Its always Darkest.
Vaya had been doing his best to ignore Thoron, but the wild elf just kept on standing there. Vaya reasoned it was because he was with the striking beauty, Attia. Reason or not, Vaya was sick of the lowlife clustering about him and decided to answer some of the wild elfs questions.
"You know, I just buried my brother.... You think you can take the role of a bit of gods-damned tumbleweed and roll the hells on out of here?" Vaya offered to the unwanted guest.
Vaya turned his attention to the wood elf lass with him, forgetting about the nuisance standing nearby. He didnt see the sickened look on the wild elfs face, it was pretty easy to let his eyes stay on Attia till the third elf got the point and left them alone.
*************************************************************
A day passed and still Vaya sat alone on top of the hill where he had buried his brother, Ama'asha. He drank.... he smoked... another day passed. Another day, and still another. The grass grew underneath him, another day passed. Another day.
How long has it been? How long have I sat here?
*************************************************************
Vaya let his brothers body hit the ground with a thud. He was exhausted emotionally, magically, and physically... yet he still had this small tree to uproot and replant.
The battered sun elf looked out across the beautiful purple lake behind him.
At least no one is here to see me do this.
It would take the elf many, many hours of digging and toil to dig under the tree and push it on its side. He looked back at the body of the wood elf.
You bastard.
Vaya and Ama'asha liked to toss insults at one another, constantly digging at each others flaws, poor choices, and simple misfortunes... he saw his deceased brother smiling at him now.
I hate you.
Vaya hated digging, toil, and any effort befitting a commoner. It was just like his brother to enjoy his misery....lying there lazy and peaceful while his betters dug in the dirt.
The blazing noon sun passed, and set. Vaya was still digging, and cursing, when the moon peeked over the horizon.
Go on then to your reward. Sehaine comes to claim you now.
Vaya stopped digging and looked back at his brother. This time however he only saw the dead body of a wood elf. The snide smile was gone... the light of the moon had come and claimed the soul. This was just a husk now.
Goodbye and blessings, Ama'asha Sul'ess.
***********************************************************
In an island of quiet, dusk, some thirty days after his brothers burial... Vaya and Attia sat alone on the shore of the red lake.
They had been talking for hours about their time apart, especially about the girls he had been keeping company with. While normally Vaya found questions like this to be invasive... he found himself comforted by her little jealous tremors.
Still, he was having a hard time following the conversation. He hadnt been able to relax and speak with her in a long while... and she was so very alluring. He found himself staring at her lips as she spoke... but failed to hear what she was saying. The two ended up staring at each other... Vaya lost track of time. He heard Attia speak, saying the very same thing he was thinking at the time.
"I am so happy to finally see you again... I cant take my eyes off you... I forgot what we were talking about."
Me too.. damn. What were we talking about?
Vaya answered her. "Forget it, whatever it was it didnt matter very much... what matters is.."
Vaya trailed off, forgetting to finish his sentence. Attia was moving closer to him as he sat up to move closer to her. The two fell into one anothers arms and kisses. The two rolled back into the flowers together.
It took the rest of the day and most of the next night for the two to exhaust their passions. Neither of them ever remembered what they had been talking about.
************************************************************
Giant blue pine trees swayed in the background as Vaya turned to look at the last view of his homeland he would see for the next few years. A pristine white beach, perfect rolling hills and majestic pines.
On the beach were his two brothers, Ama'asha and Nun. All of them seemed to be practicing complaining about the mainland before they got there. Ama'ashas voice stood out seperate.
"And can you imagine what the poor selection of girls there will be in the scab-cities? This IS exile..."
"Im sure it wont be that bad... besides, it should be easy enough to impress the mainland commoner bitches.. even for you" Vaya answered.
"You are the one with a taste for wood elves, not me brother"
"Wood elves maybe... but I only developed the taste because of your mothers sweet devotion"
Vaya loved to harp on Ama'ashas mother. She adored Vaya, so much so that all their friends noticed and laughed at the jokes. Nothing inappropriate had ever happened... but Vaya loved to irritate his best friend this way. It was too easy, Nun always laughed.
Besides brother... your mother IS pretty damned sexy anyway.
The four loaded into the rowboat and made their way out towards the waiting ship.
********************************************************
One of those commoners that he had so casually mentioned impressing... was here now, lying against his shoulder crying. Every sob and shudder of her body was an impossibly complex weave of feelings for Vaya. This was a time when he wanted to retreat inside himself and forget.. to suckle the sap of the poppy, to drink to oblivion. This numbness was denied to him, seeing Hyacinthe hurt kept him from tending himself in such a way.
He also couldnt look away from her overwhelming sadness. He couldnt stop thinking of each of the tears he wiped up from her face as treasures... a perfect gem, each one.
She loved his brother so very, very much. There was no secret place in her that she saved to keep sane, she simply suffered in whole. Seeing it humbled Vaya, he doubted anyone would ever really feel this way about him. If someone got to know him well enough to love him, they would find a legion of reasons to cease that love. Vaya felt worthless.
He loved it.
**********************************************************
When he looked down the hill and saw Vellya his heart found a way to sink a bit further. Forcing himself to walk, smile and talk... he went to greet her.
Losing his brother had made him realize that it would never work with Vellya. This moment all Vaya had to cling to was the notion that his brother and he would meet once again in Arvandor. If he put even only a part of his love into making something with Vellya... it would only be a pain like this one, forever.
The conversation, saying goodbye, was hard even with everything else that had happened. Vaya found himself wanting a way out, and he was also avoiding telling her about his brother. The sun elf noble got his wish to escape from the conversation and have his plans to hide events from her ruined with the arrival of his brother Nun.
The scene sickened him, he couldnt bear to look at his brother at Ama'ashas final resting place. The world was spinning... he was sure he said something else to Vellya... he wanted her to know how sorry he had been for hurting her, for wasting both of their time. He wasnt sure he made any sense to her...but he saw her going.
Numb feet drifted up a hillside to where Attia was tending Hyacinthe. Vaya was thankful to see his sister asleep. At least now he could sit and rest his mind a bit.
***********************************************************
Attia was one of the prettiest girls he had ever seen, he found it both amusing and enticing when she let her jealous, possessive, side show. It appealed to his vanity, to his need to be loved and adored.
When Elaera sat down with them Vaya had introduced them. Attia knew the name, he had spoken of the druidess many times. He spoke her name now with a deal of gravity and respect. Attia scanned the other wood elf with her pretty black eyes.
"So you have been taking care of Vaya? and keeping him some kind of... company while Ive been away?"
Attia had told him that she didnt want to know about what happened in her absence.... yet she kept asking, looking, and being nosy. It was impossibly frustrating.. and very arousing at the same time.
The Druidess gave a marvel of an answer, At once she admitted to closeness with Vaya, denied Attia a reason to be jealous, and was still very non-committal with the response. Vaya found that while he marveled at how the druidess had handled the question... he forgot what she actually said.
Maybe it was that answer, or maybe Attia liked her, or it could have even been honest gratitude... but Vaya was sure he heard Attia thanking the other woman. Vaya had wanted them to get along so very much, so much that he was surprised when it actually happened.
************************************************************
"So was it Laniara? Is that who kept you warm while I wasnt cuddling you?" The beautiful wood elf asked him.
Vaya couldnt help but let a bit of a laugh into his answer. "I thought we agreed I would forget feeling abandoned and you would forget what I did when I felt abandoned... do you really want to know?"
"Thats not exactly what we agreed to..."
"Its close enough is to what we agreed."
************************************************************
Laniara sat up and grabbed her robes when she heard the other elf walking towards them where they lie only partly dressed. The moon elf was enough of a gentleman to back off when he saw the two in such a passionate embrace.
Hyacinthe didnt leave when she walked upon the two... she decided to sit nearby and watch the lake while the two sun elves lie in the grass behind her. It wasnt untill many hours later that Laniara passed out and the wild elf moved to approach him.
**********************************************************
Hyacinthe and Vaya sat on the ledge and looked out at the sunrise. It was a beautiful sight to look out from this ledge. His sister had an idea, a silly answer that she did her best to pose seriously.
"Well maybe you can have them both, brother, just get them to share you."
Vaya laughed.
***********************************************************
Vaya forced the body of the wood elf into the fetal position and pushed it into the hole in the ground where the tree had once been.
He had seen Ama'ashas families rites once, at the passing of an uncle. He now repeated those rites. Along with the body of his friend he buried a longbow, a single arrow, and a bottle of the best wine he could find. The overworked sun elf shoveled the hole half full and then used the last of his energy to push the tree back up and in place... over the now resting body of Ama'asha.
A few more shovels, pat it down... Vaya was struggling now. Several days of exertion with no rest or food were taking their toll. He lifted the shovel... and fell on his face.
