Waiting for Night

She had always marveled at his hair: stark white with silver highlights that had nothing to do with age. For the five years they had lived together she could not remember a moment when he had cut it, but it always seemed to stay the same length: sleek, strong strands ran to his shoulder blades, always pulled back with a leather thong. It had contrasted sharply with his dark skin, tanned to a deep brown no matter the season. His eyes, however, were the crowning glory of it all: crimson red, unnatural, and captivating. Somehow he had always seen into her deepest thoughts with ease, piercing her with his gaze.

She missed those eyes.

Syn brushed strands of red back from her eyes as she looked out the window of the small house. Trees surrounded the house on every side, but just through the nearest copse outside the window she could see a lake shimmering in the evening sun, casting gold and scarlet across the water. Normally, she would have seen him there now, shirtless and sweating through sword practice; Her vision betrayed his absence.

For the first time since his absence, she began to feel alone. Caros was gone, and for whatever reason he could not or would not return. It was perhaps this knowlege that worried her the most, for her guardian had always been a man of his word beyond all else.

“Even if it is not soon, I will return.” His words stung her to the core. Two years was too long, even for Caros. Syn could feel the itch begin to grow to search for him; to search for answers that she did not have.

“Syn, you must never leave this house. Never go wandering.”

“Why?”

“Simply trust in me and know that it is for the best.”

“…You’re the only person I trust.”

She had listened to him for seven years now and never taken a step beyond the Deep Forest. Her patience was waning and her worry growing into apprehension. The words of her silver-haired guardian rang in her head.

Beyond the lake, the sun had almost set, the horizon growing dark. Shadows filled the house as she continued to stare out the window.

When the world had gone dark, Syn rose and began to pack for her journey.

~ by eeratka on February 23, 2007.