Gareth was in the same old dusty room in which he had spent so many of his days. Harold Arcanos sat there, fresh and alive, at the other end of the wooden table. Astonished, Gareth tried to reach for him, but his father seemed to drift away into the eternal darkness beyond. He started to run, but with every blink, Harold seemed to have moved several yards away. Heavily panting, he saw the twinkle of his father’s eyes disappear in the black void.
..his father was really gone.
Gareth awoke, and remarked with a certain indifference that somebody was tugging his arm. He didn’t sleep well with all the dreams he had. Would he ever sleep well after all he had seen? Moony, he opened his eyelids and met Evan’s gaze, who seemed to have woken him. Groaning, he wiped the sand from his eyes and left his warm linen sanctuary. Taking in the room he had slept in, he noticed a wooden armchair bearing some fresh clothes. Evan seemed to have packed his bag already. He looked out of the window: It was still dark. He hadn’t slept for long.
At least his fingers had stopped bleeding. They were healing remarkably fast, to Gareth’s relief. Still, he would bear a scar to remember the events for the rest of his life. His arms were still heavy, but he understood why Evan had wakened him. He had to leave before the first rays of sunlight emerged. Leaning on the armchair, Gareth cast a glance at Evan, who gave him an assenting look.
“That’s still part of the same favor”, Evan said as he tossed Gareth his hunter’s bag. “I’ve added water, fresh biscuits and some matches to your pack. I don’t know where you’re going and I don’t think I should know either, but this should at least get you to Copperwood.”
“Must’ve been a hell of a favor” Gareth muttered. “What did you do for Carrell that he is helping you with such a predicament?”
Evan smiled. “Let’s say I’ve gotten him out of a terrible fix in a bar at some late hour. He lowered his voice. “Never told his wife too. He loves me for that.” He started fiddling in his pack until he found what he was looking for: A loaf of rye bread. “I reckon you’re hungry. I can’t let you go before you’ve eaten something, can I?” He tossed Gareth the bread.
Gareth couldn’t remember the last time he had eaten, so he gratefully devoured the meal. Grabbing all his belongings, he silently followed Evan down the stairs, as not to wake Carrell from his deep, noisy sleep. When they were at the door, Evan cleared his throat.
“I’m sorry I cannot come with you Gareth. I have a family here and I can’t leave them alone. I pray you will find a safe haven somewhere away from Alberich. Maybe this whole situation will die out sometime, but I’ll probably not see you again for a very long time. You have my blessing. May you become as great a man as your father was.” Then he gave Gareth a very unexpected fatherly hug.
Gareth didn’t know what to say for a moment, which they spent in silence together. He looked up at Evan, the tall, lean man he had hunted with for all those years. Still, he wondered.
“Evan, why did you help me?”
“Because I know you and I knew you were a victim of injustice.” Evan answered briskly.
It sounded very much unlike Evan. Gareth didn’t know what to think. A man with Evan’s heart would certainly have done it for that reason, but he had a feeling there was more to it.
“What was the real reason you helped me?”
Clearly uncomfortable, Evan took a deep breath before he decided upon what to say.
“Did you ever know how I repaid the favor to your father, Gareth?"
Puzzled, Gareth shook his head. "I didn't even know you owed him anything in the first place."
Evan continued: "He asked me to look after you. Maybe he was afraid something like the mess we’re in would happen sometime, or maybe he was just overly worried, but I promised him I’d look after you. He didn’t want you to know, but I guess I shouldn’t hide it from you. You’ve got enough problems already without this question bothering you.”
“And you did that for all these years, for a simple favor?” Gareth said derisively. “Doesn’t make much sense to me.”
“Harold did more than just a favor for me. I am forever indebted with him for what he did for me.” Evan paused, carefully choosing the words he came across. “He gave me life.”
He seemed to be reminiscing. “All of the hunters you’ve met were born in Alberich. But not me, my tale started somewhere else. Somewhere far away. Do you know how your father and I met for the first time?”
Gareth shook his head.
“I robbed him.”
Dumbfounded, Gareth couldn’t believe what he was hearing. Of all the people he knew, Evan would be the last he’d suspect of such a thing. He couldn’t think of a more moral man.
