Quimbie's FarewellBlackness- a heavy, thick, utter void. It’s senseless, empty of touch, sight, taste, or smell. But sound, it’s the preserved sense in this darkness. A dull pulsing, in rhythm with the hibernating heart pervades the stillness inside the crypt. Slowly, touch and smell fade into existence but betray not the surroundings. Smell… blood of small animals, fresh forests, humans. Tarelno opened his eyes to find nothing but the solace of dirt. The bitter, salty taste of the earth filled his senses and overwhelmed his each new breath. He had been sleeping for but a year in his ‘natural coffin’ but a sudden voice compelled him to rise now. My Love… I cannot find the strength to continue… I must end this crazed life. ‘Forever’ seemed like such a prospect, but alas I have not the perseverance to see it through. I need you here now in my final moments of sanity. Please… Without hesitation, Tarelno emerged from the ground with a great shower of dirt and dust. He crouched down and allowed his shell to become acclimated with its atmosphere as his spirit tuned into the distressed voice. In a movement too swift for mortal eyes, he was at full flight through Ashwood towards Moorgate. He easily cleared the gates with a large hurdle, and landed delicately on the roofs. A sudden lightheadedness came to him followed by a pang of incredible hunger. “I do not see how any of the ancients could handle sleeping like this… the thirst is so great upon our resurrection. I must feed before I continue…” He crawled to the edge of the roofs and peered down into Smuggler’s Run. He scanned the alley of assassins, novice thieves, drunken bums, and finally found a victim worthy of his consideration. A lone renegade, hops out of a neighboring house wiping his blade of its red stain. Tarelno concentrated and penetrated the mind of the murderer… “A patricide –over monetary issues. Ahh, the anger in this one is plenty to keep the blood boiling hot.” The wind carried the scent of the freshly spilled blood through the alley, but none of its inhabitants seemed to take notice. Tarelno opened his mouth in lusty anticipation and dove down to intercept his prey. Give my regards to Leoni… Tarelno quickly deposited the dead body in the waves of the ocean outside town. He blocked out the many voices of the world in his head and listened for the familiar voice. I sense you… Tarelno, I’m in Edenfield. Hurry… Tarelno fidgeted a bit, such a mortal thing to do… He hurried along the causeways and finally made his way to the Edenfield. There she was, a perfect silhouette against the moonlight; a loving portrait of a well-seasoned artist. Her magenta hair tinged with silver sparkles of nighttime dew. Her light skin had a lusty tinge of red and as he stared, Tarelno could make out the fresh living blood of a human pulsing through her. Never had he beheld such beauty as he had now. He thought to himself quietly, Oh Kali, why did I ever decide to abandon life outside of the slumber? Such a magnificent spectacle of life surely cannot deserve to be denied anything she desires. Quimbie Delarathien smiled and thought, And such an equally magnificent thing should not be hindered by another. It is now that I decide to sleep… forever. Tarelno’s eyes went wide and he grabbed Quimbie and embraced her with his every being. “You jest… you wouldn’t leave me! You know there’s nothing I would not do for you. Why do you talk this way?” “I know what you feel for me. I know you realize that I share the exact same feelings as you do about you. But, I cannot see myself surviving past my mortal life’s span. Sometimes when I sit alone at the top of some great cliff, when I think I am away from every distraction of this world, I am suddenly overcome by a stifling panic. No matter how hard I try, I cannot block out the voices of the mortals, the smells of every flower on the island, the taste of ash in the air from the camps of nomadic Orcs…and what’s worst of all –the prospect of forever.” “But I’m here to share the burden of forever with you. You shouldn’t be afraid… I’m not because I know you’re here.” “I am not afraid. I love you dearly. But, I know in my soul that I will not survive in body and soul to see generations pass by. I must sleep… whether it be in the ground or in Leoni’s arms for eternity.” “No, you can’t leave me. Death is out of the question. You will sleep in the earth, and rise again as I have. I know this…you will not cease to be.” “Very well, I will sleep but I will not rise. You will be left without my physical presence. I will shut out everyone and everything I have ever loved. But, I will concentrate on your love to survive for an eternity and more. Now, come to me and let us rejoice in our last physical night together my love…” Tarelno stepped close to Quimbie and they shared the vampire’s embrace. They bit into each other and let the hot blood pump through both of them as if for one body. A surge of strength overcame Tarelno and he held Quimbie closer than ever. They embraced until the rays of the sun peeked from the horizon and threatened to leave but two piles of ash on the ground where they had once stood. In a slow, dejected manner, Quimbie lowered herself into the dirt among the daisies and roses. She nodded to Tarelno who covered earth over her until a smooth patch was all that was left. Tears of blood dripped down his face as he stood over her final resting place. He thought to himself, Sleep well my darling, I hope you will rise and we will once again find peace through each other. Almost immediately a response came, You will live on… find peace in whatever manner you see fit. Know that I have loved you. Eternity awaits my love, and through you I will make it. Take care of my sister… Forsythia. Goodbye forever… The sun finally revealed itself through the foliage around the garden and a ray found its way to Tarelno’s tall form. As he stood, the light singed his back but it seemed to burn deeper than that… it burned his very soul. A sound roused him from his misery and he dipped into the dark surrounding forest. He looked back once more, I love you… Tarelno kicked open the stone crypt door and found himself an empty coffin for the day. As he lay down for his ritualistic slumber, he felt Quimbie’s blood strengthen him more than he had imagined. With a sad smile, he pulled the lid over his body and let the darkness come naturally… |
