Once she spots the walls surrounding Altdorf, Aara reigns in her horse. I can't do this. I can't go into his city and tell him about his father. Swallowing hard, she calls out to Goddard, trying to smile when he turns to look at her.
"Nuur'eni, let's celebrate," she suggests. "Let's go to the bath house and indulge ourselves a while. A bath, the steamroom, a massage. We deserve it, don't you think?"
"A nice hot bath sounds like heaven," Goddard sighs. "I'm tired of being caked in blood. My own or otherwise." He suddenly takes a deep breath mid laugh and is quiet for a moment.
ReplyDelete"We'd have to rent the whole place. I can't be naked without someone freaking out about my tail. Well...the back tail anyway," he snickers.
Aara raises an eyebrow at him. "I'm sure we can do that. Order some food and just languish in decadence for a bit." Walking her horse forward, she toys with her braid. "And a room at the inn, too, maybe? Something wickedly lovely."
ReplyDelete"I know if a perfect place. That'd be so much better than the dark gloomy tower. I could have you all to myself without any possible interruptions. Any more ideas? You seem to be full of good ones."
ReplyDelete"Run away and live in sinful pleasure all our days?" she asks hopefully. "No Araby, no Altdorf. Just us."
ReplyDeleteGoddard looks at her a bit surprised. "No more smelly camel fights, or dancers, or chocolate, or spiked chaos beasts?" he asks with a chuckle. "You'd miss all of that. Don't worry, we'll be able to travel back and forth."
ReplyDeleteI'd trade it all for peace, she thinks. "Those things are lovely, but not necessary. We could roam the earth and have adventures all our lives."
ReplyDelete"Chocolate is always necessary, but I think roaming around and having less violent adventures would be nice after a nice long rest. Once we get behind those walls, I can fully relax. Maybe sleep for at least year."
ReplyDeleteHe gets the horse to pick up it's pace and rides past Aara. "Come on lecai, the faster we get there, the sooner we can spoil ourselves."
Convinced he's well distracted with thoughts of pleasure, Aara rides alongside him, trying to find the words to tell him what she's done.
ReplyDeleteOh gods...he will never forgive me...
Goddard pulls his hood up over his head before they reach one of the large gates of Altdorf. "I hope they forgot I existed," he mumbles to Aara. "I don't want to end up in a cell again."
ReplyDelete"Just keep your head down," she advises. "Let's get lodging and a bath and relax." Pulling her own cloak closer, she shudders as they pass through the gate. "Let's hope they've forgotten us both."
ReplyDeleteThe groups makes their way through the gate without any issues. Just a quiet glance from a guard. "So far so good," Goddard smiles and leads Aara through the streets and onto a path that follows the river that snakes through the city.
ReplyDeleteHe looks down at the calming river and back up at Aara. "I remember wanting to get out of the city. Just to get away from people, but now, I can't believe how much I've missed the familiar."
Nodding, she glazes unerringly in the direction Araby lay. "Home is a powerful force, isn't it?" She shivers again in the chilly weather. I don't have to say anything yet. Keep it together. I just want this last evening before he hates me.
ReplyDeleteEventually they stop at a building with the sign that reads Up the River. "Appropriate name huh? I've never been inside but it's the only place that doesn't seem to have a lot of people hanging around, so I assume it's nice."
ReplyDeleteAara hands off her horse to the stable boy that runs up and shoulders her pack. "I'm sure it's lovely," she says, moving for the door. "Anything better than a blanket and the ground," she adds with a thin laugh. A small part of her hopes a hot bath will relieve the tension gripping her and making her movements jerky, but knows it isn't likely.
ReplyDeleteA tall thin man welcomes them inside, his smooth hands taking their possessions and handing them off to a maid. Swiftly Aara rents the most sumptuous rooms available and requests to be left alone to bathe until dinner.
Goddard sighs happily once they are alone, taking in the calm and silence. Silence. "Arha?" he seems to ask the ceiling. "Are you mad at me? You aren't buzzing in my ear." He seems to look around for the bat but promptly gives up. "Oh well! He deserves a rest too yes?"
