Telfenham's soul was tired and even moreso as he tried desperately to keep Gilean and Velentham from destroying one another. The sooner they could get underway, the better. Unfortunately, that meant passing through the bowels of hell to get Gilean home. And predictably, the lesser celestial didn't seem at all plussed by the situation. What was the worse, Telfenham knew what was to happen. There would be no chance of Velentham staying behind.
"I don't know why I do this," Telfenham said, "but you do understand, that if we undertake this journey - there is no way I can let my son straggle behind. I know he will follow us, and I won't chance him dying as he attempts it."
"Then he shouldn't straggle behind at all, he should be staying here! If you didn't make the allowance for him to come, maybe he would actually think better of it."
"You speak as one who has forgotten what it means to have a willfully ignorant child." Telfenham looked to Gilean. The shared memories of Gilean's daughter, Bloodmaiden, stood in painful relief. "Should I refresh your memory of your daughter?"
"I had a child who made mistakes... and she paid for them. I couldn't intervene in all matters of her life. Your son must grow up at some point."
"At some point, yes, but it is also my task, as it was yours, to know my child. I know my child. Do you understand?"
"I understand all too well... that you don't particularly care if he comes or not. That you are willing to sacrifice the happiness of others to enable your child to act like a spoiled little brat who wants another child's toy."
Telfenham barely cooled the ire that rose within him. This child had no idea. "I will attempt a final time to explain this to you. My son is the reason I created this place, to try - desperately - to tame him. To teach him. We are across the entirety of the planes from our homeland. Perhaps that means little to you in your form, but if you recall anything, you should know what that separation means. If I leave here with you, he will follow. And most likely, he will die. Perhaps that means little to you and you wish for it, in fact, but I do not. I am his father and I will protect my son."
"No, I wish nothing of the sort, even if he wishes it of me. I just give your son more credit that he's not as foolhardy as you think. He cannot be so blind to his own safety."
Telfenham paused for a moment and sighed deeply. "You do not know my son."
"As we descend into that place, you understand that we will lose more of ourselves." Telfenham looked at Gilean. "We are Guardinals... and the longer we surround ourselves with evil... the harder it will become for us to act with clear minds."
"I have dedicated my life to pacifism, and I am only a part of what I once was... it is you I am more concerned about in that regard."
Telfenham chuckled. Already he could foresee the problems that a pacifist would have in the hells. "If you are even a tenth Celestial, the nine hells will bring it rushing like boiling water to the surface. Velentham and I will feel it first, but feel it - you will." Telfenham nodded. "I will fashion a few trinkets for us to take, essences of this place to hold us as long as can be expected, but if we find ourselves sidetracked for any reason, we may well find ourselves dead."
"Very well then. I am ready as soon as your trinkets have been fashioned."
"When we get into the hells," Telfenham began, "you will see that there is no time for consideration. There is no room for time at all - for the beings there will slaughter you as soon as they get whiff of your scent. I hope, for your sake, you can draw upon what you are, for we will need your blade, not your healing touch."
"You may not have noticed, I do not even carry a blade... but I will defend myself when needed."
"We will remedy that. And I hope you understand it is not only your self that you will need to defend." Telfenham looked at Gilean intently.
"Of course, without you I stand little chance of arriving home," Gilean said with a smirk.
Telfenham let out a sigh. He knew that his knowledge would have to come out. He gave another attempt to avoid speaking what he knew. "No matter what our disagreements are, once we enter the hells, we are family. Without that mindset, we stand little chance at all."
"While we may disagree on several things," Gilean said, "I do have respect for you Telfenham. Do not mistake my disapproval for malice."
"I worry not on your respect for me. But the respect between you and my son."
"If your son chooses to come that is your charge, not mine." Gilean frowned. "I cannot be responsible for his actions, and I fear he would be the most dangerous member of the journey. He doesn't seem exactly stable, even in this place."
"Eosos, yet again your mouth precedes your mind." Telfenham lowered his head into his hand. "For all your bickering, you two are so much alike."
Telfenham continued, ignoring Gilean's scoff. "I take no charges or wards into the hells, but brothers who will defend one another to the death. Do you understand?"
"And you think he thinks that of me?"
"He thinks just as you do now. He hears me just as you do now. He abhors the idea and finds it disgustingly sweet. But he will obey, as will you."
"Telfenham, stop enabling his behavior! You created this whole place just to accommodate him. How will he ever change if you keep making allowances for him?"
Telfenham stared at Gilean with a long sigh. "We are doomed."
Telfenham turned away, the secret he had kept from both Gilean and Velentham weighing him down. "You said you would talk to him... what of that?" Gilean said from behind. The shorter celestial quickened his pace to keep up with Telfenham.
"Do you think I did not? We will see if you arrive home to your family, Eosos, and if either my son or I make it out alive. With the division you two create between one another, we'll be fortunate if we make it out at all - let alone through all nine levels."
"Velentham is willing to trek through the nine hells to speak once more with a woman he barely knows?"
Telfenham stopped at this. He suddenly realized that Gilean had no truly deep understanding of what had transpired between Velentham and Sanria. The man could not comprehend. Even then, through helping Gilean obtain his memories, Telfenham had seen much, too. "You say this, yet you are willing to trek through the hells to get back to a woman you've known for nearing two months? You are not the only one who had gained your memories, Eosos. You should know, in the fact of things, that my son just by touching her has gained more of her than the mere passage of time allowed. Both he and I had every reason to believe she would be returning. It appears her death prevented that."
Gilean looked down and Telfenham had a shred of hope. "I will do whatever I can to ensure the success of our journey, I just fear for what may become of his actions. It seems I am helpless in that regard."
"I cannot claim I know what he will do. I intend fully to try to speak to him as we move through our journey. If he can be dissuaded, I will do what I can... but you do not wish to wait for me to continue trying here, do you?"
"Do what you can in the time it takes for the preparations to be complete. We will begin as soon as all is ready."
"I will handle my son - in the meantime, dwell upon what I've said. Distaste will have to be put aside. We are going to be in far too much danger for anything to take that focus."
Telfenham watched as Gilean nodded, his face somber. He knew they wouldn't survive the trip if he left it merely to his words. He had to let Gilean understand. He lifted his hand to Gilean's temple, revealing a memory to him. A girl with the features of Gilean's mother playing with a boy holding Telfenham's features. He watched with sad eyes as reality sank into Gilean. "I'll do whatever I can to ensure we succeed," Gilean said quietly.
With that, Gilean's uncle turned and walked sullenly into the fields beyond.
Outrageous Plans
Velentham stood in the center of the plains and let out a loud yell of anger. What had happened? Everything was fine for so long. He hadn't had a problem or a care in the world. Years prior, his father brought him to this plane, it soothed him yet he was still close enough to go forth and battle the evil that swarmed near the Nine Hells and Gehenna. He would let out his anger and return. Then he met Sanria. He fell in love with her, he touched her heart, she made him feel whole. Then came all the others - and Gilean.
Velentham took out his sword and with a howl of anger, sliced through the tall grasses, felling them easily. Gilean Eosos. Son of a traitor, still a traitor, a man who didn't know his place. He would learn.
Velentham bent space within the plane and arrived at Gilean's side, looking as though he was ready for battle. "You're not worth it."
"Just what are you planning then?" Gilean asked, rising from the grass.
Velentham crossed the distance, his face pinched with rage. "By the Gods, would that I could run you through and ensure you'd never return."
"I hope that someday you can be more accepting of others' viewpoints."
Immediately, Velentham drew back his free fist. He would smash Gilean's face in if nothing else. He would teach him a lesson. Before he could, from nowhere, Telfenham's hand wrapped tightly about his son's fist. "No, Velentham. This will solve nothing."
"He's not worth it, father. You can't go through with this."
"That is for me to decide. My choice - and his."
Velentham snatched his hand from his father and glared at Gilean. The hatred ran like ice through his veins. 'Go, Velentham,' his father telepathed. 'You are doing nothing here but attempting to cause strife. If you harm him, no good will be done. You will have your way, even if I may not agree.' Velentham vanished with a huff.
Velentham took out his sword and with a howl of anger, sliced through the tall grasses, felling them easily. Gilean Eosos. Son of a traitor, still a traitor, a man who didn't know his place. He would learn.
Velentham bent space within the plane and arrived at Gilean's side, looking as though he was ready for battle. "You're not worth it."
"Just what are you planning then?" Gilean asked, rising from the grass.
Velentham crossed the distance, his face pinched with rage. "By the Gods, would that I could run you through and ensure you'd never return."
"I hope that someday you can be more accepting of others' viewpoints."
Immediately, Velentham drew back his free fist. He would smash Gilean's face in if nothing else. He would teach him a lesson. Before he could, from nowhere, Telfenham's hand wrapped tightly about his son's fist. "No, Velentham. This will solve nothing."
"He's not worth it, father. You can't go through with this."
"That is for me to decide. My choice - and his."
Velentham snatched his hand from his father and glared at Gilean. The hatred ran like ice through his veins. 'Go, Velentham,' his father telepathed. 'You are doing nothing here but attempting to cause strife. If you harm him, no good will be done. You will have your way, even if I may not agree.' Velentham vanished with a huff.
Ancient Studies
Telfenham had walked the planes many times before, but never in the way that would be required to get Gilean home as soon as possible. Unlike the elf that showed up with the necklace, Telfenham had no trinket which easily sliced through planes. Telfenham only had abilities. He could create planes, he could traverse them, but only in real time, and that meant from where they were, Gilean was a long, long, long way from home.
Telfenham sighed as he looked over the planar map in his study. There was only one way to make this trip fast, and by fast, 5 months. Only one way, and it would put them all in the deepest danger. He would have to escort Gilean through the Nine Hells. All the way down, until at last, they could reach the portal to the Outlands. once there, the city of Sigil would await them and they could easily find the portal to the material plane. But oh, the risk.
Celestials in the den of everything evil. Telfenham stared at the map, looking for any other way. It was the fastest, and he knew that Gilean would not hesitate to use it, but it was the most risky. Outside of that, the trip to the material plane would take them through roughly eighty-seven major- and demi-planes.
Velentham walked in and peered down over his father's shoulder. "You can't be serious, father. You can't be."
"I gave him my word, Velentham. What more can be done?"
"For him? Eosos? He's a traitor to his race and a... a..."
"There is more to him, Velentham. There are things you do not understand."
"Then help me to understand, father. Help me understand why you will go to such lengths for this man but not for me?"
Telfenham stood up and glared at his son. For the first time in a long time, the aura about him glowed with intensity. His eyes burned with a bright silver as he looked at the cowed young Celestial. "I have done more than I ever intended to do for you, Velentham. I have allowed you to insult me. I have allowed you to pout like a child. I will no longer have it. It is because of your appetites that we are here, and because of your appetites that we are both at risk of banishment. If you know what is best for you, you will stay your tongue and your temper."
His head bowed, Velentham vanished, leaving Telfenham to calm himself and look back at the map. There had to be another way, perhaps he just hadn't seen it yet.
Telfenham sighed as he looked over the planar map in his study. There was only one way to make this trip fast, and by fast, 5 months. Only one way, and it would put them all in the deepest danger. He would have to escort Gilean through the Nine Hells. All the way down, until at last, they could reach the portal to the Outlands. once there, the city of Sigil would await them and they could easily find the portal to the material plane. But oh, the risk.
Celestials in the den of everything evil. Telfenham stared at the map, looking for any other way. It was the fastest, and he knew that Gilean would not hesitate to use it, but it was the most risky. Outside of that, the trip to the material plane would take them through roughly eighty-seven major- and demi-planes.
Velentham walked in and peered down over his father's shoulder. "You can't be serious, father. You can't be."
"I gave him my word, Velentham. What more can be done?"
"For him? Eosos? He's a traitor to his race and a... a..."
"There is more to him, Velentham. There are things you do not understand."
"Then help me to understand, father. Help me understand why you will go to such lengths for this man but not for me?"
Telfenham stood up and glared at his son. For the first time in a long time, the aura about him glowed with intensity. His eyes burned with a bright silver as he looked at the cowed young Celestial. "I have done more than I ever intended to do for you, Velentham. I have allowed you to insult me. I have allowed you to pout like a child. I will no longer have it. It is because of your appetites that we are here, and because of your appetites that we are both at risk of banishment. If you know what is best for you, you will stay your tongue and your temper."
His head bowed, Velentham vanished, leaving Telfenham to calm himself and look back at the map. There had to be another way, perhaps he just hadn't seen it yet.
Asking Nature
It had been a day, or perhaps it had been two, could it have been three weeks already? Sanria didn't know or care. She had trudged around the cavern doing everything she normally did without seeing herself actually doing anything. She moved in a perpetual slow motion and her constant companion was the note she held clutched in her hand.
She had climbed the stairs to Orn's room and found herself staring at the little boy as he played. Suddenly, he was at her legs. "Mama."
"What is it little heart?"
"Where's Papa?"
It was as though Sanria realized for the first time she wasn't alone in this. Orn wore an expression of both confusion and anger. She could hardly bear to look at him. "I don't know, Papa went on a trip."
"He went on trip?" the little boy parroted.
"Mmhmm. On a trip."
"Where he go?" The question out of the mouth of her son was nearly more than Sanria coule bear.
"I don't know, Orn," she replied, her eyes filling with tears. "He said he had to go away and think about things. He's going away for a little while."
"You miss Papa?" Orn asked, his little hand resting on Sanria's. The tears could no longer be held back.
"I miss your Papa."
"I miss Papa too. When he come back?" Orn asked.
"In a little while, I'm sure." Sanria looked to her hands. "I hope..."
"Tomorrow?" Orn asked, his eyes wide with hope.
"We will see. Would you like to go outside?" Perhaps the change of scenery would stop the questioning and make the ache in Sanria's heart cease throbbing.
"I want go see Papa!"
"We can't, Orn. I don't know where he's gone. I'm sorry."
Orn took Sanria's hand in his. "It's ok Mama, I find Papa! We ask trees! We go see him!" Sanria frowned inwardly, how she was going to deal with Orn for however long it took Colin to come back, she didn't know. With a small sigh, she rose and let the tiny boy lead her out of the room.
She had climbed the stairs to Orn's room and found herself staring at the little boy as he played. Suddenly, he was at her legs. "Mama."
"What is it little heart?"
"Where's Papa?"
It was as though Sanria realized for the first time she wasn't alone in this. Orn wore an expression of both confusion and anger. She could hardly bear to look at him. "I don't know, Papa went on a trip."
"He went on trip?" the little boy parroted.
"Mmhmm. On a trip."
"Where he go?" The question out of the mouth of her son was nearly more than Sanria coule bear.
"I don't know, Orn," she replied, her eyes filling with tears. "He said he had to go away and think about things. He's going away for a little while."
"You miss Papa?" Orn asked, his little hand resting on Sanria's. The tears could no longer be held back.
"I miss your Papa."
"I miss Papa too. When he come back?" Orn asked.
"In a little while, I'm sure." Sanria looked to her hands. "I hope..."
"Tomorrow?" Orn asked, his eyes wide with hope.
"We will see. Would you like to go outside?" Perhaps the change of scenery would stop the questioning and make the ache in Sanria's heart cease throbbing.
"I want go see Papa!"
"We can't, Orn. I don't know where he's gone. I'm sorry."
Orn took Sanria's hand in his. "It's ok Mama, I find Papa! We ask trees! We go see him!" Sanria frowned inwardly, how she was going to deal with Orn for however long it took Colin to come back, she didn't know. With a small sigh, she rose and let the tiny boy lead her out of the room.
Arrival of a Man
Hector stood up as the last of Colin's limp form rolled off his back. "You didn't say he was this big." Arlenia didn't even hear the man say anything. She was already at Colin's side, brushing his curls away from his face. At last, she stood up with a bright smile.
"I thank you so much, both of you."
Brant rolled his eyes with a smirk. "Cake. This was super simple."
"Well I'm glad. I'll give you what money I can when I can. For now, just know I appreciate it."
"Well," said Hector, "I'm just happy to make a family whole again."
To that, Brant again rolled his eyes and snickered. "Man, shut up." The two men laughed heartily and left.
Arlenia walked over to the table which now contained two vials. One would allow her to wake Colin up a bit, the other, knock him out. She dipped a fine needle into the first and gently jabbed the big man in the arm. "Wh... where..."
"Shhh," Arlenia said with a smile. "Everything is alright."
"Where's... Sanria..."
The name made Arlenia scowl. Always Sanria. Always. "You left her."
"N... No..."
"Yes. You're with me now, Arlenia. Tomorrow we'll be getting married. Our family will finally be together."
"Already... married..."
"No. It's til death do you part... and she died. It's you and me now. You and me and our little one who has yet to be born."
"It... is?"
"It is. I love you, Colin."
"I... love you... too... Sanria."
"I thank you so much, both of you."
Brant rolled his eyes with a smirk. "Cake. This was super simple."
"Well I'm glad. I'll give you what money I can when I can. For now, just know I appreciate it."
"Well," said Hector, "I'm just happy to make a family whole again."
To that, Brant again rolled his eyes and snickered. "Man, shut up." The two men laughed heartily and left.