He didnt know how long he lie there, but he knew the rain came and went twice.
***********************************************************
In the midst of their kissing and groping... Laniara had mentioned the faithful of Hanali. Another of those things he was never sure why he did... Vaya couldnt help but mention how he missed Attia, of the cult of Hanali. Laniara also spoke.
"I do miss Attia"
Still simply speaking, not knowing what would come of it... Vaya did the foolish thing of speaking of a lover to another lady...worse, he wished for her presence.
"I miss her too... she should be here with us."
Vaya was constantly humbled by the devotion Laniara showed him repeatedly. Now was no different, for even as he expected her to finally sicken of him... she agreed again, and offered him another kiss.
***********************************************************
"...and the second thing..." Vaya said. "If you want to be able to demand my sexual fealty.... we have to actually be having sex"
The wood elf lass was incredibly attractive to him, dark alluring skin and bottomless eyes. He thought about how perfect each little detail of her was... even her eyelashes. While her sweet innocent charm was a big part of his attraction, her answer was very attractive but her tone lacked all trace of innocence...
"Well love, what are you waiting for then?"
_____________________________________________________________
Thanks to those reading. A special thanks to Kiyoti for playing Ama'asha.
J
"You know, I just buried my brother.... You think you can take the role of a bit of gods-damned tumbleweed and roll the hells on out of here?" Vaya offered to the unwanted guest.
Vaya turned his attention to the wood elf lass with him, forgetting about the nuisance standing nearby. He didnt see the sickened look on the wild elfs face, it was pretty easy to let his eyes stay on Attia till the third elf got the point and left them alone.
*************************************************************
A day passed and still Vaya sat alone on top of the hill where he had buried his brother, Ama'asha. He drank.... he smoked... another day passed. Another day, and still another. The grass grew underneath him, another day passed. Another day.
How long has it been? How long have I sat here?
*************************************************************
Vaya let his brothers body hit the ground with a thud. He was exhausted emotionally, magically, and physically... yet he still had this small tree to uproot and replant.
The battered sun elf looked out across the beautiful purple lake behind him.
At least no one is here to see me do this.
It would take the elf many, many hours of digging and toil to dig under the tree and push it on its side. He looked back at the body of the wood elf.
You bastard.
Vaya and Ama'asha liked to toss insults at one another, constantly digging at each others flaws, poor choices, and simple misfortunes... he saw his deceased brother smiling at him now.
I hate you.
Vaya hated digging, toil, and any effort befitting a commoner. It was just like his brother to enjoy his misery....lying there lazy and peaceful while his betters dug in the dirt.
The blazing noon sun passed, and set. Vaya was still digging, and cursing, when the moon peeked over the horizon.
Go on then to your reward. Sehaine comes to claim you now.
Vaya stopped digging and looked back at his brother. This time however he only saw the dead body of a wood elf. The snide smile was gone... the light of the moon had come and claimed the soul. This was just a husk now.
Goodbye and blessings, Ama'asha Sul'ess.
***********************************************************
In an island of quiet, dusk, some thirty days after his brothers burial... Vaya and Attia sat alone on the shore of the red lake.
They had been talking for hours about their time apart, especially about the girls he had been keeping company with. While normally Vaya found questions like this to be invasive... he found himself comforted by her little jealous tremors.
Still, he was having a hard time following the conversation. He hadnt been able to relax and speak with her in a long while... and she was so very alluring. He found himself staring at her lips as she spoke... but failed to hear what she was saying. The two ended up staring at each other... Vaya lost track of time. He heard Attia speak, saying the very same thing he was thinking at the time.
"I am so happy to finally see you again... I cant take my eyes off you... I forgot what we were talking about."
Me too.. damn. What were we talking about?
Vaya answered her. "Forget it, whatever it was it didnt matter very much... what matters is.."
Vaya trailed off, forgetting to finish his sentence. Attia was moving closer to him as he sat up to move closer to her. The two fell into one anothers arms and kisses. The two rolled back into the flowers together.
It took the rest of the day and most of the next night for the two to exhaust their passions. Neither of them ever remembered what they had been talking about.
************************************************************
Giant blue pine trees swayed in the background as Vaya turned to look at the last view of his homeland he would see for the next few years. A pristine white beach, perfect rolling hills and majestic pines.
On the beach were his two brothers, Ama'asha and Nun. All of them seemed to be practicing complaining about the mainland before they got there. Ama'ashas voice stood out seperate.
"And can you imagine what the poor selection of girls there will be in the scab-cities? This IS exile..."
"Im sure it wont be that bad... besides, it should be easy enough to impress the mainland commoner bitches.. even for you" Vaya answered.
"You are the one with a taste for wood elves, not me brother"
"Wood elves maybe... but I only developed the taste because of your mothers sweet devotion"
Vaya loved to harp on Ama'ashas mother. She adored Vaya, so much so that all their friends noticed and laughed at the jokes. Nothing inappropriate had ever happened... but Vaya loved to irritate his best friend this way. It was too easy, Nun always laughed.
Besides brother... your mother IS pretty damned sexy anyway.
The four loaded into the rowboat and made their way out towards the waiting ship.
********************************************************
One of those commoners that he had so casually mentioned impressing... was here now, lying against his shoulder crying. Every sob and shudder of her body was an impossibly complex weave of feelings for Vaya. This was a time when he wanted to retreat inside himself and forget.. to suckle the sap of the poppy, to drink to oblivion. This numbness was denied to him, seeing Hyacinthe hurt kept him from tending himself in such a way.
He also couldnt look away from her overwhelming sadness. He couldnt stop thinking of each of the tears he wiped up from her face as treasures... a perfect gem, each one.
She loved his brother so very, very much. There was no secret place in her that she saved to keep sane, she simply suffered in whole. Seeing it humbled Vaya, he doubted anyone would ever really feel this way about him. If someone got to know him well enough to love him, they would find a legion of reasons to cease that love. Vaya felt worthless.
He loved it.
**********************************************************
When he looked down the hill and saw Vellya his heart found a way to sink a bit further. Forcing himself to walk, smile and talk... he went to greet her.
Losing his brother had made him realize that it would never work with Vellya. This moment all Vaya had to cling to was the notion that his brother and he would meet once again in Arvandor. If he put even only a part of his love into making something with Vellya... it would only be a pain like this one, forever.
The conversation, saying goodbye, was hard even with everything else that had happened. Vaya found himself wanting a way out, and he was also avoiding telling her about his brother. The sun elf noble got his wish to escape from the conversation and have his plans to hide events from her ruined with the arrival of his brother Nun.
The scene sickened him, he couldnt bear to look at his brother at Ama'ashas final resting place. The world was spinning... he was sure he said something else to Vellya... he wanted her to know how sorry he had been for hurting her, for wasting both of their time. He wasnt sure he made any sense to her...but he saw her going.
Numb feet drifted up a hillside to where Attia was tending Hyacinthe. Vaya was thankful to see his sister asleep. At least now he could sit and rest his mind a bit.
***********************************************************
Attia was one of the prettiest girls he had ever seen, he found it both amusing and enticing when she let her jealous, possessive, side show. It appealed to his vanity, to his need to be loved and adored.
When Elaera sat down with them Vaya had introduced them. Attia knew the name, he had spoken of the druidess many times. He spoke her name now with a deal of gravity and respect. Attia scanned the other wood elf with her pretty black eyes.
"So you have been taking care of Vaya? and keeping him some kind of... company while Ive been away?"
Attia had told him that she didnt want to know about what happened in her absence.... yet she kept asking, looking, and being nosy. It was impossibly frustrating.. and very arousing at the same time.
The Druidess gave a marvel of an answer, At once she admitted to closeness with Vaya, denied Attia a reason to be jealous, and was still very non-committal with the response. Vaya found that while he marveled at how the druidess had handled the question... he forgot what she actually said.
Maybe it was that answer, or maybe Attia liked her, or it could have even been honest gratitude... but Vaya was sure he heard Attia thanking the other woman. Vaya had wanted them to get along so very much, so much that he was surprised when it actually happened.
************************************************************
"So was it Laniara? Is that who kept you warm while I wasnt cuddling you?" The beautiful wood elf asked him.
Vaya couldnt help but let a bit of a laugh into his answer. "I thought we agreed I would forget feeling abandoned and you would forget what I did when I felt abandoned... do you really want to know?"
"Thats not exactly what we agreed to..."
"Its close enough is to what we agreed."
************************************************************
Laniara sat up and grabbed her robes when she heard the other elf walking towards them where they lie only partly dressed. The moon elf was enough of a gentleman to back off when he saw the two in such a passionate embrace.
Hyacinthe didnt leave when she walked upon the two... she decided to sit nearby and watch the lake while the two sun elves lie in the grass behind her. It wasnt untill many hours later that Laniara passed out and the wild elf moved to approach him.