ReplyDeleteBusying herself unpacking and selecting clothes to be laundered, Aara keeps her back to him and winces. "He does. We all do...life has been hard these last years."
ReplyDelete"Yes it has," he agrees. "Hell, I'd take being a boring amethyst wizard again, mumbling prayers over corpses, over everything we've been through. Let's be boring and lazy for a while before we explore again." The heavy belt full of bones and jars clatters to the floor, surprisingly breaking nothing and he removes the amethyst robes. "I'll ask father for a break from boring wizard duties. For just a few days. I deserve it. I did save the world after all."
ReplyDelete"Ahh...Goddard?" she twists her hands together into a mudra he's never seen. Guilt.
ReplyDeleteHe tilts his head and watches the strange new hand motions. "Are you alright? I've never seen that before." He grins slyly and raises a brow. "Is this a new signal for...something fun?"
ReplyDeleteRealizing what she's done, she puts her hands behind her back. "I just... I love you so much, I'd do it all again just for that look on your face."
ReplyDelete"Do what again?" Goddard stands before her and gently rubs her shoulders and arms. "Are you sure you're alright? Come on. Let's get into a hot bath." He softly kisses her forehead and whispers, "I love you too."
ReplyDeleteShe shrugs. "All of it. Death Night. Neggaroth. Leaving Koroush. The horrors we've gone through." A soft knock announces the arrival of an army of servants with two large bronze tubs, steaming buckets of water, and a tray of wine and snacks. Once they're alone again, Aara pours a generous amount of jasmine oil into her bath.
ReplyDelete"This is divine," she sighs.
Goddard does the same and sinks into the hot bath, careful to keep his nose above the water. After a few moments, he sits up again, rubbing his jaw. "If we get to do this all over again, could you not punch me so hard? I'm sure I deserved a bit of punishment, but even I think that was a bit much," he chuckles and sinks into the water again. He submerges his head and quickly comes back up, gasping for air before relaxing again.
ReplyDeleteShe laughs a little, the sound of it almost normal. "Oh nuur'eni, I wouldn't hit you at all. I still don't know why that made me so jealous. I didn't think I was the type of woman to behave so poorly!"
ReplyDelete"You can hit me a little," he mumbles, smiling, glad to hear her laugh again."I feel I've influenced you. I'm a terrible influence."
ReplyDeleteReaching across the space to grab his hand, she smiles softly. "I would never know what freedom is without you. Even without Koroush I'd have just blindly followed anyone who'd have let me. You have changed me forever."
ReplyDelete"I'm sorry." He gives her hand a gentle squeeze. "But I'm glad it was a good change. Who'd have thought I could be a positive influence?"
ReplyDeleteWith a wicked grin, Aara transfers herself from her tub to his, splashing water all over the floor. "A positive influence indeed," she murmurs.
ReplyDeleteHours later, she slips from beneath his arm and wraps the sheet around her. Pushing her tangled mass of hair over her shoulder, she pens a quick letter, then gathers her things and dresses. Dropping a kiss on Goddard's nose, she lays the letter on the pillow beside him and slips silently away.
Hyati, my heart and soul,
I cannot bring myself to tell you this in person, being the coward I am. But neither can I keep it from you any longer, it's a testament to my cowardice that it has taken me so long. I have done you a great injury, and can't bear it.
There was a Guardian at the Stone, Goddard. It was Otto. He told me that in order to save you as a child, he was forced to enter into the service. He sacrificed his soul for you, and asked that I end his servitude. He also bade me to keep my silence about that and end his life quickly and with honor. I only hope I was good enough.
I am a murderer and am undeserving of forgiveness, I understand that. I am sorry.
I am so sorry.
A
Feeling a chill, Goddard stretches and reaches out for Aara. "Lecai?" His hand pats the empty space beside him a few times before he brushes past a piece of paper. He sits up with a groan and rubs his eyes before reading the note. His breath catches in his throat and he gasps, reading the note over and over again, still unable to believe what he's just read.
