The trees of the Greatwood called to Loren, and for once, he answered. Too long he’d been cooped up in the Hollowed Grounds. Granted, he hadn’t exactly been trapped before, and it was his own fault he hadn’t left that desolate land.
But he was here, now, and he supposed that was what mattered. And like everything else once he actually committed to it, Loren was going to throw his whole self into this exploration. Although he’d heard rumors that anyone who wasn’t prepared or welcome in the woods was subsequently turned away, he wasn’t too worried. Worst case he’d turn around and march back in there. And he’d keep doing that until something changed.
Unfortunately, he hadn’t really had time to pack supplies for this excursion. He didn’t have much to his name these days, and he’d been unwilling to go back to those he’d once known to ask for help. It was actually a problem, since Loren knew he was avoiding the inevitable. However, he wasn’t quite ready to face the old.
Instead, he was going to throw himself into the new and hope that on the way forward he’d find his way back.
Crossing over the waters he quickly found himself surrounded by trees in a riot of color, leaves of gold, red, amber, and an occasional green all around. He found himself in awe of the sheer beauty of it all; besides the trees, bushes, and flowers, there was the sound of animals calling and birds cawing, and the scent of life all around him. Even though Deepfrost was coming, Leafchange still reigned supreme, and Loren reveled in it.
He wasn’t asking for or expecting much from this trip. Instead, he was simply trying to force himself out into the world, and the Wildwood, as it was called, contained mysteries enough for him. So he picked his way through the forest, stopping every now and again to gape at a particularly arresting sight.
It had rained recently, and the ground still smelled of dampness. The sky overhead was gray and overcast still. His boots were poor quality, and as they sank into the wet dirt with each step, were soon were soaked through. Loren found he didn’t mind: it was uncomfortable, sure, but also a tangible sign of how far he’d come, how he was forcing himself out of his comfort zone.
There were puddles everywhere, and though his feet were already wet, he did try his best to avoid them. However, he was stopped in his tracks when something flickered in the watery depths, something that drew his eye and then held it.
He wasn’t sure what he was seeing, at first. It was hard to make out, but with each passing moment it became more clear. Then his heart nearly stopped in his chest as his father’s face appeared.
Although he commanded his limbs to move, stumble backwards, Loren found himself transfixed as Cyton’s piercing gaze met his own. The librarian’s mouth was dry and remembered and fresh terror coursed through his veins. “You thought you could escape your failures, but you can’t. Not forever, and not completely. You’ll always be useless, boy.” His father’s voice dripped with contempt, and though Loren opened his mouth, no words came out.
Then another face appeared in the depths of the puddle: Zariah. She looked exactly as Loren remembered, but he couldn’t ever remember seeing such a hurt and lost look on her face. “I just wanted what was best for you, and the family. Why did you abandon me, and Edy, and Beatrix?” Then Zariah’s face morphed into the stormy one Loren was familiar with, and she snarled. “You could’ve had anything you wanted. Power, fame, service to a higher cause. And you walked away from it all. For what?”
Then Edy herself was there, mocking and bitter, just as Loren remembered. “Thought hanging a lantern would absolve you, huh? You’re fucking weak, Loren, and we all knew it. Even if you’d be there, I still probably would’ve died. Fuck you, you asshole.” Her taunting laughter faded away and Loren was left with the image of his own face.
Or at least, that’s what he’d thought, until it began to speak and his twin’s voice emerged. “Didn’t even try to find me, huh? Some twin you are. You know, I bet no one would care if you disappeared again either. In fact, go back to your hole and hide.” Then the water was blank, even though the librarian still stood over it and stared.
It was as if a spell had been released on him: Loren collapsed to the ground, sobbing. He’d been through any number of illusion spells during his life, most designed to torture him. But this had been something else, something more, something real.
Or maybe he just hadn’t been prepared to confront his family and how Loren had failed each and every one of them. Not yet, maybe not ever. LOREN Brought back by satisfaction more times than the cat
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