**********************************************************
Hyacinthe and Vaya sat on the ledge and looked out at the sunrise. It was a beautiful sight to look out from this ledge. His sister had an idea, a silly answer that she did her best to pose seriously.
"Well maybe you can have them both, brother, just get them to share you."
Vaya laughed.
***********************************************************
Vaya forced the body of the wood elf into the fetal position and pushed it into the hole in the ground where the tree had once been.
He had seen Ama'ashas families rites once, at the passing of an uncle. He now repeated those rites. Along with the body of his friend he buried a longbow, a single arrow, and a bottle of the best wine he could find. The overworked sun elf shoveled the hole half full and then used the last of his energy to push the tree back up and in place... over the now resting body of Ama'asha.
A few more shovels, pat it down... Vaya was struggling now. Several days of exertion with no rest or food were taking their toll. He lifted the shovel... and fell on his face.
He didnt know how long he lie there, but he knew the rain came and went twice.
***********************************************************
In the midst of their kissing and groping... Laniara had mentioned the faithful of Hanali. Another of those things he was never sure why he did... Vaya couldnt help but mention how he missed Attia, of the cult of Hanali. Laniara also spoke.
"I do miss Attia"
Still simply speaking, not knowing what would come of it... Vaya did the foolish thing of speaking of a lover to another lady...worse, he wished for her presence.
"I miss her too... she should be here with us."
Vaya was constantly humbled by the devotion Laniara showed him repeatedly. Now was no different, for even as he expected her to finally sicken of him... she agreed again, and offered him another kiss.
***********************************************************
"...and the second thing..." Vaya said. "If you want to be able to demand my sexual fealty.... we have to actually be having sex"
The wood elf lass was incredibly attractive to him, dark alluring skin and bottomless eyes. He thought about how perfect each little detail of her was... even her eyelashes. While her sweet innocent charm was a big part of his attraction, her answer was very attractive but her tone lacked all trace of innocence...
"Well love, what are you waiting for then?"
_____________________________________________________________
Thanks to those reading. A special thanks to Kiyoti for playing Ama'asha.
J
Nicely written, a fun read as always. A number of tough scenes in that telling, but you captured them quite well.
The function of the imagination is not to make strange things settled, so much as to make settled things strange. -G.K. Chesterton,
TSM2 - Hyacinthe, Wild Elf Scout, Hunter, and Trapper.
TSM2 - Hyacinthe, Wild Elf Scout, Hunter, and Trapper.
Two sun elves, a male and female, Laniara and Vaya sat hand in hand on a small hill overlooking the strange red lake.
"She felt bad, when she invited you to sit with us... she meant it. She wasnt trying to hurt your feelings. She is just jealous... and dosnt she have reason to be?"
Laniara was listening to him speak, she seemed hesitant to believe him at first. Vaya kept talking.
"...and she wasnt making those comments for your ears. Really they were for me. I deserve them, I suppose, right?"
They talked for a long while, eventually Laniara came to accept that Attias cutting words had not been aimed at her but rather we simply honest words from a girl who had rights to feel a bit jealous.
Laniara always seemed to forgive him, it was a nice feeling. Even more indulgent of a feeling was when she forgave his lover for forceful reminders of her demands for his loyalty.
In the presence of her unconditional, and totally forgiving, love... Vaya felt small and worthless. It was wonderful.
**********************************************************
Hyacinthe was still shivering despite being cuddled up to both Vaya and Attia. The worst of it was past however, and Hyacinthe had started to talk more.. she and Attia spoke about love and relationships. Vaya busied himself massaging warmth back into his sisters icy feet. Normally he liked to hear Attia speak but now he wished he couldnt hear what they were saying.
"Hyacinthe I believe that every love is as important and special as the next..."
She went on to say more, but that was all Vaya needed to hear to foul his already sour mood. The day before he had sat with his crying sister and marveled at her devotion... and known that no one would ever love him like that, the way Hyacinthe loved Ama'asha.
Now Attia was telling his sister, and him, that no one love was more important than another.... that any other lover would be just as worthy or important as Vaya, he was simply chosen for convenience... or maybe just his nice yellow hair.
***********************************************************
Attia stood with Vaya on the shores of a muddy river near the village of Rivermoot. The young noble loved the way she showed such an interest in his art... she was always eager to come with him to pick reeds.
Just as he was packing up the shafts of hollow grass and preparing to leave, they were visited by his brother, Nun. Vaya was the first to speak.
"Blessings brother. We were about to set off for the lake, would you like to join us?"
"No... I am going into town for a drink and catch up to you soon."
There were several things wrong with this. The town was Rivermoot... not a place either of the brothers liked. The wine was rivemoot swill... also not a favorite of either brother. And lastly, Nun rarely drank.
Vaya knew he wouldnt be catching up to them any time soon, probably not even that same day. Nun would drink himself into oblivion to forget his loss. Vaya knew this wasnt good for his brother... but Vaya was a rather large collection of bad habits himself, he had no room to council his brother.
"Well then brother... enjoy your drink, come find us at the lake when you can"
*********************************************************
As light as the east wind itself... Attia swayed with grace reminiscent of a willow tree as she danced. Vaya was awestruck watching her... not only was this beautiful wood elf dancing in such an amazing alluring way, but she was also crying.
Amazed, Vaya sat down to watch. Carefully silent, he didnt want to disturb her. Though they had talked of her dancing to his music, both of them rarely showed their art to others. This was the fist time he had seen her dance, and her red crying eyes stirred him almost as much as the performance itself.
**********************************************************
Vaya stood at the side of the road with a sack full of fruit. The apples were a gift from that intrusive bastard Thoron. The wild elf had come to lurk near his brothers grave with the weak excuse of needing to bring food to Hyacinthe... as if she didnt have folk caring for her properly already.
Sniffing around my brothers woman before his body is cold... Intruding on our grief with his warnings sister might be needed for some stupid battle. No grasp of what sister is feeling... more like cattle than an elf.
Vaya didnt laugh much these days, but he got a good laugh out of that.
He was still smiling when a wagon-train of merchants rolled down the road. There were a few roundear children running along with the carts, smiling and playing with a bright yellow ball.
The children loved the gifts of fruit they got from the pretty blond elf in black velvety robes. They jumped up and down with excitement... they would have hugged the pretty stranger but their hands and faces were dirty, he told them to run along with their sweets.
Now that we are rid of that cursed food... I should go pick sister some fruit before she wakes again.
***********************************************************
Being busy and dealing with others issues was a great way to not deal with his own feelings. Vaya now busied himself with starting a fire for his sister.
Hyacinthe had gone swimming after dark... and was so out of it that she sat around in wet clothes for a while... and then she had lost even more of her bodies heat by getting naked.
Vaya and Attia moved her close to the fire. Being that her clothes were soaked, he put his own robes on her... dressing her like she were a child in his care.
Vaya had no more tears for his brother. Ama'asha was doing fine in Arvandor... it was the elves left alive that were in poor shape. Seeing his sister curl up tight with Attia left an ache in him.
Those who deserve love have been separated from one another...while someone as worthless as myself has a promise of love from a beauty that is far, far beyond what I deserve.
He thought he might cry, so instead he moved closer to them. He wrapped his arms around the two ladies and closed his eyes. The three elves sat cuddled up with the shivering Hyacinthe in the middle of them, taking warmth and comfort from her kin.
**********************************************************
Apples, Oranges, and his favorite.. Lemons, all grew packed close to the standing stones.
Vaya saw the dozen gnolls strolling about they glade like the owned the place. Typically he would have killed them just for being gnolls... and for having the audacity to be the same race as his brothers killer.
Yet Vaya kept quiet. He didnt have the energy to care about them. Keeping an eye on the nearest gnoll-guard Vaya climbed one tree after another, picking the choicest of the fruits for his pack.
***********************************************************
Attia had said several times that she had forgotten about his drifting to other ladies, but still she wouldnt let the subject go in front of Laniara. Vaya spoke his mind.
"Didnt we agree to not dwell on this?
Attia looked over both the sun elves with her before speaking.
"Yes... we did agree that the things you did while I was away are.... forgotten... and forgiven."
Attia had reversed the order of the words from the traditonal saying. She wanted to put "forgotten" first.
"But didnt you leave here to go chase after someone else yourself?"
"Its not the same.. and even still you didnt have to see the girl I went to visit, and I never did anything with her."
Laniara didnt look to comfortable. Vaya spoke again.
"Is that what you need? Do you need me to be as jealous as you? Will... will it make you as happy to see me jealous as it does for me to see you like this?"
Laniara stood and said her goodbye.
"Well that seems to be my dismissal... ill be going now"
"Dismissal?" Vaya said.
