Sanria lay in her bed staring up at the vaulted ceiling and the comforting twinkle of the crystals. Her hand rested on her stomach, easily rising up and down with each measured breath she took. The sound of the waterfall gave everything within the appearance of a peaceful room, but did little to soothe the torrent that swirled within Sanria.
She hadn't honestly expected to see Throm so soon after his missive had arrived, but as she went out to gather herbs, there he was. Sanria led him to the grove to join her in gathering valerian where they had a wonderful time simply talking. She told him of Lady Kitiara's garden and her wedding there so long ago. She looked over at him so many times part of her hoping once again to see familiar white robes and brown eyes, but they were not there. It was in fact a compliment that she felt so at east with Throm that she could slip into a comfortability much like she had long ago, but her heart still ached. With time, however, she was beginning to see that she had to let go of the past and as the time passed with Throm, and she began to see him for himself, the more she realized that things might end up ok.
At the Prancing Stallion, they had roast, and for the first time - it was different. Though she had been to this place so many times before, it was new. Sitting across from him with the candle between them, she began to discover a deep attraction. She could see herself with this man for the rest of her days. They sat then, side by side on the soft cushion, her head on his shoulder just talking. She felt like a girl again.
They then went to Crystabelle Village - a place where Sanria had never been. They were like children as they laughed and fought with tickling feathers - and the kiss that came as a form of truce nearly melted Sanria. She did attempt to adjust her thinking at that point - it was nothing more than a somewhat playful overture, but she spent the rest of the time in the deep hope that it would happen again. It was not in vain, for as they parted ways, Sanria was given the very thing she desired. Her hands held both sides of Throm's face and for a long moment, she looked up into the green eyes and her heart and mind raced.
Why, then, she was laying here so tormented was beyond her. Why was she still clinging to a marriage that was explicitly ended, when fate (and life it seemed) was offering her a new opportunity at what could be absolutely wonderful? How was it that already she could see herself falling in love with a man she barely knew? Sanria rolled over, putting her face in her bed as she slammed her fist into the covers.
"Damn it, Thasmudyan. Why?"
A Continent Away
Sitting within steamed confines of the Bathing room, Throm had lost himself for perhaps the last hour within the warm waters of the hot tub. For one who always knew himself to predict the turns of future events, he was at a loss. This did not bring him concern however. No, he was far too lost within his thoughts of his own to be worried over trivial things as that. From curious to intrigue. From intrigue to like. From like to attraction. And from attraction affection. These were waters he had thought he could never tread again. Allowing a small shrug to himself, he recounted that this had not been the first time he'd been mistaken. "Snowball drink?"
Snapped out of his reverie he looked at the winged man standing before him, and blinked himself back into reality. "No thank you Sirim, all is well over here."
Nodding the man retreated back into the mists of the steam which concealed the better part of the room. Throm allowed himself to slip back into his thoughts, sinking lower into the water. His sides still hurt from laughing so hard. He could still taste her kiss upon his lips. The morning had begun with a visit to see Sanria for tea as they had both wished in their letters. What what was going to be had turned into an herb gathering escapade within forests in which Sanria was raised. What words had said on parchment, both had confirmed with words at the Prancing Stallion Tavern over one of the best roast dinners Throm had yet to encounter. And then there was the Village. He had always known it to be a magical place, however the magic it would hold now would forever be a different one indeed to him.
Still, there were the questions of his origin. He had managed to dance around them many times in the past. Jokes when referencing his past, would only hold up so long, this he knew. Eventually such a time would come, when he would be forced to make a choice. Either tell all, or carry on as he had these many years. Shaking off such dark feelings, he smiled once again at the thought of the day the both of them had together and gave himself up to the better part of his mood.
Snapped out of his reverie he looked at the winged man standing before him, and blinked himself back into reality. "No thank you Sirim, all is well over here."
Nodding the man retreated back into the mists of the steam which concealed the better part of the room. Throm allowed himself to slip back into his thoughts, sinking lower into the water. His sides still hurt from laughing so hard. He could still taste her kiss upon his lips. The morning had begun with a visit to see Sanria for tea as they had both wished in their letters. What what was going to be had turned into an herb gathering escapade within forests in which Sanria was raised. What words had said on parchment, both had confirmed with words at the Prancing Stallion Tavern over one of the best roast dinners Throm had yet to encounter. And then there was the Village. He had always known it to be a magical place, however the magic it would hold now would forever be a different one indeed to him.
