He flew high through the clear blue afternoon, the sun warming his wings and the wind roaring through his ears. He wondered what was going on just as Morrolan did. Though he was very new to the world he felt all the emotions that went through his bond. He knew what Morrolan knew. He gave a mental sigh as he finally spotted his destination. Circling down towards it he landed on a window sill, looking through.
He established a mental link with the man inside Excuse me? Darien? I have a message to give you. Could you let me in?~
He sat on the sill waiting to be let in so he could fulfill his obligation.
Jana almost jumped right out of the bed when she heard the knock on the door and the talking that ensued. Then when she heard the voice of a male she shrieked and hid beneath the blankets. She thought it might be someone looking for her. She trembled beneath the sheets and when the man left she scrambled under the bed. This land was scary and confusing, but she felt safer here than she did in Alyan. Pools of ice peeked from under the bed. She heard no screaming nor fighting. All seemed quiet, and quiet wasn't always good. Her body lay deathly still, awaiting whatever was to come. Hearing the door shut again, she figured the male had left and shakily sighed in relief blinking back tears.
Many many minutes passed and she heard shuffling noises again and heard Darien speaking to someone, at least that is what it sounded like to her but no auidible replies were given.
Curiousity grabbed her so that she forgotten her fear..she crept cautiously to the door opened it as quietly as she could manage and peeked beyond the door corner. There was Darien and a cute little creature Jana had never seen before. She moved closer but stayed quite a distance away not wanting to get close, she just watched.
Darien had walked back to the room. A warm smile shown to the girl as he noticed her standing there to help ease her fear. He was rather frustrated with things in general. A thought crept past his cobwebbed brain and he pulled out his sketch pad. He went to do a quick sketch of Kat, then flipped the page and drew another of Kat and the girl. He had been wanting to ask the girl the question along time ago. He opened the book to Kat and held it up for her to inspect. He noticed the dramatic change in her face. He flipped to the next sketch and pointed.
A voice entered his head. The sun was at a bright moment. He was no longer fully a vampire, so the sun didn't harm him as much as it used to. But at this time of day .... He slowly got up went to the window. It was covered by a thick black cloth to keep out the sun's rays. This was going to hurt. He slowly pushed the cloth to the side, deep breath taken. He lifts open the window, watches the thing fly in and then pushes the cloth back into place. The soft smell of his burnt flesh lingers up into the air. He steps back watching both the girl and the one who spoke in his head.
Laran landed on the back of a chair. He gives a quick, warming smile to the young girl, his intelligent eyes conveying a feeling of trust. He looked to Darien and relayed the message that Morrolan had told him and then waited, licking his claw and watching Darien out of the corner of his eye.
North of the inn a swampy area is upset. Waves crash into the ground along the edges, waves too big to be natural for the shallow waters. The screaming of Aiyana can be felt all the way up here as a creature with teal streaks emerges from the waters. His simple test of his powers went amiss as the 'One' started to fade. He closed his swirling eyes and tried to focus on the waves, bringing them down to size before they destroyed his home in the swamp. He shook his head as he pondered following the screams. He knew not where they came from, yet he would be able to find the place. The screams would lead him. But part of him wished not to go. It was of his nature not to really care about those under him. Yet she ranks far over him, though only one of the others did, Aidan. He had no wish to encounter Aidan yet, knowing not in detail the talk he would get, but already having an idea. Aidan was a councilman and a guardian. He would not be to friendly towards a half-breed like himself. Of course that damn Valiorian would be there too. He always stuck his nose where it did not belong, trying to be a hero and fix things. Yet in the end his feet started to move and he walked closer and closer to the screams. His sense of failure from the past rining in his head.
Dajaine had watched it all..all that had transpired at the Inn in her sleep. Streaks blazed with power as pain soared through her body. Dajaine was tangled within worlds. The flames captured her in her sleep. Dajaine was not destined to go to the One. She was to sit and wait for the time. Yellow spun about in frustration. The passage between worlds was warm and bright. In this place she could hear more clearly "Worlds collide until the great one can abide." Another piece to the puzzle of life was revealed. Then her body trembled uncontrollably.