Arlenia walked over to the table which now contained two vials. One would allow her to wake Colin up a bit, the other, knock him out. She dipped a fine needle into the first and gently jabbed the big man in the arm. "Wh... where..."
"Shhh," Arlenia said with a smile. "Everything is alright."
"Where's... Sanria..."
The name made Arlenia scowl. Always Sanria. Always. "You left her."
"N... No..."
"Yes. You're with me now, Arlenia. Tomorrow we'll be getting married. Our family will finally be together."
"Already... married..."
"No. It's til death do you part... and she died. It's you and me now. You and me and our little one who has yet to be born."
"It... is?"
"It is. I love you, Colin."
"I... love you... too... Sanria."
Setting to Rights
Telfenham stared after his son, the stinging insult still in his ears. Never before had his son turned his ire against him, it was a side Telfenham had never before seen. He turned back to Gilean. "Judge not my son, Eosos."
"He's going to get himself in trouble..."
"You have been in much the same fashion for other reasons. You may not recall your final days in Elysium, but I do. As much as it may disgust you to be linked in such a manner, you and my son are alike in many respects."
"Perhaps... but I didn't aim to harm any others with my opinions. I only tried to change minds.. not others' lives."
"It may not have been your aim, but it was the deed. You may have only seen your own desires, but it pained your father and mother greatly. And your opinions separated what would have been a life long union."
Gilean looked down and Telfenham knew he had pushed upon an issue deep within the lesser celestial. If he could press on this, perhaps he could force a trust between his son and Gilean. "After your father was banished, the tribunal asked your mother if she would join him. And she severed all knowing of you or he."
"I never intended that... I didn't know that would happen."
"Opinions have consequences, as do judgments."
"Perhaps... but your son knows the consequences, I did not."
"You seem to misunderstand my statement. It matters not whether you know, but there are consequences to every single action we take, Eosos. Including when we choose to judge one another. He is still my son."
Having made his point, Telfenham turned to the skies. None of this boded well, but he had no other alternative. "I have your eternal promise?"
"Yes, providing I get back. Not that I doubt you... but more your son."
"I cannot stop him if he follows, Eosos."
"If he keeps me from my family, I have only one recourse left."
"His desire is not to keep you from your family, but to take her from hers," Telfenham spoke plainly.
"You know it is in his best interest not to follow. You must do what you can to prevent him from going."
The idea of an outcast telling him what to do made Telfenham irritable. "I will get you to your home. My son has no quarrel with your return to your business."
"Yes, but I have no intention of rejoining my family, only to rip another asunder. You have to understand that."
"If you will not agree to the terms, what reason have I to rejoin you? You damn me for pitying my son's pining heart. We all make our mistakes. Mine was hoping to give my son love, and he did seem to be grooming it while Sanria was here. She truly did wish to remain, you understand. Given her life. She truly wished to forget."
"Do you truly think that your son will not use his presence, and the presence of this place, to get the result that he wants regardless of her wishes?"
"I have only the power to advise him. But just as you had the choice to go against all warnings and council given to you before your exile, he, too, has that choice. I, however, do not wish to be exiled from my family and community and race because I wanted to offer him the chance for love he had yet to experience."
"It should be her choice. Please... just see to that. Have him understand that. It's not love if they don't have the choice."
"I will only see to that provided I have your word," Telfenham said.
"I will trust you," Gilean replied with a nod.
"You will have to."
"He's going to get himself in trouble..."
"You have been in much the same fashion for other reasons. You may not recall your final days in Elysium, but I do. As much as it may disgust you to be linked in such a manner, you and my son are alike in many respects."
"Perhaps... but I didn't aim to harm any others with my opinions. I only tried to change minds.. not others' lives."
"It may not have been your aim, but it was the deed. You may have only seen your own desires, but it pained your father and mother greatly. And your opinions separated what would have been a life long union."
Gilean looked down and Telfenham knew he had pushed upon an issue deep within the lesser celestial. If he could press on this, perhaps he could force a trust between his son and Gilean. "After your father was banished, the tribunal asked your mother if she would join him. And she severed all knowing of you or he."
"I never intended that... I didn't know that would happen."
"Opinions have consequences, as do judgments."
"Perhaps... but your son knows the consequences, I did not."
"You seem to misunderstand my statement. It matters not whether you know, but there are consequences to every single action we take, Eosos. Including when we choose to judge one another. He is still my son."
Having made his point, Telfenham turned to the skies. None of this boded well, but he had no other alternative. "I have your eternal promise?"
"Yes, providing I get back. Not that I doubt you... but more your son."
"I cannot stop him if he follows, Eosos."
"If he keeps me from my family, I have only one recourse left."
"His desire is not to keep you from your family, but to take her from hers," Telfenham spoke plainly.
"You know it is in his best interest not to follow. You must do what you can to prevent him from going."
The idea of an outcast telling him what to do made Telfenham irritable. "I will get you to your home. My son has no quarrel with your return to your business."
"Yes, but I have no intention of rejoining my family, only to rip another asunder. You have to understand that."
"If you will not agree to the terms, what reason have I to rejoin you? You damn me for pitying my son's pining heart. We all make our mistakes. Mine was hoping to give my son love, and he did seem to be grooming it while Sanria was here. She truly did wish to remain, you understand. Given her life. She truly wished to forget."
"Do you truly think that your son will not use his presence, and the presence of this place, to get the result that he wants regardless of her wishes?"
"I have only the power to advise him. But just as you had the choice to go against all warnings and council given to you before your exile, he, too, has that choice. I, however, do not wish to be exiled from my family and community and race because I wanted to offer him the chance for love he had yet to experience."
"It should be her choice. Please... just see to that. Have him understand that. It's not love if they don't have the choice."
"I will only see to that provided I have your word," Telfenham said.
"I will trust you," Gilean replied with a nod.
"You will have to."
Father Turncoat
Velentham listened to his father speak to Gilean, his auditory acuity riding along the fabrics of his reality. It angered him that his father could be so blunt about his issues and he would have confronted him were it not for the fact that respect was utmost when it came to his Telfenham. Almost. Now, Gilean had refused his idea. Velentham couldn't figure out why the man sent him into rage, but he didn't care. If he could just get Gilean out of his face, get the man back where he belonged, get him to Sanria, he didn't need to worry at all. He'd never see him again anyway.
"If I aid you, you must swear to me that you will never utter a word of this to any Celestial in any time from here until perpetuity. Do I make myself perfectly clear?" Telfenham's voice rang clearly, and it alarmed Velentham deeply. If his father got involved, there would be no chance of his going along. He would never see Sanria again. He wouldn't put up with Gilean only to be deprived of what kept him from slaying the man right up front.
Velentham appeared in a flash of light. He took a moment to look over at Gilean, his contempt absolutely clear, then turned to his father. "No. Father, no."
"Velentham, this is the best way for all. We will rid ourselves of Eosos and you will not disrupt any lives."
Disrupt lives?! "Father, you cannot do this. You cannot choose him over me!"
"Velentham, you do not love her. My son, you have no true idea what love is. I am sorry, but this is how it shall be."
It would not do. It could not be. Velentham stepped back from his father, feeling incredibly wounded. Suddenly, he stepped into the elder Celestial's view. "I will find my way there. Mark my words."
"Velentham, don't. Look at me," Gilean said. And Velentham turned his burning silver eyes onto the man. Every bit of rage and contempt boiled on the edge of his mind. "All of the distaste you have for me, all of your disdain... is this what you want to be? Because it's exactly what you're heading for. Being just like me."
"I will never - never - be like you. I will not turn my back on my race, or my pride."
"Nor your arrogance," Gilean whispered.
"Watch your tongue."
"Enough," Velentham's father stood between him and the object of his hatred. "My son, you are out of line. Go to the cottage. Stay there until I call for you."
Velentham stood for a long moment, looking at the father he had loved and obeyed for so long. 'I gave you an order,' the elder spoke into his mind. Velentham sneered, "Undfamnachmedour," he whispered to his father in Celestial, and turned back to the cottage.
"If I aid you, you must swear to me that you will never utter a word of this to any Celestial in any time from here until perpetuity. Do I make myself perfectly clear?" Telfenham's voice rang clearly, and it alarmed Velentham deeply. If his father got involved, there would be no chance of his going along. He would never see Sanria again. He wouldn't put up with Gilean only to be deprived of what kept him from slaying the man right up front.
Velentham appeared in a flash of light. He took a moment to look over at Gilean, his contempt absolutely clear, then turned to his father. "No. Father, no."
"Velentham, this is the best way for all. We will rid ourselves of Eosos and you will not disrupt any lives."
Disrupt lives?! "Father, you cannot do this. You cannot choose him over me!"
"Velentham, you do not love her. My son, you have no true idea what love is. I am sorry, but this is how it shall be."
It would not do. It could not be. Velentham stepped back from his father, feeling incredibly wounded. Suddenly, he stepped into the elder Celestial's view. "I will find my way there. Mark my words."
"Velentham, don't. Look at me," Gilean said. And Velentham turned his burning silver eyes onto the man. Every bit of rage and contempt boiled on the edge of his mind. "All of the distaste you have for me, all of your disdain... is this what you want to be? Because it's exactly what you're heading for. Being just like me."
"I will never - never - be like you. I will not turn my back on my race, or my pride."
"Nor your arrogance," Gilean whispered.
"Watch your tongue."
"Enough," Velentham's father stood between him and the object of his hatred. "My son, you are out of line. Go to the cottage. Stay there until I call for you."
Velentham stood for a long moment, looking at the father he had loved and obeyed for so long. 'I gave you an order,' the elder spoke into his mind. Velentham sneered, "Undfamnachmedour," he whispered to his father in Celestial, and turned back to the cottage.
The Best of Both Worlds
Telfenham walked out of his cottage with a profound sigh. He had helped Gilean find his past, but even he wasn't prepared for everything it would mean. He clasped his hands behind his back as he walked out into the field, sinking into his own thoughts. He was far too old to have this happen to him. To have a traitor within his midst, one that he helped to bring back - he was facing exile. Gilean wasn't only a traitor, he was- 'Telfenham... I know you can hear me. I need to speak with you.'
Gilean's voice soaked through the fabric of the planar reality and within seconds, Telfenham bent space and stood at the side of the young man. He felt exhausted by the sheer immensity of what he had done and what he would undoubtedly have to do to rid himself of the trouble. "I assume you heard what your son has recently said to me. I find his offer unacceptable. I will not lead him back, only to see him rip another's happiness apart."
Telfenham agreed. He had attempted to set his son straight regarding Sanria and bringing her back to no avail. Velentham would hear none of it. Somehow, he had been given a hardened hot-head for a son. "Eosos, my son has his failings as many of us do. None, not even Celestials, are perfect."
"I'm glad to hear you say that," Gilean said with a chuckle.
"That said, we do have a slight issue. You see, when I offered up the rose for Velentham to use, I did not anticipate it bringing back an outcast."
"So, you knew of his plan?" Gilean asked.
"Look at this place. It is beautiful. What mortal wouldn't wish to live in a place like this? And Sanria did. Why not give my son what he wanted. It didn't seem to harm any."
"But it's not really a choice..." Gilean said with a light sigh.
"It would have been should she have pined into the rose. Desire activates it... If she would have desired to return, she would have."
"Yet, here I am."
"You desired to know more about yourself."
Telfenham knew he must remedy the situation. He had to get Gilean on his side, had to get the lesser celestial to agree to a term that would get him home and keep him quiet for eternity. "You must understand, I have no desire to be here. I am happy to leave you both and never speak of this. I only wish to go back. As a father of a somewhat... wayward son, you must be able to see within you to help me," Gilean said.
"If I aid you, you must swear to me that you will never utter a word of this to any Celestial in any time from here until perpetuity. Do I make myself perfectly clear?"
"You help me get back home and you have my eternal promise."
Before anything could be agreed upon, Velentham arrived in a blaze of light.
Gilean's voice soaked through the fabric of the planar reality and within seconds, Telfenham bent space and stood at the side of the young man. He felt exhausted by the sheer immensity of what he had done and what he would undoubtedly have to do to rid himself of the trouble. "I assume you heard what your son has recently said to me. I find his offer unacceptable. I will not lead him back, only to see him rip another's happiness apart."
Telfenham agreed. He had attempted to set his son straight regarding Sanria and bringing her back to no avail. Velentham would hear none of it. Somehow, he had been given a hardened hot-head for a son. "Eosos, my son has his failings as many of us do. None, not even Celestials, are perfect."
"I'm glad to hear you say that," Gilean said with a chuckle.
"That said, we do have a slight issue. You see, when I offered up the rose for Velentham to use, I did not anticipate it bringing back an outcast."
"So, you knew of his plan?" Gilean asked.
"Look at this place. It is beautiful. What mortal wouldn't wish to live in a place like this? And Sanria did. Why not give my son what he wanted. It didn't seem to harm any."
"But it's not really a choice..." Gilean said with a light sigh.
"It would have been should she have pined into the rose. Desire activates it... If she would have desired to return, she would have."
"Yet, here I am."
"You desired to know more about yourself."
Telfenham knew he must remedy the situation. He had to get Gilean on his side, had to get the lesser celestial to agree to a term that would get him home and keep him quiet for eternity. "You must understand, I have no desire to be here. I am happy to leave you both and never speak of this. I only wish to go back. As a father of a somewhat... wayward son, you must be able to see within you to help me," Gilean said.
"If I aid you, you must swear to me that you will never utter a word of this to any Celestial in any time from here until perpetuity. Do I make myself perfectly clear?"
"You help me get back home and you have my eternal promise."
Before anything could be agreed upon, Velentham arrived in a blaze of light.
Sea of Fog
Colin walked out of the side door of the cavern and into the secluded bit of forest that served almost as another backyard for the family. Fallen pine needles muffled his footsteps as be strolled toward the gently running stream a short distance away, a contented smile on his face. He was lost in thoughts of his wife, son, and more children on the way when he heard the snap of a twig very close behind him. He turned with a chuckle, "Oh, Sanr..."
But wait, not Sanria. A sharp sting in the side of his neck. Then darkness.
Colin dreamed within a rolling fog. He was tossed and jostled like a helpless piece of driftwood on a turbulent sea of hazy disorientation.
Images floated before him as he bounced upon the waves.
Sanria, dressed in a brilliant white gown... she was walking away yet
looked over her shoulder, calling to him. She wouldn't stop walking
and his legs were so heavy, the earth was like mud. She slowed, but
still kept walking. He caught up, reaching to place a hand on her
shoulder. She turned, now walking backwards. She held his hand
sweetly, told him she loved him, caressed his hand. Then green.
Her eyes bright green. Blinding. He was holding nothing. She
had turned away - now running toward the green light from her
own eyes. He tried to run after but his feet wouldn't work.
The mud. Not mud, lava. His feet no longer there but he
still ran. He could catch her. He could put out the
green light. She would stop running. His legs
were gone. He crawled... dragging his
body. She was almost gone.
Reaching. Sinking.
Burning.
Sanria!
Colin tried to blink his eyes open. His eyelids fought him, conspiring to prevent him from waking. He focused all of the will be could gather, like trying to organize turtles to pull a cart. Yet he finally managed to open them. He couldn't focus. He was in a bed. Where was he? Was this home? Time seemed an endless mystery. Yesterday seemed like years ago and he didn't even know what yesterday was.
He commanded the herd of turtles to turn his head to the side. He had to see where he was. He slowly looked... a woman. Dark hair, smiling. Home. He must be. He spoke with a mouth that felt full of dandelion seeds. "San...ria?"
The reply was reprimandingly direct. "No, not Sanria."
But wait, not Sanria. A sharp sting in the side of his neck. Then darkness.
Colin dreamed within a rolling fog. He was tossed and jostled like a helpless piece of driftwood on a turbulent sea of hazy disorientation.
Images floated before him as he bounced upon the waves.
Sanria, dressed in a brilliant white gown... she was walking away yet
looked over her shoulder, calling to him. She wouldn't stop walking
and his legs were so heavy, the earth was like mud. She slowed, but
still kept walking. He caught up, reaching to place a hand on her
shoulder. She turned, now walking backwards. She held his hand
sweetly, told him she loved him, caressed his hand. Then green.
Her eyes bright green. Blinding. He was holding nothing. She
had turned away - now running toward the green light from her
own eyes. He tried to run after but his feet wouldn't work.
The mud. Not mud, lava. His feet no longer there but he
still ran. He could catch her. He could put out the
green light. She would stop running. His legs
were gone. He crawled... dragging his
body. She was almost gone.
Reaching. Sinking.
Burning.
Sanria!
Colin tried to blink his eyes open. His eyelids fought him, conspiring to prevent him from waking. He focused all of the will be could gather, like trying to organize turtles to pull a cart. Yet he finally managed to open them. He couldn't focus. He was in a bed. Where was he? Was this home? Time seemed an endless mystery. Yesterday seemed like years ago and he didn't even know what yesterday was.
He commanded the herd of turtles to turn his head to the side. He had to see where he was. He slowly looked... a woman. Dark hair, smiling. Home. He must be. He spoke with a mouth that felt full of dandelion seeds. "San...ria?"
The reply was reprimandingly direct. "No, not Sanria."
Planning Ahead
Arlenia called Hector and Brant into the hut and set them down. The two big men looked at her and broke into smiles. "Now you want us to do what, exactly?" Hector asked.
