Pride. It was the single word that kept coming back to Sanria, thudding through her mind in time with her beating heart. Her son, her boy, her Orn was becoming a man. Certainly, he still had missteps - his excitement bubbling over like a child, words hastily said without thought when he was nervous, but in the setting sun of the day, she had watched her little boy negotiate with an orc in a free, clear, unabashed way. He had negotiated with the skill of a man...
Sanria had finally taken him to the castle. Taken him to meet the Rilmani and any member of the clan that would meet with him. Her heart warmed at the awe on his face - at once so young and so grown. She had been alive for so many years, years beyond her natural time, but never felt so aged as when Orn, big and gangly, jogged to the edge of the floating island with the exuberance of a lab- orador puppy. "Mirin and Reggie should see this!" Her heart tightened. Al- ready the sphere of his life was moving away from her shadow, gaining a light of its own. Though Emalia and Tarran had grown up, this was the first time she got to see it without guilt, but bent with the weight of loss.
They had entered the castle and met with Jayden and Sanria felt sorrow flitter like a bird behind the cage of her bones. Orn seemed to absorb the tenderness Jayden showed like a sponge. A fatherliness that Colin had obliterated when he had killed Arlenia. Jayden had sensed the sorrow from both of them, and Sanria knew, deep down, she had to get Colin better. She had to try to help Orn look at his own father the way he had looked at Jayden.
Sanria had taken Orn to her office when the yell interrupted their discussion, "Who in there!!!!! Let Kronk in!!!!!!!" Then, leading her son, Sanria stepped out of the castle and face to face with a hulking orc. Fear ripped through her at the sight of the sword and the armor, and her son, her boy, her Orn had stepped in front of -her-. Somehow, time had passed. Her mind swung like a pendulum - boy, man, boy, man. Then she watched with awe as Orn laid down his staff and somehow befriended the orc named Kronk. He had negotiated with the skill of a man.
Showing posts sorted by relevance for query label:RPnote label:Mirin. Sort by date Show all posts
Showing posts sorted by relevance for query label:RPnote label:Mirin. Sort by date Show all posts
All the Pretty Poly's in a Row (1/2)
Never. That was the answer to Sanria's question: Did you ever expect this to happen? She had gone with Gilean as he stormed through the Grove, down the roads, and to the cavern; pleading the whole way that he stop and work with her to determine a better way. Instead, he veritably dragged her along, repeating the same refrain, "No, this has to stop. I will make him stop."
They stood there, Orn and Mirin both looking too worried to leave them to their own devices, and only reluctantly doing so. And it was as she had anticipated - Gilean and Colin standing toe to toe - the gladiator and the priest. "Sanria's not leaving Colin and you need to stop this immediately!"
"Excuse me?"
"You heard me. You can't bully Sanria into leaving. She is my wife, we have a family, we have a child."
It was already spiraling, and Sanria had been around Colin long enough to know what the tensing jaw meant. She also had been around Gilean for enough time to understand what the flash of anger in his eyes meant.
"Please," she said. "None of us need to do this... there has to be an- other answer than... this."
"Exactly, Sanria. Gilean just needs to accept your decision and leave this house."
"She's only making that decision because you have forced her into it by not leaving her alone. Now you WILL leave her alone. Do you hear me?"
"Is that so," Colin said, tilting his head. "...or what?"
Sanria's stomach lurched. She had to do something, and quickly. There was no way to tell whether or not Gilean would win by magic, hurting or killing Colin, or Colin would win by beating Gilean with physical strength alone. How things had come to this point, she didn't quite understand, but here they were, and she had to do something.
She stepped between the two of them and asked each what he could do if she chose them. Neither of the bullheaded men was prepared to let go. "Fine. Then I choose both of you," she said simply, and walked to the side to stare at both of the dumbfounded men. She didn't mean it, not really, but the expressions on both of their faces let her know that she had succeeded where her pleading had not. "We can all move in here, together. There's plenty of room in the cavern. I will divide my time evenly between the two of you. Saturday, or Sunday if you prefer, I will alternate."
She pulled her bluff with righteousness and every tone of a leader and businessperson. She held her head high as she spoke the words, even while her heart was racing. "You can't be serious..." Colin said. "In this way, we will have peace and harmony and everyone will have what they want."
They stood there, Orn and Mirin both looking too worried to leave them to their own devices, and only reluctantly doing so. And it was as she had anticipated - Gilean and Colin standing toe to toe - the gladiator and the priest. "Sanria's not leaving Colin and you need to stop this immediately!"
"Excuse me?"
"You heard me. You can't bully Sanria into leaving. She is my wife, we have a family, we have a child."
It was already spiraling, and Sanria had been around Colin long enough to know what the tensing jaw meant. She also had been around Gilean for enough time to understand what the flash of anger in his eyes meant.
"Please," she said. "None of us need to do this... there has to be an- other answer than... this."
"Exactly, Sanria. Gilean just needs to accept your decision and leave this house."
"She's only making that decision because you have forced her into it by not leaving her alone. Now you WILL leave her alone. Do you hear me?"
"Is that so," Colin said, tilting his head. "...or what?"
Sanria's stomach lurched. She had to do something, and quickly. There was no way to tell whether or not Gilean would win by magic, hurting or killing Colin, or Colin would win by beating Gilean with physical strength alone. How things had come to this point, she didn't quite understand, but here they were, and she had to do something.
She stepped between the two of them and asked each what he could do if she chose them. Neither of the bullheaded men was prepared to let go. "Fine. Then I choose both of you," she said simply, and walked to the side to stare at both of the dumbfounded men. She didn't mean it, not really, but the expressions on both of their faces let her know that she had succeeded where her pleading had not. "We can all move in here, together. There's plenty of room in the cavern. I will divide my time evenly between the two of you. Saturday, or Sunday if you prefer, I will alternate."
She pulled her bluff with righteousness and every tone of a leader and businessperson. She held her head high as she spoke the words, even while her heart was racing. "You can't be serious..." Colin said. "In this way, we will have peace and harmony and everyone will have what they want."
An Unexpected Visit
Orn sat in his chair, reading a book titled "The Qualities of a Great Leader" which he had found in the library of the castle. He found it to be rather dry reading, yet he forced himself to continue with it and try to absorb as much as he could from the tome. He was somewhat startled by a rapid knock at the door and rose to answer it.
He opened the door to discover a worn and disheveled Gilean standing there. 'Oh, hello Gilean. Is... everything alright?'
Gilean merely sighed and shook his head. 'May I come in?'
'Yes, of course, of course. Please.' Orn steped back and gestured to an empty chair. Gilean took the offered seat as Orn closed the door and returned to his own.
Gilean spoke in a worn tone, his eyes not quite meeting Orn's, 'I was hoping to speak to Mirin. Is she home?'
'Yes she is, but she's taking a nap right now. You know, those growing twins really sap her energy.'
Gilean closed his eyes and nodded, giving Orn the distinct impression he had, at least for the moment, completely forgotten his daughter was even pregnant. 'Yes, of course. I had just hoped to ask her to look in on Matinus and Nioma for me.'
Orn eyed his father-in-law/stepfather with concern. 'Gilean, what's happened? Is Mom ok?'
Gilean sat silently for a moment, his eyes cast down, before shaking his head. 'No, she's not. Velentham took her.'
He opened the door to discover a worn and disheveled Gilean standing there. 'Oh, hello Gilean. Is... everything alright?'
Gilean merely sighed and shook his head. 'May I come in?'
'Yes, of course, of course. Please.' Orn steped back and gestured to an empty chair. Gilean took the offered seat as Orn closed the door and returned to his own.
Gilean spoke in a worn tone, his eyes not quite meeting Orn's, 'I was hoping to speak to Mirin. Is she home?'
'Yes she is, but she's taking a nap right now. You know, those growing twins really sap her energy.'
Gilean closed his eyes and nodded, giving Orn the distinct impression he had, at least for the moment, completely forgotten his daughter was even pregnant. 'Yes, of course. I had just hoped to ask her to look in on Matinus and Nioma for me.'
Orn eyed his father-in-law/stepfather with concern. 'Gilean, what's happened? Is Mom ok?'
Gilean sat silently for a moment, his eyes cast down, before shaking his head. 'No, she's not. Velentham took her.'
Confronting Illusions
'So you have to sense it.'
"I guess."
Mirin sat across from Askari who stared down at the rug under his feet. She'd decided against going to Sanria and Gilean with the information on Claire. They didn't seem to be spending much time dwelling on her, and Mirin wasn't going to be the one to destroy that. It didn't anger her that they were happy and isolated from what was happening. Her mother, Claire, had made her choices and seemed to be paying the price... still...