Attia spoke up too, she clearly regretted saying something to hurt Laniara. "Cousin, no... sit with us. We arent dismissing you... you are welcome"
Laniara would have none of it, she made her excuses about school and left quickly.
***********************************************************
Two elves lay together wearing nothing but the remains of crushed flowers stuck to their naked bodies.
Attia and Vaya still held one another in a lovers embrace. With whispered words they carried on their conversation. Vayas voice was the first one heard.
"I understand what you were saying... but if my someone dosnt see my love as any better or more important than the next persons... they really should just go on and move to the next person. I would rather wait for the one who sees me as a treasure rather than a place holder.... ive already had that once, that was more than enough."
"Vaya, I never said that."
"You said that one love was as important as the next... if they share the same importance then none of them are significant or outstanding."
"Maybe I shouldnt have used the word /as/ then. I mean all our loves ARE important...but yes, some will be more special than others. Deeper loves are real... but those lessons you learn even from a bad relationship are important."
It was the explanation Vaya had hoped for. He wanted to think that what she had said was a misinterpretation, so he accepted this answer and went back to kissing her.
***********************************************************
It was Vellya, standing before the three elves. Vaya had never noticed before how very loud her armor was... but now she and her dwarven companion sounded like two small armies marching to war.
Worse than the noise of their clanking metal armor was the words Vellya had chosen to use to comfort Hyacinthe.
"One day you will be reunited with him in Arvandor."
Of course this is such a simple concept for you to grasp NOW...
Vaya felt insulted at her presence and her choice of words. She had the excuse of being here to check on Hyacinthe... but this was just as much Vayas own private time to mourn his brother as it was time for sister. Vaya remembered saying something to them but he wasnt sure what, he didnt care... he just hoped they would go soon.
Vaya heard clearly every bit of advice his brother had ever given him about Vellya... The sun elf looked over to the tree that marked Ama'ashas final resting place.
Thankfully Hyacinthe seemed to know the last thing Vaya wanted to see was Vellya and some stranger... rather than reaching to them and asking for more company, she thanked them and let them go.
As soon as they were gone, both girls looked right at Vaya. His sister searched his face for traces of pain, while his lover looked at him for traces of anything she should be jealous of. Vaya felt loved.
**********************************************************
Hyacinthe was feeling a lot better now, and the knowledge let Vayas body relax. With that relaxation came a terrible, heavy, sleepiness. His sister was still lying with her head in Attias lap. Vaya seperated himself from them a bit and found a nice warm rock to lean on.
"I need my rest darling, sister. Ill look for you when I wake."
Attia answered... "I am tired too, maybe we can join you?"
"That sounds fine, come on over and curl up darlings."
Hyacinthe looked sad when Attia gently tugged her to come along. she spoke. "I wouldnt.. I couldnt get in the middle of you two. I cant be an interuption to your love-"
"Sister... you are about the /only/ person I wouldnt find to be an intrusion. Come curl up with us for Reverie"
Hyacinthe smiled "Well as often as ive walked in on you in the middle of loving some girl... i guess its good you dont mind."
Vaya was glad she was making jokes... he answered with his own bit of humor. "Well... you are a very quiet, sneaky girl... and I was a slut for a while."
Attia laughed. "Yes, he sure was"
The two ladies moved to the rock with Vaya. He wrapped his arms around them again, closed his eyes, and drifted into the empty dreamless sleep of the truly exhausted.
____________________________________________________________
Thanks to anyone who read this far.
J
"She felt bad, when she invited you to sit with us... she meant it. She wasnt trying to hurt your feelings. She is just jealous... and dosnt she have reason to be?"
Laniara was listening to him speak, she seemed hesitant to believe him at first. Vaya kept talking.
"...and she wasnt making those comments for your ears. Really they were for me. I deserve them, I suppose, right?"
They talked for a long while, eventually Laniara came to accept that Attias cutting words had not been aimed at her but rather we simply honest words from a girl who had rights to feel a bit jealous.
Laniara always seemed to forgive him, it was a nice feeling. Even more indulgent of a feeling was when she forgave his lover for forceful reminders of her demands for his loyalty.
In the presence of her unconditional, and totally forgiving, love... Vaya felt small and worthless. It was wonderful.
**********************************************************
Hyacinthe was still shivering despite being cuddled up to both Vaya and Attia. The worst of it was past however, and Hyacinthe had started to talk more.. she and Attia spoke about love and relationships. Vaya busied himself massaging warmth back into his sisters icy feet. Normally he liked to hear Attia speak but now he wished he couldnt hear what they were saying.
"Hyacinthe I believe that every love is as important and special as the next..."
She went on to say more, but that was all Vaya needed to hear to foul his already sour mood. The day before he had sat with his crying sister and marveled at her devotion... and known that no one would ever love him like that, the way Hyacinthe loved Ama'asha.
Now Attia was telling his sister, and him, that no one love was more important than another.... that any other lover would be just as worthy or important as Vaya, he was simply chosen for convenience... or maybe just his nice yellow hair.
***********************************************************
Attia stood with Vaya on the shores of a muddy river near the village of Rivermoot. The young noble loved the way she showed such an interest in his art... she was always eager to come with him to pick reeds.
Just as he was packing up the shafts of hollow grass and preparing to leave, they were visited by his brother, Nun. Vaya was the first to speak.
"Blessings brother. We were about to set off for the lake, would you like to join us?"
"No... I am going into town for a drink and catch up to you soon."
There were several things wrong with this. The town was Rivermoot... not a place either of the brothers liked. The wine was rivemoot swill... also not a favorite of either brother. And lastly, Nun rarely drank.
Vaya knew he wouldnt be catching up to them any time soon, probably not even that same day. Nun would drink himself into oblivion to forget his loss. Vaya knew this wasnt good for his brother... but Vaya was a rather large collection of bad habits himself, he had no room to council his brother.
"Well then brother... enjoy your drink, come find us at the lake when you can"
*********************************************************
As light as the east wind itself... Attia swayed with grace reminiscent of a willow tree as she danced. Vaya was awestruck watching her... not only was this beautiful wood elf dancing in such an amazing alluring way, but she was also crying.
Amazed, Vaya sat down to watch. Carefully silent, he didnt want to disturb her. Though they had talked of her dancing to his music, both of them rarely showed their art to others. This was the fist time he had seen her dance, and her red crying eyes stirred him almost as much as the performance itself.
**********************************************************
Vaya stood at the side of the road with a sack full of fruit. The apples were a gift from that intrusive bastard Thoron. The wild elf had come to lurk near his brothers grave with the weak excuse of needing to bring food to Hyacinthe... as if she didnt have folk caring for her properly already.
Sniffing around my brothers woman before his body is cold... Intruding on our grief with his warnings sister might be needed for some stupid battle. No grasp of what sister is feeling... more like cattle than an elf.
Vaya didnt laugh much these days, but he got a good laugh out of that.
He was still smiling when a wagon-train of merchants rolled down the road. There were a few roundear children running along with the carts, smiling and playing with a bright yellow ball.
The children loved the gifts of fruit they got from the pretty blond elf in black velvety robes. They jumped up and down with excitement... they would have hugged the pretty stranger but their hands and faces were dirty, he told them to run along with their sweets.
Now that we are rid of that cursed food... I should go pick sister some fruit before she wakes again.
***********************************************************
Being busy and dealing with others issues was a great way to not deal with his own feelings. Vaya now busied himself with starting a fire for his sister.
Hyacinthe had gone swimming after dark... and was so out of it that she sat around in wet clothes for a while... and then she had lost even more of her bodies heat by getting naked.
Vaya and Attia moved her close to the fire. Being that her clothes were soaked, he put his own robes on her... dressing her like she were a child in his care.
Vaya had no more tears for his brother. Ama'asha was doing fine in Arvandor... it was the elves left alive that were in poor shape. Seeing his sister curl up tight with Attia left an ache in him.
Those who deserve love have been separated from one another...while someone as worthless as myself has a promise of love from a beauty that is far, far beyond what I deserve.
He thought he might cry, so instead he moved closer to them. He wrapped his arms around the two ladies and closed his eyes. The three elves sat cuddled up with the shivering Hyacinthe in the middle of them, taking warmth and comfort from her kin.
**********************************************************
Apples, Oranges, and his favorite.. Lemons, all grew packed close to the standing stones.
Vaya saw the dozen gnolls strolling about they glade like the owned the place. Typically he would have killed them just for being gnolls... and for having the audacity to be the same race as his brothers killer.
Yet Vaya kept quiet. He didnt have the energy to care about them. Keeping an eye on the nearest gnoll-guard Vaya climbed one tree after another, picking the choicest of the fruits for his pack.
***********************************************************
Attia had said several times that she had forgotten about his drifting to other ladies, but still she wouldnt let the subject go in front of Laniara. Vaya spoke his mind.
