Author of SF and Fantasy erotica

Epilogue

A stone house sits in a glade hidden in the forest of Ilvarith. It is overgrown with the eldritch wood’s rampant flora. Slender vines have made a home in the pocked wood of the front door and snuck into cracks between the stones. A fat nest of twigs has been assembled on the open windowsill, and little rodents scurry across the shade within. The tilled soil of an untended garden has been made messy by foreign additions to the intended crops, heavy root vegetables and curious herbs deposited by passing wildlife. There are two graves here.

Such was the sight that met Elliot’s eyes as he pushed through the last of the undergrowth and entered the glade. He wiped his brow and adjusted the pack on his shoulders. Then he sighed through a relieved smile.

“It’s here!” he called back into the trees. “I’ve found it!”

Elliot’s companion today was a pretty woman he was very fond of. She had a nice smile, and she had been kind enough to let him sleep with her more than once. She wasn’t quite human. She straddled the line of what Elliot’s culture called us and them. Elliot thought she was marvellous.

His companion called something back to him through the trees, and he nodded.

“I’ll just be a minute!”

Leaving his pack at the treeline, Elliot approached the cottage. He ran his hand over the chalky stone walls and sniffed the mingled scents of the abandoned interior. He met the eyes of a mouse peeking at him from under the door, and he laughed when it zipped away. Then he stepped carefully around the overgrown garden and approached the twin graves. He got down on his knees.

Both resting spots were made of softer earth than the surrounding soil. The one on the left was a taller lump than the right, suggesting the body beneath had been buried closer to the surface. It was decorated with a thick stick from a nearby pine carved into a clumsy plank, stuck upright near one end. The marker for the second grave was more neatly crafted. The words ‘Rest well, I love you’ had been carved into the pale wood.

Elliot said a little prayer for the elf sleeping in the earth on his left, but he didn’t have much to say. He hoped she was happy. Then he turned his attention to the second grave.

“Hello, Mother,” he said. “It’s Elliot, in case that wasn’t obvious. I won’t take up much of your time. I just came to see you.”

He looked up. The clear sky above, spotted with fluffy clouds, suggested it was midday. But here in Ilvarith, the sun’s position could be deceptive.

“This is a nice place,” said Elliot. “I don’t remember it, obviously, but I like to think you were happy here. You were happy enough to have a baby with my dad, so that has to count for something. He seemed to think you’d enjoy living here more than in the city. It’s very peaceful.”

Taking a deep breath of clear air, Elliot sighed. “I have to wonder what it would have been like to grow up here, if you hadn’t passed away and I had remained with you. I wonder what my life would have been like.”

He wouldn’t have become overseer for the Office of Municipal Integration. He wouldn’t have met the people of Low Town. His life would have likely had all kinds of other impressive milestones, all manner of other friends…

“But I wanted you to know that I’m happy,” he said aloud. “I think we have a good thing going right now in the city. The times are moving in an exciting direction. The office keeps me busy, but I’m glad to be there. I’d tell you everything, but then I’d be here all day, and my friend is waiting for me.”

He peered over his shoulder. Elliot wouldn’t have minded if his companion was listening, but she’d kept her distance.

“I think you’d like her. I certainly do. I’ve met a lot of good people this year, so I’m in good company. I’m… sorry that wasn’t your experience.”

He turned back to the grave, chewing his tongue. “I’m sorry we didn’t get to know each other. I hope you’re, you know.” He nodded to the marker. “Resting well.”

Elliot sniffed. “I should get out of your hair. Don’t let your idiot son disturb you.” He rose up and dusted off his knees. “I’m going home. To Layman. I have work to do.”

Head bowed and hands stiff at his sides, Elliot made for his discarded pack and the forest beyond. He hoisted the pack onto his shoulders. Then he took one last look into the glade. His eyes were teal, brilliant as cracked gemstones, and they shone with tears.

“Bye, Mother,” he said.

Then he left. As he’d said, he had a lot of work to do. And someone very special was waiting for him.

THE END

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