The flames wrapped about her. They held her arms and legs, keeping her prisoner. This was not her doing, nor the amulets. A breeze danced past her and then a man with blackened eyes stepped out of the dark nothingness from ahead. He held a sword in one hand and a medallion in another. Dajaine had no desire to fight, nor did she know how to. Eyes closed as she whispered softly. The amulet was engulfed in flames and then it vanished. The stranger could take her life, but he could never take her treasure. Streaks lit brightly as she held her head up high. The man grinned as he made his way near her. A shield of fire circled about her. Better to keep herself a prisoner than to be touched by the filth before her. Now she was truly trapped between worlds, but that did not bother her.
As long as the amulet was safe.
The medallion fell into the hands of Joey. It was time for him to awaken and feel the power within. As he held the amulet her soft voice rang in his mind. ~Tis time to fall into your desire, time to become one with the fire~
Firestar gave herself a mental kick as she caught her mind wandering again while she walked the tree paths. "I've got to keep my mind on this scouting run"...she chided herself.
She sighed quietly, she was happy to be with her clan again, but her mind kept on wandering back to Rhy'Din and those that resided there. After this is over I will be going back there she told herself but even as she said that she thought again of her guild and it's commander. As if prompted by the thought of her commander she felt an uneasiness in the back of her mind saying that something was not as it should be. She silently promised to go back as soon as she could. Suddenly distracted as she caught sight of the enemy her thoughts of the land she now considered home were pushed to the back of her mind, only the small part of her not focused on the group camped below her wondered why she felt this way about a land and group still not entirely known to her. She headed back to her Vale with the bad news that Huur had brought her- there were far more than anybody had imagined camped just outside of the woods, preparing for an attack.
A few days later-
She sat in what she thought to be one of the only truly secluded places in the Vale as she let her mind wander back over the past few days. Happily she would soon be free to go as the Tayledras were winning, against almost all odds, this battle. She puzzled the strong tie she felt drawing her back. "How am I ever going to explain this to my clan if I can't even figure it out myself?" She mused. "I am only glad that they trust my judgment and aren't going to question me or leaving would be truly difficult."
She sighs and wonders why she feels so restless and uncontented. I have every thing I could want or need right here in the Vale so why am I so anxious to leave it all behind? She headed back to her ekele and brooded over these things till sleep finally claimed her.
The following day Firestar headed in the direction that would take her back to her other home..to Rhy'Din and her friends.
It had took her almost a week but Firestar was finally here. She sighed; it was good to be back in Rhy'Din, especially after the battle that had raged back home. Home- Funny how whenever I'm in one place the other is what I call home. I guess I consider them both home because they are so much a part of my life now. I wonder what every one's up to? She grins and sets off towards the tavern to find Shadow and get some news on what's happened while she was gone.
Firestar paced the length of her ekele, madder than a nest of hornets. "Why wasn't I told earlier? I mean you would think that a person would be told that her commander was dying the moment she got back into the realm, but no! No one ever tells me what is going on! No, I have to wait half a week before anyone thinks to clue me in and only because I happened to be in the room when they were talking about some meeting with Uriel. I have to demand to know what is going on before anyone will even consider telling me what is going on." She continues to pace and fume for several minutes before she regains control of her temper. Visibly calming herself she sits down to think about the information she just received.
"Aiyana's dying. And there's to be a meeting with Uriel. Uriel?" She recognizes the name but can't quite place it. "Oh well, I'll find out who he is at the meeting. Now all I need to do is find that Inn and wait there till that meeting." She quickly sends her mind out to her bondbird. ~Huur darling could you fly along the road ways and find Aiyana's Inn for me? Thank you sweetheart.~
Knowing that Huur would find the Inn and then relay directions to her she changes in to her scouting attire and gears up for a scouting run. Be prepared for the worst-The Shin'a'in had a saying for almost anything. She thought to herself with a chuckle. She looks up to the huge eagle-owl circling in the sky and grins setting out after her bondbird. "Now I'll find Shadow and finally get a detailed explanation on what is going on."