"You take these darts, Banion has already tipped them in the sedative, and you -"
"Dart him? Like a monkey?" Brant asked. The men broke into laughter.
"Look, jerks, you dart him, alright? Then you drag his butt back here so I can marry him with Banion's blessing and I won't have to be some single mother on an island full of... of..."
"Jerks," Brant finished.
"Yes. Jerks. You'll be paid for your work."
"How much?" Hector asked.
"I don't know - I'm sure I can scrounge up some platinum somehow, but you are both my friends and have been for years - so I can count on you, right?"
The men sighed and shook their heads. "Yeah, you can. But you're gonna owe us big, Arlenia."
"Just... be careful. He can get really, really angry."
"He won't even see us," Hector said.
"Good. Oh yeah -" Arlenia paused and walked to her bedside table. She lifted a letter into her hand and laid it on Brant's lap. "She needs to find that."
Brant lifted the letter and eyed it before looking back at Arlenia. "How is she supposed to find it?"
"Leave it at the door for all I care. Now go. I want my husband back here before I get any bigger."
"You take these darts, Banion has already tipped them in the sedative, and you -"
"Dart him? Like a monkey?" Brant asked. The men broke into laughter.
"Look, jerks, you dart him, alright? Then you drag his butt back here so I can marry him with Banion's blessing and I won't have to be some single mother on an island full of... of..."
"Jerks," Brant finished.
"Yes. Jerks. You'll be paid for your work."
"How much?" Hector asked.
"I don't know - I'm sure I can scrounge up some platinum somehow, but you are both my friends and have been for years - so I can count on you, right?"
The men sighed and shook their heads. "Yeah, you can. But you're gonna owe us big, Arlenia."
"Just... be careful. He can get really, really angry."
"He won't even see us," Hector said.
"Good. Oh yeah -" Arlenia paused and walked to her bedside table. She lifted a letter into her hand and laid it on Brant's lap. "She needs to find that."
Brant lifted the letter and eyed it before looking back at Arlenia. "How is she supposed to find it?"
"Leave it at the door for all I care. Now go. I want my husband back here before I get any bigger."
Gaining a Husband
"Come out, child," Banion crooned. For nigh on a week Arlenia stayed in the hut at the end of the village. Her stomach was beginning to show the first signs of pregnancy and her armor didn't fit quite right. She had to wear a muslin moo-moo and she felt belittled, weak, and trapped. Banion, the village elder, didn't help matters. He watched over her as though she were sick - even though she did have trouble keeping meals down.
"Go away, Banion."
The door opened and Arlenia grumbled, folding her arms like a petulant child as she flopped down into the chair by the fire. "I said go away."
"Remember to respect your elders, Arlenia. We are the learned and the way, after all."
Banion walked in and took the chair opposite her. He smiled and gave her a flower. "How do you feel?"
"I'm fine," Arlenia replied, her cheeks burning crimson. "I'm knocked up and stuck here without a husband."
"There are plenty of fine, upstanding men on this island that have and continue to offer you their hearts."
"I don't want them, Banion. I want the father of this baby."
Arlenia looked at the old man, who seemed suddenly deep in thought. "You are miserable, aren't you," he asked, looking up at her.
"More than you can imagine."
"And you feel that this man should be with you?"
"More than anything."
"Perhaps there is a way, though it is not my first desire."
Arlenia sat up as Banion told her of his plan. She would have her family. Even if she had to do it underhandedly.
"Go away, Banion."
The door opened and Arlenia grumbled, folding her arms like a petulant child as she flopped down into the chair by the fire. "I said go away."
"Remember to respect your elders, Arlenia. We are the learned and the way, after all."
Banion walked in and took the chair opposite her. He smiled and gave her a flower. "How do you feel?"
"I'm fine," Arlenia replied, her cheeks burning crimson. "I'm knocked up and stuck here without a husband."
"There are plenty of fine, upstanding men on this island that have and continue to offer you their hearts."
"I don't want them, Banion. I want the father of this baby."
Arlenia looked at the old man, who seemed suddenly deep in thought. "You are miserable, aren't you," he asked, looking up at her.
"More than you can imagine."
"And you feel that this man should be with you?"
"More than anything."
"Perhaps there is a way, though it is not my first desire."
Arlenia sat up as Banion told her of his plan. She would have her family. Even if she had to do it underhandedly.
Vanishing Guardian
Sanria held the note in her hand and reread it carefully. Her hand began to tremble as she looked at the words written:
Sanria, I thought about what you had said and how I hadn't ever given Arlenia an opportunity to win my heart. The more I thought about it, the more I realized I had been unfair. She does deserve better than what I had given her. I will be gone for a time - I need to do some soul searching. Of course I will return to visit with you and Orn and when our little one comes, I will make certain I visit with her, but I believe our time as a couple is at an end. I realize this may not make you happy, but you had wanted out so terribly before, I figure it's only a matter of time. I would rather ensure that someone who desperately loves me has the opportunity to give that affection to me. I will be in touch.
Colin
Sanria closed the door and walked slowly into the sitting room. She sank into the couch and burst into sobs. There was never an indication that Colin was unhappy or that he felt that way. There was hardly anything - at least anymore - that made Sanria feel as if she wanted to leave. Now, however, she was utterly alone without even her memories to keep her company.
Sanria, I thought about what you had said and how I hadn't ever given Arlenia an opportunity to win my heart. The more I thought about it, the more I realized I had been unfair. She does deserve better than what I had given her. I will be gone for a time - I need to do some soul searching. Of course I will return to visit with you and Orn and when our little one comes, I will make certain I visit with her, but I believe our time as a couple is at an end. I realize this may not make you happy, but you had wanted out so terribly before, I figure it's only a matter of time. I would rather ensure that someone who desperately loves me has the opportunity to give that affection to me. I will be in touch.
Colin
Sanria closed the door and walked slowly into the sitting room. She sank into the couch and burst into sobs. There was never an indication that Colin was unhappy or that he felt that way. There was hardly anything - at least anymore - that made Sanria feel as if she wanted to leave. Now, however, she was utterly alone without even her memories to keep her company.
Studies
It had been days and Claire had milled about the cottage in a depression. She knew that Gilean went off to learn about his past, she even knew that it might take more than only a day to sort it all out, but she hadn't expected that he would be gone for so long. Claire walked up to the library and sat herself down with a large tome. So he needed more time. With a sigh she relegated herself to rehearsing the spells she had already learned.
Evasive Maneuvers
No sooner than Velentham arrived on the porch to the cottage than his father swung the door wide. "What did you do?" the elder Celestial asked.
"I made him an offer," Velentham said simply, pushing past his father.
"Do you think blocking me from you mind prevents me from hearing? Do you think I couldn't feel the rage coursing through you? I am the creator of this place, Velentham - not a visitor."
Velentham sat in the chair, avoiding his father's gaze. It was delicate, and the blush of anger still had yet to leave his face. "I know, father."
"You have crossed the line, Velentham. I cannot abide your recklessness. No mortal woman is worth this."
Velentham stood up, looking his father in the eye. "Don't you understand? If he agrees to this, then I not only get what I want, but we get his cooperation. We get his silence, father. Is that not worth it?" It angered him to see his father shaking his head sadly.
"I know not what is wrong with you, my son."
"Wrong with me?"
"You have always been quick to anger, rash, foolish, abrasive, and brash. This... there are other ways."
Velentham glared at his father, feeling hurt and wounded. Never had he felt this emotion - the weight of disappointment. "Father - surely you intend to stand by my side in this."
"If we manage to keep this from anyone it will be a miracle." Telfenham looked at his son with sorrow-filled eyes. "I will stand by your side, Velentham. But I hope that when this falls around your ears you will finally learn some sort of lesson." In a flash of light, Telfenham left his son standing in perfect silence. He could not reach his father, and Velentham stared at the flames of the fireplace feeling as though he were cut off from creation.
"I made him an offer," Velentham said simply, pushing past his father.
"Do you think blocking me from you mind prevents me from hearing? Do you think I couldn't feel the rage coursing through you? I am the creator of this place, Velentham - not a visitor."
Velentham sat in the chair, avoiding his father's gaze. It was delicate, and the blush of anger still had yet to leave his face. "I know, father."
"You have crossed the line, Velentham. I cannot abide your recklessness. No mortal woman is worth this."
Velentham stood up, looking his father in the eye. "Don't you understand? If he agrees to this, then I not only get what I want, but we get his cooperation. We get his silence, father. Is that not worth it?" It angered him to see his father shaking his head sadly.
"I know not what is wrong with you, my son."
"Wrong with me?"
"You have always been quick to anger, rash, foolish, abrasive, and brash. This... there are other ways."
Velentham glared at his father, feeling hurt and wounded. Never had he felt this emotion - the weight of disappointment. "Father - surely you intend to stand by my side in this."
"If we manage to keep this from anyone it will be a miracle." Telfenham looked at his son with sorrow-filled eyes. "I will stand by your side, Velentham. But I hope that when this falls around your ears you will finally learn some sort of lesson." In a flash of light, Telfenham left his son standing in perfect silence. He could not reach his father, and Velentham stared at the flames of the fireplace feeling as though he were cut off from creation.
Trading Hearts (1-2)
Velentham put his hands on Gilean's shoulders, sending waves of his Celestial energies into the priest. It was a ploy, it always was with Velentham. Waves of energy made his wards feel at ease. Made them feel less wary, made them much easier to persuade. He blocked his mind to his father before making his request. "I will find you a way home if you let me come with you." It didn't seem to be working as well as he had hoped.
"To what end?"
"You get to be with your lover and child. Marry. Live your mortal life until next you come back here and we send you away."
"And you try to pull Sanria from her family," Gilean replied, trying to remove himself from Velentham's grasp.
"I won't try," Velentham replied. And he meant it. He wouldn't try. He would do. "I will merely meet with her. That is all." He let Gilean back away.
"You realize she has a husband, a child, and another on the way," Gilean said, looking into Velentham's eyes. "She is no longer burdened by what used to trouble her either. Last I saw her, she was happy." To hear that she was with child, that she had moved on, sent a wave of jealousy careening through Velentham's mind. She should be bearing his child, not some mortal man's. That was a situation he could easily remedy.
"There is no need to worry about a friend visiting a friend, is there?" he managed, barely able to contain his emotions.
"A friend coming to visit... You are a poor liar. Your intentions are as plain as your distaste for me."
Velentham's face fell and he paced along the edge of the pond. "She wanted to be here, with me. That's what she wanted before you all dragged her away. I want her to have the chance to come back, to be with me if she chooses, but I want to see the choice from her face, not your words. Certainly you understand?"
"I understand the influence that this place, and our kind... in our full state, have upon mortal races. I understand that you have found something that you wish to possess. And you haven't exactly been fair or consider- ate in your approach to obtaining it," Gilean said.
In an instant, Velentham's facade broke and he stormed up to Gilean, snatching the priest's robes in his hands. He was losing control, he could feel his aura radiating, his wings unfurling. He barely held his sanity. "You listen to me. You weren't supposed to use that rose. She was. Not you! Now you're here and you tell me to be ashamed of what I am while forcing me to run the risk of being found out by the tribunal! I won't go down for you!"
"No, you'll go down for your own actions. I guess that would make two of us. I have a different deal for you. You send me back and nobody needs to know about the rose at all."
Velentham's aura grew even more intense and even his eyes began to glow - the light of purity washing out everything. In other circumstances, this glow forced evil beings in his vision to stand out, but in this case, Gilean was not evil - the glow was blinding. "You insignificant worm. You dare make deals with me!?! I'll tell you what, you and I will go on the run, my friend. And we'll see how years away from your lover and child make you feel. Do you think it's worth it? Will you trade your life for Sanria?"
As soon as Gilean's head bowed, Velentham knew he had the power. "Damn you Velentham. You are such a perfect example of what the blind arrogance of our people can do."
"Damn me all you want, I don't care what you do, so long as I get what I want."
"I need to think on this."
"I have eternity." Folding space, Velentham brought forth a plate of fruit and set it on the ground. "I bet you wish you hadn't turned against your kind. If you hadn't, you wouldn't be stuck."
"If it weren't for your actions, I wouldn't _be_ stuck." Chuckling quietly, Velentham folded space and returned to the cottage, leaving Gilean to his decision.
"To what end?"
"You get to be with your lover and child. Marry. Live your mortal life until next you come back here and we send you away."
"And you try to pull Sanria from her family," Gilean replied, trying to remove himself from Velentham's grasp.
"I won't try," Velentham replied. And he meant it. He wouldn't try. He would do. "I will merely meet with her. That is all." He let Gilean back away.
"You realize she has a husband, a child, and another on the way," Gilean said, looking into Velentham's eyes. "She is no longer burdened by what used to trouble her either. Last I saw her, she was happy." To hear that she was with child, that she had moved on, sent a wave of jealousy careening through Velentham's mind. She should be bearing his child, not some mortal man's. That was a situation he could easily remedy.
"There is no need to worry about a friend visiting a friend, is there?" he managed, barely able to contain his emotions.
"A friend coming to visit... You are a poor liar. Your intentions are as plain as your distaste for me."
Velentham's face fell and he paced along the edge of the pond. "She wanted to be here, with me. That's what she wanted before you all dragged her away. I want her to have the chance to come back, to be with me if she chooses, but I want to see the choice from her face, not your words. Certainly you understand?"
"I understand the influence that this place, and our kind... in our full state, have upon mortal races. I understand that you have found something that you wish to possess. And you haven't exactly been fair or consider- ate in your approach to obtaining it," Gilean said.
In an instant, Velentham's facade broke and he stormed up to Gilean, snatching the priest's robes in his hands. He was losing control, he could feel his aura radiating, his wings unfurling. He barely held his sanity. "You listen to me. You weren't supposed to use that rose. She was. Not you! Now you're here and you tell me to be ashamed of what I am while forcing me to run the risk of being found out by the tribunal! I won't go down for you!"
"No, you'll go down for your own actions. I guess that would make two of us. I have a different deal for you. You send me back and nobody needs to know about the rose at all."
Velentham's aura grew even more intense and even his eyes began to glow - the light of purity washing out everything. In other circumstances, this glow forced evil beings in his vision to stand out, but in this case, Gilean was not evil - the glow was blinding. "You insignificant worm. You dare make deals with me!?! I'll tell you what, you and I will go on the run, my friend. And we'll see how years away from your lover and child make you feel. Do you think it's worth it? Will you trade your life for Sanria?"
As soon as Gilean's head bowed, Velentham knew he had the power. "Damn you Velentham. You are such a perfect example of what the blind arrogance of our people can do."
"Damn me all you want, I don't care what you do, so long as I get what I want."
"I need to think on this."
"I have eternity." Folding space, Velentham brought forth a plate of fruit and set it on the ground. "I bet you wish you hadn't turned against your kind. If you hadn't, you wouldn't be stuck."
"If it weren't for your actions, I wouldn't _be_ stuck." Chuckling quietly, Velentham folded space and returned to the cottage, leaving Gilean to his decision.
Implied Agreements
Only Velentham's father knew the true reason they were on this small plane. And the truth of the matter was that Velentham was a trouble maker. Young in the terms of Celestials, his soul was new, unused to the ways of their kind. Rather than being gracious, Velentham was hot-headed and quick to action. While it helped when eradicating evil, it was a bane when dealing with matters of average celestial life. Velentham tended to want everything, and what he wanted, he would not cease until he obtained. Telfenham knew this and created a plane to take his son. When Velentham grew too rash or impulsive, the faraway slice of Elysium removed him from other Celestials and kept him from getting himself in predicaments. Telfenham could save face, Velentham could mature without incident. This, however, was the worst thing Velentham's father could have imagined.
Velentham slipped through space and arrived at Gilean's side. The man was meditating by the waterfall pond - it was all Velentham could do not to kick him into the water and drown him. Velentham stood straighter and looked down his nose at Gilean. "Get up. We need to speak."
"Have you come to torment me further?"
"If you would like, I can manage that too. But no. We need to speak and unless you want to be on the level of a dog, I suggest you get up."
"What would you like to speak of? Have you decided to send me back?"
"How did you get the rose?"
"I went to Sanria and asked her to borrow it. Might I ask... how did she get the rose?"
"Why would she give it to you... she had to have known. All she had to do was look at it."
"We made a promise, that if she chose to return we would bring her back. Why this... subterfuge?"
"Yes - it seemed so much like she was going to be permitted to come back. That be-armored fool seemed bent on doing damage. No, I offered her a way back without needing any of you." Velentham sneered.
"No, you circumvented the agreement. You know that rose would exert some of the same pull of this place. You should have seen how reluctant she was to part with it, not even knowing any of it's purpose."
"She wanted to stay here. I wanted her to stay."
"Yes, but how much of that was her will, and how much was this place and your influence? That's not love Velentham. Love is what I have, what I was ripped from by your trinket."
Velentham barely kept his ire in check. He knew he should be better able to control his emotions. He should be more like his father, but he seemed always on the edge. He had to get Gilean to agree to his plan, though anger swam visibly beneath his expressions, hidden far deeper was absolute desperation. He had never been deprived of anything he'd wanted. Ever. "Listen... I came here to offer you a deal. A - trade - of sorts."
