The light knocking on the door sent a shock through Sanria. It wasn't that she hadn't anticipated Colin returning, but that she knew what she was going to do once he had. She had stared at the book on the same page for the past hour, all while Colin and Thasmudyan transported Arlenia's body back to the Dark Continent. The image of Colin coated in the woman's blood was what she kept seeing in her mind, as well as the savage state her body had lain. "I was hoping we could talk," Colin began.
"About what, Colin? You killing a sick woman while Thasmudyan was there? You not listening to me at all? You not working to overcome this thing in you?" The emotions within her flooded forth with anger coming unexpectedly.
"Not working to overcome this? Wha... what do you mean?"
"For the love of the Gods, you've never bothered to work on that black makou in you. You've been avoiding anything that upsets you and when it does, you just let loose!"
"Sanria. I've been doing my best. I don't even know how I'm supposed to 'work' on it. Place my family in danger to see how I react? Sanria. She killed one child. She tried to kill Orn right there in front of us. If it weren't for Thasmudyan he would have died."
"Precisely why you shouldn't have killed her. You cut - off - her - head and ran her through!! What in the world is wrong with you?"
"I have something inside of me that shouldn't be there... you know exactly what's wrong with me," Colin stated quietly.
The argument continued, growing heated as Sanria grew more firm in her con- viction. Arlenia's headless body came to the fore again and again, Colin coated in her blood. And more than anything, the fact he could have chosen not to come. He could have chosen to stay home and let Sanria and Thasmud- yan save Orn. He could have chosen.
"I killed her," Colin began, "because she slit our son's throat right there in front of me and I couldn't hold it back any longer."
"I failed that woman because I couldn't stop you. She needed help. Not death."
"Failed her?" Colin asked. "What duty did you have to her? She had help Sanria. She had Banion. Despite that help she chose this."
"And you chose what you did. As I have to choose. I can't do this any more."
Sanria took off her wedding band and tossed it onto the bed beside Colin. She felt her soul crumbling inside. She and Colin had been so good togeth- er for the past couple of years. Here, again, she was ending yet another relationship - and this one in particular, yet again. "Sanria, what are you doing?"
"When you can't even listen to me... I can't prevent you from anything. And if I can't help you, all I can do is watch you destroy yourself and others when you get angry. I'm sorry... but consider us over, Colin."
"What...? Sanria. How can you say that?"
"You don't have to move out since the children are here, but you can't stay with me in this room anymore. You can stay in the guest rooms. I don't want... to see you..."
"So... what... you're choosing that madwoman over me?" Colin asked.
"No, Colin. I'm choosing life over death."
"You said yourself, she needed help. But, you're turning your back on me?"
"I tried. But this is a line... I can't cross with you. This is not okay. I'm sorry we've come to this, but it's the only thing I know to do now."
At the sound of the door closing, Sanria let the tears flow unbidden. She had become accustomed to soothing Colin when he was upset, and the look on his face was more than she could handle. Still, she stood up for what she believed. Part of her felt good for it. The other part felt as if the earth had come to life and swallowed her whole.
The Deciding Line
Sanria arrived back in the cavern with Orn, still holding the boy tightly. She pulled back to look at him and smiled with her eyes full of tears. "I'm so happy you're safe."
"I'm sorry... for leaving..." Orn said, clutching her tightly. It made Sanria's heart ache seeing her son so deeply wounded. While Thasmudyan had healed his outward appearances, she could see that Orn was far from completely okay.
"Shh shh, it's okay. We're not mad at you."
"Why... why did she..."
"That lady was very sick, Orn. Sometimes people who aren't well inside their heads do mean and bad things."
"What... what about Papa. He... he..."
This stopped Sanria for a moment. Orn was full nearing thirteen in the physical terms, but when she looked at him, she still found herself star- ing into the eyes of her little boy. If she were to be fully honest she might well crush him, and so it was with a deep breath she gave a tiny smile, "Your papa saved you."
"Yeah... she won't... hurt anyone else now."
It was the way the boy stated it that tugged at Sanria. "Yes... but what your Papa did... he... we shouldn't kill people who are sick, Orn. Re- member that."
"She... she killed a baby Mama. She sent it, I remember it."
"That is why we have magic, to help those who are sick, Orn. Even when someone does something like that."
"Mama... is Papa sick?"
Sanria looked at Orn for a long moment, her lips quivering in their frozen smile. She couldn't help the tears that sprung to her eyes, nor the utter feeling of helplessness that washed over her as she nodded in the affirmative. "But you and Thasmudyan have magic," Orn said. "You can help him. I'll help too... if you show me how."
