Aiyana did not follow Aidan, instead she turned left as soon as Kag's tower came into view and took the long way back to her inn.
Upon getting there and to the door, she felt dizzy and her vision reeled and she felt her knees sink, touching warm earth. Fighting hard to keep conscious, she blinked away vertigo and looked at her trembling hands. They were a moldy yellow. It was the after effects of the herb she was using to keep her healthy young appearance. It is what caused some of her dizziness and sweat. Inside though...something was terribly frighteningly wrong. She "felt" the virus...it was unraveling her life strands...not attacking her blood cells or immune system. It was much worse, it was attacking her very essence of "self." Scrambling desperately to get inside she vomited on the way inside and crawled helplessly to the nearest mirror.
What she found there made her choke in a sob. Her skin was dry, gaunt and yellow. Hair was thin and falling out....the streaks were not visible but she DID feel them. Her eyes...her eyes were pure hazel, no swirls, pupils, or whites.
Selena was wailing, Uriel was edgy, so she knew he had nothing to do with this. She tried standing..as she did the air ripped like torn silk and Aiyana doubled over shrieking in agony. The streaks burst into light, fading, lighting...fading, lighting...Aiyana was doing the same...
Aidan however made his way to the tall tower, and met Kagato in his garden. "This isn't a social call. I need books on anything you have on illnesses now..." He left no option for rebuttal, he was poised and his stance looked ready to strike...perhaps it was not wise to make small talk. The air was thick with tension and urgency...but Aidan did not say why he wanted those books.
He blinked, saw Kagato's mouth move, but no sound. Odd..then it hit him, he flinched from the agony of the "one"...his training would not let him writher as his mind tried to register fear..but it was an eluding concept. He reached behind him to grab his sword and take off to where she was...only he grabbed air. He was there then he wasn't..repeatedly. How very...odd. He watched as his hand faded and came back and figured the rest of his body was doing the same. It mattered not...Aiyana was in danger he had to get there quickly. "find those books and hurry, I need to go to her, waste no time Valior. It will alter if she dies." Aidan did not know if he was understood, nor did he care as he took off in such speed and vanished from view, leaving behind a bewildered Kagato.
"Um yeah um" was all Kagato could manage to say. He tried to find the words, but well they didn't come to him as he watched Aidan fade in and out, trying to form words and reach for his sword, which had fallen off a few steps ago. He nodded as Aidan took off, undoutably going to Aiyana as Kag turned quickly and rushed into his tower. He headed for his portal step and took it up to his library and began his search. He walked up and down the long hallways, not paying much attention to the rest of it as he pulled out all books he could find on illnesses and Ostellians. He hoped it would be enough as he set the books on his desk and read through them at a high speed. Hoping he would find what the problem was and how to solve it without going to his secret room of books. That room held books with some of the most powerful spells and hidden secrets out there. If he found the problem in one of those books it might be too late for Aiyana and the rest of her people. He kept reading till he finished the last book. He looked up and noticed that the sun has moved in the sky, probably a few hours have passed but he couldn't be sure as he pushed his chair back and rose up from his desk and let out a heavy sigh, not wanting it to come to this. He turned around and headed for a back corner of the room, a faint outline of a door could be seen forming as he got closer, the secret room was about to be opened.
Time passed and Aiyana remembered vaguely that Aidan had come and put her to bed but that was all, the days that followed, Aiyana was failing. The "disease" was winning, she was wasting away, fading and short of temper. It was her worry that was unraveling her calm exterior and her stone like patience. Morrolan's Dubbing went splendidly well, but it taxed her strength, she collapsed and was put back into bed for days with the help of Kagato. Her vault in the library was destroyed, her wards diminished and set everything on fire, losing all her precious documents..much to her heart ache.
The Festival was coming soon in less than a week and not many had signed up...why did her members always manage to disappoint and ruin her well made plans. SHE TOO HAD OTHER THINGS SHE WANTED TO DO, but she had duties she could not forsake. She must muster enough strength to show up at the Festival...Aidan warned her not too. Aiyana disagreed she would not be like the majority of her members and let them down as they had her. Her time was running out, her strength diminishing and her days numbered, but she like always, was preparing and waiting......
