Sanria slunk down into the comfortable chair in her library and propped her feet up on the table. It had been a very, very, very long time since she had seen Throm - in fact, the last time she had seen him was as she fell asleep in his arms at the Paradise Island Hotel. The thought brought a blushing smile to her lips, and she rested her book on her lap, flipping open the pages.
Boring botany. It's what she had told Lithanus today when she met him. She wasn't sure what to make of the boy. Throm's son didn't much take after his father in the physical sense, which made sense of course, since his mother was elven. White hair to boot... the only feature she knew was the green eyes. Of course it set her to missing Throm even more, so when the boy gave such a cool response to her questions regarding his father, she couldn't help but feel her ire rising. It wouldn't do, however, to pry in family affairs. After all, she had her own to worry about. Still, she wondered what "mess" Lithanus knew Throm had gotten himself into, and worried for Throm's safety.
Her thoughts wandered over where Throm could be when a heavy knock was heard on the library door. Sanria glanced over and a wave of elation traveled through her like a spark. Emalia had come home. "Emalia!"
"Hello mother."
Sanria rose to her feet, snatching Emalia in a deep embrace. Tears sprang to her eyes for no apparent reason, and she stood back finally, gripping Emalia on the shoulders. "Good heavens, where have you been?"
"It's a rather long story."
"I suppose so! You look well... oh so much like your father."
"I finally talked to him."
"I see... what did he have to say?"
"Well, he talked to me about my powers and such... there's so much to tell."
Mother and daughter sat down at the table, Sanria clutched Emalia's hand in her own as if clinging to the hope she wouldn't vanish. There they sat for hours as Sanria listened to her daughter covering the journey, her new friends, her new "interest," and the fact that Thasmudyan was staying with her. The idea of Thasmudyan being in her daughter's home, after having been staying in temples right in Westbridge stung her, but she didn't dare let on in front of Emalia. "It sounds as though you've had quite a time."
"I still have more to do."
"What do you mean?"
"Well, I'm only in the city until Nephesh heals completely. Then, we are going to seek out the Balefire mountains... wherever that is."
"I wouldn't know," Sanria said with caution, "but perhaps it might be better for you to stay. I wouldn't want something to happen to you, and I'm sure the Guardian's wouldn't either."
"Mother," Emalia sighed, "I know you're worried, but I'm a grown woman now."
The idea of her daughter being an adult had certainly crossed Sanria's mind on more than one occasion, but still, her instinct to protect was overwhelming. Only by sheer force of her will could she keep from lecturing her daughter. "I know. I know."
"Besides... I have to do this. At the very least, I'm able to keep people from worrying about me. Sir Throm won't have to come looking for you to give you updates."
"Throm was here? You... were here?"
Sanria watched the red creep into her daughter's face. "Yeah. I brought a friend by to show him the house and Sir Throm ended up here while we were here. I assured him I was alright and would let you know I was ok... once I worked up the nerve. He was oddly insistent about talking to you personally."
"Emalia... there is something you should know."
"What?"
"Well, your father and I aren't together anymore..."
"I thought that might be the case... he mentioned something about you two not being the same."
"And... on some level it's true. Things weren't going the way we thought they would. So, I started talking to Throm."
"He is a good person to speak to, isn't he?"
"Yes, but..."
Sanria took in a deep breath as realization dawned on Emalia's face. "You mean... you and Sir Throm?" Emalia asked.
"Well, yes. Though at the current time it's nothing more than-"
"Than the same thing with Colin and I. I get it."
"I'm sorry, Emalia."
"So life goes. I just feel a little foolish in all of this."
"No need to feel that way. It is how life goes in this case. I hope you're not upset."
"No, I'm just... nothing is as it seems, mother. I came here in the hopes that things would maybe, just maybe, be the same but... they aren't. They aren't the same anywhere."
It hurt to see her daughter so distraught, but Sanria knew it was better to let everything out than to hide anything. At least now, she wouldn't be so separate from her daughter. Emalia would come visit her again, and she had her word. The moon was rising as Emalia walked away and Sanria closed the front door. Thoughts were swimming through her head - old thoughts, new thoughts, and the thoughts of where her daughter's life would take her next.