"Orn... what is wrong with your Papa... I can't fix. Thasmudyan can't either without really hurting your Papa and maybe killing him. Your Papa will have to figure out what he has to do."
"But Papa doesn't have magic. How is he supposed to fix it? We can help him. I can ask the trees."
Sanria gave a nod and swallowed back her thoughts. She desperately needed to hide the fact that she couldn't let go of what had happened. Colin had killed someone in a black makou fit - but more, he had decided to go along knowing it might happen. There was a part of her heart that had broken completely, but it was of no use. Orn watched her face. "What is it?" he asked.
"I don't think I can be your Papa's wife anymore. I'll still be your Mama-"
"Wh... what? Why?"
"I can't fix what is wrong with your Papa, Orn... and it hurts my heart very much."
"But we can help him," Orn said. "We can help him fix it, right? He scared me... but he's a good dad, isn't he?"
"He's a good Dad, Orn. And we'll help him... but I will just help him as a friend and as your Mom."
It surprised her how well Orn took the news, and she watched the boy run out to the stream beyond. She knew he would be safe - Arlenia was not a threat, yet that brought small comfort with the knowledge of how she was ended. Sanria climbed the stairs to her bedroom, her heart heavy, and stared at a book - waiting for an inevitable conversation. One where she steadied Colin for being without a wife.
"I'm sorry... for leaving..." Orn said, clutching her tightly. It made Sanria's heart ache seeing her son so deeply wounded. While Thasmudyan had healed his outward appearances, she could see that Orn was far from completely okay.
"Shh shh, it's okay. We're not mad at you."
"Why... why did she..."
"That lady was very sick, Orn. Sometimes people who aren't well inside their heads do mean and bad things."
"What... what about Papa. He... he..."
This stopped Sanria for a moment. Orn was full nearing thirteen in the physical terms, but when she looked at him, she still found herself star- ing into the eyes of her little boy. If she were to be fully honest she might well crush him, and so it was with a deep breath she gave a tiny smile, "Your papa saved you."
"Yeah... she won't... hurt anyone else now."
It was the way the boy stated it that tugged at Sanria. "Yes... but what your Papa did... he... we shouldn't kill people who are sick, Orn. Re- member that."
"She... she killed a baby Mama. She sent it, I remember it."
"That is why we have magic, to help those who are sick, Orn. Even when someone does something like that."
"Mama... is Papa sick?"
Sanria looked at Orn for a long moment, her lips quivering in their frozen smile. She couldn't help the tears that sprung to her eyes, nor the utter feeling of helplessness that washed over her as she nodded in the affirmative. "But you and Thasmudyan have magic," Orn said. "You can help him. I'll help too... if you show me how."
"Orn... what is wrong with your Papa... I can't fix. Thasmudyan can't either without really hurting your Papa and maybe killing him. Your Papa will have to figure out what he has to do."
"But Papa doesn't have magic. How is he supposed to fix it? We can help him. I can ask the trees."
Sanria gave a nod and swallowed back her thoughts. She desperately needed to hide the fact that she couldn't let go of what had happened. Colin had killed someone in a black makou fit - but more, he had decided to go along knowing it might happen. There was a part of her heart that had broken completely, but it was of no use. Orn watched her face. "What is it?" he asked.
"I don't think I can be your Papa's wife anymore. I'll still be your Mama-"
"Wh... what? Why?"
"I can't fix what is wrong with your Papa, Orn... and it hurts my heart very much."
"But we can help him," Orn said. "We can help him fix it, right? He scared me... but he's a good dad, isn't he?"
"He's a good Dad, Orn. And we'll help him... but I will just help him as a friend and as your Mom."
It surprised her how well Orn took the news, and she watched the boy run out to the stream beyond. She knew he would be safe - Arlenia was not a threat, yet that brought small comfort with the knowledge of how she was ended. Sanria climbed the stairs to her bedroom, her heart heavy, and stared at a book - waiting for an inevitable conversation. One where she steadied Colin for being without a wife.
Mists of Confusion
It was absolutely silent as Sanria advanced. The mist seemed to come from nowhere and everywhere at once, cool and moist. Sanria could see no farther than an arms-length in front of her, yet something compelled her forward. "Hello?" she called out tentatively, though there was no answer. The mists continued to grow thicker until Sanria stood where not even her hands were visible.