Gilean's face melted into a look of suspicion, but there also rode a tide of hope. "A trade..." This is exactly what Velentham had hoped for.
Velentham slipped through space and arrived at Gilean's side. The man was meditating by the waterfall pond - it was all Velentham could do not to kick him into the water and drown him. Velentham stood straighter and looked down his nose at Gilean. "Get up. We need to speak."
"Have you come to torment me further?"
"If you would like, I can manage that too. But no. We need to speak and unless you want to be on the level of a dog, I suggest you get up."
"What would you like to speak of? Have you decided to send me back?"
"How did you get the rose?"
"I went to Sanria and asked her to borrow it. Might I ask... how did she get the rose?"
"Why would she give it to you... she had to have known. All she had to do was look at it."
"We made a promise, that if she chose to return we would bring her back. Why this... subterfuge?"
"Yes - it seemed so much like she was going to be permitted to come back. That be-armored fool seemed bent on doing damage. No, I offered her a way back without needing any of you." Velentham sneered.
"No, you circumvented the agreement. You know that rose would exert some of the same pull of this place. You should have seen how reluctant she was to part with it, not even knowing any of it's purpose."
"She wanted to stay here. I wanted her to stay."
"Yes, but how much of that was her will, and how much was this place and your influence? That's not love Velentham. Love is what I have, what I was ripped from by your trinket."
Velentham barely kept his ire in check. He knew he should be better able to control his emotions. He should be more like his father, but he seemed always on the edge. He had to get Gilean to agree to his plan, though anger swam visibly beneath his expressions, hidden far deeper was absolute desperation. He had never been deprived of anything he'd wanted. Ever. "Listen... I came here to offer you a deal. A - trade - of sorts."
Gilean's face melted into a look of suspicion, but there also rode a tide of hope. "A trade..." This is exactly what Velentham had hoped for.
Turning the Traitor
Velentham stood staring in anger at his father. Gilean Eosos, known throughout the Celestial realm as a traitor to his race, was in their plane. Gilean, who had said their race was full of haughty, arrogant, hard beings. Of all the people who could have gotten hold of the portal rose that he had given Sanria, it had to be Eosos. "This is ill boding, my son," Telfenham said. At times like these, his father looked his eons of age. The elder Celestial stared into the flames, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. "I should have known better than permit such a thing. I could not have forseen the harm."
"Well, Eosos is here, Father." Velentham knelt by the chair of the elder and looked up at him. "If the tribunal discovers that we are harboring him, we're going to be put to blame."
"If we are found not to have turned him over we will certainly be outcast ourselves, my son." Telfenham turned to his son and sighed deeply. "Do you see why getting involved in mortal affairs are perilous?"
Velentham stood up, his fists held at his sides. He looked down his nose at his father. "You continue to say that, but you yourself took a mortal woman ages ago."
"Indeed, and her death and refusal to ascend rended my heart." Telfenham stood up, eye to eye with his son, his white hair spiraling down to his shoulders. "I wish to save you that pain. Our problem now is Eosos. Even if he dies, he will return to Elysium, and when he does, he will tell them what we've done."
"We can keep him here."
"It does naught to solve our problem, my son. Time may have meaning elsewhere and to other beings, but it is an afterthought to us. Eosos will die, and we will be made to pay."
Velentham looked to the perpetually burning flames of the fireplace. He glanced over at his father. "No. He wants to return to that woman and his child. I will ensure that he understands that to return to her means his agreement for eternity."
"Well, Eosos is here, Father." Velentham knelt by the chair of the elder and looked up at him. "If the tribunal discovers that we are harboring him, we're going to be put to blame."
"If we are found not to have turned him over we will certainly be outcast ourselves, my son." Telfenham turned to his son and sighed deeply. "Do you see why getting involved in mortal affairs are perilous?"
Velentham stood up, his fists held at his sides. He looked down his nose at his father. "You continue to say that, but you yourself took a mortal woman ages ago."
"Indeed, and her death and refusal to ascend rended my heart." Telfenham stood up, eye to eye with his son, his white hair spiraling down to his shoulders. "I wish to save you that pain. Our problem now is Eosos. Even if he dies, he will return to Elysium, and when he does, he will tell them what we've done."
"We can keep him here."
"It does naught to solve our problem, my son. Time may have meaning elsewhere and to other beings, but it is an afterthought to us. Eosos will die, and we will be made to pay."
Velentham looked to the perpetually burning flames of the fireplace. He glanced over at his father. "No. He wants to return to that woman and his child. I will ensure that he understands that to return to her means his agreement for eternity."
Dangerous Visitors
'My son, we are in peril.'
At the voice of his father, Velentham sat up straight. He brooded at the edge of the waterfall pond where he had taken Sanria many times prior. His mind was lost in the thought that she could possibly have forgotten him - of all the beings in the multiverse she could have encountered - how could she have forgotten him? Still, the urgency in his father's voice concerned him. 'Are you alright?'
'Yes, but it seems our visitor is the son of Matutinus Eosos.'
'Eosos... you don't mean...'
'Yes, my son. Gilean Eosos. We need to determine what to do right away before we are found out with him in our posession.'
Velentham appeared instantly in the cottage, not bothering with the customary respect of the front door. "Please, I need time," Gilean was saying.
"Matutinus Eosos' son?! Eosos? Here?"
"Yes. That is me."
"Pathetic... a pathetic disgrace. We should return him to the tribunal and let them have their way with him. This should not be on our hands, father."
"You may stay outside until you make your decision," Telfenham said.
"I ask of you, one more time, if not for me, for Claire... and our child. Should they be punished for my beliefs?"
"You are here on the whim of my hospitality. I extend you the two choices. What you do with your mortal shell is of no concern to me."
"I'm saddened by how quickly your compassion can wane, especially for those that have done nothing to deserve punishment," Gilean said.
"You have done everything to earn my scorn. Your words echo for immortal time. It is your misfortune that you have fallen in with those who will be burned by your flame of anger against your own. You are not welcome in this house."
As Gilean walked, cowed, to the door, Velentham glowered in a wash of superiority. "It is tragic that when you exhale your last you will come back to us yet again. Yet another punishment awaits you, Eosos. Eternity is a long time to consider your failings." With a wave of his hand, Velentham opened the cottage door with an audible crack. The priest gone, Velentham turned to see his father's stern eyes upon him. "This is not my fault."
At the voice of his father, Velentham sat up straight. He brooded at the edge of the waterfall pond where he had taken Sanria many times prior. His mind was lost in the thought that she could possibly have forgotten him - of all the beings in the multiverse she could have encountered - how could she have forgotten him? Still, the urgency in his father's voice concerned him. 'Are you alright?'
'Yes, but it seems our visitor is the son of Matutinus Eosos.'
'Eosos... you don't mean...'
'Yes, my son. Gilean Eosos. We need to determine what to do right away before we are found out with him in our posession.'
Velentham appeared instantly in the cottage, not bothering with the customary respect of the front door. "Please, I need time," Gilean was saying.
"Matutinus Eosos' son?! Eosos? Here?"
"Yes. That is me."
"Pathetic... a pathetic disgrace. We should return him to the tribunal and let them have their way with him. This should not be on our hands, father."
"You may stay outside until you make your decision," Telfenham said.
"I ask of you, one more time, if not for me, for Claire... and our child. Should they be punished for my beliefs?"
"You are here on the whim of my hospitality. I extend you the two choices. What you do with your mortal shell is of no concern to me."
"I'm saddened by how quickly your compassion can wane, especially for those that have done nothing to deserve punishment," Gilean said.
"You have done everything to earn my scorn. Your words echo for immortal time. It is your misfortune that you have fallen in with those who will be burned by your flame of anger against your own. You are not welcome in this house."
As Gilean walked, cowed, to the door, Velentham glowered in a wash of superiority. "It is tragic that when you exhale your last you will come back to us yet again. Yet another punishment awaits you, Eosos. Eternity is a long time to consider your failings." With a wave of his hand, Velentham opened the cottage door with an audible crack. The priest gone, Velentham turned to see his father's stern eyes upon him. "This is not my fault."
Waiting for a Wizard Part one
Clearly she was tired, Why had it not occured to her that those skilled beyond measures in their art wouldn't have need to any longer visit the guilds? Certainly would have saved her days camping outside them all, she would have to go to where she woud find one. Maya had no idea where she might find a wizard, being that she knew nothing about wizardry so she pondered what she did know of them.. They were reserved usually, quiet, liked to study and manipulate, master what they knew, they liked lore, and needed ingedients for their spell componen.... That was it, spell components! Maya again prayed to the gods for relocation and instantly appeared in the street outside of Tim's magic shop. Entering the shop Maya almost recoiled at the assault of so many different odours, Shelves were lined with books, and the man at the counter didnt look up as she entered. The shop was empty, or was it? She sensed a presence though her eyes, heightened to deceptions as they were, did not see anyone but the man behind the counter. Maya turned on her heel and left the magic shop to cross the road and wander a few buildings d own toward the edge of town and again found the most recluse spot she could and sat down to watch the magic shop. Why did wizards have to be so reserved and sneaky, surely the order had wizards and this could be done alot easier. Her body was starting to ache and she was getting hungry.
Waiting for a Wizard, Introduction.
Maya had been sitting silently for the past four days outside the mages guild in Westbridge, barely moving, eating or drinking, there was no sleeping for her eyes were glued to the building. Novices, the lot of them, that wont do at all. Maya needed a Wizard, one who didn't know her and wouldnt ask questions, She needed a wizard of immense power, one who understood their art and all she saw here were beginners, magicians, skinny folk good at hand tricks and a few light shows, not the being of manipulation she needed. She growled low in her throat and pushed herself to her feet calmly, smoothing down her robes, what little there was, and wandered into the Market square. Taking a sip of water from the fountain and buying the paper from the skinny kid shouting its headlines, Maya uttered a small quiet phrase, grasping at something by her throat and vanished. Reappearing across the street from the Mages guild in New Thalos Maya found a quiet and recluse spot where she wouldnt be noticed obviously and sat down to watch.
The Eventide of Loathing
The disruption in the plane was like a peal of happiness over Velentham's heart. She had returned. He knew she would. Sanria had used the rose, and she was here. In an instant, Velentham collapsed space onto itself and arrived at the side of... the priest? It didn't make sense. Before him was the same priest that had come to take Sanria away. Why?
"Greetings, Priest." Velentham knew immediately the priest understood. "I suppose she chose not to return?"
"Well, I'm afraid she didnt' know she could... I don't think anyone did."
"If I would have had time to discuss it with her, perhaps," Velentham said with a tad more venom than he intended.
"Actually, she doesn't remember you at all."
Impossible. There is no way his Sanria would have forgotten him. Utterly impossible. "What do you mean?"
"There is much I think we should discuss... shall we go somewhere to sit?"
In silence, Velentham spirited Gilean through space and onto the porch of the cabin. His ire was raised, his anger palpable. Greetings finished, his father spoke lightly, "I was telling my son here that we ought to have more visitors to our slice of heaven." In an instant, Telfenham was in Velentham's mind. 'How did this happen?'
'I don't know.'
"Well, I must admit arriving here was a surprise," Gilean said. "I did not know that this was a portal back to this realm."
Again the elder Celestial looked to his son. 'You did not tell them?'
'Father, I didn't have the time to-'
'Such a foolish, foolish thing to do, Velentham. Look now, we have a guest that has no way home.'
'He wasn't supposed to be the one!'
'Watch your tone.'
"Well, a portal it was and here you now are," Telfenham spoke with a gen- ial smile. In an instant, the rose was vanished.
"Yes. I was only hoping to study it. I was hopeful that it might allow me to connect with more of my past."
"It seems your past has lead you right here."
"Wrong path," Velentham growled under his breath. It was all he could take. He rose from the chair and stormed from the cottage.
"Greetings, Priest." Velentham knew immediately the priest understood. "I suppose she chose not to return?"
"Well, I'm afraid she didnt' know she could... I don't think anyone did."
"If I would have had time to discuss it with her, perhaps," Velentham said with a tad more venom than he intended.
"Actually, she doesn't remember you at all."
Impossible. There is no way his Sanria would have forgotten him. Utterly impossible. "What do you mean?"
"There is much I think we should discuss... shall we go somewhere to sit?"
In silence, Velentham spirited Gilean through space and onto the porch of the cabin. His ire was raised, his anger palpable. Greetings finished, his father spoke lightly, "I was telling my son here that we ought to have more visitors to our slice of heaven." In an instant, Telfenham was in Velentham's mind. 'How did this happen?'
'I don't know.'
"Well, I must admit arriving here was a surprise," Gilean said. "I did not know that this was a portal back to this realm."
Again the elder Celestial looked to his son. 'You did not tell them?'
'Father, I didn't have the time to-'
'Such a foolish, foolish thing to do, Velentham. Look now, we have a guest that has no way home.'
'He wasn't supposed to be the one!'
'Watch your tone.'
"Well, a portal it was and here you now are," Telfenham spoke with a gen- ial smile. In an instant, the rose was vanished.
"Yes. I was only hoping to study it. I was hopeful that it might allow me to connect with more of my past."
"It seems your past has lead you right here."
"Wrong path," Velentham growled under his breath. It was all he could take. He rose from the chair and stormed from the cottage.
Dismissal
When Sanria told Colin she had given the rose away, the relief that crossed his features troubled her. She didn't understand how or why he could be so pleased to see the rose gone and it made her a little hurt that something so special to her could be so gladly removed.
Later, in the cool of the evening, Sanria sat in the bed with Colin. She had to face the fact that her feelings were beginning to change. The dreams of tea with Throm, of his eyes, and her growing discontent with staying in the cavern - it were as though she had somewhere she needed to go. Someplace was calling to her, she just didn't know where. Colin pulled her to face him, "Sanria... Throm is... He's dead. No matter what you remember, nothing will change that."
"I know... I just, can't help but... I don't know."
"And if you need to go somewhere... we can all go. We can take a trip, all three of us..."
Sanria looked at Colin, his eyes welling with unshed tears. The worry she saw on his face was clear. "Sanria Stone, I can't lose you again. I followed you everywhere, even when you were with Throm, I always found a way. If I lost you... I don't know what I'd do."
Sanria looked down at Colin's hands in hers. She was pregnant, she had a child, she had a husband, she had... a home. She slowly looked back to Colin and melted into an embrace. "I will go to the Druid Grove... maybe they can stop the memories from coming back."
The embrace grew tight and Colin kissed her head. "I promise you, we have time to make many, many more memories."
Sanria let out a long sigh and nodded in return. Perhaps this was exactly where she was supposed to be and everything had happened in order to keep it that way. She drifted off to her dreams wrapped in Colin's large arms where Throm sat beside her hunched in a blanket, a cup of tea in his hand.
Later, in the cool of the evening, Sanria sat in the bed with Colin. She had to face the fact that her feelings were beginning to change. The dreams of tea with Throm, of his eyes, and her growing discontent with staying in the cavern - it were as though she had somewhere she needed to go. Someplace was calling to her, she just didn't know where. Colin pulled her to face him, "Sanria... Throm is... He's dead. No matter what you remember, nothing will change that."
"I know... I just, can't help but... I don't know."
"And if you need to go somewhere... we can all go. We can take a trip, all three of us..."
Sanria looked at Colin, his eyes welling with unshed tears. The worry she saw on his face was clear. "Sanria Stone, I can't lose you again. I followed you everywhere, even when you were with Throm, I always found a way. If I lost you... I don't know what I'd do."
Sanria looked down at Colin's hands in hers. She was pregnant, she had a child, she had a husband, she had... a home. She slowly looked back to Colin and melted into an embrace. "I will go to the Druid Grove... maybe they can stop the memories from coming back."
The embrace grew tight and Colin kissed her head. "I promise you, we have time to make many, many more memories."
Sanria let out a long sigh and nodded in return. Perhaps this was exactly where she was supposed to be and everything had happened in order to keep it that way. She drifted off to her dreams wrapped in Colin's large arms where Throm sat beside her hunched in a blanket, a cup of tea in his hand.
Vanishing Rose
Claire didn't know why he did it, or even if he had done it, but at their feet, in front of the cavern, was a sea of lavender orchids. Gilean cheerfully went about smelling them as Claire held her breath. She could only think of Psycho - his offering of orchids, this being one of his favorite spots - and once Gilean caught wind of it, he lost all enthusiasm for their scent.
They proceeded to Sanria's home in search of the rose she brought back with her from the Celestial plane. Gilean felt it would lead him to his past, and Claire agreed. She would support him since, to discover his past, would mean that they either would be married or wouldn't.
Claire hadn't expected Sanria to be so protective of the rose, but they had at last separated it from her. After a pensive conversation regarding its return, she and Gilean left the cavern and walked back through the orchids. For a time, I thought I wouldn't have any chance with you because of him, Gilean said, stopping for a moment to glance at the flowers. I guess I need to let that go. 'Yes. You do. He and I were an entity that was not to be.'
Claire smiled at the grateful expression on Gilean's face. They continued on their way, finally reaching the cottage and the library within. It happened faster than either of them could have anticipated. Gilean merely stared down intently at the rose and in a flash, he was gone. Inwardly, Claire cursed herself for not anticipating it might be a portal. She could only hope that wherever he was, Gilean was again meeting with Velentham and discovering who he truly was.
