After Kaiell’s stop at the familiar town of Trestlebridge to get all that he’d needed, the weary man had continued north, past the North Downs... and past the great lake of Evendim. The journey had been rather long and slow, with the cold only growing as he went on. But the destination was worth it, as no other place felt right to Kaiell. Once there, the bearded man got straight to work.
… Letting the dirt-mixed snow fall from the shovel for what seemed like the umpteenth time, Kaiell stepped backwards and leaned against a tree – the tree he and Jon had so often climbed before as kids – while watching his heavy breathes escape from him, one after the other. A few long moments later he found himself sitting down on the wide, thick roots – the shovel now resting on the ground beside him. He’d been at it most of the day it seemed, and now he was nearly finished. But ever since Nen Harn, his strength felt all but diminished.
Kaiell stared up past the trees, squinting into the sunless, yet bright-grey, cloud-filled sky. He shut his eyes a heartbeat later, frowning from the throbbing in his head and the frozen numbness in his face. Resting his head back against the tree, his regular thoughts over the past many days began to repeat themselves once more.
I’m sorry.
– The silent words echoed, as if for the first time through a dark and endless tunnel.
…I was given a chance to save you… but in the end I failed to do so, just like the beginning. I’m sorry brother.
“– I’m so sorry,” he faintly sighed out with a grimace, the words no longer unheard and inaudible. Yet, he knew there was only so much he could’ve done himself. And he ultimately couldn’t blame those from the island, at least not truly. Furthermore, he’d come to realize that Jon had indeed been saved in a way. Had indeed been freed after all this time.
Slowly, Kaiell opened his eyes. Looking back towards the grave right beside him, he weakly got to his feet, took the shovel, and began smoothing out the ground the best he could once more… “Rest well Jon, for now you know freedom. I will do what I can to avenge your death.” He looked past the trees to the edge of a mountain where a slight clearing of the shadow of clouds could be seen. If there is life beyond death, I will see you and everyone else again.
“Until then, farewell once more.”