An hour later Firestar arrived in front of a large Inn she checks with Huur before entering. Assured that this was the right place she quietly slips in the door and notices someone sitting at a table looking at something. She smiles slightly as she catches sight of Shadow coming out of the kitchen. Who is the little girl with him? she wonders as she walks into the room.
Shadowheart managed to get from the kitchen back out to the table where the others were slowly gathering without wearing the milk...he took the tray and set it on the edge of the table, then set Selena's glass of milk down. He noticed her streak glow as she neared Joey, and he wondered about it silently to himself, then pushed the thoughts aside for now. She seemed absorbed in playing with the little dragon, and he smiled a bit as she started giggling. He started to take a seat, intent on getting some food into her while they waited for everyone to get here, when he saw Firestar walking across the room towards them...he immediately went around the table to greet her, meeting her halfway. He gave her a soft smile as the faced each other...he had so much he wanted to talk to her about, but now was not the time...she had come looking for answers about Aiyana. Unfortunately, he didn't have many at the time...that's what the gathering was for.
"Hello, Firestar...it's good to see you again. You're looking well...I hope things went well with your trip home." Firestar returns the smile "Hello Shadow..." Pain and sadness fill her eyes when her trip home is mentioned, but thankfully he changes the subject. He wanted to say more, but decided against it, instead getting back to the task at hand. "I'd like to talk to you later, after we all get some answers. And yes, I know you've come for that as well..." Gives her a crooked grin as she gets a questioning look.
"Don't ask, I'll explain later" Firestar looks at him slightly confused on how he could know that she wanted answers, she tries to ask him about it when he interrupts her tells her not too. Even more confused now than when she entered the Inn, she keeps her mouth shut so that she won't compound the problem.
Shadow looks at Selena, who is still cradled in his arms, happily playing, then looks back to Firestar with a smile. "I don't know if you two have met...this is Selena, Ai..." catches himself, not wanting to mention her in front of Selena right now, trying to keep her mind off of her mother for the moment...sends Telepathically ~Aiyana's daughter~ Steps closer so Firestar can greet the lass, "hello Selena..." She catches the hint not to mention Aiyana's name in front of the small child. Firestar then chuckles as the little one is absorbed in playing with the small dragon. but Selena is too wrapped up too notice...he grins a bit, then starts heading back to the food, speaks aloud again. "Come, you can help me with her while we wait...she needs to get some food in her...and get cleaned up."
Glances back to Firestar with a grin. "I'm hoping you'll help with that, I haven't had all that much experience with that kinda thing yet."
"Sure I'll help out." Firestar replies as he gets to the table, and pulls out a chair for her, She walks over and takes a seat studying the statues as he then takes a seat near the food. He looked at the statues with interest as he tried to get Selena to eat. She seemed to be content playing for the moment, so he gave up and took a bite of the PBJ sandwich...with a mouthful of food, he looked to Firestar and smiled. "Urm, wanna help me clean her up now? I think we have time, since Uriel and some of the others are not here yet." Looks about, pondering.
"Hmm, if you can bring a wash basin in from the kitchen, we can do it nearby so we will be able to hear what's going on. I'll go get some clean clothes and, um, diapers. Towels too." as he got up and walked over to Kagato, Firestar drifted back from her thoughts and nodded and went to the kitchen. As she moved Shadow went over to Kagato, knowing that Selena wouldn't mind staying with him for a while...he knew the two were close.
"Could you take care of her for a while...we're gonna get stuff to clean her up" Sighs a bit as he hands her gently over to him "She still needs to eat though...I couldn't get her to, so you may wanna try again." He smiles as she continues playing blissfully, then gives Kag a little smile of thanks before heading upstairs.
As Selena was passed over to Kag, her lil tummy rumbled. She ignored that, along with her resonating streak. Joey's pocket began to hum with resonating sound, in perfect rhythym with the child. Selena however seemed engrossed with the dragonet..she was trying so hard not to feel the emptiness of her now missing Bond Guardian. Rowen was not dead, but he certainly was not felt. He had been gone for months, and now it was like he vanished without a trace and lost consciousness..or perhaps memory. Still her mind wondered and a pang hit her as dread and queasiness set in as she touched what was left of her mothers dissolving strands.