"Didnt we agree to not dwell on this?
Attia looked over both the sun elves with her before speaking.
"Yes... we did agree that the things you did while I was away are.... forgotten... and forgiven."
Attia had reversed the order of the words from the traditonal saying. She wanted to put "forgotten" first.
"But didnt you leave here to go chase after someone else yourself?"
"Its not the same.. and even still you didnt have to see the girl I went to visit, and I never did anything with her."
Laniara didnt look to comfortable. Vaya spoke again.
"Is that what you need? Do you need me to be as jealous as you? Will... will it make you as happy to see me jealous as it does for me to see you like this?"
Laniara stood and said her goodbye.
"Well that seems to be my dismissal... ill be going now"
"Dismissal?" Vaya said.
Attia spoke up too, she clearly regretted saying something to hurt Laniara. "Cousin, no... sit with us. We arent dismissing you... you are welcome"
Laniara would have none of it, she made her excuses about school and left quickly.
***********************************************************
Two elves lay together wearing nothing but the remains of crushed flowers stuck to their naked bodies.
Attia and Vaya still held one another in a lovers embrace. With whispered words they carried on their conversation. Vayas voice was the first one heard.
"I understand what you were saying... but if my someone dosnt see my love as any better or more important than the next persons... they really should just go on and move to the next person. I would rather wait for the one who sees me as a treasure rather than a place holder.... ive already had that once, that was more than enough."
"Vaya, I never said that."
"You said that one love was as important as the next... if they share the same importance then none of them are significant or outstanding."
"Maybe I shouldnt have used the word /as/ then. I mean all our loves ARE important...but yes, some will be more special than others. Deeper loves are real... but those lessons you learn even from a bad relationship are important."
It was the explanation Vaya had hoped for. He wanted to think that what she had said was a misinterpretation, so he accepted this answer and went back to kissing her.
***********************************************************
It was Vellya, standing before the three elves. Vaya had never noticed before how very loud her armor was... but now she and her dwarven companion sounded like two small armies marching to war.
Worse than the noise of their clanking metal armor was the words Vellya had chosen to use to comfort Hyacinthe.
"One day you will be reunited with him in Arvandor."
Of course this is such a simple concept for you to grasp NOW...
Vaya felt insulted at her presence and her choice of words. She had the excuse of being here to check on Hyacinthe... but this was just as much Vayas own private time to mourn his brother as it was time for sister. Vaya remembered saying something to them but he wasnt sure what, he didnt care... he just hoped they would go soon.
Vaya heard clearly every bit of advice his brother had ever given him about Vellya... The sun elf looked over to the tree that marked Ama'ashas final resting place.
Thankfully Hyacinthe seemed to know the last thing Vaya wanted to see was Vellya and some stranger... rather than reaching to them and asking for more company, she thanked them and let them go.
As soon as they were gone, both girls looked right at Vaya. His sister searched his face for traces of pain, while his lover looked at him for traces of anything she should be jealous of. Vaya felt loved.
**********************************************************
Hyacinthe was feeling a lot better now, and the knowledge let Vayas body relax. With that relaxation came a terrible, heavy, sleepiness. His sister was still lying with her head in Attias lap. Vaya seperated himself from them a bit and found a nice warm rock to lean on.
"I need my rest darling, sister. Ill look for you when I wake."
Attia answered... "I am tired too, maybe we can join you?"
"That sounds fine, come on over and curl up darlings."
Hyacinthe looked sad when Attia gently tugged her to come along. she spoke. "I wouldnt.. I couldnt get in the middle of you two. I cant be an interuption to your love-"
"Sister... you are about the /only/ person I wouldnt find to be an intrusion. Come curl up with us for Reverie"
Hyacinthe smiled "Well as often as ive walked in on you in the middle of loving some girl... i guess its good you dont mind."
Vaya was glad she was making jokes... he answered with his own bit of humor. "Well... you are a very quiet, sneaky girl... and I was a slut for a while."
Attia laughed. "Yes, he sure was"
The two ladies moved to the rock with Vaya. He wrapped his arms around them again, closed his eyes, and drifted into the empty dreamless sleep of the truly exhausted.
____________________________________________________________
Thanks to anyone who read this far.
J
How did I get here anyway?
Vaya was watching the young human try to coax the wounded horse into settling down. Apparently he wanted to heal up the animal. Vaya was pretty sure that it would be fine he would just leave it alone.
"The horse is free of his oppressors now, I think you can just let him go... besides were are right close to the place I think you wanted to go find in the first place."
Oh yeah... thats it, I was getting the roundear away from the lake. Gods-damned roundears
*************************************************
The red headed human was bent over the grass, bag in hand and scanning the grass where the pixies had been. Vaya decided he was tired of spying in silence... if the men aimed to capture a pixie, he would have to kill them. He readied an arrow and stalked up to them.
The fat human gasped in suprise when Vaya stepped from the shadows and aimed his arrow at the other mans back.
"So... just what /are/ you doing with that bag there, roundear?"
*************************************************
The horse kicked the roundear and took off running the moment the man touched it. Vaya had been sure something like that would happen, even the best humans were bumblers. Only when they reached the last few gray years of their lives did they approach wisdom.. and by then it is too late.
Vaya walked off in the direction of the horse only to see it stumble from running on its sore leg and fall, snapping its own neck. The horse was long gone before it stopped its skid across the grass.
Things like this always happen when I cavort with roundears and other lowlifes. Why do I help strangers?
Vaya thought about going back to the lake, but there was no one at home but him.
Boredom, thats why I help strangers. I should have just killed him and the fat one.. but then Id probably have had to fight that poor bear. Best just to hand this one over to the druids he seeks and hope I never have to talk to him again.
"Come along then, we cant help the horse... You we are however close to your destination"
*************************************************
Vaya sat with one of his favorite people in the whole world, Elaera the Druidess. As usual they hadnt talked for hours, they just sat leaning against the same tree watching some wolves across the river. It was at quiet times like this that Vaya didnt mind the mainland so much. The wolves wandered a bit deeper into the woods and out of sight, Elaera spoke.
"Its so good to see a young mated pair in their bonding stages, it means there is some small hope of another generation in these over-hunted regions."
But the wood elf lady had spoken too soon, for across the river was Vellya... staring into the trees. At first she seemed hesistant, Vaya hoped she just walked away. This was the second time Vellya had disappointed him, seeing her chose to walk into the woods and kill four wolves who chose to defend their homes from her was worse than any hurtful thing she had ever said to him. Vaya was torn between crying and attacking Vellya... but the fight was over before he could make up his mind.
Elaeras face showed a pain that echoed his own feelings. Vaya was sure the mainland was cursed. Someone he had loved was now a despoiler of the wilds, a monster, a pink orc.
From that night onward he and Elaera left the lakes shores with less and less frequency.
*************************************************
The elf and the human walked up the sharp slope of the hill, up towards the giant holly-ringed oak and the three servants-of-the-land that kept it. The human spoke up.
"Thank you for your help and company Vaya"
"Oh, no need to thank me.. really, Im curious to see if these ladies have anything to say other than teasing strangers about dancing naked."
The three druidess had taken note of their approach, and all turned to face them. The three spoke in a bizarre pattern, finishing each others sentences and referring only to themselves as a collective.
"What is it...?"
"... that comes before us?" Another finished.
And the answer came from the third. "A Fig"
"and a Fie" another spoke.
"A fig for those who would help the horse"
Then the other two spoke in unison. "But a Fie on you for driving it, mad, to its death!"
Vaya was busy watching these scene, curious but detached as usual. He usually felt like he was watching strangers on a stage... actors rather than the real thing. This story was drawing him in, curiosity overwhelmed his boredom. The humans answer to their accusations was even more surprising, so callous.
"Such is... Is. If I were not to help it, it would have died anyway."
The three Tree-Keepers were incensed.
"Did we hear that correctly... what did he say?"
Another answered her "Said it was dead already!"
"As if HE writes the book of the dead!" Spoke the third.
Despite the venom in their tone and the scorn of beautiful ladies... the man persisted.
"But I do know that a horse left to bleed wont last long"
Again the ladies were like a hornets nest kicked and shaken.
"He were a nice horse... we would have taken care of him wouldnt we?"
"And that one chose his fate for him, no sign of regret do we see." Spoke the second.
And the third asked "What is it you want with us, Horse-Slayer?"
"Horse Slayer"
"Horse Slayer"
"Perhaps he wishes forgiveness..." another muttered.
Vaya felt the tension, he knew this wasnt over... but the man went on, as if he had gotten past their issue and spoke casually, answering the question asked.
"Merely to inform the Circle that I am in the area."
