Farway, being a town by the border of the empire, always had through traffic. It was its lifeblood for the most part. I walked into town; for some reason, I loathed the idea of hiding away in the carriage. The only thing I had to obscure my face was a heavy black shawl. In truth, I was days away from the border and didn't exactly care enough about being discovered.

  Anicia walked to my left, content to leave me be at this moment, while Corina navigated the carriage. I looked around at the familiar shops, stalls, and businesses.

  ‘Was it always so small?’

  Memories flooded my mind, and I could not help but notice the differences. Firstly, there were the faces; the people manning the stalls were unfamiliar to me. I could remember them from my childhood, containing equal parts condemnation and apathy. Oh, how I hated them, but now the faces were unrecognizable to me.

  I stopped in front of the whorehouse and stared. The brothel was missing; in its place was a combination of cobbler and tailor. At least according to the signage out front.

  ‘I wonder, what happened to Helan and Dim?’

  I wouldn't have minded seeing either of them again. Walking from store to store, stall to stall, I was met with the same pattern. Everything was changed, or the people were replaced. Occasionally, I stopped and noted someone I remembered, but their faces were aged from years of hard labor.

  My eyes widened as I saw Nadia, a girl roughly the same age as I was and the former object of Sim's affection. She was among the girls who mocked me when I was being escorted by Greg for a bridal gift. Yet the once pretty girl was weathered, her skin bronzed and mottled from years in the sun. Nadia was manning a stall selling decently made pots, pans, and other kitchen utensils.

  By her side sat a young boy with her same hair and eyes. When I was a child, she, like everyone else I could remember, was among the faces I would burn. Once more, I imagined walking over to her, revealing who I was, and enjoying her despair; the shame that had been plaguing me for the past two weeks surfaced again.

  I pushed past it and walked over to her, waiting behind a young man who purchased some spoons.

  Stepping up to her, I decided to do something foolish and pulled down my shawl enough to reveal my face clearly. Nadia’s eyes widened as she looked at me; mouth agape, a bit of excitement rose in me.

  “A northwoman… Haven’t seen your lot in some time,” she said, without an ounce of fear.

  ‘She doesn't recognize me.’

  “Other Andregi came through here?” I asked.

  “Andregi?”

  “Aye, that’s what we call ourselves.”

  She shrugged and said, “‘Bout a year back, a group came through, didn’t stop, and just kept riding.”

  Then she snapped her fingers and said. “There was a girl ‘ere. Ran off or died a few years back; we weren't really sure ‘bout it.”

  “Oi, we don't ‘ave all day.” An annoyed man from behind me said.

  ‘I can do it, reveal myself to her.’

  The moment the idea entered my mind, it died on my tongue. My will to act was dying with each passing moment.

  “Get a few pots,” I said to Anicia. She curtsied sloppily and said, “Yes, my lady.”

  I walked away feeling numb.

  ~

  As I walked the streets, the fire within me struggled to burn brighter than even embers. Then I spotted Grelleth's store and walked in to find it empty. But sitting behind a counter was the woman, old, wrinkled, and graying. She looked up at me, eyes showing only faint interest. She took a deep breath, forced a pleasant expression on her face, and asked, “What can I do for you, milady?”

  I removed my shawl, and surprisingly, she flew to her feet and said, with a voice filled with awe. “Edith?”

  A smirk came across my face. “Aye, it's been some time, Grelleth. I’m surprised you recognized me.”

  She shook her head in disbelief. “It’s yer eyes; they’re still the same.”

  I walked towards her, paying close attention to her expressions.

  “W-We thought you was dead.” She said, unable to move.

  “It seems I was rather successful with that little ploy.” I examined the walls, noting that she still sold the same plain patchwork clothing.

  ‘Over nine years and you still make the same garbage.’

  “Quite a bit has changed; I don’t recognize most people.”

  Grelleth opened her mouth as if to speak and then closed it, her eyes becoming darker.

  “Winters ain't been kind. ‘Specially the deep winter. Lots died,” she said.

  “That I can see.”

  ‘Makes sense, I suppose; I’ve been gone for three winters. Chances are….’

  “Where’d ya go? What happened?” She asked.

  “Lakeshore, and all over the empire,” I answered cryptically. “What happened after that day?”

  She took a deep breath and answered, “They searched the forest for ya, took days before we found yer, dress. Weren't much they could do after that.”

