Velentham leaned against a tree and pulled a cigarette from the pack in his pocket. He lifted a match, and using only his thumbnail, set it ablaze. It was a trick he had learned from his time in Heifong, the stinking cesspool of filth and degenerates. It was useful when dealing with the drunken fools that waddled up to him wanting to fight since he was gold and seven feet tall. He lifted the flame to his cigarette and brought into his lungs the soothing heat of gray smoke and let it out again. He didn't notice it billowing up into the canopy of the trees around him. His eyes were trained on the cottage.
He saw the boy and his dog leap from the porch and head into the woods. He saw Sanria lean down and stop the little girl from leaving the porch as he held the second drag inside, the pressure soothing in his chest with his arms crossed over it. Thasmudyan, the man who looked like some beggar, was right. She was here, with his cousin, Gilean.
Velentham let the breath out, the smoke thin and dissipated from being held so long and forced out so fast. Gilean, after all his bullshit, had married his girl. There wasn't any descriptor for the feeling that curled within Velentham's heart. Gilean was the reason his father died. Gilean was the reason he couldn't get home. Now, Gilean was the reason he couldn't get Sanria. Anger held his beating muscle in its taloned grip, and squeezed. Perhaps cold rage could be said of him now. After all, Gilean had obviously used the Celestial charm to get Sanria. She was enchanted, it was the only way. And given everything Gilean had told Velentham about not using it on her...
He took in another long drag, the smoke caressing his nerves and helping him to see clearly. Velentham uttered a spell and vanished into nothingness, the only indication he was there, the smoke that appeared like magic from a non-existent cigarette. There would be more than hell to pay, but first, as Velentham finished his smoke, he would think of how best to drag Gilean away and crush the life out of him. One had to plan carefully when dealing with a Celestial, even if that Celestial was a bastardization of what his people truly were.
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.
Personal Hell, Public Chaos
She had been married for less than twenty-four hours and already it seemed everyone that she didn't want to know, knew. She sat with Matinus on the edge of his bed, tucking him in. She had ensured the boy had a bath and his hair was combed, and he looked at her with his lilac-colored eyes and gave a drawn out yawn. "I'm glad you're here," he said simply. It was a small act of gratitude in her day that made her feel emotional. Chaos was too easy a word to describe what Sanria had walked into.
She'd gotten into a shouting match with Thasmudyan, though she'd anticipated his anger in a way. Left without his powers, fresh from saving Lyvinnia from Maya, he had admitted he felt betrayed and angry. She could only say she felt fear. Thasmudyan had left her before, disappeared on her before, even slept with Maya while he was supposed to be with her. Yes, she loved Gilean, but the speed with which she'd acted on their marriage was predicated by the fear of being with Thasmudyan. After all those years of wanting nothing more, she couldn't handle the idea of being back together with the one who had held her heart for so long.
She gave him some of Nioma's clothes to take back for Lyvinnia and confronted the second irate person - Leandra. Her daughter was utterly furious, and accused Sanria of not only ruining her life, but Colin's as well. The rancor that poured from Leandra's mouth shocked Sanria and made her feel small. The ultimate insult was when Leandra insisted that, no matter what Sanria felt, she had an obligation to be with Colin. It was so final, so snappish, Sanria was stunned into silence. "You don't need to worry, I'm leaving this place. The farther away I can get so I'm not reminded that I'm *your* daughter, the better."
Matinus had salvaged the night. She had made at least one person outside of Gilean happy. She stood up and blew him a kiss goodnight. When he sleepily returned it, Sanria could barely keep herself from crying.
She'd gotten into a shouting match with Thasmudyan, though she'd anticipated his anger in a way. Left without his powers, fresh from saving Lyvinnia from Maya, he had admitted he felt betrayed and angry. She could only say she felt fear. Thasmudyan had left her before, disappeared on her before, even slept with Maya while he was supposed to be with her. Yes, she loved Gilean, but the speed with which she'd acted on their marriage was predicated by the fear of being with Thasmudyan. After all those years of wanting nothing more, she couldn't handle the idea of being back together with the one who had held her heart for so long.
She gave him some of Nioma's clothes to take back for Lyvinnia and confronted the second irate person - Leandra. Her daughter was utterly furious, and accused Sanria of not only ruining her life, but Colin's as well. The rancor that poured from Leandra's mouth shocked Sanria and made her feel small. The ultimate insult was when Leandra insisted that, no matter what Sanria felt, she had an obligation to be with Colin. It was so final, so snappish, Sanria was stunned into silence. "You don't need to worry, I'm leaving this place. The farther away I can get so I'm not reminded that I'm *your* daughter, the better."
Matinus had salvaged the night. She had made at least one person outside of Gilean happy. She stood up and blew him a kiss goodnight. When he sleepily returned it, Sanria could barely keep herself from crying.
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.