Suddenly, from the mists, a man stepped into her path. As though willing the mists to bend around him, he stood clearly - his skin dazzling gold, the same color of his armor. His eyes burned brightly and locked onto Sanria.
Absolute fear flooded her body. The last time she had seen a being with golden skin like this, it was Velentham, and he wanted to take her from the material plane. A celestial... and this one was huge. Her breathing suddenly increased and sweat broke on her forehead even though a chill hung in the air.
She couldn't scream. She couldn't speak. She spun around but could see nothing in the mists as the man began striding toward her. In a panic, bolted. She knew from past experience that the minute a celestial touched you, they could alter your mind. She had to find her way home, she had to get the hell out of here, she had-
Sanria's mind ceased wandering as she collided with the thick trunk of the tree before her. She collapsed onto the ground, the mists swirling around her body as the golden man arrived and looked down at her unconscious form.
Suddenly, from the mists, a man stepped into her path. As though willing the mists to bend around him, he stood clearly - his skin dazzling gold, the same color of his armor. His eyes burned brightly and locked onto Sanria.
Absolute fear flooded her body. The last time she had seen a being with golden skin like this, it was Velentham, and he wanted to take her from the material plane. A celestial... and this one was huge. Her breathing suddenly increased and sweat broke on her forehead even though a chill hung in the air.
She couldn't scream. She couldn't speak. She spun around but could see nothing in the mists as the man began striding toward her. In a panic, bolted. She knew from past experience that the minute a celestial touched you, they could alter your mind. She had to find her way home, she had to get the hell out of here, she had-
Sanria's mind ceased wandering as she collided with the thick trunk of the tree before her. She collapsed onto the ground, the mists swirling around her body as the golden man arrived and looked down at her unconscious form.
To Orn and Back Again (1-3)
With the statement that Thasmudyan would do his best to ensure no one died, Sanria, Thasmudyan, and Colin entered into a moonwell and arrived at the village on the Dark Continent. Immediately, Sanria could see Colin going to the defensive. She could see it in his very posture. This time, how- ever, she stood back. This time she would not stop him. If she continued to prevent him from learning how to handle himself, he'd never learn. In a way, this was a good test, though it scared her... he... scared her.
When Banion, the village elder, came out to greet Colin, it was all Sanria could do not to intervene. Colin had his hands on the hilts of his swords, demanding to know where Arlenia had gone. Sanria watched the elder man, seeing the fear on his face, seeing Colin bear down on him, and her soul ached.
Sanria turned and headed up the mountain path, leaving Colin and Thasmud- yan behind. She arrived at the top of the mountain and stared out over the Sea of Swords. Again, she tried to reach Orn and found nothing. She had never felt so helpless. The deep seated demon of doubt clawed at her heart and dispair flowed into her mind. What if she couldn't reach Orn in time? What if Arlenia did kill him? What would she do?
The sound of footfalls reached her ears as Colin and Thasmudyan arrived. "Sanria... I'm sorry," Colin began. "Maybe you're right. Maybe I should stay behind."
Frustration flooded Sanria. Colin had ignored her wishes to even come this far, bullied an old man, and now was ready to go back home. Logic should have spoken to her, but Sanria could see nothing but her anger. She fought the suggestion with silence.
"Perhaps I could try something," Thasmudyan said. "Do you have something of Orn's?"
Have something of Orn's. Sanria fought the irritation at the question and pulled from her pocket the boy's ear still wrapped in bloody gauze. She held it out to Thasmudyan. "Will this do?"
"He's farther north. A pretty good distance," Thasmudyan said.
It was all Sanria needed. Through her rage, she tried to cast a moonwell, but couldn't manage to make it happen. Tears broke from her eyes as she encanted again and again. Colin laid a comforting hand on her shoulder, and just as easily, Sanria shrugged it off. Finally, the spell took hold. The trio landed in Waterdeep, and before Thasmudyan had gotten completely out of the well, Sanria turned toward him. "Here? Is he here?"
"North."
Again, Sanria cast her spell, landing the group in Port Llast. Desperation that she had successfully fought now threatened to send her into a frenzy. "He's in that direction, toward the inn," Thasmudyan said.
Sanria led the way, bursting into the inn. "Excuse me, have you seen a boy, he's about yay big..." Sanria held her hand up to her chest. The innkeep, a spindly old man, stared at her for a long moment. "He's my son," Sanria continued. "He's lost."
"I think you're looking for the police," the man quipped.
