Crom
and Aparthie had been married hair over a dozen years and she had yet to
conceive child. Crom could not accept
that his wife was barren though she had many years ago. Ganesh was an old man by now and Crom was in
his middle thirties and had no son to continue his legacy. He spent his days training for an imminent
war that never came.
On this day, Crom was bare-chested and sparring with
his sword against two other swordsmen.
He defeated them easily enough.
Crom was a mighty warrior indeed, the finest ever bred. Aparthie watched him contentedly as she
always did, when Valla entered the courtyard, when he said excitedly, “My Lord,
Crom! My Lady, Aparthie, there is a
visitor in the library meeting with Ganesh.
He claims to be Boxt, the eldest son of Strom. Your presence is required at this
meeting!” Crom and Aparthie shared a
startled look. Crom put on his shirt,
strapped his sheath in place, slid the sword in, and headed to the library, followed
by Aparthie and Valla.
They arrived
in the library and there was a young Boxt, talking with Ganesh. Boxt stood, then kneeled, in a timid voice he
made out, “Lord Crom, Lady Aparthie. I
am Boxt, son of Strom, brother to you both.
I come with news of my father. I
fear he has gone mad. Just recently, in
a fit drunken rage, he confessed to the murder of my mother’s father. When my mother threatened to go to the
authorities, he slew her as well. My
younger brother stayed with our father out of fear. I came here seeking safety from my vicious
father.” Boxt was convincing, he never
let on his true intentions.
“You will have it, young Boxt,” said Crom, “Aparthie
and I shall raise you as our own. It
saddens me greatly to hear of the fall of my brother from grace.”
Boxt smiled hesitantly and rose to his feet. He shook the hand of Ganesh and Crom. Boxt gave his hand to Aparthie who
instinctively gave him a hug, she squeezed him tightly. Aparthie was truly disturbed by news of such
deeds of Strom. She still had great love
for him as a brother. Crom was upset
too, but knew all along that Strom was capable of such acts. Ganesh called for the help to show Boxt
around and he had a new home.
###
More Greatest Evil
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