Still, there were the questions of his origin. He had managed to dance around them many times in the past. Jokes when referencing his past, would only hold up so long, this he knew. Eventually such a time would come, when he would be forced to make a choice. Either tell all, or carry on as he had these many years. Shaking off such dark feelings, he smiled once again at the thought of the day the both of them had together and gave himself up to the better part of his mood.
Time Spent
Sanria sat in her kitchen, both her hands upon a single piece of parchment. She stared at the rolling script, touching it every now and again as though the very act would bring forth the author. It wasn't a goodbye note she held in her hand, it held more of a promising outlook. Throm would join her for tea.
Sanria carefully laid the missive on the table and slid her hands around the cup of slowly cooling tea before her. A small ball of doubt sat in the center of her stomach, preventing her from even taking a sip. Thasmudyan told her to move ahead, to go on with life. She was trying, but it was hard to let go of one aspect of that life, and deal with the others. What would Tarran think? What would Emalia think?
What, at any rate, was happening with Emalia? Sanria had no clue where her daughter was, how she was, or even if she still lived. In a way, she was afraid to find out. She still recalled a time when Nanashi talked to her of bringing down the Rok, as well as Thasmudyan, rushing to find her and inform her of Sephiroth speaking to the masses. How Emalia could fall in line with thoughts like those that Nanashi had spoken to her years past, puzzled her. But to try to speak to her daughter about it could only end in the same type of disaster as the last time she tried.
Sanria shook her head and again and let go of the cup, taking hold of Throm's note in both her hands. Her eyes were drawn to a single passage and like a girl, she read it again and again to drown out all her other thoughts save one: "Truth be told I have enjoyed our meetings, no I have looked forward to them in a sense that I have failed to express before in our conversations. I must say that I admire your candor, for it is one that I did not possess when I felt the same way towards you."
Sanria carefully laid the missive on the table and slid her hands around the cup of slowly cooling tea before her. A small ball of doubt sat in the center of her stomach, preventing her from even taking a sip. Thasmudyan told her to move ahead, to go on with life. She was trying, but it was hard to let go of one aspect of that life, and deal with the others. What would Tarran think? What would Emalia think?
What, at any rate, was happening with Emalia? Sanria had no clue where her daughter was, how she was, or even if she still lived. In a way, she was afraid to find out. She still recalled a time when Nanashi talked to her of bringing down the Rok, as well as Thasmudyan, rushing to find her and inform her of Sephiroth speaking to the masses. How Emalia could fall in line with thoughts like those that Nanashi had spoken to her years past, puzzled her. But to try to speak to her daughter about it could only end in the same type of disaster as the last time she tried.
Sanria shook her head and again and let go of the cup, taking hold of Throm's note in both her hands. Her eyes were drawn to a single passage and like a girl, she read it again and again to drown out all her other thoughts save one: "Truth be told I have enjoyed our meetings, no I have looked forward to them in a sense that I have failed to express before in our conversations. I must say that I admire your candor, for it is one that I did not possess when I felt the same way towards you."
Torment Investigation
Psycho heard whispers and talk of torment and disturbance among his flock. He went to Willow Lake an instantly felt that there was still disturbance and pain so close to home. The lake's surface was laden with a fading energy of malevolent intent. The mighty guardian treant brought images of the Forest of Good and Evil. There must be something he wasn't seeing something below the surface of this once peaceful sanctuary of the Rivenshield Temptress.
'What evil has come and lain in my domain' Psycho asked the Treant. The treant's responce was like much the treants do, slow....'There ... has been . some- ..thing in ..the' The Treant began. 'The Lake ... yes i know. Aren’t you the guardian here what presence has been here' Psycho exclaimed impatient
'Nothing I have seen Nothing I could have done.' The Treant says a little quicker Psycho is obviously a little flustered and angry. 'I will get some information and you will help me.'