ReplyDelete"It can't be," he whispers on the verge of tears. "She's cruel. She's lying she has to be. Arha!" Goddard calls out to the shadow bat as he frantically gets dressed. "Arha! I need you! Please! Find Aara. I must find her now! And get me Sethai! Father may wander around the planet and go sight seeing, but Sethai stays in the tower. Even if she continues to lie, he'll be proof."
Yes Master.
Goddard pulls up his hood and stuffs the note into one of his many pockets before wandering around the streets, yelling her name.
It doesn't take Arha long to locate Aara and relay the information, but to Goddard, it felt like an eternity. "He can't be gone," he tells himself over and over, trying to push away this weakness he feels creeping over him with each foot step he takes toward Aara.
I will fetch Sethai, Master.
"Hey," the man slurs as he lays on the bar next to Aara. "Hey, whaddya say yous and me go out back?"
ReplyDeleteAara tosses back her drink and grimaces. "Hows 'bout I out a boot in yer face?" she retorts, wavering on her feet.
The man bows up, more sober than he previously seemed. "Girl Imma slap tha smart right outta ya mouth."
Unbuckling her belt, she lays her weapons on the bar. "Try me."
Twenty minutes later she's tossed out of the seedy bar, her gear landing on top of her. Aara's face is bloody and swollen, her left eye nearly shut, and she's pretty sure she has some broken ribs. Cursing, she shifts on the slimy cobblestones and rests her aching face on the cold stone.
Goddard drops to his knees beside Aara and moves her hair from her face. "Aara! Aara!" She isn't moving or responding but she's breathing. He curses under his breath and carefully scoops her up in his arms. The best place to take her would be his room in the college. There he could make all manner of salves and potions for her.
ReplyDeleteIt isn't an easy trip, but eventually he gets her to his bed. He lights a few candles and pulls out a heavy tome before settling at the desk to prepare the concoctions.
Pain pulls her into wakefulness. With a groan, Aara shifts and stretches her body and counts her injuries. Broken ribs...and maybe my cheekbone. Damn...this hurts.
ReplyDeleteWait.
where am I?
Glasses clink and stone grinds against stone as Goddard carefully follows each recipe. He has to calm himself and keep from rushing and ruining everything.
ReplyDeleteHe has one bowl with a pale pink cream for her wounds and a small glass containing a cloudy green liquid for her to drink. Goddard turns and sees she is awake. He quickly moves to her and sits on the bed beside her, handing her the green liquid. "Here drink this...let me put this on your face...just drink it don't look at it funny..."
She raises a hand and pushes it away. "No," she murmurs dryly. "I don't want it."
ReplyDeleteGoddard shoves both remedies onto her lap and stands up. "Why? Why not? I need you to have a clear head so you can properly explain what insanity was in your note. So you can explain why the hell you're in this state. This is usually how I end up. Not you." She can tell he's tying to keep his voice from cracking.
ReplyDeleteAara swallows as the tears come. "I am perfectly clear headed, even if my vision is not." She sets his remedies aside and gets to her feet, hugging her ribs. "And I am in this state because this wretched city does not have a proper temple for me to go to."
ReplyDeleteShe looks straight at him, her unswollen eye shining with tears. "I told you what I've done, Goddard. Do not take my penance away from me."
Goddard pushes his hands through his hair and turns away from her. "No," he hisses and walks back over to the table. Almost as soon as he reaches the table, a small white dragon lands on the book before him.
ReplyDelete"Sethai." Goddard forces himself to smile. "Tell her she is mistaken. I-I don't believe she would lie to me but her eyes could lie to her. We've been through so much. Our minds are tired. Where is father?" He turns to her and looks hopeful, thinking she's been feeling guilty for no reason. All will be well, until the dragon makes a single pitiful sound.
Goddard's ears droop and his eyes widen. "Liar!" he growls, trying to swing at the dragon who effortlessly flits away and out the window. "No!" A loud bang echos through the room as he slams his fists on the table. A stream of bats rushes through the open window. Goddard doesn't even flinch as he shoves everything off the table in rage. After catching his breath, he turns slowly toward Aara. His black and white eyes make him look even more frantic.