Crash of Butterflies
Emalia opened her eyes and stared up at the white-washed ceiling of her bedroom. For a moment, everything was fine - she was home and nothing had changed - then the memory of the night before hit her in the stomach and left the butterflies there crushed and twitching with needles for wings.
The day had begun with Emalia getting up from her bed and going about her normal business. The day before, she had found out Colin's secret and it had nearly crushed her. He had gone and left her alone for the rest of the night and the majority of this day, until she stepped from the doorway to visit Nephesh.
A slender piece of parchment requested, if she could stand it, an audience with her. Emalia closed her eyes and turned back into the cottage, closing the door behind her. Nephesh, she supposed, would be fine and she called to Colin - the kindness of her heart beckoning her to let him talk to her.
Colin appeared in the time it takes for lightning to strike the ground and they immediately began to talk. It seemed to Emalia that Colin had a valid reason for every point she made against their being together. He couldn't give her children, but many "natural" men couldn't. She, he pointed out, was among the ranks of priests who gave life back to the dead - how was it different for him? Emalia's head swam with reasons why it shouldn't be - but the only objection she could then assert was: "I can't."
"I can't do this," Emalia whispered, shaking her head. "I can't. I'm sorry, Colin. I am so, so sorry."
"Emalia... I can be everything you need, all you have to do is let me show you."
Colin dipped his hand under her knees, lifting her to his chest as though she weighed nothing at all. "Come Emalia... let yourself be loved."
Initially, she attempted to ward him off, emptying herself of her healing power as well as her lifeforce. Without the benefit of having a father to show her how to control herself, she also found herself drained. Colin, having been rejected, was a gentleman once more, setting her in her bed and helping her prepare for the upcoming night.
Once, however, he had determined her inability to refuse, he decided upon staying to be sure she would be alright. A large portion of the time was spent talking until Colin joined her in her bed. He pulled her to him, his hands caressing her even as she laid unable to go anywhere.
Of things that are natural, nature has a way of ensuring that beings embued with life wish to continue with that natural progression. The simplest touch of warmth to warmth can make even the strongest minds go weak, and with the constant encouragement of large hands and gentle words - Emalia found herself laying where the tale began only hours later. With her eyes closed, hopeful that Colin would be unaware of her waking, and doubly hopeful that no one would ever know that she gave herself to a dead man, and that somehow... she could make Colin understand that what had happened was only a mistake... one that would not be repeated.
The day had begun with Emalia getting up from her bed and going about her normal business. The day before, she had found out Colin's secret and it had nearly crushed her. He had gone and left her alone for the rest of the night and the majority of this day, until she stepped from the doorway to visit Nephesh.
A slender piece of parchment requested, if she could stand it, an audience with her. Emalia closed her eyes and turned back into the cottage, closing the door behind her. Nephesh, she supposed, would be fine and she called to Colin - the kindness of her heart beckoning her to let him talk to her.
Colin appeared in the time it takes for lightning to strike the ground and they immediately began to talk. It seemed to Emalia that Colin had a valid reason for every point she made against their being together. He couldn't give her children, but many "natural" men couldn't. She, he pointed out, was among the ranks of priests who gave life back to the dead - how was it different for him? Emalia's head swam with reasons why it shouldn't be - but the only objection she could then assert was: "I can't."
"I can't do this," Emalia whispered, shaking her head. "I can't. I'm sorry, Colin. I am so, so sorry."
"Emalia... I can be everything you need, all you have to do is let me show you."
Colin dipped his hand under her knees, lifting her to his chest as though she weighed nothing at all. "Come Emalia... let yourself be loved."
Initially, she attempted to ward him off, emptying herself of her healing power as well as her lifeforce. Without the benefit of having a father to show her how to control herself, she also found herself drained. Colin, having been rejected, was a gentleman once more, setting her in her bed and helping her prepare for the upcoming night.
Once, however, he had determined her inability to refuse, he decided upon staying to be sure she would be alright. A large portion of the time was spent talking until Colin joined her in her bed. He pulled her to him, his hands caressing her even as she laid unable to go anywhere.
