Role

Chapter 6

The remains of my false father's home was a vision of spring descended upon an
abandoned castle. It was a large estate with rooms enough for all of his brides
and children. There were walls in ill repair and rooms completely open to the
elements. Most of his children had scattered to the winds, those who had
survived birth. Of his brides, only two remained in the house. They tended to
his son and my nominal half-brother, who had been mute since birth. To their
knowledge and mine, he was the only child besides myself accounted for as an
offspring of the cruel man.

I made quick pleasantries and shared a brief story of my journeys. I regaled
them with tales of dragon lairs and buried treasures, speaking of my many
friends and comrades, and how I kept souls safe amidst the most dangerous of
adventures. Finally I came to the story of searching for any family amongst the
pixies, and I sensed their nervousness in broaching the topic.

'I met one pixie who finally gave me something to work with, a phrase: The
Apples You Have Lost. Not super useful! There are so many apples about. But
then I thought about the orchard and wondered if there wasn't something I had
neglected to learn here.'

'Our little investigator.' My mother said. 'Our accomplished rejuvenator.' My
other mother said. 'There is something you left, or was left for you. I'm
unsure if it's lost.' My mother continued, 'There is a large tree that sprung
when you arrived, it has produced some of the most delicious golden crisp
apples. But after a decade or so of seasons, it bore no more fruit.' My other
mother continued, 'We took an apple from the harvest and planted it, and much
to our delight it too grew over the years, and then it bore fruit, and then it
too bore no more.'

They went to a shelf in another room and brought back a small potted plant.
'This is the youngest of this cycle, like you. Perhaps now that you've found
it, you may learn something from the journey?'

I shrugged, it was as useful as anything else I suppose. 'I'll come and visit
again, I should visit more.' 'Of course, love.' My mother said. And with that,
I opened a gate to return to the Emerald Forest. 'We can't keep...' I heard as
I stepped through and the portal disappeared.