"Why?" he whispers, on the edge of anger and sadness. "I could have helped him. I-I could have helped him." He slams his fist sideways into the chair and it crashes into the table. "We have magic for Sigmar's sake! We are asur!" he yells. "We can do anything! Anything!"
When he turns to look at her, she's on her knees with her head bowed and her hair covering her face so he can't see the fear on her face.
ReplyDelete"I wish it were a lie," she whispers. "I'd give my own life for it to be so. But I spoke with him, I knew. I begged to find another way, and he would have none of it, Goddard."
What am I going to do? Run away? What will I do without him- assuming he lets me live? Ustadh would be so ashamed of me.
Hands shaking, she unsheathes a dagger and lets it clatter to the floor. "I understand if you want revenge," she whispers, her voice shaking.
Goddard's eyes dart down to the dagger. He closes his eyes and balls his hands into tight fists. A part of him wants to grab it but he isn't even sure what he'd do with it. Would he hurt her? Could he find it in himself to even hurt her? Maybe a part of him would. A dark part he tried so hard to hide. If he wouldn't hurt her, he'd hurt himself.
ReplyDeleteBut father wouldn't...
Slowly Goddard drops to his knees, covers his face and begins to sob. "What am I supposed to do without him? He was all I had. I shoudln't even be here."
Aara's heart breaks again for him. I hardly remember my own father, she thinks, I can't even begin to understand this.
ReplyDeletePushing her hair back, she returns her dagger to its sheath and stands. Without a word, Aara limps to the window and closes it so the bats won't bother him, then she lays a strong fire to keep him warm.
After these are done, she kneels just behind and to the left of him, her hands on her knees. Everything in her wants to reach for him, but she knows better, so she simply remains in reach while he weeps.
I'm here, nuur'eni, she thinks. He wasn't all you have. I'm here.
He doesn't look up, but he knows Aara is close. As nice as her touch might feel, he doesn't know if he could even look at her. He doesn't want to look at any of this.
ReplyDeleteGoddard gets to his feet and without a word or a glance back, he heads for the door. Maybe I can go to the tavern I used to be in all the time and drown myself in Morr's mead.
She watches him go, torn by indecision. Should I follow? Or should I wait for him? He's likely to get drunk and start a fight, or he could just wander the city.
ReplyDeleteAara grabs a scarf from her pack and twists her hair into a low bun as she follows several paces behind. By the time they reach the bottom of the tower's stairs she has given him a wider lead and is completely veiled, her uninjured eye never leaving him.
As Goddard steps into the brisk night air the Amethyst College lay silent around him. Despite being accustomed to the college after many years of abiding there, a stillness that is usually not present presides over the halls and courtyards.
ReplyDeleteSomething was certainly different tonight; the college is empty. It's normally not a lively place to begin with, but, this was a different sort of empty. This sort of empty only happens when uninvited guests push their way into the college and ignore the grounds keeper at the main entrance; they are usually greeted by an 'empty shell' of the college, an elaborate illusion. Such a thing never happens when you are a member of the Brethren of Shyish.
A sense of dread slowly creeps up Goddard's back, a feeling he has not felt since...
"Goddard... son of Otto the Departed... I have a missive for ye, at the waning of the Winds of Shyish."
Goddard slowly turns to face the Shrine of Morr, the source of the hollow timbre voice, barren but a moment before, now filled with the implacable presence of Viggo Hexensohn, Magister Patriarch of the Amethyst Order. Goddard slowly shakes himself fee of the pinning stare of the Magister, and approaches somewhat cautiously. Upon closer inspection, the Magister Patriarch is shrouded in a robe of the darkest purple; any and all light, even from the heavens above, is swallowed by his heavy cloak. His face is concealed underneath a deep purple hood, with a slight hint of light playing across it. Simply observing his faces reveals he is of an indeterminate age, but Goddard knows for a fact that he has been the head of the order for at least 60 years or more. How a man can appear so unchanged by the passage of time is a mystery he has yet to discover an answer for. His hands are bereft of their usual adornment, that of a towering scythe made of pure amethyst, and instead are holding a sealed letter.