Meditation
Sunshine streamed in through skylights. Ror was sitting at the edge of a brook amidst leafy green plants. Cross-legged and with his eyes closed, the elf was meditating.
A bar. Phil's. Conversational tatters.
"...I am not the only one apparently..."
- "...No... no, you are not...."
- "...a file on me, probably from the TriPower..."
"... back from life?"
- "...It cuts me off...I have no memories....Something keeps sending me back...."
The bracelet. So peculiar.
- "...awareness... must persist after death."
The image of Thasmudyan flickered in and out of existence, his mouth moving, but what was he saying?
- "Ever since I can remember.... hazy..."
The image flickered again.
- "...a daughter of mine is in danger..."
Sanria's voice, "Thasmudyan doesn't want you raising his daughter."
"Rrrrrorrrrr-rrr."
The voice changed, and had an edge to it, an edge that wanted to kill.
"Thasmudyan's other lover...Concieved Nioma the day Lyvinnia was concieved."
A tavern. Ror saw himself sipping from tea.
"Lloth still awaits you after death?"
Two voices.
- "... A lot to do with it. Almost everything...I betrayed her... Before this guise..."
Market Square. Ror was talking to Rahvin and Maezura.
"And there you have it, Master Surion. In a nutshell, we seek to prolong death as long as possible..."
The world twisted away again.
- "...To learn the lifestram I presume. My daughter.... Able to tap right in."
Thasmudyan.
- "It's ...complicated, yes."
"I'll ask no more."
- "Thanks for that."
The angry yelling.
"...better stay the HELL AWAY from LYVINNIA!'
It was sinister.
"...Closer than anyone...To perminant death...Real death, everlasting death..."
Ror's eyes opened. Meditation was over. Placing his hand in support on the grass in front of him, he swore under his own breath,
"Shit."
A bar. Phil's. Conversational tatters.
"...I am not the only one apparently..."
- "...No... no, you are not...."
- "...a file on me, probably from the TriPower..."
"... back from life?"
- "...It cuts me off...I have no memories....Something keeps sending me back...."
The bracelet. So peculiar.
- "...awareness... must persist after death."
The image of Thasmudyan flickered in and out of existence, his mouth moving, but what was he saying?
- "Ever since I can remember.... hazy..."
The image flickered again.
- "...a daughter of mine is in danger..."
Sanria's voice, "Thasmudyan doesn't want you raising his daughter."
"Rrrrrorrrrr-rrr."
The voice changed, and had an edge to it, an edge that wanted to kill.
"Thasmudyan's other lover...Concieved Nioma the day Lyvinnia was concieved."
A tavern. Ror saw himself sipping from tea.
"Lloth still awaits you after death?"
Two voices.
- "... A lot to do with it. Almost everything...I betrayed her... Before this guise..."
Market Square. Ror was talking to Rahvin and Maezura.
"And there you have it, Master Surion. In a nutshell, we seek to prolong death as long as possible..."
The world twisted away again.
- "...To learn the lifestram I presume. My daughter.... Able to tap right in."
Thasmudyan.
- "It's ...complicated, yes."
"I'll ask no more."
- "Thanks for that."
The angry yelling.
"...better stay the HELL AWAY from LYVINNIA!'
It was sinister.
"...Closer than anyone...To perminant death...Real death, everlasting death..."
Ror's eyes opened. Meditation was over. Placing his hand in support on the grass in front of him, he swore under his own breath,
"Shit."
Findings
What seems like hours later though only minutes, through the mud and rain, he reaches the top of the sloped hill. What next catches his gaze is the burnt husk of a home, the surrounding vegetation encroaching upon it. Crawling with what speed he can muster he reaches the remains of a house, pausing momentarily as another wave of deja vu passes over him, he continues into the burnt remains seeking any bit of shelter he can find.
Searching briefly he finds some boards and begins propping them, with some effort, next to a less crumbled wall. Crawling under his makeshift shelter, escaping the rain for a brief respite, he curls up into a ball trying to stay warm. Listening to the rhythmic sound of rain fall he falls into a fitful sleep.
Waking to the sound of a hooting owl and no sound of rain, he inches out of his shelter shivering. Bracing against the wall as best he can he tries to stand again, the pain is still there, holding onto the wall grimacing he shifts his weight slightly and decides that he bear the pain and walk a little. Keeping one hand on the support of the wall he limps around the burnt house, searching as he goes, stopping when he notices a water hand pump. Thinking to himself, "Well at least I can finally wash my wounds." he lets go of the wall and limps to the pump.
After several failed attempts, determination pays off, he is able to get some water to flow from the pump. He sits next to the pump and starts to undo a bandage to his legs, inspecting the blood soaked bandage he sighs, beginning to wash his legs. With each pump of water on his wounds brings fresh agony, biting into rolled cloth, he finishes and washes the strips of cloth while letting his legs dry.