They proceeded to Sanria's home in search of the rose she brought back with her from the Celestial plane. Gilean felt it would lead him to his past, and Claire agreed. She would support him since, to discover his past, would mean that they either would be married or wouldn't.
Claire hadn't expected Sanria to be so protective of the rose, but they had at last separated it from her. After a pensive conversation regarding its return, she and Gilean left the cavern and walked back through the orchids. For a time, I thought I wouldn't have any chance with you because of him, Gilean said, stopping for a moment to glance at the flowers. I guess I need to let that go. 'Yes. You do. He and I were an entity that was not to be.'
Claire smiled at the grateful expression on Gilean's face. They continued on their way, finally reaching the cottage and the library within. It happened faster than either of them could have anticipated. Gilean merely stared down intently at the rose and in a flash, he was gone. Inwardly, Claire cursed herself for not anticipating it might be a portal. She could only hope that wherever he was, Gilean was again meeting with Velentham and discovering who he truly was.
Vanishing Rose
"I don't know, it's rather special to me, though I can't truly say why..." Sanria looked at her mug of tea. Something in her was riled, angry, protective of the trinket. She didn't know why she would feel such a way, why this dark sensation would rise from her to the point she had to hide her face.
"Yes, I don't know how much time might be needed to awaken more than just impressions of my memories."
Sanria could hear the desperation in Gilean's voice. She knew that to let him borrow the rose might enable him to be with the one he loved, and didn't everyone deserve that? She was also jealous. Jealous that someone who lost their memories could come to her, request a simple flower, and recover what made them who they were. It wasn't fair.
"Mama!" The tiny voice of her son brought her from her thoughts and a smile broke over her face as relief flooded her body. The little boy slowed down suddenly, his brown eyes warily eying their company. "These are our friends. Do you remember them?" She chuckled as Orn shook his head bashfully. "Well let's meet them." Sanria lifted Orn into her arms and turned him to the table. "This is Miss Claire, and this is Mister Gilean."
"What you doing?" Orn asked after all introductions had been handled.
"We are talking," Sanria replied, a slight frown playing on her face.
"Bout what?"
"About mama's rose."
"Don't touch. You get in trouble."
Sanria set the boy on the floor, her frown increasing. Had she truly been so protective over a flower that even her son knew not to touch it? There was no reason for her to feel as she did, was there? "It's very important to you, isn't it?" Gilean asked once Orn had run out into the garden to play.
"When I look at it, I feel like I'm drifting away to a better place. Somehow, as though it will take me far from here. Colin doesn't really like it when I stare at it..." And truly, as she looked down over the petals, it felt as though a part of her was floating away.
"Sanria."
"I only know that I love to look at it... it helps me when I feel down..."
"Sanria."
Gilean's voice pulled her from the floating place in her mind and she looked over at him. "I can promise you that I will take utmost care of it. I will return it to you just as soon as I have found out what I may." There were no other questions, for it seemed there was only one choice. Sanria slowly offered the rose to Gilean, her heart sinking beneath the weight of the decision.
"Yes, I don't know how much time might be needed to awaken more than just impressions of my memories."
Sanria could hear the desperation in Gilean's voice. She knew that to let him borrow the rose might enable him to be with the one he loved, and didn't everyone deserve that? She was also jealous. Jealous that someone who lost their memories could come to her, request a simple flower, and recover what made them who they were. It wasn't fair.
"Mama!" The tiny voice of her son brought her from her thoughts and a smile broke over her face as relief flooded her body. The little boy slowed down suddenly, his brown eyes warily eying their company. "These are our friends. Do you remember them?" She chuckled as Orn shook his head bashfully. "Well let's meet them." Sanria lifted Orn into her arms and turned him to the table. "This is Miss Claire, and this is Mister Gilean."
"What you doing?" Orn asked after all introductions had been handled.
"We are talking," Sanria replied, a slight frown playing on her face.
"Bout what?"
"About mama's rose."
"Don't touch. You get in trouble."
Sanria set the boy on the floor, her frown increasing. Had she truly been so protective over a flower that even her son knew not to touch it? There was no reason for her to feel as she did, was there? "It's very important to you, isn't it?" Gilean asked once Orn had run out into the garden to play.
"When I look at it, I feel like I'm drifting away to a better place. Somehow, as though it will take me far from here. Colin doesn't really like it when I stare at it..." And truly, as she looked down over the petals, it felt as though a part of her was floating away.
"Sanria."
"I only know that I love to look at it... it helps me when I feel down..."
"Sanria."
Gilean's voice pulled her from the floating place in her mind and she looked over at him. "I can promise you that I will take utmost care of it. I will return it to you just as soon as I have found out what I may." There were no other questions, for it seemed there was only one choice. Sanria slowly offered the rose to Gilean, her heart sinking beneath the weight of the decision.
Blushing Rose
Sanria, Colin, and Orn sat up in the boy's room. He had grown so much, so quickly and looked all of three rather than the infant he still should have been. Sanria rested her hand over her stomach and patted lightly. Her hope was that Leandra would come quickly enough to have a brother that wasn't years her senior. At the very least, she would have a sister or brother in the child that would be joining them from Arlenia. She watched Colin tickle Orn and a tiny smile crept onto her face. There was joy to be had here.
The tinkling of bells sounded, pulling Sanria and Colin from their play with Orn. "I'll go see who it is," Sanria volunteered, and headed down to the door. Upon opening it, she saw Gilean along with a glowing purple woman for whom her mind had no remembrance, but stories told her was an integral part of her return.
"I don't want to keep you from your family," Gilean said, "I was just hoping you might be able to help me with something."
"Would you like to ask over tea?" Sanria led the way into her kitchen and busily made preparations for tea. She had remembered more of how to do it the more she made it, as though the very muscles of her body had minds of their own and needed no thought over the matter.
"I would like to move forward in my relationship with Claire... but it would seem prudent to ensure that I don't already have a family out there somewhere," Gilean said.
"Well that definitely makes sense. You could have someone out there like Colin."
Sanria paused, realizing she had potentially made Claire feel very uncomfortable. "Not to say that... oh... forgive me."
"No. You are correct. It is why I don't wish to move forward."
"Not that it would change how I feel... but... anyway," Gilean said. "You see, most of my past is a mystery to me. It seems that I am actually a celestial being."
"Celestial..." Sanria asked, her brow furrowing. She should have known what the word meant, obviously, but her mind drew a complete blank.
"You don't remember your time spent in that plane, with the celestials, do you?"
"No. Only what Colin has told me, and it seems he doesn't want me to repeat the experience."
It was an experience that Sanria could not recall. It was the same black wall of nothing that greeted her for many thousands of memories that should be easily recalled. "When you returned, I noticed you brought a rose with you, from that place," Gilean said.
"That one?" Sanria asked, pointing to the perfectly shaped rose that sat in a vase on her kitchen counter.
"I was hoping I might be able to borrow it. To study it."
Sanria's stomach fell to her feet as she looked from the fiery purple Claire to Gilean. Let her treasure out of her sight... the thought of it was almost more than she could bear, and she didn't even understand why.
The tinkling of bells sounded, pulling Sanria and Colin from their play with Orn. "I'll go see who it is," Sanria volunteered, and headed down to the door. Upon opening it, she saw Gilean along with a glowing purple woman for whom her mind had no remembrance, but stories told her was an integral part of her return.
"I don't want to keep you from your family," Gilean said, "I was just hoping you might be able to help me with something."
"Would you like to ask over tea?" Sanria led the way into her kitchen and busily made preparations for tea. She had remembered more of how to do it the more she made it, as though the very muscles of her body had minds of their own and needed no thought over the matter.
"I would like to move forward in my relationship with Claire... but it would seem prudent to ensure that I don't already have a family out there somewhere," Gilean said.
"Well that definitely makes sense. You could have someone out there like Colin."
Sanria paused, realizing she had potentially made Claire feel very uncomfortable. "Not to say that... oh... forgive me."
"No. You are correct. It is why I don't wish to move forward."
"Not that it would change how I feel... but... anyway," Gilean said. "You see, most of my past is a mystery to me. It seems that I am actually a celestial being."
"Celestial..." Sanria asked, her brow furrowing. She should have known what the word meant, obviously, but her mind drew a complete blank.
"You don't remember your time spent in that plane, with the celestials, do you?"
"No. Only what Colin has told me, and it seems he doesn't want me to repeat the experience."
It was an experience that Sanria could not recall. It was the same black wall of nothing that greeted her for many thousands of memories that should be easily recalled. "When you returned, I noticed you brought a rose with you, from that place," Gilean said.
"That one?" Sanria asked, pointing to the perfectly shaped rose that sat in a vase on her kitchen counter.
"I was hoping I might be able to borrow it. To study it."
Sanria's stomach fell to her feet as she looked from the fiery purple Claire to Gilean. Let her treasure out of her sight... the thought of it was almost more than she could bear, and she didn't even understand why.
Without Claire
It had been some time since the younger Esper Claire had taken her quest. Psycho was inexplicably lost after the result of Claire's quest. Was it his fault that she struggled so much? He believed that Claire would have completed her task a little easier but was astounded at how fast she gave up. When she gave up she magically removed herself from his life. It was as sudden as a flower cutting left in the sun's wilt when it has run out of water.
Just because the young Esper fled quickly did not mean that the memories of her would fade as quickly. Her lavender glow was in all of the purple gems in he pouch, her wisps of energy were around westbridge and Psycho could feel her sorrow in the air. It was not for lack of concern that he had let her go, he felt that this was her choiceful rejection of himself or even fear of being so close to being accepted but the Order.
Psycho did not entirely sit back and watch her from afar. He had tried to keep himself busy with work, Sune forgiving that would never let up. But he had begun to plant orchids around places that reminded him of her.
One night while the Esper was planting some orchids near Sune's waterfall he had made up his mind to confront Claire and attempt to get some closer. When He spoke to Claire she seemed to be hiding something, but she glowed happy. If it was a show, it was a good one, Psycho understood Claire's hesitation to proceed after his quest, but was unaware of what she had been doing since he had last seen her. But she had voiced a union between her and the priest of Lathander, Gilean.
The shock was swift and powerful, but Psycho was sure to keep his composure.
Just because the young Esper fled quickly did not mean that the memories of her would fade as quickly. Her lavender glow was in all of the purple gems in he pouch, her wisps of energy were around westbridge and Psycho could feel her sorrow in the air. It was not for lack of concern that he had let her go, he felt that this was her choiceful rejection of himself or even fear of being so close to being accepted but the Order.
Psycho did not entirely sit back and watch her from afar. He had tried to keep himself busy with work, Sune forgiving that would never let up. But he had begun to plant orchids around places that reminded him of her.
One night while the Esper was planting some orchids near Sune's waterfall he had made up his mind to confront Claire and attempt to get some closer. When He spoke to Claire she seemed to be hiding something, but she glowed happy. If it was a show, it was a good one, Psycho understood Claire's hesitation to proceed after his quest, but was unaware of what she had been doing since he had last seen her. But she had voiced a union between her and the priest of Lathander, Gilean.
The shock was swift and powerful, but Psycho was sure to keep his composure.
Progression
There was no more time for confusion, and upon realizing she was going to be a mother, Claire had none. Gilean was it. Though he wasn't an esper and she had always assumed her life would be spent with her own kind, there was a certain joy she felt in knowing that her mate was a man who adored her from the start. She knew that their child would have a patient, kind father.
As a proclamation of her affections, Claire scoured the realms to gather every fruit and treat she could locate. They ate chocolate covered strawberries beside the lazy river that ran behind their cottage on a blanket of owl feathers. They would be married, provided he had no one from his past. Things clicked into place quickly, and well, far beyond her expectations.
It was while she busied herself in her studies that Psycho's voice echoed into her mind. He seemed only mildly surprised at her news of impending marriage, though Claire did not share with him the news of her pregnancy. The truth was she harbored fears - she was going to bear a half-esper, and to admit this to another esper was tremendously difficult. At the very least, they agreed to remain friends and meet in the future. It was yet another piece of her life that seemed to fall into lock-step.
As a proclamation of her affections, Claire scoured the realms to gather every fruit and treat she could locate. They ate chocolate covered strawberries beside the lazy river that ran behind their cottage on a blanket of owl feathers. They would be married, provided he had no one from his past. Things clicked into place quickly, and well, far beyond her expectations.
It was while she busied herself in her studies that Psycho's voice echoed into her mind. He seemed only mildly surprised at her news of impending marriage, though Claire did not share with him the news of her pregnancy. The truth was she harbored fears - she was going to bear a half-esper, and to admit this to another esper was tremendously difficult. At the very least, they agreed to remain friends and meet in the future. It was yet another piece of her life that seemed to fall into lock-step.
Succession
Claire didn't know what to do. Her mind was wrapped deeply in the problem at hand - Gilean's proclamation of his feelings right in the midst of her heartache with Psycho and the Radiant Heart. It had been a couple of days, days spent in impassioned study and surreptitious movements about the cottage to avoid Gilean. Home weighed constantly on her mind and bled from her when she could no longer hide from her roommate.
She spent that night packing - roughly tossing her things into her backpack. She couldn't deal with the ache, the confusion, the hiding in Westbridge - it was all overwhelming. She set her things to the side, planning to leave at first light. She would leave the house to Gilean and not look back, it was an infallible plan.
Often times it is when one has a plan that the universe smiles with a conspiratorial knowledge and twists the straight road into successive curves. So it happened that Claire was woken by Gilean sliding into her bed. Embarassed, he rose with a hundred apologies for his lack of attention. They did not, however, part. Instead they sat for hours talking and before the skies had changed color, they were in one another's arms.
Two beings of magic and light - it was nothing to note immediately the change in her body. It happened so quickly that before Claire even had a moment to consider this coupling a fair goodbye, she knew she could not leave. She had seen what her people had done to half espers, what others had done to them also. Now, in an instant, her body bloomed into a life giving realm for yet another being. She looked over at Gilean and took his hand in hers. Within the glow of her magical flames, she watched as his eyes danced in absolute awe. They were going to be parents.
She spent that night packing - roughly tossing her things into her backpack. She couldn't deal with the ache, the confusion, the hiding in Westbridge - it was all overwhelming. She set her things to the side, planning to leave at first light. She would leave the house to Gilean and not look back, it was an infallible plan.
Often times it is when one has a plan that the universe smiles with a conspiratorial knowledge and twists the straight road into successive curves. So it happened that Claire was woken by Gilean sliding into her bed. Embarassed, he rose with a hundred apologies for his lack of attention. They did not, however, part. Instead they sat for hours talking and before the skies had changed color, they were in one another's arms.
Two beings of magic and light - it was nothing to note immediately the change in her body. It happened so quickly that before Claire even had a moment to consider this coupling a fair goodbye, she knew she could not leave. She had seen what her people had done to half espers, what others had done to them also. Now, in an instant, her body bloomed into a life giving realm for yet another being. She looked over at Gilean and took his hand in hers. Within the glow of her magical flames, she watched as his eyes danced in absolute awe. They were going to be parents.
Melting Dreams
Everything had been going - well - incredibly smooth. Sanria found herself enjoying her role as a mother to Orn, a wife to Colin, and had even rediscovered small pockets of her Sage abilities. It was going well, truly, except that one part. The part where night crept into her mind and illuminated her dreamscapes with green twin suns that followed her every move.
She told Colin and he had uneasily dismissed it as simply a dream, but there was something more in the light, she could feel it. She found herself growing slowly more unsettled - wanting to sleep to see the suns, the eyes... his eyes. It was once she had determined that they belonged to the man she couldn't remember, the man who she only had a name for, that the dreams grew into something more.
Sanria couldn't put a finger on it, the emotion that seemed to curl up at the back of her throat. It would come unbidden when she was sitting at the stream with Orn, when she was curled up with Colin before the fireplace, when she was making a cup of tea. As though she wanted to scream, or cry, or both.
Sanria found herself sitting more frequently with the rose in the kitchen, staring down into it, the wish at the edge of her mind simply the desire to fall into the petals and never come out again. No. She wouldn't share these thoughts with anyone. She would smile, be a mother, be a wife, be content until the night fell and the dreams would bathe her soul in a green glow.
She told Colin and he had uneasily dismissed it as simply a dream, but there was something more in the light, she could feel it. She found herself growing slowly more unsettled - wanting to sleep to see the suns, the eyes... his eyes. It was once she had determined that they belonged to the man she couldn't remember, the man who she only had a name for, that the dreams grew into something more.
Sanria couldn't put a finger on it, the emotion that seemed to curl up at the back of her throat. It would come unbidden when she was sitting at the stream with Orn, when she was curled up with Colin before the fireplace, when she was making a cup of tea. As though she wanted to scream, or cry, or both.
Sanria found herself sitting more frequently with the rose in the kitchen, staring down into it, the wish at the edge of her mind simply the desire to fall into the petals and never come out again. No. She wouldn't share these thoughts with anyone. She would smile, be a mother, be a wife, be content until the night fell and the dreams would bathe her soul in a green glow.
Like a Runaway Train
Sanria didn't know Colin was home until the moment he slid his arm around her in bed. "How was your trip?" she asked.
"It didn't go so well..."
