Thursday, December 20, 2012
Just keep Swimming
Goddard keeps his eyes closed for the most part and then opens them when the sun doesn't seem as bright. He's floated under the branch of a tree. But Aara was right. It's easier when you keep your eyes closed. He puts a leg down, thinking he's still in shallow water and will touch the bottom but he can't feel it and panics.
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Aara catches him before his head goes under. "It's alright," she says, holding him close and treading water. "Stay calm, I have you."
ReplyDelete"Why are we on this side?" he whispers trying to calm himself.
ReplyDelete"Because I'm teaching you how to tread water. I want you to start kicking- no, not that wild, you're doing it wron-" She goes under, but manages to keep his head above water. When she rises, sputtering, she laughs. "Like I'm doing, slow and steady. That's it," she says.
ReplyDelete"Leeeccaaaiii!" He sounds like he's on the verge of tears. "I'm going to drown you! Don't drown!" Goddard very softly whispers to himself in druhir.
ReplyDeleteCalm down idiot...you won't drown yourself, you'll drown her! Don't drown her! You'll be fine. Breath!
"Hayati, I'm fine," she says patiently, pushing hair out of her eyes. "You aren't going to drown me. Just kick your legs, slow and steady."
ReplyDeleteHis ears are drooped and his brow is furrowed the whole time he tries to tread water. Aara can now tell that his facial mutation makes it difficult for him to not end up swallowing a good bit of water.
ReplyDeleteGoddard coughs a lot but not because he's drowning or panicking, but because it simply can't be helped.
His mutation. I touch his face all the time, even kiss him, but still I forget.
ReplyDelete"Are you alright?" she asks softly. "Tilt your head back a little, that might help."
He just nods and does as she says. "This is hard...but...how am I doing?" he forces a smile but still looks distressed.
ReplyDelete"You're doing wonderfully," she tells him, smiling. "I'll make you another al'solooq tonight if you like. You can eat it off my stomach if you want," she adds wickedly. Slowly, she draws him closer to the shallow end. He still can't quite touch, but she can see his distress decrease a bit.
ReplyDeleteGoddard's ears perk up for a moment at the mention of finally combining two of his favorite things and then quickly droop again when he remembers he need to make it out of this alive first.
ReplyDelete"That was a risk," he mumbles. "You saying that. That could have motivated me or distracted me to the bottom of this pool."
She grins. "I feel it was a valid encouragement." She pulls away from him so that he's supporting himself completely. "Not bad, nuur'eni, not bad at all."
ReplyDelete"Can I take a break?" he pleads. "To catch my breath."
ReplyDelete"Of course, use your arms to propel yourself forward like this." She demonstrates, then starts moving backward to keep an eye on him.
ReplyDelete"I mean just stand," he whines and reluctantly does what she tells him.
ReplyDelete"You still have to move forward until you can touch," she reminds him. "It's only a few feet."
ReplyDeleteShe says a few feet and it feels like miles for him. Once he gets to the shallow end, he sits on the edge of the pool and wipes the water from off his face.
ReplyDeleteShe sits next to him and wrings out her hair. "You did great, Goddard," she says proudly. "I know you were anxious, but you did it."
ReplyDeleteHe runs his arm across where his nose would be and takes a shaky breath. "That was more frighting than dealing with those creatures in Naggaroth."
ReplyDelete"I know, love." She stands, gets a towel, and takes it to him. "I think we're done for the day, don't you?"
ReplyDelete"Very done! I don't mind this place but the water...I'm not doing that again anytime soon." He puts the towel over his head and begins to dry his hair.
ReplyDeleteHe looks at Aara and smiles, his hair a big mess. "Thank you. It wasn't much fun but it helped."
"As long as you think you could do it again if we were to go overboard," she tells him. "Just enough to stay above water till I could get to you." She drops a kiss on the top of his head. "I'm going to dry off and change."
ReplyDeleteGoddard stands up and follows her. "Isn't this backwards? Shouldn't I be saving you? You keep saving me and I'm starting to feel kind of useless," he jokes.
