“The Sword of Souls bears no ill; it is a pure blade that cleanses souls in the hand of a silver moon.  No red moon could ever hope to tame such a power.  The Sword refuses to listen to unjust desires,”

Interview with Ike Rain

Currently, Ike, his brother, Luke, and Mya, a friend live in a small cabin.  The grassy meadow which surrounds the cabin is bordered by Lye Forest.  The bark of the trees is a creamy brown, like chocolate and vanilla ice cream mixed together.  The leaves are a light shade of emerald and in the spring, pale translucent blue flowers bloom, giving the forest a mystical appearance.  Ike was standing outside in a sea of fog as I arrived in the early morning; he was wearing all black and had his hood up over his head.  My first impression was that he was a very temperamental young man with much on his mind that he really did not want to share.  The interview merely scratched the surface. I felt like he was holding back, as he would frequently pause and glare at me like I was trying to read some hidden secret.

 “I moved here with my little brother and Mya after our village was attacked by Ethos’ soldiers. There are no neighbors within twenty miles of this cabin.  We came here for safety, but travel to Sunville for supplies.  The people there are friendly enough.  Mr. Gilliam gives me orders for weapons and Mya makes them for the rebels.  Ethos’ soldiers raid many of our villages.  Sunville has been overlooked, due to the poverty of the people who live here.  I’m trying to help the Hearta rebels regain their land and pride.  We are not very organized, but recruit regularly from the bandits who roam the land.”

Steely eyes examined me for any sign of weakness; he sighed audibly, and then asked, “Why have you come?”

“The three of you hide yourselves away from the world out here, and yet you claim the cause is what you live for, or so Gilliam says,” I replied, bending to get a glimpse of his shadowed face.  “Are you as cold and calculating as they think, or is this just a mask you wear to fool those who do not know the truth?”  I cautiously continued.

“What do you know of truth?”  Ike spat back, tearing the hood from his face.  His ruffled blond hair caught the rays of sunshine and lit like fire.   The black eyes seemed to come to life, as his face turned red with anger.

“I know what you told me the other day was true, well partly.  Gilliam may be a good soldier, but he is no mastermind.  The rebels are more orderly than first impressions dictate Ike,” I replied.  I could feel his fury growing, yet pressed on.  “You have such a mind, and I really want to help.”

“Walk with me,” he huffed, curling his lips in a smirk. 

We entered the forest with its emerald leaves smiling down, pale translucent blue flowers hung from the branches, giving the forest a mystical appearance, but even this beauty could not quell the flood of anxiety I felt growing in my gut.  Ike no longer spoke and the eerie silence chilled my heart.  The trees became less close and I could sense the ending of the woods.  The path ran out to a scene of destruction, rubble was spilled out in all directions, making us step over the remains of buildings, which had crumbled to dust during the long years.  His pace never slowed though, he walked this path as if he could do it blindfolded, while I struggled to keep up. 

“There,” Ike pointed. 

I looked inquisitively at the decaying castle, coming into view.  His pace slowed now, as if a heavy burden was upon his young shoulders.

Ike climbed the cold stone steps, broken and lonely, and then turned toward me once more.  The black eyes looked out at me from a different vantage point now, and without a word, I understood all that he could not openly proclaim.