Ник О'Донохью - Kender, Gully Dwarves, and Gnomes

“I brought you from the ravine.”

Gorath looked at the frail woman. “How could you carry me all the way from the ravine?”

“I love you,” she said simply.

“Then untie this strap before I lose my temper!”

“I’ve strapped you to the chair so you won’t fall,” she said tenderly. “I’m sorry, my poor darling, but when you landed in the ravine, you struck a boulder and snapped your spine. You’re paralyzed from the neck down.” A look of shock and anguish came over Gorath, terribly saddening Zorna. “But please don’t worry, darling. I’ll cook, and clean, and care for you for the rest of your life.”

Upon hearing those words, Gorath could think of only one thing: “Revenge! I want revenge!”

That’s when Zorna began to feed Gorath slug stew.

By the time Zorna shoved the final spoonful into Gorath’s miserable mouth, he had figured out his only chance for exacting the revenge he desperately desired.

He batted his eyes at Zorna and sighed happily. “That was delicious!” he said.

Zorna nearly blushed. “I’m so happy you liked it, darling.”

“Could you make it for me again some time, dear?” he asked hopefully.

Zorna nearly cried from happiness. “I make it every day, darling.”

Gorath looked around the shack. “You know, dear, you have a lovely home. I think I’ll enjoy spending the rest of my life here with you.”

Zorna gushed. “We’ll be so happy together!”

Gorath frowned. “But you wouldn’t want to take care of me.”

“Oh, darling, it would give me such pleasure!” Zorna objected.

Gorath shook his head. “That’s so sweet, dear. But I could never be happy unless I could hold you in my arms ... and I can’t do that because I’m paralyzed.” He closed his eyes as if he were trying to hold back a flood of tears.

Zorna was overwhelmed with pity. She kissed Gorath on his fleshy cheek. She felt him tremble. “My darling,” she said softly, her voice quivering. “I understand your misery. I have lived alone, always. Eternity passed, and I almost gave up hope of finding a man I could open my heart to. Now that I have found you, it would be torture not to be able to express my love.”

Gorath opened one eye. “If only you could help me ....”

“Darling, maybe I can.”

Gorath opened his other eye, his hopes rising. “Only someone with magic powers could mend my severed spine. But you have said you are not a black-robed sorceress.”

“This is true, but many years ago a black-robed sorceress traveled through the Forest of Wayreth and rewarded my hospitality by granting me the power to perform one feat of magic, only once.”

Gorath immediately became worried. “Just one feat? Only once?” he asked nervously. “Have ... have you performed it ... y ...yet?”

“I am a simple woman. I never had reason before.”

Relieved, Gorath batted his eyes again. “Will you perform it now ... dear?” he asked, trying not to sound too anxious.

“First you must promise me something.”

“Anything, dear, I promise.”

“If I heal you, I want you to promise that you will stay with me forever and that you will forget that other woman and your quest for revenge.”

“Of course, dear,” Gorath said sincerely. “I long only to hold you in my strong arms.”

Zorna nearly swooned. She was so happy. “Very well, darling. I’ll do as you ask.”

The old woman stood in front of Gorath. He expected her to call on the Queen of Darkness, recite a lengthy chant, and go into contortions. But she merely pointed a lone finger at him and wiggled her sharp nose a couple of times.

Gorath immediately felt a wave of heat deep in his back. He felt bones shift and fuse together. Then his chair started spinning, faster and faster. The strap broke, and Gorath was propelled to his feet. He stretched his arms and legs. He smiled broadly. He was no longer paralyzed.

Zorna moved toward him with arms spread, expecting Gorath to draw her to his powerful chest. Instead Gorath shoved her aside, knocking the feeble woman to the ground. “Out of my way, foolish woman,” he said, taking broad steps toward the door. “Too bad you wasted your only feat of magic on me,” he said mockingly.

“So you lied to me,” said Zorna, showing no emotion. “You betrayed me.”

Gorath laughed. “Be thankful that I don’t throw you in the kettle with your wretched stew. But I have no time.”

“Your sword is next to the door,” said Zorna quietly, her eyes closed.

Gorath retrieved his weapon and needlessly kicked open the door on his way out. As he raced into the forest, he shouted: “Revenge! I want revenge!”

It didn’t take long for Gorath to find his way back to the large clearing. Once again, he found Meadow and Starglow by the fallen vallenwood, about twenty feet from the deep ravine. Again they were locked in an embrace.

He was surprised that they hadn’t traveled further. But then he figured they thought they were out of danger after he’d fallen into the ravine and become paralyzed.

However, he couldn’t figure out why Starglow showed no sign of injury. He remembered distinctly striking Starglow’s wrist with his sword and seeing blood spurt. What was going on?

Drawing his sword, Gorath charged from the bushes toward the lovers. “Gorath!” Meadow screamed in terror. “He’s found us!”

Starglow eyed his sword, which was resting on the ground near the far end of the fallen tree. He made a dash for it but wasn’t quick enough. As the fingers of his right hand touched the handle, Gorath’s sword slashed his wrist, causing blood to spurt and the young warrior to grimace in pain. Meadow screamed and ran toward her stricken lover. “Meadow!” Starglow shouted. “Stay back!”

Although in obvious agony, Starglow again reached for the sword. Just as he lifted it, Gorath’s heavy boot smashed into his hand. The sword flew out of Starglow’s weak grip and landed by Meadow’s feet. Without hesitating, she picked up the weapon and ran to Starglow’s side. Surprised, Gorath backed up a few feet to contemplate the situation.

He was bewildered. Why was this experience so similar to the earlier one, when he first found Meadow and Starglow at this clearing?

Starglow reached for the sword Meadow held, just like before. “No!” she said firmly. “You’re hurt.” When he started to protest, she calmly said: “I am a woman and your lover. But don’t forget that I am also a warrior like you.” Just like before.

As before, Starglow nodded and smiled slightly. And again, he kissed her trembling lips and placed a gentle hand on her shoulder. Together they bravely waited for Gorath to approach them. Just like before.

“We’re ready,” said Meadow boldly. As she looked at Gorath, revulsion showed clearly in her beautiful green eyes.

Just like before.

“Revenge! I want revenge!” Gorath demanded, but he seemed only mildly interested in either Starglow or Meadow. He didn’t approach them but instead looked around the clearing. “I’ll deal with you two later,” he said at last, searching for the one creature he hated more than Starglow and Meadow, the creature that had been the last to hurt him and had hurt him worst of all. “First, Starglow,” he announced, “I must kill your dog! Revenge! I want revenge!”

“But I have no dog,” said Starglow, puzzled.

“Wh ... what dog?” asked Meadow, also bewildered.

“You know very well what dog!” Gorath bellowed. “The dreadful beast that tried to kill me! The one that caused me to be prisoner of an ugly crone and eat her awful slug stew. The one that pushed me into that ravine ...”

Meadow and Starglow seemed to be completely baffled.

“When did you fall into that ravine?” asked Starglow incredulously.