ReplyDelete"I'm the muscle," she teases. "You get us into sticky situations, and I make sure we live through them. Besides, I have a feeling you'll be the one who saves us all before this is over," she adds softly.
ReplyDelete"It's not my fault we get into situations," he says trying to sound offended. "It's...well...let's just say it's the rat's fault. That seems more reasonable."
ReplyDeleteShe laughs. "It's not your fault yet."
ReplyDelete"I can accept that," he laughs.
ReplyDelete"So...Siba has done the same as you? She has tattoos," he asks quietly when they get to the changing area.
"Yes. She and Ali met not long after Koroush took me in. The sultan had just given him the loan to set up the safehouse."
ReplyDelete"What are your weddings like here? Are they colorful?"
ReplyDelete"Very. The night before there is a gathering of women, where they paint the brides hands and feet with henna and talk of the wedding night. Then the wedding is full of colorful dresses and decorations and so much food. There's music and dancing and the party lasts till dawn."
ReplyDelete"That sounds like a lot of fun. And beautiful. Is there anything around here that isn't beautiful?'
ReplyDeleteAara looks away as she starts to dress. "Yes. There are cramped little shacks so poorly built you can see between the boards at night. And dirty little children who've lost their right hand because they were starving to death. Wells where the water isn't clean and camps where lepers live." She looks back up at him after a moment. "I've shown you the best side of Araby, Goddard, but don't think it isn't like everywhere else."
ReplyDelete"I didn't mean...I meant more..." he grits his teeth. "I'm sorry...You said yourself I do and say dumb things..."
ReplyDeleteHalf dressed, she smiles and pats his jaw. "Don't be sorry. Or grit your teeth. Those with the means live as if it's an art, and I have just enough connection with it to both take advantage of it and be uncomfortable with the splendor. But yes, there are many parts of Araby where it's just a dusty little town and not the richness of a palace."
ReplyDelete"Everywhere is beautiful if you're there," he smiles.
ReplyDelete"I think your vision is biased," she laughs.
ReplyDeleteGoddard pulls his shirt and tabard over his head. "Naggaroth was warm because I had you. And layers of clothing...but mostly because of you."
ReplyDeleteShe meets his gaze. "I would have died there after Death Night if it weren't for you, you realize that, don't you? I don't think I could have lived with- what did Blastibitz call it- my other self."
ReplyDelete"I'm glad that he was able to help you and I'm sorry I couldn't help you myself," he grabs Aara and hugs her. "Next time we have any kind of problem, I demand you let me save you," he chuckles. "Or I try really hard and save myself."
ReplyDelete"You did help," she tells him. "You were there in the street, when I came out of that trance, and you watched over me while I slept. And you can save me whenever you want," she adds with a laugh.
ReplyDelete"Well good!" he kisses the top of her head and finishes getting dressed.
ReplyDelete"I'm going to go get all my stuff from the chest. Meet you there, lecai..." Goddard makes his way back to the chest quickly.
It's fine...relax...kids can't gnaw through chests...can they?
When she emerges, Siba is waiting for her outside. "Let me see them," she demands in reikspeil.
ReplyDeleteAara holds out her hands, proud of the way the swirling pattern of names reaches to the middle of her forearms.
Siba inspects them carefully. "Good. That pattern suits the shape and lines of your arms." She pauses. "What is that one?"
Aara looks at the name she points. "It's druhirr," she explains. "My first dark elf."
"Your first?"
Aara nods. "There are others, but they're not on my hands. And before you ask, yes I have them, but no you cannot see them."
Siba nods. "I understand."
Aara walks over to Goddard, watching him belt everything on. "Everything safe and sound?"
"Yeah. Kids cannot, in fact, gnaw through chests," he chuckles.
ReplyDeleteGoddard looks around and sighs. "My home isn't anywhere near as impressive as this. You sure you still want to see it? We could just rent a room at an inn," he laughs.
"I'm sure. All this...it's beautiful to look at and lovely to visit, but I don't think I want the responsibility of it. Ali says it's too much work to be wealthy," she laughs.
