| "You should all be proud of yourselves," Lord Faolin said, smiling. "If only my darling Hritle was hear to witness such greatness." There's that name again! Clara said, suddenly feeling nervous. I'm so upset; what will he do to me? "She would love to see such a sight," Kat said. "Certainly," Hermione agreed. "I am proud to know that Trillanians will finally see the completion of such a great artifact." The marvelling continued for minutes. Clara felt sick to her stomach. I must say something, or I will die of guilt, she thought, almost crying. I must put both of our minds at ease. "Lord Faolin?" Clara said, raising her hand. "I have something I must say to you...." Faolin smiled. "Absolutely, Clara," he said. "You may say anything you wish in my home." Clara cleared her throat. "I must confess a wrongdoing," she said. "I must tell you of my transgression." Faolin felt concerned. "You must be horribly upset," he said. "I have not heard of such holy people using such language." "But my fault is with you, sir," Clara said, folding her hands. Faolin's face turned expressionless. "What have you done?" he asked. "You have not met me before in your life." "But I have wronged you nonetheless," she insisted. "It concerns Hritle." All were silent as Clara almost wept. "Clara, what did you do?" Kat asked, encouraging her to continue. Clara suddenly burst into tears. "I killed Hritle!!" she wailed. "I'm sorry, I didn't know what to do!" Faolin gaped. "You--you killed Hritle?" he whispered, in disbelief. "Why did you--" "I killed her in self-defense!" Clara cried, wiping her eyes. "I didn't mean to do it, but she was hostile to me." "How did this happen?" Lord Faolin asked, saddened. Clara wiped her eyes. "We were in the Desert of Mir'Adash," she said. "Kat had been killed by bandits on the road, so I saved her by sealing her within the orb. I could only bring her back to life by joining the hilt and orb. We encountered Hritle in the desert and attacked us; I killed her to get the hilt and to save my friend. I didn't want to kill her, honest! But she was unrelenting. I'm sorry, Lord Faolin." The room was absolutely silent, with the exception of Clara's crying. Faolin was speechless; he said with his hands folded around his crystal staff, unable to believe that Clara had slain his lover. But then the image of his lover brought down by Clara flashed across his eyes. He cringed, then groaned angrily. "How could you??" Faolin snarled. "Hritle meant more to me than you will ever know. I would kill for her." "I am eternally sorry," Clara said, falling to her knees. "Not even the largest of apologies or worldly wealth will bring me back my Hritle," Faolin growled, standing up fast. He lifted the lens off of the table into his left hand. "You have sinned against me, and for that, you shall pay dearly." Kat, Clara, Salem, and Hermione all backed out of the house, weapons in hand, as Faolin advanced toward them, his staff readied in his right hand. "I will show you four foul beasts the true meaning of pain," Faolin said. "You have not seen me angry; today you shall die by my ferocity." Back to Stories Back to "TAOK&C" Back to Home |