to.

Skye pouted at her husband before saying; “I will beat ye one of these days, Tidas.. And when I do, I expect ye to accept yer defeat graciously..”

After laughing harder than Skye thought was necessary, Tidas replied; “Aye, wife.. I will..”