Rue closed her eyes, interpreting everything he had said. She was at a complete loss for words. She could only think to ask one question, something, depending on his answer, she could feel compassion for.
Looking away, Venom didn't even have to think of his response to her question. It was pretty obvious who was to blame.
Yes... I took her brother's life when we were young... and because of me, Kelandra is no more. I carry that burden in me everyday. Not to mention all the other innocent lives I've taken plus what their families must have went through with such a loss...
Venom stands up and looks up at the sky.
Rue... do you believe in heaven?... I wonder if all those souls I've taken are there now, looking down on us living in peace... happy... Who I am now won't affect the decision that will be made upon entering to such a place, I know that... I don't deserve to be there with them...
He takes a deep breath and then turns to look at Rue once more.
That is why I can't have peace within me until I die knowing I did my best trying to bring it the world. Maybe then my soul could rest when my time arrives, wouldn't you agree?
"It is not directly your fault she's dead. She survived the attack but she chose to walk off the cliff. I know it's hard not to blame yourself, but she could've stayed with you. She could've kept herself alive to help you repair the mistakes of your people."
When he asked about heaven, she thought for a minute. Staring at the ground, she picked a flower from the dirt and began to pluck off the petals as she spoke.
"I believe in a place after death of peace... a place to be with your loved ones for eternity, a place to live as a reward for living out our tiresome lives on earth. And I believe that if you are truly sorry for what you've done, if you want to be forgiven not only for your own peace of mind, but to let all those families know that you know what you put them through, you do belong in a place like that."
She looked up at him once more.
"I believe that you are truly sorry. You wouldn't be here if you weren't - you'd be resting with your people already."
I brought pain to her life and everyone elses, whether it was by my sword or by my actions. That pain will live within me until the day I die, Rue. I can't change that... I wish what you say is true about a place like that, although I didn't really have a family. As far as I know, I was the only child. My parents died when I was too young to remember them. All anybody else would tell me about them was that they died with honor.
Venom placed a hand on Rue's cheek and looked into her eyes with appreciation.
Thank you Rue. I never really had anybody believe in me before and I feel much better now that I've released these feelings that were ready to explode. I have never told this to anybody else.
He then grabs her hand with both of his and kisses it.
You are truly a healer, Rue. Hehe.
His eyes then change to a concerning look as he looks at her scar.
Tell me now, what's your story? It is very apparent that you've been through alot as well.
Rue smiled softly, but her smile faded as Venom eyed her scar. Turning the scarred side of her face away from him, she thought for a moment.
"You asked me to tell you about what I can relate to. We'll start there."
She rose from the ground and walked to a nearby tree, leaning against the trunk. She looked up at Venom as she began.
"You said your people lived for the death of others. My father lived for the same thing. Power over all was what he desired the most. Growing up, he tried to force his beliefs on us. My older brother took after him in many ways - they were both ambitious, ruthless, intimidating, and determined. However, my younger sister and I took after our mother - gentle, patient, and understanding. He used to never say it to us, but I know my father was ashamed in my sister and I. I just couldn't force myself to agree to his expectations, and neither could my sister. He felt that if people died in the way of him getting there, what did it matter? At the time, I didn't understand this."
She fell silent, looking darkly into the flowing waterfall and thinking about her family.
... You know... I admire that about you. You're strong... In here.
He place his right hand over his heart.
That is the best power one can look for... Love... It sounds like your mother had alot of it as you do... And that is why unlike your father who searched for death, you two looked for life, thus becoming healers... And what happened to your family?
Still looking at the waterfall, Rue's hands clenched into fists at her sides.
"Whatever love I ever felt is long gone with my sister."
When Venom asked what had become of her family, she dragged her eyes from the waterfall and looked at him with a blank expression.
"Now that is a really good question. If I knew, I might tell you. I can only assume my father and brother are still alive. My mother... I do not know. And my sister. Hers is the only fate I know for sure." Her fists unclenched and she raised one hand to her necklace, fingering the triangular pendant that hung from it. "My younger sister is dead, killed by her own father."
Venom stepped forward to take a better look of the necklace.
It's beautiful... and I beg to differ, Rue. You still love your mother, right?
Venom pondered on something before he spoke again.
Rue, if you don't know the condition of your mother, we must find out right away. For all we know, she can be in great danger right now. What say you, will you let me help you find out what happened to your beloved mother?
Rue shook her head, still holding the pendant in her hand.
"You don't understand. You must hear more."
She slid down the trunk of the tree and sat on the ground with her ankles crossed in front of her. She sighed and began.
"Although I too was ambitious and seeking power like my father and brother, my father would still treasure my brother above my sister Azalea and me, even above my mother. He would punish Azalea for being too gentle, but she was young and didn’t understand what he expected from her. I would always stand up for her, and so my father grew to hate his daughters, threatening to banish Azalea if she didn’t stop being what he saw as weak. My mother couldn’t bear to see this happen to her youngest child, so one day she spoke with my father about it. She came into my bedroom that night, told me she loved me and told me to watch out for Azalea. She gave me this necklace, identical to one she had just given Azalea, and that was the last time I saw her. I don’t know what happened – whether she was banished or… killed. I never found out." Rue closed her eyes and dropped the pendant. "That was so long ago - she could be anywhere, assuming she's still alive, and I have no leads."
She opened her eyes and looked up at Venom. "I appreciate your offer, but after I ran away from home, I looked for some sign of her everywhere I went. No such luck."
Rage and fear coursed through Rue at Venom's suggestion.
"If I ever go back there, I'll never leave. After Azalea was killed, I was alone in the house: my father and my brother against me. I was forced to do my father's work, to carry out my brother's dirty deeds. I wasn't allowed outside, I was cut off from communication with any of my friends and neighbors. I became a prisoner in my own home. I was trapped, alone, ridden with grief and guilt over Azalea’s death. One night, when I couldn’t stand it anymore, I left. In the dead of night, while my father and brother were both asleep, I stole my father’s gold and escaped from the city. I left in search of a new life for myself. After being on the run for a few days, I heard word that my father was out hunting me. He was displeased that I had left and was determined to bring me home. On more than one occasion, his soldiers found me where I was hiding, and I barely evaded them." She paused, taking a deep breath before continuing. "I spent so long running from him and I've finally found a home here."
She fell silent, taking her dagger from her belt. She began to draw patterns in the dirt with the tip of her knife, images that resembled her hometown and her family. After remaining a few moments, she opened her mouth once more.
Venom remained silent for a while, watching the patterns Rue carved onto the ground. He felt horrible not be able to think of a solution to Rue's problem, but then it hit him.
Why don't I go and ask him myself? He won't know who I am and where I came from. Plus I'm good at this stuff, you know that by now. Tell me where your village is, and I'll find out what happened to her.
Rue looked at Venom with a hint of a smile on her face.
"Oh Venom, you are too kind. But it's too dangerous. My father would strike you down without a second thought."
She looked down and continued to trace her knife through the dirt. Suddenly, with a rush of anger, she plunged the blade into the ground.
"No. We're going. We must go. I must go. I can't just forget about her, what she did for Azalea and I. I have to find her."
But after her outburst, she knew it was a hopeless idea. She couldn't just walk right back into her father's hands - her mother had given up too much for Rue to be held captive by what was left of her family. And returning home would be doing exactly that.