It was strange, it was like someone else was there too..besides Aidan. Today was her real daddy's day, when he went to sleep forever.
She wanted to cry...she did not want to be alone. Mommy's life was always such a mess on the inside. On the outside she was the picture of organization and neatness. Who would she stay with? Kag? Darien? Shadow? A stranger? She didn't know any of them well at all. Kag and Shadow were mommy's friends, and she thought for a while Darien would be her new daddy...but nope, like always, things would not work out. Mommy always tried so hard to find stability for her and Uriel. Selena then sighed aloud and summoned Darien herself.
*Adults act like babies, more than babies do. Go where your heart lies. Stop moping about what happened, it's not going to fix things, but doing something right. You are really starting to irritate everyone, they are waiting for you and that girl. Sending Morrolan was tacky. YOU are not the ONLY one losing her, she's MY mommy. How would you like it if someone took your daughter away from you? You would STILL have someone. I will have no one when mommy goes. Just HER friends, not mine. Uriel will be here but he hates me. So MOVE IT Mister, do something right....and hurry up!*
She was as mean as she could muster and she felt horrible, but if it got him to come here, then it was a good thing. Now she waited for that long awaited bath.
While Selena waited, Firestar had begun filling the baisin and started carrying it back into the room where everyone was seated. Suddenly she stops and almost drops the basin as the floor seems to drop away from her.
"Sheka!" Regaining a slim control, she stumbles back into the gathering room and sets the basin down on the nearest table. She barely slides into a seat before she is again gripped by it and her expressions take on a look of extreme concentration, like she was seeing and listening to something that was very far away. For her everything in the room fades away, replaced with a different picture....
At Darien's house, Darien listened to the little girl's sending from afar. Whose voice was it? The wheels of realization click in and he blinks slowly. Gee, no one was happy with anything he's done as of late. He was trying to ease the child that was presently with him into things, but here everyone wanted him to throw her headlong into it all. He really didn't want to scare her away, and he didn't want to cause her to faint again. He gave a tired sigh and looked between the bird drake creature and the girl.
A hand was held out to the girl. If she took it that was her choice, but it didn't look like it. Instead he motioned for her to follow him and luckily she did. On the way out the door he made a quick stop and picked something up off a table and slipped it into his back pocket.
Before too long the three walked down to the inn and into the room where the rest of the group was waiting around a table. The wee little girl was hiding behind him, her body shaking with fear. She had placed herself around plenty of strange men. Darien's blue eyes met with Selena's and he smiled. "Sorry it took me so long, really I am. I just ran into someone along the way." He turns and presents the scared child to the group.
Morrolan relaxed in the chair, keeping the link with Laranthes, seeing what the small creature saw. He was barely aware of the conversations and actions that took place around him. He saw Firestar enter, and he saw the conversation that took place between her and Shadow. He heard Joey speaking and picked up on the importance of his words and the tenseness of his voice, but he knew he was unable to help and stayed focused on the link. All of this happened as if in a dream, everything fuzzy and distant. He began to get anxious and tiresome sitting in the chair, waiting. When Laran had finally reached Darien he had breathed a sigh of relief, some of the tension easing from his mind. And when the three were almost to the inn he was already standing and waiting for thier appearance. Laran flew into the inn ahead of them and perched on his shoulder. He waved to Darien and the girl as he made the introduction. He motioned him to a seat across the table from himself and on the other side of the table and sat back down himself. He saw Firestar come out with the basin and his eyes intensified at seeing the emotions playing through her body. He looked around to see if the others were seeing this and then looked back at her, concern flashing his face. He sat up and watched her, realizing she was not in pain, but that she was no longer in the room. He exhaled slowly, looking to the others not sure what to do.