'So when I get close-'
"I can help you get close, but I won't go in with you."
'Askari... you could help me a great deal.'
"No... I... can't."
'What happened to you?' Mirin telepathed with a sigh. "He turned into a chicken," Leandra snorted as she entered the room. She plopped down on the chair and smirked. "His racist sack of shit father slapped him across the face when he tried to stand up to him. He hasn't really been the same since."
Mirin turned her gaze on Askari. She narrowed the focus of her telepathy, speaking to her brother directly. 'Is what she says true?'
'Does it matter?'
'Of course it matters, Askari... did he strike you?'
"I know when I'm being excluded, I'll go make myself useful in this dump." Leandra got up and left the room, leaving Askari to make a long lingering sigh.
"Yes," Askari answered simply.
Mirin leaned over, taking her brother in her arms. Her response back was a stiff pat on her back as Askari pulled away. "I'll get you nearby, but I don't want to see him... ever."
'I understand.'
Thus it was that Mirin found herself on the edge of a wood, alone. She could sense the presence of the camp, the tingle of magic that only those with esper blood could decipher. She took a deep breath and stepped forward and through the camouflaged barrier.
"I guess."
Mirin sat across from Askari who stared down at the rug under his feet. She'd decided against going to Sanria and Gilean with the information on Claire. They didn't seem to be spending much time dwelling on her, and Mirin wasn't going to be the one to destroy that. It didn't anger her that they were happy and isolated from what was happening. Her mother, Claire, had made her choices and seemed to be paying the price... still...
'So when I get close-'
"I can help you get close, but I won't go in with you."
'Askari... you could help me a great deal.'
"No... I... can't."
'What happened to you?' Mirin telepathed with a sigh. "He turned into a chicken," Leandra snorted as she entered the room. She plopped down on the chair and smirked. "His racist sack of shit father slapped him across the face when he tried to stand up to him. He hasn't really been the same since."
Mirin turned her gaze on Askari. She narrowed the focus of her telepathy, speaking to her brother directly. 'Is what she says true?'
'Does it matter?'
'Of course it matters, Askari... did he strike you?'
"I know when I'm being excluded, I'll go make myself useful in this dump." Leandra got up and left the room, leaving Askari to make a long lingering sigh.
"Yes," Askari answered simply.
Mirin leaned over, taking her brother in her arms. Her response back was a stiff pat on her back as Askari pulled away. "I'll get you nearby, but I don't want to see him... ever."
'I understand.'
Thus it was that Mirin found herself on the edge of a wood, alone. She could sense the presence of the camp, the tingle of magic that only those with esper blood could decipher. She took a deep breath and stepped forward and through the camouflaged barrier.
Last Exhale
Claire sent the boy for the wizard, and the old esper came, knowing what she wanted. 'Please,' Claire said, breathlessly. 'That's my daughter out there. I have to help, I have to stop this.'
'Kra'ineba...' the wizard stammered. 'If you don't help me, she'll die, and I want no more bloodshed!'
The old one nodded, and Claire felt the magic that held her in the tent release. She ran out to find a ferocious battle, one raging only because her daughter was part Celestial and able to keep herself sharp. But her mistake was coming outside, into Mirin's view.
Mirin raised her hand and Victoria shot a blast of energy into Mirin's side. Claire rushed forward into the fray just as Ruthivan slammed his massive paw down. Claire felt every bone in her body shiver, then crack. Pain flooded her body until she could no longer feel anything.
She lay on the ground, every short inhale sharp and stinging, until even that ceased. Claire's last moment, her last vision, was Ruthivan on his knees with his mouth moving but no sound. She tried to smile, but never knew if it ever showed on her face.
All was a blur as her spirit recoiled from her shell and crept down into Toril to rejoin with the heartbeat of the planet.
'Kra'ineba...' the wizard stammered. 'If you don't help me, she'll die, and I want no more bloodshed!'
The old one nodded, and Claire felt the magic that held her in the tent release. She ran out to find a ferocious battle, one raging only because her daughter was part Celestial and able to keep herself sharp. But her mistake was coming outside, into Mirin's view.
Mirin raised her hand and Victoria shot a blast of energy into Mirin's side. Claire rushed forward into the fray just as Ruthivan slammed his massive paw down. Claire felt every bone in her body shiver, then crack. Pain flooded her body until she could no longer feel anything.
She lay on the ground, every short inhale sharp and stinging, until even that ceased. Claire's last moment, her last vision, was Ruthivan on his knees with his mouth moving but no sound. She tried to smile, but never knew if it ever showed on her face.
All was a blur as her spirit recoiled from her shell and crept down into Toril to rejoin with the heartbeat of the planet.
In Time
Sanria sat in the chair before the fire, Nioma sleeping in the crook of her arm as Matinus read aloud. They had invited Mr. and Mrs. Bunny, Nioma's new pets, into the house, as well as Scout, Matinus' new dog. Embued with a sense of peace, the animals were all getting along, content to sit by the fire grooming themselves. They had had a full day, Gilean taking Nioma to the temple, Sanria taking Matinus to the castle. Though he was incredibly shy, Matinus' face lit up at every new introduction and every passing dragon, and Sanria felt her heart warmed. Matinus reminded her so much of Orn in so many ways - it made it easy for her to love him almost immediately.
Sanria was content to know that Mrs. Bunny had been given a birth control spell not unlike her own - there wouldn't be a multiplication of rabbits in the cottage - though it wouldn't necessarily stop Mr. Bunny from possibly forcing Sanria to explain the birds and bees much sooner than she'd like. She leaned back into the couch as Matinus read and thought back over the day.
Enmach had discovered her marriage given Sanria's young guest, and when she took Sanria into the library, her fingers steepled beneath her narrow nose, the only way Sanria had escaped the withering lecture was when she had been alerted to a visitor outside the castle. Matinus stayed behind with Mirin, who had been a fixture in the castle with Orn, and Sanria found herself in discussions with a drow whose name Sanria never did receive. Concerned with the balance of Westbridge and the treatment he found at the hands of Radiant Heart, the drow insisted his viewpoint may well aid in the balance of the clan. With the promise of an application, the meeting had ended, and Sanria went back inside to collect Matinus.
The walk back to the cottage had the boy chatting amiably and excitedly. "I will be a Keeper of Balance when I get big, then I'll work with a dragon and go on adventures with a dragon and a silver lady and scout." Sanria could only chuckle. Now sitting there, a sleeping child on her lap, another child who needed a mother at her side reading "The Adventures of Roland," Sanria felt a warmth spread through her and she reached over, ruffling Matinus' hair.
The day had been filled with speculative glances from the Rilmani, a fresh dose of irritation from Enmach, an uncanny meeting with an unknown drow, and a glut of brand new pets, owing partially to Gilean not wanting to let Nioma down in her request to not have the live Mr. Bunny be lonely. She looked up as Gilean came in the room and sat in the chair. He smiled warmly at the assembled group... family... and Sanria felt within herself the beginnings of belonging.
Sanria was content to know that Mrs. Bunny had been given a birth control spell not unlike her own - there wouldn't be a multiplication of rabbits in the cottage - though it wouldn't necessarily stop Mr. Bunny from possibly forcing Sanria to explain the birds and bees much sooner than she'd like. She leaned back into the couch as Matinus read and thought back over the day.
Enmach had discovered her marriage given Sanria's young guest, and when she took Sanria into the library, her fingers steepled beneath her narrow nose, the only way Sanria had escaped the withering lecture was when she had been alerted to a visitor outside the castle. Matinus stayed behind with Mirin, who had been a fixture in the castle with Orn, and Sanria found herself in discussions with a drow whose name Sanria never did receive. Concerned with the balance of Westbridge and the treatment he found at the hands of Radiant Heart, the drow insisted his viewpoint may well aid in the balance of the clan. With the promise of an application, the meeting had ended, and Sanria went back inside to collect Matinus.
The walk back to the cottage had the boy chatting amiably and excitedly. "I will be a Keeper of Balance when I get big, then I'll work with a dragon and go on adventures with a dragon and a silver lady and scout." Sanria could only chuckle. Now sitting there, a sleeping child on her lap, another child who needed a mother at her side reading "The Adventures of Roland," Sanria felt a warmth spread through her and she reached over, ruffling Matinus' hair.
The day had been filled with speculative glances from the Rilmani, a fresh dose of irritation from Enmach, an uncanny meeting with an unknown drow, and a glut of brand new pets, owing partially to Gilean not wanting to let Nioma down in her request to not have the live Mr. Bunny be lonely. She looked up as Gilean came in the room and sat in the chair. He smiled warmly at the assembled group... family... and Sanria felt within herself the beginnings of belonging.
