A Haunted Past (short story) - Revision history

GS4-XERAPHINA at 03:21, 21 March 2024

2024-03-21T03:21:27Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 22:21, 20 March 2024
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	He shook his head and rubbed his eyes before slowly turning and falling back onto the bed with a frustrated sigh.		He shook his head and rubbed his eyes before slowly turning and falling back onto the bed with a frustrated sigh.
			{{DEFAULTSORT:Haunted Past (short story)}}

GS4-XERAPHINA: updated template for new required parts, added default sort

2024-03-21T02:59:24Z

updated template for new required parts, added default sort

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:59, 20 March 2024
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			{{Creative-work
	~~{{creative-work~~ \| ~~title = A Haunted Past \| type = short story \| author = Mirkk \|~~ author-displayed = [[Mirkk (prime)\|Mirkk Timbertree-Bayvel]]}}		\|author-displayed=[[Mirkk (prime)\|Mirkk Timbertree-Bayvel]]

			\|title=A Haunted Past
			\|author=Mirkk
			\|date=2022-03-24
			\|type=short story
			}}
	In 5104, after a prosperous time on [[Teras Isle]], [[Mirkk (prime)\|Mirkk]]		In 5104, after a prosperous time on [[Teras Isle]], [[Mirkk (prime)\|Mirkk]]
	set sail on an unnamed merchant vessel to return to [[Wehnimer's Landing]].		set sail on an unnamed merchant vessel to return to [[Wehnimer's Landing]].

LOWEBW1: Added “Vast Grey Seas”

2022-07-29T16:44:39Z

Added “Vast Grey Seas”

@@ Line 10: / Line 10: @@
 Also see: [[Mirkk's Tale (short story)#26th of Koaratos|At the Oars]] as part of Mirkk's Tale.
-==='''Monster'''===
+===='''Monster'''====
 Crimson drops fell from his fingertips onto the salt-crusted deck, some mixing with the blood already there, and he couldn't tell if it was someone else's or his own. He watched several large drops splatter irregularly against the wood. He wondered for a moment if eventually the drops would stop or if they would begin to pool. His eyes followed the blood up from his hands and along his arms, across his shoulders and realized it covered his chest. Then the shouting began.
@@ Line 110: / Line 110: @@
 [https://open.spotify.com/track/63aVbch5VRXtQnCITdeDTZ?si=TeGVrc_pTbaKWFSQJGU43Q| ”Until It Sleeps” ~ Metallica]
-====='''Catharsis'''=====
+===='''Catharsis'''====
 The violent storm caused the ship to pitch and roll. With each movement, Mirkk lurched to one side and then the other as the unmoving shackles dug into his wrists. Above, the sails had been trimmed hard, the helm lashed in hopes the Vosk Pritz, or ''Rising Sun'', would keep itself righted until the worst of the tempest had blown over. But on the sea, only fools rely on hope alone.
@@ Line 177: / Line 177: @@
 [https://open.spotify.com/track/5TgEJ62DOzBpGxZ7WRsrqb?si=yycUG3TlS16b4TFdh7MVjA| “Work Song” ~ Hozier]

LOWEBW1: Added “Catharsis”

2022-05-27T20:50:15Z

Added “Catharsis”

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:50, 27 May 2022
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	[https://open.spotify.com/track/63aVbch5VRXtQnCITdeDTZ?si=TeGVrc_pTbaKWFSQJGU43Q\| ”Until It Sleeps” ~ Metallica]		[https://open.spotify.com/track/63aVbch5VRXtQnCITdeDTZ?si=TeGVrc_pTbaKWFSQJGU43Q\| ”Until It Sleeps” ~ Metallica]

			====='''Catharsis'''=====

			The violent storm caused the ship to pitch and roll. With each movement, Mirkk lurched to one side and then the other as the unmoving shackles dug into his wrists. Above, the sails had been trimmed hard, the helm lashed in hopes the Vosk Pritz, or ''Rising Sun'', would keep itself righted until the worst of the tempest had blown over. But on the sea, only fools rely on hope alone.
			A strong breeze whipped across, enough to undo the let loose the reef lines that held the mainsail down. One tall wave heaving-to with a billowing sail catching the opposite direction was all the stress required for the Vosk Pritz to crack along the hull. At that point, it was every krolvin or slave for themselves.