Dajaine had left the temple she had been transported to by the portal of flames and traveled to the land of Kin'tal many moons ago. There she was welcomed and taken in as the High Priestess of the Flames. Dajaine foresaw it all long before she met the "One." Yes, dreams that came to her while she slept in the temple revealed much to her. Especially after Aiyana had told her that she was not goddess blessed. It was all clear now. Aidan and Aiyana, both of clan Phoenix. The other that she seemed a bit stronger connected with was of her clan, Dragon. They were all Ostellian. This information was all acquired through a few prayers and vivid dreams. Dajaine was a bit different from those of her clan. The riddles were slowly coming to her, but the full instinct of greed will never develop. Vanity, that she had without a doubt, but it would not exceed nor equal that of her people.
A hand waved over the flames as she chanted softly. Something was terribly wrong. She could feel the essence of evil surrounding the place where she visited. The woman in her first vision was lying on the ground and her very being was threatening to fade. The One, no it is not her time. Something must be done. "In the presence of evil, in a circle of time, in the center of all, the locks will shine." The answer to the riddle was locked away in her mind. It was time for her to return to the temple she left abandoned and begin the preparations. All will know the answer when it be time. "A child of innocence, a victim of hate, a troubled girl, so calls fate." Yes, now was time for her to return to the realm many referred to as Rhy'Din. She rubbed the amulet and closed her eyes. Fire-stained streaks ignited and a portal of flames appeared. She stepped through it silently. Listening to the wisdom of her people. The voice that commands her.
Dajaine was not the only one aware of something suspicious going on. Shadow, for several days now had been silently observing Aiyana, knowing that something was very wrong, but unsure of what. The only reason he was even suspicious of anything was that her "magic's" and her life force seemed to falter now and then, and one time he could've sworn that, for just one moment, she looked as if she belonged in the grave...he couldn't really explain it, she just looked like something that his Uncle had raised from the Grave with his Necromantics, something that had been dead and decomposing for a long time...But the image only flashed briefly, and he shook his head and thought he must have been seeing things, or his own magic's were playing tricks with his mind...or he was getting a brief flash of what his Uncle Vincent once told him was future sight...he'd had a premonition or two before, but really didn't believe in it. But not long after that, he could've sworn he could see right through her for the briefest of moments...literally right through her.
Again, he knew not what it meant...if it meant anything at all...so he spent the next several days trying to discreetly keep an eye on Aiyana, hoping that nothing was really wrong, but fearing it all the same. One afternoon as he was going back to the Inn, he saw Aidan approaching the Inn rapidly...and his heart sank as Aidan seemed to be fading in and out of view...he shook his head once to clear it, and as Aidan entered the Inn, things looked much the same. Fearing the worst, he quickly made his way inside, and found Aidan picking Aiyana up off the floor, both of them seeming to falter in and out of reality, then their life energies seemed to swirl together, and both solidified...Shadowheart was quite stunned as he watched, and as he started to approach and ask Aidan what he could do to help, Aidan merely gave him a look that stopped him dead in his tracks, then proceeded to carry Aiyana off...Shadow merely nodded as they walked off, his mind racing with thoughts of all that just occurred...he knew not what was happening, knew not what to do about it...then his thoughts stopped on the one place that he might find some information that might help, his Uncle's Castle, where his laboratory and massive Library rested. He quickly opened a portal that would take him there, directly to the Library, bypassing all the wards and protections...this was all Shadow's, now that his uncle had perished...he was now master of the castle, but he held nowhere near the mastery of Necromantic and Life magic's that his uncle had. He searched long into the night, looking for something, anything that might give him a little insight...but it was to no avail. Aiyana was not of the same worlds as him or his uncle, of that he was almost certain...and the library held nothing that could help him. When the next dawn came, he quickly made his way back to the Inn, having spent too much time away without checking on what was happening with Aiyana...and Aidan. The two were tied together closer than he had thought before, that much he had figured out...now he needed some answers if he was to help any further. And if they were not in the shape or mood to talk, he would approach little Uriel about it...knowing what he did of Uriel, the little devil probably had something to do with it...as he approached the Inn, he steeled his resolve, then entered and searched them out...
