The second chapter to a story I've been writing for awhile. This one has taken me longer to do due to trying to find the inspiration to write as well as tapping into the emotions required to write this story. It has a lot of real-life inspiration especially in the emotional aspect of things, Im currently brainstorming chapter 3. Anyways here is chapter 2 of Axton's Redemption story.


It did not take long for his daughter to get tired of being carried around by her father despite his instance and wanting to hold her as close to him for as long as possible before she had to go to her mother. Her wild and rambunctious nature as well as her free spirit meant that she would not stand to be kept from running around and her high energy meant that Axton would not be able to convince her otherwise. After much pleading and complaining as well as squirming to be free from her father's arms Reilynn finally dropped down to the ground and ran at full speed towards the village. He watched her closely and kept a careful and close eye on her as she ran as to make sure she did not go too far ahead. Soon the village came into sight, their huts and the occasionally double storied wooden buildings that lined the roads in the center of town by the marketplace. There is where Axton knew he would be meeting her mother to hand his daughter off to her. It did not take long for the Sergals who stood on the outskirts tending to their fields to recognize the pair. They smiled and chuckled waving to Axton and Reilynn as they made their way towards the town. It had always amused them to see his daughter dart excitedly place to place examining everything around her. Reilynn would always make a point to greet everyone that they had met even though they had been here hundreds of times each, experience was new.
Axton smiled and waved pleasantly back to them as he followed behind Reilynn closely, but behind his smile the villagers could see the pain and torment that lingered in his expressions. It was common knowledge that the Sergals who saw him and knew Axton, knew how much he loved his wife and daughter and since the loss of his marriage he looked hollow and haunted. They could see in his expression that the moment of joy and contentment was fleeting, his eyes normally forward and focused like a soldier's were downtrodden and he looked as if he were walking towards an executioner's blade. The villagers wished there were more that they could do to alleviate his sorrow, it was a close-knit community and it had taken the disillusion of his marriage hard. However, the villagers smiled and enjoyed this moment of happiness as they watched Reilynn run back to her father and drag him by his hand to the next interesting thing that caught her attention.
It was only by Axton's instance that Reilynn finally relented in her re-exploration of her surroundings and follow her father into town, though he had a feeling that once they were there, she would again be drawn to everything around her again. Making his way into town it was always a busy hub of townsfolk who smiled seeing the two together, even though the pair had been there several times seeing Reilynn always made the townsfolk smile and laugh. Reilynn would bound up to them and jump up and down excitedly as she went to each of the stores to examine their wares and babble excitedly to the shopkeepers about something interesting that she had soon or some other subject that would catch her attention. Some shopkeepers even went as far as to give her various treats and other snacks for free if she promised to behave herself for her father. When they did that Axton always made sure that Reilynn showed the proper respect and gratitude by offering a bow and a little "Thank-You". Axton relished in this exchange with his daughter and cherished every moment of it, for he knew it was fleeting and that soon the all-encompassing feeling of loneliness would swallow him again.

Today though the town seemed to bustle and be busier than normal as traders and nomads arrived to deliver their goods to the small community which always drew a crowd. Items and other valuable baubles from far and exotic lands was always a great source of interest to the people nearby, however this also brought a cold revelation to Axton. Reilynn's mother was probably a part of that travelling caravan at some point. The thought caused a sense of cold dread to form in his gut as he led his daughter through the town closer to its center where he knew her mother would be waiting for them both. Axton always knew where she was due to the fact that since the disintegration of their marriage everything around her seemed cold, lifeless, and empty. Nevertheless, Axton continued to make his way forward holding Reilynn’s hand tightly in his, perhaps tighter than he intended and his momentary melancholy was broken by her sudden squeak of pain.

“Ow da! You hurt my hand!” She said pulling her hand back to gently nurse at it, she gave him a pouty sort of look sticking her bottom lip out at him and looking at him as if she was going to cry. Axton quickly pulled his hand back and looked down to her and gave an apologetic smile to her running his hand through her hair gently.

“Sorry sweetie, daddy didn’t want you to get lost here, too many people here and I don’t want to lose you.” The words sent a pang into his heart, if only she knew how much those words weighed upon his heart. One day she would know why he held her hand so tightly, until then though he was quite content to hold her to him as close as he could.

The moment though was quickly forgotten by Reilynn as she turned her attention back to her multitude of treats that she held in her arms given to her by the various shopkeepers they had visited on their way to the town center. For once Axton was glad that he would not have to deal with the surge of energy she would have and the ensuing stomachache that would surely follow from having consumed so many snacks at once. That would be for her mother to deal with, nonetheless Axton knew that he would eventually hear about it the next time from her mother. He could imagine it now in his head while he walked, a sharp accusatory inquiry, full of venom like that of a viper’s tongue about why he let her have so many snacks at once and why he didn’t give her healthier snacks to eat. Reilynn’s mother would undoubtedly have several choice words for him the next time they met.

