"It is said," Korran began, his small voice trembling as the fire flickered in front of him, "that there's a sacred pearl hidden inside the fortress beneath the river. It's very dear to the goddess. The elders always told us that the pearl holds her blessing—the light that keeps the Red River pure and full of life."
Eamon and Damien listened silently. The boy's voice was fragile, but there was something in his eyes—something heavy, far beyond his years.
Korran took a deep breath and continued. "But last month, Gorochi—the governor of our town—sent his men to steal that pearl."
Eamon's jaw clenched slightly, though he said nothing. Damien frowned, shaking his head in disbelief.
Korran's voice cracked as he spoke. "After that, everything changed. The goddess was angry. People started dying… not one or two, but many. Whole families drowned in the river even when they didn't go near it. Livestock died. The water turned redder every day."
He shivered, clutching his knees tightly. "The goddess never hurt humans before, but after the pearl was stolen, she started killing people. Everyone said her wrath was endless."
Eamon sighed deeply, his eyes narrowing. "So Gorochi's greed brought divine punishment upon your people…" he murmured.
Korran nodded, wiping his tears with the back of his sleeve. "My father couldn't bear it anymore. He stood up against Gorochi. He started protesting, shouting that it was the governor who had stolen the pearl, not anyone else. People joined him—farmers, merchants, teachers. They believed him because everyone knew my father wasn't a liar."
Damien leaned closer. "What happened then?"
Korran's eyes flickered with pain. "My father tried to send word to the capital. He told the soldiers to inform the king about what Gorochi had done. But Gorochi found out. He stopped the messengers and made sure no word left the town."
His fists trembled. "My father was devastated. He gathered even more people and marched toward Gorochi's castle to demand justice."
The boy paused, his breathing shaky. "But Gorochi's men attacked them. They beat the protestors and arrested many—including my father."
Eamon's gaze darkened, but he remained silent, letting the child continue.
"After that," Korran whispered, "some of Gorochi's soldiers broke into our house. They took my brother, Felis. I tried to stop them, but they beat me and threw me to the ground. I remember their laughter as they dragged him away…" His voice faltered as tears filled his eyes again. "The neighbors took care of me that night. I couldn't sleep. I just kept thinking of my father and brother."
He wiped his eyes, sniffling. "The next morning, Gorochi ordered everyone in the town to gather in front of his castle. I went too. When the gates opened, I saw them…"
Eamon leaned forward slightly. "Saw who?"
"My father and brother," Korran whispered. "They were both hurt. My father's face was swollen, and Felis could barely stand. Then I saw… my father's left hand—it was gone."
Damien gasped softly, covering his mouth. Eamon's expression turned grim, a silent rage flickering behind his calm face.
Korran swallowed hard, tears spilling freely now. "They had tortured them all night. My father's hand was chopped off. My brother's back was bleeding. And then Gorochi came out of the castle."
The boy's voice deepened slightly, mimicking Gorochi's tone as best as he could. "He said, 'This man, Orzen, stole the pearl of the goddess along with his son, Felis!'"
The child's face contorted. "Everyone in town gasped. Some people whispered, others shouted, but deep down… no one believed him. Gorochi was a liar. Everyone knew that. But then he told my father to speak."
Korran hesitated for a moment, then imitated his father's broken voice. "'Yes… it was me and my son who stole the pearl. We blamed it on Gorochi… but we lost it, and we don't know where it is now.'"
He looked up at Eamon, his expression filled with pain and confusion. "My father said that. But I know he was lying. He had to be lying."
Damien whispered, "He confessed… to protect someone."
Korran nodded quickly. "The crowd went mad. They shouted, cursed, threw stones. They called my father a traitor, a liar, a blasphemer. My brother cried out for them to stop, but they didn't. One stone flew straight toward him—"
He stopped, taking a shaky breath. "My father stepped in front of him. It hit his head. He fell. I screamed, but no one listened."
Eamon's hands tightened on his knees. The fire cracked, sending sparks into the air.
Korran's voice turned hollow. "Then Gorochi said, 'For the crimes these two have committed, they will be sentenced to death. Three days from now, they will hang in public.'"
He looked up at Eamon with trembling lips. "He said the only reason he locked the town gates was because the king told him to. He said the king would come soon to calm the goddess's anger."
Korran's tone broke. "But I could tell he was lying. Everyone could. The soldiers dragged my father and brother away again. The crowd turned on me next. They said I had the same blood as the thief. They threw things at me, chased me down the street."
He hugged himself tightly as if reliving it. "I ran. I didn't know where to go. Then one man—one of the soldiers—pulled me into an alley. His name was Antor. He was my father's student once."
The firelight flickered over the boy's tear-streaked face as he spoke, his voice soft and trembling. "I told him that my father would never steal the pearl. He couldn't. I begged him to do something."
Korran's voice deepened slightly, mimicking Antor's tone. "'I know, Korran. I know. Your father and brother are innocent. Gorochi has framed them. He made your father confess by threatening to kill Felis. Your father lied to protect him. Gorochi doesn't care about the goddess or the king. He only cares about himself.'"
Eamon's brows drew together. "And he told you that?"
Korran nodded. "Yes. He said Gorochi lied about everything—the king isn't coming. Gorochi thinks the goddess will calm down after killing enough people. He's hiding behind her anger."
The boy's eyes filled again. "I told Antor he had to stop him. That he was a soldier and had to fight for justice."
He shook his head bitterly. "But Antor said, 'I can't, Korran. I'm powerless. Gorochi controls everything. If I fight him, he'll have me killed too. But your father asked me to protect you—to take you somewhere safe. We need to leave before the mob finds you.'"
Eamon's eyes softened slightly. "He was trying to keep you alive."
Korran sniffled and nodded. "But I didn't want to leave. I screamed that I couldn't abandon my father and brother. That they needed me."
He mimed Antor gripping his shoulders. "'Listen, Korran,' he said, 'if we can reach the next town and tell the soldiers there what happened, maybe we can save them. Can you do that?'"
Korran's small hands clenched in his lap. "I said yes. It was the only way I could think of to help them."
He paused, his voice trembling. "So we ran. We sneaked out through a small passage near the southern wall. I remember Antor holding my hand tightly, saying we'd be safe soon. But we didn't make it far."
The boy swallowed hard, his face pale. "Gorochi's men found us near the river. They were too many. Antor fought them, but they hit him hard. He shouted at me to run, so I did."
His eyes glistened as he whispered, "They caught him. I looked back and saw them dragging him away, shouting that they'd kill him for treason. I kept running until my legs couldn't move anymore. I crawled, hid behind trees, crossed the shallow part of the river somehow… and finally ended up here."
He looked at Eamon helplessly. "That's how I met you."
Korran's voice broke at the last word. He stopped speaking altogether. The fire crackled softly as silence fell over the camp. Only the distant chirping of crickets filled the air.
Flashback Over
Eamon and Damien sat still, both struggling to process what they'd just heard. The boy's story wasn't just tragic—it was horrifying. The injustice, the cruelty, the sheer helplessness of it all stirred something deep inside them.
Eamon finally spoke, his tone quiet but firm. "That man Gorochi… he's worse than a thief. He's a monster."
Eamon looked at Korran, who sat trembling beside the dying fire. Without a word, Damien moved closer and wrapped his arms around the boy.
"It's alright, Korran," Damien said softly. "You're safe now."
Korran buried his face in Damien's chest, crying uncontrollably.
Eamon watched silently, his eyes narrowing with quiet determination. Something had changed in his gaze—something cold and certain.
But for now, he said nothing. He just sat there, letting the boy cry under the crimson dawn.