"No," Sanria said, her ire rising. "We believe he is here. ORN!"
"M'am, I'll have to get the authorities -"
"ORN!"
Sanria heard nothing as she raced up the stairs, her heart pounding. Only two rooms, only two choices. She went to the first and found the door unlocked. With Thasmudyan and Colin behind her, she opened it and froze in place. Arlenia sat on the bed, Orn's head in her lap, gently stroking his hair with one hand while the other held a dagger to his throat.
"I knew you'd come," Arlenia said, and the voice sent chills through Sanria's body. Orn lay there, his head bandaged as well as his hand. Arlenia pointed toward the table. "I was just about to send his finger, then I heard this one shouting."
Sanria looked at Arlenia in disbelief. She took a step forward, and the gladiatrix tensed immediately. "Not another step or I'll kill him right now."
Sanria obediantly stopped, looking on helplessly. "Arlenia," Colin said in a near growl, "You give me my son."
"He should have been ours. Yours and mine. Ah well, too bad."
"You did this to yourself. You didn't wait for me," Colin said.
"You aren't a good liar. Had you said that to me long ago, I might have believed you. Now?"
"You should have waited for me."
"I don't believe you."
At Colin's advance, Arlenia pressed the knife enough to bring blood from Orn's neck. Sanria felt herself swoon. "Not another step."
"You're going to pay for this," Colin threatened.
"When I knew that you weren't coming back to me, I killed your child. When you still didn't come, I knew you would if I took this one. If I can't have you as anything else, I'll have you as my killer."
With swiftness, Arlenia plunged the dagger into Orn's neck. Sanria's world went dark. When she awoke, Orn was huddled by Thasmudyan, staring up at his father in fear before running to her. She looked over and saw Arlenia's head on the ground and Colin's swords in the woman's chest.
Sanria rose, holding Orn close as the boy sobbed, all his emotions finally released. She looked at Colin, then to the body, and back again. Blood covered the gladiator, and Sanria knew then she could never look on Colin the same way again. "I'll be home soon," he said. Sanria barely nodded as she vanished with Orn.
When Banion, the village elder, came out to greet Colin, it was all Sanria could do not to intervene. Colin had his hands on the hilts of his swords, demanding to know where Arlenia had gone. Sanria watched the elder man, seeing the fear on his face, seeing Colin bear down on him, and her soul ached.
Sanria turned and headed up the mountain path, leaving Colin and Thasmud- yan behind. She arrived at the top of the mountain and stared out over the Sea of Swords. Again, she tried to reach Orn and found nothing. She had never felt so helpless. The deep seated demon of doubt clawed at her heart and dispair flowed into her mind. What if she couldn't reach Orn in time? What if Arlenia did kill him? What would she do?
The sound of footfalls reached her ears as Colin and Thasmudyan arrived. "Sanria... I'm sorry," Colin began. "Maybe you're right. Maybe I should stay behind."
Frustration flooded Sanria. Colin had ignored her wishes to even come this far, bullied an old man, and now was ready to go back home. Logic should have spoken to her, but Sanria could see nothing but her anger. She fought the suggestion with silence.
"Perhaps I could try something," Thasmudyan said. "Do you have something of Orn's?"
Have something of Orn's. Sanria fought the irritation at the question and pulled from her pocket the boy's ear still wrapped in bloody gauze. She held it out to Thasmudyan. "Will this do?"
"He's farther north. A pretty good distance," Thasmudyan said.
It was all Sanria needed. Through her rage, she tried to cast a moonwell, but couldn't manage to make it happen. Tears broke from her eyes as she encanted again and again. Colin laid a comforting hand on her shoulder, and just as easily, Sanria shrugged it off. Finally, the spell took hold. The trio landed in Waterdeep, and before Thasmudyan had gotten completely out of the well, Sanria turned toward him. "Here? Is he here?"
"North."
Again, Sanria cast her spell, landing the group in Port Llast. Desperation that she had successfully fought now threatened to send her into a frenzy. "He's in that direction, toward the inn," Thasmudyan said.
Sanria led the way, bursting into the inn. "Excuse me, have you seen a boy, he's about yay big..." Sanria held her hand up to her chest. The innkeep, a spindly old man, stared at her for a long moment. "He's my son," Sanria continued. "He's lost."
"I think you're looking for the police," the man quipped.
"No," Sanria said, her ire rising. "We believe he is here. ORN!"
"M'am, I'll have to get the authorities -"
"ORN!"