Many of the flames surrounding Psycho flare as the anger fuels the chaos inside of Psycho. He moves over the the Treant and some of the flames creep slowly over the ground the Treant stands upon. The flames seem to melt into the ground burrowing and nesting among the banks of the water. He begins to get a sour taste in his mouth as he exclaims 'There is a strange and powerful magic the likes of which I have known.' I also detect signs of a faded poison and there is still much of it here.
After placing a small trap of his own Psycho sneers and leaves determined to discover more information. His next focus is on the Forest of Good and Evil. He is determined to see if the Guardians of that forest have any information on the poison or the events surrounding Willow Lake.
'What evil has come and lain in my domain' Psycho asked the Treant. The treant's responce was like much the treants do, slow....'There ... has been . some- ..thing in ..the' The Treant began. 'The Lake ... yes i know. Aren’t you the guardian here what presence has been here' Psycho exclaimed impatient
'Nothing I have seen Nothing I could have done.' The Treant says a little quicker Psycho is obviously a little flustered and angry. 'I will get some information and you will help me.'
Many of the flames surrounding Psycho flare as the anger fuels the chaos inside of Psycho. He moves over the the Treant and some of the flames creep slowly over the ground the Treant stands upon. The flames seem to melt into the ground burrowing and nesting among the banks of the water. He begins to get a sour taste in his mouth as he exclaims 'There is a strange and powerful magic the likes of which I have known.' I also detect signs of a faded poison and there is still much of it here.
After placing a small trap of his own Psycho sneers and leaves determined to discover more information. His next focus is on the Forest of Good and Evil. He is determined to see if the Guardians of that forest have any information on the poison or the events surrounding Willow Lake.
A Flashback
After being pulled from Willow Lake by Khyron's spell, Dorian spent many days in disoriented confusion. Nightmares tormented her sporadic sleep, her non-sleeping hours where plagued by illusions.
Out of necessity, Dorian spent most of each of those times in the company of the Apostles' healer, questions constantly running through her confused mind. "What was it?" "How?" Then once the healers spells took more affect, "Why?"
Only one answer to each of the questions made any sense. Keldon. 'They' are once again looking for Keldon.'
"My lakes pollution, it has to be from those who seek what should not be found. Now is not the time," runs constantly through Dorian's mind. "Perhaps the one that bears the Crimson flag. She might be the one. I need to find her."
With that thought playing round and round in her head, Dorian sets out in search, knowing Sune will guide her.
Out of necessity, Dorian spent most of each of those times in the company of the Apostles' healer, questions constantly running through her confused mind. "What was it?" "How?" Then once the healers spells took more affect, "Why?"
Only one answer to each of the questions made any sense. Keldon. 'They' are once again looking for Keldon.'
"My lakes pollution, it has to be from those who seek what should not be found. Now is not the time," runs constantly through Dorian's mind. "Perhaps the one that bears the Crimson flag. She might be the one. I need to find her."
With that thought playing round and round in her head, Dorian sets out in search, knowing Sune will guide her.
Hope
As Colin sprinted at full speed with the combined weight of all their gear on his back he felt none of it. He gave hardly a thought to what damage he might be doing to his body. After all, he wasn't worried about himself, but if something happened to Emalia... Colin willed his legs to move even faster as he kept his eye on Nephesh and Hellstrom flying overhead. He would not be able to catch them, but he was determined not to lose sight of them. It would have been so much easier to just be up there too, but Colin was fairly sure the potion would have had no effect for him, and that would have raised questions that Colin did not want to face, not with the prospect of meeting up with Emalia present. At least Colin was grateful that they had accepted his refusal without question.
When he first saw the two flying figures descending Colin didn't know why, but then he saw it, a thin wisp of smoke snaking its way towards the heavens. Colin immediately veered his course towards its source, his thick legs thrashing the sparse undergrowth before him as he left the path. It took only minutes for Colin to reach the small fire and he dropped the packs at the sight of its creator standing there talking to Nephesh and Hellstrom. Emalia looked every bit like an angel to Colin, her white robes peeking out beneath a brown traveling cloak and her hair shimmering with the rain that still clung to it. He rushed over to her, oblivious to her look of disbelief still directed towards Hellstrom.
