S4S

Ignoring the fear that was rapidly building inside of him, Ren restrained himself from taking a deep breath. The armed traveler had noticed him immediately after Ren had stepped into the open, snapping their knife into a combative position. Thankfully though, the traveler’s stance was defensive, and he hadn’t lashed out at Ren yet. “I… I heard a bear,” Ren whispered softly in response, “Yesterday. A-and an explosion. And… something…” Ren could feel his confidence waver with every word he spoke. This was not going well. It had been so, so long since Ren had spoken to the living, it was painfully obvious now. He cursed Death’s Name; why was it his heart knew what to say, but his words failed him with every syllable? “I saw your fire!” Ren exclaimed softly, pointing towards the remains of black charcoal that had mixed into the powdery snow, “I... I followed the smoke and found you- all, of you. I just… wondered, what was… happening…”

Snapping away from his well of endless thoughts, Ren suddenly noticed one of the travelers had separated from the rest of the party. Having abandoned their pack of supplies in the snow, the man with the large hat and the hefty sword was now moving silently along the outskirts of the abandoned camp, a glistening dagger held tightly in their gloved hand. The man began to move quietly through the trees, their eyes scanning the winter foliage with a sharp gaze. Ren watched in curiosity as the man moved with the fluid grace of a predator… Stalking their prey… Frantically gathering his surroundings, Ren looked over and noticed a second figure standing in the distance, although this one manifested itself more from within another Realm. A sinking feeling began to rise in Ren’s chest though as he realized that this second being wasn’t looking for him, but had already found him and knew exactly where he was. Ren quickly turned his attention back to the approaching man, but thankfully it appeared as if he had not quite pinpointed Ren’s location yet… Or perhaps the man was toying with him and baiting his approach as a trap… Ren crouched down further behind the closest tree, panicking as he tried to assess his options. He cursed himself for allowing two entities to sneak up on him like this. Turning towards the woodlands behind him, Ren wondered how far he could run on a single Inhale. The second entity would pose a threat if it followed, but if he were at least able to sneak away from the man then- Why did you stay? Ren paused. The small voice that had haunted him throughout the night spoke powerfully in his mind once more, and it felt as though time itself frozen with the snow around him. Seconds seemed to pass like the eternities as Ren closed his eyes. He felt so many thoughts and emotions swirling inside him, yet tried to understand each one as they fought for dominance. Memories began to flash across his mind; not just six years of memories, but a lifetime of them. A lifetime of experiences he had wished to forget. Conversations he wished he had never spoken in. Emotions he wished he had never felt. Faces he wished he had never seen. Friends he- No. Ren lowered his head, his mind holding onto a single memory. Reaching for his chest, Ren felt his fingers gently brush across the amethyst and jade beads looped into the leather necklace around his neck. Why did you go? Ren slowly opened his eyes. He didn't know if a severed heart could ever be mended. But did he dare to hope again as he had once before? Although his mind was still spinning, a renewed sense of energy began to rise within Ren. Continuing to remain hidden from the armed man, Ren carefully stood upright with whatever fragments of determination he could find within himself. Cautiously peering around the tree towards the armed traveler, he saw that the man was nearly right on top of him now, and the entity from the other Realm was still watching him from a distance. Setting his jaw, Ren braced himself one last time. Breathing in slowly, Ren felt his body fade. For six years… Breathing out slowly, Ren felt his body take solid form. …what did the beggar really want? Hoping… praying… and pleading from within a severed heart, Ren finally stepped from the shadows.

Rengoku took a deep breath. Standing quietly behind one of the large trees, Ren watched silently from a distance as the strange group of travelers packed their things. The group worked quickly in the early morning light, breaking camp and preparing to set off once more. There seemed to be good comradery between them all, as many were discussing one with another the wonderous secrets of magics and lore. A few had even begun walking again, moving purposefully towards an unseen goal. However, although his eyes followed their movements and his ears gathered fragments of their conversations, Ren’s mind had been wandering for many hours now. It had all begun yesterday, while Ren was lurking through the deeper parts of the same forest. He had heard the roaring echo of a savage bear from many hills over, though the cries of common wildlife never sparked interest in Ren; the woodlands were their home after all. But soon after that, he had heard the rumble of an explosion. Most certainly strange, though perhaps it was a rouge magician practicing their art. It was only after feeling that… wave of terror that flashed through the Realms, striking at his very core… Clearly, something was happening. So, under the cover of darkness, Ren had gone to investigate. It hadn’t been too difficult to find the source of the disturbances though: someone had lit a fire that led him right to it. Ren had passed the bear’s corpse nearby on his way to the beacon of smoke, as well as scorch marks from what he presumed to be the earlier explosion. But it was when he saw the ten… no, twelve entities residing within the makeshift camp… A small voice, somewhere deep inside of Ren, had cut deeper than daggers and sharper than steel: You have no place here. Since hearing those words, his heart had felt severed once more. It wasn’t the fact that his heart was torn though that kept him lost in thought. It was that it had been six years… six years since that day. This wasn't a sudden realization, he knew he had no place among the living anymore. So why was he still so conflicted? Had he not changed? Had he not grown? For six years he had remained isolated within the unclaimed hills, existing only in a world of his own reflection, and that self reflection had helped Ren to finally learn his place: Ren was a beggar. A beggar that was staring longingly through the gates toward a beautiful palace. A grand and royal ball was taking place somewhere inside those ornamented walls. That beggar could hear the soft music and feel the warm laughter coming from inside. But for how close the beggar was to those gates, what lay inside those walls was a treasure beyond his reach. So why would that beggar stay? Knowing he did not belong among nobles and kings, why would he want to listen to music he could not enjoy or smile at laugher he could not join in? Was it hope? Hope that perhaps by some miracle they would open the gates to let him in? Hope that he could walk the halls of the palace and be amongst wealth and fame? Hope that he could sip the fine wines and savor the hearty meals? No… this was not what the beggar wanted… And yet through it all… the beggar had stayed. Ren, had stayed. Throughout the dark of night and into the early hours of the morning, he had stayed, watching silently from behind the large tree protecting him from view. Hoping… praying… pleading within his own severed and torn heart… Why, why did he still feel this way?