As Aiyana drifted in and out of sleep, her disgruntled mind tried hard to remember what was going on, she was vaguely aware of the people in her room and less so of the people downstairs. Who was there, and what are they doing here...for that matter, why couldn't she move...who WAS she?
Her solid brown eyes fluttered open and everything felt strange, she had no names for the objects she saw...how should she feel. She felt confused, she knew that, but what else was she supposed to feel? Thoughts were rapidly blurring and she felt her eyes drift close. No images she saw or voices she heard made sense. What is today?
Vlad. said another voice with hers in her head.
Who's that? The name sounded so clear, but is was so frustrating trying to figure out what it meant.
Love, it stated.
What are these images?
Memories. Said the voice again. Again, so clear.
What are they?
Thoughts of things that have happened. It replied
Why so many?
That is life. It answered again.
Where are they Going?
Away.
To where?
Oblivion. It said
That did not sound good so she stopped questioning. Instead she focused on the word Vlad since it seemed most important to these....memories...and then she heard it aloud by a voice, was that her voice? Rest now.. it was heard. And so the confused soul did.
Meanwhile as Shadow trudged up the stairs to get the towels Selena would need, the smile was gone from his face as he reached Aiyana's doorway...he decided to check in on them as he gathered what he needed. He thought he heard Aidan speaking with...someone...as he went up the stairs. so he stood by the doorway and listened in.
Aidan was seated quietly, watching Aiyana as always...and Abi was curled up in a corner nearby, her concern for Aiyana evident on her face. The little girl went to Aiyana's bedside, not wanting to disturb her but just wanting to be there, close. Aiyana..what is left of her skeletal torso barely rises with each breath...her heart beat is noticed by moving skin so dried and brittle..Sunken eyes are closed..her ivory skin is greying and turning brown. The head is bald..everything about her is so still. The little girl removed her sandals and knelt down beside her bed. Her fingers interlocked as she prayed. Silver petals appeared from nowhere and spiraled about them. The now opaque streaks lit up briefly glowing irredescent, then winks out going invisible again. Abi raised her sword and slit her palm with the tip, completing the prayer and promise just made. Eyes glowed brightly, then went dim. The silver petals vanished and the child fell back to her knees. Silent as ever. Sadly Aiyana offered no response...slowly a portion of her toso began to look funny, getting hard to see..it was vanishing. The girl pulls a sheet over Aiyana and then retreats to a corner.
That is when Shadow noticed Uriel out of the corner of his eye and turned to him. The lad was still holding the book, and he had an annoyed look on his face for the moment, probably from wanting his diaper changed right now...but with him, one never knew.
Perhaps she had a couple of days left...maybe hours..in any case the area outside was blackening, it seemed that nature herself was worried. Abigail sat in the corner, determined to keep the Angel of death from coming, not that it really would or could. Abi was not alone in the room, the Guardian Aidan sat almost unnoticed close by, he was unkept, dirty, clothes torn and a pool of blood had dried around him...he sat still as stone staring bleakly at the bed which held Aiyana. The little girl sat still and focused. Aiyana would not die, she could not die. If she did and if Abi survives then the child everyone knew would be dead in spirit for her faith would end.
Shadow almost stepped inside when a conversation started.
"She will be fine wee one...too much depends on her..even time itself...perhaps this is needed beyond our reasoning or understanding.." He sounded so old and tired Shadow noticed.
Abi didn't respond. Her eyes were glazed as she kept focused. Now more than ever she was in doubt. Aidan himself was doubting but as Guardian of Aiyana's life he needed to tell himself that to bring himself strength and comfort...which in turn would ease Aiyana. She fell into a deep trance.
Again Aidan spoke "She needs us to be strong..too often too much she carried us and was the strong one." Weariness tended to make one babble, but he could not afford sleep, he must be alert, time was too quickly running out. She listens quietly.
"Aiyana never makes things easy...always the hard way it's just the way she is.. even now...she was supposed to be 'dead' weeks ago..but look at her..." The little girl nodded.
"Yeah she's losing the fight but at least she's giving one..."
Abi finally spoke up shaking her head. "She no can loose."
"Always too stubborn..." Aidan agreed.