  ‘That isn’t surprising; law this far out is hard to maintain, and some random peasant disappearing wouldn't be worth the time to the local magistrate.’

  “I see,” I said with little emotion.

  ‘Where is the fire, rage, hate? Why do you leave me? Why do I feel nothing?’

  My memory of those years was still strong; I can still recall faces, the cold stares, and the apathy, yet all those faces were either gone from the village, dead, or deteriorated.

  I almost couldn't believe that this was the same village I held in contempt within my heart for so many years.

  “When I was a child, you never told my mother how much you actually paid me. Why was that?”

  Grelleth chuckled under her breath and said, “I hated yer ma. Was a real shit to me when we was kids.”

  ‘Yes, that sounds like her.’

  I wasn't surprised in the least. “What about Helan and the whores?” I asked.

  Grelleth shook her head sadly. “Helan ain't made it through the deep winter. Quite a few of the whores left for Lakeshore. Sim came back a few years ago and left with Dim and the rest of his family.”

  ‘So everyone’s either gone, dead, or so old and weathered, killing them almost seems like a boon to their meaningless lives. I hated Grelleth as a child, but in truth, that feeling was largely vestigial. I still haven't learned why I’m hesitating, and I can't leave until I understand.’

  “Brandon took over yet?” I asked, just to fill the air with words. “Bet Aalis has been walking around like she's a crowned queen.”

  She opened her mouth to say something, then her expression darkened. “You…you should go speak to yer ma.”

  ‘I knew that expression; it’s someone who doesn't want to speak about bad news.’

  “I suppose I should.”

  I examined Grelleth once more, her graying hair, bronzed skin, and her withered and wrinkled face. No matter how much I tried, I could find no hate in me, only a mild amount of revulsion. To think that this could have been my fate had I not run when I did was a horrifying thought. My emotions towards Grelleth died and withered into nothingness. She was just a worthless peasant in the end.

  Sighing, I reached a hand out to Anicia, who remained silent as I spoke to Grelleth. “Hand me two royals.”

  She quickly reached into her coin purse, and Grelleth watched in open-mouthed awe as she bore witness to the shiny golden coins. “You paid me consistently and hid it from my mother. I used that coin to fund my flight from this village. Consider this a debt repaid.”

  Her breath caught before she calmed down and shook her head. “Ya don’t owe me nothin’. I ain't paid you fairly. Sides, I don't have much use for coin anymore.”

  Two golden royals converted to silver would be enough for her to live the rest of her life in comfort, so long as she spent it wisely.

  “Why did you never marry?” I asked.

  She shrugged. “Never wanted a husband or children; by the time I did… I was already barren.”

  She didn't seem full of regret or despair, and I had to sate my curiosity. “Are you happy with your decision?”

  She took a deep breath and gazed at her calloused hands. “I suppose. It was a decent life. The sun rises, and wine still tastes good; that’s enough... Aye?”

  ‘Not enough, not nearly enough. Never enough; such comfort and complacency are poison.’

  Grelleth seemed to be at peace with herself. Perhaps that was a strength of its own. In truth, I found her repulsive, yet I couldn't help but wonder what such peace would feel like.

  ‘I need to speak to my mother. It is time to end this chapter of my life.’

  “Very well,” I said, handing Anicia the coin. “I bid you farewell, Grelleth.”

  I turned to leave before Grelleth said, “Wait, Edith.”

  “What is it?” I asked.

  “There was a rumor some years back. That yer…Myr. Some people came askin’ questions, and…”

  I held a single finger to my lips for her to remain silent. “Best you keep those thoughts to yourself. Questions can be dangerous.”

  Her eyes widened, and then she nodded.

  “I’m happy for ya, Edith.”

  I was about to correct her, but the words died on my tongue. It all felt so meaningless. I nodded, turned, and left.

  ~

  I walked slowly towards my once home. With each step, my impulse to kill, to take vengeance, to see them suffer was atrophying. The faces were foreign or so weathered and beaten from years of hard labor that it seemed a greater cruelty not to kill them.

  “Ya alright, Lily?” Anicia asked from behind me.

  Staring at the old dilapidated Temple Of Anier, a building I once swore to burn down, I answered, “It is as I feared. I feel nothing.”

  “Is that bad?” She asked.

  I shrugged. “I’m not sure. Perhaps my childhood home can stir something in me.”

  Taking a deep breath, I left the main street and walked towards a home I haven’t seen in years.

