Past Visiting Hours

–“You did well Tai.”

I awake in shock taking in a deep breath inhaling reflexively. I think I was dreaming but my memory is really fuzzy. My body won’t move easily. I can barely lift my arms, especially my left side.

I am wrapped in bandages. I look around. The room isn’t somewhere I have been before. This must be the infirmary they use for serious cases.

That's right. The last thing I did was clear the dungeon. Well if I’m in this bed it can only mean that the town is safe. I breathe a sigh of relief.

I look around the room. I am alone.

There is an already lit fireplace. It keeps the room at a nice temperature. For the view outside the window the sun has already set. The door slowly creaks open.

I gently raise my head to get a better look. I see a familiar wizard hat. They gently close the door and place their staff in a way to bar anyone else from entering the room.

Silence slides a chair close to the edge of the bed. They notice that I am awake but don’t seem to make a big fuss about it.

They grip my bandaged left palm with their hand firmly. I don’t understand how I can feel their hand when it is mostly numb to feeling since the damage I took in the dungeon. I don’t think mages can cast healing magic. That is a blessing granted to priests by the Goddess of Light.

For a time they just sat by the edge of my bed, I was not going to protest. Maybe it is all the potions they must have me drinking but I am still a little dizzy.

Silence’s presence is calming…

I can’t remember ever having friends like the members of Death Clap before…

A whisper breaks through the silence of the night. The flames flicker in protest.

“When you live as long as I have you start to see things. Things you can’t explain. No matter how hard you look for the answers. You can spend thousands of years searching and still it will never make any sense.”

My head stays still. I don’t have the strength to move it. I listen as I watch the fire dance along the crumbling log.

“A young man who looks at the world with the excitement of a child. As if every sight is something special or a new experience. An insatiable desire to chase adventure. Form new bonds. A noble heart…”

The log breaks in two and the embers cascade aimlessly around the hearth. For a brief moment the energy in the room stirs.

“Thoughts that are not of this world.”

My eyes dash across the room finally connecting to meet Silence’s gaze. Silence has not once taken their eyes off me. From the moment they entered the room I alone had their full attention.

“You are just like him. I am not talking about your looks obviously. He looked far more dashing than you, but the wonder in your eyes is just like his. My hero’s.”

I did not need eyes to notice just how much the words Silence spoke are causing them pain. I could hear it in every whisper that softly exits their lips.

“I knew from the moment I laid my eyes on you that you came from another world, his world. You are not the first and will not be the last to arrive here.”

I want to look away but it would be a cruel disservice to the enigmatic elf before me. Tears stream down their fair cheeks. My stomach tightens. I can feel their pain, but I can’t share it.

“The impact your kind has on our world is not something I can describe to you easily. You might not even believe it all. Most of those moments are considered fairy tales now. I know one thing is certain you all have the power to bring about great change. You are no different Tai.”

The fire grows vigorously. The embers spark forming new flames. The intensity grows. I can feel the heat rising washing across my face.

There is a crash. The chair has toppled to the floor.

Silence stands there tightly clenching their fists. Their voice in a rage like the heat of the flames.

“You can’t just throw your life away so carelessly. You mean something to this world. You might not know it yet…but I know it! I have seen it!”

They catch themselves. Their composure returns to them. The flames return to embers in the room.

“You mean something to them now. To me…”

Their voice returns to a whisper.

Silence.

My mind lingers on every word.

We sat together quietly for some time. Their fair hand held tightly to mine. I did not need to respond. My answer was already clear.

I start to feel a little better the longer we sit here. I feel like I have earned the right to ask a few questions of Silence. I just need to be careful.

“You have the ability to cast healing magic Silence? I thought you were a mage?”

The elf tilts their head. Did I already mess up? They snicker, probably at the fear on my face.

“The Goddess of Light grants me power to do so when we are on speaking terms.”

“Speaking terms? That’s funny coming from you.”

I laugh. The pain in my gut hurts.

“Oh…”

“That’s what you get for mocking the world’s most powerful elf.”

They continue to heal me through the pain.

“How long have I been out?”

“Over a week.”

Wow, that is a lot longer than I expected. I guess I really did push my limits.

“Are the others okay?”

“Yes. No need to worry about Momo.” They raise their eyebrow. “The orc still breathes.”

What is she…well. I am worried about Momo. Glad Brutus is okay too.

“How is the town?”

“Still standing.”

I figured but it is nice to have some confirmation.

“The church?”

“In rubble. The brat said that during the excavation it was discovered that there is a new dungeon formed in the catacombs.”

You have to be kidding me, that is insane. There are now two dungeons in the town. I can’t tell if that is a good or bad thing. Wait, who is the brat?

“Harder questions now.”

Silence looks a little annoyed but I think they are just playing with me.

“The Hero’s Fountain in the center of town square, the two in the center are you and your hero isn’t?”

“Smart boy. I destroyed the staff on the statue once I moved back here so people wouldn’t get wise.”

“Why are you in Freehearken?”

“Not telling.”

They turn their head and pout.

“Well whatever the reason. I’m glad you are here.”

Silence doesn’t respond. They look genuinely shocked? Happy? I can’t really tell. I turn my head to the fireplace. The glow is mesmerizing.

“I have no intention of throwing my life away. I might not be a hero but if my friends need me…if my new home needs me. I will do all I can. Will you be there to witness it all?”

The elf has tears in their eyes. They stay silent. I already know the answer.