Betrayal is not so simple a thing. It takes upon itself many different layers and is felt at each of these layers to a different degree by all parties. For me it has been like a knife that twists itself every time I think of it, but it is something I am loathe to ever forget. It is my beautiful rose covered with more thorns than is necessary, but it is my rose.
We had never been well off, my lover and myself. We only ever had enough to survive, but I didn't care. We had each other and in those days we lived as children, without a care in the world. And though we weren't the only ones, we were the only ones we ever truly cared about. Everyone else simply didn't matter, as selfish as that sounds.
It is only now, looking back without eyes clouded by love that I see accurately that which surrounded me. There were many of us living deep within the woods, mostly families and we all lived as best we could, which was better than we hoped. But our freedom from authority required we give up much and we were happy to do it.
Then came the dark ones, the sinister force that appeared as though from out of nothing and whose presence alone caused the plants to shrivel and the animals to run away. I do not know from where they came, nor why they should come to our happy little slice of domesticity. I only know the effect their power had.
The forest that was our home had always been a bright happy place, but when they arrived it fell into shadow that never left. The land simply would no longer yield its usual abundance and the animals became scarce or non-existent. The happy days were gone, but we were yet to learn of this sad fact.
My lover recognized the threat before it was properly presented and stood up first, with the rest of the forest men following suit without a word exchanged. They stood upon the path that opened into our settlement as their eyes remained forward and no distraction provided by nature could dissuade them of their vigil.
They appeared all at once, a single form of darkness that dissolved into a group of twisted old men. They were like the tendrils of a fiend pulled from the depths the way they slithered forward, but I can't be certain of that since fear had such a powerful grip upon my mind and this includes the effect on the environment.
My lover demanded to know what had happened, why had everything changed. The old men gave no reply, they only smiled as they issued their demands. At the beginning of every season we must surrender to them two thirds of our food stores and there were absolutely no exceptions.
Cries of outrage rang out and many of the men wished to challenge these would be usurpers, but my lover kept silent. He did not like the situation, but he knew that he must approach it delicately. He held up a hand and that was all it required to keep the other men in line while he formulated a plan.
One of the men was not so patient as the rest and broke away from the group, exploding in furious anger. He pushed his way forward and challenged the twisted men in no uncertain terms. He cursed them and demanded that they leave or deal with him as he strut around the offenders and flexed his muscles.
The old men smiled their twisted smiles and as one raised their hands. Their palms began to glow with an intense darkness that was painful to look upon, as though the inverse of the sun. All the while, we all watched helpless at what transpired next and would forever be imprinted on our nightmares.
The man who had challenged them began to scream. His skin started to glow and bubble, before sliding off his body. Slowly, his entire body began to melt, bubbling and condensing itself into the smallest mass possible. All the while the man screamed until at last he had nothing left to scream with.
The old men stood in their places, sickening smiles never leaving their faces. It was as though this were simple entertainment and nothing more. And though all of the forest men stood their ground, their knees were shaking. Not one of them had the bravery to stand up to such incredible power, not even my lover.
Then one of the old men spoke and seemed as though he took up all the mass of the others as they shrunk at his voice, but were no less menacing. He said we would pay the tithe to its fullest extent, or we would all suffer the same fate. What could be done? They agreed. The old men vanished. Nothing was ever the same after that day.
Day and night we toiled to harvest enough food to fill both the quota and our needs, but it was hard, impossible even, to supply for both. Unrest grew among our number with rebellion being on the table and my lover was just as affected. They began to plot and convinced themselves they could win, but I did not believe so.
The old men's power was too great, we simply were no match for them. I pleaded, but no one listened to me and I was pushed further to the back by the angrier voices. It was only alone with my lover that I was given ear, but even he would not be swayed. Shortly thereafter, they set a date and prepared.
The heart can only take so much, I should know as I've felt this boundary over and over again. It's been nearly a year now and still my heart swells and bleeds and I relive the memory. I had only one option available to me at that time. Only one lesser evil that I knew would win the day and I had to ensure a softer fall than would otherwise be considered.
I journeyed deep into the forest, one I had known all my life and was now as strange to me as though a foreign country. Even so, I knew exactly where to go to find the old ruin of a mansion wherein the old men resided. I was terrified to say the least, but I knew I had to gamble everything I had and some I didn't to, in any way, win this one sided game.
I was not welcomed warmly and they even threatened to destroy me in a way that made the previous execution pale in comparison. And to cement this threat they invaded my mind and allowed me to live and relive my end in the most gruesome ways while still clinging to the last vestige of sanity left to me.
