David Dalglish - The Cost of Betrayal

“She was fine,” he managed to say. “When I came up, she…she was fine.”

“Be glad for it,” the elf said, gently stroking the side of his face. The words seemed hollow to her, but they comforted him. Under Aullienna’s watchful eyes, the two rocked in the illusionary grass, beneath a blue sky that was a lie, in a peaceful world that did not exist.

A fter five days, Qurrah decided it was time to receive his answer. He stood behind his home, wincing under the glare of the rising sun. Tessanna sat nearby, running an old brush of her mother’s through her great length of black hair. It had been cut only once since her mother’s death, a clumsy attempt by her father after the first time he raped her. Despite its length, the hair shimmered with a livid energy in the morning light, washed and well cared for. Qurrah found himself mesmerized by the mystic beauty of his lover. A smile dared grace his lips.

I am so lucky to have you, he thought. So very lucky.

She caught his stare and smiled.

“What are you thinking about, dirty boy?”

“Nothing,” he said, turning away. “Nothing at all. Stay silent while I speak with my brother.”

She shrugged and resumed brushing. Whispery words slipped off Qurrah’s tongue, a simple incantation. In the middle of the Eschaton tower, a shadowy imitation of himself rose from the floor. It stared with dead eyes that saw only the most basic shapes and colors.

“Greetings, Harruq. I trust the past few days have been well.”

The abyss has seen happier days. The deep voice rang in his head, coming from nowhere. A second voice spoke, that of the wizard.

It is a shame you aren’t here to enjoy them with us. Come, join our breakfast in person. I’ve got hemlock and poisonberries, special treat just for you.

“You are not witty, wizard, so please do not make me endure any more comments,” Qurrah said, his voice sounding far away. “Have you accepted my request?” He listened for his brother, but instead Tarlak spoke again.

You aren’t getting the book, butcher. You never will. You’ve ruined his daughter for nothing. But I’m sure you feel it justified.

Qurrah’s forehead sloped downward, narrowing his eyes to slits.

“I do not jest, only I have her cure,” he said. “Yet you refuse what I ask?”

I’m sorry brother, he heard Harruq say. You will never get it. I’m sorry for striking at you. You weren’t the Reaper. We know that now. Please, if you are angry, be angry with me. Do not bring my daughter into this. Please. I beg you, as my brother, whatever you wish to do to me, just make her well.

A strange feeling welled up in his chest, constricting and burning at once. To hear his brother say there was no chance for the book, and such an offer…

Qurrah?

He closed his eyes and turned away, scattering the shadow form into nothingness. He stumbled one way, then another, fingers pressed against his forehead.

You will never get it.

“Why?” he said. “What is it you fear from me?”

I beg you, as my brother…

“Qurrah?” Tessanna asked, seeing the troubled look on her lover’s face. “Is something wrong?”

I’m sorry for striking at you.

“I am fine,” he said, stumbling for the house. “I just…let me sit for awhile.”

He ran to the house, flinging open the door with a burst of magical power that splintered it down the middle. He collapsed into the chair beside the fire, cursing repeatedly. How dare his brother attempt to guilt him? How dare he?

“I don’t care if you know now,” he said, covering his eyes with his hands. “I do not care! I do this for her, not for myself.”

…just make her well…

The thought would not leave. He would do anything in the world for Tessanna. Harruq would do anything in the world for his daughter. Of course he would. So why did he refuse the book? What if they never brought it to him? The half-orc wrenched his head violently side to side. Was it possible? Did Aullienna suffer without reason? Without hope?

“Damn you, Harruq,” the half-orc said, burying his head in his hands. “You couldn’t let things go as they should. You never can.”

So many promises he had made. So many he might never keep.

A floorboard creaked. He glanced up to see Tessanna peering at him with an intolerably shy look on her face.

“When will I get to see Aullienna?” she asked. He glared, so fiercely, so heartlessly, that she stepped back. Tears swelled in her eyes.

“I knew it,” she seethed.

She fled from the house. Qurrah gave no chase. He had no words.

C ome on,” Tarlak said, rising from the table. “We all need a break. Four nights straight searching for our suddenly vanished killer, it is enough to wear anyone out.” He glanced to where the shadow form of Qurrah had been. “That sure isn’t helping, either.”

“What I need is sleep,” Harruq said.

“A caravan from Mordeina arrived yesterday,” the wizard insisted. “Exotic wines, a few nifty toys, and some new clothes. We can find something for everyone.”

“Let’s go, Harruq,” Aurelia said, nudging her husband in the side. “Or are you afraid of a little shopping?”

“Not much for wine,” Brug muttered, “but I’ll take a chance for some good old Kerish ale snuck in among the bunch.”

“And healing salve for burns,” Haern said. He offered everyone a wink. “They actually feel quite fine. Delysia, you’re a goddess.”

“Only close,” the priestess said, blushing.

“Well, you all can go without me,” Harruq said. “I’m going to take a long, long nap.”

“You don’t want to go?” Aurelia asked, looking offended.

“How many times I got to say the word ‘nap’?”

“Well, fine,” the elf said. “Stay and mope then. I’m going. When do we leave?”

“Right now,” Tarlak said. He took out a brown bag tied with a white string at the top. It jingled when he shook it. “And unless any of you get too crazy, I’ll be buying.”

Haern smiled, and Brug cheered. The mercenaries got up to leave. Only Harruq remaining seated at the table, picking over scraps of his meal. The mercenaries filed out the door, but before she left, Aurelia leaned next to her husband one last time.

“Are you sure you don’t want to come?” she asked.

“Someone’s got to stay with Aullienna,” he said, meeting her eyes briefly.

“Try to cheer up,” she said, kissing his cheek. “I always need your strength. I’m not as tough as I look.”

He gave her a slight smile and kissed her back.

“I’ll try,” he said.

“Thank you.”

She left to join the others. Harruq waited until the door shut, then stood. He climbed the stairs, one heavy step at a time. Perhaps he was depressed, but he was tired, very tired, and the allure of sleep was a strong one. When he reached the top he paused, took a breath, and stepped inside. Aullienna looked down from her bed, her face devoid of emotion.

“Hey, Aully,” he said, dropping his swords to the ground. He unbuckled his armor, casting it carelessly to the grass. He watched her as he placed his hands in a fist and popped his back. “Sure you don’t want anything to eat?”

The little girl shook her head, still staring at him.

“That’s fine,” he said, lumbering to his bed. “I’ll be napping. Need anything, just wake me, alright?”

She didn’t nod. No surprise, really. He had begun to recognize a few moods. This was her apathetic one. He probably could have stripped naked, set himself on fire, and done a dance before getting a reaction. The half-orc sighed. At least she wasn’t screaming or cowering in fear.

“Nighters,” he said, sliding under the sheets and burying his head into a pillow. He tossed, he turned, and he groaned and sighed. A few more tosses and turns later, he succumbed. His eyes rolled back, his breathing slowed, and precious sleep came.