Rude Awakenings (1-3)
The cavern was quiet as Sanria enjoyed a cup of tea in her garden. She had been dwelling on balance - determining how one could offer knowledge, learn and grow, yet not lose themselves in the pursuit. Her mind drifted to the Illuminati - long gone friends and family. Leandra pulled her from the perusal. "Mama. Where's Orn?"
"Lea, I don't know. Is he hiding?"
"No. I can't find him and it's making me mad."
"No need to be upset." Sanria pulled her daughter near and kissed her on the head. The girl was so much like Colin it made her laugh.
Sanria reached out with her mind, something she did often, only to find a dark silence. She held her panic down and tried again. Orn was nowhere to be found. Sanria's blood felt like ice. She rushed into the cavern to find Colin with Leandra close on her heels.
Sanria found the big man in the training room. "Colin... Orn, I can't reach him."
"I'm sure he's around here somewhere," Colin answered with a smile.
"I can't reach him. Magically."
"Is he with Mirin?" Colin asked, concern flooding his face.
Mirin. Gilean and Claire's daughter who had become fast friends with Orn from the moment they met. The two children had even decided to become boyfriend and girlfriend. It alarmed Colin, but Sanria found it cute...
Sanria reached out to Gilean. "I'm sorry to disturb your thoughts, Gilean, but have you seen or heard from Orn? I can't reach him."
"No trouble, Sanria. Mirin just returned from running away again. She seems to have been through an ordeal. She mentioned Orn but was too distraught to continue."
"And you didn't tell us?"
"I'm sorry... I've... had a lot going on lately. I will wake her and we will come by. Perhaps we can all find answers."
Sanria looked at Colin and nodded. "Gilean will be bringing Mirin. Some- thing has happened."
"What? What has happened? Did he say anything?"
"We will find out when they arrive."
Sanria sat on the sofa, staring at her lap, while Colin paced back and forth. "They should be coming soon, shouldn't they?" At the sound of the doorbell, Colin raced from the room. Leandra sat at her mother's side when Gilean and Mirin entered. Sanria's heart dropped for Mirin. The girl looked haggard and scared. "Did you guys bring my big brother back?" Leandra asked. "Where is he? Where's Orn?" Sanria reached over, silencing her daughter.
"Now, Mirin," Gilean began. "Can you tell us all what happened?"
'I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I ran away and Orn came with me...' she telepathed.
"It's ok," Colin said. "We're not mad at you. We just need to find Orn."
'We went... to a place with lots of pretty flowers... on a mountain. And then we needed to camp and so we found a place with little houses... We found a little house and a lady named Sarah and she said she wouldn't tell our parents where we were if we told her our names and our parents names and we told her and she gave us melon and...and...and she said we'd go to the beach but then I ate the melon and got really sleepy and...and I fell asleep and when I got up Orn... and Sarah... they... they were gone!'
Sanria's stomach fell. Flowers everywhere... melon... little houses... her mind refused to believe what her mind was already positing. "Mirin," Colin began, "Do you know where this place was?"
'No, we went far away to a sea, and then to a beach, and then climbed up a mountain and saw pretty flowers and Orn named one a Mirin Flower.'
"Colin," Sanria whispered with dread. "Dark Continent..."
Mirin continued, describing Arlenia with detail. Sanria felt sick to the core of her being. 'I'm sorry, Leandra... I'm sorry, Sanria... I didn't mean to run away...'
"You shouldn't run away so much! You lost my brother!" Leandra snarled.
"Now Leandra, that's enough," Colin said. "She never meant for this to happen. It's not Mirin's..."
"But she's why Orn is gone, Papa! She ran away and Orn followed her cause she's his girlfriend!"
Colin stared at the floor before him, calling Sanria's attention to what hd appeared. A small box. The big man opened it, and Sanria felt even more dread creep into her soul. "Colin, what's going on?"
"Gilean. You need to take the children."
Sanria rose and walked to Colin, taking the box. She pulled out the small note nestled within and read in a breathless voice, "Dear Colin... I have Orn and here is proof... You shouldn't have crossed me..." Beneath it was a small bundle of bloody gauze. Sanria unrolled it and staring up at her was the ear of a child.
"Leandra... go with Mr. Gilean and Mirin," Sanria said in a whisper.
"What... is it?" Colin asked once the girls were gone.
"SHE CUT OFF... SHE CUT OFF MY BABY'S EAR!!!" Sanria fell into the chair, sobbing. She knew that the time where everything had been smooth was at an end. A seriously ill woman had her child, and was carving him up. Her mind reeled, every worst scenario flooding her with vivid detail.
"Sanria..." Colin said, putting his hand on Sanria's arm. "We will to get him. I just need you to get me there."
"What if... what if she... she kills him, Colin... what if she kills our little boy?!"
"Sanria. Listen to me." Colin took in a deep breath. Sanria looked over to see his eyes slowly darkening. "You just take us there and we will get him back. I promise you, I will take care of her."
Sanria pulled herself together enough to realize two things very quickly. If she took Colin with her, Arlenia would likely lose her life. How she was going to break it to him that she would be going alone, she didn't know. Even with her child in danger, Sanria knew she could get him with magic. Colin would likely end up in a fight.
It was just as she readied to tell Colin that a voice cut into the room. "Wha..." Thasmudyan. Where he had been, Sanria didn't know. Clearly, Thasmudyan didn't mind that his absence had stretched into months. It didn't matter -here was Sanria's way to keep Colin here and make him feel as if Orn would be saved. "Thasmudyan, will you go with me to get Orn?"
"Sure..."
Colin strode over, clearly upset. "Just get me there and I will get Orn back!"
"Colin... if you go... you'll kill her."
"What do you think she deserves, Sanria?" She didn't know...
"Colin... you have to promise me you won't kill her."
Sanria's heart sank as Colin looked at her with distaste and shook his head. He turned his attention to Thasmudyan, and Sanria felt completely helpless. She could see in Colin's eyes the darkness... there would be nothing she could do to stop it.
"Lea, I don't know. Is he hiding?"
"No. I can't find him and it's making me mad."
"No need to be upset." Sanria pulled her daughter near and kissed her on the head. The girl was so much like Colin it made her laugh.
Sanria reached out with her mind, something she did often, only to find a dark silence. She held her panic down and tried again. Orn was nowhere to be found. Sanria's blood felt like ice. She rushed into the cavern to find Colin with Leandra close on her heels.
Sanria found the big man in the training room. "Colin... Orn, I can't reach him."
"I'm sure he's around here somewhere," Colin answered with a smile.
"I can't reach him. Magically."
"Is he with Mirin?" Colin asked, concern flooding his face.
Mirin. Gilean and Claire's daughter who had become fast friends with Orn from the moment they met. The two children had even decided to become boyfriend and girlfriend. It alarmed Colin, but Sanria found it cute...
Sanria reached out to Gilean. "I'm sorry to disturb your thoughts, Gilean, but have you seen or heard from Orn? I can't reach him."
"No trouble, Sanria. Mirin just returned from running away again. She seems to have been through an ordeal. She mentioned Orn but was too distraught to continue."
"And you didn't tell us?"
"I'm sorry... I've... had a lot going on lately. I will wake her and we will come by. Perhaps we can all find answers."
Sanria looked at Colin and nodded. "Gilean will be bringing Mirin. Some- thing has happened."
"What? What has happened? Did he say anything?"
"We will find out when they arrive."
Sanria sat on the sofa, staring at her lap, while Colin paced back and forth. "They should be coming soon, shouldn't they?" At the sound of the doorbell, Colin raced from the room. Leandra sat at her mother's side when Gilean and Mirin entered. Sanria's heart dropped for Mirin. The girl looked haggard and scared. "Did you guys bring my big brother back?" Leandra asked. "Where is he? Where's Orn?" Sanria reached over, silencing her daughter.
"Now, Mirin," Gilean began. "Can you tell us all what happened?"
'I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I ran away and Orn came with me...' she telepathed.
"It's ok," Colin said. "We're not mad at you. We just need to find Orn."
'We went... to a place with lots of pretty flowers... on a mountain. And then we needed to camp and so we found a place with little houses... We found a little house and a lady named Sarah and she said she wouldn't tell our parents where we were if we told her our names and our parents names and we told her and she gave us melon and...and...and she said we'd go to the beach but then I ate the melon and got really sleepy and...and I fell asleep and when I got up Orn... and Sarah... they... they were gone!'
Sanria's stomach fell. Flowers everywhere... melon... little houses... her mind refused to believe what her mind was already positing. "Mirin," Colin began, "Do you know where this place was?"
'No, we went far away to a sea, and then to a beach, and then climbed up a mountain and saw pretty flowers and Orn named one a Mirin Flower.'