ReplyDelete"I agree with him. I'll take my dusty room over that stupid tower. What kind of home would you want? And where?"
ReplyDeleteAara shrugs. "I never really thought about it. What kind of question is that, anyway?" she teases. "I haven't been everywhere to choose."
ReplyDelete"What do you mean what kind of question is that? It's a valid question...isn't that something women think about? You have better start thinking! You're behind," he teases her back.
ReplyDelete"Most women, I'm sure, but I've been wandering through the desert with a prince. What woman has time to think about that when she's fighting off bandits and assassins and being a general badass?"
ReplyDeleteGoddard laughs. "Good point. Out of all the places we've been so far then. Araby, Altdorf, Kislev, Bretonnia..."
ReplyDelete"Naggaroth...Sylvania," he snickers. "Where would you want to live?"
She shrugs. "I don't know. I can ply my trade anywhere, so it doesn't really matter to me. Where do you want to live?"
ReplyDelete"Altdorf. Altdorf will always be my home. I don't want to really stay there much. I want to travel all over but when I want to go somewhere to completely turn my brain off, even for a moment, that's where I want to be. Nothing confusing. Just someplace quiet and familiar."
ReplyDelete"Then Altdorf it is. I don't care, so long as you aren't far."
ReplyDelete"You cheated," he playfully pokes her in the ribs. "You just picked what I picked."
ReplyDelete"Because it doesn't matter to me," she says, poking him back. "I own nothing except what I can carry, so it's not like I have a house or set of rooms anywhere that belongs to me. And people want other people dead all over the place, finding work won't be a problem."
ReplyDeleteGoddard smirks a bit before he even get's his thought out. "You wouldn't want to do anything else? Like dance?"
ReplyDeleteShe gives him a look that clearly says she's not amused. "You've seen me dance. I'd need lessons for a year. And then I'd be stuck in some tavern dancing for ham-fisted farmer's sons and morons from the colleges trying to put their hands all over me. Are you ok with that?"
ReplyDelete"No! No I'm not ok with that!" he blurts out. "Never mind my idea...you just go and kill people...please...and just dance for me."
ReplyDeleteHe can hear Siba laugh from her couch. Aara taps her lips with her index finger, thinking. "I imagine I could make more money dancing...I am an 'exotic flower' to use your words. I'd be a commodity."
ReplyDelete"But...no...you can make much more money killing people...right? I hope so. Go with your first idea. And I can do 'magic' tricks ok?"
ReplyDeleteAara smiles and tugs on his ear. "I promise I'll only dance for you and anyone you decide worthy. And I'll take lessons when I can so I don't make a mess of it."
ReplyDelete"I still stick by what I said before," he grins. "I liked your dancing...a lot."
ReplyDeleteShe rolls her eyes and walks him over to where Siba sits holding the baby. "Are you sure it isn't because I fell into your lap?"
ReplyDeleteGoddard follows Aara and stands a little bit behind her. "I still assume that was all part of the choreography. Best choreography I've seen."
ReplyDelete"Please, sit," Siba says, "we don't stand on ceremony here, Goddard."
ReplyDeleteAara sprawls into a cushioned chair and gestures for him to do the same. "So what's retirement like?" she asks Siba. "And how do I contact your organization when I'm in the empire?"
"I love having the time to spend with my children," she says, giving Aara a knowing look. "Write to me when you're settled, and they will contact you. Expect to travel a lot."
Aara shrugs. "I don't mind travel, do you, hayati?"
Goddard sinks into a chair as well and rests his eyes.
ReplyDeleteSo comfortable...
"I don't mind traveling at all. I like to travel."
Siba studies they way they are together. "Goddard, you do realize what we both are, don't you?" she asks curiously. "Has Aara told you about Walking Death?"
ReplyDeleteGoddard nods. "I and others of my order get called similar names. I deal in death as well."
ReplyDeleteSiba nods. "It's good that you understand. And make her so happy," she adds with a small smile. "Her options would be very limited here."