After rebandaging his legs he stands holding himself up at the water pump looking at the burnt building, closing his eyes, thinking why this place seems familiar.
Searching briefly he finds some boards and begins propping them, with some effort, next to a less crumbled wall. Crawling under his makeshift shelter, escaping the rain for a brief respite, he curls up into a ball trying to stay warm. Listening to the rhythmic sound of rain fall he falls into a fitful sleep.
Waking to the sound of a hooting owl and no sound of rain, he inches out of his shelter shivering. Bracing against the wall as best he can he tries to stand again, the pain is still there, holding onto the wall grimacing he shifts his weight slightly and decides that he bear the pain and walk a little. Keeping one hand on the support of the wall he limps around the burnt house, searching as he goes, stopping when he notices a water hand pump. Thinking to himself, "Well at least I can finally wash my wounds." he lets go of the wall and limps to the pump.
After several failed attempts, determination pays off, he is able to get some water to flow from the pump. He sits next to the pump and starts to undo a bandage to his legs, inspecting the blood soaked bandage he sighs, beginning to wash his legs. With each pump of water on his wounds brings fresh agony, biting into rolled cloth, he finishes and washes the strips of cloth while letting his legs dry.
After rebandaging his legs he stands holding himself up at the water pump looking at the burnt building, closing his eyes, thinking why this place seems familiar.
The Elephant in the Cafe
She had done everything- called off her engagement, kept away from Gilean, checked in on Colin only when he was already half asleep, and stayed away from Thasmudyan completely. Still, Sanria sat in front of Enmach with a pensive stare at the parchment on her desk, writing mindlessly as she spoke.
"I didn't bring anything up other than his letter, that's all."
"Sanria - don't you believe there is more to discuss?"
"No, Enmach. And neither did he. Ror was quite comfortable to keep things business and I won't look the part of the weepy woman sharing her feelings."
Sanria heard the scowl- the huff of breath, the push back into the leather chair. "I still believe you should have told him."
"Why?" Sanria asked, laying the quill down. She looked at Enmach, her face calm and emotionless. "What good would that do?" Enmach grumbled and shook her head. "You humans are foolish and stubborn. You want want want- friendship, love, companionship- and when things don't go your way, you pretend none of it matters and that you have armor wrapped around the heart in your chest. It's idiocy."
"I'm sorry we disappoint you," Sanria said frankly.
"I will not be baited," Enmach answered cooly.
"Then I'll finish this letter to the other leaders and let them meet with Ror to discuss further his ideas for the school and theater in Westbridge. As far as my personal ties to Ror, we have severed those and they no longer matter."
"You truly believe he felt nothing and you felt nothing?"
"He ate his soup and again started asking after someone from my past."
"Who?"
"Kaliadra."
"I see."
"So, no. I don't think he felt anything. As to myself, I've already told you I'm not going to spread my personal feelings around with one who is uninterested."
"I'm interested."
Sanria looked up, narrowing her eyes at Enmach, who sat with a demure grin. "I agree with him in regards to education and the arts." Sanria looked back to her parchment and started writing again. She kept writing even though a flash of bright light indicated she was alone once again. Only when she finished did she turn her chair to face the window, staring out over the floating island, seeing it without seeing it.
"I didn't bring anything up other than his letter, that's all."
"Sanria - don't you believe there is more to discuss?"
"No, Enmach. And neither did he. Ror was quite comfortable to keep things business and I won't look the part of the weepy woman sharing her feelings."
Sanria heard the scowl- the huff of breath, the push back into the leather chair. "I still believe you should have told him."
"Why?" Sanria asked, laying the quill down. She looked at Enmach, her face calm and emotionless. "What good would that do?" Enmach grumbled and shook her head. "You humans are foolish and stubborn. You want want want- friendship, love, companionship- and when things don't go your way, you pretend none of it matters and that you have armor wrapped around the heart in your chest. It's idiocy."
"I'm sorry we disappoint you," Sanria said frankly.
"I will not be baited," Enmach answered cooly.
"Then I'll finish this letter to the other leaders and let them meet with Ror to discuss further his ideas for the school and theater in Westbridge. As far as my personal ties to Ror, we have severed those and they no longer matter."
"You truly believe he felt nothing and you felt nothing?"
"He ate his soup and again started asking after someone from my past."
"Who?"
"Kaliadra."
"I see."
"So, no. I don't think he felt anything. As to myself, I've already told you I'm not going to spread my personal feelings around with one who is uninterested."
"I'm interested."
Sanria looked up, narrowing her eyes at Enmach, who sat with a demure grin. "I agree with him in regards to education and the arts." Sanria looked back to her parchment and started writing again. She kept writing even though a flash of bright light indicated she was alone once again. Only when she finished did she turn her chair to face the window, staring out over the floating island, seeing it without seeing it.
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