Ouch, dosnt he know they dont really want to know what he wants? Hasnt he ever had a girlfriend before? Its really pretty obvious what they wanted there.
They laughed at him, terrible scorn in their pretty voices. Vaya was starting to like them. Between scornful cackles they spoke as much to one another as back at him.
"What did it say?"
"Inform us it was in the area... killing..."
"killing our kinfolk - He wishes to inform us, indeed."
"...shall we slay him now?"
Still the roundear male didnt do the right thing. Even faced with death, he couldnt figure out to be repentant that his bumbling killed a horse. He prepared himself for death. Then... Vaya did something he hadnt planned on doing. He spoke up, pulling back his hood he added his own voice to the conversation.
"If you would slay a man for being a bumbler, then yes.. kill him, but I was with him and know he meant only to help the horse. Really, theres a lot of people that should be killed in the commonwealth, but this one is probably among the least worthy."
Vaya was used to getting what he wanted, especially from girls. It was usually only a matter of being polite, slightly flirty, and displaying some small shade of competence. He found that he was not disappointed with the ladies reaction... but he was still wondering why he tried to save the humans life.
Really sort of stupid of me, I guess I trusted him because I saw that a bear had befriended him. Maybe not all bears are good judges of people? ...still, I dont have anything else to do.
"Such is our right to slay him if we wish it" The first said.
"But the elf wish us to stay our hand" The second retorted.
"And such a pretty elf!" The third added.
Vaya replied to the collective. "Well thank you. I do feel I should have stepped in and helped too... but I had faith the follower of /Lurue/ would tame the spooked horse"
"Dont protect him, you have said enough already, elf." One of them answered.
"But perhaps this one needs his protection?" Another asked.
The human spoke up for himself "I do not need the elfs protection."
This brought the stares back at the human male, angry stares. Their subtlety was gone now, they snapped demands at the man instead of womanly hints.
Vaya crossed his arms, showing he was stepping out of the conversation. He listened to the women speak at the man.
"Beg for forgiveness"
"Beg on your repentant knees"
"Beg!"
Still the man tried to explain away what they clearly saw as a transgression.
"Beg for forgiveness for trying...?" was his response.
The roundear man reminded him of the fool Elriond, no remorse for killing wildlife.. just an excuse. He was liking these ladies more and more. He realized they reminded him of... himself.
Just another bumbling sellsword altar-boy who thinks he is the closest one to the gods in the whole world... without considering there are many, many more people in the world more important to the gods than themselves.... just ask for forgiveness already, damn... the bitches will probably get all cuddly if you cry or something, anything. damn. Too bad theres not more elves like these ladies, like Elaera.
The women were not pleased with the mans answer, they glared with faces that seemed as if it would turn the man to stone.
"Such pride, before Nature" Spoke one of them.
The human was still muttering on, rationalizing to the intensely spiritual beings. "Its true I may have had something indirectly to do with the horses death but..."
The women talked, but to one another rather than him.
"What is it we hear?"
"The River"
"...and wind through the tree."
The ladies stopped, hesitated, listening...
"Do we hear something... Grief?"
"Grief? No."
"Humility?
"No"
"No"
The man showed he was smart enough to know what was going to happen next, he turned to Vaya and spoke.
"Just walk away now Vaya"
Vaya blinked with total surprise. He wasnt on stage, a monkey shouldnt look at his audience. He decided to answer the man.
"I am the least of your worries... do you forget your own deity is an ally.. and uh.. servant of the lord of this hill?"
Alright damnit, thats the LAST time im helping him. Take the hint and make something of it, roundear.
The human didnt, in fact he tried to get in a few more excuses, Vaya only caught the tail end of it.
"...So ill admit I might have a lot to learn about the path."
The ladies were not impressed.
The first one hissed. "Learn"
"It does not learn"
"It would reason, bargain, with nature"
"Such pride"
"...and not one tear has he shed!"
"We will taste his tears yet"
"Worms, he will share the poor horses worms."
Vaya stepped back, he wasnt sure what was going to happen, but he sort of expected it to be messy. He could always clean himself up, but it was best to just keep clean.
Arcane mutterings came from the first, and then the second, and third. The human stood his ground for the first spell, and the second.. it took a fourth to finally hear his bones snap and insides split and for him to fall to the ground dying.
The ladies turned their attention to Vaya, they waited.. expecting something. They waited, the man still bleeding at their feet. Vaya figured he would wait and let them speak first, it was a bit of a wait before one of the ladies spoke up.
"I see you arent going to move to heal your friend?"
"Oh.. I dont know him at all. He intruded on my home while looking for this place. Really, I thought he was trustworthy, when I met him he was in the company of a bear."
Vaya stayed still. He had long ago learned to be sparing with whom he shared his healing magics, the stranger you save today will probably kill four wolves tomorrow.
The ladies clearly hoped Vaya would heal the man, they didnt want him to die on their hill... but they didnt want to heal him either.
Vaya didnt move.
With great hesitance one of the three cast a healing spell on the bleeding man, barely enough to save his life.
Vaya spoke "For what its worth... /Im/ sorry our arrival killed the poor horse. Your temple and god have my apologies... I didnt expect this when I offered to show him the way here."
"Worry not, but we will ask you a favor in return for the mistake of bringing a misfortune to our door."
"Sure, what is it? Vaya asked.
"Take this one..."
"Away"
"Far from us"
"out of our sight"
Maybe they mistake me for some commoner who will carry that one on my shoulder? Who the hell knows... Ill meet them halfway, they really are admirable creatures for roundears.
Vaya walked over to the man who was just now coughing up the last of the bloody maggots from his insides. Despite the horrible mess Vaya smiled like he was watching a pretty sunset. He nudged the man with his boot-toe, the sole of it so as not to get any of the mans mess on his polished black leather.
"You heard the ladies now, come along roundear... its time to go."
The man struggled to get up, the ladies watched, Vaya kept talking and gave the man another "helpful" shake with is boot.
"You arent welcome here, and Im probably not welcome back for a while myself... that is the real shame, you affecting my standing. No good deed goes unpunished I guess... are you going to get up sometime soon?"
The man managed to get to his feet, Vaya stepped back so he wouldnt reach out to him for stability. The human was very, very messy.
Ill walk him to the river and ditch him there.
*************************************************
Vaya and Aagatti sat under a shady tree at the shore of the red lake. They were drinking Saerloonian Glow wine, Vaya liked the drink... probably more because it glowed than for its taste but it was pretty and it was getting him drunk.
"The mainland is turning me into my father. Im so damned sick of this place, Im staggered by the ignorance I see here on a daily basis." Vaya complained between sips.
"What happened this time?" the moon elf asked.
"Just some typical roundear dung, I really shouldnt let my boredom drive me to help strangers."
"Lessons learned, my highborn friend."
The two spent the rest of the day playing a complex word game, it wasnt nearly as exciting as watching the young arrogant human get put painfully into his place... but no horses died either. Vaya considered the day better than the one before it.
__________________________________________________________
Thanks to those who are still reading. Also an extra thanks to Mishmash , who did a GREAT job jumping from one angry druid to the next with the barrage of anger and guilt. well done.
J
Vaya was watching the young human try to coax the wounded horse into settling down. Apparently he wanted to heal up the animal. Vaya was pretty sure that it would be fine he would just leave it alone.
"The horse is free of his oppressors now, I think you can just let him go... besides were are right close to the place I think you wanted to go find in the first place."
Oh yeah... thats it, I was getting the roundear away from the lake. Gods-damned roundears
*************************************************
The red headed human was bent over the grass, bag in hand and scanning the grass where the pixies had been. Vaya decided he was tired of spying in silence... if the men aimed to capture a pixie, he would have to kill them. He readied an arrow and stalked up to them.
The fat human gasped in suprise when Vaya stepped from the shadows and aimed his arrow at the other mans back.
"So... just what /are/ you doing with that bag there, roundear?"
*************************************************
The horse kicked the roundear and took off running the moment the man touched it. Vaya had been sure something like that would happen, even the best humans were bumblers. Only when they reached the last few gray years of their lives did they approach wisdom.. and by then it is too late.
Vaya walked off in the direction of the horse only to see it stumble from running on its sore leg and fall, snapping its own neck. The horse was long gone before it stopped its skid across the grass.
Things like this always happen when I cavort with roundears and other lowlifes. Why do I help strangers?
Vaya thought about going back to the lake, but there was no one at home but him.
Boredom, thats why I help strangers. I should have just killed him and the fat one.. but then Id probably have had to fight that poor bear. Best just to hand this one over to the druids he seeks and hope I never have to talk to him again.
"Come along then, we cant help the horse... You we are however close to your destination"
*************************************************
Vaya sat with one of his favorite people in the whole world, Elaera the Druidess. As usual they hadnt talked for hours, they just sat leaning against the same tree watching some wolves across the river. It was at quiet times like this that Vaya didnt mind the mainland so much. The wolves wandered a bit deeper into the woods and out of sight, Elaera spoke.