Time...time...an endless abyss Time, yes. There was little of it left and much to do. For days Dajaine had been making the proper preparations to regenerate the "One's" life strands. Through her dreams she had seen some of the images of her people. Dajaine made the last preparations for the alter, but there was something about this whole thing that disturbed her. She would have to approach strangers and ask them to do as she bid. Dajaine knew not what to say to them. The images of the people have flashed in her mind a few times. As the time neared more images took over her thoughts.tis time to speak to the ones Fire stained streaks burned as she tapped into the minds of all who were to be a part of the healing. In the presence of evil, in a circle of time, in the center of all, the locks will shine. A child of innocence, a victim of hate, a troubled girl, so calls fate. A lost soul, a trained mind. Only then, the chosen one will find.Her voice rang into all of their minds. It was soft and spoke in a sort of melody. The chosen one will find. What could be meant by that? Dajaine knew the answer to the riddle, but her lips could not speak it. Eyes closed as the setting sun almost vanished. Now was the time for her to rest
Kagato removed his cloak from a branch as he ran through he forest to Aiyana's inn. He then jumps over a fallen log, not wanting to fall and be slowed down. He had figured out more of the words in the book he had found and shown to Aiyana. Enough to maybe give her a spark of hope for the future. Not her future of course, nothing could be done in time to save her, She knew that and he knew that, but there might be a way to bring her back once she is gone, if they can all remember her. That's what scared him the most about her illness, the impact on time it will have. She was a very powerful figure in the timeline. With her out of it who knows what will happen. Her influence reached through almost all the planes. Only the 0 plane would be safe, but no one can go there. He turned a corner on the trail and saw her inn in the distance. He increased his pace, hoping he wasn't too late. He needed both Aiyana and Aidan to help him with the rest of the book. He could only make out a few letters in the title, m-i-s. The rest were written in what he guess was Ancient Ostellian and magical runes only their eyes could see, but the fact that he knew that was enough to spark hope in him. Even if this book held nothing to help her, it could help her people. It was an ancient text and the other language it was written in showed a deeper connection to another race. The other language was that of the Valiorians
Before Kagato and Shadow entered the Inn, two children sat in silence in the hall across from Aiyana's room. One from fear, the other in irritation. Silver eyes met red and a whimper sounded. The humming noise came back...and that horrid ripping sound. The Silver eyed girl screamed in terror. "Selena, calm down" It was the infant boy who spoke...so clearly so intelligently.
"But Momma's dying..." came the meek sniffled reply.
Uriel flinched...Selena would know that better than he..for she still had the parental link established. "The whore is NOT going to die all right so stop your damn sniveling!" His tone was more harsh than he intended. Selena wailed and sobbed. He just sighed, not offering comfort going silent once again.
The humming resonated, he blinked and felt strange as he watched his half sister shriek repeatedly in pain and terror as she winked in and out of view. Normally he would laugh..he did so much love to see others in agony..but this was different. His senses told him, time was going to shatter and neither he nor his half sister would exist. He was fading too, the pain was sharp but he ignored it and yanked Selena's hand. His streaks cast shadows and cracked in awesome sound...slowly, so slowly, the two of them stopped fading and were solid. Selena however was in torment still. "Selena, break the link."
The child shook her head no. "Fine!" he spat. "You leave me no choice." Savagely he yanked her by the wrist and sent a shock of electricity into her little frame stunning her. He craftily shifted to a white mist, drifting into her frozen gaped mouth and took possession of the girl. He made sure her mind was asleep but everything else was intact...it was...so into Selena's delicate parental link with Aiyana. At first he was taken aback in shock. Selena and mother were extremely tied and close. He sneered the thought disgusted him. He must not be distracted. "Mother can you hear me." No response, the link was dissolving. "Fight it, you hear me. You're stronger than you think...many depend on you.."
"Aye." came a weak response. "You're a good, smart boy Uriel. Make sure she stays safe and the guild doesn't collapses........"
He would have argued...he didn't give a damn about either one, but if it would keep her fighting and alive. Time would not alter, he would exist and he would grow and be the one to be her end. He agreed and would do this for her...as he slowly made his way out of his sister.