"Colin," Sanria whispered with dread. "Dark Continent..."
Mirin continued, describing Arlenia with detail. Sanria felt sick to the core of her being. 'I'm sorry, Leandra... I'm sorry, Sanria... I didn't mean to run away...'
"You shouldn't run away so much! You lost my brother!" Leandra snarled.
"Now Leandra, that's enough," Colin said. "She never meant for this to happen. It's not Mirin's..."
"But she's why Orn is gone, Papa! She ran away and Orn followed her cause she's his girlfriend!"
Colin stared at the floor before him, calling Sanria's attention to what hd appeared. A small box. The big man opened it, and Sanria felt even more dread creep into her soul. "Colin, what's going on?"
"Gilean. You need to take the children."
Sanria rose and walked to Colin, taking the box. She pulled out the small note nestled within and read in a breathless voice, "Dear Colin... I have Orn and here is proof... You shouldn't have crossed me..." Beneath it was a small bundle of bloody gauze. Sanria unrolled it and staring up at her was the ear of a child.
"Leandra... go with Mr. Gilean and Mirin," Sanria said in a whisper.
"What... is it?" Colin asked once the girls were gone.
"SHE CUT OFF... SHE CUT OFF MY BABY'S EAR!!!" Sanria fell into the chair, sobbing. She knew that the time where everything had been smooth was at an end. A seriously ill woman had her child, and was carving him up. Her mind reeled, every worst scenario flooding her with vivid detail.
"Sanria..." Colin said, putting his hand on Sanria's arm. "We will to get him. I just need you to get me there."
"What if... what if she... she kills him, Colin... what if she kills our little boy?!"
"Sanria. Listen to me." Colin took in a deep breath. Sanria looked over to see his eyes slowly darkening. "You just take us there and we will get him back. I promise you, I will take care of her."
Sanria pulled herself together enough to realize two things very quickly. If she took Colin with her, Arlenia would likely lose her life. How she was going to break it to him that she would be going alone, she didn't know. Even with her child in danger, Sanria knew she could get him with magic. Colin would likely end up in a fight.
It was just as she readied to tell Colin that a voice cut into the room. "Wha..." Thasmudyan. Where he had been, Sanria didn't know. Clearly, Thasmudyan didn't mind that his absence had stretched into months. It didn't matter -here was Sanria's way to keep Colin here and make him feel as if Orn would be saved. "Thasmudyan, will you go with me to get Orn?"
"Sure..."
Colin strode over, clearly upset. "Just get me there and I will get Orn back!"
"Colin... if you go... you'll kill her."
"What do you think she deserves, Sanria?" She didn't know...
"Colin... you have to promise me you won't kill her."
Sanria's heart sank as Colin looked at her with distaste and shook his head. He turned his attention to Thasmudyan, and Sanria felt completely helpless. She could see in Colin's eyes the darkness... there would be nothing she could do to stop it.
Mrs. Gilean Eosos!
Sanria slid from the bed, leaving Gilean's side, her husband's side. She had gone against all advice from her advisor, and though the idea made her nervous, married Gilean. She was now living in the cottage she had bought for Emalia long ago, had given to Claire, who had given it to Gilean. She walked down the hallway to Matinus' room and looked in on the boy. His arms and legs were sprawled akimbo, and she took a moment to move him into a better sleeping position, tucking him in before going downstairs.
A mere few hours previous, she was Sanria Stone. Now, she was Sanria Eosos. The name felt strange on her tongue. She felt even more strange given the day before Mirin had become a Mrs. Stone. "Sanria Eosos," she whispered, and the condensation from her breath fogged the window. Her fear had driven her here. Not that she wasn't happy. She was just finding it a little hard to breathe.
They were married beneath the sliver of a waxing moon, beneath the glow of a million stars, right there in the Druid's Grove. Her third marriage, Gilean's second. The Elder Druid seemed pleased with her choice, and had some foreknowledge that caused him to smile when he pronounced to the assembled trees and owls that they were wed. Mr. and Mrs. Gilean Eosos. When had such a thing happened and could it possibly have been any faster?
"Sanria Eosos," she exhaled again. She had anticipated any name save that one. The force of the reality broadsided her completely. A new beginning with an old friend. The marriage was quiet, private, and she had no plans on telling anyone anytime soon. She climbed the stairs and Sanria Eosos slid into bed with her husband.
A mere few hours previous, she was Sanria Stone. Now, she was Sanria Eosos. The name felt strange on her tongue. She felt even more strange given the day before Mirin had become a Mrs. Stone. "Sanria Eosos," she whispered, and the condensation from her breath fogged the window. Her fear had driven her here. Not that she wasn't happy. She was just finding it a little hard to breathe.
They were married beneath the sliver of a waxing moon, beneath the glow of a million stars, right there in the Druid's Grove. Her third marriage, Gilean's second. The Elder Druid seemed pleased with her choice, and had some foreknowledge that caused him to smile when he pronounced to the assembled trees and owls that they were wed. Mr. and Mrs. Gilean Eosos. When had such a thing happened and could it possibly have been any faster?
"Sanria Eosos," she exhaled again. She had anticipated any name save that one. The force of the reality broadsided her completely. A new beginning with an old friend. The marriage was quiet, private, and she had no plans on telling anyone anytime soon. She climbed the stairs and Sanria Eosos slid into bed with her husband.
I Just Want to Make Things Right (3/3)
It wouldn't have been received well even under the best of circumstances. Mirin knew this. It still needed to be said, and she was convinced of her right to speak it. She'd practically raised Matinus while her father lost himself in the temple, pining after her mother. Mirin didn't believe he could have fallen so deeply in love with Sanria, not to the point that he wasn't willing to do the right thing... but to her shock, her father wasn't letting go. She begged her dad to put Sanria and Colin in a room together, just to watch them, but he refused. "No Mirin. I don't need to put them together. I'm not forcing Sanria to be with me. She's here because she wants to be, and I want her."
The words took her by surprise. She had grown accustomed to her father, Gilean, being a bit on the weak side. He sacrificed his own happiness and family for everyone else. But he wasn't budging. 'I think you're a good person to everyone else,' she telepathed. 'You help women with their babies, help heal those in need... I think that's what you're the best at doing. I think... not that it matters... that you and Sanria are wrong, Dad. Once, maybe... but not now.'
There was nothing more to say that wasn't met with severe resistance. Her dad thought she was saying the words out of resentment for his absence in her life. He kept apologizing, not that it wasn't nice to hear it, but her point was lost. She returned finally to the cavern and told Colin of her discussion - but even he seemed cowed by the act.
Orn had been right. This was something they would have to sort out on their own. No matter how messed up she thought it was, or how wrong. She picked up both Reggie and Regina and smiled down at them, combing their minds to discover they were both ravenously hungry. She shook her head and set to work tending her family.
The words took her by surprise. She had grown accustomed to her father, Gilean, being a bit on the weak side. He sacrificed his own happiness and family for everyone else. But he wasn't budging. 'I think you're a good person to everyone else,' she telepathed. 'You help women with their babies, help heal those in need... I think that's what you're the best at doing. I think... not that it matters... that you and Sanria are wrong, Dad. Once, maybe... but not now.'
There was nothing more to say that wasn't met with severe resistance. Her dad thought she was saying the words out of resentment for his absence in her life. He kept apologizing, not that it wasn't nice to hear it, but her point was lost. She returned finally to the cavern and told Colin of her discussion - but even he seemed cowed by the act.
Orn had been right. This was something they would have to sort out on their own. No matter how messed up she thought it was, or how wrong. She picked up both Reggie and Regina and smiled down at them, combing their minds to discover they were both ravenously hungry. She shook her head and set to work tending her family.
Family
Matinus read in the library. He was aware that he was on edge. His mom had suddenly left to go to the castle, saying there was someone there she had to meet. And like that, she was gone. His dad was downstairs, like there was something wrong with him, too.
Matinus sighed deeply. He could see that ever since the family trip, his dad and his mom weren't looking at eachother the same. He tried to keep Nioma entertained, tried to stay out of the way, but he could really feel that something was wrong. They said they loved each other, but he could see on their faces it wasn't love. It was... like.
Still, he held on to the hope that they were going to work it out. Adults worked things out. Then he heardthe woman talking to him, Claire. He knew her voice because his whole body seemed to cry out with joy for a second that his real mom had come home. Then he sat there, frozen. He didn't need his "real" mom, he had a mom. Sanria.
Then his dad called him and he knew he couldn't disobey. He trailed down the steps slow and looked over at the purple lady who stared at him. She tried to be nice and all that, but it scared him. His dad looked at her the way he should be looking at Sanria. It made him mad then. No way was this mom going to take Sanria away from him.