ReplyDeleteEyes closed, Aara waves a hand lazily. "Yes yes, I know. Tiny woman, very scary." She opens one eye and looks over at Goddard. "You don't think I'm scary, do you?"
Goddard leans forward and gives her an appraising look. He looks right into her eyes and says simply, "Terrifying," with a big smile on his face.
ReplyDeleteShe snorts and kicks at him lazily, missing him completely. "Sure, I'm scary. You're the one who talks to the dead."
ReplyDeleteSiba grins and leaves them to see to lunch.
"I'm not scary," he leans back. "I don't see what's so scary about talking to ghosts. Or seeing them."
ReplyDelete"And what's so scary about killing somebody who needs to become a ghost?"
ReplyDelete"Dying and living is rough. But being dead seems pretty easy. It's like a vacation," he chuckles.
ReplyDelete"It's not like I torture people to death." She pauses a moment before smiling. "Often, anyway."
ReplyDelete"Dying still isn't pretty. Ask Khaladh," Goddard laughs. "That was a mess..."
ReplyDelete"I saw. I make it quick and clean. Usually."
ReplyDeleteA sly grin creeps across Goddard's face. "As long as what happens later on isn't quick, I'll be fine."
ReplyDeleteShe winks. "We can take as long as you like."
ReplyDeleteGoddard pulls one of the small darts he uses for spell casting from the strip of fabric he keeps them in. He pricks his finger and then looks up with mischievous eyes at Aara.
ReplyDelete"How long do you think can you last?" he whispers.
She leans forward and bites her lip. "I guess we'll see."
ReplyDeleteSiba returns, followed by the same servant who brought out the chest now carrying a low, wide table and two maids with trays of food. "I didn't know we'd be having family today," Siba tells them, "I hope a simple lunch will do. Please, help yourself, Goddard."
Goddard nods and digs right into the food. "Thank you." All the swimming had made him much more hungry than he thought it would.
ReplyDeleteTarik comes running over, a soaking wet Ibben on his shoulder. "Ama! Did you know Ibben can swim? I showed him while you were gone!"
ReplyDeleteAara laughs as she starts to eat. "I didn't know that. Ibben must be much smarter than I thought."
"Did you show him or did you force him?" Goddard laughs. "He looks as happy about swimming as I was."
ReplyDeleteTarik knots his hand much the same way Aara does when she's nervous. "I taught him," he says quietly. "Like Ama taught you."
ReplyDelete"So it was forced?" he chuckles and pats Tarik's head. "I needed to be forced to learn how to swim though."
ReplyDeleteAara laughs. I'm glad this life suits Ali and Siva. And glad Goddard doesn't seem to want it.
ReplyDelete"Well if we find ourselves overboard somewhere, at least Ibben has a chance thanks to you, little love," she tells him. Ibben angrily runs to a tree and hides in it's branches, chattering away.
Aara notices the shadows growing longer and feels a hint of sadness. "Siba, we should be going."
The older woman frowns. "When will we see you next?" she asks.
"I don't know. But I will send word when I can."
Her departure from Tarik is heartwrenching, and ends as he runs away, angry and tearful. "Ibben, come along," she says, leading Goddard to the door.
Poor kid...
ReplyDeleteGoddard sighs and follows Aara. "We have to come back here...a lot. They're going to miss you. You have so many people who care about you."
She looks up at him, her eyes sad. "Can we? I would like that."
ReplyDelete"I'd make it a point to stop here as often as possible," he smiles and softly touches her cheek. "Mostly for the kid."
ReplyDeleteHe says for Tarik, but I have the feeling it's for me, too.
ReplyDelete"Thank you, hayati," she says as they mount up.
Goddard climbs up onto Zhane. "So where to now, lecai? I'll follow you anywhere...except into the water again."
ReplyDelete"I really don't know," she says. "But I won't ask you to go back into the water. Two days in a row is enough for now."
ReplyDelete"Ahhh good," he says happily. "The only water I'd be willing to deal with would be for drinking and for a bath."
ReplyDeleteThey ride slowly through the city, until Aara makes a quick turn. "Follow me," she says, grinning. "This is something you'll enjoy."