  ~

  The house was the same; people gave me odd looks, though I recognized almost none of them. But step by step, I made my way to the house. The distance was shorter than I remembered.

  “Is that it?” Anicia asked.

  I nodded. “Wait outside for me.”

  I walked up to the door, removed my shawl, letting my long black hair flow freely, and, instead of knocking, I pushed it open. Inside was brightly lit, with the sun shining through the windows. I could remember my mother standing by the hearth to the left, stirring stew for Bren while Aalis sat at the table practicing her letters.

  I stared at the floor near the hearth, where I usually slept. I tried to bring back their mocking faces, the abuse, and the old anger. But though I could still remember it all in detail. It did not move me, my heart did not race, and the fires within did not stir. All I felt was cool apathy and detachment. It was as if that all had happened to someone else.

  ‘Why am I even here?’

  I stepped inside, the floorboard creaking loudly.

  ‘Should I not feel rage? I can do it; all it would take is but the most minor binding to set this village on fire.’

  Again, the accursed shame plagued me, its meaning still elusive.

  ‘Damn everything, I must solve this puzzle.’

  A door opened near the rear, and out stepped a woman in a long gray shift. Her hair reached her waist; the blond curls were knotted and ill-kept, with many streaks of gray. My mother looked at me, eyes unfocused. She was gaunt with dark circles around her eyes; the beauty she had once had was greatly diminished.

  Her still bright green eyes met mine; they were filled with confusion. It took me a second to realize I was taller than her by at least an inch.

  She stared at me as if I were a stranger. Eyes darting from my feet, hands, body, face, and hair, confusion turning into worry. Slowly, her morose countenance shifted, and a light returned to her sullen face. A small, desperate thing that pushed away the gloom that surrounded her and this depressing excuse for a home.

  I remained silent, allowing her to reach the inevitable conclusion.

  She swallowed, emerald eyes finally returning to my own obsidian.

  “E-Edith?” She asked, her voice, barely above a whisper. But easily heard in the empty home.

  “Hello, Mother,” I said neutrally.

  A chuckle lacking any humor escaped her throat. Her eyes widened to saucers, and her mouth opened as if she didn't expect me to talk back, much less confirm I was her daughter. We stood there for a long moment, eyes locked on each other. I waited in silence, curious to see how she would react.

  She took steps towards me, my eyes tracking her every movement. Finally, she stood in front of me. A frail hand reached towards my face, trembling. Seeing her this close only served to highlight how unkind the years had been. The scent of musty clothing and the musk of an unwashed body wafted into my nose. Yet it was the frail hand that reached towards me that my eyes followed.

  It grazed against my cheek and jumped back as if scared that I would bite or that I wasn't actually standing there. I remembered that she used to strike me for the smallest of missteps with that same hand. Yet I felt little to no anger.

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  She reached forward again, the hand following the line of my jaw. Tears flowed out of her eyes as a combination of sobs and laughter escaped her throat.

  “It’s, it’s you, Edith.”

  She touched my collar, shoulder, and arms, then examined my rather nice clothing.

  “Oh, my. Oh my, you’ve grown beautiful.”

  Running a hand through my long hair, she muttered, “Thank the goddess. Dear Anier, I thank you.”

  Reaching down, she grasped my gloved hand; her mutterings became unintelligible. Yet, there was an understanding growing in my mind; a truth was being revealed to me.

  “Where? Where did you go? What happened that day?” She asked.

  “It was rather simple, really; I faked my death and hitched a ride on a transport,” I said. Pulling my hand back, I walked towards the old supper table. I reached down, righted a chair, and sat, gesturing for her to join me.

  She sat across from me, her eyes tracking me like a hawk. “But Bren said he checked the transports.”

  “They checked for a black-haired woman, not a brown-haired boy. While Aalis and you all enjoyed the caravan, I arranged for transport. I actually watched you all from the forest as Aalis danced with flowers in her hair.” I ignored the pain in her eyes, and, noting the dilapidated house, I said, “I can reasonably guess that things have not gone well for you these years. What happened to Bren, Allis, Treanor, and Laron?”

  She bit her lips, and tears flowed out of her eyes even more rapidly. Clearly, whatever happened was a cause of great suffering.

  “Aalis.” She bit her lip in grief. “Got married to Brandon, got with child, but she didn't survive the birth. The deep winter came not long after. It took the boy, Bren, and half the village. Hunger, the flux…it was a hard winter.”

