Beneath the Willow Tree
Rain pelted the earth in a slow rhythm as the girl walked slowly across the meadow. Her black hair pulled back in a loose knot at the back of her head, several strands had escaped and now hung in her face. Ahead of her lay a dense forest where nothing but the trees and a few threatening brambles grew. She paused when she reached the edge of the forest and looked back across the meadow at the alley she'd left.
"Tyr!"
Tears ran down the girl's face as she heard her name called.
Jarik appeared at the end of the alley and ran towards her, his shirt was torn, revealing a hawk tattoo on his left shoulder. "Tyr, don't go!" he cried as he reached her.
Rain pelted her face, hiding the tears. "I have to Jarik," she whispered.
"Why? I don't understand."
"I'm leaving Jarik. I have to. This is the last time I can see you... Remember?"
"Then this isn't real?" he asked taking her into his arms.
"No this is real. You can bring me back... Or you can come with me. That's why I'm here."
"What do you mean?"
"I don't have much time Jarik... This is the last time you can see me unless you find a way to bring me back." Tyr whispered.
"How?" Jarik asked looking into her eyes.
"I've heard people say that you need to go to the vampires and find a necromancer... or..."
"What?"
"If you remember this before they..." she shook her head, "Find Asira, she's the only one who might be able to help you." Tyr said snuggling into his arms.
"Where, and who is Asira?" Jarik asked running a hand down her cheek.
"She's a vampire familiar. She'll be able to tell you more. She lives in town; you'll probably find her in Ice territory in the Dark Eyes Corner Club."
Jarik nodded and lifted her chin. "What if she won't help? When will I see you again?"
Tyr bit her lip, another wave of tears falling down her cheeks. "If she won't then you won't see me again until we die."
"Damnit! Tyr I can't live without you!" he said pulling her fiercely into his arms and holding her tight.
"Don't say that Jarik!" she said putting a hand to his lips. "The gods won't let us be together if you kill yourself!" she cupped his face in her hands.
Jarik nodded and turned his head slightly, kissing the palm of her right hand, and then dropping his head until their lips met. He kissed her softly and then harder and more passionately, wrapping his arms around her tighter until her hips, thighs and breasts were crushed against his body.
Warm heat flooded her body as their lips met, her pulse quickening and her breath coming in quick gasps when they broke away. Their lips met again for another moment, and then he pulled away and slowly began kissing her neck.
"Jarik..." Tyr gasped, "Don't forget what I've told you," she said going limp in his arms.
"I won't," he whispered looking into her eyes.
Her face paled, "I have to go Jarik..." she said reaching up to cup his face. “I love you..." she whispered.
"No... Tyr don't go! Please!" Jarik cried kissing her passionately.
"I... love you..." Tyr whispered her hand dropping from his face.
The meadow faded and he was back in the alley. NightHawks disappeared into the darkness, fleeing the scene. Tyr's hand dropped from his face, as he closed his eyes. Her body shook in his arms and he looked down at her as blood ran over his hands. Opening his eyes he looked down at her face, her eyes slid shut as her last breath escaped her lips.
"No!" he cried hugging her lifeless form. All that had happened that night suddenly flooding his memory.
NightHawk had found them together and had knocked him to the ground while they slit her throat and ran. He looked down at her body. No longer could they hide beneath the willow tree in the forest to escape from the relentless feud between the two guilds.
Jarik picked up her body and began walking across the meadow towards the forest.
As he reached the forest, several figures began crossing the meadow behind him.
Tyr watched from the trees as Jarik approached the willow tree. Tears stained her face as she watched, unable to warn him, as three of the IceFang guild tackled Jarik and stabbed him. She would never be able to rejoin him in life. She would be forced to walk the earth as a ghost, able to see, yet unable to be seen.
Turning away from the scene she walked over to their beloved willow tree and drew a dagger from its sheath and carved a message into the wood. As she wrote she felt Jarik join her.
She turned to him, "I'm sorry..." she whispered throwing her arms around his neck.
He wrapped his arms around her waist, "I couldn't have lived without you..." he whispered sitting down and leaning against the willow, pulling her down next to him.
At midnight when there is a full moon one can see two ghostly figures sitting beneath the branches of a willow tree, holding hands. A hawk tattooed on the man's shoulder, and a fang on the girl's wrist. On the tree above them is written:
In death we are reunited
We walk the earth forever
Both murdered by the other
And such is the curse
Of those both lovers and enemies.
~ Back