Sanria heard nothing as she raced up the stairs, her heart pounding. Only two rooms, only two choices. She went to the first and found the door unlocked. With Thasmudyan and Colin behind her, she opened it and froze in place. Arlenia sat on the bed, Orn's head in her lap, gently stroking his hair with one hand while the other held a dagger to his throat.
"I knew you'd come," Arlenia said, and the voice sent chills through Sanria's body. Orn lay there, his head bandaged as well as his hand. Arlenia pointed toward the table. "I was just about to send his finger, then I heard this one shouting."
Sanria looked at Arlenia in disbelief. She took a step forward, and the gladiatrix tensed immediately. "Not another step or I'll kill him right now."
Sanria obediantly stopped, looking on helplessly. "Arlenia," Colin said in a near growl, "You give me my son."
"He should have been ours. Yours and mine. Ah well, too bad."
"You did this to yourself. You didn't wait for me," Colin said.
"You aren't a good liar. Had you said that to me long ago, I might have believed you. Now?"
"You should have waited for me."
"I don't believe you."
At Colin's advance, Arlenia pressed the knife enough to bring blood from Orn's neck. Sanria felt herself swoon. "Not another step."
"You're going to pay for this," Colin threatened.
"When I knew that you weren't coming back to me, I killed your child. When you still didn't come, I knew you would if I took this one. If I can't have you as anything else, I'll have you as my killer."
With swiftness, Arlenia plunged the dagger into Orn's neck. Sanria's world went dark. When she awoke, Orn was huddled by Thasmudyan, staring up at his father in fear before running to her. She looked over and saw Arlenia's head on the ground and Colin's swords in the woman's chest.
Sanria rose, holding Orn close as the boy sobbed, all his emotions finally released. She looked at Colin, then to the body, and back again. Blood covered the gladiator, and Sanria knew then she could never look on Colin the same way again. "I'll be home soon," he said. Sanria barely nodded as she vanished with Orn.
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.
Deep Thoughts
Sanria sat on the balcony outside her bedroom. Her thoughts drifted over the last months of her life, and the past couple of days. Things with Colin had been great - Orn was growing quickly, Leandra was also, and she was even pregnant for a third time (to at least have one child that grew at a normal rate). She and Colin had talked more than ever, they had become friends in a way they never had before. Velentham had vanished and not returned... everything was good... except for Arlenia.
The girl had been pregnant with Colin's child, and when she found out Colin wasn't coming back to her, Arlenia had killed it. The boxes Sanria got in the post were from her - intended for Colin. Pieces of the baby. Sanria had been discrete, burying the child piece by piece in the garden. All had gone well until Orn opened one of the boxes. She had to sit Colin down and break the news to him, a man who revered life, that his child had been snuffed out and dismembered.
Sanria had watched Colin struggle with the darkness inside of himself. He was ready to go right then to do Gods knew what to Arlenia, but Sanria had succeeded in keeping him together. She knew then that Colin would have to learn to control the black makou that rode on his temper whenever he was threatened. Arlenia was sick and in his own way, so was Colin.
Life continued on much as it had before, until Orn went missing.
The girl had been pregnant with Colin's child, and when she found out Colin wasn't coming back to her, Arlenia had killed it. The boxes Sanria got in the post were from her - intended for Colin. Pieces of the baby. Sanria had been discrete, burying the child piece by piece in the garden. All had gone well until Orn opened one of the boxes. She had to sit Colin down and break the news to him, a man who revered life, that his child had been snuffed out and dismembered.
Sanria had watched Colin struggle with the darkness inside of himself. He was ready to go right then to do Gods knew what to Arlenia, but Sanria had succeeded in keeping him together. She knew then that Colin would have to learn to control the black makou that rode on his temper whenever he was threatened. Arlenia was sick and in his own way, so was Colin.
Life continued on much as it had before, until Orn went missing.
Change of Heart and Soul
A bead of sweat trailed down the young man's face as he faced his opponent in all it's glory. It... Yes, the thing surely was an it. Impossible to call... it.. either male or female. Whoever or whatever it... was at the moment the young man was getting his ass kicked by it. He quickly brought his shield up to block a sword attack and saw a brief change of expression as his opponent uttered words. The young man braced himself for the attack, knowing he had made a fatal mistake in leaving himself completely open for it. He went down hard, coughing up the blood that poured into his throat angirly. Bested by a bug. As instantly as the young man felt the sting of defeat and saw his vision blackening he felt the deep tingling as his opponent magically mended his wounds. By the Gods that hurt! His opponent walked away, muttering something to it's self as the young man puzzled over the complexity of mind that could slay a man effortlessly, heal him, and leave him all in almost the same breath.
