Day 20 - Loss
#19 of Orctober 2020
This is the sixth story from the third batch, the twentieth over all, and so we're reaching the end of this Orctober. I hope you have enjoyed it greatly and that some of these tusked beings have brought a bit of solace in these hard times. This tale may hit close to home for some of you dear readers, so please exercise caution when you read it. This time the focus of the story is loss and, I couldn't help but think of the loss of a loved one to forces we cannot defeat.
As usual, remember this story is part of a series of short stories based on prompts given by Dnddentist . Remember to leave your comments below and to vote if you liked this story.
The carriage shook as it sped away from the city, the wood groaning with each crack of stone under of feet. The compact wooden chamber inside it showed the signs of bygone wealth. With worn thin curtains that did little to protect us from the sun; the velvet cushions that had grown so flat, they may as well be made of wood and the lines of silver and gold were carved in the wooden walls. This carriage, much like its owner, wasa rotting relic of the past and their time was quickly running out. A thick acrid musk hung in the air, a mix of sulfur and piss that made my stomach turn in knots.
A groan left the old orc's parched lips, his spider like fingers trying and failing to lift from the seat. in front of me. I dug my hands in my seat, a sour taste spreading in my mouth when my eyes fell on the skeletal orc. His once forest green skin had grown darker, spattered by spots of sickly brown and pale white. The wrinkled skin hung limply from his bones, so different from the muscles that had once carried me on his shoulders. His white shirt hung loosely from his frame, transparent with sweat. His bald head moved to the side, lost dark brown eyes set on the orc by her side, begging.
"Dad, please hold on, we're almost there, just hold on," my mom said, tears freely running down her face as she held a wrinkled hand in her own.
It was hard to see my mom like this, her small frame lacking its usual vigor. Her olive skin pale and dry, wrinkles of worry forming on her round face. Her black wavy hair hung in a unruly mess over her shoulders instead of the usual neat bun she preferred. Dark splotches of tears were scattered over her light green blouse and brown trousers.
I took her trembling hand into mine, rough fingers tracing circles on the back of her hand before I leaned in and whispered. "It's okay mom, I'm here for you."
She gave me a quick nod, her heartbroken eyes meeting mine while her lips trembled with barely controlled emotion. Daggers sunk into my heart, my throat grew dry, each breath feeling like I was swallowing blades. I gave her a reluctant smile, squeezing her hand in comfort.
Grandpa's breath hitched, painful squeaks coming from his throat while his lips struggled to form words. Mom held back her sobs and her body trembled against mine. I couldn't begin to wonder how she felt, the mere thought of seeing her body in the same position conjured a heavy weight on my chest. _I'll have a long time to get used to that thought._Immediately hate flared up in my heart, hate at myself for thinking that and at the situation for forcing me into it.
"Dahiny, dahiny..." muttered the old orc, his raspy voice broken up by heavy breaths, "where, where are we?"
"I'm here Dad, I'm here. We're on the carriage, remember? We're going to the lake, like we used to when I was a kid."
The rocking of the wheels on the road were her only answers, grandpa's eyes growing wider and unfocused.
"Mellinda, where's Mellinda?"
Mom clenched my hand tightly, the name of my late grandmother robbing the little color she had on her face. I leaned forward, knowing I had to be strong for mom, and said. "She's at the lake house, waiting for us."
"Who, who are you?"
"Your grandson, Aristides."
"I have a, a grandson?" the trembling of his voice ignited the fire in my stomach and I had to fight back the urge to bare my tusks in defiance.
"You have several, more than twenty last time we counted. They're all waiting for you at the lake." The little lie wouldn't hurt him, not when he was so far gone. My mom grew still next to me, sobs breaking in her throat. "But you stay awake grandpa, they'll be very disappointed if you fall asleep."
"I'm tired, so tired."
"I know, I know. But you must keep awake just for a bit longer, for them."
His bald head gave us a minute nod before he turned his gaze back to the roof of the carriage, a smile turning up his lips. I tore my gaze away, the husk of my loving grandfather too much to bear. My eyes fell instead to the green plains that rushed by the window, the wide hills on the distance telling me we were getting closer to our goal. I prayed we would get there in time.
There were no more words exchanged for several minutes, the weight of the whole situation suffocated me and I could already feel the beginnings of a headache when mom broke the silence.
"There's no one at the lake, they can't make it there in time."
A gave her a reluctant smile, my heart torn between hope and practicality. The latter won out in the end.
"They don't need to be there, he just needs to see them there one last time." I said with cold detachment, purple sparks dancing on my fingers.
My mom's eyes widened, her lips hiding the base of her tusks. Conflict danced on her eyes.
"Will it hurt him?"
"No, it'll be the best illusion I ever made. He won't feel a thing out of place."
The carriage came to a stop a couple of minutes later, the horses neighing tiredly at the front. I pushed the door open, the clean air of the lake filling my nose. My grandfather's voice grew louder, his incoherent mumbles sending my heart racing. I shared a look with my mom, fear clear in her eyes, before we set into motion. My arms sneaked under the old orc's arm, and with an ease that frightened me, I lifted him against my chest. Mom's arm closed around the blanket wrapping his legs, her strong arms tensing in preparation. Together, we took the dying orc out of the carriage.
Daniel joined moments later, the heavy set orc taking over me. His dark green skin was like grandpa's had once been, his watery eyes shone with the same brown. His shirt and trousers were a mess, wrinkled and brown with dirt, but there had been no time to dress up when death came calling. Sobs came from my mom and my cousin as they took the my grandfather to the lake's shore.T here was only one thing left to fulfill his final request.
"Are we there yet?" grandpa's raspy voice rose above the sobs, the strength of his voice reminding me of the man I had admired for so long.
Neither Daniel nor mom could answer, their face set in guilty grimaces. I took over them, my voice hard like steel. "Not yet grandpa, just a bit more. The others can't wait to see you."
He mumbled a reply, but I didn't catch it, my mind already running wild with the formulas for the spell. A high pitched squeak filled my ears as purple sparks danced on my fingers. The energizing flow of magic danced through my body while my hands traced the necessary symbols in the air. In my mind, I painted the illusion I wanted the orc to see. The vast lake extending before him, the orange rays of the sun bathing the silver waters. The orc himself would be standing proud on his legs, dressed in the blue jacket and yellow trousers he had liked so much. All his family, dead or alive, would stand around him, their excited voices reaching his ears, his memory filling any blanks I had left.
My eyes shot open, the world tinted purple. I saw grandpa sitting on the shore, supported by mom and Daniel. Words crackled out of my lips, ancient and powerful. Words of joy, words of shape, words of lies and words of rest. My magic gathered in my hands and with one final word, they shot towards the old orc, preparing him for his last dream.
"Goodbye, grandpa."