Colin wanted nothing more than to take Emalia in his arms yet he resisted. After all, she had decided to leave on her own. He would have to take comfort instead in the fact that she appeared unharmed. As the four of them spoke it wasn't long before Colin came to the realization that Emalia knew their woodsman companion and it was then Colin learned the name he had missed the first time around: Hellstrom. To Colin, it felt like he had just been clubbed in the gut. Not only did they know each other, but here was Emalia's recent love, and they had led him right to her.
"I have to get rid of him." was Colin's first thought, yet he paused. It was true that Hellstrom had been invaluable in finding Emalia, which Colin voiced aloud, and if he said or did the wrong thing he only risked pushing Emalia away. However the sight of Emalia's hand resting on Hellstrom's arm as she spoke to him urged Colin to do something.
"Where do you think you will go from here?" Colin inquired of Hellstrom, hoping to prompt him along his way. However, the move quickly backfired on him as both Nephesh and Emalia requested for Hellstrom to join them.
It seemed that Hellstrom was the only one who understood the suggestion in Colin's inquiry and he attempted to refuse, "As much as I would enjoy company after so long alone my presence here will only serve to cause problems."
Things still didn't go as Colin had hoped when it dawned on Emalia what Hellstrom was referring to. "Oh no..." she whispered and looked to the ground."Why can't she let him go!?" Colin thought to himself with an unseen scowl, "He has caused her such pain and I have been there with her every step of the way. He doesn't deserve her! I should just spare her the trouble and eliminate..." his thoughts were redirected with the speed of a sword parry, "I have to talk to him. I will show Emalia that I have changed."
As Emalia pulled Nephesh aside to speak to him Colin took the opportunity to offer his own invitation to Hellstrom. Colin was dismayed at how quickly Hellstrom accepted, but the words had already been said.
Hellstrom went off into the woods with his bow and Colin was left with only his thoughts. Had he really made the right decision? He wanted to show Emalia a different side of him, and Hellstrom could be a true asset in the journey ahead, but he had just invited the competition for Emalia's love to travel with them further.
Colin was broken from his thoughts when Emalia came up from behind to speak to him. Unfortunately, the first thing she asked wasn't his first choice of subjects. "Where did Hellstrom go?"
Colin sighed to himself and kept his gaze on the grass at his feet. "I think he's hunting."
When his response was met with silence Colin realized he wasn't going to bring Emalia closer to him with his current attitude. He stood up, brushed himself off, and turned to face Emalia with a smile forced upon his face.
Emalia gave him a look of gratitude and spoke quietly, "Thank you Colin. I'm very sorry I've been so spiteful."
Colin shrugged off the words but within his spirits immediately lifted. "No, you've been under a lot of pressure, that's all." "I'm going to try to do better. I know you want what is best for me."
The words moved Colin deeply, an encouraging breeze for the flame of hope within him which moments ago felt in danger of being snuffed out. Colin knew not what to say, instead simply offering a friendly hug. Colin was elated when she accepted the hug with a smile. As he held her close he was very aware of her slender body pressed against him, the softness of her still damp hair against his cheek. He never wanted this moment to end, yet he knew if it lingered too long in silence it wouldn't be right. Still close to her, Colin brought up how worried he had been and they spoke briefly about Emalia's scuffles. They finally parted when Nephesh came over to pester Colin about where their supplies were and Emalia was drawn over to Hellstrom's offer of cooked venison.
Colin forced himself to eat with the rest, dismayed as he was watching Emalia sitting beside Hellstrom as they did so. However, Emalia's words and her touch still lingered in his mind, granting him patience and hope. He would hold onto those thoughts throughout his sleepless night by the fire, long after laying Emalia down to rest.
When he first saw the two flying figures descending Colin didn't know why, but then he saw it, a thin wisp of smoke snaking its way towards the heavens. Colin immediately veered his course towards its source, his thick legs thrashing the sparse undergrowth before him as he left the path. It took only minutes for Colin to reach the small fire and he dropped the packs at the sight of its creator standing there talking to Nephesh and Hellstrom. Emalia looked every bit like an angel to Colin, her white robes peeking out beneath a brown traveling cloak and her hair shimmering with the rain that still clung to it. He rushed over to her, oblivious to her look of disbelief still directed towards Hellstrom.