As Shadow stepped inside the empty Inn, he approached Aiyana's room, he was surprised to see the two children sitting in the hallway across from her door...he had never seen Uriel left unattended and out of his "playpen" as it were. Worry instantly clouded his mind, and it grew even worse as he saw a white mist flow out of dear little Selena and morph into the form of Uriel. He quickly made his way to them and crouched before Selena, wary of Uriel but too worried about Selena and Aiyana to be afraid of him. He glared over at Uriel, not knowing what exactly he had done, but guessing it wasn't good, then turned back to Selena and looked to her gently. "Are you all right, little one?" He could tell she was afraid and worried for her mother, then it occurred to him that she was probably linked to Aiyana almost as closely as Aidan...he knew not how their bonding worked, but he was smart enough to figure out that Selena may very well be going through the same thing that Aiyana and Aidan were. Not knowing what else to do, he picked her up and hugged her, holding her as he glanced back at the door to Aiyana's room. With Selena tucked safely in his arms, or so he hoped, he turned back to Uriel and frowned ...Then looked at him steadily, showing no emotion in his eyes or on his face. " All right, Uriel...what's it gonna take to get some answers out of you? I don't have time for games...I need to know anything you do about what's wrong with your mother, and how to help her. That is if you're not the one causing it. I don't care for you and I know you could give a damn less about me, but humor me just this once..."
The eight month old baby gazed at him with intelligent red eyes swirling orange and yellow, the words 'I don't care for you..' sink in and he thought about how much fun it would be to break his bones...listening to the sweet melody of them cracking...enjoying the taste of the marrow that he would suck off. But that would have to be planned out another time as he gazed at his trembling sister in Shadow's arms.
"humor you....yes...well..." That sick twisted grin appeared on his dark skinned angular features...one so common from him, but still unsettling on a baby's face. "Rest assured it is not me...I'm not really sure what is happening...but her soul is evaporating." He watched the mans expression carefully, but this was not the time to gloat. "I don't think anything can revert the state she is in...Aidan will stop the 'unraveling' he is her guardian..his life comes before hers. I don't know how he'll stop it but he will. The immediate problem is to make sure she doesn't remain in suspended animation...which I'm pretty sure will happen. Aidan keeps babbling about some damn book...Memious I think. The dumb Valiorian may have that.
Legend says that book holds a map to the Dome of Alkus, the Dome holds the gateway to Mother's home, but to open it you need the eight Medallions in some order and the bearers...blah blah...you hear a lot of things if you're quiet and listening to others speak.
Home just may be with dear 'ole mother needs. Buuuuuut if she returns home, it will mark the beginning of the end...Mothers worst fear...So Shadow...what is your plan...hmmm?"
Kagato entered the inn a little bit behind Shadow. He saw him as he turned the corner on the path and followed, making sure he wasn't noticed. As Shadow made his way up the stairs he followed, but waited on the stairs and listened to what happened, almost chuckling at what he saw in the treatment towards the children. He thought that Shadow had over reacted towards Uriel. Now was not a time for Uriel to play harmful games with his sister. Their mother was dying and he was not the cause of it. That had to be pissing him off for the little child wanted to be the one to destroy her and it wasn't looking very good for him. To cause harm to Selena would only worsen the condition for the two were still linked. Uriel had broken his with Aiyana. He listened to the two talk and paid close attention to what Uriel had to say since Shadow just made demands. He patted the book he had when Uriel gave the name of the one he was looking for, hoping that this one was it. Also his belief that there wasn't enough time was basically confirmed with Uriel's words. He was tempted to show himself at the end, but decided to remain hidden. Uriel probably knew he was there, his Valiorian body would be easy for an Ostellian to detect, but Shadow would be too focused to notice Kag while he cloaked himself. He stood there and waited like Uriel for Shadow's response
As Kagato stood waiting, a snowy white hawk appears perched on the bannister of the stairway out of nowhere, directly across from Kagato, looking straight at his cloaked form. The hawk's eyes hold an intelligence and wisdom far beyond that of any animal, a bit of humor and sadness both glinting in them as he looks to Kagato. Powerful magic's radiate around the graceful predator in an aura to those who are sensitive to such. A voice, that of a wizened old man, pops into Kagato's mind. "Ah, think what ye will of him lad, but try not to be so judgmental of him...Shadow is still young and headstrong, and his emotions get the better of him at times no matter how hard he tries to control them. His heart's in the right place, he just tends to act without thinking now and then, try as I might to teach him otherwise. He'll be in enough trouble with the young boy over it down the road someday anyway. But for now I suggest we all clear our minds of such thoughts and stick to the problem at hand, and work together to help the young lady Aiyana and her kin...