Of things that are natural, nature has a way of ensuring that beings embued with life wish to continue with that natural progression. The simplest touch of warmth to warmth can make even the strongest minds go weak, and with the constant encouragement of large hands and gentle words - Emalia found herself laying where the tale began only hours later. With her eyes closed, hopeful that Colin would be unaware of her waking, and doubly hopeful that no one would ever know that she gave herself to a dead man, and that somehow... she could make Colin understand that what had happened was only a mistake... one that would not be repeated.
To Westbridge
Day after day, the circumstances, as well as the company, surrounding the young girl in white, got more and more peculiar. First were the halfling and the behemoth of a man (apparently not too fond of one another) accompanying her at the temple of the Morning Lord. Then the Sunite woman of which Xarkuss knew not a name, who met her at the Alliance Arms Inn. Soon thereafter was the seemingly awkward reunion between the girl, the two from the temple (who looked like they were oddly getting along, now), and finally the Guardian, Hellstrom, who, ironically enough, seemed to have led them to the girl. A point at which, even though non-audible at the distance Xarkuss was careful to keep, literally every member of the currently assembled congregation looked to share the same confusion.
Things had not been very eventful after the odd meeting, though an encounter with constituents of the Black Church seemed like it could have taken an unpleasant turn. The abnormally large man was with her, but there was no telling how many of them would come to the aid of the two already there, in the event of trouble. Concealing his presence was important, but of course the priority was to keep the girl safe... at almost any cost. Fortunately, it never came to that.
And now, things had taken a different turn. Now... he was following them back to Westbridge.
Things had not been very eventful after the odd meeting, though an encounter with constituents of the Black Church seemed like it could have taken an unpleasant turn. The abnormally large man was with her, but there was no telling how many of them would come to the aid of the two already there, in the event of trouble. Concealing his presence was important, but of course the priority was to keep the girl safe... at almost any cost. Fortunately, it never came to that.
And now, things had taken a different turn. Now... he was following them back to Westbridge.
Mister Stone
Emalia woke by nearly falling off of Colin's shoulder when he jerked himself awake. "How... what?" Colin queried. Emalia too, sat up and looked about, for the moment unaware of anything being the matter. "Um, whe.. where are we?"
Emalia stood slowly, looking around. The campfire had vanished, it was apparent from the deciduous trees around them, they were no longer in the same forest as before. Emalia stared harder at the trees, her mind turning over the various plants, smells, and immediately - she realized she was not far from the very same places she had played as a child. They were in the Haon Dor forest.
She had only revealed this to Colin before they noticed Nephesh sprawled out on the ground. Colin shook the boy, but it took Emalia to lay a hand upon him to determine he had fainted. "What is going on here?" Colin again asked.
"I imagine... this little one attempted to move us as we slept and found it too much for him."
"Him? He did this?"
"You don't really believe in him, do you?" Emalia smiled and lifted Nephesh into her arms, leaning the halfling’s head on her shoulder. Inwardly, she smiled at the idea of holding her mentor, his legs dangling in his robes, as if she were his mother. She refused Colin's offer to carry the boy as they decided to take him to a temple, rather than her clan hall.
Still, she was worried about going home, but eventually, she would have to. They navigated through the woods, until finding the road that led back into the heart of Westbridge. They headed unnoticed to Life's Chapel, where Emalia went directly to the priest. "Sir, I am sorry to disturb you, but I am in need of help."
"Is there something wrong with your son?"
"Son... oh no. No. Though he is the one whom I seek to aid. You see, he cast a spell of some sort and he is quite weak from it. I would take him to my clan hall but-"
"There is no need to explain. In through the door, lay him there and I will care for him."
"Thank you."
Emalia returned to Colin's side, her face still worried. "I'm sure they will take good care of him." "I suppose leaving to the mountains is a bit out of the question with Nephesh down and Hellstrom... I wonder where he is... and if he's alright..."
Emalia noticed Colin's look and his shrug. "Emalia... perhaps he chose not to be found."
"I... guess that is possible."
"I'm sorry. I don't mean to sadden you but I remember he did want to see you back safely and, well, you are back."