When he tried to run out the front door, his dad sent him to his room with magic. He still snuck out anyway and listened at the top of the stairs to the two of them talking. He never once heard his dad say he loved Sanria. He seemed to care more about Claire. This was wrong, all wrong.
After Claire left, and Matinus was worried she wouldn't, he went downstairs. There was no way he would leaveSanria - if his dad wanted to be with Claire, fine, but Sanria was his mom now. She was a Keeper, she worked in a floating castle full of dragons and silver people, Orn was teaching him adventure stuff when he saw him, and Nioma was his little sister - even if she did get annoying sometimes.
Matinus had his family, and that was the end of it. He remembered the days his dad ignored him completely. He remembered days where he was dirty and Mirin had to tell him to take a bath. He remembered how, when Sanria first came, she asked him if his dad brushed his hair... then she took care of him. If his dad wanted to go back to that... he was going to go alone.
He saw his Dad's face and eyes and could tell his dad was a little scared of what he said. It made him feel a little bad, but he had to tell the truth. The truth was that Sanria loved him, and he could feel it and see it. More than he saw from his dad. He only hoped that some time, sometime soon, Sanria and his dad could look at eachother and feel love. Maybe if he prayed to Lathander really hard... something just might change.
Matinus sighed deeply. He could see that ever since the family trip, his dad and his mom weren't looking at eachother the same. He tried to keep Nioma entertained, tried to stay out of the way, but he could really feel that something was wrong. They said they loved each other, but he could see on their faces it wasn't love. It was... like.
Still, he held on to the hope that they were going to work it out. Adults worked things out. Then he heardthe woman talking to him, Claire. He knew her voice because his whole body seemed to cry out with joy for a second that his real mom had come home. Then he sat there, frozen. He didn't need his "real" mom, he had a mom. Sanria.
Then his dad called him and he knew he couldn't disobey. He trailed down the steps slow and looked over at the purple lady who stared at him. She tried to be nice and all that, but it scared him. His dad looked at her the way he should be looking at Sanria. It made him mad then. No way was this mom going to take Sanria away from him.
When he tried to run out the front door, his dad sent him to his room with magic. He still snuck out anyway and listened at the top of the stairs to the two of them talking. He never once heard his dad say he loved Sanria. He seemed to care more about Claire. This was wrong, all wrong.
After Claire left, and Matinus was worried she wouldn't, he went downstairs. There was no way he would leaveSanria - if his dad wanted to be with Claire, fine, but Sanria was his mom now. She was a Keeper, she worked in a floating castle full of dragons and silver people, Orn was teaching him adventure stuff when he saw him, and Nioma was his little sister - even if she did get annoying sometimes.
Matinus had his family, and that was the end of it. He remembered the days his dad ignored him completely. He remembered days where he was dirty and Mirin had to tell him to take a bath. He remembered how, when Sanria first came, she asked him if his dad brushed his hair... then she took care of him. If his dad wanted to go back to that... he was going to go alone.
He saw his Dad's face and eyes and could tell his dad was a little scared of what he said. It made him feel a little bad, but he had to tell the truth. The truth was that Sanria loved him, and he could feel it and see it. More than he saw from his dad. He only hoped that some time, sometime soon, Sanria and his dad could look at eachother and feel love. Maybe if he prayed to Lathander really hard... something just might change.
Weird but Cool
Matinus sat in his room and looked over his books. He had to decide which ones to take, which ones would fit into his suitcase and still leave room for clothes. Not that he had many anyway. He was excited anyway and not because his family was moving to the place where Orn lived, but because he could see, for the first time on his parents face, that they really loved each other.
It was weird for him, feeling things other people felt. He didn't know he could do it, he didn't know why, but the longer he sat with someone, if he looked at them, he could feel some of what they felt. Today, while Sanria and Gilean sat in front of him, telling him that they were going to be halfway married to Colin (a fact that made him ask Gilean if he was marrying Colin - an emphatic no there - whew), all of a sudden, they weren't nervous anymore. All of a sudden, they were in love... like, really in love.
He watched them look at each other and smile and hold hands and felt it like a piece of fabric on his skin- whisper thin and light, then wrapping around him warmly. They said they loved each other before. He knew they kinda meant it, but this was different. Matinus didn't know what changed, or even why, but this time it was real.
He paused in his packing to sigh as Nioma came into his room for the seventeenth time to say they were moving. 'I know, Nioma. Go pack.' It was a little tiring, feeling her crazy energy each time she came tornadoing into his room. She left and Matinus could think again, and his smile came back unbidden. He didn't know what it would mean to have a dad, a kinda dad, Orn as his real big brother right there for him to talk to any time he wanted, Mirin there whenever he wanted to be around her, to be an uncle, to be an adventurer in the woods, by a water fall, by a stream, in a cavern... but he did know that his family was going to be together... and that was the best part of the whole thing.
It was weird for him, feeling things other people felt. He didn't know he could do it, he didn't know why, but the longer he sat with someone, if he looked at them, he could feel some of what they felt. Today, while Sanria and Gilean sat in front of him, telling him that they were going to be halfway married to Colin (a fact that made him ask Gilean if he was marrying Colin - an emphatic no there - whew), all of a sudden, they weren't nervous anymore. All of a sudden, they were in love... like, really in love.
He watched them look at each other and smile and hold hands and felt it like a piece of fabric on his skin- whisper thin and light, then wrapping around him warmly. They said they loved each other before. He knew they kinda meant it, but this was different. Matinus didn't know what changed, or even why, but this time it was real.
He paused in his packing to sigh as Nioma came into his room for the seventeenth time to say they were moving. 'I know, Nioma. Go pack.' It was a little tiring, feeling her crazy energy each time she came tornadoing into his room. She left and Matinus could think again, and his smile came back unbidden. He didn't know what it would mean to have a dad, a kinda dad, Orn as his real big brother right there for him to talk to any time he wanted, Mirin there whenever he wanted to be around her, to be an uncle, to be an adventurer in the woods, by a water fall, by a stream, in a cavern... but he did know that his family was going to be together... and that was the best part of the whole thing.
I Just Want to Make Things Right (2/3)
Mirin felt her father's uneasiness at the sight of her. She gave an inward chuckle, Gilean never was good at hiding his emotions. He insisted on refreshing her, and though she didn't feel any need for it, she allowed her father to lay on hands to heal up every bit of ache and wear on her soul. She was grateful - the statement she'd come to make was certain to wear her down. "Tell me, what is it Mirin."
'Dad... it's about Sanria and you... and Colin,' she telepathed.
"Me, Sanria, and Colin?"
'I know you and Sanria got married and you're together but... I don't... I don't think it's the way it's supposed to be.'
"You don't think it's the way it's supposed to be?"
'She's supposed to be with Colin, Dad.' And pain came onto her father's face.
She couldn't meet his eyes, knowing that she was crossing a line that wasn't hers to cross, but she conjured up the image of Mr. Stone pacing and lost. "How do you determine this?" Gilean interrupted.
'You're good at being alone, Dad... and... you haven't been much of a Dad. Colin... he isn't good at being alone. Even though he's got me and Orn and the babies...'
"Look, Mirin... I know I've had some tough times. I'm so sorry for that. I'm doing everything I can to be a better father... and grandfather. How... how do you figure I'm better at being alone then him?"
'You've done it and... you have a place to go and something to do with your time. You go lose yourself in healing people. You have a way to be alone and not be alone... Colin... doesn't.'
Gilean stared at his lap and Mirin felt more guilty than ever before. She did love her father, she did care. But the idea that he was behind the tear down of the Stones was too much. She'd grown up knowing Orn's mother and father. They were together, always.
'This was supposed to be how they got back together, Dad... He went away to get fixed and now he's fixed...'
"I'm sorry if I've been a bad father to you Mirin... so sorry. I don't mean to have hurt you. But if you think I should be punished because of that..."
'Punished? No... no it's not a punishment, Dad. It's making things right.'
"Making things right? Mirin, things finally are right for me. Velentham's gone, Sanria's back, Matinus and Nioma have a whole family, and Sanria and I are going to have a baby."
'... then... fix it Dad... let her go where she belongs. Colin's a great dad... he would be great taking care of the kids. Even Matinus.'
"Mirin, it's not Sanria and Colin anymore. Sanria is my wife. She had chosen to be with me. I'm sorry if Colin is missing something, but what you're suggesting... I would be missing everything. Even my own son."
'Dad... it's about Sanria and you... and Colin,' she telepathed.
"Me, Sanria, and Colin?"
'I know you and Sanria got married and you're together but... I don't... I don't think it's the way it's supposed to be.'
"You don't think it's the way it's supposed to be?"
'She's supposed to be with Colin, Dad.' And pain came onto her father's face.