Goddard reaches out tentatively and accepts the letter from his Patriarch. As he examines the letter to determine who it was addressed to and perhaps a hint of where it was sent from, he looks back up to see the Patriarch now gone. Peering into the Winds of Magic, the Patriarch has caught the amethyst wind not unlike a shadow merges with other shadows around it, disappearing entirely into the roiling winds of magic.
A coiling feeling of trepidation attaches itself to the letter in Goddard's hand; the Azyr Wind whips fretfully around the letter, a portent of foretelling... and perhaps, doom.
Not wanting to deal with whatever doom and gloom will most likely be in this envelope, Goddard stuffs it away into the darkness of his robes and continues on to his favorite bar.
ReplyDeleteHe's known the owner for entirely too many years and is greeted as an old friend, returning from a long trip. "I'm in a bit of a mood," Goddard grumbles under his hood. "Just keep the Morr's mead coming." Once he's gotten his first mug full, he takes a seat in a lonely corner and slips his hands under the hood to rub his forehead for a few moments before he begins to drink the mead.
Aara takes a seat further away, along the side of the bar where she can watch him from the corner of her eye. A heavy red headed woman strolls up with a tray on her hip and asks for a drink order before her jaw falls open.
ReplyDelete"Honey, do you know how bad you look?" she asks, tugging at Aara's scarf and examining her face. "He got you real good, didn't he? You just let me know what you want to drink, and I'm going to bring you something for that eye."
Aara gently pulls away and adjusts her covering. "Just water please," she murmurs.
A few minutes later the woman returns with a cup of cool water and a compress in a bowl of some foul smelling liquid. "Ain't no magic, honey," she promises. "Just good old learning me granma gave me. You put that on your eye and you'll be pretty in no time."
Thanking her, Aara sips her water and applies the stinky pouch to her face. "Ah Uzzaya, this path grows harder every moment."
Goddard quickly downs his first drink and motions for another. He wastes now time downing his second drink and he's brought a third without even having to ask for it.
ReplyDeleteAara sighs as she watches him drink. Why am I here? What do I expect to happen? He's not going to talk to me, and there's no way we'll ever be together again... At this realization, her chest constricts and she has to force herself to breathe. Uzzaya save me...it's over?
ReplyDeleteHer hand shakes so hard she can hardly hold the compress to her eye and has to set it into the bowl. "But I can't go," she whispers, head in her hands.
Goddard is waiting for his fourth drink when he notices a woman with long brown hair watching him. He points to her and motions with his finger for her to come to him.
ReplyDeleteShe wrinkles her nose and laughs, taking a sip of her wine.
He doesn't know how many glasses she's had, but he can tell she's had enough. He tilts his hooded head curiously. "Oh come on now," he chuckles. "Don't be so mean."
"You're one o dem creepy magic types," she says softly as if it's some secret she knows about him. "And one o dem dead ones. That's just gross."
Goddard impatiently drums his fingers on the table then scratches at the wood with a single sharp claw. "I said don't be mean," he says strangely sweet. "What do you want. Drinks? Money? I just want some...company..." After he's halfway done with a fourth drink, he drops a hand full of amethyst crystals on the table and she rushes over as fast as her drunken little legs can carry her.
Aara watches, heart broken, as he solicits the woman. Standing, she walks over and grabs the woman's arm, not even looking at Goddard. "I'll give you ten gold crowns to walk away and leave him to drink," she whispers harshly. "You don't want his kind of company."
ReplyDeleteThe woman quickly looks up at Aara and gasps then looks down at Goddard and clasps a hand over her mouth. "Monster," she hisses and stumbles away, patting her own face. "I need more wine. I have to keep my good looks."
ReplyDeleteGoddard quickly stands up and slams his hands on the table, swearing in druhir and soon realizes he may have made a mistake.
"I don't understand your elf language, but I know that wasn't anything good, son. You should go. This isn't like you. I don't want you to get yourself in trouble now," the owner says softly.
Goddard almost seems to growl before he storms out the door into the chilly darkness.