The hawk cocks his head to the side and looks towards the front of the building for a moment, then glances back at Kagato before taking flight up the stairwell. "Ye may as well come up now, I've just informed him you are here, and there is another of Aiyana's people approaching the Inn at this moment"
Shadow's face and eyes betrayed nothing as he listened to Uriel's words, years of practice made sure of that...but concern and worry clutched at him as it was revealed that Aiyana's very soul was coming apart, and he instinctively cradled Selena a little closer. He had no way of knowing the magnitude this held in her particular case, but he knew all too well what it would mean to most. He simply looked to Uriel steadily and thoughtfully as he finished speaking and asked him of his plan...the lads sarcasm was not lost on him, but he pushed it aside as he realized he himself may have been a bit too blunt with Uriel...the child was evil, that much was no secret, but he himself had committed more than a few evils in his past...hence he should not be one to judge. He let out a deep sigh, and sat down beside Uriel, still holding Selena close to him, trying to comfort her. His eyes wandered towards Aiyana's room for a moment, then he turned and looked to Uriel, seeing him for the child that he is for a moment, and his face softens a bit, carrying a worn expression more than anything. "Well, thank you for answering me straight...I believe that you don't have anything to do with it. And for what it's worth, I apologize for my rudeness...I'm just a bit worried about your mother and Aidan, and was up way too long skimming through books trying to find some answers...now to answer your question, the obvious thing to do would be to search out Kagato and get the book if he has it...but I'm pretty sure Aidan would have done so by now..." His eyes dart up and towards the stairwell as two things happen...the first being a presence similar to Aiyana's and Aidan's popping up out of nowhere outside of the Inn, the second being a message relayed to him mentally in a familiar "voice"...Winter's. He chuckles a bit wryly at the message, then looks back to Uriel with a bit of a grin "Well, speak of the devil...seems Kagato's already here, and another as well..."
Kagato looked over at the bird and shrugged. He had seen odder things than a mind reading hawk and it didn't really matter if they knew he was here or not. He walked up the last two stairs and down the hall towards the three. He stopped a few feet from them. He gave a smile to Selena, a wave to Shadow, and a nod to Uriel. "Seems we have a problem on our hands gentlemen. Aiyana is dying and Aidan will end up dying and the only way we can stop it is by destroying everyone else." He shook his head. "If that's the only way to save Aiyana then we have some real thinking to do. Who are we to bring Armageddon onto the worlds to save our friend? Who are we?" This man took a moment to look around at the group. "Well I am me and I say that it must be brought if it is the right time." He drops the book he was holding in front of Uriel. "Uriel you are a bright boy. Has your mother or Aidan taught you the Ostellian language yet, or have you just figured it out? I think this is the book we are looking for." Again looks around at everyone "If it is, we have a long mission ahead of us in finding those pendants. I just hope we will be able to bring her back completely. I also hope we can bring Aidan back." He seated himself down across from Uriel. "I know you don't really like me, or your Mom, but I am asking this favor of you, not as your mothers friend, but as someone who can't do this and needs what would be in this your superior ability. Can you read it?"
The baby Uriel considered the words spoken, and weighed the options, a sly grin crossing his lips. "Think of what each of you are asking including my mother....favors...put you in debt...and being such the honorable people that you are, you will owe me...you won't know when or how I will ask you to return it...but you will." He giggled in delight, a normal baby sound...kind of strange coming from him. Sitting on his diaper with a squish...a hint he needs to be changed, chubby small hands opened the book. "Aidan taught me some..." That tiny head shook. "This will take a few hours to decipher...since a lot of it is ancient text...." Intelligent and shrewd orbs glanced at Shadow...knowing he wants to speak.
