Tides of Rythe (The Rythe Trilogy) (54 page)

  
             
             
             
             
             
             
*

With word of love to a land of slaves
, the land of Kolthar,
the man spoke of freedom and higher ideals than gain. An unholy man he asked no donations, he asked no succour of his younger followers and I feared were I close enough I would see a smile pass his eyes as he died. That day a revolution was born, which I had murdered.

I thought about what he said and felt.

My tears, subdued for unknown years, emerged renewed. Below me the crowded street was filled with wails of mourning for a man they had hardly known. And I too felt sad. Sadness welled up inside my walls and engulfed my spirit, pushing it to the surface. I had my final victory and in my pride fell undone. I had killed hope in my arrogance and fallen from grace. Before my death I realised that even death could not kill words and emerge unscathed.

From my rooftop perch my body flew to the stones below.

*

The darkness thickened behind me and I turned to face death. Light shied away, creating a corona around my kindred. Wordlessly he asked.
His myriad souls called to my own. I wanted no more of this death, but for me, to join the Planes’ Assassin was the wages of my sin.

In the end, I screamed, and with my fists I fought, but the creature that was death and the only end for an assassin pulled me into its many breasts and a thousand comforting arms tried to soothe my tortured soul.

I killed hope that day, and in my own way, I pay the price.

I pay the price with every death we take, joined as we are. I hate what I have become, and with each death I scream, and I cry.

But for the assassin, the price must always be paid.

- E
nd -

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