Zephren's Plea (Book of Laraganus)

Laraganus had spent decades in her swamp cottage. Her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren would pay visits every so often. She would share her tales and offer a safe place for her descendants to spill their secrets. She also had to be her husband's (Shim) caretaker as his health was declining due to his average mortality. He was reaching 90, meanwhile, Laraganus was roughly 217. Her lineage of half-orc and elf blood allowed her to live far longer than anyone else, and she still hadn't hit her age limit yet. Life out here was peaceful. Most of the time, it was just her, Shim, and their swampy garden. Laraganus would plant all kinds of fruit trees and flowers. She once had Shim dig a trench from a creek to the garden since Shim would stay at the cottage as Laraganus would travel his Shiv (Shim's father), Mer (Shim's mother), and Heraptis (a family friend and Shiv's faith mentor) as their bodyguard and history book. She soon retired and stayed at the cottage full-time with Shim.

Back in the present, as she was tending to the fruit trees and remembering fond memories of her family, a shadowy figure began to approach her. As the figure got closer, it was clear the figure was wearing a cloak with their hood up. This was odd as half-orcs don't normally wear stuff like that, and it was in the middle of a hot day, which meant whoever was wearing it must be burning up inside. This could either mean a couple of things: the person was not a half-orc or was and has a very good reason to be hiding. The figure kept walking and then stopped just a few feet in front of her. Laraganus couldn't see a face or eyes. "Who are you, and what do you want?" asked Laraganus. "A long lost sister," said the figure as she unhooded herself. It was Zephren, her sister. The last time they talked to each other was when Zephren took the throne of Green Swamps, and Laraganus went into a self-exile. That was well over 160 years ago. "What brings you here?" asked Laraganus with both curiosity and disdain. A felt like an old wound was going to bleed again. "I wish to stay here for a while. I have no family. No community to go toward. I've lost everything," said Zephren. Laraganus didn't believe her. Zephren, in the past, had fabricated lies and would often portray herself as a victim. This felt like one of those situations. "No. I don't need your misfortune, lies, and lack of self-respect to be here when my descendants visit," said Laraganus as she continued to pick fruit from the trees and put them in her sash. "Please, Lala. Just for a couple of months." Zephren begged. "Lala." That nickname was used by her closest friends and family. "No. Whatever kingdom, noble, or spirit you anger, I hope it separates your soul from your body," said Laraganus with annoyance and began to make her way to her cottage's door. "Lala, please. I've been running and hiding in every village. Rumors float about that make me a monster. Tales of an old woman who kills and eats adventurers. The lies have gotten so bad and travel so fast that I can't stay in one place for more than 6 months. I'm constantly paranoid that a neighbor or mob is going to drag me out into the street and commit unspeakable acts against me. I know I have done really bad things, but I want to change. I want to start over. I wish to ask for forgiveness. " Zephren then fell to her knees, and she started to cry. Laraganus rolled her eyes. She couldn't believe that her sister, the former queen of the half-orcs, was kneeling in front of her asking for a home. Despite being sisters, they didn't have the strong bond of sisterhood. They were too different, too engrossed in their own worlds, that they couldn't see eye to eye. Perhaps that could change? Then again, this was the same woman who was dethroned by Kamos Longsword. She did cause the Three Deaths War to escalate and extend its lengths. Her hatred of humans led to her inact laws that split families and chased away good servants and people. Yet here she was, begging for a home, like a dog. "As a Chrissten, I forgive you, but our country doesn't," said Laraganus. She then walked away and went inside. She grabbed her centruies old spear and held its point at Zephren's throat. "Are you going to execute me? Your own sister?" asked Zephren, with tears rolling down her cheeks. "You've made our people suffer. You broke their trust, their homes, their families. Then you killed adventurers. You have no right to ask the country of our ancestors for mercy after all of that. You must die and be born again." Laraganus then stabbed the spear into the ground. "You've chosen the path of darkness for so long that you crave light. I see it now. It's not too late to choose a different path. One of light and life. Become a Chrissten. Like me and my family. Follow the laws of a different god. A stronger one. A livelier one," said Laraganus. "I will accept your offer of mercy," said Zephren. She cried tears of joy. Laraganus knelt down and hugged her sister, and she hugged back. Tears started to silently roll down Laraganus's face. "Lala. I..I need to...Oh? What is this?" asked Shim as he walked very slowly with a cane and hunched back. Laraganus turned to him. "My sister. She'll be staying with us for a little while," she said. "Hmm. I have no problem with her as long as she doesn't bring her troubles here," said Shim. "I won't. I want the life you two have," said Zephren. "Is she committed to the faith?" asked Shim. "It would appear so, my love," answered Laraganus. "Then let us sink her in the creek, and may the True God reveal his plans for her. test her, protect her, and bless her all the days of her life," said Shim as she slowly made his way to the creek. Laraganus and Zephren smiled at each other and then helped Shim to the creek.