ReplyDelete"With a grin like that, I'm pretty positive I'll enjoy it as much as you think I will."
ReplyDeleteShe leads him away from the side of the city where the camp is. They pass through both rich and poor neighborhoods before leaving through a huge set of gates.
ReplyDeleteOnce in the open desert, Aara spurs Kasida into a run. Slowly in the distance he sees a series of buildings, large columns, and palace-like structures. They rise out of the sands like giants, and Aara has to stop and stare.
"I forget how majestic they are," she whispers.
"Wow." Goddard stops Zhane by Aara. "What is all this? It just sort of...appeared out of no where."
ReplyDelete"Essentially, it's a graveyard," she tells him as they start forward again. "These are the tombs of royalty."
ReplyDelete"These are huge tombs," he marvels at the buildings and other large structures. "Is there only one per building?"
ReplyDelete"For the great kings, yes. Most are family tombs."
ReplyDelete"They look a lot more comfortable than the graves I've seen. And usually it's quiet in a graveyard but this kind of quiet...this is a little unnerving," he whispers.
ReplyDelete"Because of it's size, or because we aren't supposed to be here?" she whispers back. They tie the horses off out of sight and head towards one of the openings leading in.
ReplyDelete"The kings used to have these built for the glory of their families. They sought immortality in people's memory, certain that the people would flock to worship at their shrines. Now, unless there's someone to be interned here, no one comes to visit them."
When they walk in, it's much like the tomb where they laid Koroush's father to rest. Huge murals are painted along the walls, telling stories of epic deeds and mythic tales of gods. Gold and gems are inlaid into the stone according to the wealth of the family.
Goddard gently passes his hand along the wall as he examines the work of art. "What a shame," he whispers. "That no one else may see this amazing art. Even with all this death, there is much beauty."
ReplyDelete"I always thought so too. When I was a child I would steal as much food as I could and run away. I always came here."
ReplyDelete"I like sitting in graveyards," Goddard says softly. "Everything is so still and quiet and it's easy to think. And you can say whatever you want and no one will say anything back," he chuckles. "The dead are great listeners."
ReplyDelete"Death is peaceful. I think that's why I sought it out so often," she jokes.
ReplyDeleteHe frowns. "My thoughts exactly. And sometimes I still think that. But I figure, if I'm still around, I must still be around for some reason."
ReplyDelete"I suppose so. You took flowers- roses- from the graveyard before, didn't you? I'm afraid you won't find any fresh flowers here, just aromatic herbs and such."
ReplyDelete"Um...yes I did," he laughs, a bit embarrassed. "The dead don't need flowers nor can they do anything with them. I usually don't...um...'steal' flowers like that but for such pretty ladies, I thought it was worth it."
ReplyDelete"Boy was I half wrong," he laughs.
"I still have that rose," she tells him, trailing her fingers along the wall as they walk. "Koroush pressed it for me with a cold clothespress. It was the first flower anyone had ever given me."
ReplyDeleteGoddard looks at Aara surprised. "Really?" he can't help but smile.
ReplyDeleteShe nods, looking at the walls instead of him. "Until then, I was Rayya's doll, Koroush's bodyguard, and my teacher's student. No one I spent any real time with had ever seen me differently." She glances over at him. "Was keeping it too girlish? I know children press flowers between books."
ReplyDelete"No no...not at all. I'm just surprised you'd think enough of it to keep it. I just assumed they were promptly tossed. A temporary trinket given by a silly boy," he chuckles.
ReplyDeleteShe smiles. "A trinket given by a boy who didn't look at me and see a monster."
ReplyDeleteGoddard walks over to Aara and takes her hand, looking at all her tattoos. "I'm the monster, ssinssrig. Not you."
ReplyDelete"You're not a monster, Goddard," she responds. "When will you believe me?"
ReplyDelete"When my face ceases to cause scare people to the point of passing out," he smirks.
ReplyDelete"Even that face isn't monstrous," she insists. "Just shocking."