She couldn't meet his eyes, knowing that she was crossing a line that wasn't hers to cross, but she conjured up the image of Mr. Stone pacing and lost. "How do you determine this?" Gilean interrupted.
'You're good at being alone, Dad... and... you haven't been much of a Dad. Colin... he isn't good at being alone. Even though he's got me and Orn and the babies...'
"Look, Mirin... I know I've had some tough times. I'm so sorry for that. I'm doing everything I can to be a better father... and grandfather. How... how do you figure I'm better at being alone then him?"
'You've done it and... you have a place to go and something to do with your time. You go lose yourself in healing people. You have a way to be alone and not be alone... Colin... doesn't.'
Gilean stared at his lap and Mirin felt more guilty than ever before. She did love her father, she did care. But the idea that he was behind the tear down of the Stones was too much. She'd grown up knowing Orn's mother and father. They were together, always.
'This was supposed to be how they got back together, Dad... He went away to get fixed and now he's fixed...'
"I'm sorry if I've been a bad father to you Mirin... so sorry. I don't mean to have hurt you. But if you think I should be punished because of that..."
'Punished? No... no it's not a punishment, Dad. It's making things right.'
"Making things right? Mirin, things finally are right for me. Velentham's gone, Sanria's back, Matinus and Nioma have a whole family, and Sanria and I are going to have a baby."
'... then... fix it Dad... let her go where she belongs. Colin's a great dad... he would be great taking care of the kids. Even Matinus.'
"Mirin, it's not Sanria and Colin anymore. Sanria is my wife. She had chosen to be with me. I'm sorry if Colin is missing something, but what you're suggesting... I would be missing everything. Even my own son."
New Arrivals
The day the twins came into the world had been, up to their arrival, fairly normal for Mirin. She slept in the inn room she and Orn called home, lost in a fog of tired exhaustion. The pair of tiny magical bodies in her belly pulled the energy from her and the more they grew, the more rest she needed. From all appearances, she wasn't pregnant with twins. Mirin looked like any other pregnant lady, which spoke to the small size of the infants within. Though she'd anticipated being huge, she had been fortunate to get the esper-sized infants; small and magical.
Even though the twin's arrival was inevitable, Mirin still did not believe it would happen to her. She hadn't been ready to become a mother before and she still wasn't. There was nothing in the room to suggest babies were on their way - no clothes, no cribs, no discussion of names. So it was when the cramping began, then the slow spread of stomach muscles tightening until they felt like stone and Mirin burned with an unfamiliar pain. She knew but she didn't - all the signs were alight, she wasn't positive she wanted to see them.
'Orn,' Mirin called. 'I need your help.' Her husband showed up looking her over with the same untrained birthing eyes as every first time father. Oblivious.
"You look like you're about to puke, do you need a bucket?"
'I think they're coming...'
"Who's coming?"
'The babies.'
"The..." And Mirin watched Orn's face pale.
Even though the twin's arrival was inevitable, Mirin still did not believe it would happen to her. She hadn't been ready to become a mother before and she still wasn't. There was nothing in the room to suggest babies were on their way - no clothes, no cribs, no discussion of names. So it was when the cramping began, then the slow spread of stomach muscles tightening until they felt like stone and Mirin burned with an unfamiliar pain. She knew but she didn't - all the signs were alight, she wasn't positive she wanted to see them.
'Orn,' Mirin called. 'I need your help.' Her husband showed up looking her over with the same untrained birthing eyes as every first time father. Oblivious.
"You look like you're about to puke, do you need a bucket?"
'I think they're coming...'
"Who's coming?"
'The babies.'
"The..." And Mirin watched Orn's face pale.
Knowing Claire
Mirin sat by the stream watching the twins play. It was clear that Reggie was going to be extremely adept with magic, as the boy kept summoning globes of water into the air to try dropping them on his sister's head. Regina, too, was adept, but in the ways like her father, Orn. She dodged the water, barely keeping her balance and using the quick aid of a squirrel to race over and nibble Reggie's arm. They would both giggle and return to their play. They were growing so fast.
She leaned back and closed her eyes. What would her mother think if she could see them now? Mirin didn't assume much - her mother, Claire, had been gone for a long time now. Sanria was more of a mother to her than Claire. Though, it didn't mean she couldn't try to reach out.
'Mother,' Mirin telepathed, but got back only static. Perplexed, she tried again. 'Mother?' This time the telepath went through and a very surprised voice responded.
'Mirin? Oh Gods, I can telepath... I can reach out!'
'Mom, what are you talking about?' Mirin sent, dropping the formal mother. Something wasn't right.
'You have to talk to Gilean and Sanria, you have to tell them that Ruthivan killed my father and is in the process of moving to the Tribal camp. I need help... I desperately need help. He's lost his mind.'
'What?'
'I can't focus for long or he'll know, he has an eye on me right now. He has lashed out at me, killed your grandfather, and ... oh please, Mirin... get someone to help us. Please.'
'Of... of course,' Mirin telepathed in return. She was shocked at just how desperate her mother sounded, and even more so that this man who had stolen Claire from her father had stooped to murder.
'You know how to find the camp?'
'No... '
'Ask Askari... he can help... I hope he'll help... Gods I hope he will help. I'm ready to take my own life but he's sealed up my magic.'
'No... no mom, don't do that. I'll get help, I promise, just... hang in there.'
'Thank you, Mirin... thank you.'
The connection was broken and Mirin stared blankly ahead. How exactly did one go about stopping an esper from beating an esper?
'Twins,' she telepathed. 'We need to go inside. I have to talk to Grandma Ria and Grandpa Gilean.'
"Is bad?" Regina asked.
'No, no it's okay.'
"Why are you sad, Mama?" Reggie asked.
'I'm... not sad,' Mirin replied, but couldn't shake the tremor of anxiety that gripped her.
She leaned back and closed her eyes. What would her mother think if she could see them now? Mirin didn't assume much - her mother, Claire, had been gone for a long time now. Sanria was more of a mother to her than Claire. Though, it didn't mean she couldn't try to reach out.
'Mother,' Mirin telepathed, but got back only static. Perplexed, she tried again. 'Mother?' This time the telepath went through and a very surprised voice responded.
'Mirin? Oh Gods, I can telepath... I can reach out!'
'Mom, what are you talking about?' Mirin sent, dropping the formal mother. Something wasn't right.
'You have to talk to Gilean and Sanria, you have to tell them that Ruthivan killed my father and is in the process of moving to the Tribal camp. I need help... I desperately need help. He's lost his mind.'
'What?'
'I can't focus for long or he'll know, he has an eye on me right now. He has lashed out at me, killed your grandfather, and ... oh please, Mirin... get someone to help us. Please.'
'Of... of course,' Mirin telepathed in return. She was shocked at just how desperate her mother sounded, and even more so that this man who had stolen Claire from her father had stooped to murder.
'You know how to find the camp?'
'No... '
'Ask Askari... he can help... I hope he'll help... Gods I hope he will help. I'm ready to take my own life but he's sealed up my magic.'
'No... no mom, don't do that. I'll get help, I promise, just... hang in there.'
'Thank you, Mirin... thank you.'
The connection was broken and Mirin stared blankly ahead. How exactly did one go about stopping an esper from beating an esper?
'Twins,' she telepathed. 'We need to go inside. I have to talk to Grandma Ria and Grandpa Gilean.'
"Is bad?" Regina asked.
'No, no it's okay.'
"Why are you sad, Mama?" Reggie asked.
'I'm... not sad,' Mirin replied, but couldn't shake the tremor of anxiety that gripped her.
Shitstorm
Dear Diary,
So, okay. I think I might have done something pretty stupid, but I don't feel like it's entirely my fault. I mean, my mom is a bit of a tart who likes to get around, I can't control that. But when Orn came and told me that Dad was there in the castle with all those Rilmani and mom, and that mom was staying away from him in order to shack up with some other dude... I couldn't just sit by and not do anything.
I know Orn told me that I should stay away from him because it would hurt him, I kinda went to the castle anyway and once I saw him again... I couldn't help but hug him and want to see him with mom. I kinda told him everything... that he was married and that his wife was with some other dude and that he had to do something. He got a pretty bad headache after all that.
It just sucks that he doesn't remember anything and that mom is so infatuated with some new guy that she's not even trying to help him. Orn and Mirin are gonna have kids and dad, who really likes kids, isn't going to see theirs or mine and even know they are his grandkids.
I just feel like I should pack up and leave this stupid cavern to Thasmudyan - the other, other guy - and take Askari and our little family and just move to the far continent. I think once mom finds out and then Orn finds out, they're going to be pretty pissed off with me. That's the other thing I wish. I wish I could control my temper better.