"I'm sorry."
"She was apparently holding out hope that I would return to her. When she found out I wasn't, she gave me an ultimatum. Either I take the child or she'd end the pregnancy. I couldn't let her end it."
"Well, at least now you can have what you wanted - permanently. You'll get to be part of this child's life, and Orn will have a brother or sister."
"I suppose it's good that it will grow up having a father and mother that are together."
"Indeed. And with that one on the way, we won't have to worry about try- ing for another. We can go to the druids tomorrow to ensure we don't have any more."
Colin gave a small smile. The couple had decided the night he left to give Orn company before he was too old. Nature would dictate when or if anything would happen. Somehow, the idea of completing their family with Arlenia's child was not satisfying to Colin, and Sanria could tell from the look on his face that he felt so. "We shouldn't have things move too fast," Sanria said.
"Yeah... I suppose so."
Moving fast, however, was exactly what nature had decided would happen. At the Druid's Grove, the very next day, when everything was supposed to be set and left to plan - Sanria and Colin discovered they would be five. The druidess chuckled and collected her herbs, leaving Sanria standing there in a swoon. Things weren't supposed to happen this way. Certainly not this fast. Suddenly she felt hurt over Arlenia, scared about her future, and worried that things wouldn't last.
"I only know now... only the past few weeks... I just haven't let myself feel hurt about things or scared of things until now. Things I can't remember or even know how to feel about... was I angry before? Did I care? I mean, I tried to get the two of you together, isn't that what you said?"
"Things were different altogether..." Colin replied.
"I just don't understand why... why didn't I feel for you then like I do right now?"
"Well... you loved... another man. It was something that never truly went away."
"But I never even married him... how could I love him that much?"
"I don't really know..." Colin said. "It's not a question I could ever quite answer myself. But we had times like this... moments like this together. But now... it doesn't have to be just moments." Colin folded Sanria and Orn into his arms.
"I'm glad it's not just moments. I'm glad it is like this... and I hope I never remember if it means I have to give this up."
"Me too," Colin replied with a squeeze.
The family headed back to the cavern with a new goal. They would be together, raising Orn, and the other two children. It was as though fate had given them exactly what they had lost before. So long as memories did not find their way back into Sanria's mind, so long as she retained her grasp on the new reality that spread out before her - nothing could go wrong. Nothing.
"It didn't go so well..."
"I'm sorry."
"She was apparently holding out hope that I would return to her. When she found out I wasn't, she gave me an ultimatum. Either I take the child or she'd end the pregnancy. I couldn't let her end it."
"Well, at least now you can have what you wanted - permanently. You'll get to be part of this child's life, and Orn will have a brother or sister."
"I suppose it's good that it will grow up having a father and mother that are together."
"Indeed. And with that one on the way, we won't have to worry about try- ing for another. We can go to the druids tomorrow to ensure we don't have any more."
Colin gave a small smile. The couple had decided the night he left to give Orn company before he was too old. Nature would dictate when or if anything would happen. Somehow, the idea of completing their family with Arlenia's child was not satisfying to Colin, and Sanria could tell from the look on his face that he felt so. "We shouldn't have things move too fast," Sanria said.
"Yeah... I suppose so."
Moving fast, however, was exactly what nature had decided would happen. At the Druid's Grove, the very next day, when everything was supposed to be set and left to plan - Sanria and Colin discovered they would be five. The druidess chuckled and collected her herbs, leaving Sanria standing there in a swoon. Things weren't supposed to happen this way. Certainly not this fast. Suddenly she felt hurt over Arlenia, scared about her future, and worried that things wouldn't last.
"I only know now... only the past few weeks... I just haven't let myself feel hurt about things or scared of things until now. Things I can't remember or even know how to feel about... was I angry before? Did I care? I mean, I tried to get the two of you together, isn't that what you said?"
"Things were different altogether..." Colin replied.
"I just don't understand why... why didn't I feel for you then like I do right now?"
"Well... you loved... another man. It was something that never truly went away."
"But I never even married him... how could I love him that much?"
"I don't really know..." Colin said. "It's not a question I could ever quite answer myself. But we had times like this... moments like this together. But now... it doesn't have to be just moments." Colin folded Sanria and Orn into his arms.
"I'm glad it's not just moments. I'm glad it is like this... and I hope I never remember if it means I have to give this up."
"Me too," Colin replied with a squeeze.
The family headed back to the cavern with a new goal. They would be together, raising Orn, and the other two children. It was as though fate had given them exactly what they had lost before. So long as memories did not find their way back into Sanria's mind, so long as she retained her grasp on the new reality that spread out before her - nothing could go wrong. Nothing.
Clearing
It had been a day - a full day - and Claire had spent it in deep study. She ran her fingers along the script, detailing just how the elementals were formed, how they came into being, and how to pull a portion of the elemental magic into being for yourself. It was arduous and required a lot of memorization, but Claire was determined to master the incantation as soon as possible.
Gilean entered the door, his hand behind his back. Well, hello there, he greeted, drawing Claire's attention to him. I got something for you, he continued. From his back he pulled a beautiful bouquet of flowers - blues and yellows. Claire looked from them to Gilean, noting how the man was blushing. I, um, really appreciate you letting me stay with you, he said.
Claire smiled and shook her head. 'Ah! Well, you don't need to blush then. You're just being nice and thanking me... aren't... you?' That had to be all there was to it. Gilean had been too good of a friend to her for it to be anything but.
Well... yes, I did want to thank you... but I also... I was also wondering if you would... go on a walk with me.
'Where shall we walk?'
Well, we have to go there first, Gilean said. Taking her hand and vanishing the two of them in a swirl of golden dust.
They arrived in an older forest full of trees strung with lichens and moss. Birds chirped and called to one another and squirrels zipped from tree to tree. They stopped on an old marble bridge and stared out over the edge. Claire found her mind going back over the past few days. It's nice to get out of the house, Gilean said.
'I haven't been thinking about it if at all possible. Just... studying.'
I really care about you Claire, and I don't want to see you upset.
'You're a good friend, Gilean. Truly.'
It looks like there's a little path there. Let's see what's there.
Claire reluctantly took her gaze from the water as it passed under the bridge - an appropriate living metaphor - and followed Gilean to a clearing. The colors and vibrance of life nearly rivaled the plane they had visited and Claire found her spirits lifting. She sat beside Gilean in the grass and looked around until his voice drew her focus. Claire... You are a dear friend... and I care about you very much... very much... Claire waited, she had heard these words before. Something was wrong. What had she done now? I actually... care for you... more than just a friend.
Claire's head swam as Gilean kept talking. She had just parted ways with Psycho, had been considering a return home, and now this... and he wasn't an esper. She'd always pictured herself with another esper. So, I guess you could say I've been smitten for a while, he said.
It was too much, too soon. Excusing herself, Claire went back to her cottage and to the library. She desperately opened her spell books, reading, reciting, reading, reciting and clutched at her head when she lost concentration on every spell.
Gilean entered the door, his hand behind his back. Well, hello there, he greeted, drawing Claire's attention to him. I got something for you, he continued. From his back he pulled a beautiful bouquet of flowers - blues and yellows. Claire looked from them to Gilean, noting how the man was blushing. I, um, really appreciate you letting me stay with you, he said.
Claire smiled and shook her head. 'Ah! Well, you don't need to blush then. You're just being nice and thanking me... aren't... you?' That had to be all there was to it. Gilean had been too good of a friend to her for it to be anything but.
Well... yes, I did want to thank you... but I also... I was also wondering if you would... go on a walk with me.
'Where shall we walk?'
Well, we have to go there first, Gilean said. Taking her hand and vanishing the two of them in a swirl of golden dust.
They arrived in an older forest full of trees strung with lichens and moss. Birds chirped and called to one another and squirrels zipped from tree to tree. They stopped on an old marble bridge and stared out over the edge. Claire found her mind going back over the past few days. It's nice to get out of the house, Gilean said.
'I haven't been thinking about it if at all possible. Just... studying.'
I really care about you Claire, and I don't want to see you upset.
'You're a good friend, Gilean. Truly.'
It looks like there's a little path there. Let's see what's there.
Claire reluctantly took her gaze from the water as it passed under the bridge - an appropriate living metaphor - and followed Gilean to a clearing. The colors and vibrance of life nearly rivaled the plane they had visited and Claire found her spirits lifting. She sat beside Gilean in the grass and looked around until his voice drew her focus. Claire... You are a dear friend... and I care about you very much... very much... Claire waited, she had heard these words before. Something was wrong. What had she done now? I actually... care for you... more than just a friend.
Claire's head swam as Gilean kept talking. She had just parted ways with Psycho, had been considering a return home, and now this... and he wasn't an esper. She'd always pictured herself with another esper. So, I guess you could say I've been smitten for a while, he said.
It was too much, too soon. Excusing herself, Claire went back to her cottage and to the library. She desperately opened her spell books, reading, reciting, reading, reciting and clutched at her head when she lost concentration on every spell.
Unexpected Guest
Claire at last found the energy to walk out her front door. She sat on the stoop, looking down over the ferns and grasses, lost in thought. She considered returning to Faerun - going back to her mother and marrying Ruthivan. It wasn't the life she sought for herself, but it wouldn't cause her the pain that seemed to follow her on Cruoris. There she could simply help her own kind, carry on the genetic legacy of Espers, and be at ease. Certainly, it would mean turning her back on her charges in Westbridge - giving up on aiding those that truly needed it - but anything was better than -
The sound of footsteps pulled her from her own mind and Claire looked over to see Gilean approaching. "Hello Claire. I hope I'm not disturbing you." There was nothing to disturb. Claire invited her friend inside and at his questioning, told him what had transpired. She looked down at the pack by her side and pulled out the orchids that had been given to her by Psycho. It was over. As she spoke, she removed the enchantment that kept them beautiful and fresh and tossed them into the fireplace. She hung her head as they rapidly curled and turned to ash.
The conversation quieted and so lost in her thoughts was she that Claire barely registered Gilean's voice, You know... I haven't had a chance to see this new house of yours. Do you feel up for a tour? She found the energy to rise and to show him the rooms of her house, as well as Emalia's grave in the back.
The small cottage did not take long to show. I must admit, I'm a bit jealous, Gilean said once they had finished. The accommodations at the temple aren't nearly so nice. 'If you would like you may stay here,' Claire offered. 'I have the extra room.'
Oh, no... I wouldn't want to impose...
'It would be no imposition. Besides, should I choose to go home, you might be able to purchase it for your own.'
Well, alright then. I will stop looking the gift horse in the mouth and graciously accept your offer.
Claire parted with Gilean, leaving him to move himself into the guest room, and entered the library. She sat there, surrounded by all of Emalia's old healing books, and suddenly had reality hit her. She just gained a roommate. She let out a long sigh and shook her head in spite of herself. Broken hearts were certainly not conducive to clear minds.
The sound of footsteps pulled her from her own mind and Claire looked over to see Gilean approaching. "Hello Claire. I hope I'm not disturbing you." There was nothing to disturb. Claire invited her friend inside and at his questioning, told him what had transpired. She looked down at the pack by her side and pulled out the orchids that had been given to her by Psycho. It was over. As she spoke, she removed the enchantment that kept them beautiful and fresh and tossed them into the fireplace. She hung her head as they rapidly curled and turned to ash.
The conversation quieted and so lost in her thoughts was she that Claire barely registered Gilean's voice, You know... I haven't had a chance to see this new house of yours. Do you feel up for a tour? She found the energy to rise and to show him the rooms of her house, as well as Emalia's grave in the back.
The small cottage did not take long to show. I must admit, I'm a bit jealous, Gilean said once they had finished. The accommodations at the temple aren't nearly so nice. 'If you would like you may stay here,' Claire offered. 'I have the extra room.'
Oh, no... I wouldn't want to impose...
'It would be no imposition. Besides, should I choose to go home, you might be able to purchase it for your own.'
Well, alright then. I will stop looking the gift horse in the mouth and graciously accept your offer.
Claire parted with Gilean, leaving him to move himself into the guest room, and entered the library. She sat there, surrounded by all of Emalia's old healing books, and suddenly had reality hit her. She just gained a roommate. She let out a long sigh and shook her head in spite of herself. Broken hearts were certainly not conducive to clear minds.
White Wolf Decided
I was pulled back into myself today. I cannot claim I was not annoyed by the appearance of the Priest with Sanria and her son - at least at first. It appears she and Colin forgive me. It is kind of them to seek me out to inform me of such a thing, but it does not preclude the fact that I cannot forgive myself. I not only took the life of one of her children, I lost myself in the search for knowledge - obliterating that basic of all rules for those who seek to learn.
The boy was very cute. He smelled like the woods, which seems fitting given that his mother is a sage. It was nice to feel the lightness in her heart at seeing him. Motherhood seems to suit her. I will never taste such things - though I am at ease with that fate. For what little bit of elven ability remains with me, I shall know through her the joys it brings. It feels so much like old times... when Sanria was happy.
The last comfort I am given is that the Priest will most likely not disturb me again. I changed forms for him simply to let him know I was in control of myself. Now? I feel I will finally be able to lose myself. Though it may not be necessary in the eyes of everyone else - it is a fate I have chosen and have no reason to prevent it. In the land of the bipedal animal, there is nothing left for me.
The boy was very cute. He smelled like the woods, which seems fitting given that his mother is a sage. It was nice to feel the lightness in her heart at seeing him. Motherhood seems to suit her. I will never taste such things - though I am at ease with that fate. For what little bit of elven ability remains with me, I shall know through her the joys it brings. It feels so much like old times... when Sanria was happy.
The last comfort I am given is that the Priest will most likely not disturb me again. I changed forms for him simply to let him know I was in control of myself. Now? I feel I will finally be able to lose myself. Though it may not be necessary in the eyes of everyone else - it is a fate I have chosen and have no reason to prevent it. In the land of the bipedal animal, there is nothing left for me.
White Wolf Mistakes
The damnable priest again. I knew I shouldn't have done it, but I needed to show him that I would be fine, that living as a wolf would do nothing to impede my quality of life - he just lost himself. I admit, outside of my own kind, I've never met another who was transformed as a white wolf. He had golden eyes that glowed - I knew right away that he was different. One of those that we had left behind in the far reaches of the outer planes.
The way he took off, though - running from himself and his own knowledge. I am ashamed to let on that I enjoyed chasing behind him at breakneck speeds, but when he caught his leg in that trap, I felt all the crushing guilt. It was my fault. It *is* my fault.
I feel that to stay where I can be found is foolish, for he will certainly return to seek out my council. That is, after all, what he came for. To air his aching heart over some girl. He sounded like a child, but for all that I resent when it comes to Lady Sune, I long for that feeling. To be blindly in love, heedless to everything around you, with eyes for the one that makes your heart sing...
Ah, trifles. Mere trifles.
The way he took off, though - running from himself and his own knowledge. I am ashamed to let on that I enjoyed chasing behind him at breakneck speeds, but when he caught his leg in that trap, I felt all the crushing guilt. It was my fault. It *is* my fault.
I feel that to stay where I can be found is foolish, for he will certainly return to seek out my council. That is, after all, what he came for. To air his aching heart over some girl. He sounded like a child, but for all that I resent when it comes to Lady Sune, I long for that feeling. To be blindly in love, heedless to everything around you, with eyes for the one that makes your heart sing...
Ah, trifles. Mere trifles.
Visiting Kaliadra
Sanria stayed well back from the mouth of the small cave, holding Orn to her protectively as Gilean approached. The last thing she wanted was harm to come to the boy, and she couldn't help but think that if Colin were around, he might not be too happy in that she had taken their child to visit a potentially feral animal. Indeed, no sooner than Kaliadra appeared at the mouth of the cave, than Orn began kicking his legs, squealing excitedly to get at the large white wolf. 'Put him down. Let him come if he wants,' Kaliadra telepathed.
It seemed that Sanria wasn't the only one who disagreed with this suggestion. Gilean looked back at her, shaking his head no. Still, Orn continued squealing with high-pitched frustration. "We... can leave you be," Gilean said.
'PUT HIM DOWN,' Kaliadra telepathed.
Slowly, Sanria let Orn slide down her body and to the ground. As soon as his tiny feet hit the forest floor, he sped toward Kaliadra, latching onto her and gripping her white fur in his tiny hands - all without releasing his stick. 'He is pretty, Sanria. You don't need to be nervous. I can think a little now that he's not squealing.'
"You don't have to give up your life," Gilean said.
'I'm not giving up my life. I'm living it a different way.'
"Kaliadra..." Sanria started. "I'm not mad at you. I don't remember anything so, I can't be."
'I am content with you living your life happily,' Kaliadra telepathed with a chuckle. 'There's a lightness in your heart, that's for certain.'
Sanria held her breath still, nervously watching as Kaliadra winced each time Orn tugged at her hair. The little boy grabbed her muzzle and looked into the blue eyes, and Sanria's stomach clenched. When Kaliadra's paw went around Orn to pull him closer, Sanria fought not to rush forward. 'You should get him a dog,' Kaliadra telepathed.
"I will consider that."
"You could always visit him... if you didn't lose yourself," Gilean said.
