Chapter Sixteen

Obito sat up as the two Magi exchanged glances. "How long have you been feigning?" Rommath asked.

"Since my Uncle Lotheolan woke me before he flew off," Obito said standing.

"Flew off to where?"

"I don't know … I don't know where any of them went. No one seems to tell me a damn thing, they're all too busy trying to sink their blades into my back," Obito's voice raised slightly. He reached out for his mother and found her heart blocked to him. His following attempt was suddenly thwarted by a painful mental assault and he took a quick step back away from the duo. "Stop, damn it …"

"Then keep your thoughts to yourself," his father said calmly.

"Are you going to tell me what in the hell is happening?" Obito asked.

"No," was the reply.

Obito looked his father in the eyes, his fists clenched in rage. "I hate you … I hate what you did to Mother and the torment you've put me through … I won't chase you anymore … but before you leave … who in the hell am I? Who is … was Tyilo Ravenwind?"

"Tyilo is dead …" His father waved off Obito's objections before he could speak. "It was the name of my twin brother, he died four centuries ago. I took the name as my own shortly before I met your Mother; I wanted to start a new life. Rommath is one of three Sin'dorei alive that know my true name, if we count you."

"Vorat is the third," Obito said.

His father raised an eyebrow. "Yes, he's the son of my brother, Tyilo … though he had sworn himself to secrecy.

"He didn't tell me, well not directly … so he's my cousin?" Obito shook his head his whole body trembled. "Wait … how much does he know?"

Rater moved toward his son but Obito took another step back putting his feet dangerously close to the edge of the isle.

"Careful, Young Ravenwind … there isn't a lake below you today." Rommath said.

"I'm not a Ravenwind … I'm Grim …" Obito shook his head again. "Damn it no!"

"I was a Ravenwind before I changed my name to Grimshade, you are a Ravenwind my son and bring pride and honor to the name." Rater said.

"Rater, I'm sorry I truly am but you really must go …" Rommath said.

"Just another moment, please I have to make him comprehend," Rater said.

"You could spend the next decade trying to explain your betrayal to me and I still would never understand." Obito said, his voice cracking from the emotion behind the words. "My entire life has been built on lies. By the Sunwell who am I?"

"You're Obito Ravenwind, Ranger of Silvermoon." His father said.

Obito nodded. "I'd rather go back to being the son of Tyilo and Amaya Ravenwind but now that has been lost to me forever."

"Forever is a long time, my son." Rater said reaching for him.

Obito caught the hand and twisted it roughly. "Just go away … go back to the dusty textbooks and scrolls where you belong … just leave me the hell alone!"

"That's the same tone of voice you used back then and like I did that night, I shall once again honor your wishes. Please take care, my son, grow stronger and enjoy life for the both of us." With a final nod to Rommath his father vanished from sight. Obito didn't even see a spell cast.

Obito dropped to his knees, he didn't cry; he didn't have the heart left to shed tears. A shadow crossed in front of him and a moment later his jaw was gently lifted so his gaze met the kneeling Grand Magus. "I'm going to give you a choice now, Young Ravenwind. I can erase the pain reflected in your eyes and let you once again enjoy life as the son of Amaya and Tyilo Ravenwind or …"

"No, please don't … I'll just end up chasing him again … I don't ever want to see that man again." Obito said.

"Don't interrupt me," Rommath growled. "Or I can lock the information away in your head so that you remember every detail but if you try to speak of it again the result will be … well, excruciating on your young mind."

"Couldn't I just promise never to tell anyone?" Obito asked.

"I know you too well," Rommath said placing a hand on either side of Obito's face, his index fingers resting on his temples. "Now which path do you choose?"

"I want to remember." Obito said.

"As you wish."

Obito could feel the power of the other enter his mind but unlike his earlier touches this one was gentle and painless, a moment later the hands left his face.

"It's done," Rommath said.

"Really, I don't feel any different." Obito said standing.

"What is the true name of your father?" Rommath asked.

"Ra …" Obito let out a scream and fell to the ground grabbing his throbbing head in his hands.

"I'd say it works just fine," Rommath said coldly.

It took several minutes for the pain to fade enough for Obito to regain his footing. He glowered at the Magus but didn't say anything. Rommath took pouch out of his pocket and offered it to Obito. "Inside is several hundred in gold coins. I assume most of your weapons are in the bank, they weren't on your person when I apprehended you. The money there should be plenty to acquire some new armor."

"You're not taking me back to Silvermoon?" Obito said dubiously as he took the coins.

"You've made it quite clear you will no longer chase your father," the Magister said as he took out a rune and chanted a spell. "There is no reason to keep you locked up then, you might as well continue your path as a Ranger of Silvermoon."

A portal to Shattrath appeared. Obito moved toward it but glanced over at Rommath. "What's your role in all of this?"

"You really do want to be in the stockades, don't you, child?" The Grand Magister warned.

Obito bowed slightly. "Point taken, then I'm off … if I remember correctly I'm needed in the Marsh."

Rommath returned the bow. "Take care; perhaps our paths will cross again someday."

"One can hope not," Obito whispered loud enough to be heard as he stepped through the portal. A moment later he arrived in Shattrath, the hub of the city was busy with adventurers coming and going. His first stop was stables where he was reunited with Hotaru. The dragonhawk let it be known she didn't appreciate being left behind. He promised her he would never leave her side again as they headed for the bank; there he retrieved his weapons as well as other essentials. He was nearing the portal to Undercity with plans to visit the auction house there for new armor when a frantic whisper touched his mind.

"Son, I don't have much time … I just wanted to say I'm sorry … for ever doubting you, for being an unknowing instigator … for everything … I love you … I'm sorry I won't be around to see the man you grow into!"

"Mother!?"

"The woman is no longer your concern; the path is before you … make your own way." The voice of Rater Grimshade whispered in his mind.

Obito reached for his mother's heart and found coldness and silence … he touched his father's and found the same. His hand moved to the beak of the dragonhawk hovering nearby with concern in its eyes. "Guess we are truly alone, my friend. Let's go …" he stepped through the portal and toward the future that awaited him.

THE END