I just want my kid to have grandparents that are together and love eachother. It's not too much to ask. Dad's back and he's better. Why can't my mom just get her shit together and be with him??
*A heavy scribble is seen here, pressed so hard the parchment pages are ripped.*
This is so stupid.
So, okay. I think I might have done something pretty stupid, but I don't feel like it's entirely my fault. I mean, my mom is a bit of a tart who likes to get around, I can't control that. But when Orn came and told me that Dad was there in the castle with all those Rilmani and mom, and that mom was staying away from him in order to shack up with some other dude... I couldn't just sit by and not do anything.
I know Orn told me that I should stay away from him because it would hurt him, I kinda went to the castle anyway and once I saw him again... I couldn't help but hug him and want to see him with mom. I kinda told him everything... that he was married and that his wife was with some other dude and that he had to do something. He got a pretty bad headache after all that.
It just sucks that he doesn't remember anything and that mom is so infatuated with some new guy that she's not even trying to help him. Orn and Mirin are gonna have kids and dad, who really likes kids, isn't going to see theirs or mine and even know they are his grandkids.
I just feel like I should pack up and leave this stupid cavern to Thasmudyan - the other, other guy - and take Askari and our little family and just move to the far continent. I think once mom finds out and then Orn finds out, they're going to be pretty pissed off with me. That's the other thing I wish. I wish I could control my temper better.
I just want my kid to have grandparents that are together and love eachother. It's not too much to ask. Dad's back and he's better. Why can't my mom just get her shit together and be with him??
*A heavy scribble is seen here, pressed so hard the parchment pages are ripped.*
This is so stupid.
Sandorin
Matinus looked down at the little sleeping baby and scrunched up his face and tilted his head. Babies weren't exactly his favorites - Reggie and Regina were a little bit different because they were his niece and nephew - but Sandorin, this was his half-brother. He could feel a strange calm from the little baby in front of him, like he was a lot older than he was really.
Sandorin opened his eyes just a bit and looked up at Matinus. It was freaky. He looked down to see Nioma come in and lean her face against the bars of the crib. "He's little, huh?" she asked.
"Yeah, he'll get bigger though."
"Will we be able to play with him?"
Matinus shrugged. "Probably you will, but I don't know if
I'm going to play with him."
"Why not?" Nioma squeezed her face into the bars and danced about on one leg as she looked at her half-brother.
"I'm older than you are."
"So? Mister Bunny is older than me too, and he still plays with me."
"Mister Bunny is a rabbit, not a boy."
"Mister Bunny is a mister."
Matinus smirked and left the baby behind, walking through Sandorin's bedroom, through Nioma's, and back to his own. He could tell his dad was really excited about the little baby - his baby with Sanria - which made him a little sad. He didn't seem to love him or Nioma as much as he already loved Sandorin. He could feel his dad worrying, too, like jealously worrying.
Matinus had already talked to Colin about being so afraid he made Sanria tired, but there was something a little wrong and he couldn't really figure it out. Colin felt afraid and said he thought he was going to lose Sanria to his dad, his dad felt jealous and worried, and Sanria - he just felt this weird confusion. Then, Nioma, always excitable and strange with how she could see stuff that wasn't visible. Just the other day she said Sanria's belly was sparkling. Then Sandorin... the weirdest calm baby Matinus had ever seen.
He walked upstairs and went to Orn and Mirin, but they were busy with Reggie and Regina. They were busy with them a lot. He walked outside and sat by the stream. There was a strange uneasiness that was floating around. Something too weighty for a twelve-year-old boy to worry about.
Sandorin opened his eyes just a bit and looked up at Matinus. It was freaky. He looked down to see Nioma come in and lean her face against the bars of the crib. "He's little, huh?" she asked.
"Yeah, he'll get bigger though."
"Will we be able to play with him?"
Matinus shrugged. "Probably you will, but I don't know if
I'm going to play with him."
"Why not?" Nioma squeezed her face into the bars and danced about on one leg as she looked at her half-brother.
"I'm older than you are."
"So? Mister Bunny is older than me too, and he still plays with me."
"Mister Bunny is a rabbit, not a boy."
"Mister Bunny is a mister."
Matinus smirked and left the baby behind, walking through Sandorin's bedroom, through Nioma's, and back to his own. He could tell his dad was really excited about the little baby - his baby with Sanria - which made him a little sad. He didn't seem to love him or Nioma as much as he already loved Sandorin. He could feel his dad worrying, too, like jealously worrying.
Matinus had already talked to Colin about being so afraid he made Sanria tired, but there was something a little wrong and he couldn't really figure it out. Colin felt afraid and said he thought he was going to lose Sanria to his dad, his dad felt jealous and worried, and Sanria - he just felt this weird confusion. Then, Nioma, always excitable and strange with how she could see stuff that wasn't visible. Just the other day she said Sanria's belly was sparkling. Then Sandorin... the weirdest calm baby Matinus had ever seen.
He walked upstairs and went to Orn and Mirin, but they were busy with Reggie and Regina. They were busy with them a lot. He walked outside and sat by the stream. There was a strange uneasiness that was floating around. Something too weighty for a twelve-year-old boy to worry about.
Discoveries in Seas of Emotion ( 2 of 2)
The plans were made to leave the next day. Gilean hadn't wanted Sanria to go with the chance she'd run into Ruthivan, and she had obliged, but changed her mind when Orn chose to come along. She watched Orn go back up the stairs to pack a bag of his own, and left Gilean and Sandorin to return her pack to the bedroom. She heard a soft shuffle and turned to see Matinus standing in the doorway.
"Hello dear one," she said with a smile. "Something you needed?" She looked at the boy's face and frowned ever so slightly. There was something wrong. "What is it?" she said with a voice of concern.
"My dad is guilty."
"Wh.. what? What do you mean?" She sat on the bed and patted the space beside her. "Come in, sit." Matinus entered and sat looking at his lap. "I don't know what he did,
but he's been feeling guilty about it."
"Well I'm sure it's nothing."
The boy looked up at her and Sanria could see fear and pain written on his features. "I don't want him to mess up and make us leave and make you leave us. I don't want to lose you as my mom."
"Matinus..." Sanria reached over, putting her arm around his shoulders. "I promise you, no matter what this is, I won't go anywhere. You're my son now and everyone here is your family." "It's just that my Dad and Colin are angry with each other a lot, and now my dad did something wrong and feels guilty. Like when you're trying not to get in trouble, and I don't know why."
"Well, it's your dad. Whatever it is, I'm sure it's nothing as bad as it seems."
"You promise you won't go anywhere or make us leave?"
"Oh, Matinus. I won't go anywhere. And you're staying right here for as long as it takes til you grow up and leave on your own."
"What if I don't want to go when I get older?"
Sanria chuckled and kissed Matinus on the top of the head. She felt a deep connection to the boy, as though he were a miniature Orn all over again. She squeezed him lightly. "Then you can live here just like Orn and Mirin. Now, stop being worried and go play."
She watched the lopsided and shy smile come onto Matinus's face and he walked out. Then, and only then, did Sanria's smile fade. Guilty for what?
"Hello dear one," she said with a smile. "Something you needed?" She looked at the boy's face and frowned ever so slightly. There was something wrong. "What is it?" she said with a voice of concern.
"My dad is guilty."
"Wh.. what? What do you mean?" She sat on the bed and patted the space beside her. "Come in, sit." Matinus entered and sat looking at his lap. "I don't know what he did,
but he's been feeling guilty about it."
"Well I'm sure it's nothing."
The boy looked up at her and Sanria could see fear and pain written on his features. "I don't want him to mess up and make us leave and make you leave us. I don't want to lose you as my mom."
"Matinus..." Sanria reached over, putting her arm around his shoulders. "I promise you, no matter what this is, I won't go anywhere. You're my son now and everyone here is your family." "It's just that my Dad and Colin are angry with each other a lot, and now my dad did something wrong and feels guilty. Like when you're trying not to get in trouble, and I don't know why."
"Well, it's your dad. Whatever it is, I'm sure it's nothing as bad as it seems."
"You promise you won't go anywhere or make us leave?"
"Oh, Matinus. I won't go anywhere. And you're staying right here for as long as it takes til you grow up and leave on your own."
"What if I don't want to go when I get older?"
Sanria chuckled and kissed Matinus on the top of the head. She felt a deep connection to the boy, as though he were a miniature Orn all over again. She squeezed him lightly. "Then you can live here just like Orn and Mirin. Now, stop being worried and go play."
She watched the lopsided and shy smile come onto Matinus's face and he walked out. Then, and only then, did Sanria's smile fade. Guilty for what?