Colin wanted nothing more than to take Emalia in his arms yet he resisted. After all, she had decided to leave on her own. He would have to take comfort instead in the fact that she appeared unharmed. As the four of them spoke it wasn't long before Colin came to the realization that Emalia knew their woodsman companion and it was then Colin learned the name he had missed the first time around: Hellstrom. To Colin, it felt like he had just been clubbed in the gut. Not only did they know each other, but here was Emalia's recent love, and they had led him right to her.
"I have to get rid of him." was Colin's first thought, yet he paused. It was true that Hellstrom had been invaluable in finding Emalia, which Colin voiced aloud, and if he said or did the wrong thing he only risked pushing Emalia away. However the sight of Emalia's hand resting on Hellstrom's arm as she spoke to him urged Colin to do something.
"Where do you think you will go from here?" Colin inquired of Hellstrom, hoping to prompt him along his way. However, the move quickly backfired on him as both Nephesh and Emalia requested for Hellstrom to join them.
It seemed that Hellstrom was the only one who understood the suggestion in Colin's inquiry and he attempted to refuse, "As much as I would enjoy company after so long alone my presence here will only serve to cause problems."
Things still didn't go as Colin had hoped when it dawned on Emalia what Hellstrom was referring to. "Oh no..." she whispered and looked to the ground."Why can't she let him go!?" Colin thought to himself with an unseen scowl, "He has caused her such pain and I have been there with her every step of the way. He doesn't deserve her! I should just spare her the trouble and eliminate..." his thoughts were redirected with the speed of a sword parry, "I have to talk to him. I will show Emalia that I have changed."
As Emalia pulled Nephesh aside to speak to him Colin took the opportunity to offer his own invitation to Hellstrom. Colin was dismayed at how quickly Hellstrom accepted, but the words had already been said.
Hellstrom went off into the woods with his bow and Colin was left with only his thoughts. Had he really made the right decision? He wanted to show Emalia a different side of him, and Hellstrom could be a true asset in the journey ahead, but he had just invited the competition for Emalia's love to travel with them further.
Colin was broken from his thoughts when Emalia came up from behind to speak to him. Unfortunately, the first thing she asked wasn't his first choice of subjects. "Where did Hellstrom go?"
Colin sighed to himself and kept his gaze on the grass at his feet. "I think he's hunting."
When his response was met with silence Colin realized he wasn't going to bring Emalia closer to him with his current attitude. He stood up, brushed himself off, and turned to face Emalia with a smile forced upon his face.
Emalia gave him a look of gratitude and spoke quietly, "Thank you Colin. I'm very sorry I've been so spiteful."
Colin shrugged off the words but within his spirits immediately lifted. "No, you've been under a lot of pressure, that's all." "I'm going to try to do better. I know you want what is best for me."
The words moved Colin deeply, an encouraging breeze for the flame of hope within him which moments ago felt in danger of being snuffed out. Colin knew not what to say, instead simply offering a friendly hug. Colin was elated when she accepted the hug with a smile. As he held her close he was very aware of her slender body pressed against him, the softness of her still damp hair against his cheek. He never wanted this moment to end, yet he knew if it lingered too long in silence it wouldn't be right. Still close to her, Colin brought up how worried he had been and they spoke briefly about Emalia's scuffles. They finally parted when Nephesh came over to pester Colin about where their supplies were and Emalia was drawn over to Hellstrom's offer of cooked venison.
Colin forced himself to eat with the rest, dismayed as he was watching Emalia sitting beside Hellstrom as they did so. However, Emalia's words and her touch still lingered in his mind, granting him patience and hope. He would hold onto those thoughts throughout his sleepless night by the fire, long after laying Emalia down to rest.
Silent Reflection
Hellstrom slipped silently into the woods and found a tree close to the edge of the camp. He quickly climbed to a spot where he could look at the camp without being seen and pondered the odd circumstances that had brought all 4 of them together. Colin and Emalia at least Hellstrom knew even if he only knew Colin's name from Emalia. The child halfling Nephesh was a rather odd addition to their crew. Not to mention his incredible grasp of the use of magic.
In the camp Colin sat outside his tent looking off into the woods obviously absorbed in his own thoughts. Emalia slept like the dead in Hellstrom's tent, and Nephesh was sleeping in his own tent not far from the others.