"She could fight stronger." Abi said.
"Perhaps sometimes the soul is weary of fighting." Aidan mused.
Again Abi shook her head. "Missy Yana no can go."
"She won't go while I'm here Abi...I promise." With conviction and desperation Abi said forcefully, "She no go at all, she need fight. Mes need hers!"
"I need her too..." replied Aidan.
"Then she should fights hard."
"Perhaps we should fight for her, I think she's done all shes can...the winds whisper home...she's afraid to go there. Her fate and destiny lies there."
Abigail spoke up then, "Mes know where one magic tingy is"
"A Medallion...?" Aidans tone though weary now held an interest now that was undeiable.
The girl nodded. "Pretty lady wear around neck it no from Rhy'Din or my home."
"The Lady with her portals of fire..." Aidan said matter of factly. Abi nodded, as Aidan again spoke. "I will not make the journey to search for them...my duty is to remain here..."
"da book shows pictures." Abi piped in pointing to where Uriel sat with the book in his lap. The winged boy made no reply nor looked up at the announcement.
"The dome of Alkus also needs to be located for without the Dome the Medallions are useless..."
Abi continued, as he had not even spoken, "me saw book in dream. Thats why I's know he has the right book."
An enlightened look crossed Aidan's rugged features. "Visionary Eh?"
The Child shrugged. "Nismuora shows me lots." Aidan nodded for her to continue. "Me remember seeing picture of pretty lady. Then there was a picture of a man, he didn't have it, but it buried under home. Mes no can remember rest."
Aidan nods again contemplating as the girl continues. "But if that how to save missy Yana, me will see again." Aidan agreed, "aye we all must do what we can."
"The medallion there is blue." Abigail stated.
"Might be whale..." responded Aidan.
Abi blinked and looked to him. "Most of clan whale control water...streaks of that clan are various blue shade of color, sometimes with green mixed in," was Aidan's answer to her questioning look.
She nodded, "man I saw. Him no know."
"Might be this Maxim fellow Aiyana mentioned, she met him saying he was a half breed," he mused again.
"Him blind to what is." Her eyes were glowing and the voice that came out was not that of the child, but of another entity. "The others will not be so easy to find or to gather." Aidan showed no surprise, nor gave any indication that he felt any. "That's to be expected...many ostellians did not want the medallions falling in the wrong hands."
"But one of them already has," the voice said.
Aidans reply sounded matter of fact. "That too is expected many want the ONE dead. The journey people will take for her will be dangerous and full of twists, many will try to set the people back."
"Indeed it shall be," the voice agreed.
"Tele'Quinn needs to be reached...I can feel it."
The voice replied, "It shall be and has been. Allies still remain there. Some can hear the words of their clan members." Abigails eyes dimmed as the child-like expression molded its way back in her face. Abi looks to Aiyana as if she had been the whole time. Partially clueless to the conversation that just took place.
Aidan goes quiet...a sign he is mentally resting and again the room falls silent. As the strain of waiting grows heavier.
"The others are gathering, and more should be here soon...the summons has been sent for some young lass and Darien." Shadow sighed and looked at his dear friend Aiyana, concern and care evident on his face, as he now spoke up and entered the room. She had grown so much worse in the short time he had been gone from this place...he hoped with all his heart that they were not too late to save her...and all of reality.
He softly said a prayer for Aiyana, asking his Goddess for any help She may give. A warm, gentle tingling came over him, and he knew She would give what aid She may...but he also knew that what was happening to Aiyana would affect Her as well. The stakes were indeed high...he said another prayer, this one asking for a blessing on him and his companions, to aid them in the quest to come. Then a small but significant sound caught his ear...he could've sworn he heard a small grunt of pain come from Aidan. If that were true, the wounds were grave indeed. He looked over at Aidan, and stated in an even tone. "Those wounds need tended, Aidan. Most people would've died from the shock alone by now. I know you don't want the help, but you need it. I'll get someone who knows what they are doing and be back in a few." he takes one last look at Aiyana before he starts to leave the room, hoping they can all pull through for her.