I was afraid, beyond afraid, but I pressed on all the same. I played the only card in my hand. I told them of the plot and that it was to commence the following evening. They laughed, told me they didn't need my assistance in any way. They would destroy these rebellious fools and think nothing of it.
I pleaded with them, begged for leniency, but they only laughed. Then I reasoned with them the only way I knew how. I asked who was to keep them fed if they killed all the men? Who was to warm their beds and clean their house if all the families fled for fear of their lives. I reminded them that control is a balancing act and cannot be taken for granted.
They only smiled their sickening smile and a few even chortled. Then one of them stood out from the rest and spoke in an individual fashion. He swore that they would not kill the men, that no harm would come to them. That, in fact, their power would be used not to destroy but to preserve, then his own smile returned.
The others were furious and for the first time since their arrival, conflict brewed amongst them. Before this time they had never exhibited conflict within their midst and I could see the rage in their eyes. It took me completely by surprise and I did all that I could to keep this change out of my countenance. I failed.
But the previous speaker only smiled all the more and assured them that there was nothing to worry about, that all was as it should be and he turned to me and said no harm would come to their lives. Would that I had known the intent of those words, I would not have felt relieved in the slightest, but I believed the danger passed and so, I returned to my home.
The following night I spoke to my lover. I revealed to him my activities of the previous evening. He was angry with me. I bore the brunt of that anger, it was what I deserved, but I did not let up. I pleaded with him and reasoned further. If the old men knew they were coming, then what good would it do?
My lover began to see reason and promised to stay with me that night. I was relieved, for I did not know that he was practicing deceit upon me. Together, we lay upon our bed and held each other close, promising to never part should it be within our power to deny such a separation. Eventually, I fell asleep.
I was awoken in the middle of the night and immediately I knew something was wrong. I roused myself, my lover was not there. He had left and now I was gripped by fear. I hurried as fast as my legs could carry me. I prayed that I was not too late. I hastened to the mansion and found the outside doors closed. Quickly, I opened them and hurried inside.
I rushed toward a set of open double doors before my legs gave out. I fell to the floor and stood upon my knees. They were standing there before me, my lover and his group. The old men were staring at them. The group was confused, they did not know how the old men could have been wary of their plans. My lover stood still, he had not told them of my betrayal.
I watched from my place and was noticed by the same old man who had spoken to me previously. With that same sickening grin he called out to me, assuring me that he would keep his word. Then did the group turn and stare upon me, all but my lover, he already knew. Their eyes widened as they tried to make sense of the situation.
After which, there was a blinding flash that consumed the entirety of the room. I covered my eyes to protect them from the sudden illumination and only opened them again when I knew the threat of blindness had passed. I gazed about the room as I approached, but I could no longer see my lover, nor his companions.
I stared at the old man who had spoken. He simply turned around and stared at the wall and the new ornamentation that had just appeared. It was a stained glass window. I hurried to it. Trapped within the frame I could see the men and my lover. They were naked and cowering in a dark cave, a very pitiable sight.
I turned to the old man, my eyes welling up. My heart was breaking and I could feel the words pouring from it. Demanding, pleading, begging that the enchantment be lifted, but I said none of these things. I could already tell that there was no argument that would sway mercy from them. They were only too delighted with their new ornament.
From that day forth I buried my heart deep inside. I stayed at the mansion and served the old men hoping that one day I would learn the secret to their power, so that I might restore what had been taken from me. Their secrets, however, were too well guarded and I never learned anything.
One by one the old men began to vanish over time and neither of them ever returned. The last one to do so was the one who cast the enchantment. He never said a word, just smiled and vanished. Alone in the ruined building I fell to pieces. For the first time in a long time, I allowed myself to weep.
The days have passed and with it the seasons. A long, long time has passed and eroded a greater portion of the mansion. Only the glass remains intact. Everyday I see to it. Despite everything I will not give up hope. One day I will see them all returned, for now I must simply wait. Though I fear time is something I am in short supply of.
My fears have turned prophetic and my advanced age will not carry me much further. I allow myself one last look upon the prize that I have kept all these years. Then my legs give out and I know I will never stand again. Into the dust I fall and I haven't even the strength to raise my head.
This is what I had chosen, to nibble upon the cake rather than to have nothing, but the nibbling only serves to remind me just how hungry I am, just how empty my stomach is and how it will never be full. Such an ache, such a dull ache as that can never be mended and can never be forgotten, not even for an instant.
The tears run down my face and with their fall follows my expiration. I wish I had pleasant thoughts to follow my eternal sleep, but I know the glass will not last long once I'm gone. The season will pass, the rock will erode, the glass will break, and in my final moments I feel the edge of my betrayal as it twists one final time.