Expecting such a response, Evan spoke in defense. “I’m not proud of what I’ve done. I was young, times were tough. I was a highwayman on the main road between Meledyl and the neighboring town of Cerris. We were like a plague back then. The authorities didn’t have the manpower to deal with us, and if you could brave living in the mountains, then it was a great way to survive.
Harold had just finished his lawmaking study, and was on his way back to his birthplace to fulfill the Arcanos legacy, and to find a wife who he would spend his life with. In the way Harold always moves and makes his case, I mistook him for one of those blatant politicians from Meledyl. Those types who have wealthy families willing to pay for their son’s safety, so I put a knife at Harold’s throat and captured him.”
Gareth was still staring at Evan wide-eyed. Not expecting a response, Evan continued his speech.
“It took me about three days to realize that Harold didn’t have any wealthy acquaintances who would pay for him. In that time, with lack of a better thing to do, I spoke with Harold. At first we only shared simple speech regarding food and sleep, but as I started digging deeper into the persona that was Harold, I had more sophisticated talks with him.
He told me who he was, what his hopes and dreams were. Then he asked what my hopes and dreams were. Can you imagine? A captive asking his captor what his dreams are? Well, Harold did, and it hit me deeply.” Evan rubbed a stray tear from his eyes. “I couldn’t come up with any. My life back then consisted of robbing people and wasting the riches on gambling and women. I don’t think I have ever been more ashamed in my life than that moment. Ashamed that I didn’t want to make more of myself. Ashamed that I wasn’t more like the person I had captured. Those simple words made me cry on the spot.”
Chuckling, Evan continued his story. “And you know what that crazy old man of yours did then, Gareth? He offered me a job. A chance to forge myself into something new, protecting him from highwaymen instead of being one myself. I swear the people of Alberich could hear me shouting my cooperation back then.
He taught me how to read and write during the travel home, and when we reached Alberich and my employment was over, Harold encouraged me to find something I was truly good at. I found myself in the trapping of animals. Trust me when I say there’s no more satisfactory feeling than finding yourself in life. If not for Harold, I would probably be killed for my robberies sometime, but he helped me find the right track and that’s why I have always and will always owe him my friendship and my support.”
Evan seemed to be relieved that the story was off his heart, but fell silent as he saw Gareth gaping at him. Trying to break the awkward silence, Gareth started off.
“Of all the people I knew, you would be the last I’d suspect of such a thing.”
“People can change.” Evan mumbled as he avoided Gareth’s gaze. “I should have told you a long time ago. It’s something which has bothered me for a long time, something I’m ashamed of and hide in the darkest corners of my mind. I’ve been working my entire life to atone for what I’ve done, not necessarily for society but mostly for myself. Never try to do anything you can’t forgive yourself doing Gareth, or you’ll get old early like me.”
Gareth was reminded of the man he had killed. Would he forgive himself for it? The man most certainly did horrible things to his father, and he prayed the perpetrator would be punished in the underworld for all eternity, but he was uncertain. What gave him the right to wield the sword of justice? Still, there was no way in which he could have captured the man. He acted on self-defense. Every rib he snapped, every drop of blood he spilled, was justified in his heart. The spirit of justice had vanished long since from their home. He intended to bring it back.
Trying to control the mixed feelings of regret, anger and misery he felt, he clenched his fist as he cast his glance down. Evan seemed to notice, and put a comforting arm around him. They stood there for a few minutes, until Evan finally broke the silence.
“We’re wasting valuable nighttime. I think it’s time to leave Alberich now.”
Gareth knew he was right. During the night, it was far less likely for townsfolk to see him leave. If the authorities knew what direction he traveled in, it would be disastrous. Also, mornings in Alberich were generally busy, with folks coming to the town’s center to sell their wares, have a drink with acquaintances and stock up for the cold nights ahead. He had to avoid the people at all cost.
Looking at Evan, he gave a slight nod as he gathered his things. Sharing one last look together, he stepped through the doorframe and into the cold, damp night, away from the familiar, a start of a journey into the unknown.
