~ The Adventurer Chronicle 27 ~
"... so why exactly didn't you kill them?
- What is the problem with not killing, you should be more worried if I were out there killing without need.
She look directly at him, one eyebrow up, the other down. Clearly annoyed by that.
- You know I didn't mean it as a bad thing. But since we are at it, my problem is that, despite the fact the killing is far more easy than capturing, what worries me is that we were in danger, nearly being killed, just so we didn't kill them. I don't think it is worth all the trouble, but you seem to have a reason. So I'm asking you to share it.
- I promised myself I wouldn't kill anymore. - A silent moment as he look down to his open hand - I've killed my share already, I don't want to kill without need, and as hard as it may have been, we didn't need to kill anyone today.
He made no effort to hide his sorrow. She noticed it, but she wouldn't understand the magnitude of his sorrow, until much latter.
- We've all got our share of deaths hanging on our heads, and from what we've seen, we are headed to more bloodshed. But you of all people shouldn't be so shaken about the deaths you've caused, specially when the matter is putting a loved one's live at risk.
- You wouldn't understand! - He said raising his voice a bit, and making it more deep. - You never had to face every death you've cause in the eyes, and feel their pain.
She leaned backwards, surprised by his distress. This was not as simple as she first thought, but she got more curious now, about the friendly figure, with the uncharted past, showing off anger, as she never seen he do.
He was right. She didn't know about that kind pain, but she had her own torments, and she didn't want to have his torments causing more pain to the group. She had to pry.
- So what happened to you? I'd like to try and understand if you will let me. Last time I saw you, you didn't have this burden on you.
He sighted.
- Well, when I left on my journey I traveled to lots of different places. After sometime I took the role of hunter, both for bounties, and for treasures. This of course leads you everywhere, and you have to face the most dangerous situations. While I was beginning I did not have the power to capture my bounties without facing some deadly fights, of course most of the time my stealth and agility kept me at bay from danger, but sometimes no stealth can avoid a fight against a strong prey. Even when some of the treasures I found were heavily surrounded by animals and monsters of all sorts, it is difficult to raid without notice. Until I got more power, I had to kill most who threatened my life.
- Self defense, it's natural, you have nothing to blame.
He tightened his muscles for a second. At this point he was annoyed to hear that so many times. He relaxed, as her comment was more than innocent, and as he did he wove his hand drawing upon the power of the shadows to project some image.
- Even when self defense takes place, it is still no reason to kill an innocent being. I didn't know it then. And my crimes went unpunished. Until went for the bounty on this man.
An image appeared from the shadows, it was a silhouette of a not too old man. Low beard, darkish hair, blue eyes, and a fairly tanned skin.
- I went on the request of the king, who had accused him of treason, and developing secret arts against the helm. I passed through his minions, never stopping to count the bodies, I wanted to be swift, and take him before more harm could be done. But I ignored that a master of secret arts would have a very strong power.
The image changed to a statue of a lady holding a scale crossed by a sword.
- "Soul balance, call of judgment" is what he called it, possibly one of the most powerful summoning spells I've seen. It called forth the Keeper of souls, as he presented himself. This entity, along with others of it's species, are responsible for guarding the souls of those who died early, until either the planet is ready for them to return, or until they get resurrected. But he is driven by the souls he carries, seeking revenge on those who killed the souls. The spell was designed to bring this Keeper, so that he would give back the pain that one caused, in the case of the summoning, both the caster and the target, my pray and me.
The image in his hands showed a small girl, covered mostly by a blue robe, dragging in the ground. Only her head and right hand were uncovered, she had very dark straight red hair, and black eyes. On her hand a bird cage, were she held the souls she guarded.
- The fact, is that despite the whole distress and danger he had caused, he killed very little people. Differently from me. I had for a second to feel all the pain I had caused. Those who died for a good reason hurt less, but every innocent monster, which I killed while hinting for treasure, and the few people who were innocently killed by my hand, were...
~ End of Part 27 ~