“Black-hearted murderer!” Lithra said, bitterly.
As planned, we had left our lodging early that morning. I had learned that we would be heading to Seu Reai, a port city to the south-east, and then most likely to Aci, the capital. Resca had apparently forced his way across the border less than a week ago, heading in that direction.
As we rode, I finally gathered the courage to ask about Resca, even though I knew the subject angered the old man. I felt I should know more about our quarry, and apparently Lithra agreed, despite his reluctance to speak on the subject.
“He’s a menace, and I don’t know how he hid it from me.” he continued. He sighed. “I suppose I hadn’t known him very long, really. Five years seems like such a long time, but it was mostly studies, long days of teaching and learning. He was found in a small village in Chiaris. His family quickly brought him to me when they realized he was an enchanter.”
A half smile crossed his face as he recalled the time. “He was a good enough student, polite, studious, quick to understand. He advanced very quickly. All was simple. That was a mistake, though. I never really pressured him, and when he turned on me, I never saw it coming. And it didn’t help that I was preoccupied creating- it.“
“That sword was a thing of beauty, my greatest work. All my skill went into, all my strength, my passion, weeks of work. It was named after me. Sa’lithra, The Sword of Lithra.” he said contemptuously. Bitterly. “Now when I hear it, all I can think of is how I failed.”
Another sigh. “I still don’t know why he did it. I think the allure was too much for him. Perhaps he felt neglected during those weeks. All I know is that the morning after it was finished, he was gone, with my great work, and nearly complete in his training.”
He halted abruptly and took several deep breaths to calm himself. Eventually, he began to quietly recount how he had chased him. From the forests of the north to the southern plains, across countries, oceans, countless days in pursuit. Sometimes he fell hopelessly behind, other times he would find himself miraculously close, even sighting him a few times. It was never enough. Resca was always ahead, learning more of his craft, forging alliances, gathering power, and slowly, his deeds grew darker. It had started as a simple theft, but over more than two decades of chase, Lithra could only follow the aftermath of destruction. He had found entire villages destroyed by his one-time apprentice, and he knew he could no longer hope to tackle him on his own. Resca was a young man, reaching the height of his physical power, and Lithra was slowly entering his old age. He had found companions, three of them before me. Eventually, they had all died or been driven off.
I could see the sorrow pulling him down in the saddle, and I noticed the way his typical imperious tone and manner of speech declined as the tragedy hit too close to his heart. It was a long ride, and a weary subject, at when we finally made camp, I was glad to hear the end of it.