  Mother continued, her eyes staring at the center of the table. “Treanor got conscripted; I’m still not sure if he’s dead or alive. I get no letters, and my questions are ignored. Laron died last winter.”

  My mother relayed the information; the reminder of each death seemed to ignite a fresh stab of grief. Throughout it all, I felt nothing; seeing her like this… old, battered, and broken should have given me some sense of satisfaction. I should be reveling in ecstasy as I heard the tale of how my family had all died worthless and meaningless deaths, while I thrived.

  Yet it was all vestigial hate; Aalis and Bren have been dead for years. Only bones were left for me to despise now. My brothers, either dead or disappeared, were equally meaningless to hate.

  “Around eight years ago, someone had to have come to the village to ask about me. What exactly happened?”

  My mother stared off into the distance. “They asked the headman ‘bout you. What happened to you? What ya looked like? Who yer pa was.”

  My back straightened, and a chill ran through my spine. I almost forgot about him.

  “I see; that makes sense. Anyone else after that?”

  She shook her head.

  ‘No one else in that many years… Strange. Why did they not reveal who I was? It doesn't matter right now.’

  “We tried to ask ‘bout you. Maybe you did run off, and yer dress was fake. We… I hoped, at least.” She smiled at me. “You're proof, at least, that the goddess hadn’t abandoned me.”

  She swallowed and said, in almost a whisper. “There was a rumor that you were…”

  I cut her off. “My father. Tell me the truth about him. I deserve to know. Tell me why I deserved the title of thrice cursed.”

  Unable to meet my eyes, she stared at the table instead. She bit back something… grief, regret, anger, and self-loathing. “Not a week after Aalis was born, Bren got called to serve in the Baron’s army, fighting some skirmish with Farketh. He was gone for a year, no letters nothin’ Everyone thought he was dead. And I had to raise Aalis alone.”

  I remained quiet, allowing her to speak.

  “A Northman came to the village.” She looked up at me. “You look like him, you know… same height, same sharp features. He was drinking in the Farway Inn. I was there as well; he was striking to look at. We spoke for some time casually and pleasantly. I left the tavern, and he followed. I was so alone… When I stepped into my home, I left the door open for him. I was in my cups and wasn't thinking rightly. ”

  She took a deep breath and continued. “It was just one night of weakness. Then he was gone the next morning. With my mind clear, I feared what would be said about me. I beat myself up and ran to the headman, claiming I was raped.”

  ‘Curious, I would have expected her to lie and paint herself a victim. Though now, I could understand why I was treated the way I was as a child. But I want to hear it from her own lips.’

  “What was his name?” I asked.

  “Edwin.”

  “Where did he go after?”

  She shook her head in confusion. “Don’t know...south, I think.”

  “What happened next?”

  She continued, “Bren returned. Apparently, he was held up with a severe injury. That's why he took so long. I was with child; only a few knew of what happened, and most guessed. The headman made sure none spoke of my dishonor.”

  I couldn't stop the wave of disappointment from washing over me. The idea that my origins were so mundane was enough to cause depression.

  I spoke, already deducing everything about my childhood. “Bren hated me because I was a reminder of your defilement. The laws of both the goddess and men compelled you to keep me.”

  Crushing guilt shadowed her eyes. “Bren was near mad with anger. Only his faith in the goddess kept him from forcing night tea on me. Or leaving you in the forest to die.”

  Tears flowed from her eyes again. “I...I had to play along, pretend that you are a thrice-cursed child born of rape. After a while, the pretending became real. I started believin’ my own lies.”

  I leaned back in my chair, my eyes focused on the ceiling as the revelation washed over me. The hateful glances, the cold gazes, the neglect, the abuse. It was for this stupid lie. Words could not describe my dissatisfaction.

  Suddenly, my mother sprang to her feet, walked over to me, and fell to her knees, her body wracked with sobs.

  “I’m so sorry, Edith.” She grabbed my fine trousers, sobbing wildly, bawling really. “I’m so sorry for how I treated you. It was my lies that caused you to suffer so. That’s why I’ve lost everythin’. It’s the goddess’s punishment.”

  My mother continued to wail and debase herself at my feet. She explained how she poisoned the minds of my siblings against me and lied to garner sympathy.

  “Everyone knows about the thrice-cursed, and you grew up willful, causin’ trouble. It’s all the more believable.”