ReplyDelete"I wish I could see myself as everyone else does. Even just for a day. So when I look into a goblet of wine or a pond or a mirror, I see this," he passes a hand over his face.
ReplyDelete"I'm sorry, lecai. I feel like I'm talking too much about my miserable self."
"I have the portrait," she offers. "It's not a reflection, but it's a near perfect likeness."
ReplyDelete"You don't think I would look ridiculous wearing it on my face?" he asks almost seriously.
ReplyDeleteShe chuckles. "Silly elf. If there were a way to see yourself through someone else's eyes, I would help."
ReplyDeleteGoddard looks at her thoughtfully. "I have plenty of eyes that belonged to other people...maybe I can swap them out."
ReplyDelete"Hmm, no, I don't think so. Those eyes might look at be differently, and I'm not sure I'd like that."
ReplyDelete"Maybe I can at least make them match. Shall I find a match for the white one," he covers up his left eye with a hand. "Or a match for the grey one?" he then covers his right eye.
ReplyDelete"I like them as they are. Why change?" They come to a room filled with stone coffins. The ceiling was painted to be a night sky, and the room is dark and glitters with gems in the stone. In the farthest corner is a nest of blankets and trinkets.
ReplyDeleteGoddard shrugs and laughs. "I don't really want to change them. That's one of the things I do like and are still a constant. No matter what, illusion or not, my eyes are different colors."
ReplyDeleteHe looks up at the ceiling and gasps. "This is amazing. Is there any significance to this besides looking beautiful?"
"And what's that?" he asks once he spots the blankets. "Was someone here?"
"I was," she answers softly, kneeling beside them. "It's said our stories are written in the stars if you are wise enough to read them. When I ran away, it was always to this room." She picks up a silver ring, plain and inexpensive to her now, but a fortune then. "I wanted to find my story, and these stars never slept."
ReplyDeleteGoddard kneels beside Aara and holds one of her hands. "Oh lecai...you were here alone?"
ReplyDelete"I was born under the witchling star, though I think the fact that I'm asur is what pushed me toward the path of magic," he finally says after being quiet for a moment.
"I liked it, being alone here. I didn't have to share anything. This place is probably more home to me than anywhere else." She slips the ring on her finger, glancing over the other things she'd stolen. It was junk, mostly: a ball of string, a wooden doll, a green glass bead, and a tattered purple ribbon.
ReplyDelete"This was where I came to escape."
Goddard takes Aara's hand and looks at the ring. He then looks at his hands and pulls one of his rings off. He then pulls Aara's ring off and puts his ring on her finger and her ring on his finger. "Hmm the size wasn't far off at all."
ReplyDeleteShe stares at him while he changes her ring, her mind blank. "I- that's- I-" She pauses to collect her thoughts. "But that's just a plain little ring."
ReplyDeleteHe shrugs. "We can look at them and think about each other and be together even if we are apart. Nothing is just a plain little anything. We attach memories and emotions to objects and the Amethyst winds blow when we think of those attached memories."
ReplyDelete"Oh." She closes her hand, the unfamiliar weight of the ring making her movement cautious. He loves his amethysts. A thin band of gems, it glitters in the low light. "I-" She pauses again. "Thank you."
ReplyDelete"And thank you." He admires his new ring, twisting it on his finger.
ReplyDeleteAara stands, dusting dirt from her knees. "You'll have to tell me more of those winds some day." Walking over to a wall, she presses what looks to be a star carved in the stone wall. "You'll want a light for this," she says, grinning.
ReplyDelete"Secret passages? Sneaky," he laughs. He quickly whispers a few words that are now familiar to Aara as he takes one of the skulls off his belt and uses it as a lantern.
ReplyDelete"What's this?"
She starts down a steep set of stairs, carefully testing each before she puts all her weight on it. "Do you remember the cavern I found in the caves? Where we went swimming?"
ReplyDelete"Lecai! You said no more swimming!" he snorts. "But yes...I do remember."
ReplyDelete"There shouldn't be any water down here. At least, I don't smell any." They continue down the stairs for a long time, until the air is chill and they have the sense of being underground.