I liked the idea of Miracles. I'm interested to know if what you posted for it are excerpts from a greater whole or if the intention is to keep a compact story. Regardless of overall length though, what you shared was short and powerful, leaving me with enough intrigue that has kept me thinking and interested to know more as to what kind of world this is that you have made with snow and soul. I'd also be curious to see where Merely Human continues. It was a good introduction for the characters you had set in place, and similar to Miracles, I'm interested as to what kind of world Ever and Callen are placed in. The "environment" around the two characters seems left open to interpretation so far, so it will be interesting to see the world develop. Aside from grammatical edits, these pieces were well done! Thanks for sharing!

Except I'm dead...

Haha... I do like your story though @Firerust.

@Serce Forts Welcome Brightness Varaseel. It's... nice... to see another with a nack for Lightweaving? Anyway, welcome to our fold. Your humble servant... Mathis

@CarolaDavar Another amazing story I can add to my collection of tales. I commend your bravery Carola. That is something I do not do often... *nod of respect* Your humble servant... Mathis

Yeah, so those who join, I'll help get better Ranks. There. Now do I get to keep the treasure...

I just discovered that I can't upvote more than 16 times in one day...

@Sami I don't know what you're talking about... @Tesh Kholin I can Steelpush just fine on Roshar. I just can't push Shardblades or Shardplate because of the amount of investgure. And I'm just gonna upvote all posts. Help give people some nicer ranks than Awakened Object and whatnot... Mathis

Donate is not in my vocabulary. However, borrow and interest is, along with steal, take, plunder, etc...

@Tesh Kholin Why wouldn't we need treasure?

@King Cole Welcome. As to your question on bonding with a spren, I have none. I doubt that I could keep the oaths of one unless they specified that stealing and treasure were part of them. I do have an Honorblade which grants me some abilities on Roshar. Lastly, a question for a question. What type of Feruchemist are you? Are you a single metal or can you use all of them? Cause that's rare... Your humble servant... Mathis

@Mestiv Thank you. I don't know if many get the chance to thank those like you. @Tesh Kholin You have my word, my power, and my sword. But my treasure is mine... Your humble servant... Mathis

@CarolaDavar Pleasure to meet you. I've heard of this Kaladin, but have yet to meet him... I got to Urithiru a little later than the rest. @Sami Glad to meet you as well. I've been in recent contract with @Tesh Kholin, @Megasif, and @Kaladinwillumarryme? as of late. You all have such interesting backgrounds such as mine! I almost feel normal... Your humble servant... Mathis

@Tesh Kholin hi...again... Your humble servant... Shadows4Silence

@Tesh Kholin Sudden circumstances have made me unavailable for a meeting today. However, tomorrow should suit me fine, but go ahead and have the meeting anyway with those who can. I'll catch up with you later... Your humble servant... Mathis

@Tesh Kholin Shadows4Silence resides in Utah, or the Mountain Time zone.

I have quick access to a Spanreed, but I'm on the run at the moment. I don't think the Highlady approved of me stealing a Soulcaster from her Ardents... What about The Surgefinders... Your humble servant... Mathis *proceeds to jump from railing on Oathgate and down Urithiru's mountain, laughing at the chasing Highlady's Honor Guard's stunned expressions...*

@Kaladinwillumarryme? Welcome to our fold Celia! I feel that this will become something truly destined for greatness! Although I have not had nearly as harsh of an upbringing in my years of plundering on other Shards (as I am more of a man of solitude), I am willing to help in any way I can. @Megasif This sounds great. And although Brightlord Amaram has not tainted my past as yours and Celia's, I am still curious to hear everyone's story of this so called rat... He reminds me of some others that I know of from my travels... Lastly, @Tesh Kholin, I feel as if I have an update on the situation regarding a spren. I can share more at our meeting in Urithiru, as I am now here, waiting in the shadows in silence... I look forward to our meeting here. Your humble servant... Mathis