  She looked up at me, her face showing such regret and sadness that it would soften the heart of even the hardest of men. But I was not a normal person, and as I stared into the eyes of a woman that has been the sole source of my suffering and hatred, the very origins of my determination, and the fuel that once fed the flames of my ambition, only one thought entered my mind.

  ‘Disgusting.’

  I shook my head, looking at her pathetic prostration, her disgusting weakness.

  ‘Is this worthless creature truly the source of my suffering? Did I really divert my path south to confront this…thing?’

  My mind reeled and raged.

  'This insect plagued my mind for years? So what if she lost everything? To give up like this, to wallow in despair and debase herself at my feet… For what? Forgiveness? She debases herself now because she lost everything and everyone. Such shameful weakness… Even if I lost everything, I would never repent or beg for forgiveness. I made my choices, and I will never regret it.’

  I gritted my teeth so hard I feared they would crack.

  ‘Farway, it's people, everyone who neglected me as a child. They were all just worthless insects in the end. No different from the hundreds I have seen or killed on my travels. ’

  Staring at my fine leather gloves and the complex circle for dragon’s breath sewn into the palm, I shook my head.

  ‘I’ve traveled far and wide, learned magic, killed a dragon, stolen from the wealthiest man in the empire, and actually communicated with the dryad of the Dalianar forest for months. My name is known across the entire continent. Myr, the maiden of fire, Myr the dragon slayer.’

  A small chuckle escaped my throat.

  ‘Even if I die tomorrow, my story will be told for as long as men have tongues. And if I succeed, my life will be measured in centuries. Everyone in this village would have faded and rotted to nothingness. Their existence is ultimately meaningless. To think that I actually bothered to come back here, even after all I had experienced and what I intend to do. Hells, I even risked revealing my survival prematurely for this meaningless task.…’

  Then I felt it: shame.

  ‘Ahhhh, another chain, another cage. I understand now… Thank you, mother.’

  I sighed as overwhelming understanding calmed my mind and stilled my beating heart.

  “My name isn't Edith anymore.” My mother looked up at me in confusion. My gaze was cold as ice. A small amount of fear shadowed her features. Clearly, she was not expecting this response.

  “I’m sure you’ve guessed, questioned, hoped, or feared. But yet it is true.” Raising my palm upwards, a bright, pure azure flame appeared in my palm. Though it was only a foot tall, the fire illuminated the entire room in a bright blue.

  Utter terror streaked across her face as she fell backwards, scrambling away from me. I stood and followed her across the room, staring down at her.

  “What is my name?” I asked. She didn't answer; her eyes were transfixed on the spiraling blue flame.

  As I watched her cowering in abject terror, my heart didn't even flutter. The fires of hatred I held for these people…for her, were naught but smoldering embers now. Completely incapable of compelling me into action. I still hated her and this village. A part of me still wanted to do something, if not out of hate, then out of obligation, a resetting of the scales.

  But if it spread that Myr burned down an entire village of innocence, it would smear the tale of my heroics. I intended to ruthlessly exploit that goodwill, and by the time the people of this empire realized that I was a monster, it would be too late.

  ‘Beyond this vestigial enjoyment, what does this gain me? For that matter, why would the empire not approach her? Or attempt to use her as leverage. Well, it’s obvious; I hate her, and they probably know that.'

  “Answer me,” I demanded.

  “Myr.” She whispered. Then she started laughing. “It's true.”

  Her eyes flicked from the fire to my cold gaze repeatedly, a realization coming over her features.

  “I...I won't fight Edith. I deserve it… We all deserve it,” she said, a serenity coming over her face. “Oh, my daughter, how I wish I could go back.”

  ‘So you just pliantly accept your death. How much further can you disappoint me, Mother?’

  “Do you really wish to go back? To change the past, to instead love me as a daughter. If you had the choice, would you really?” Pulling on my acting skills, I let a little desperation enter my voice.

  “Oh, sweet Edith… Myr. Yes, yes, yes. Not just because of lost Aalis and the others. It was wrong of me, wrong of me to lie, and wrong of everyone to treat you the way they did for those lies. The winter and the deaths were punishments for our actions.”

  I extinguished the fire and squatted down until I was eye level with her. “What is it you want from me, Mother? Forgiveness? Absolution?”

  She shook her head. “I don't deserve such things. Just seeing you alive and well is the greatest gift I could ever hope for.”

