Far Horizons: Tales of Sci-Fi, Fantasy and Horror. Issue #17 August 2015 | Page 24

in war. There will always be innocent victims; you
have to learn that quickly. It’s not as bad as you think.
With a little help, I removed Prince Christopher and
Princess Margaret from the royal chambers before the
carnage. They are safe. Prince Christopher will take
his rightful place as the new king. I’m confident that
things will work out well there. Here, have a drink of
water.”
Simon stared at his friend, unmoving. “You
knew! You knew that this would happen, but you
didn’t warn me. I thought you were my friend. I hate
you!”
“I didn’t know for sure, Simon. Manfred told
me that something like this might happen. I couldn’t
warn you, because then you would have refused to
take up the Sword, wouldn’t you. Please, drink this.”
Jhamed offered the glass a second time.
Reluctantly Simon took the glass and sipped
the water. “I’m sorry Jhamed. It’s not your fault.
Someone did warn me. I don’t know who or what it
was. I ignored it.” He told Jhamed about the night in
the purple forest and the two-headed lemur creature.
“I need your friendship and support now, more than
ever. Please forgive me for what I said.”
“You’ll say far worse things than that, before
we’re done. It’s forgiven and forgotten. Simon, I am
your companion and friend. I will always be there for
you, if I can be. Wherever you are in the multiverse,
look for me. It may not be me, but if there’s another
version of me in that plane of existence, he will seek
you out to help you. That is our sole purpose. I wish
I could come with you on your next task, but it’s
impossible. I’m just a tiny baby then, so I’ll be of
no use to you. There is no doubt in my mind that we
were followed to Dishley, though by whom and for
what reason I do not know. Perhaps whoever it is will
help you some more. He or she seems to have great
power. Curse that Manfred, why can you never find a
wizard when you need one. I bet he’s swigging pints
of dwarven ale in First Delve by now.” Jhamed took
Simon’s hand and held it tenderly. “I’m so sorry about
Juliana. I wish I could have prevented that.”

Thoughts of his lost love caused Simon to sink
into deep melancholy again. He sank back under the
covers, curled himself into a ball, and became wracked
with sobs. Jhamed left him to his guilt. I want to die.
Why should I take up my next task? I deserve to die.
Other thoughts fought their way past his remorse and
self-pity. I’m sorry, Simon. I was carried away in my
lust. I was so hungry, I could not stop. Please do not
punish me. Do not be angry with me. Take me with
you on your task. You are the Everlasting Hero. I am
your Sword. We are the Trinity. We are meant for each
other. We must prevail.
There, in the midst of his torment, Simon
understood. Fleischaker was made of two parts, from
both law and chaos. It was also made of two aspects,
good and evil. It needed balance to be used effectively.
He, Simon, had to provide that balance. In order to
fight for the Balance, Simon had to find his own inner
balance to control the Sword. He spoke aloud, though
there was no one in the room.
“It seems that I have no choice. We shall go
forward and fight for the Balance, for that is what
you were created for. I will never speak the name
Fleischaker again. I give you a new name. From this
day forth, until such time as you have earned a better
name, you shall be known as Kin Slayer. We shall
be Simon the Red and Kin Slayer and we shall strike
fear into the hearts of all.” Despite himself, Simon
laughed. Inside the scabbard, Kin Slayer sighed with
contentment and the red ruby in its hilt glowed bright.
It had recently consumed the souls of a witch and two
wizards. It had much to digest. Satisfied with what it
had witnessed, the pigeon on the window ledge flew
away.
Three days later, with the dull ache of guilt
simmering just below his consciousness, Simon
climbed the stairs that led to the High Tower in
Wizards’ Keep. Jhamed was with him. Simon was
dressed in the jeans and tee shirt he had worn on the
fateful morning he had first met Jhamed. Kin Slayer
was strapped to his waist. Jhamed was dressed in his
usual garb. Simon thought that his tee shirt felt much
tighter than it had before. Perhaps he was starting
to bulk up and to fill out at last. Melbourne and his

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