"Its so good to see a young mated pair in their bonding stages, it means there is some small hope of another generation in these over-hunted regions."
But the wood elf lady had spoken too soon, for across the river was Vellya... staring into the trees. At first she seemed hesistant, Vaya hoped she just walked away. This was the second time Vellya had disappointed him, seeing her chose to walk into the woods and kill four wolves who chose to defend their homes from her was worse than any hurtful thing she had ever said to him. Vaya was torn between crying and attacking Vellya... but the fight was over before he could make up his mind.
Elaeras face showed a pain that echoed his own feelings. Vaya was sure the mainland was cursed. Someone he had loved was now a despoiler of the wilds, a monster, a pink orc.
From that night onward he and Elaera left the lakes shores with less and less frequency.
*************************************************
The elf and the human walked up the sharp slope of the hill, up towards the giant holly-ringed oak and the three servants-of-the-land that kept it. The human spoke up.
"Thank you for your help and company Vaya"
"Oh, no need to thank me.. really, Im curious to see if these ladies have anything to say other than teasing strangers about dancing naked."
The three druidess had taken note of their approach, and all turned to face them. The three spoke in a bizarre pattern, finishing each others sentences and referring only to themselves as a collective.
"What is it...?"
"... that comes before us?" Another finished.
And the answer came from the third. "A Fig"
"and a Fie" another spoke.
"A fig for those who would help the horse"
Then the other two spoke in unison. "But a Fie on you for driving it, mad, to its death!"
Vaya was busy watching these scene, curious but detached as usual. He usually felt like he was watching strangers on a stage... actors rather than the real thing. This story was drawing him in, curiosity overwhelmed his boredom. The humans answer to their accusations was even more surprising, so callous.
"Such is... Is. If I were not to help it, it would have died anyway."
The three Tree-Keepers were incensed.
"Did we hear that correctly... what did he say?"
Another answered her "Said it was dead already!"
"As if HE writes the book of the dead!" Spoke the third.
Despite the venom in their tone and the scorn of beautiful ladies... the man persisted.
"But I do know that a horse left to bleed wont last long"
Again the ladies were like a hornets nest kicked and shaken.
"He were a nice horse... we would have taken care of him wouldnt we?"
"And that one chose his fate for him, no sign of regret do we see." Spoke the second.
And the third asked "What is it you want with us, Horse-Slayer?"
"Horse Slayer"
"Horse Slayer"
"Perhaps he wishes forgiveness..." another muttered.
Vaya felt the tension, he knew this wasnt over... but the man went on, as if he had gotten past their issue and spoke casually, answering the question asked.
"Merely to inform the Circle that I am in the area."
Ouch, dosnt he know they dont really want to know what he wants? Hasnt he ever had a girlfriend before? Its really pretty obvious what they wanted there.
They laughed at him, terrible scorn in their pretty voices. Vaya was starting to like them. Between scornful cackles they spoke as much to one another as back at him.
"What did it say?"
"Inform us it was in the area... killing..."
"killing our kinfolk - He wishes to inform us, indeed."
"...shall we slay him now?"
Still the roundear male didnt do the right thing. Even faced with death, he couldnt figure out to be repentant that his bumbling killed a horse. He prepared himself for death. Then... Vaya did something he hadnt planned on doing. He spoke up, pulling back his hood he added his own voice to the conversation.
"If you would slay a man for being a bumbler, then yes.. kill him, but I was with him and know he meant only to help the horse. Really, theres a lot of people that should be killed in the commonwealth, but this one is probably among the least worthy."
Vaya was used to getting what he wanted, especially from girls. It was usually only a matter of being polite, slightly flirty, and displaying some small shade of competence. He found that he was not disappointed with the ladies reaction... but he was still wondering why he tried to save the humans life.
Really sort of stupid of me, I guess I trusted him because I saw that a bear had befriended him. Maybe not all bears are good judges of people? ...still, I dont have anything else to do.
"Such is our right to slay him if we wish it" The first said.
"But the elf wish us to stay our hand" The second retorted.
"And such a pretty elf!" The third added.
Vaya replied to the collective. "Well thank you. I do feel I should have stepped in and helped too... but I had faith the follower of /Lurue/ would tame the spooked horse"
"Dont protect him, you have said enough already, elf." One of them answered.
"But perhaps this one needs his protection?" Another asked.
The human spoke up for himself "I do not need the elfs protection."
This brought the stares back at the human male, angry stares. Their subtlety was gone now, they snapped demands at the man instead of womanly hints.
Vaya crossed his arms, showing he was stepping out of the conversation. He listened to the women speak at the man.
"Beg for forgiveness"
"Beg on your repentant knees"
"Beg!"
Still the man tried to explain away what they clearly saw as a transgression.
"Beg for forgiveness for trying...?" was his response.
The roundear man reminded him of the fool Elriond, no remorse for killing wildlife.. just an excuse. He was liking these ladies more and more. He realized they reminded him of... himself.
Just another bumbling sellsword altar-boy who thinks he is the closest one to the gods in the whole world... without considering there are many, many more people in the world more important to the gods than themselves.... just ask for forgiveness already, damn... the bitches will probably get all cuddly if you cry or something, anything. damn. Too bad theres not more elves like these ladies, like Elaera.
The women were not pleased with the mans answer, they glared with faces that seemed as if it would turn the man to stone.
"Such pride, before Nature" Spoke one of them.
The human was still muttering on, rationalizing to the intensely spiritual beings. "Its true I may have had something indirectly to do with the horses death but..."
The women talked, but to one another rather than him.
"What is it we hear?"
"The River"
"...and wind through the tree."
The ladies stopped, hesitated, listening...
"Do we hear something... Grief?"
"Grief? No."
"Humility?
"No"
"No"
The man showed he was smart enough to know what was going to happen next, he turned to Vaya and spoke.
"Just walk away now Vaya"
Vaya blinked with total surprise. He wasnt on stage, a monkey shouldnt look at his audience. He decided to answer the man.
"I am the least of your worries... do you forget your own deity is an ally.. and uh.. servant of the lord of this hill?"
Alright damnit, thats the LAST time im helping him. Take the hint and make something of it, roundear.
The human didnt, in fact he tried to get in a few more excuses, Vaya only caught the tail end of it.
"...So ill admit I might have a lot to learn about the path."
The ladies were not impressed.
The first one hissed. "Learn"
"It does not learn"
"It would reason, bargain, with nature"
"Such pride"
"...and not one tear has he shed!"
"We will taste his tears yet"
"Worms, he will share the poor horses worms."
Vaya stepped back, he wasnt sure what was going to happen, but he sort of expected it to be messy. He could always clean himself up, but it was best to just keep clean.
Arcane mutterings came from the first, and then the second, and third. The human stood his ground for the first spell, and the second.. it took a fourth to finally hear his bones snap and insides split and for him to fall to the ground dying.
The ladies turned their attention to Vaya, they waited.. expecting something. They waited, the man still bleeding at their feet. Vaya figured he would wait and let them speak first, it was a bit of a wait before one of the ladies spoke up.
"I see you arent going to move to heal your friend?"
"Oh.. I dont know him at all. He intruded on my home while looking for this place. Really, I thought he was trustworthy, when I met him he was in the company of a bear."
Vaya stayed still. He had long ago learned to be sparing with whom he shared his healing magics, the stranger you save today will probably kill four wolves tomorrow.
The ladies clearly hoped Vaya would heal the man, they didnt want him to die on their hill... but they didnt want to heal him either.
Vaya didnt move.
With great hesitance one of the three cast a healing spell on the bleeding man, barely enough to save his life.
Vaya spoke "For what its worth... /Im/ sorry our arrival killed the poor horse. Your temple and god have my apologies... I didnt expect this when I offered to show him the way here."
"Worry not, but we will ask you a favor in return for the mistake of bringing a misfortune to our door."
"Sure, what is it? Vaya asked.
"Take this one..."
"Away"
"Far from us"
"out of our sight"
Maybe they mistake me for some commoner who will carry that one on my shoulder? Who the hell knows... Ill meet them halfway, they really are admirable creatures for roundears.
Vaya walked over to the man who was just now coughing up the last of the bloody maggots from his insides. Despite the horrible mess Vaya smiled like he was watching a pretty sunset. He nudged the man with his boot-toe, the sole of it so as not to get any of the mans mess on his polished black leather.
"You heard the ladies now, come along roundear... its time to go."
The man struggled to get up, the ladies watched, Vaya kept talking and gave the man another "helpful" shake with is boot.