Conealing Tensions
This was to be her sixth child and Sanria had lost count in how many pregnancies. Gilean had chosen the name, Sandorin, which Sanria felt perfect. Her brother had been long dead now. He would have been delighted to have a little one named for him. She wondered what he'd think of all this.
They had sped up nature's processes as well, making her pregnancy go much faster than normal. Unlike the times when she'd slept with Thasmudyan, however, this time was thanks to Gilean's magic.
It was a strange day in that Sanria had the cavern to herself. Orn was at the castle, Mirin was off with the bubbly and excited twins, Colin had taken Nioma out to play, and Gilean was off with Matinus - bonding. She had been through having children before, so the sensation was not new. She felt the contractions and her water break, and knew she had a little time before things grew intense. She didn't want the family rushing back with worry. She reached out to Enmach.
A mere hour later, she was looking into the eyes of her son. He, too, seemed to take her in before falling asleep. He had only cried for a moment - the indignity of being nude - before going utterly calm. Enmach left congratulations in her wake, and Sanria was left with her son only moments before everyone came back.
Though happiness seemed to be the prevailing sentiment, Sanria could see the sorrow of Colin's face that she'd be spending more time with Gilean and Sandorin, and the hurt on Gilean's face that she hadn't called him to tend the birth. Then - something on both of their faces, buried under their joys and kindnesses - worry.
They had sped up nature's processes as well, making her pregnancy go much faster than normal. Unlike the times when she'd slept with Thasmudyan, however, this time was thanks to Gilean's magic.
It was a strange day in that Sanria had the cavern to herself. Orn was at the castle, Mirin was off with the bubbly and excited twins, Colin had taken Nioma out to play, and Gilean was off with Matinus - bonding. She had been through having children before, so the sensation was not new. She felt the contractions and her water break, and knew she had a little time before things grew intense. She didn't want the family rushing back with worry. She reached out to Enmach.
A mere hour later, she was looking into the eyes of her son. He, too, seemed to take her in before falling asleep. He had only cried for a moment - the indignity of being nude - before going utterly calm. Enmach left congratulations in her wake, and Sanria was left with her son only moments before everyone came back.
Though happiness seemed to be the prevailing sentiment, Sanria could see the sorrow of Colin's face that she'd be spending more time with Gilean and Sandorin, and the hurt on Gilean's face that she hadn't called him to tend the birth. Then - something on both of their faces, buried under their joys and kindnesses - worry.
Death
Ruthivan sat on his knees, clutching Claire's body to his chest. He rocked and sobbed, then growled and cursed. He punched her dead body repeatedly, ignorant of all the eyes that watched him commit his desecration. His entire camp now stood around him, their circle excluding Mirin's form, until at last he let Claire roll from his arms onto the ground.
He was numb, he felt his soul severed. She was dead, truly dead, and he knew it because the bond he kept alive through his force was gone. For all that he tried to do to keep her, in the end, Claire had escaped him the only way she had. And he was the one that had set her free.
He got to his feet and stared at Mirin for a long moment, then looked to the healer. "Get that out of here. Put her outside the camp."
"Yes, Elder Ruthivan."
He looked to the faces that stared back at him with open shock and turned on his heel, leaving them behind. He had nothing to say as his heart was crushed beneath its own weight. The children rushed forward, but stopped at the look on his face, and Ruthivan's stared at them as alien and apart.
"Your mother is dead," he said, his voice steel and gravel. They cried, they wailed, and Ruthivan walked into the bedroom he shared with Claire, shutting them out and leaving them with the help. He sat on the edge of the bed and an agonizing howl sprung from his stomach, not stopping until he had expelled every last mote of air from his lungs. Then, Ruthivan broke down. His sobs were heard by every esper in the camp as they filed by the tent, and every one was a repentance for every wrong he had ever heaped upon Claire.
He was numb, he felt his soul severed. She was dead, truly dead, and he knew it because the bond he kept alive through his force was gone. For all that he tried to do to keep her, in the end, Claire had escaped him the only way she had. And he was the one that had set her free.
He got to his feet and stared at Mirin for a long moment, then looked to the healer. "Get that out of here. Put her outside the camp."
"Yes, Elder Ruthivan."
He looked to the faces that stared back at him with open shock and turned on his heel, leaving them behind. He had nothing to say as his heart was crushed beneath its own weight. The children rushed forward, but stopped at the look on his face, and Ruthivan's stared at them as alien and apart.
"Your mother is dead," he said, his voice steel and gravel. They cried, they wailed, and Ruthivan walked into the bedroom he shared with Claire, shutting them out and leaving them with the help. He sat on the edge of the bed and an agonizing howl sprung from his stomach, not stopping until he had expelled every last mote of air from his lungs. Then, Ruthivan broke down. His sobs were heard by every esper in the camp as they filed by the tent, and every one was a repentance for every wrong he had ever heaped upon Claire.
Path of Least Resistance
Sanria stepped back to Gilean's side, looking at Orn and Mirin and the new children held in their arms. She took Gilean's hand in her own and felt nothing by way of acknowledgement. She maintained her smile until they got home, and after obligatory congratulations to the brand new grandfather, the conversation drifted to the child held within Sanria.
Gilean was ready to give up his faith, his station at the temple, to help her get rid of Velentham's child. He'd give up everything he'd worked for, his joy in helping others, to be at her side. Rather than make Sanria feel loved, it made her feel guilt. Though she'd been trying not to, Sanria had been spiraling down. More times than she careed to admit, she stood behind the cottage, glaring at the grave of her rapist, dark madness crowding in at the edges of her vision. And of equal concern was her nearly burning desire to dig him up and stab him over and over and...
No. She waited until Gilean slept and went to the small kitchen. She pulled out her herbs and whispered druidic spells over them, increasing the potency of the chemicals in their dried leaves. Pennyroyal was toxic enough, she knew, but the spell that would keep her from dying was stronger. She flooded herself with the mixture, a dose large enough to kill a horse, and staggered outside to sit on the barren hill of Velenham's grave.
She would not let Gilean destroy his living for her or the abomination she carried with her. She'd rid herself of the child, she'd drop it right on the grave. She'd go near death again, dragging Kaliadra with her, she knew - but they'd not cross the threshold just yet. They'd be able to cheat it while the thing in her would go the way of its father.
Kaliadra came storming out the cottage door as the sweat began to form on Sanria's brow. Sanria's vision was starting to swim, the pains of her stomach were beginning to grow, and she vomited onto the grave.
"What in the name of the Nine Hells did you do, Sanria?!"
"Had to... we'll be okay..."
"You idiot," the elf hissed. "I could have helped you!"
"No. You wouldn't."
The elf went into silence as she dropped to her knees, clutching her own stomach as though the abortion was her own as well. Sanria stared back at the grave and gave another wretch. She could feel everything as it happened. The blood flowed, the vomit rolled, and Sanria finally pitched forward. Gilean would find her soon, free from any wrong, and could do what duty he was born to do: healing.
Gilean was ready to give up his faith, his station at the temple, to help her get rid of Velentham's child. He'd give up everything he'd worked for, his joy in helping others, to be at her side. Rather than make Sanria feel loved, it made her feel guilt. Though she'd been trying not to, Sanria had been spiraling down. More times than she careed to admit, she stood behind the cottage, glaring at the grave of her rapist, dark madness crowding in at the edges of her vision. And of equal concern was her nearly burning desire to dig him up and stab him over and over and...
No. She waited until Gilean slept and went to the small kitchen. She pulled out her herbs and whispered druidic spells over them, increasing the potency of the chemicals in their dried leaves. Pennyroyal was toxic enough, she knew, but the spell that would keep her from dying was stronger. She flooded herself with the mixture, a dose large enough to kill a horse, and staggered outside to sit on the barren hill of Velenham's grave.
She would not let Gilean destroy his living for her or the abomination she carried with her. She'd rid herself of the child, she'd drop it right on the grave. She'd go near death again, dragging Kaliadra with her, she knew - but they'd not cross the threshold just yet. They'd be able to cheat it while the thing in her would go the way of its father.
Kaliadra came storming out the cottage door as the sweat began to form on Sanria's brow. Sanria's vision was starting to swim, the pains of her stomach were beginning to grow, and she vomited onto the grave.
"What in the name of the Nine Hells did you do, Sanria?!"
"Had to... we'll be okay..."
"You idiot," the elf hissed. "I could have helped you!"
"No. You wouldn't."
The elf went into silence as she dropped to her knees, clutching her own stomach as though the abortion was her own as well. Sanria stared back at the grave and gave another wretch. She could feel everything as it happened. The blood flowed, the vomit rolled, and Sanria finally pitched forward. Gilean would find her soon, free from any wrong, and could do what duty he was born to do: healing.
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