Author's Notes

Writing this makes me want to write the extended version, in a novel-like form, but I'm resisting that for the moment and trying to stay within the Icelandic saga type of writing...which probably isn't working too well. I fell like I'm mixing it too much and am saying too much. I'm just not cut out to write brief stories like this...I try to get too wordy and explain everything. You know, I should probably just shut up, write what comes in my mind to write and let y'all enjoy it, if you do. So, that's what I am gonna do...Maybe I'll return to broaden this story at some other point. :) I need to get back to the Lufia II novelization as well. This stuff is so much more fun than school work, you know.

THE IRIS KING, part III

The Execution

The beggar was led to the killing stage, while the crowd and Rath looked upon him. The time had come and the executioner took his place, poised to strike upon Rath's command. Yet Rath hesitated and the crowd began to murmur. Kake, the High Ruler over all the kingdoms of Erebos motioned to Rath to due his duty, but then unrest broke out in the crowd. Foreigners broke through and made their way towards the stage. The executioner hesitated and Kake screamed for him to kill the prisoner. The executioner looked to Rath for his decision, but none came.

This indecision that froze Rath was enough time for the foreign men to stop the prisoner's execution. Confusion swept over the town as the rescuers made their way towards the gates. Lughaard's soldiers were quick to block off their escape, however, and encircled the band and the old man. "We don't want any bloodshed," cried one of the foreigner's voices. Many men on both sides died that day, yet the old man was brought to freedom, while Rath stood and watched it all.

The Pursuit

Kake approached Rath and rebuked his hesitation, questioning his loyalty and valor. Why had not the old man saved his own men, if he were truly the god he had said he was, Rath wondered to himself. It could not have been a god, he concluded. So, Rath mustered his men in angry pride at this deception and called upon his soldiers to follow him in pursuit of the foreigners. "Justice must be served," he cried. Kake agreed, forcing some of his own personal soldiers to go along, for he mistrusted Rath still. Down along the River Threve they pursued them a night and day, catching up to them at the river's mouth where it meets the Golden Sea. Rath burned in anger at the sight of his enemies. His pride blazed against their escape from Lughaard under his watch.

Rath's Challenge

Rath drove his men to attack the twenty men left protecting the old beggar, before they could board their boats. Rath felt deceived by the old man and renewed his allegiance to Loki in his mind. He called for battle. Best warrior against best warrior. "I will fight him myself," Rath called out. "The men of the loser will become the slaves of the winner." A blonde-haired man stepped forward to meet his challenge, but the old man stopped him with a simple look. Then the old man moved forward to face Rath, as his rescuers knelt upon one knee before his decision.

"You are too feeble, old man," Rath called out, but the man continued moving towards him with no weapon in hand. "Why do you follow me," the familiar voice of the old man called out to him. "No more trickery with your words, beggar. If you choose to fight me then prepare to die," Rath called back, readying his sword. And then the old man stopped within a few steps of Rath, lowered his head and called out, "Do what you must, my son."

Rath's Decision

With those last words Rath began to yell and charge towards his former prisoner. The old man, without raising his head, looked up at Rath, catching his own gaze, just before he was run through his heart by Rath's sword. And a pain struck at Rath's heart. And he knew he had just killed a god. Shame and guilt returned as he fell to the ground, cradling his victim's body. "What have I done?" he screamed. Men on both sides watched him intently.

"I have struck down the one that always rose to embrace me while in my captivity. It is I who deserve death, not you!" He motioned for the old man's friends to come get him. The blond-haired warrior was the first to reach them and he burned in anger towards Rath, yet held his sword. "I have been the one defeated today, and there is no life in my body, but whatever you ask of me, I will grant it," Rath spoke towards him and laid his own sword down at the man's feet.

"You shall call off your men and grant us safe passage down the Golden Sea. They shall not follow us and we will return across the Waste to the Kingdom of Slyme from whence we have been sent. You will accompany us." And so Rath did all that was asked. He made his men swore to keep his commands as one last act under his authority. Kake's men were not pleased, but Rath's men trusted his judgment and followed his orders. Rath placed Nyarai in charge of his men and left with the foreigners upon their boats. His soldiers returned to Lughaard, where Kake was very displeased with the turn of events.