Without sparing a glance, Aara tosses money on the table to cover his tab and follows him out.
ReplyDeleteGoddard hears the soft sound of footsteps behind him and he spins around suddenly to face her. "What are you going to do? Follow me around and make everyone who might like me disappear? I guess she's lucky she made it out in one piece huh?"
ReplyDelete"I might, if I thought you were in any condition to tell the difference between a poxy whore and a sign post," she snaps.
ReplyDeleteGoddard laughs. "You act as if I wasn't already doing this same thing for years. Before you were even a thought."
ReplyDeleteSomething snaps in Aara, and she feels a chill all over that has nothing to do with the night. When she speaks, her voice is flat and expressionless.
ReplyDelete"And you'll do it long after I'm dead, too," she agrees. "But that woman doesn't deserve your anger and grief tonight. Taking it out on her would be too much."
I follow and you lead, Uzzaya, but it hurts so much...
"You think I would have hurt her?" he asks in disbelief.
ReplyDeleteAara sighs in defeat and steps forward, reaching a hand out for a moment before letting it drop. "No. But I think you aren't in your right mind, and that's my fault. Nuur'eni, I..." Her shoulders sag. I wish I were dead for causing you so much pain.
ReplyDelete"You wouldn't hurt a soul."
He glimpses the markings on her skin for a second and he reacts as if it physically hurt him. "You know...his name wasn't even Otto. Do you need his real name for an acceptable tally? Because I don't even know it and I never will now!"
ReplyDeleteShe closes her eyes, and vaguely notices the swelling is indeed going down. Rolling up her sleeves, she begins pointing out names and reciting. "Murderer, died by execution. Shot me with a crossbow, I stabbed him in the neck with it. Political spy and plot to assassinate, she was my first execution. Tried to kill Koroush, I slit his throat..."
ReplyDeleteShe goes on for a few more crimes and their punishments before stepping even closer and tearing her sleeve high enough to show where the names stop. "Nowhere is there room for a loving father who gave his life and soul for his son. I have committed six murders in my life. Six. Five I could live with- they were my first act of freedom, done for you. The last I wasn't left with a choice. If I could change it, I would."
Goddard wipes his eyes with his sleeve and folds his arms. No matter what she says, no matter how right she may be, he wants to be angry, he wants to break things but instead, he sobs again.
ReplyDelete"I'm all alone now," he sniffles. "I-I don't even know where cousin is. I miss him too." He turns away from Aara and slowly walks away. He's not trying to get away from her, just wandering off into the streets.
"You aren't alone, nuur'eni," she insists softly, knowing he can hear her. "Eglanor will show up when he can. And you have friends." She walks beside him but doesn't touch him, even though she's dying to hold him. To curb the desire, she hugs her sides, wincing at the pressure on her broken ribs.
ReplyDelete"You have me," she whispers in eltharin.
"I don't have friends." He tries not to laugh at the absurdity of that idea and visibly turns his head away at her eltharin. When Goddard finally looks up to see where he has wandered into, he realizes they are in a small cemetery.
ReplyDelete"How appropriate," he mumbles and sits on a grave stone. The envelope falls out when he leans forward and he picks it up, turning it over in his hands. "I guess...I should read this," Goddard sighs.
He opens the envelope and pulls out 3 pieces of paper. "I hope these aren't love letters." He tries to laugh but ends up almost crying.
Otto,
It's your old friend, Hieronymous Kaldehaus.
Thanks to your timely recommendation to my superiors, I was finally approved to leave the University of Nuln and perform research in the field. History occurs out in the Old World and not in my library.
There are many locations throughout the Empire that have historical significance to the ancient religions that we all partake in today, however, much knowledge of these sites and the formative years of our most sacred religions has been lost to wars and the ravages of time. I pray to Taal and Rhya that my field research can uncover some of these lost rites.
I've always been fascinated with the standing stones near Scharmbeck in the far south of Wissenland. I've heard that the practices of the rural people represented a survival of rituals not seen since the time of Emperor Albert. I wanted to test my theory that these practices may have been the early formative stages of the cult of Taal and Rhya.
