Role

Chapter 8

The pretty nightengale fluttered to a gentle perch atop the gravestone, set
in the shadow of an abandoned farmhouse nearby. The bird glanced at
the ground and thought aloud, his words coming out only as audible chirps.

"Oh mom... I never knew you, but oh how I wish I did. I am going to make
my life worth... your death. I promise. Today was finally, a good day!"

The gravestone listened quietly.

"I fight, mother. I know so little, but am finding so much. Even if each
discovery only reveals how much more there is to figure out. I at least...
I at least have learned I am for certain on the path I wish to be."

The wind rustled some leaves, shook some twigs.

Tomias unshifted to his normal form. He sat down against the gravestone
and gazed up into the clouds, as he did so often as a child. He smiled.

"I was so unsure... all the other squires and scribes seemed to arrive
knowing everything, and me, hardly a thing! But, I traveled to Her again,
even had to fight my way past this horrible beast, and confessed my doubts
to Her. And again, she asserted her faith in me, and she helped me realize-
...well, the light behind my worries. And guess what? My next battle,
against two hateful assassins who were murdering elves, you wouldn't bel-"

Two drow soldiers appeared in an instant, surrounding Tomias.

"What a foolish child, coming back here," sneered one. Tomias stood
up carefully as they drew their weapons and closed in on him.

"Do not kill him," said another, grinning. "Not completely, anyway."

Tomias trembled, and looked back up at the sky. He thought about
being a nightengale again. Instead, he eyed the grinning soldier,
and flickered into a form with four legs and sharp teeth.