This short story is connected to The Pointless Path
Despite the scream of the fighting and dying men and beasts, despite the dark suffocating smoke from houses and barns on fire, despite numerous wounds inflicted upon me, the world is silent to me and I feel nothing but sorrow.
In my arms lies Gwennwyn, taken away from this cruel world and to a better place. Of that I'm sure, but it doesn't ease the pain and misery that lies heavy upon me. Lost in my thoughts I barely notice Gwennwyn’s sister running towards us, shouting out Gwennwyns name in despair.
She pushes me away from her sister’s unmoving body, hammering her hands against my chest, both cursing and accusing me for not protecting her sister, while her gray face is filled with tears. She then throws herself over her sister's motionless body and cries silently, caressing Gwennwyn’s hair and face gently.
I sit there feeling the guilt of letting another friend down, while I myself once again have avoided the cold grips of death. As I’m drowning my own thoughts with darkness, a large figure approaches us carefully.
His usual grinning face and mocking ways are not there, but instead appear as a more solemn figure. His focus is on Gwennwyn and her grieving sister and utters a single word; Pity, before he surveys the field around me and the numerous dead bodies. My own dark deed. He gives out a low whistle before he says; Not bad, not bad. And he moves over and pat my shoulder with his left hand and then lets it rest there for a moment.
Dun he says in a low soft voice. There is more work to be done and I need you to help me, the village needs you. He pauses for a moment before continuing with a more stern voice. You have not failed your oaths and duty, but you will, if you do not come with me. And then with his left hand, he pulls me up from the ground. I do not resist and let him haul me up, while I grab my sword on the ground.
Together we leave Gwennwyn and her grieving sister behind us and move towards the smoke and fire corrupting the mark. There are oaths to be fulfilled.
