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.