Hellstrom, satisfied that everything would be safe in the camp decided to take the opportunity to scout the area a little bit. He nimbly leapt from branch to branch from tree to tree so as not to leave any trace on the ground as to where he had gone. After traveling this way for a short time, Hellstrom dropped to the ground and found a suitable small tree that he could use to make a staff out of. Offering a small prayer to Ehlonna, Hellstrom cut the young tree down and removed the small branches from its young trunk. It was a perfect weight and slightly taller than he was.
Hellstrom walked for a bit and found the clearing that he had killed the deer in earlier that evening, which reminded him that he needed to wrap that meat in something so that he could dry it properly later. So many things were swirling through his thoughts. Hellstrom knew that he would be unable to concentrate on the important things if he did not calm down and still the swirl of unimportant thoughts.
Hellstrom stripped off his shirt in the rain and walked out into the center of the clearing. With the rain falling and the lightning flashing overhead, Hellstrom spent a short while meditating, consciousness floating in the void devoid of thought.
Standing, Hellstrom held his newfound staff out in front of him. The staff spun as Hellstrom flowed into the forms he had learned in his training, the movements ingrained in his flesh from countless hours practicing in the elven woods.
After two hours of this, Hellstrom stopped in the middle of the clearing again, his thoughts collected and calm despite the situation at hand. The solution was simple really. They were going north and he was as well. Even if he wanted to avoid the others, it was likely they would run across each other again before long. Not to mention that regardless of Colin's strength and courage the woods was not a place for someone who knew nothing of it to be alone. Emalia would be safer with someone who knew what to watch for helping them.
Hellstrom sat down in the field watching the edge of the horizon lighten slightly as the new day approached. He had promised the others he would return before the sun came up over the horizon, and he was not one to break a promise. He gathered his shirt not bothering to put it back on, it was wet after all. New staff in one hand and soaked shirt in the other Hellstrom jogged back toward the camp to help the others break camp and gain some ground on their travels.
In the camp Colin sat outside his tent looking off into the woods obviously absorbed in his own thoughts. Emalia slept like the dead in Hellstrom's tent, and Nephesh was sleeping in his own tent not far from the others.
Hellstrom, satisfied that everything would be safe in the camp decided to take the opportunity to scout the area a little bit. He nimbly leapt from branch to branch from tree to tree so as not to leave any trace on the ground as to where he had gone. After traveling this way for a short time, Hellstrom dropped to the ground and found a suitable small tree that he could use to make a staff out of. Offering a small prayer to Ehlonna, Hellstrom cut the young tree down and removed the small branches from its young trunk. It was a perfect weight and slightly taller than he was.
Hellstrom walked for a bit and found the clearing that he had killed the deer in earlier that evening, which reminded him that he needed to wrap that meat in something so that he could dry it properly later. So many things were swirling through his thoughts. Hellstrom knew that he would be unable to concentrate on the important things if he did not calm down and still the swirl of unimportant thoughts.
Hellstrom stripped off his shirt in the rain and walked out into the center of the clearing. With the rain falling and the lightning flashing overhead, Hellstrom spent a short while meditating, consciousness floating in the void devoid of thought.
Standing, Hellstrom held his newfound staff out in front of him. The staff spun as Hellstrom flowed into the forms he had learned in his training, the movements ingrained in his flesh from countless hours practicing in the elven woods.
After two hours of this, Hellstrom stopped in the middle of the clearing again, his thoughts collected and calm despite the situation at hand. The solution was simple really. They were going north and he was as well. Even if he wanted to avoid the others, it was likely they would run across each other again before long. Not to mention that regardless of Colin's strength and courage the woods was not a place for someone who knew nothing of it to be alone. Emalia would be safer with someone who knew what to watch for helping them.
Hellstrom sat down in the field watching the edge of the horizon lighten slightly as the new day approached. He had promised the others he would return before the sun came up over the horizon, and he was not one to break a promise. He gathered his shirt not bothering to put it back on, it was wet after all. New staff in one hand and soaked shirt in the other Hellstrom jogged back toward the camp to help the others break camp and gain some ground on their travels.
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