Sliver, however, had it's mind on something unrelated to the physical sparring that had just taken place. A path. Two to be more precise. Two very different directions. One of the present and future which held great rewards and certainties and challenges that could definately entertain and hold it's attention for years to come... But... A slight pang of a life long past came over the creature as it shed it's claok and swords. A deep sagging of the shoulders was the only clue of the turmoil of thoughts within the blank faced bug like creature. Sliver stretched it's limbs and stepped onto the hot sand of the desert. No need for weapons here. This was familiar territory. This was a place to be free of the restraints of humanity and be like ancestors of old... But still, even this freedom did nothing to settle the mind.
Sliver allowed the intrusion of memories from the past. Brothers. That's how Sliver had thought of them. They had taken the Priest in maybe for their own gain, but regardless it had been a life changing experience. The situation had satisfied urges in the bug that nothing else had. And then it had been dashed away. They had all been gone. There, but not there like it was before.
Sliver brought those thoughts back to the present with a frustrated grunt. But that was the past, and as much as the longing was for that kinship, it wasn't to be...
Sliver's chin lifted slightly at the thought of what COULD be in the future if the right path was chosen right now. The opportunity was there... All the Priest had to do was reach out and grab it...
Sliver reached out a limb and impaled a small mouse that was bleeding from some battle and on it's last limb on a a claw. The bug tilted it's head to the side, studying the mouse as it struggled slightly. Words of healing were uttered as Sliver placed the creature back on the ground, disturbed with the battle that played on it's mind. Sighing Sliver rationed that the memories were enough. Substance was needed for a complete life. The soul of the bug like creature tugged in one direction and would not be denied.
Decision made, Sliver whipped around quickly, running back to the edge of the sand to gather equipment that was more annoying than useful at the current moment in time. Quickly the priest stuffed cloak weapons and all into a seemingly bottomless backpack and threw it over shoulders encased in it's scarred shell exterior. Sliver knew where to find the man that was sought. He'd be waiting. He knew... He'd always known. When no one else did, he did. Maybe a formal request would be better in this case... Pushing the disturbing thought away, Sliver hurried to the future and the possibilities it holds.
Sliver, however, had it's mind on something unrelated to the physical sparring that had just taken place. A path. Two to be more precise. Two very different directions. One of the present and future which held great rewards and certainties and challenges that could definately entertain and hold it's attention for years to come... But... A slight pang of a life long past came over the creature as it shed it's claok and swords. A deep sagging of the shoulders was the only clue of the turmoil of thoughts within the blank faced bug like creature. Sliver stretched it's limbs and stepped onto the hot sand of the desert. No need for weapons here. This was familiar territory. This was a place to be free of the restraints of humanity and be like ancestors of old... But still, even this freedom did nothing to settle the mind.
Sliver allowed the intrusion of memories from the past. Brothers. That's how Sliver had thought of them. They had taken the Priest in maybe for their own gain, but regardless it had been a life changing experience. The situation had satisfied urges in the bug that nothing else had. And then it had been dashed away. They had all been gone. There, but not there like it was before.
Sliver brought those thoughts back to the present with a frustrated grunt. But that was the past, and as much as the longing was for that kinship, it wasn't to be...
Sliver's chin lifted slightly at the thought of what COULD be in the future if the right path was chosen right now. The opportunity was there... All the Priest had to do was reach out and grab it...
Sliver reached out a limb and impaled a small mouse that was bleeding from some battle and on it's last limb on a a claw. The bug tilted it's head to the side, studying the mouse as it struggled slightly. Words of healing were uttered as Sliver placed the creature back on the ground, disturbed with the battle that played on it's mind. Sighing Sliver rationed that the memories were enough. Substance was needed for a complete life. The soul of the bug like creature tugged in one direction and would not be denied.
Decision made, Sliver whipped around quickly, running back to the edge of the sand to gather equipment that was more annoying than useful at the current moment in time. Quickly the priest stuffed cloak weapons and all into a seemingly bottomless backpack and threw it over shoulders encased in it's scarred shell exterior. Sliver knew where to find the man that was sought. He'd be waiting. He knew... He'd always known. When no one else did, he did. Maybe a formal request would be better in this case... Pushing the disturbing thought away, Sliver hurried to the future and the possibilities it holds.
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