It was true and Emalia knew it. She also had to remember - she had made a choice and it was one she would respect. She nodded and admitted to the need for a shower, and Colin who suggested accompanying her - though only to take turns.
It was how they arrived at her home - and how they ended up without clothes. Emalia allowed Colin the use of her bathing room as she took the clothes and herself out to the river to wash.
The thoughts went through her mind as the cool water raced about her legs. She would soon return to the clan hall and let them all know that, for the time being, she was back in Westbridge. She would have to inform them that she had seen Hellstrom. She then would wait for Nephesh. She found herself wondering, as she scrubbed the clothes in her hands, if it might help to allow Nephesh to come to and bring him back to her home. The garden and river might do him some good.
Hanging the clothes on a root, Emalia dunked herself a final time and turned to see Colin wrapped in a blanket with his eyes riveted to the ground. The sopping wet clothes doubled as a shield as her cheeks grew crimson. A teasing series of daring remarks left her standing nude and exposed, but as Colin drew nearer to her, Emalia could only think of how to avoid the encounter.
She succeeded in getting into the house, her heart the entire time threatening to break from her chest. She quickly donned her clothes, feeling sanctuary in their touch. Emalia looked to Colin with a sigh. "I'm sorry I caused you so much trouble."
"I suppose I should dress. I'll spare you any more discomfort and go upstairs. Truly, I am sorry also."
"There are no apologies needed, save my own for being foolish."
"Emalia. No, it's not foolishness. I just... I just wish there was something I could do for you."
"I just wish there were parts of me that could just let go."
"Emalia, I'll take what I can get. You don't need to worry so much about me. The way I see it, something is better than nothing. If I can only have part, then that's what I get."
Emalia stared at the fire for a little longer her mind racing. She saw Hellstrom and thought of his conclusion that Colin was better for her than him. She saw Melchior, throwing a book down as he stormed out of her life. She realized in that instant that no one would love her as Colin would, and it drew her up and over into his embrace.
They had only just begun to lose themselves, when Emalia's fingertip strayed across Colin's back. A long, vertical scar could be felt from the small of his back, up to places Emalia couldn't reach. She slowed the embraces, and entered the questions. She could feel Colin's irritation at her, again, breaking off their embraces, but the desire to see what this was overtook her mind and snapped her libido into nothingness. When he turned around at last, Emalia was in absolute shock. A wound, part healed, part seeming ready to break with new blood was stitched crudely nearly the entire length of his spine. The answer to who did such a think shocked her, but no more than everything else that was to follow.
Colin, himself had inflicted the wound, but for nothing that Emalia could have guessed. He had once been dead, he explained, and had returned only after some unnamed person had constructed a form for him. The words, "flesh golem," were not spoken - and truthfully, Emalia did not know there was a technical term for Colin - but the more he attempted to explain himself, the more Emalia's body revolted from the idea of a constructed body - parts of someone's body in a form - attempting to be with her intimately. Not only that, but again, another person in her life who had once been dead had come back for selfish reasons. Moreover, here was another choice she had made... without knowing the what the consequences would be.
Colin pleaded with her to see him as he always was - he was still the same... but the only thing Emalia wanted to see at that point, was his back - walking out her door. Once he had gone, Emalia slumped onto her couch. Everything was not what it seemed - and it left her wondering what else could possibly go wrong.
Emalia stood slowly, looking around. The campfire had vanished, it was apparent from the deciduous trees around them, they were no longer in the same forest as before. Emalia stared harder at the trees, her mind turning over the various plants, smells, and immediately - she realized she was not far from the very same places she had played as a child. They were in the Haon Dor forest.
She had only revealed this to Colin before they noticed Nephesh sprawled out on the ground. Colin shook the boy, but it took Emalia to lay a hand upon him to determine he had fainted. "What is going on here?" Colin again asked.
"I imagine... this little one attempted to move us as we slept and found it too much for him."
"Him? He did this?"
"You don't really believe in him, do you?" Emalia smiled and lifted Nephesh into her arms, leaning the halfling’s head on her shoulder. Inwardly, she smiled at the idea of holding her mentor, his legs dangling in his robes, as if she were his mother. She refused Colin's offer to carry the boy as they decided to take him to a temple, rather than her clan hall.