I arrived at Scharmbeck and, after some considerable reticence of the villagers, was eventually introduced to their lord, Baron von Preiss. I feel that it will take some time to earn their trust and to permit me to visit their hidden standing stones that are a large part of their religious observance.
I am never going to convince him otherwise, she thinks. I know my presence must pain him, but what can I do? Leave him and go home? Where is that? Goddard...he is home.
ReplyDeleteNot knowing what else to do, she stands there, shivering in her cloak and feeling utterly miserable.
Freedom. What overrated horse shit.
Otto,
ReplyDeleteI have gained their trust! It has taken days of silent observation, respectful banter, and quiet appreciation of the on-goings of their community to finally receive an invitation from the Baron to attend an observance of their local religious festival held later this night. I feel that I am on the verge of the breakthrough that I have been looking for! Soon we will know more than we ever have on the subject of the religious founding of Taal and Rhya.
I cannot thank you enough for allowing me the opportunity to break out of my studies at the library and experience what is surely to be the greatest discovery of our age.
Sethai appears and lands at Goddard's feet. Goddard pats his chest with his free hand and the dragon leaps up onto his shoulders and curls around his neck like a scarf. "I miss him too," he whispers.
He unfolds the final letter.
Otto,
I have uncovered horrid truths that could easily shake the foundations of what we believe we know about the history of the Empire. As I write this letter, I am in grave danger. My discovery was clearly not intended by the rural people here and I fear this letter me not arrive in your hands in time to save me, or the Empire. I am leaving tonight under the waning twin moons, hoping that they will cover my departure. Please, I emplore you, meet me at Geschburg, near the end of the River Soll.
If you fail to find me there within a fortnight, I have sent copies of these letters to my University of Nuln superior as well.
Do not delay, Otto. The fate of the Empire rests on us now.
Goddard groans. "I'm sick and tired of the Empire always needing saving."
Aara shuffles her feet, remembering all too clearly when it was her home and people that needed him to save them. "You don't have to go," she says softly. "We-" she cuts herself off. "You could stay here, read your books. Travel for pleasure. Someone else can save the world."
ReplyDelete"Who would you suggest I take these letters to so they can save the Empire?" Goddard snorts. He absentmindedly tears at the edge of the letter and sighs. "He would have probably told me to do this for him anyway."
ReplyDelete"Maybe I'll mess up and Morr will finally take me," he snickers. "But I probably wouldn't be so lucky."
Behind her veil, she bites her bottom lip. "If I knew that answer, I'd be the brains and you'd be the muscle." She knots her fingers in front of her and finally says what's plaguing her. "Goddard, we made a lot of plans," she says awkwardly. "I just want you to know...I'll leave, and never come back if- if that's what you want. Or stay," she adds nervously. "If you think... Just, tell me tomorrow."
ReplyDeleteGoddard wraps his arms around himself and digs his claws into his ribs. "I...you can...I mean...you don't have to if you don't...but...I just...I can't...I...I don't know..."
ReplyDeleteAara nods, eyes closed. "I don't want to," she whispers. "But if you can't live with me, I'll understand. I'm going to gather my things from the college and return to the inn." For the first time since she left him sleeping, she reaches out and strokes one of his horns gently, her hand shaking. "Get some rest, hayati, and don't grind your teeth. They'll grind down to nothing. Send for me if you need anything. Or come, if you want. Don't- don't hurt yourself."
ReplyDeleteShe walks perfectly straight, hugging herself to ease the pressure in her ribs. This is what happens when you reach above your station, she thinks bitterly. No matter what changes you make or how far you run, you're always going to be that little thief. You stole a future when you picked Koroush's pocket, and you've stolen a few years with Goddard. You knew it couldn't last. Go home. Put on the black and do what you do best.
Goddard bites his lip, hard enough to draw blood, to keep himself for calling for her to come back. He wants to hate her, but he knows she doesn't deserve it. He wants to hold her, but it would hurt him more.
