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Dharin was crying. Lytt’s heart broke for him, yet it was filled with anger at the injustice of… well, of it all. Why would a mere child be sold into slavery to settle a debt? Surely there were other ways!

Lytt took a deep breath. Sorry, Rebere. She mentally apologized. But I think this is right.

“You’re not alone, Dharin.” Lytt let the words come out softly. “Do you mind if I tell you about my good friend Rebere?”

Dharin didn’t look up, but listened.

“He didn’t reveal to me who he was or what his story was until recently. He told Alaia, another good friend, but his past pained him so deeply that he kept it to himself. He was haunted by thoughts of his sister, by fear of his father, and by an insatiable hunger he couldn’t ignore.

“His father is Merol, a renowned marauder and outlaw. Merol became a mercenary not long after and began working for our enemy, Lord Delernious. He expected Rebere to join him. Rebere almost did.

“You see, Merol is considered the king of thieves. Criminals and outlaws everywhere look to him for guidance. Delernious promised Merol that if he joined him, Merol would become not only the king of thieves, but also the official king of Regne. That’s the kingdom in the center of the – of my world. If Rebere had accepted when Merol invited him to join him again, then Rebere would’ve regained his title of prince, and also become future ruler of Regne.

“I’m getting off track.” Lytt took another calming breath. Rebere was touchy about his past, but she was almost certain that he wouldn’t ever meet Dharin, and Dharin needed comfort.

“Rebere had a sister, Dharin. A younger sister named Miresia. They grew up together in their father’s ever-moving camp, surrounded by vile men with a lust for gold and blood. Rebere hated every minute of it; hated the raiding trips he made by his father’s side, hated the innocent blood shed at his hands – in short, he hated himself. He would’ve taken his own life was it not for his sister.

“She was his one joy. She comforted him, made him laugh, cried with him when he returned from a raiding trip. When Merol drank too much or became angry, Rebere was the one to stand up to him and protect his sister. Rebere told us – my other friends and I – that his heart fairly burned with a fierce love for her. He received many wounds on her behalf.

“Then Delernious came. He asked Merol to join him. Rebere was invited to the meeting as Merol’s heir, and heard all that transpired. Delernious was… well, I won’t get into that now. But towards the end, when Merol swore his allegiance to Delernious, something happened.

“You see, Rebere didn’t really care who he served as long as Miresia was there to help him. When she was older, they made plans to escape their filthy life together.

“But Merol had other plans. Delernious asked for a token of his loyalty, and Merol gave that villain his own daughter. Delernious was experimenting with powers, Dharin. He tested materials, animals, and humans, trying to figure out how to give the powers to the object. Any live thing died, or the power was destroyed. The materials often disintegrated, but a few accepted the powers.

“He took Miresia. Rebere fought as hard as he could with all the fire and passion and love in his heart, but he couldn’t save her.” Lytt choked back tears, remembering her own beloved sister. “Delernious took her.

“Rebere stayed with the criminals in the hopes of Miresia’s return. When Delernious sent word that she had died at his hands, Rebere’s heart broke. He left the camp and didn’t return.

“But when he told us this, a burden was lifted from his shoulders. He was floundering when he was alone, but when he let us support him, he found he was able to rise.

“So I ask you, do you love your sister with a fire too hot to be quenched?” Lytt was surprised at her words. Dharin was staring into her eyes, completely enthralled. “What are you going to do with that fire, my friend? Are you going to let it tear you apart with the grief born from broken love, or are you going to harness it and use it to rescue a precious life? Rise, Dharin. Fight. Press on.”

(I can’t figure out how to answer Dharin’s other questions without the writing being jerky, so he might have to restate them…:/)

@anne_the_noob14