ReplyDeleteFinally the stairs open into a large cavern. There's a long stone table, covered with embalming tools and strips of linen. On one wall is a bookshelf and a handful of beds, all covered with a thick layer of dust.
"They still used this when I was here. The bone priests would come and live here for thirteen days, preparing the body for the afterlife."
"Wow. Did they just sort of ignore you?" Goddard fights the urge to walk straight for the books. He probably wouldn't understand them anyway.
ReplyDelete"That's an awfully long time to spend preparing a body. We worry more about preparing the spirit."
"I hid when I could, helped when I couldn't. They would feed me when I did. And for us, preparing the body is as important as the soul. They believe the soul has thirteen days to learn what it can in preparation for their next life. So while they dress the body, they do these complex chants meant to educate the soul listening."
ReplyDelete"Very interesting how different cultures view death. I wonder how much merit any of it actually has."
ReplyDeleteShe shrugs. "It makes people feel better to think someone will take care of them after they're gone. It's that feeling of security that matters I think."
ReplyDelete"All I need to know is that I have the fair to pay the ferryman," he taps the two coins attached to his cloak.
ReplyDeleteShe grins and taps the gold stud in her nose. "This should do it for me," she laughs.
ReplyDelete"It must be getting late. We still have to ride out to the camp and feed Tannin. And I want to say goodbye to Koroush."
Goddard nods. "We've been pretty busy today. But I enjoyed it. Can we stop by the safe house before we head to the camp? I'd like to grab my miniature library."
ReplyDelete"Of course. And you've fed Tannin twice already, don't think you can do it a third," she lectures as they go up the stairs. "I'll say goodbye and meet you at his tent."
ReplyDeleteOnce they reach their horses and travel back across the sands, Goddard heads off to retrieve his things.
ReplyDeleteThis must be hard on her...saying good bye to all these people...why don't you just stay lecai?
Aara promises to meet him in the camp, then rides off to find Koroush. It's later than she thought, because the stars are beginning to come out. If I do this now, before we leave, it won't be so hard. It doesn't take long to reach his tent, but she paces before it anyway, rolling words around her mind. Taking a deep breath, she calls out.
ReplyDelete"Master...?"
Koroush looks up to see Aara's shape through the fabric of his tent. "Come in, Aara, please," he says, rising from the table where he works. She has come to say goodbye.
Aara enters, the sadness evident on her face. "We're leaving tomorrow, I think," she says softly. She looks small and younger than her twenty-one years, as if the thought of leaving her protector, friend, and master has reduced her to a girl again.
"Yes, I know," he says, gesturing for her to sit on one of the many cushions strewn about the tent. "You have everything you need?" he asks, sitting across from her.
Aara nods, her hands knotting as she makes several mudras in quick succession. "You've made sure I have enough jasmine oil to last me a year or more."
He smiles and touches her hair. "I know how you like to wear it in your hair. And as a tea, as well. You'll find plenty of that amongst your things. As well as new clothing."
"Koroush, I don't know what to say..." Her soft voice trails off, not looking at him. "You've been my world for so long."
"And now it's time for you to find the rest of the world," he tells her. "Goddard has promised to take care of you, and I know you well enough to know you will take more care of him than he you." He reaches across the short distance for her hand. "I know your feelings for each other, and I can not blame him. You are a rare flower, little shadow. Strong and delicate, merciless and kind. Some of your greatest strengths are your greatest weaknesses. You will always have a home here, Aara, but I cannot ask you to stay when I know how badly you want to go." He reaches for the table and hands her a wooden box. "I took the liberty of having some new daggers made for you. These four are the best quality available, and perfectly balanced."
Aara opens the box and gasps. "That's...that's my name," she whispers. Along the blade, in a beautiful reikspeil script, is engraved Shadowed Sword of Walking Death. "Master, they're beautiful."
He chuckles, watching her change the old daggers in her boots and arm sheaths for the new. "I cannot have you running after vengeance in my name if your weapons are inadequate. And, I wanted you to remember us."
"Master, I..."