Shadow watched Winter fly up the stairwell and alight upon his shoulder...he glanced at the bird, then looked back down the hall and waved as Kagato came and took a seat. He listened to Kagato's words with a bit of a heavy heart, and Uriel's words did nothing to better things. He looked steadily at Uriel when the boy glanced up at him, weighing what he said, "You are correct, Uriel... I owe you already for what you have told me, and I am willing to pay the price for that and for further help, as long as you truly help us with aiding your mother and Aidan...as well as the rest of creation it seems, from Kagato's words." His attention turned toward Winter, obviously "talking" to him for a moment...then he nodded to the hawk, and gently kissed Selena's forehead before handing her over to Kagato. He stood up, and looked first at Aiyana's doorway, thoughtful, then he turned his attention back to Uriel and the book. "I will return in a few hours then, to see if you've come up with anything...I'm going back to my Uncle's castle...there may be something there that can help a bit after all..." Nodding to Uriel and Kagato, he then glances one more time at Aiyana's room, hoping that they can make it all work out...then he and the hawk disappear from view, teleporting back to the world of Aber-Toril where his Uncle's castle sits. As soon as he arrives there, he knows something is wrong...something just feels wrong. He slumps to his knees, feeling sick, weak and disoriented for a moment...then it slowly dawns on him... he could no longer feel magic coursing through him, could no longer tap into the Weave of mystical energy that existed in and about everything. He glanced up and watched in absolute shock as his snowy white companion transformed before him...his heart nearly stopped as the hawk shifted and morphed, slowly changing until there stood before him an all too familiar form...that of his long departed Uncle Vincent. Behind Vincent floated the visage of a raven haired, pale skinned beauty of a woman, dressed in flowing blue robes, radiating magic as if she were magic itself, looking down at him with sadness in her eyes...he knew then that he faced the Lady of the Weave, the one his uncle's people called Mystra...he looked at both of them questioningly, not knowing what was happening. Then his uncle came and crouched beside him, putting a comforting hand on his shoulder, and spoke gently to him. "Lad, the Lady has been watching you, and feels it is time to collect her due from us, for helping me bring you back to life so very long ago...I am sorry that you cannot return to those that you call family now in their time of need, but you may yet someday get to help them...their quest is going to be a long and hard one, and you may still have a part to play in it. But for now you must do as the Lady Mystra bids..." His Uncle stepped back, and the Lady floated silently to him...he cried out once in anguish before falling into darkness at her touch, having once again been taken from those whom he called friends and family...
She twisted and turned in her horrid sleep. Something was wrong, terribly wrong. Eyes opened wide as she sat up and gasped for breath. orange-red red locks shimmered with power as she slipped on her golden sandals. It was time. A book of hope that marks the end, what this world cannot another will mend. Silver locks were tied back, leaving the fiery ones to rest on either side of her face. It was time for her to make her appearance. In a circle of blood and fire. Fate must yield their desire. What was happening to Aiyana could not be stopped, but the effects could be postponed. There was a way to get Aiyana into good health, but the second time Fate tugs on her soul, it would be time for her to go. Her amulet flickered and a portal was opened. She stepped through it without hesitation.
The portal led her before the doors of the Inn. A delicate hand lifted and pushed the door open. Slowly she made her way up with her head held high.
The sun seemed too hot for him. He had been having trouble working in the sun as of late. The bright green streaks in his hair would hum every now and then. The constant fight of vibrant yellow and deep green would have an odd glow for a second and then fade. The feeling would come and go so quickly he had no clue what to think. He was supposed to meet Mai to show her some of his most recent work. He wanted to share with her what he worked so long in creating. He picked up the worn leather bag that held all his carvings and set out. It was a long trek from the tavern that his only family owned, to that small house that Mai called home. He would pass that strange inn. He found out through Mai that it was owned by his guild leader, Aiyana. Even though they had hardly talked he felt some connection to her. He had the smallest realization that they were from the same place. He had thought once or twice to stop and ask her what exactly did it all mean. He had the vague memory of the events right before he was knocked out, a blow that later would end the hearing world for him. He stopped thinking perhaps tonight he would make the stop to talk with her. His eyes focused upon the door and noticed there was someone there. He shivered and let his eyes blink slowly. She already had visitors, so he would have to make the trip another day. He tried to move his feet but for some reason they were stuck there. Held by some force that told him to go anyway, despite what his already made up mind said.
