Fireplace Confessions

In the heart of the woodlands, the air was crisp and sharp as the biting wind cut through the ancient trees. The raging snow and howling winds had struck hard and fast, enveloping the surrounding landscape in a relentless shroud of white. A wooden cabin, weathered by time and tempest, stood steadfast alongside a humble stable, both cloaked in a blanket of powdery snow.

Within the cabin's frost-kissed window, a tall, young, yet rugged figure stood silhouetted against the wintry gloom, his gaze fixed upon the desolate expanse of snow outside.

"You wouldn't cast me out into the unforgiving cold, would you?" he asked, turning his emerald eyes and looking over at the scarlet-haired woman standing behind him.

She tore her gaze from the crackling fire, her eyes, where like the black starless night outside. her fair cheeks had flushed red, and an empty bottle, accompanied by a pair of glasses, lay at her feet. "I don't know. Do you have any more alcohol?" she asked with a mischievous smirk.

"I might have one more bottle, if that buys me some warmth," he replied, sharing her smirk as he shuffled over to his bag.

"You're spared for now then," she giggled. "Seriously though, you can stay until it strikes your fancy to leave."

"Nice place you have here, must have cost a pretty penny," he remarked.

"I got the land itself for nothing. I was offered it in return for saving the local lord's idiotic daughter" She said with a roll of her eyes "Makes for a nice place to stay between jobs," she added as he returned with the glass of bottle.

"Not afraid of any night attacks by goblins or ghouls?" he asked, sitting next to her by the fire.

"Nah, most creatures don't come this close to a big settlement, and if they do, I'm the best security there is," she assured him as he poured each of them a glass of ale.

“You know, rumours have been going around, Where have you been?” she asked, her tone tinged with concern.

“There are always rumours; people have too much time on their hands…” He took a large sip of ale, his eyes fixed on the flickering flames of the fire. “I've been wandering around, doing small jobs here and there.” 

“Trying to make up for your sins? Or perhaps avoid thinking about them,” she said as he shot her a sidelong glance.

“I don’t know what you're talking about,” he said with a sigh, knocking back his drink and pouring himself another.

“Are you just going to sit there and ignore me? I’m not going anywhere, you know,” she said, her gaze locked onto him as he remained transfixed upon the fire. His foot began to tap impatiently.

Why do you care so much, Liz? It's none of your business!” he suddenly yelled. She remained unfazed by the outburst.

“All guildmates are my family, and if you want to talk about it, you’ll feel better,” he said, his stern gaze softening as he sighed.

“Well, I don't want to talk about it,” he said, casting his gaze to the floor, his face falling into a frown. “Let's talk about you, what have you been up to since I left?”

“I'll tell you if you talk about the battle.”

“You are so stubborn. Why can’t you just let this go,” he said, turning back to her.

“Because I'm so stubborn, and I just keep asking, so you may as well tell me.”

“Here, let me refill your glass, maybe you'll pass out,” he said, picking up the glass bottle.

“Fat chance of that,” she said, offering her glass. As her glass was refilled, she leaned back into the chair. “So, the battle,” she said, watching his face as he tried not to smirk, but his expression soon turned to a frown as he gazed back at the fire.

“What about it,” he relented, giving in to her demands and taking in a deep breath.

“Do you blame yourself for what happened?” she asked, leaning into him. Time seemed to stop as the young man stared into the fires, unmoving. She sipped her ale and quietly awaited for him to talk, his arms beginning to tremble.

“Yes, of course, it was my fault. He died,” he admitted.

“How so?” she asked, her voice softening.

“The Redcaps. Their cave was something from a nightmare. The sight of what we saw had me rattled.”

“I know all too well the horror of redcaps,” she said.

“I came face to face with a warlock. My buddy died right before my eyes, and I was next. I just stood there, frozen, like the coward I am,” his voice faltered. His deep breaths became consistent as he leaned forward and ran his hands through his hair. “Duncan came in to save me, and what was meant to be my fate became his. I fell to my knees, a cowardly, weeping mess,” he said bitterly. “I survived and was left to live with my cowardice.”

So caught up with the story he told, he didn’t notice that Liz had gotten off her chair. Her arms wrapped around him from behind, and her hand caressed his face, causing him to weep once more. It was sudden and uncontrollable, and she hushed him gently.

Then there was silence as her warm embrace held him as a mother would a child, and gently she rocked him back and forth, rubbing her head against his, then she broke the silence.

“You, you did nothing wrong, William, and I'm sure Duncan would be saddened by this guilt you're carrying,” she said softly amidst his weeping. “He died like a hero,” she added and held him until the weeping softened and disappeared, wiping the river of tears off his sodden face. He shoved aside her hand and stood up. “I’m sorry, this is stupid. I'm a fully grown man, and I'm crying like a baby again.”

“There is nothing wrong with crying, especially over a mentor's death. It means you actually feel something, that you haven’t become an emotionless killer like some of the others in the guild,” she said, uncertain he shook his head. She rubbed his messy hair.

“Your dad would be proud of you, kid. It takes courage to do what we do.”

“If you say so,” he said with a weak smile.

“I know so. Now, take my bed. I’ll sleep by the fire.”

“Are you sure?” he asked.

“Yeah, it means I get to finish off the ale,” she said. They both gave a light chuckle, and he hugged her.

“Thanks, and, uh, good night.” He left her and went upstairs, warping himself within her bed and hoping tonight would be the night he would sleep better.