Still, she was worried about going home, but eventually, she would have to. They navigated through the woods, until finding the road that led back into the heart of Westbridge. They headed unnoticed to Life's Chapel, where Emalia went directly to the priest. "Sir, I am sorry to disturb you, but I am in need of help."
"Is there something wrong with your son?"
"Son... oh no. No. Though he is the one whom I seek to aid. You see, he cast a spell of some sort and he is quite weak from it. I would take him to my clan hall but-"
"There is no need to explain. In through the door, lay him there and I will care for him."
"Thank you."
Emalia returned to Colin's side, her face still worried. "I'm sure they will take good care of him." "I suppose leaving to the mountains is a bit out of the question with Nephesh down and Hellstrom... I wonder where he is... and if he's alright..."
Emalia noticed Colin's look and his shrug. "Emalia... perhaps he chose not to be found."
"I... guess that is possible."
"I'm sorry. I don't mean to sadden you but I remember he did want to see you back safely and, well, you are back."
It was true and Emalia knew it. She also had to remember - she had made a choice and it was one she would respect. She nodded and admitted to the need for a shower, and Colin who suggested accompanying her - though only to take turns.
It was how they arrived at her home - and how they ended up without clothes. Emalia allowed Colin the use of her bathing room as she took the clothes and herself out to the river to wash.
The thoughts went through her mind as the cool water raced about her legs. She would soon return to the clan hall and let them all know that, for the time being, she was back in Westbridge. She would have to inform them that she had seen Hellstrom. She then would wait for Nephesh. She found herself wondering, as she scrubbed the clothes in her hands, if it might help to allow Nephesh to come to and bring him back to her home. The garden and river might do him some good.
Hanging the clothes on a root, Emalia dunked herself a final time and turned to see Colin wrapped in a blanket with his eyes riveted to the ground. The sopping wet clothes doubled as a shield as her cheeks grew crimson. A teasing series of daring remarks left her standing nude and exposed, but as Colin drew nearer to her, Emalia could only think of how to avoid the encounter.
She succeeded in getting into the house, her heart the entire time threatening to break from her chest. She quickly donned her clothes, feeling sanctuary in their touch. Emalia looked to Colin with a sigh. "I'm sorry I caused you so much trouble."
"I suppose I should dress. I'll spare you any more discomfort and go upstairs. Truly, I am sorry also."
"There are no apologies needed, save my own for being foolish."
"Emalia. No, it's not foolishness. I just... I just wish there was something I could do for you."
"I just wish there were parts of me that could just let go."
"Emalia, I'll take what I can get. You don't need to worry so much about me. The way I see it, something is better than nothing. If I can only have part, then that's what I get."
Emalia stared at the fire for a little longer her mind racing. She saw Hellstrom and thought of his conclusion that Colin was better for her than him. She saw Melchior, throwing a book down as he stormed out of her life. She realized in that instant that no one would love her as Colin would, and it drew her up and over into his embrace.
They had only just begun to lose themselves, when Emalia's fingertip strayed across Colin's back. A long, vertical scar could be felt from the small of his back, up to places Emalia couldn't reach. She slowed the embraces, and entered the questions. She could feel Colin's irritation at her, again, breaking off their embraces, but the desire to see what this was overtook her mind and snapped her libido into nothingness. When he turned around at last, Emalia was in absolute shock. A wound, part healed, part seeming ready to break with new blood was stitched crudely nearly the entire length of his spine. The answer to who did such a think shocked her, but no more than everything else that was to follow.
Colin, himself had inflicted the wound, but for nothing that Emalia could have guessed. He had once been dead, he explained, and had returned only after some unnamed person had constructed a form for him. The words, "flesh golem," were not spoken - and truthfully, Emalia did not know there was a technical term for Colin - but the more he attempted to explain himself, the more Emalia's body revolted from the idea of a constructed body - parts of someone's body in a form - attempting to be with her intimately. Not only that, but again, another person in her life who had once been dead had come back for selfish reasons. Moreover, here was another choice she had made... without knowing the what the consequences would be.