ReplyDeleteHe waits in the graveyard a few moments longer before he goes back to the college with Sethai and Arha. Having them around makes him feel as if he didn't completely lose Otto. Sethai was connected to him as a familiar for many many years. He has all of Otto's warmth and caring. Arha is Otto's humor.
All of his emotional progress is ripped away however when he reaches the cold empty room. "You're gone." He crawls under the blankets and curls up, hugging himself but digging his claws too deep or scratching himself. Sethai wiggles his way under the sheets and lays across Goddard's neck. Eventually he cries himself to sleep.
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Goddard wakes up and squints in the sunlight. His whole body hurts and for a second, he's disappointed that he's still alive. He drags himself out of bed and stares down at the purple robes. If being an amethyst wizard has taught him anything, it's that physical items hold the most and the dearest memories of those who have passed and right now, those memories might kill him on the inside.
He doesn't want that. He doesn't want to remember all those things, not right now anyway. Goddard finds a plain black hooded robe and puts it on. He keeps his belt with all his spell components and a crest to show his affiliation with the college. If he's caught without it, he could be in serious trouble. He sighs and motions for Sethai and Arha to come with him on his journey to get breakfast.
Aara surverys the items laid across the bed. Clothing, a few meaningless yet valuable baubles, a writing kit, and some books. And her weapons, of course. Two scimitars crafted by the best in Araby, four daggers with her name translated on the blade, two elven daggers, and more. All her worldly possessions, and it can all fit in her backpack. With a sigh, she stuffs it all in her bag before pinning up her hair and shrouding herself in her head scarf and veil.
ReplyDeleteI may need to sell some of it to go home. Unless Siba's organization can get me some immediate work.
Leaving her gear, she leaves the inn and makes her way towards the dock, twisting the amethyst ring on her finger.
Not really wanting to eat, but knowing he has to or he'll feel worse, Goddard settles on just buying some fresh bread and nibbling on it as he wanders around the streets. He bumps into a few people and gets dirty looks and one or two quiet, verbal threats, but no serious confrontations.
ReplyDeleteAara steps out of the jewelry shop, her hand feeling strangely light and her purse heavy. Surveying the city, she joins the flow of foot traffic, letting it lead her toward the center of activity. There's no rush to the docks, after all. She has all day.
ReplyDeleteStill, she is unfamiliar enough with the city to try and twist a ring not on her finger as she tries to keep up.
Goddard softly bumps into a woman and meekly apologizes. Turning to her, he realizes he knows her. "Aara..." He can think of no one else who would wear such clothing, All she can see are his black and white mismatched eyes partially hidden by steadily growing hair under the hood. "I...how are...hi...," he mumbles.
ReplyDeleteAara nearly jumps into his arms, but jerks herself to a stop awkwardly. "Hello," she says softly, making a mudra for composure. "Did you rest?" She asks, lifitng her hand up to bite her knuckle beneath her veil.
ReplyDeleteGoddard answers her question with a shrug, gingerly rubbing his arm. "Did you?"
ReplyDeleteShe grimaces. "No. I kept rolling over on the wrong side of my face. It hurt like seven hells."
ReplyDeleteEven though most of his face is covered, she can still see he's frowning. "Well, let's just say, I'm going to need to pick up some more bandages. You...you should have used the salve I made."
ReplyDeleteLooking down, she links her hands together. "I wish you wouldn't do that," she tells him softly. "What brings you out so early?"
ReplyDeleteHe holds up the bread he's barely eaten. "Breakfast."
ReplyDelete"Oh." They stand awkwardly for moment. "The inn sent something, but it was too rich." Flinching, she reaches.for her purse. "I, uh," she laughs nervously. "I had this made last time we were here. You should have it."
ReplyDeleteShe hands him a small package. "Well. Um. Bye."
Before he can say anything, she's gone in the crowd of people. Goddard maneuvers himself into a quiet corner and holds the bread in his mouth while he opens the package. Inside is a gold ring that looks like skeleton hands holding a garnet. Not wanting to lose it, he puts it on his finger and heads in the direction he thinks she went.
ReplyDeleteAara does her best to melt into the crowd and continues.on to the dock.
ReplyDelete