CHAPTER 72: HIS LAST WORDS [1]

When dawn broke, Aeron was already awake. He gathered his things and prepared to leave with Varek for their village, Varnmoor.

Varek was badly hurt and could barely sit on a horse, but when Aeron asked him to rest, he shook his head. "I can manage," he said, though his voice was weak.

They did not bother to greet the royal family. Neither the king nor the queen had the courage to face them. Even Nyella could not bring herself to see Aeron after what he had told her the night before. She stayed in her chamber and wept quietly.

Only Ser Devic came out to see them off. He looked at Aeron and said, "This might not be what you expected or how you wanted things to turn out but you have to take it easy on yourself... and on those you think have betrayed you."

Then he turned to Varek. His face softened. "I hope you make it to your village, old friend, and stay with your people one last time. Are you certain you don’t want me to ride with you?"

Varek smiled faintly. "No, Devic. You have your own war to prepare for and I hope you succeed in beating this enemy we’ve never heard of. Let us go alone. Do not trouble yourself with me."

"It pains me that I cannot be there in your last hours. Farewell, Varek. You will be missed." Devic said.

But Varek chuckled lightly, "Do not grieve. I will have my family with me, and a belly full of wine and chicken, just as I always prayed for. Worry about yourself." Then he added, "Farewell, Ser Devic... my friend."

They embraced quickly, a soldier’s hug, and Devic helped Varek mount his horse. With that, Aeron and Varek set out for the north.

The road to Varnmoor was long, a journey of a day and a half. They passed through villages and forests, and Varek held on, though his face was pale and his wounds tore open with every mile. He breathed heavily, but still endured.

As the sun began to set, they reached a small village, only a few miles from home. Varek suddenly pulled the reins of his horse and stopped. Aeron turned quickly.

"What is it?" he asked, fear gripping him.

Varek shook his head slowly. "I am tired, Aeron. Let us rest here. We will continue in the morning."

Aeron wanted to continue, wanted to reach Varnmoor before nightfall, but when he looked at Varek’s weary face, he knew there was no choice. He nodded.

He led them into the village, searching for a place to stay. At last, he found a small inn with a room. He paid the keeper, then helped Varek down from the horse and carried him inside.

They shared a simple supper, though Varek ate little. They sat in silence for a while and then Varek called Aeron’s name.

"Aeron," he said, with a faint voice, "you now know who you are, and where you came from?"

Aeron met his gaze and nodded. "Yes."

Varek gave a tired smile. "Then tell me... what is your last name?"

"Velzorah," Aeron said.

Varek closed his eyes and whispered, "Exactly. You are Aeron Velzorah..."

Then Varek looked at him. "You are Velzorah, Aeron. Aside from your mother, you are the last of your house. Do you know what the Velzorahs were known for?"

Aeron shook his head slowly. "I don’t. I just know that people said they were good. My father was good, that is what everyone used to say."

Varek gave a faint smile. "Exactly. They were known for being good. They saw the goodness in people, no matter their flaws. Your father, Lucian Velzorah, was a special man. A good man. He did not discriminate between high and low, rich and poor. Though he was noble, he treated all as equals. He held and balanced the bridge between good and evil. That was why he was targeted. That was why he was killed."

Aeron’s chest tightened. He whispered, "So... it was because he was good?"

"Yes," Varek said. "Goodness is a light that threatens the shadows. Your father was that light, and they could not stand it."

Varek looked at the distant like he was remembering something. "Did you know why I left the Phoenix Guards?"

Aeron said "no"

Varek continued. "The night House Velzorah was betrayed, many of us lost hope. Along with many others, I laid down my sword. I could no longer fight for a kingdom that had slaughtered its best. That night, I turned away from war and gave up the life of a soldier."

Aeron frowned. "But... you picked it up again. Why?"

Varek turned his head, and his eye met Aeron’s. "Because of you. Because in you, House Velzorah rose again. That is why I carried the sword once more."

Aeron’s eyes filled with tears. "Then this... this is because of me. You are in this condition because of me."

But Varek shook his head. "And I do not regret a single bit of it. Many would do the same, Aeron. Many who were loyal to your house. Many who still dream of a kingdom ruled by goodness and not greed."

"That is why I say these words to you now. Listen carefully. There must never be hate in your heart. Not hate, not bitterness, not endless pain. You are powerful, Aeron. But your power must be ruled by good. If your heart is ruled by hate, then your power will make you a destroyer. And nobody, not even the loyal, will stand with a destroyer."

Aeron lowered his head. "But how will I know what is good?"

"You must learn to see," Varek replied. "You must know the difference between good and evil. Between friends and foes. Between right and wrong. Do not be blinded by anger, or you will strike down those who love you."

He took a deep, slow breath before continuing. "Be humble. Be honest with your friends and your family. Hold on to those who are loyal to you. Many threats will rise against you. Many evils will come. But I promise you, Aeron, you cannot fight them alone. You will need family. A loyal family. A family who will fight for you, even behind your back."

Aeron’s voice trembled. "And if they betray me?"

"Then," Varek said, "you stretch out your hand. You forgive them. And you win them back. That is what family means. Not perfection. But loyalty restored. That is the strength that will keep you standing."

Aeron’s lips quivered. "Why are you telling me all this now?"

Varek’s gaze softened. "Because, Aeron... I will not be with you forever. I owe you this. A few lessons. At least for your father’s sake. Lucian was my lord. You are his son and I cannot leave you without these words."

Aeron’s eyes filled with tears. He wanted to speak, but Varek raised a weak hand.

"Rest now, Aeron," he said gently. "Tomorrow will be a long day."

"..."