Here’s today’s first post. I’ll get the other one up later. I could see myself taking this scene and doing something more with it.
* * * * *
Mugs in hand, father and son sat opposite each other at the family table. As the evening’s candles danced dimly between them, the flickering light softened the years on the elder’s worn features and added them to those of the boy.
Loeph asked, “What do his men look like, Father?”
“Men?” His father’s eyes widened, incredulous. “Being a man still has value in this world, son. Do not further diminish the word by calling them men. They are exactly what they seem. A horde. Nothing more, nothing less.” He brought his mug to his lips. Small droplets of sharptea sputtered onto the oaken table as he continued, “A man only fights when he needs to. He has a cause. These Menoti, this horde, they fight and die without cause. Their lives and deaths hold no meaning for them.”
Loeph thought about that for a moment, then said, “They were once men. That’s true, isn’t it?” Sitting alone at the table with Father, drinking their drinks, talking of such serious matters–they are the men of the house, after all, and men needed to discuss such things–imbued Loeph with not just a feeling of being older, but perhaps a bit more courage than he began the day with.
Jorgan gave his son an appraising look, then answered. “True, Son. They were men. They had families–some of ‘em–but they gave it all away when they joined him. To pledge yourself to him is to gouge your own eyes from their very holes,” he made a clawing gesture across his face, “for they are no longer needed. You see, sight is merely a distraction for the vision that drives the Menoti–his will. It is said, that this is why they can attack in utter blackness. He drives them forward.”
Loeph attempted a steady hand as he sipped his milk. With effort, the wavering of his voice was only slight. “Where are they now?”
“Who knows? Certainly not around here,” Jorgan lifted his arms wide, gesturing to his surroundings and chuckled bitterly, “the Gods have surely forgotten these hills, why should the Devils be any different?”
∞
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