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A Love Not Forgotten
Chapter One: Reliving the past
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" A journey through the past is a gift,
but is it a gift worth opening?"
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I remember our meeting as if it were only yesterday, taking place shortly after I had met Vorador. The journey from the swamp had depleted me of my magical energies. The hideous beasts that called the Teregmont Forest home, I learned were not to be taken lightly. My brisk walk that carried me from the mansion, of something I dreaded to become quickly turned into a slow, and tired march of one too determined to give up and yet too tired to go on. As I trekked through the forest, I stumbled down a small hill narrowly missing a river and bruising my pride.
As I rose from my less than dignified position, I noticed movement near the river bank's edge. Enticed by the prospect of an easy meal I hastened my return to a vertical position. I walked quietly as if I were a panther upon my prey, not a noise was to be heard, except for the soft tranquil sound of the water, and the raspy breathing of the creature resting near it's edge. Soon however, I realized that this creature was not resting, but immobilized and helpless. Tasting blood on my tongue before it was even shed I boldly strode forward, no longer caring due to my prey's predicament.
I bent my knees ready to pounce upon the creature, when I realized it was not a creature at all, but a mortal woman broken and helpless upon the bank. Her hair lay in a tangled and matted heap against her cold porcelain face, with her lips blue and her teeth chattering from the bitter winter night. The tattered remains of a dress loosely hung about her body, so torn and ragged it exposed her thighs to my scrutinizing eyes. Yet there was nothing to scrutinize. She was beautiful nothing more, and nothing less. Though it wasn't a matter for me.
Now that I reflect on the pain I almost wish it was never a matter for me. Remembering the unconditional love she gave to me willingly however, I realize that I wouldn't trade it for anything, not even all of Nosgoth. Though the cruelty of the world shan't be ignored, I gave my humanity and my very soul for it's existence.
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*~Flashback~*
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As I cradled her form in my masculine arms I felt her ragged and shallow breathing against my chest. Her injuries were apparent in the dim light of the moon against the seemingly forever dark sky. A gash lay open and bleeding at her temple, the blood rushed forward warm and inviting to my fatigued figure, yet something stayed my hand at the act of taking it. My body teased me with false tastes of the crimson liquid, but my mind teased me further with curiosity.
As I carried her I felt the shivers of one too cold to possibly be alive, and yet she was. Her dress was soaked through, exposing her curves yet again to my eyes. Her teeth chattered and her eyes were sealed shut with what looked like frozen tears. A poor wretch like her would be lucky if she didn't die from pneumonia, and even luckier if she survived the night in my presence. Alas, even then I knew she wouldn't become just another drained husk, dead and decaying on the floor.
As I cradled her form against my chest, I felt the weight in my arms getting heavier and heavier, a testament to my fatigue. I shifted her weight in my arms uncomfortably, this mortal was becoming more of an inconvenience then an entertainment to my curiosity. However, before I could act on my mind's new revelation, I once again tumbled down a hill, the woman still secure in my arms straight into the bleak winter's night.
When I once again rose, with bruised pride in tow, I heard an agonized groan assault my ears. Looking down my eyes drifted and lay upon the mortal woman, now laying in a tangled heap at my feet. She groaned again and tried to rise, but to no avail, her attempts bringing a wave of pity from my now dead heart. I glanced to where her body had made impact, a wall of stone...a cavern.
Dark and desolate, lit only by the dim and feeble rays of the moon, the cavern stood, chiseled by the elements from stone. I half dragged, half carried the woman from her 'resting' place, into the dark cavern for the night. Surprisingly, even though my pride hadn't survived my tumble down the hill, my curiosity had. Setting the mortal down I stripped myself of my armor, each piece clanking as it hit the cold stone floor. I gathered my cloak from where it had been torn from my body on the way down, and threw it in an unceremonious heap in the corner. Stripped nearly down to the bare necessities, when I once again glanced at the girl shivering in the corner. I sighed in my dismay, for my curiosity to be sated the girl would have to survive the night.
Looking at her clothing, I saw how little it helped matters. If I didn't manage to kill her the lack of proper clothing would. Wet and tattered, it hardly covered her anymore, nor did I think it would be missed, for it only increased the bitterness of this night. I knelt beside her, the hem (or at least what was left) of the dress in my hand, the other nearly recoiling from the cold of the cave floor. The floor was far colder than my own body, and if it made me recoil, what effect's did it have on her body? I pondered the question for only a moment as the dress tore free from her body. And what a body it was! Well rounded and supple it lay before my eyes, perfection. I tore my eyes from her body as I had the dress, and took her battered form in my arms once more.
Rising, I carried her towards the disgruntled heap of my cloak in the corner. I could hear her teeth chattering, a constant reminder of how little time there was to warm her. I lay her down again, and shed my shirt from my body, I slid the thick woolen fabric over her head and her body. Now, picking up my cloak I wrapped her chilled form within it's now torn warmth. Yet, she still shook, a mockery to my work at saving her. I shook my head in frustration, throwing my last strand of pride away and replacing it with an even smaller thread of humanity.
I lay my body against hers, picking her up for the final time that night. I cradled her form against mine, hoping that my body heat (no matter how little) would be enough to keep the woman alive. I lay her head upon my chest, providing small comfort on this bitter night, in which strange things happen.
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*~ End Flashback ~*
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On that bitter, cold eve occurred one of the most tranquil and peaceful moments of my unlife. Now so rare, and unnoticed. If I carry one thing from what transpired between myself and that woman it is that love is a gift, so rare, so precious that it should never be looked over and it should always be remembered. For it can renew hopes long lost, to the torments of time and revive a spirit long dead. I remember her words clearly as if it were the moment she uttered them...."Never forget Kain....and always remember."