Colin pleaded with her to see him as he always was - he was still the same... but the only thing Emalia wanted to see at that point, was his back - walking out her door. Once he had gone, Emalia slumped onto her couch. Everything was not what it seemed - and it left her wondering what else could possibly go wrong.
Quickening
Emalia and Colin arrived back at the campsite arm in arm. She quickly blurted out the fact that she had led them the wrong way, hoping that in doing so, Hellstrom might forget the entrance she had made. Nephesh appeared perplexed that any Faithful would be in the city of Luskan, but when assured by Emalia, he let his questions fall. It was time to change gears - completely. "TTHEE MMOOUNNTAINNSSS OF BAAALLEFFIRREEEEE"
Emalia dropped to her knees at the sound of the familiar voice, gripping her ears though it was to no avail. It was the same voice that had spoken to her before - only this time... it was specific. Unfortunately, none of the group had any idea where the mountains of Balefire were. Again, it was looking to Emalia that another failed journey would ensue.
Colin and Nephesh walked to the campfire for the rabbit, giving Emalia a moment to request Hellstrom's attention. She knew they needed to talk and quietly, she followed him not far from the campsite. "Hellstrom, I'm sorry."
"Sorry for?"
"You know, if you are so stubborn you won't look at the situation-"
"I realized what I caused in Westbrige."
"You caused nothing. Everything happens for a reason."
"I caused you nothing but confusion and pain since the day we first really met in the woods north of Westbridge."
And so it was that they continued speaking. Emalia tried to get him to see that he did nothing wrong, and especially, that the Guardians were not going to view him in a negative light - but Hellstrom wouldn't hear it. Not from her. He would see her through to the end of her journey, but this didn't matter to Emalia. She had proved she would go out on her own - but something in her continued to feel guilty for bringing anyone else along. She had not only led the party the wrong way - she had made one of her own clan members fear returning home.
Before she could say more, Nephesh arrived, flashing his fingers toward Hellstrom. She had never seen such "language" used, and could not understand what was being said. They walked back to the camp, Hellstrom translating the fact that now, each party member knew of Nephesh's involvement with the Jihad. Both Nephesh and Hellstrom again began flashing hand signs to one another - and with Colin oddly asleep – Emalia had nothing more to do than listen to the occasional pop of the fire and look at Colin. Her choices all weighed heavily upon her and she found herself wondering where it would all lead. Eventually, she curled up at Colin's side and closed out the sounds of the night for the whispers of her dreams.
Emalia dropped to her knees at the sound of the familiar voice, gripping her ears though it was to no avail. It was the same voice that had spoken to her before - only this time... it was specific. Unfortunately, none of the group had any idea where the mountains of Balefire were. Again, it was looking to Emalia that another failed journey would ensue.
Colin and Nephesh walked to the campfire for the rabbit, giving Emalia a moment to request Hellstrom's attention. She knew they needed to talk and quietly, she followed him not far from the campsite. "Hellstrom, I'm sorry."
"Sorry for?"
"You know, if you are so stubborn you won't look at the situation-"
"I realized what I caused in Westbrige."
"You caused nothing. Everything happens for a reason."
"I caused you nothing but confusion and pain since the day we first really met in the woods north of Westbridge."
And so it was that they continued speaking. Emalia tried to get him to see that he did nothing wrong, and especially, that the Guardians were not going to view him in a negative light - but Hellstrom wouldn't hear it. Not from her. He would see her through to the end of her journey, but this didn't matter to Emalia. She had proved she would go out on her own - but something in her continued to feel guilty for bringing anyone else along. She had not only led the party the wrong way - she had made one of her own clan members fear returning home.
Before she could say more, Nephesh arrived, flashing his fingers toward Hellstrom. She had never seen such "language" used, and could not understand what was being said. They walked back to the camp, Hellstrom translating the fact that now, each party member knew of Nephesh's involvement with the Jihad. Both Nephesh and Hellstrom again began flashing hand signs to one another - and with Colin oddly asleep – Emalia had nothing more to do than listen to the occasional pop of the fire and look at Colin. Her choices all weighed heavily upon her and she found herself wondering where it would all lead. Eventually, she curled up at Colin's side and closed out the sounds of the night for the whispers of her dreams.
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