(revised)

"Hetarys my love... come, for I must away…” The choked out words were quiet in a raspy subdued whisper, as though the words had been stolen and were now being forced out through a ravaged throat. The yearning in his voice filled with a deepening sorrow for his worried young daughter. Parched lips forced in a hoarse gulp of cool air, his breathing slow but painfully labored as he looked on his beautiful girl, the pain burning against his lungs and throat.

The girl’s long hair curled against the curve of her back in gentle caresses. She took a step forward as the wind pulled at her cloak. She was barely over fifteen with eyes like lilac jewels, watching her father with anguish at his battered and beaten form.

With all self restraint she tried to force herself not to cry, ready to burst into tears after having called for help time and time again to no avail. The horror and shock she had felt moments before had faded into helpless despair that seemed to scream louder than her anguished cries in vain. Hetarys found herself turning away, feeling threatened by the image before her; not trusting it to ensure that the beautiful memories she treasured with her father would remain as they had before. Times spent watching rosy sunsets, saying goodbye to the day to welcome the coming of night, happy smiles and rich joyous laughter by the fire… no more. It dawned on her, that this was a moment that would be imbedded in her mind for an eternity to come.. now it was only her, and the first man she had ever loved.

How can I be strong, my hero, my father? When you have fallen before my eyes…? As she raised her gaze to him now, a sharp pang of realization came to flood her with sorrow. No more memories to create, no smiles to light the day or granting kisses to the stars to make wishes and dreams come true. No… only loneliness.

“Papa… hold on, please.” She sat beside him, quiet in her desperation. Watered eyes never left his face, his expression so full of sadness and pain. Everything swelled within her like a tide waiting to crush her soul. There was nothing left for her here, but she knew his time was running thin…

He sucked in a choked breath, tasting the blood that was beginning to rise in his throat. His whole body burned like nothing he had ever known, as though his open wounds had been set aflame. His hand reached out, trembling as it grasped her small one between his fingertips, and squeezed gently.

She shook her head, feeling a shudder run up her spine, his touch was cold against her skin. Hetarys watched in horror as his breathing slowed, feeling as though at any moment he might slip away.

“Don’t go.” Her whisper was pleading, and yet she found herself beginning to calm. He needn’t suffer any longer… he had been through enough.

“Here…” He gently released her hand to slowly retrieve something from his pocket.

She watched him with sad curiosity until he revealed to her a chain with a silver star.

“You must return it.” His words were low and grave and filled her with doubt. “You must return it to Muhain.”

Her eyes widened. “Muhain the wizard? But-but papa! He is one of the Mighty.”

He shook his head and began to cough, blood beginning to trail out at the corner of his mouth. “Darling you must, follow the trail to through the mountains in the west. His Keep is hiding on the mountainside.”

She shook her head again, her eyes . “Father, I cannot-“

“Yes you can! You must.” He clutched his chest, rasping as he forced out the words. “Deliver the Star my darling… I’ll be there with you...”

Hetarys felt the cold tears that left her eyes, searching for a way to be strong. The task he had set before her was impossible, surely he must know that.

She took his hand in between her own and nodded, her fingers upon the silver star as his hand went limp between her fingers. She grasped the star from his hand, feeling its power burn and resonate through her palm. His body now lay unmoving, and she bowed her head as the tears streamed her cheeks. As she held the star it began to glimmer, a cool white flame that danced along her skin. She paid it no heed, mulling her father’s words in her wind until it burned into her heart with everlasting resolve.

“Even if I should breathe my last… I’ll bring Muhain his Star.”