At long last, Kaliadra rose and backed away from Orn. Though Kaliadra and Gilean still spoke, Sanria took it as her cue, taking Orn into her arms amidst the kicking and screaming protests the little boy put up. "Are you sure you're happy?" Sanria asked through the screams. "We're not mad at you..."
'I have nothing left for me, Sanria. Nothing but giving you the chance to finally live a life where you aren't... well... where you're like this for a change. I am pleased with that gift.'
"Thank you," Sanria said.
Sanria walked from the cave, sighing relief as Orn settled down and laid his head on her shoulder. She couldn't remember the woman - but it seemed Kaliadra had chosen a path that made her happy and had been pleased with Sanria's development. Whoever she was before, she had to have been miserable. Again, Sanria sighed relief. That part of her past was over. With a quick spell, Gilean sent them home. As she laid Orn in his crib, Sanria had a small smile cross her features. She had peace.
It seemed that Sanria wasn't the only one who disagreed with this suggestion. Gilean looked back at her, shaking his head no. Still, Orn continued squealing with high-pitched frustration. "We... can leave you be," Gilean said.
'PUT HIM DOWN,' Kaliadra telepathed.
Slowly, Sanria let Orn slide down her body and to the ground. As soon as his tiny feet hit the forest floor, he sped toward Kaliadra, latching onto her and gripping her white fur in his tiny hands - all without releasing his stick. 'He is pretty, Sanria. You don't need to be nervous. I can think a little now that he's not squealing.'
"You don't have to give up your life," Gilean said.
'I'm not giving up my life. I'm living it a different way.'
"Kaliadra..." Sanria started. "I'm not mad at you. I don't remember anything so, I can't be."
'I am content with you living your life happily,' Kaliadra telepathed with a chuckle. 'There's a lightness in your heart, that's for certain.'
Sanria held her breath still, nervously watching as Kaliadra winced each time Orn tugged at her hair. The little boy grabbed her muzzle and looked into the blue eyes, and Sanria's stomach clenched. When Kaliadra's paw went around Orn to pull him closer, Sanria fought not to rush forward. 'You should get him a dog,' Kaliadra telepathed.
"I will consider that."
"You could always visit him... if you didn't lose yourself," Gilean said.
At long last, Kaliadra rose and backed away from Orn. Though Kaliadra and Gilean still spoke, Sanria took it as her cue, taking Orn into her arms amidst the kicking and screaming protests the little boy put up. "Are you sure you're happy?" Sanria asked through the screams. "We're not mad at you..."
'I have nothing left for me, Sanria. Nothing but giving you the chance to finally live a life where you aren't... well... where you're like this for a change. I am pleased with that gift.'
"Thank you," Sanria said.
Sanria walked from the cave, sighing relief as Orn settled down and laid his head on her shoulder. She couldn't remember the woman - but it seemed Kaliadra had chosen a path that made her happy and had been pleased with Sanria's development. Whoever she was before, she had to have been miserable. Again, Sanria sighed relief. That part of her past was over. With a quick spell, Gilean sent them home. As she laid Orn in his crib, Sanria had a small smile cross her features. She had peace.
Regarding Kaliadra (1-2)
Sanria busied herself walking by the stream of her home reading a book entitled, "Secrets of the Woodland Dryad: A Confessional." She walked about, reading it thoughtfully, allowing Orn to follow behind her doing his best wobbly walk as he swung his stick like a metronome and babbled. At the sound of the doorbell, Sanria closed her book and made her way back to the cavern and to the front door. Without Colin in the house, she wasn't sure what to expect. Why would he be back already?
Sanria opened the door with a smile only to find the silver-haired priest looking back at her. "Gilamen... right?"
"Gilean, but you were close. Might I be able to talk to you?"
"Please."
Sanria let Gilean into the cavern and closed the door behind him. She led the way back out to the stream and seated herself, letting Orn go out into the water and plop happily down within the rushing water. She told Gilean how things had been going, to which the priest seemed honestly happy - re- lieved. "That is very good to see," he replied. "I was quite concerned for you."
"I can't remember a thing, so I guess there's no reason to be anything but."
"Well, it seemed that in and of itself was a source of concern for you before."
"Yes. It was. But we talked to the Druids in the Grove and it seems they and the trees agree I've been given a gift and shouldn't squander it. I was very troubled before."
"I must say, you seem to have found yourself quite nicely."
Although she didn't quite see how she found herself in that she still couldn't remember beyond her awakening, Sanria devoted her attention to Gilean as his smile faded. "There actually is something else that is concerning me and I had hoped to talk to you and your husband about."
"Perhaps I can help even if he isn't here," Sanria offered.
"Yes. Well, I sought out Miss Kaliadra not long after I visited you two last. I found her as a wolf, hidden away in a cave. It seems that she feels that, as a sort of self-imposed punishment for what she has done, she plans on exiling herself to live the rest of her life as a wolf."
Gilean continued to tell Sanria about his misgivings. "I feel this is my responsibility, but maybe it might mean something to have your forgiveness... perhaps even more to have your husband's."
"Well, we could go find her..."
"It may be worth a try. I should caution, that she may have already started to lose herself to being a wolf. We should be cautious."
"Would you be able to hold her back should she try something? I won't risk Orn."
At the sound of his name, the little boy rose from the stream and set off toward Sanria and Gilean at breakneck, baby-running speed, his diaper and robe sopping wet. "Perhaps we should leave the child at the temple while we attempt this?" Gilean said.
"Leave him?" The idea of separating from Orn was one that left Sanria feeling a little panicked.
"My brothers there can watch over him. We are very used to helping children."
Sanria took Orn's stick in hand and looked at the little boy. 'Mama is going to help the nice man. You can stay with his friends.' Immediately, Orn looked back at her with panic on his face.
'Mama go bye-bye? No Orn bye-bye?' Orn looked at Sanria, his lip trembling.
"It's okay. They're nice and fun..."
'No go bye-bye, Mama... No, no!' Orn stamped his feet and leaned against Sanria, soaking her.
"I don't believe he's willing," she said to Gilean. "He's had a hard time with Colin being gone."
"Alright then... but we must be cautious. I don't think she would be aggressive unless threatened even if she were no longer herself but I do not want any harm to come to anyone."
"Of course," Sanria replied.
It was decided and with a quick change of wet clothing, Sanria, Orn, and Gilean set off to meet with Kaliadra.
Sanria opened the door with a smile only to find the silver-haired priest looking back at her. "Gilamen... right?"
"Gilean, but you were close. Might I be able to talk to you?"
"Please."
Sanria let Gilean into the cavern and closed the door behind him. She led the way back out to the stream and seated herself, letting Orn go out into the water and plop happily down within the rushing water. She told Gilean how things had been going, to which the priest seemed honestly happy - re- lieved. "That is very good to see," he replied. "I was quite concerned for you."
"I can't remember a thing, so I guess there's no reason to be anything but."
"Well, it seemed that in and of itself was a source of concern for you before."
"Yes. It was. But we talked to the Druids in the Grove and it seems they and the trees agree I've been given a gift and shouldn't squander it. I was very troubled before."
"I must say, you seem to have found yourself quite nicely."
Although she didn't quite see how she found herself in that she still couldn't remember beyond her awakening, Sanria devoted her attention to Gilean as his smile faded. "There actually is something else that is concerning me and I had hoped to talk to you and your husband about."
"Perhaps I can help even if he isn't here," Sanria offered.
"Yes. Well, I sought out Miss Kaliadra not long after I visited you two last. I found her as a wolf, hidden away in a cave. It seems that she feels that, as a sort of self-imposed punishment for what she has done, she plans on exiling herself to live the rest of her life as a wolf."
Gilean continued to tell Sanria about his misgivings. "I feel this is my responsibility, but maybe it might mean something to have your forgiveness... perhaps even more to have your husband's."
"Well, we could go find her..."
"It may be worth a try. I should caution, that she may have already started to lose herself to being a wolf. We should be cautious."
"Would you be able to hold her back should she try something? I won't risk Orn."
At the sound of his name, the little boy rose from the stream and set off toward Sanria and Gilean at breakneck, baby-running speed, his diaper and robe sopping wet. "Perhaps we should leave the child at the temple while we attempt this?" Gilean said.
"Leave him?" The idea of separating from Orn was one that left Sanria feeling a little panicked.
"My brothers there can watch over him. We are very used to helping children."
Sanria took Orn's stick in hand and looked at the little boy. 'Mama is going to help the nice man. You can stay with his friends.' Immediately, Orn looked back at her with panic on his face.
'Mama go bye-bye? No Orn bye-bye?' Orn looked at Sanria, his lip trembling.
"It's okay. They're nice and fun..."
'No go bye-bye, Mama... No, no!' Orn stamped his feet and leaned against Sanria, soaking her.
"I don't believe he's willing," she said to Gilean. "He's had a hard time with Colin being gone."
"Alright then... but we must be cautious. I don't think she would be aggressive unless threatened even if she were no longer herself but I do not want any harm to come to anyone."
"Of course," Sanria replied.
It was decided and with a quick change of wet clothing, Sanria, Orn, and Gilean set off to meet with Kaliadra.
Wounded Heart
Claire sat in the chair at her home, staring into the flames of her fireplace. The glowing purple flames that normally lapped over her skin were absent, leaving her looking lack-lustre and a dull lavender. She couldn't understand how things went so wrong so quickly. But like the flames in the fireplace that quickly consumed the wood within, so too, were her dreams whisked into smoke.
She had met with Psycho to obtain her final quest to test her merit for entry into Radiant Heart. It troubled her that he sent her on a quest to kill a King for a trinket the man carried, especially given that he knew she was not a killer. Still, she went out in the hopes of impressing him - a fact that wore heavy on her soul. Branded a traitor by the trolls nearby, she was beaten within an inch of her life. She couldn't manage to make any headway. Psycho offered to help her along, but Claire couldn't help but feel that to have him aid her was only proving her inability to complete the quest on her own. When he grew angry with her - Claire's heart at last faltered. She had been expected to obey without question, and between her desire to please, her desire to be part of a family on Cruoris, her desire to remain free of killing, her desire to give aid - she had asked one too many.
Dejected, Claire had penned her letter to the Radiant Heart, withdrawing her application - then penned one to Psycho. The recollection of his voice in her mind haunted her - "I guess I was wrong about you, dear." She paused a moment in her writing and hung her head. Never before had she felt such a sting. She finished her letter and with a chant, sent both to the appropriate hands.
This is how she found herself staring into the fire that burned in her home: a dull purple being, her magic muted by the gaping absence she felt in her soul. The longer she stared at the flames, the more substantial the absence became, until the very void it had created grew its own mass to sink her into utter silence.
She had met with Psycho to obtain her final quest to test her merit for entry into Radiant Heart. It troubled her that he sent her on a quest to kill a King for a trinket the man carried, especially given that he knew she was not a killer. Still, she went out in the hopes of impressing him - a fact that wore heavy on her soul. Branded a traitor by the trolls nearby, she was beaten within an inch of her life. She couldn't manage to make any headway. Psycho offered to help her along, but Claire couldn't help but feel that to have him aid her was only proving her inability to complete the quest on her own. When he grew angry with her - Claire's heart at last faltered. She had been expected to obey without question, and between her desire to please, her desire to be part of a family on Cruoris, her desire to remain free of killing, her desire to give aid - she had asked one too many.
Dejected, Claire had penned her letter to the Radiant Heart, withdrawing her application - then penned one to Psycho. The recollection of his voice in her mind haunted her - "I guess I was wrong about you, dear." She paused a moment in her writing and hung her head. Never before had she felt such a sting. She finished her letter and with a chant, sent both to the appropriate hands.
This is how she found herself staring into the fire that burned in her home: a dull purple being, her magic muted by the gaping absence she felt in her soul. The longer she stared at the flames, the more substantial the absence became, until the very void it had created grew its own mass to sink her into utter silence.
Pine
'We are sorry to disru-'
'Orn talk tree. Mama talk Orn.' The little boy looked over at his mother as if waiting for her to understand.
'Little human, elven named, why do you wake me?'
'Orn talk tree,' Orn replied to the pine.
'Forgive us -'
'Orn talk tree, Mama.'
She looked at her son who beamed back at her and gave a sudden giggle. He clapped the tree on the trunk getting bits of sap and bark stuck to his hand. 'Mama no talk tree.'
'She does not speak our language - she blocks it out with darkness and silence.'
'I'm sorry but -'
'Orn talk treeeeeeee, Mama!'
'She must forgive herself, small human, and learn again to hear with her heart.'
She sat heavily on the ground, still keeping her hand on the stick and on the trunk of the pine. Hear with her heart? How would she manage that?
'Tree sticky, Orn hand stick tree.'
'It is sap, child.'
'Mama heart sticky sap?'
'No. It is unnamed.'
'Mama heart sad?'
She looked up and into the brown eyes of her child who suddenly seemed years beyond his current age. 'No, my heart isn't sad -'
'It is unnamed and those without names are lost and unable to hear.'
'Mama!' Orn again slapped the tree with a giggle and looked upward into the pine boughs.
'I'm sorry I -
'Orn talk treeeeeeee, Mama!'
'Little human, my trunk strains with the weight of my branches. Soon, I will fall and gain my eternal sleep. Please, let me rest now.'
She reached over, gently taking Orn's hand from the tree. She smiled at him softly. 'The tree needs sleep, Orn.'
'Tree night night?'
'Yes.'
'Mama talk Orn?'
'Yes, I will talk to you.' She pulled the little boy into her lap, her mind on the tree's words. 'Those without names are lost...'
'Mama!'
She smiled down at the blonde haired boy and kissed him gently. 'If only that name would do.' She looked upward into the branches of the leaning pine and sighed deeply with a resignation and an understanding. She looked down at her son again and smiled. Sanria. That name would just have to do.
'Orn talk tree. Mama talk Orn.' The little boy looked over at his mother as if waiting for her to understand.
'Little human, elven named, why do you wake me?'
'Orn talk tree,' Orn replied to the pine.
'Forgive us -'
'Orn talk tree, Mama.'
She looked at her son who beamed back at her and gave a sudden giggle. He clapped the tree on the trunk getting bits of sap and bark stuck to his hand. 'Mama no talk tree.'
'She does not speak our language - she blocks it out with darkness and silence.'
'I'm sorry but -'
'Orn talk treeeeeeee, Mama!'
'She must forgive herself, small human, and learn again to hear with her heart.'
She sat heavily on the ground, still keeping her hand on the stick and on the trunk of the pine. Hear with her heart? How would she manage that?
'Tree sticky, Orn hand stick tree.'
'It is sap, child.'
'Mama heart sticky sap?'
'No. It is unnamed.'
'Mama heart sad?'
She looked up and into the brown eyes of her child who suddenly seemed years beyond his current age. 'No, my heart isn't sad -'
'It is unnamed and those without names are lost and unable to hear.'
'Mama!' Orn again slapped the tree with a giggle and looked upward into the pine boughs.
'I'm sorry I -
'Orn talk treeeeeeee, Mama!'
'Little human, my trunk strains with the weight of my branches. Soon, I will fall and gain my eternal sleep. Please, let me rest now.'
She reached over, gently taking Orn's hand from the tree. She smiled at him softly. 'The tree needs sleep, Orn.'
'Tree night night?'
'Yes.'
'Mama talk Orn?'
'Yes, I will talk to you.' She pulled the little boy into her lap, her mind on the tree's words. 'Those without names are lost...'
'Mama!'
She smiled down at the blonde haired boy and kissed him gently. 'If only that name would do.' She looked upward into the branches of the leaning pine and sighed deeply with a resignation and an understanding. She looked down at her son again and smiled. Sanria. That name would just have to do.
Stick
She scooped Orn into her arms, smiling down at the little boy. "I think we will go outside again." At the squeal of the boy, she sailed through the house. She took Orn's stick in hand, sending the little boy into excited kicking and clapping. They went out to the same place they'd been going the past few days since Colin left: the leaning pine by the spring.
She set Orn down and handed him the stick. It never ceased to amaze her how silent Orn became when he held it. He would tilt his little blonde head to the side, listening, then babble back. She wished she could hear what he heard, but she would have to content herself in the silence. As she watched, Orn suddenly looked up at her, holding his stick aloft, waiting for her to take it. She smiled, expecting nothing but to humor the boy, but today was different. 'Mama share Orn stick.' The little boy looked into her eyes - she wanted to cry. 'Mama sad?'
'No, no dear heart,' she spoke through the stick. 'Mama is very happy.'
'Daddy go bye-bye?'
'Yes, but he will be home soon.'
'Daddy bye-bye make Orn sad,' Orn looked at her, his wide brown eyes swimming in unshed tears.
'Don't cry. Daddy will be home soon. Let's talk to the tree!'
'Orn talk tree! Mama talk Orn!'
She released the stick and watched as Orn kicked his legs in excitement, all pain of Colin's departure vanished for now. She stood him up and thought for a moment, taking hold of the stick. 'You walk with Mama.'
'Mama lift Orn. Up!'
'No, little love. Let's learn to walk. Move your leg.'
Orn held his end of the stick with one hand and held his other arm out for balance. His little mind went into its own chatter, 'Orn walk, Orn talk tree! Orn walk, Orn talk tree!' With wobbly, stout legs he began to take his first steps. After long minutes, they reached the leaning pine and the tiny boy squealed with delight.