Reilynn had been so preoccupied with her snacks and following closely next to her father that she hadn’t realized they were nearing the city center, the realization dawned on her and her expression lit up instantly. Her bouncy and excitable nature come to the forefront as she began jumping up and down excitedly frantically looking for her mother. It was all Axton could do to keep her from running into the crowd to look for her mother but with some gentle reminders Reilynn promptly calmed down and returned to her multitude of treats. Eventually the pair finally found a bench to sit on near a shop where Axton could watch the mingling crowds for her mother. With a heavy sigh he sat down upon the worn wooden bench and leaned back propping his arms to the back rest and leaning his head back, something he had down time after time to wrap his arms around his family. Once again memories of his time with his exwife came to the forefront of his mind as this had been a place the trio had visited frequently. The two would walk with their daughter linked together by her hands, a reminder of the bond they had shared with one another. They would wander from shop to shop and having seen so many of the shopkeepers so frequently eventually the small family became aquainted with them and were more often than not their prized customers. So when Axton's wife left him it was truly a shock to the whole community, seeing Axton who was once a proud and loving father and dutiful husband reduced to shell of his former self. Many had whispered his eyes had become hollow and empty and the light in his smile had vanished as well and perhaps on the verge of a complete emotional breakdown.

"Mommy!" Reilynn shouted suddenly breaking Axton's ruminations and his head snapped forward looking frantically for his daughter only to see that she was running towards a figure, a figure Axton knew all too well even with a hooded cowl drapped over head head hiding most of her features. Axton's heart froze and he felt ice run through his veins for he knew who this figure was, he had gotten to know every inch of her body while they were married. Her dark dress clung to body accenting her already regal appearance and the V-cut of her dress which held the swell of her breasts was enough for him to want to take her into his arms and never let her go. But it would never come to pass again, standing up with a heavy sigh Axton slowly made his way towards his former wife who had bent down to pick up their daughter who had gleefully wrapped her arms and legs around her mother in a strong hug. He stopped and stood there silent for a moment watching the pair, feelings rushed through him and it was all he could do to keep from walking over and embracing them both like he would have in times past. Instead to him it felt as if he was looking through glass in another world, or rather a memory he was trying to re-live. Several moments passed until Reilynn got down off her mother and began to lead her back towards the direction in which she had came. But instead her mother held her there for a moment staring at Axton with an expression he knew was one of souless contempt, contempt for merely being in his vacinity or pehaps having been with him at all. Axton's mouth was dry and words he wanted to say died in his throat and instead of saying what was on his mind he simply nodded to her and said.

"Priestess...." It was a term given to his former spouse as her mother had been the matriarch of their clan and a soothsayer often using runes to divine the future and per tradition Axton's former spouse was to one day take up the mantle. Saying her name was simply impossible for him to do right now and without a word the Priestess turned and took their daughter by her hand and began to lead her away from her father, Axton knew in a week's time at midday it would be his turn to take his daughter home and so on and so forth. Until their daughter was old enough to be on her own or circumstances changed but for now this was his life and it was not a life nor a future he ever wanted to have in the first place. Sighing heavily Axton turned to leave when suddenly he heard his daughter's voice and he stopped to see Reilynn running over towards her father with her pink stuffed animal in her arms. The Priestess stopped and turned with an annoyed hiss and Axton crouched down to look his daughter in the eyes.

"Sweetie you need to go with your mother now, daddy will see you in a few days..." His voice began to choke on his words but suddenly Reilynn held out her stuffed animal to him and said.

"Here dad I want you to have this, she'll make you feel better at night so you won't have anymore nightmares." Axton wanted to say no but he could tell by the smile on his daughter's face and the look in her eyes that she was sincere and serious about leaving her favorite stuffed animal with her father. This one was particularly special because after the death of his daughter's aunt he had gotten it for her as a comfort and she hadn't let go of it since except to make sure it got washed by her mother. He couldn't refuse no matter how much he wanted to and when he took too long his daughter simply pushed the stuffed toy into his hand and wrapped her arm around his neck to hug her father.

"I love you daddy, no more crying ok?" she said to him softly into his ear.

"Ill try..." He said his words threatening to become sobs.

"You promise?" She said letting go and and looking into her father's eyes which were almost on the verge of tears whereas Reilynn's were as serious as they could be. Axton was about to say more wihen the loud obvious sound of the Priestess clearing her throat caught Reilynn's atten and she looked over her shoulder to her mother who jerked her head gently and reached out with her slender fingers.

Reilynn turned her attention back to her father and said "I love you daddy..." and then hugged him one more time before she turned and ran back to her mother taking her outstretched hand in hers and walking away. Axton stood up holding the pink stuffed toy in his now trembling hand before gently pressing it to his chest and lowering his head. His chest began to heave and when he looked back up the pair were gone having disappeared into the crowds and and back towards where The Priestess had come. Axton's emotions had reached a boiling point and without thinking he turned and ran down the street back the way he had came clutching his daughters stuffed toy in his hand. Soon an alley on his left came into view and he darted running down the alley between two shops before stopping heaving heavily tears running down his face. He slowly sank to this knees and bent over his forehead touching the ground as he sobbed uncontrollably holding his daughter's toy to his chest still.

"Sorry sweetheart.....this is one promise your father won't be able to keep..." He thought to himself as he knelt in the dirty alleyway sobbing as the flood of emotions overwhelmed him beyond his control