She remained downstairs not wanting to meet the crowd that was forming above. The words of the man she heard to be Kagato sank into her mind. She shook her head as orbs swirled about. A soft glow came from her streaks as she spoke in Kagato's mind. "To end the world all is to weak, but there are better answers in which you must seek. A different way, a different view, the fate of the world does not rest on you." Dajaine then walked out of the Inn. As she did so eyes became glued on the lad. A shiver crawled up her spine as swirling pools looked him over. Did she know him? How could she had been so foolish to forget the other of her kind? Her mind begged for her to go, to leave without a single word, but a force much more powerful kept her there. Dajaine remained frozen in mind and body.
He too was held there. His swirling eyes already used to the light focused upon her. Then in that moment's time he walked toward her. Not knowing exactly what it was he planned on saying or doing. Dark eyebrows come together as he thinks closely to what it is he should say. Closely he watched her. Studying each movement that was made, and each expression that would come. With a deep breath his soft voice greets the air with such an odd tone. "Good eve." Eyes transfixed upon her lips. Knowing that each word would have to be carefully watched, and yet not knowing how he knew this. This was going to be important.
Her lips did not move as her eyes took in his every move. Should she speak or simply let whatever her mind had to say be revealed in his mind? Streaks shimmered as silver locks danced with the uneasy breeze. There was a connection that was known without the need for words. Without the necessity to speak or think. It was there, alive and burning. Like a flame descending upon a wooden board. Rain would come soon, the birds in the sky gave warning of that. Everything around them seemed to vanish for a moments time. All of it happened within a matter of mere seconds. Speak aloud she did not, instead her lips moved as though she were. Her sweet voice rang into his mind as she did, "You have been blinded to the world we barely know, but as we question our minds will grow. Slowly she will heal, all the while things will reveal." The meaning to her words was comprehendible. She nodded her head to him and walked off into the eerie forest. For some reason she had not used the portal of flames. She barely had the strength to walk away.
His head tilted forward with a slight nod of understanding. Her words rang so clearly through his mind that he knew their true meaning. It was a shock to him when he heard her voice. So beautiful, it truly was a treat for him to hear. She had shared something with him that no one else had been able to do, at least since the time he can remember. His eyes stayed upon the spot where she stood. Everything about her was tucked deep with in his mind for later reference. The night was young and yet proved to be very useful. He let the eyelids close upon his swirling eyes for just a moment's time. When the eyes swirled to focus, he knew things were seen in a different perspective. He turned his body to the side and his gaze shifted to the path he had taken. He realized that things have changed already for him. The moonlight caught upon his shiny blackish green streaks. They seemed to illuminate into a warm glow. So soft was the change that one might not have noticed it.
"A child of innocence, a victim of hate, a troubled girl, so calls fate."
He knew the meaning behind the words. He understood this, but he did not know why they were said. The phrase seemed to repeat in his mind all day and night. Curiously it seemed to beckon him forth to join the group. He knew the story but he wanted to witness the end. He pondered the thought of moving forward to the inn or going back to what he had already planned on doing. He had no purpose now in the inn. His feet carried him across the path and back into the woods, making soft imprints in the dirt. Drop after drop, the rain fell upon his head, making his streaks shimmer even more. His hair slowly became wet and matted to his head. He had to push it back with his fingers, to make sure it did not interfere with his swirling eyes. They seemed to dance, brushing over the nature around him. He could see things clearly even in the night. If he could hear he would have noticed the sound his feet made, a "squish slosh." The mud clung to his black shoes all the way from the inn to Mai's house. Once there he knocked upon the door and awaited her answer.
The gentle sound of rain splattering against the window gave the room in the cottage a soft humming quietness. Mikhel was lulled to sleep by its sweet rhythm, and she moved about the cottage putting away clothing and an array of papers. She had spent the last few weeks traveling off and on, and had hardly had time to stop and see 'Yana. The tap on the door startled her, odd to have company at this time of night...at any time for that matter. Curious eyes suddenly smiled, seeing Joey. He always seemed to bring the smile from her. He looked different somehow, his eyes danced with swirling delight, and that midnight hair seemed all the more intense. She ushered him in, quite having forgotten about his carvings. Sitting with him at her worn table, they began talking, going long into the wee hours of the morning. His pieces lay on the table, having been examined over and over again. She had played with them, moving them this way and that....finally finding a pattern she liked...a design. Words?.......