			The rush of water along the rowing deck spewed in from the port side, slipping through the cracks in the deck to the hold below. After much coaxing, some of the rowers had convinced skittish Hadley the cabin boy to retrieve the keys, unlocking the fetters from their ankles. They quickly pushed him aside as they made for the companionway. He scampered behind them.

			Mirkk saw Irgon seated several rows ahead of him, unmoving. Mirkk rose to his feet, the water now up to his ankles. He realized he didn’t’ have much time. As he turned toward the centerline of the deck, he abruptly ran directly into Pig Eyes who himself was headed toward the companionway. They exchanged a tense look before Mirkk grasped the krolvin’s wrist firmly. Pig Eyes looked down and realized Mirkk had his hands on the linked rolaren bracelet. Pig Eyes pulled jerked his arm back, but years of rowing had strengthened Mirkk’s grip and it wouldn’t give way.

			Pig Eyes launched forward with a grunt, pushing Mirkk hard against the bulkhead. He released his grasp on Pig Eyes’ arm and fell to the ground. Pig Eyes quickly turned and moved slowly through the knee deep water that was continuing to fill the ship toward the companionway. As the krolvin approached the companionway, he felt something cold against his throat. He reached and touched the steel chain wrapped around his neck and his beady eyes widened.

			Mirkk grimaced as he pulled on his shackles, shoving his knee into the small of Pig Eyes’ back. He pulled until the grunts turned to gargles, and the gargles to gasps. He held on until he heard nothing but the water filling the deck. He loosed the chain around the krolvin’s neck, allowing the body to slump into the waist deep water. He removed the linked rolaren bracelet from the krolvin’s wrist, slipping it onto his own and fumbled around, searching for a keyring. After a bit of effort, he managed to procure the keyring and began probing the wet keys into his shackles. After the third one they slipped from his fingers into the water.

			Mirkk dove down into the water, his hands desperately searching the wood below, finding nothing. He surfaced, took another deep breath, and ducked under the water again. The salt burned his eyes, but his fingers felt something metallic. He seized the keyring and surfaced again. Having lost track of the key order, he started over again and fate favored him, unlocking the shackles on the first try. Immediately, Mirkk moved toward the companionway. As he reached the ladder, he paused, turning back toward Irgon.

			“Irgon. Irgon!” he called. Irgon did not move. Mirkk turned and, working against the rising water, made his way back to Irgon.

			“Irgon!” he shouted over the rushing water that was now at Irgon’s chin. He shook Irgon, but Irgon only sat in silence, staring.

			''This is all he knows. He can no longer comprehend life outside of this ship.''

			The Vosk Pritz pitched steeply forward as water filled the chamber with darkness, sinking into the fathomless depths of the sea.
			-----

			“I have killed to survive, but I have also killed for hate – for revenge,” Mirkk said to Rohese, hanging his head. “You must think I’m a monster.”

			"Mirkk, if we were held accountable for every poor decision we make in times of distress, we would all be wracked with guilt and locked forever in a cycle of misery. This is the past, and there is nothing you can do to change it, only to learn from it. We must look forward now."

			"But I feel like I will be bringing the demons of my past with us." There was despair in his voice.

			"Only if you allow it," she softly offered. “Since the first day I met you, all I have seen is a man with such capacity for love and kindness. ''That'' is who you are. The monster you seem to think you are was left back on that ship, and that is where those demons need to rest as well."

			Mirkk turned and gazed out the window, the warm sun of spring shining brightly down on the gardens outside.

			"Mirkk, do you love me?"

			"Of course I love you," he insisted, turning to face her again with concern on his face.

			"Then that is all that matters," she said with an affirming nod.

			"I hope it is that simple."

			"It's as difficult or as simple as you wish to make it," she stated, studying his face for a moment.

			"When it was my secret, it was contained. I had some form of control over it."

			"But you didn't, it was tormenting you. I could see you were struggling," she knowingly reminded him. Her tone softened as she added, “And I am still here."

			Frenetically, he responded, "I just did not want to lose you. You are my light. I could not bear to think of-" He closed his eyes, not wanting to finish the words, much less deal with the thoughts.

			She took his hand in hers, bringing it to her lips with a soft kiss. "You need to learn to trust me and in our love. We swore we would have no secrets for this very reason."

