Rain Song - Zeal's Quest for a Little Blue Boy

[[ zeal ]]

Edwin’s parents were Barons living by a coastal town called Morning Reef. It was surrounded by deep and lush forests, and was rarely visited by outsiders traveling by land. They had three beautiful children- each with a special talent. Their eldest, Emile was known for her beauty and skill with sewing. Their youngest, Edward was a master with a bow; and their middle child, Edwin, was revered as the best Viola player in the village. The family grew up in peace and surrounded by love. Yet, soon a seed of deceit was placed into the happy grounds of the family. Three days after Edwin had turned 16, a young man came to court the beautiful Emile- and she was taken by his charms. Everyone protested this couple and none louder than Edwin. They would often fight over Emile’s relationship, Edwin claiming that the young man was a trickster and up to no good. Emile would hear nothing of it, and eloped with the young man. Edwin was devastated, and spent a year locked away in his room playing his viola. He would speak to no one but Edward, his dear little brother.

After that painful year had passed, the family received word that Emile had been found far away to the west- living above a brothel in a city. When Edwin heard this he became outraged- and begged his parents to allow him to go fetch his sister back. By this time his parents were aged and worried about the state of their land if left in the hands of their children. They knew that Edwin could lead the land, but not when in such a state of desperation. They granted Edwin permission to go- but only if he would return in a years’ time. Edward pleaded to go, but Edwin and their parents would not allow it. “You must stay and care for mother and father.” Edwin told him as he saddled a horse for the journey.

“I can protect you on the trip! My bow work is by far better than anyone in the land!” Edwin merely shook his head and got onto the horse.

“Be safe and protect them. I’ll return in a year.” He said, and left his family behind.

A fortnight into the trip, Edwin was resting in some woods outside of a lonely and sad looking village. Playing his viola, his thoughts strayed to Emile and the horrible fight they had the day before she left. His music became pained and sorrowful, and he closed his eyes. Something hit the ground near him and he jumped. Looking at the ground near his leg an arrow was quivering in the ground. Scrambling to get up another arrow struck the tree near his head. Running, he heard more arrows striking around him. He reached into his jacket and pulled out a pistol he had hidden in case of attack. A laugh sounded through the woods. It was familiar, so very familiar…

A cloth flashed behind a tree a few yards away, and Edwin fired. A scream rang out and Edwin ran forward to see his attacker. He stopped short, all color draining from his face. Before him Edward was lying, bleeding to death from a wound in his chest.

“I was- showing you… how…” Edwin dropped his viola and stumbled to his brother’s side. “How… good I got…” A rattling breath escaped his lips as Edwin picked him up. Tears fell from both brothers eyes as Edward failed to inhale again.

Edwin had stayed with his brother’s body for a day before burying him beneath a tree. Distraught, he stumbled through the small village. He knew now that there was no heir to his parents, and that if he tried to return he would be murdered. The light was fading quickly, and the village seemed deserted. With viola in hand he searched for a place to hide from the impending darkness, someplace to spend the rest of his days in nightmares. He felt his face grow wet, even though he had done his crying. Looking up, rain began to fall from large plump clouds that appeared to come from nowhere. He tasted the water and was reminded of home, and began to cry again.

Soon he came upon what appeared to be an abandoned mansion, dilapidated and crumbling. Relieved he went inside, looking for a covered area to rest. He found an old room covered in sheet music and brown stains. The walls were pealing and broken instruments decorated the place. A fireplace on one wall had some dry woods piled near it. Edwin built a fire, and began to explore the room. Shifting through the papers on the ground he came across a sheet of music that caught his attention. Gingerly he picked it up. It was stained in some ominous brown substance and was partially charred. Placing it on a table he lifted his viola to his chin and began to play.

“Stop-stop it, you don’t know how to play that!” A voice screeched. Edwin turned, shocked and dazed at the sight of someone else in this crumbling mansion.

“Please, sir- I meant no harm. I was merely looking for some place to rest my troubled mind… the music-“

“IS NOT YOURS TO PLAY!” The man roared, leaping at Edwin. They rolled along the floor, towards the fireplace. Edwin tried to get the man off of him, but exhaustion gripped him. As they came closer to the fire, the man took advantage of it being lit- and kicked Edwin to the flames. Edwin, tired, gave to struggle and did not attempt to flee from the scorching flames. Instead he lay in the fire, slowly dying, wondering if his brother would be there waiting for him or if he would go to hell. His eyes wandered to the window and he thought of the rain, and how it tasted like the water at Morning Reef… As Edwin took his last painful breaths, Feardoc threw his viola into the fire along with him. Cackling madly, he began to work his black magic on Edwin’s soul…