  I laughed under my breath and stood, walking around the room with slow steps. “The stories are true, you know. I did kill a dragon, run a gang, and steal treasures worth thousands of royals.” I reached into my collar and pulled out my reservoir. “You tried to sell me for twelve eagles.”

  She flinched in shame as I reminded her of my marriage.

  I continued undeterred, “Now I have more gold, jewels, and riches than I know what to do with. And magic...” Smiling, I picked up a wooden bowl, and it quickly disintegrated into ash. “Such a wondrous thing, isn’t it?”

  “I had so many creative endings in my mind for this village. Most of them involve fire.”

  “Why? Edith, why do you not shout and scream at me? Why not take your vengeance?” She asked with a strange tone in her voice, almost pleading.

  With a calm voice, I replied, “Edith desired revenge; Edith hated this village. It is Edith’s pain that brought me back here after all these years.”

  Sighing, I turned to my mother, staring at the pile of ash, the remnants of the wooden bowl. “I understand now, Mother. This was a mistake, a distraction, a detour. But not worthless; I have realized something, and there is one thing I need to do in this village.”

  She just stared at me, utterly confused. “I don't understand. What will you do?”

  “Not your concern,” I said, mostly to myself. “In fact, this is the last time we will see each other.” I turned to leave, utterly uninterested in continuing the conversation with this worthless creature.

  ‘It’s all clear now. One last chain to break.’

  “No, no, please, Edith, stay.” She begged as I walked towards the door. But I refused to listen, walking away even as she sobbed. She was no one.

  Anicia and Corina waited outside, following along as I walked towards the rear of the house. It was barren save for a few rotten benches and rusted tools.

  I gestured to the ground. “Right there, I was lashed until I fell unconscious. Right there, I swore to burn this entire village to the ground.”

  “And now?” Corina asked.

  “Revenge is for children. The past is dead and gone, and it serves no purpose.” I looked towards the forest where a river was. I decided it was as good a place as any.

  “Wait for me here; I have something I need to do,” I ordered in a voice that brooked no argument. I turned on my heel and walked into the forest.

  ~

  Slowly, I walked towards the river, my steps calm and determined.

  “Do you remember the trips to the river to wash clothes, Edith?” I asked the empty air.

  “You used to be so angry at the unfairness. Do you remember the lashes, their faces? Do you remember cold nights by the hearth?” The weak embers within me stirred.

  “Ah, you do, yet though the memories are clear as crystal, you cannot burn as brightly anymore.” A smile came across my face.

  “I have to thank you, though. You served me well for a long time. Pushing forward, ever forward, bolstering my will and filling me with determination, yet now I find you wanting. The flames of hatred have long since burned out; even facing the source of that hate, you fail to move me.”

  I gritted my teeth, slightly annoyed. “But you managed to drag me back here, to these people…these worthless people. No doubt alerting the empire of our existence. It’s obvious now, with my mind clear, that this was the reason Farway was never revealed as my birthplace. If everyone knew I was born here, then I would avoid it like the plague. No doubt someone was watching and waiting, and a letter is already being sent.”

  Placing a hand on my forehead, I sighed and muttered, “How foolish of me. But it did reveal a weakness, and that is worth the price.”

  “It is you, Edith, filled with rage for a childhood robbed from you.”

  “You’ve grown weak; your rage can do nothing. Ambition has long choked out your flames. My ambition, Myr’s ambition.”

  “That is why I am ashamed. I am Myr, the maiden of fire. Myr, the dragon slayer. I allowed these worthless people to distract me and even hinder my goals, no matter how minute; it is a shameful weakness.”

  “If your fire can no longer move me, give me strength or push me forward. Then why should I harbor you within my heart? Why should I allow you to decide my actions?”

  “Anything that hinders my goals or distracts me in any way must be discarded or destroyed.”

  I reached the river and said loudly, “I am Myr. Only Myr. And it's time for Edith to die completely and utterly. Edith, you aren't useful to me anymore… Only a distraction.”

  Reaching to my waist, I pulled out Sim’s dagger and placed it on the ground. Then I reached into my pack and pulled out Emyr’s black feather. Smiling, I remembered the old man. Then I placed it under the dagger so the wind couldn't blow it away.

  “Thank you, Emyr, but it's time I say goodbye to you as well.” Picking up a stick, I drew into the dirt, forming an arcane circle to heat the air and creating a dual binding.

  “Goodbye, Edith, you served me well.”