He shakes his head. "I am not your master, Aara. Not anymore. Do not look to me for answers. From the moment we met, I loved you as my own sister, and your light was such a comfort when we were far from home. But now it is time for you to walk your own road. This is where we part, old friend."
Aara rises, tears in her eyes. "Thank you," she whispers, "for everything." She throws herself at him, wrapping her arms around his neck and breathing in his sandalwood scent. "Goodbye, Koroush."
He chuckles, running his hand over her silken hair. "We will meet again, little pickpocket. I am sure of it in my soul."
Nodding, Aara walks away, pausing at the tent entrance. Her tears slip silently down her cheeks, but she doesn't look back at him. Lifting her chin, she steps outside and walks off in search of Goddard.
Koroush watches her carefully when she stops, her back straight but her head bowed. I knew this day would come, he thinks sadly. I hope she is prepared. And that the world- and Goddard- is prepared for her. He chuckles softly. Allay help him if he is not. He holds the sharpest blade in the palm of his hand now, and she has never hesitated to strike.
Aara quickly finds Goddard sitting by a small fire, writing in his book. Zhane is standing behind him and looks almost like he's watching over Goddard's shoulder.
ReplyDeleteAara just sits down next to him and lays her head on his shoulder, sighing.
ReplyDelete"Are you ok?" he asks softly, not looking up from his book. Aara can see he's not actually writing anything but drawing. She can recognize a drawing of a small fire, maybe the one right in front of him, but the designs around the fire, don't seem to make sense.
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ReplyDelete"Yes," she whispers. "He said...lots of things. Weren't you a little afraid when you left Otto? I'm more afraid to leave Koroush that I ever was my actual family."
ReplyDeleteLooking at his drawing, she frowns. "What are those around it?"
Godard stops drawing for a moment and thinks.
ReplyDelete"I was afraid at first to leave father. I...love him," he grumbles. "He's all I've ever had. But I was more excited about what I might see. And I knew he'd probably shove me out the door to go on this adventure."
"When someone 'let's you go' it means they have faith in your abilities and who you are as an individual. If father didn't think I could handle this, he would have come found me and dragged me back," he chuckles.
"Koroush has faith in you and you should have faith in yourself. Don't be afraid," he smiles.
He goes back to his drawing. "It's the Winds."
"I'm glad you went adventuring. And I know you're right, and I know that if I want to keep this new independence, I can't stay here. And I want to see more of the world." Her brow crinkles. "The Winds? Is that what you see flying around all the time?"
ReplyDelete"Only when I want to see it. Otherwise, I may actually want to pull my eyes out of my head. It's always everywhere and affects everything. This is the wind of Aqshy, the winds of fire."
ReplyDeleteHe chuckles a bit. "Well...in my picture it isn't red because I don't have red ink but you get the idea."
"I can see how it would get distracting. Do the winds of Aqshy affect only physical heat and fire?"
ReplyDeleteHe smiles. "No. If I had been paying attention the other night, I would have seen the red wind blowing all around us, filling that room."
ReplyDeleteShe blushes a little. "Oh, I see. It must be beautiful to see all that swirling around."
ReplyDelete"At times it is. At other times it's really distracting. Sometimes you need a distraction."
ReplyDeleteHe's quiet for a long while, tapping dots onto the image. "You...you know what Tannin said?" he suddenly asks sounding a bit confused. "I went to see him so when you got back he could eat...and he said...he already had eaten and he didn't need us."
"He's already eaten?" She frowns, turning her attention to the general atmosphere of the camp. "But- on who? Or what? It's too calm for anyone to have seen a vampire feeding. And that's not something that would go unnoticed or talked about."
ReplyDelete"I don't know. I didn't ask anything more because I was a bit shocked. This could possibly be a good thing? He's learned to take care of himself without alerting others?"
ReplyDeleteShe rubs her wrist. "I suppose so. I know I won't miss the headache after."
ReplyDelete"I won't miss making a fool of myself," he mumbles.
ReplyDeleteShe nudges him gently. "You didn't make a fool of yourself last night," she giggles.
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