Snippet #1972971

When Alazius awoke, the gentle rays of the sun caressed his cheek. The sound of a bird’s cheerful song filled his ear as his mind slowly stirred from its stupor. His fingers brushed against a soft fabric beneath him. A soft whimper emanated from beside him and was followed by a feeling like warm wet sandpaper sliding along his cheek. Alazius grimaced at the feeling before opening his eyes to reveal the image of his canine companion, Liufr.

“Liufr,” he groaned, “it’s good to see you, boy. Ughhh… How long have I been out?”

Alazius attempted to rise, but a stab of pain that coursed through his whole body forced him down. He winced before slowly easing himself down again. The ranger lifted a hand to his head and discovered it was wrapped tightly in bandages. Then suddenly, like the crash of a title wave, he remembered the events that had transpired the previous day, and his heart sank. So much death… So much destruction… but how much?

He gradually and slowly began to rise again, gritting his teeth at the pain that coursed through his body and head. When he reached a sitting position with his feet planted on the floor, he released a sigh of accomplishment. Alazius looked around the room. He seemed to have been placed in an inn that had survived the storm after he passed out. Sunlight poured through the window, revealing a clear blue sky.

“Oh good. You’re awake.”

Alazius looked to his left and saw the frail frame of an elderly woman standing in the doorway. She was dressed in simple brown commoner’s clothes. A brown bonnet covered her gray head. In her hands was a wooden tray with a brown wine skin, a wooden spoon, and a bowl (also wooden) of something that was steaming. The old woman hobbled toward the bed and set the tray on the sheets.

“Who are you? What happened?” Alazius groaned while rubbing his bandaged head.

“Oh, my name isn’t important.” she replied, “After the heroic stunt you pulled yesterday, you passed out from exhaustion. Once the storm eased up some men found you underneath some rubble and brought you here for medical attention. The doctor said you suffered a minor concussion and some strained muscles. You will probably be sore for a few days.”

“Thank you, ma’am,” Alazius said while pulling the tray onto his lap, “tell me, the woman I saved… Is she alright?”

“Oh, you mean Emissary Lesha? Oh yes, I believe she’s alright. She was taken to Lord Mi’zral’s manor to be treated, and has been there in a private meeting all morning. Speaking of which, there is to be a town meeting later today. You could check on her then.”

“And what about…” he said as he took a sip of the substance in the bowl – gumbo, “Mmm, this is quite good… What about the men I sent to stabilize the stair well?”

“I’m afraid they didn’t make it in time.” She sighed. “Just as they were about halfway up the steps the structure collapsed. Five men were killed I am sad to say.”

Alazius’s heart immediately fell, “I should have been there,” he said as he set his spoon down, “I should have gone and help them.”

“Nonsense!” snapped the woman, “If you would have gone and helped them, you would be dead too! There was no way you could have prevented the collapse of those stairs! Son, we all have our appointment with Death. Some simply have them earlier than others. They cannot be canceled – only delayed. You should be proud of yourself, young man. There might not have been anyone else that could have saved that girl. She would be dead if it wasn’t for you.”

“I suppose you are right,” he sighed, “but there is always that chance. What if I could have saved them all?”

“Dwelling on the past will not get you anywhere. We can only accept what has happened and learn from it. If not, then that one question will haunt you for the rest of your life – ‘what if?’”

With that the old woman exited the room leaving the tray and the pondering Alazius. Perhaps she was right. Some things were not his fault. Some things he could not change. However, there were some things he could make right… After he finished the gumbo and wineskin, Alazius rose from the bed, collected his things, and exited the room. He walked with a slight limp in his leg.