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[Isk]

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The night was young but the early moon had risen high enough for its silver threads to be felt. The tops of the mighty oak trees basked in moonshine, shimmering with the dew of a recent rainfall. The carefully curved branches caused droplets of water to continuously fall to the land below. Nearby the footprints of woodland animals dotted the moist grassy soil. Wedged in the corners were redcap mushrooms, perhaps tossed away by a father lecturing his son on the edibility of the local fungi.

In the background there was a hill and beyond that a small village where the dwellers were fast asleep, perhaps unaware of the crime that was occurring…

“Leave him here” an exasperated shout as one force struggled against another.

The two cries tangled under the treetops. A male and female voice battled with neither gaining the upper hand. Now tears joined the falling rain, salting the earth with a mother’s sorrow as a masculine hand released its grip on a round basket. The female voice faltered as an infant’s cries joined the chorus.

Within moments the parental voices disappeared beyond the distant hill and only the cries of the baby remained. His little hand reached out in protest to the moist night sky and nature responded with tears of rain which fell upon his blanket.

Exposed.


* * * * * * * * * *

Isk lazily opened his eyes as the brightness of the sun peeked through the window of his ship. Waving aside the still thick aroma of narcotics he rolled to his side and briefly glanced upon the empty bottles of liquor strategically positioned within arm’s reach. Frowning beneath his emotionless mask he reached for a tray of Utopia and snorted a line through the breathing hole of his mask. “I don’t want to wake up” he mumbled into the tray drunkenly as his shaking left hand caused it to slip. Isk did not care that the drugs sprinkled to the floor, he was the Magnate and could ways get more.

Leaning back into the mattress he covered his eyes with his forearm. He needed to know. Needed to sleep, to dream that dream again and paint a physical form for the male and female voices he could only hear and never see. His origins, Isk needed to discover where it all began.

“What was so wrong with me?” he sobbed as the drugs reclaimed their hold on him and manipulated his emotions. “Why did you leave me to die?!”

[Isk]

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Exposed part 2

Years ago…

Three girls sat on a log outside the treetop homes of their parents. This morning they had picked flowers and now each took turns to place them into the long green hair of the oldest girl in the group.

“Look at him over there” the oldest said as she pointed to a solitary boy playing hide and seek. “He is playing by himself again”

The girls giggled as the boy closed his eyes and began to count.

“What a loser” the youngest stated as she placed a lily behind the pointed ear of the oldest.

“He’s so ugly. Not even his mother wanted him” the third girl added.

Their giggling turned to mocking laughter.

The girls would often torment the boy, call him names and pretend to be his friends. Many times he would find himself crying alone, embarrassed or hurt by their bullying. The only friends he ever had were imaginary. He had no family, only pity from those who found him exposed.

* * * * * *

Only hours after the grand Sosarian tournament…

Isk picked up his traveling pack and checked the Helm of Evil wedged comfortably inside. He had explained to his wife and children the significance of his journey. Isk let them know that he won’t be around until his quest was completed and expressed to them his hopes that they will keep Magincia safe. With trembling hands the Magnate gave each of his children a hug of affection. Angelique, his darling wife, wrapped her arms around her husband and kissed his porcelain mask. The parting was difficult.

[You are not ready for this]
The Helm of Evil had told him

“I will find my parents” Isk replied as he got upon his charger.

[You will not like what you discover]

Taking the leather straps with his shaking hand Isk turned his horse to take one last look upon his island. He promised to himself he would return when the leaves begin to fall from the trees.