Read Online The Sword of Darrow by Hal Malchow - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Hal Malchow
Tags: Fantasy, Young Adult
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much searching, she could find no more, so she went to Asterux.
“No one insults a princess. I have endured few hardships or wrongs. I can forgive the small deeds, but the forgiveness is too easy. There is no power from that.”
Asterux thought for a long time.
“I had not considered this problem. But you are right. Not having these small offenses will make your next challenge even harder. You will have to find strength for the final step. Think of your greatest pain in your life, think of its source, think of the one individual above all others whose wrongs have hurt you in a deep and lasting way. Consider him, understand him, and forgive him.”
So Sesha went back to her room and she immediately thought of the goblin, the executioner, who had held the sword on the balcony as her family awaited their fate. When she thought of this goblin, she felt hatred.
How could anyone, even a goblin, raise a sword above her family before a cheering and heartless army? How could she possibly love or forgive this creature? No matter how she tried, she failed.
After months of trying, with no success at all, she went to Asterux and told him that her magic would never come. But Asterux was nothing if not patient and spoke these words: “What brings someone to commit acts of violence? Understand the life that stands behind their terrible deeds. Understand the burdens those deeds become. And if he bears no shame, pity him all the more because he has lost the goodness that is the true magic of life itself. Search your heart. Look deeper. It is there. And when you find it, you will find compassion and understanding, even for the executioner.”
For months, Sesha thought of the goblin with the sword. She thought what it must be like to lift a sword to take the life of another—perhaps each and every day. She wondered what lived inside of him and what must have surely died. She felt his emptiness and it felt painful. And then it made her sad. She realized that somehow, in some way, this creature had been robbed of kindness, affection, and love, and that grief was the first step on the path to forgiveness. In her imaginings, she saw cruelties and humiliations and wondered, though she could not know, which of these had befallen the executioner and stolen from his soul. The more she imagined, the sadder she became. She grieved for all that he must have endured. She ached for what he had lost. From her sadness, she began to understand that he was indeed as much a victim as her own family. From this understanding, she found love. And then, after months of struggle, she forgave him.
Her forgiveness stirred a new power inside her. A deep goodness stirred in her body. It was strong. It was hopeful. With this new power, she turned to open the seed. She felt a surge inside of her. Her body shook with energy. With all her might, she focused on the seed that had stood motionless on the windowsill for four long years.
The seed still did not open.
She slumped in her chair, her body still trembling and covered with sweat. She rose, ran to Asterux, and fell to the floor before him.
“I am not good enough,” she cried. “I will never find the power. Why can’t I just say chants or use magic potions?”
“There are many magics, my dear,” Asterux responded. “There are magics that rise from old texts and languages no longer spoken in this world. There are potions, chants, and spells that trade power for possession of the soul. But these are the magics of evil. The magic of the good is different.” Asterux paused. “And far more powerful as well.”
“But I have forgiven and no magic has come.”
Asterux spoke slowly and gently.
“Perhaps, my dear, you have not forgiven all.”
Days later, Sesha stared at the seed and searched through the memories of her life. When she could not find that person—the one who caused her the greatest pain—she laid her head on the table and wept once more.
In this sadness, her memories wandered. She
“No one insults a princess. I have endured few hardships or wrongs. I can forgive the small deeds, but the forgiveness is too easy. There is no power from that.”
Asterux thought for a long time.
“I had not considered this problem. But you are right. Not having these small offenses will make your next challenge even harder. You will have to find strength for the final step. Think of your greatest pain in your life, think of its source, think of the one individual above all others whose wrongs have hurt you in a deep and lasting way. Consider him, understand him, and forgive him.”
So Sesha went back to her room and she immediately thought of the goblin, the executioner, who had held the sword on the balcony as her family awaited their fate. When she thought of this goblin, she felt hatred.
How could anyone, even a goblin, raise a sword above her family before a cheering and heartless army? How could she possibly love or forgive this creature? No matter how she tried, she failed.
After months of trying, with no success at all, she went to Asterux and told him that her magic would never come. But Asterux was nothing if not patient and spoke these words: “What brings someone to commit acts of violence? Understand the life that stands behind their terrible deeds. Understand the burdens those deeds become. And if he bears no shame, pity him all the more because he has lost the goodness that is the true magic of life itself. Search your heart. Look deeper. It is there. And when you find it, you will find compassion and understanding, even for the executioner.”
For months, Sesha thought of the goblin with the sword. She thought what it must be like to lift a sword to take the life of another—perhaps each and every day. She wondered what lived inside of him and what must have surely died. She felt his emptiness and it felt painful. And then it made her sad. She realized that somehow, in some way, this creature had been robbed of kindness, affection, and love, and that grief was the first step on the path to forgiveness. In her imaginings, she saw cruelties and humiliations and wondered, though she could not know, which of these had befallen the executioner and stolen from his soul. The more she imagined, the sadder she became. She grieved for all that he must have endured. She ached for what he had lost. From her sadness, she began to understand that he was indeed as much a victim as her own family. From this understanding, she found love. And then, after months of struggle, she forgave him.
Her forgiveness stirred a new power inside her. A deep goodness stirred in her body. It was strong. It was hopeful. With this new power, she turned to open the seed. She felt a surge inside of her. Her body shook with energy. With all her might, she focused on the seed that had stood motionless on the windowsill for four long years.
The seed still did not open.
She slumped in her chair, her body still trembling and covered with sweat. She rose, ran to Asterux, and fell to the floor before him.
“I am not good enough,” she cried. “I will never find the power. Why can’t I just say chants or use magic potions?”
“There are many magics, my dear,” Asterux responded. “There are magics that rise from old texts and languages no longer spoken in this world. There are potions, chants, and spells that trade power for possession of the soul. But these are the magics of evil. The magic of the good is different.” Asterux paused. “And far more powerful as well.”
“But I have forgiven and no magic has come.”
Asterux spoke slowly and gently.
“Perhaps, my dear, you have not forgiven all.”
Days later, Sesha stared at the seed and searched through the memories of her life. When she could not find that person—the one who caused her the greatest pain—she laid her head on the table and wept once more.
In this sadness, her memories wandered. She
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