'Good boy, Orn! You're a big boy!'
'Orn walk fast. Big boy!'
She smiled as the boy put his hand on the bark. Still holding the stick, she could feel the change in the stick and the deep voice from the tree, 'Small human, why do you wake me?'
'Orn big boy. Orn talk tree. Mama talk Orn.' Orn looked over at her with an easy grin that reminded her of Colin - the grin that said, "I'm proud of you." She could only chuckle at the similarity before turning her focus to the pine to ask it for help.
She set Orn down and handed him the stick. It never ceased to amaze her how silent Orn became when he held it. He would tilt his little blonde head to the side, listening, then babble back. She wished she could hear what he heard, but she would have to content herself in the silence. As she watched, Orn suddenly looked up at her, holding his stick aloft, waiting for her to take it. She smiled, expecting nothing but to humor the boy, but today was different. 'Mama share Orn stick.' The little boy looked into her eyes - she wanted to cry. 'Mama sad?'
'No, no dear heart,' she spoke through the stick. 'Mama is very happy.'
'Daddy go bye-bye?'
'Yes, but he will be home soon.'
'Daddy bye-bye make Orn sad,' Orn looked at her, his wide brown eyes swimming in unshed tears.
'Don't cry. Daddy will be home soon. Let's talk to the tree!'
'Orn talk tree! Mama talk Orn!'
She released the stick and watched as Orn kicked his legs in excitement, all pain of Colin's departure vanished for now. She stood him up and thought for a moment, taking hold of the stick. 'You walk with Mama.'
'Mama lift Orn. Up!'
'No, little love. Let's learn to walk. Move your leg.'
Orn held his end of the stick with one hand and held his other arm out for balance. His little mind went into its own chatter, 'Orn walk, Orn talk tree! Orn walk, Orn talk tree!' With wobbly, stout legs he began to take his first steps. After long minutes, they reached the leaning pine and the tiny boy squealed with delight.
'Good boy, Orn! You're a big boy!'
'Orn walk fast. Big boy!'
She smiled as the boy put his hand on the bark. Still holding the stick, she could feel the change in the stick and the deep voice from the tree, 'Small human, why do you wake me?'
'Orn big boy. Orn talk tree. Mama talk Orn.' Orn looked over at her with an easy grin that reminded her of Colin - the grin that said, "I'm proud of you." She could only chuckle at the similarity before turning her focus to the pine to ask it for help.
Rolling Waves
Arlenia stared out over the ocean with tears rolling down her face. She seemed to do a lot of crying lately - hormones, Banion told her, but it was more like heartache. She had waited for Colin to come back to her, to choose her since she was pregnant with his child. Instead he had come to tell her that while he didn't want her, he wanted to be part of the child's life. It made her sick. How dare he decide he was going to just come when he wanted. Pop in to say hello, no matter whether she had moved on or not. Worse, Sanria had sent him. Seemed that woman could ask him to do anything and he'd do it - regardless of the fact she didn't even want to be with him.
There wasn't much to move on to - she could admit that. Sam, one of the soldiers on the island, was trying like mad to marry her, but he was a crass idiot with no honor or dignity. She wanted Colin, but after this last visit, she knew that it was no more than a distant dream on a distant shore in a distant time. She wouldn't suffer any part of him.
Arlenia had threatened to go to Banion to terminate the pregnancy. She knew she couldn't have done it, but it satisfied her to see the agony on Colin's face. Let him hurt for a change. At last, she had gotten him to agree to taking the child once it was born. She would separate her heart from the one that grew inside of her. As soon as the baby was out, she would ship it like cargo to its father and let it grow up with him. She'd never have to see Colin again, and he'd have permanent visitation.
She watched the clipper head back out to sea carrying Colin aboard its decks. She flipped the bird to the ship, waving her hand back and forth in wide arcs. She'd learned the gesture on her travels. One thing she'd retained. She knew Colin couldn't see it, but she hoped he did. She took in a deep lungful of air and screamed toward the ship, "SCREW YOU, COLIN STONE!" Arlenia collapsed into a sobbing heap.
There wasn't much to move on to - she could admit that. Sam, one of the soldiers on the island, was trying like mad to marry her, but he was a crass idiot with no honor or dignity. She wanted Colin, but after this last visit, she knew that it was no more than a distant dream on a distant shore in a distant time. She wouldn't suffer any part of him.
Arlenia had threatened to go to Banion to terminate the pregnancy. She knew she couldn't have done it, but it satisfied her to see the agony on Colin's face. Let him hurt for a change. At last, she had gotten him to agree to taking the child once it was born. She would separate her heart from the one that grew inside of her. As soon as the baby was out, she would ship it like cargo to its father and let it grow up with him. She'd never have to see Colin again, and he'd have permanent visitation.
She watched the clipper head back out to sea carrying Colin aboard its decks. She flipped the bird to the ship, waving her hand back and forth in wide arcs. She'd learned the gesture on her travels. One thing she'd retained. She knew Colin couldn't see it, but she hoped he did. She took in a deep lungful of air and screamed toward the ship, "SCREW YOU, COLIN STONE!" Arlenia collapsed into a sobbing heap.
Trip
She hadn't managed to get the stick to work since they'd left the Grove. It disheartened her a bit, for through that stick was her opportunity to not only speak through nature, but to speak to the little boy that she now knew, beyond all doubt, was her son. She felt close to him, and the little boy appeared to thrive under the newfound adoration showered on him by his mother. She even felt closer to Colin, as if she somehow knew that because they, together, had created the little boy, they, too, belonged.
She had decided to wear the wedding band, to be Colin's wife and Orn's mother, even if she couldn't remember the wedding or the birth. The decision put an absolute look of elation on Colin's face and it warmed her. All that remained was for him to visit with Arlenia and to work on the final piece of the puzzle. She busied herself with secretly gathering information, buying his passage, and packing Colin's things. That night, she slept soundly - disturbed only by a single dream where a pair of disembodied glowing green eyes peered down on her.
The next day, Colin was not pleased, but seemed to calm himself under the realization that she had redevoted herself to him and their son. The trip was no ruse or an attempt to shove him back with Arlenia. He left bogged down with more packs than he probably needed and Sanria looked down at Orn with a smile. "It's just us, now. I think we'll go outside."
She picked up the little boy and wandered out to the stream, sitting beneath a pine that leaned precariously out over the water. She watched as the little boy crawled toward the water and sat splashing happily in the stream, a contented smile on her face. Colin's interpretation of her dream came back in an echo. "Throm had green eyes..." She just didn't remember this man or whether the eyes in her dream were the same. She pushed the thought from her mind as soon as Orn toppled into the water. Chuckling, she lifted the boy into her arms, getting herself sopping wet in an attempt to make the child laugh once more.
She had decided to wear the wedding band, to be Colin's wife and Orn's mother, even if she couldn't remember the wedding or the birth. The decision put an absolute look of elation on Colin's face and it warmed her. All that remained was for him to visit with Arlenia and to work on the final piece of the puzzle. She busied herself with secretly gathering information, buying his passage, and packing Colin's things. That night, she slept soundly - disturbed only by a single dream where a pair of disembodied glowing green eyes peered down on her.
The next day, Colin was not pleased, but seemed to calm himself under the realization that she had redevoted herself to him and their son. The trip was no ruse or an attempt to shove him back with Arlenia. He left bogged down with more packs than he probably needed and Sanria looked down at Orn with a smile. "It's just us, now. I think we'll go outside."
She picked up the little boy and wandered out to the stream, sitting beneath a pine that leaned precariously out over the water. She watched as the little boy crawled toward the water and sat splashing happily in the stream, a contented smile on her face. Colin's interpretation of her dream came back in an echo. "Throm had green eyes..." She just didn't remember this man or whether the eyes in her dream were the same. She pushed the thought from her mind as soon as Orn toppled into the water. Chuckling, she lifted the boy into her arms, getting herself sopping wet in an attempt to make the child laugh once more.
Oak
The walk to the Grove was pleasant. It seemed whenever she got the chance to be outside, the very air calmed her, and when they strode through the forest, the scent of pine and loam relaxed her to the core. The Grove was even more calming and soothing, the appearance of an Elder Druid the only thing that momentarily set her on edge. "The Family Stone. Welcome."
Colin told the Elder Druid what had come to pass and also informed him that he wanted to check on Orn's abilities or lack thereof. With a gentle demeanor, the Druid took Orn over to a very stout oak and placed a hand upon it. She watched as the little boy who at once was laughing and squealing went into a sudden hush. "He hears the music of the ancients." Both the Druid and the boy laughed, hearing something only they shared. It tugged at Sanria knowing she once had that ability.
After determining Orn did have magical abilities, the Druid focused on her. He took her to the oak, chanting, and placing her hand upon it. While she felt nothing, the Druid was able to assess her. And it appeared she had homework. "You chant this upon every walk you take, it is the thanks and offerings to the many trees. If you can speak to them, you will learn all you ever need know." The Druid handed her a leaf upon which was scrawled an enchantment. It wasn't enough.
"What about my memories," she asked.
"There are some blessings we should be grateful for - and this - so says the venerable oak - is one of those. You had a heavy heart. Take comfort in the lightness you've been granted. Let the present be the present and look not to the past for definition. You have been given a gift. Take it and make the most of it. All else will fall into place in time."
It wasn't what she had hoped for. The Druid stopped by Orn and knelt down to the boy. With a chant, he handed Orn a stick which sent the tiny boy into peals of squealing ecstasy. With a farewell, the Druid disappeared. None of this was what was supposed to be happening. This trip was supposed to be her answer and help her, not leave her more confused.
Orn suddenly held out his stick, babbling to her. She gave a meek smile and reached up, taking hold of it. In shock, she heard the little baby as clearly as if he had spoken aloud, 'Mama share Orn stick!'
'Mama?' she asked, staring at the boy who just as seriously stared back at her. Suddenly he broke into a smile so much like his father's.
'Mama! Orn mama.!'
A sudden warmth flooded her, as though for the first time she saw clearly that this was her son. Colin was his father. She was his mother. All the times of feeling as though she didn't belong. It was a warmth breaking through the chill, light in the darkness. She looked at Colin with a deep grin. "He is my son..."
"Yes," Colin said, smiling back. "He is."
Colin told the Elder Druid what had come to pass and also informed him that he wanted to check on Orn's abilities or lack thereof. With a gentle demeanor, the Druid took Orn over to a very stout oak and placed a hand upon it. She watched as the little boy who at once was laughing and squealing went into a sudden hush. "He hears the music of the ancients." Both the Druid and the boy laughed, hearing something only they shared. It tugged at Sanria knowing she once had that ability.
After determining Orn did have magical abilities, the Druid focused on her. He took her to the oak, chanting, and placing her hand upon it. While she felt nothing, the Druid was able to assess her. And it appeared she had homework. "You chant this upon every walk you take, it is the thanks and offerings to the many trees. If you can speak to them, you will learn all you ever need know." The Druid handed her a leaf upon which was scrawled an enchantment. It wasn't enough.
"What about my memories," she asked.
"There are some blessings we should be grateful for - and this - so says the venerable oak - is one of those. You had a heavy heart. Take comfort in the lightness you've been granted. Let the present be the present and look not to the past for definition. You have been given a gift. Take it and make the most of it. All else will fall into place in time."
It wasn't what she had hoped for. The Druid stopped by Orn and knelt down to the boy. With a chant, he handed Orn a stick which sent the tiny boy into peals of squealing ecstasy. With a farewell, the Druid disappeared. None of this was what was supposed to be happening. This trip was supposed to be her answer and help her, not leave her more confused.
Orn suddenly held out his stick, babbling to her. She gave a meek smile and reached up, taking hold of it. In shock, she heard the little baby as clearly as if he had spoken aloud, 'Mama share Orn stick!'
'Mama?' she asked, staring at the boy who just as seriously stared back at her. Suddenly he broke into a smile so much like his father's.
'Mama! Orn mama.!'
A sudden warmth flooded her, as though for the first time she saw clearly that this was her son. Colin was his father. She was his mother. All the times of feeling as though she didn't belong. It was a warmth breaking through the chill, light in the darkness. She looked at Colin with a deep grin. "He is my son..."
"Yes," Colin said, smiling back. "He is."
Orn
The next day she found Colin already in the kitchen with Orn. The boy sat in his highchair, attempting to feed himself. Greeted with a cheerful, "good morning," she went about the business of trying to discover a good tea to drink. This woman had so many jars of so many herbs and spices it was mindboggling. She slid one toward her that sounded particularly fancy, 'Pennyroyal Tea.' "Is this tea good?" She held the jar out to Colin.
"You, um, mainly used it as part of a process to prevent pregnancy. It wasn't ex- actly a regular drinker."
"Oh... that's something that I hadn't... ah... hadn't really thought about." She may not have remembered Colin, but her body certainly had...
"Yeah, I guess I hadn't really either. That was something you normally did on your own."
"Well, I can't exactly cast spells. So... looks like nightly visits are out until I can."
"You can't work magic anymore?"
She shook her head. "I know I should know how but... nothing."
"Well... maybe we should take a trip to the druid grove."
Colin filled her in on the Druid's Grove and she found herself wondering more about the woman, Sanria. She had grown up in the Grove, she had lost a child in the grove... and the idea of losing children and having children brought her back around to Arlenia. It seemed a little bit of a sore topic because it inevitably brought them around to discussing why Colin wasn't trying to make a family with Arlenia. The inevitable answer being, "So long as I can't return her affections the way she deserves... I just can't feel right being in a relationship with her."
"Now that I'm no longer in the way, maybe you should learn to love that Arlenia girl and be a family. You could take Orn and you could learn to love her... well, let yourself."
"Sanria... if that was where I wanted to be, that is where I would be. I'm not here because I feel trapped here."
"I'm not saying you do. Or that you are... But I know you have a child on the way and well... with all the foolishness that is life, why not go for it and not let anything stand in your way?"
"Sanria, that _is_ what I'm doing."
"I don't understand... she's pregnant with your child. I'm not. I... don't even know you."
"You are the woman I love... and we do have a child. And I know you don't know me, but you are getting to."
She couldn't understand why this man kept claiming to be in love with her, and she argued the point - he was in love with a memory. She had nothing, not even a recollection of her last name ("Stone" he informed her). It wouldn't do. She didn't feel comfortable playing into his delusion. She would just have to leave the cavern and stay elsewhere like she'd originally planned.
The whole discussion went downhill quickly and when Colin discerned her plan, he simply looked dejected and cowed. She felt her heart tugged strongly at the large man, hanging his head and the little boy coated in oatmeal and asleep in the remainder of his breakfast. She sat down once more and was treated to the story of Colin being infused with black makou and just how bad things were for him when she wasn't around. She sat listening and thinking - was this really terrible? A man who clearly adored her, a little boy who was supposedly her son... what did it matter to her? She could simply stay in the guest room and help Colin remain calm. It would cost her nothing, really.
"You, um, mainly used it as part of a process to prevent pregnancy. It wasn't ex- actly a regular drinker."
"Oh... that's something that I hadn't... ah... hadn't really thought about." She may not have remembered Colin, but her body certainly had...
"Yeah, I guess I hadn't really either. That was something you normally did on your own."
"Well, I can't exactly cast spells. So... looks like nightly visits are out until I can."
"You can't work magic anymore?"
She shook her head. "I know I should know how but... nothing."
"Well... maybe we should take a trip to the druid grove."
Colin filled her in on the Druid's Grove and she found herself wondering more about the woman, Sanria. She had grown up in the Grove, she had lost a child in the grove... and the idea of losing children and having children brought her back around to Arlenia. It seemed a little bit of a sore topic because it inevitably brought them around to discussing why Colin wasn't trying to make a family with Arlenia. The inevitable answer being, "So long as I can't return her affections the way she deserves... I just can't feel right being in a relationship with her."
"Now that I'm no longer in the way, maybe you should learn to love that Arlenia girl and be a family. You could take Orn and you could learn to love her... well, let yourself."
"Sanria... if that was where I wanted to be, that is where I would be. I'm not here because I feel trapped here."
"I'm not saying you do. Or that you are... But I know you have a child on the way and well... with all the foolishness that is life, why not go for it and not let anything stand in your way?"
"Sanria, that _is_ what I'm doing."
"I don't understand... she's pregnant with your child. I'm not. I... don't even know you."
"You are the woman I love... and we do have a child. And I know you don't know me, but you are getting to."
She couldn't understand why this man kept claiming to be in love with her, and she argued the point - he was in love with a memory. She had nothing, not even a recollection of her last name ("Stone" he informed her). It wouldn't do. She didn't feel comfortable playing into his delusion. She would just have to leave the cavern and stay elsewhere like she'd originally planned.
The whole discussion went downhill quickly and when Colin discerned her plan, he simply looked dejected and cowed. She felt her heart tugged strongly at the large man, hanging his head and the little boy coated in oatmeal and asleep in the remainder of his breakfast. She sat down once more and was treated to the story of Colin being infused with black makou and just how bad things were for him when she wasn't around. She sat listening and thinking - was this really terrible? A man who clearly adored her, a little boy who was supposedly her son... what did it matter to her? She could simply stay in the guest room and help Colin remain calm. It would cost her nothing, really.
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