  I increased the strength to its maximum, and almost instantly the feather turned to ash, the sheath for the dagger burned away, and the steel melted and boiled. After my amulet was drained, nothing was left beyond black earth.

  I took a deep breath, enjoying the scent of the forest, and then I looked up at the sky, the massive trees reaching towards the heavens like leafy fingers. Raising my hand towards the sun, I savored the feeling of being free from everything that bound me to the empire.

  Closing my eyes, I let the old hate drift away like ash in the wind. Now there was but one flame within me. And it screamed out for me to move, to go forward to reach the end goal.

  I let it flow into me, consuming me completely, cleansing me of all meaningless distractions from my youth.

  ‘Yes, now I am ready.’

  My eyes flew open as the flames of ambition burned within, already annoyed that I wasted several days of travel. A laugh escaped my throat as I looked up at the sun.

  “I will do it; I will have everything.” Then, I crushed the sun in my hand, turned, and walked away, not sparing the charred remnants of Edith a second glance.

  ~

  I returned to find Dariah sitting in the backyard staring at the ground, with Corina and Anicia watching her with a mixture of confusion and pity.

  “Edith!” Dariah looked up at me, relief flowing over her.

  Looking at her, I felt uninterested. Ignoring her, I asked, “Corina, supplies?”

  “Fully stocked, I bought up everything in the village. We’re good to go.”

  “Good, let’s be on our way. We’ve wasted enough time.” I said.

  “Edith, wait, you don't have to leave; we can...” I held up a hand, forestalling whatever nonsense she was about to say.

  “Edith is dead, Dariah. Do not associate yourself with me.”

  Dariah flinched as if I had slapped her with how unfeeling my voice was. I turned on my heel and walked away from the house. Corina and Anicia looked confused.

  “As you say, My Lady,” Anicia said. Corina nodded.

  We all turned to leave, but Dariah seemed desperate. “Please, Ed-Myr. Just an hour…a minute.” She begged from behind me. But her words were worth less than nothing. Hurried steps from behind me caused me to turn around. She was reaching towards me, as if to keep me here.

  “Please, the silence, the solitude, it’s torture; every day is torture. I can't go back.” She whispered. Anicia and Corina had pity in their eyes, but they knew this wasn't their place to step in. “At least… At least.” She stared at my right hand, her message clear only to me.

  “You’re free to kill yourself.” I said callously, then turned to Anicia, “If she tries to halt my progress again, put a bolt in her leg.”

  Anicia hesitated, then nodded, staring at Dariah with pity. But she would do as I commanded. People were, of course, watching warily from their own homes, cowering like rats in candlelight. Again, I didn't recognize any of them.

  The pain in Dariah’s eyes seemed to run deep, but it meant nothing to me. She was just another peasant. Walking away, I heard her fall to the ground, soft sobs emanating from her. I didn't look back.

  ~

  We rolled out of the village and headed directly south for the border, Farway and its people long behind me.

  “You didn’t do anything in the end, Myr,” Anicia said. I was in the driver's seat with her while Corina rested in the carriage.

  “Perhaps not, but I can now put that behind me and look towards the future with clear eyes and a focused mind.”

  “Ya don't like revenge?” she asked.

  “I like vengeance well enough, but I am a woman of ambition; allowing vengeance to rule me is just another weakness. My goals, my dreams, my future…that is what matters.”

  We chose a road that led straight out of the empire. Turning back, I looked at the Kelian Empire.

  ‘One day, years from now, I will return. Heywood, Korin, wait for me. Myr will return. But I will not be alone. I will take everything from this empire, from this world; I will feed upon the raw flesh of humanity and remake myself into something greater. Enjoy your peace, spawned from my actions; be happy, grow fat and lax…all the better for me to feast upon. Everything I have done, every crime, every kill was but a prelude, the opening act to the true performance.’

  I felt almost intoxicated with excitement.

  ‘I will take everything and leave nothing; I will become great beyond all comprehension. It does not matter how high the mountain of corpses has to rise. The goddess, love, hate, politics, and wars…they are all illusions. Only my ambition is real.’

  Turning around, I closed my eyes and enjoyed the sun on my face. I leaned back against the seat comfortably as the carriage rolled down the road. Now that everything in my life was in order and my future was ahead of me, I felt truly happy.

  In the sky was a large bird, a hawk or an eagle. For the first time, I didn't envy their freedom. At this moment, I felt like I was flying.