Present Day
I woke up this morning feeling much stronger. I still couldn't remember who I was or what had happened to me. I tried to sit up and the pain wasn't as bad as before. With any luck, I could get out of here soon. As nice as these people were, they didn't deserve to be caught up in any troubles of mine. I paused. Troubles. What troubles? Where did that idea come from? I lay back to consider that. I was so sure that something terrible had happened, but when I tried to bring it to mind, I couldn't. Everything was still just a blank to me. I pounded my fists on my thighs in frustration. Who was I?
Now, I was desperate to get away. An unreasoning fear bloomed up and I struggled upright once more. I dragged my legs over the side of the bed and attempted to get up. I braced myself and pushed up, managing a few tottering steps before I crashed down, every fiber of my being screaming out in pain. I lay there gasping as footsteps pounded towards me.
The door slammed open and a very young girl stood there gaping at me. She brought her hands up to her face, then turned and shrieked, "Ma!" "Ma! He's on the floor!" She then turned to stare at me again. I could do nothing but look up at her, every bone in my body aching. More footsteps sounded and shortly an older woman appeared in the doorway. She gently moved the child out of her way, and came over to my side. She knelt down beside me. "Don't move", she said very quietly. To the child she said, "Go get your father! Quickly now!" The child stared a moment longer then turned and raced down the hallway. The older woman ran her hand across my forehead. "No fever", she murmured almost to herself. Then she turned her gaze to my eyes. I looked into the palest eyes I had ever seen. They were…mesmerizing. I couldn't turn away.
The tableau was broken when her husband stomped down the hallway. He bent down and heaved me up and back onto the bed as though I weighed nothing. "Figured you try something like that." He chuckled. "You young fellas are all alike. No patience at all. Now, do as the missus tells ya and you'll get through this alright." Then he turned and exited and I was left to hide my embarrassment as best I could. I stared up at the ceiling as she tucked me back into bed. She left then without saying a word and closed the door behind her. I sighed with relief. At least she didn't scold me or anything.
The Past – date unknown
I had made my plans, now I only had to wait till darkness. Gah! I hated waiting. I had to get to Ishalgen. My body vibrated with impatience. I knew he was the one. My very bones sung with the knowledge of it. My fingers tingled with power and a small flame leaped into existence. I held it up and considered it for a moment. Such a small thing fire is, and yet so destructive is its power. I watched it as it flowed over and around my hand, beautiful but deadly.
Impatience surged up again and the flame winked out. I flung myself onto my bed and tried to relax. Taking deep breaths I tried to will myself to a state of calmness.
"Is everything ready?" "Yes, my lord. The teleporter has his instructions. He will not escape by that means."
"Good. Very, very good. We shall take him tonight at his home. The butler assures us he will be there until darkness falls."
"The butler? Ah, yes…of course. He would be the one now wouldn't he."
Present Day – Farmhouse Kitchen
The farmer and his wife sat across from each other. The voices were quiet as they discussed their guest. The wife handed her husband the parchment. He quickly scanned it then tossed it into the fire. "Are you sure he is the one?" he asked his wife. She nodded in the affirmative as she glanced down the hallway. "Yes, I saw the mark. The mark of the dragon." The farmer's hands clenched convulsively. He too, glanced furtively down the hallway. "I don't like it, I don't like it at all", he said.
"Munin comes for him so it will no longer be our problem", she whispered.