			"I am so sorry. So very sorry," he whispered with a tremble in his voice. She leaned forward, resting her forehead against his, closing her eyes.

			"And I am sorry that you ever felt you couldn't share this with me," she whispered.

			"You have to figure that after all of this, and having no one other than River, it became quite easy for me to hold things in," he whispered, closing his eyes.

			"I know. But you have me and I will always be here for you. Always."

			"Thank you. Thank you for being who you are. And for loving me." He squeezed her hand tightly in his, the catharsis overwhelming him and renewing him at the same time.

			"Without you I am nothing. Your pain is my pain, your burdens mine. And together, we are strong."

			Eyes tightly closed, his forehead still pressed against hers, he quietly repeated, "We are strong.”

			[https://open.spotify.com/track/5TgEJ62DOzBpGxZ7WRsrqb?si=yycUG3TlS16b4TFdh7MVjA\| “Work Song” ~ Hozier]

LOWEBW1 at 20:25, 28 March 2022

2022-03-28T20:25:39Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:25, 28 March 2022
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	his time on the ships. He is, however, tormented by night terrors because of		his time on the ships. He is, however, tormented by night terrors because of
	what he endured and what he had to do to survive.		what he endured and what he had to do to survive.

			Also see: [[Mirkk's Tale (short story)#26th of Koaratos\|At the Oars]] as part of Mirkk's Tale.

	==='''Monster'''===		==='''Monster'''===

LOWEBW1: /* Captive */

2022-03-28T20:02:57Z

Captive

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:02, 28 March 2022
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	Mirkk quickly sat upright, his heart thumping in his chest. The morning		Mirkk quickly sat upright, his heart thumping in his chest. The morning
	light was shining through the large open windows of the retreat to which		light was shining through the large open windows of the retreat to which
	Rohese had brought him for their six month anniversary. His eyes searched		[[Rohese_(prime)\| Rohese]] had brought him for their six month anniversary. His eyes searched
	the room for her, but didn't find her. He noticed her open diary on the		the room for her, but didn't find her. He noticed her open diary on the
	table. He slipped on his trousers, rose, walked over and read the delicate		table. He slipped on his trousers, rose, walked over and read the delicate

LOWEBW1: /* Captive */

2022-03-28T20:00:53Z

Captive

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:00, 28 March 2022
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	"Row," escaped his lips without any further thought. The krolvin before him		"Row," escaped his lips without any further thought. The krolvin before him
	with beady eyes nodded approvingly as he fixed the bracelet - his bracelet,		with beady eyes nodded approvingly as he fixed the bracelet - ''his'' bracelet,
	the one Velianna had given him - to his wrist. The krolvin moved to the next		the one Velianna had given him - to his wrist. The krolvin moved to the next
	one in line, a sailor of the vessel. Mirkk felt the rummaging hands continue		one in line, a sailor of the vessel. Mirkk felt the rummaging hands continue

LOWEBW1: /* Captive */

2022-03-28T19:59:26Z

Captive

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:59, 28 March 2022
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	one in line, a sailor of the vessel. Mirkk felt the rummaging hands continue		one in line, a sailor of the vessel. Mirkk felt the rummaging hands continue
	to search him, removing anything of value they could find. His heart raced.		to search him, removing anything of value they could find. His heart raced.


	Mirkk quickly sat upright, his heart thumping in his chest. The morning		Mirkk quickly sat upright, his heart thumping in his chest. The morning

LOWEBW1: /* Captive */

2022-03-28T19:58:38Z

Captive

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:58, 28 March 2022
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	''No secrets. ''		''No secrets. ''

	His heart felt heavy as he thought, ''"How do I ask forgiveness from her		His heart felt heavy as he thought, ''"How do I ask forgiveness from her when I can't forgive myself?"''
	when I can't forgive myself?"''

	''"No. She is hurting. Now is not the time."''		''"No. She is hurting. Now is not the time."''

LOWEBW1: /* Captive */

2022-03-28T15:41:46Z

Captive

← Older revision		Revision as of 10:41, 28 March 2022
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	''"No. She is hurting. Now is not the time."''		''"No. She is hurting. Now is not the time."''

			[https://open.spotify.com/track/63aVbch5VRXtQnCITdeDTZ?si=TeGVrc_pTbaKWFSQJGU43Q\| ”Until It Sleeps” ~ Metallica]