"You arent welcome here, and Im probably not welcome back for a while myself... that is the real shame, you affecting my standing. No good deed goes unpunished I guess... are you going to get up sometime soon?"
The man managed to get to his feet, Vaya stepped back so he wouldnt reach out to him for stability. The human was very, very messy.
Ill walk him to the river and ditch him there.
*************************************************
Vaya and Aagatti sat under a shady tree at the shore of the red lake. They were drinking Saerloonian Glow wine, Vaya liked the drink... probably more because it glowed than for its taste but it was pretty and it was getting him drunk.
"The mainland is turning me into my father. Im so damned sick of this place, Im staggered by the ignorance I see here on a daily basis." Vaya complained between sips.
"What happened this time?" the moon elf asked.
"Just some typical roundear dung, I really shouldnt let my boredom drive me to help strangers."
"Lessons learned, my highborn friend."
The two spent the rest of the day playing a complex word game, it wasnt nearly as exciting as watching the young arrogant human get put painfully into his place... but no horses died either. Vaya considered the day better than the one before it.
__________________________________________________________
Thanks to those who are still reading. Also an extra thanks to Mishmash , who did a GREAT job jumping from one angry druid to the next with the barrage of anger and guilt. well done.
J
The two burly dockworkers lowered the tree into the hold of the sleek white elven ship. It had cost all the last of Vayas money to rent a wagon and donkey to load the uprooted tree with Ama'ashas body. The loss of money didnt bother Vaya at all, he would be rich enough when he got home. The important thing was that Ama's mother would get what she asked for, her son had been exhumed and would be shipped home with Vaya and his companions.
As the tree with its roots bundled up dissapeared into the cargo hold of the elven clipper Vayas thoughts turned to those companions with him this day. The companions he would finally, at long last, escape from the mainland with. As he looked over the four elves with him, he smiled. Vaya didnt usually like to contemplate the idea of of father being right... but now looking at his friends he was on some level glad he came.
My purpose was not to learn humility or anything stupid like that... my lesson on the mainland was that humans are a foul race of dangerous savages. My lesson is to understand the true and enduring value of Evermeet... and to save as many pf the people as I can, to save THESE people.
**********************************************************
Vaya knocked on the door to the nercomany dorm. The door swung open to reveal the face he expected, his brother Nun.
"Brother, Vaya... what brings you to the academy? I thought you were sick of this place?" Asked the bookish moon elf.
"I am, brother. Sick of this place and sick of the mainland. It is time, pack your things."
"But... what about Ama'asha? I know home is home.. but we cant leave him can we?" Nun knew Vaya to be a cold, often cruel, creature and he was prepared to have a fight with Vaya over this if he must.
"No, we wont be leaving one of OUR brothers here in this dung heap. I have been doing patrols, working like a gods-damned commoner to earn the money to rent a horse, wagon, and two workers."
"Oh?"
"Yes. You will accompany me to his resting place and we will take him home, as his mother requested."
"What about Hyacynthe? Wont she be upset... or is she coming too?"
"No. I still love her like my sister... but I cannot trust her to make the right choice. I will leave her a letter inviting her, but she will not be forewarned and have a chance to interfere."
Nun nodded. "I guess you are right, she didnt merge with the elves when he passed anyway... she became MORE of the human coddler she was before."
"Thats right.. I doubt she would leave with us even if I asked. Still, Ill leave her a letter in one of her caches. Give her a few years to grow tired of the world, she may yet join us."
Nun was packing his things, quickly. He almost smiled, he hadnt done that since Ama'asha was slain by a gnoll.
It was only a moment longer till they were on their way out of the academy. Neither of them even gave it a fond backwards glance, their faces were set towards their immediate tasks and their minds set on home.
**********************************************************
While at the gravesite, digging out the tree that served as Ama'ashas current resting place the two elves had a visitor. Aagatti of Suldanessar was very curious to know what was going on, why were they digging up their friend? Nun answered him.
"We, the three of us, are going home to Evermeet. We came here together and we are going home together, living or not."
"Oh" was all the second moon elf could respond. He didnt look happy, he returned to talking after a moment of stunned silence.
"But... you are just about half the elves here! Vaya, arent you leaving some friends behind? What about your fiance? and the druidess you seem to adore so much? Youll just leave them behind?"
Vaya Replied. "No, my lady love already agreed to go whenever I chose.. and I intend on getting the druidess to come /with/ us.... even if i have to beg."
Aagatti looked resigned as they finished the work of exhuming the body, tree and all, and getting it into the wagon. The Suldanessan elf spoke again as the other two were about to leave.
"Well, maybe a drink before you go? You two are my best friends here, ill be lonely with just these roundears for company."
Vaya hesitated, he certainly wasnt going to stop for drinks now that his brothers body was out of the ground. He spoke without thinking, even as he said the words he was sure the other elf wouldnt go for it.. but he said it anyway.
"Why dont you just come home with us? Nun has a pretty sister at home you might want to meet... and every elf should at least see Evermeet if not settle there."
Aagatti hesitated, Nun added his own words to Vayas.
"You want to drink with us? The only place ive ever had a decent drink was at home... not here. Come to Evermeet and we will have that drink.
Aagatti smiled wide. "A week long voyage... just to have a good drink, alright, Im in.
**********************************************************
"Ill miss you, Vaya."
"But you dont have to miss me, Elaera"
"What do you mean?" She asked, looking up at him from the flower patch.
"I mean.. come with us. Come to Evermeet." Vaya sat down close to Elaera. They rarely touched, but now Vaya put his hand directly onto hers and looked straight into her eyes.
"Is there anything here, at all for you?"
Vaya knew what the answer would be, he could see the sadness creeping into her face. She was the one elf with more complaints about this place than himself.
"I... I really do feel like my time here has been a complete and total waste of the last year or so."
Vaya gently squeezed her hand and let her keep talking. She was saying things he already knew.. but he also knew to let her say them as she was talking /herself/ into leaving with him.
"Thoron senselessly killing rabbits no one was going to eat... Vellya slaughtering wolves... all the elves who turn from our gods..."
Vaya only nodded, letting her finish her complaints before speaking again.
"Yes, we feel the same... and as you admit, all the elves you DO like... are leaving with me. We want you with us... this place dosnt care for our kind or our philosophies. We are your people, and we want you... we need you."
"The high forest is still my home in my heart, Vaya, I will want to go back there one day."
"Once you see the staggering beauty of Evermeet... youll stay."
"Dont be so sure about that... maybe 20 or 30 years, I can visit that long."
Vaya smiled, she was going. He spoke again.
"You know I will try to keep you, dont make the descsion to leave before you have gotten there."
"I wont... but I dont want you being misled. 20 or 30 years, and I will want to visit home again, I am sure."
"Sure, I am just glad you are coming now."
You will stay, my darling moral compass, you will stay... You will fall in love with the beauty of the Islands. If not... one of us can get you pregnant, even me, if need be.
The plot going on in his head didnt stop his smile from being genuinely warm. Vaya helped her to her feet and they began walking off towards the city of Silverymoon.
**********************************************************
Just outside the city the ship docked along the riverbank to pick up their last passenger outside the city walls. Elaera whistled loudly towards the trees she has left her bear waiting in. Sure enough the big shaggy ursine lumbered up the plank at his mistress command.
Vaya was sure the bear would resist, but it didnt. It would be fed leaves picked to sedate it on the trip home. Vaya felt a little sorry for the bear having to make the trip... but then again no one would ever slaughter /this/ bear like so many innocent animals Vaya had seen die here.
As he sat on the ships railing he wrapped his arm around Attia. Vaya knew sadness finally, as his thoughts turned to Laniara. He knew she wouldnt come. She resented Evermeet and she had more than once showed a resentment of the nobility. Inviting her home with him would just sink what little friendship they had developed. Attia could tell he was sad, she hugged him tight and kissed his cheek as Silverymoon dwindled into a dot on the horizon... and then was gone.
Vaya had finally escaped the mainland.
**********************************************************
The young gold elf, Ama'asha, helped his ancient father along the garden path in the forest behind their palace. The black-clad sun elf was a rarity for his people, being so so very old that he had gone gray. Most of the Ana'ari family lived to a ripe old age and Vaya was no different. At the age of 1007 years old he had outlived his own father by two years.
Ama'asha knew he had been named for one of his fathers adventuring companions, one who had died on the mainland. Of corse the young sun elf noble had never met his namesake but had visited his gravesite more than once... and was going to do so now, again.
The gravesite was a little grove of trees on the far edge of his families ranch. Each one of the old mans friends now lay there, along with his lover and the mother of his child, Attia. Atttia had passed into Arvandor almost 10 years prior to this sad day. The ancient Vaya had wanted to die with her... but her last wish was for him to live to see their sons wedding. A wedding that had happened a month ago this very day.
The ancient, stooped old sun elf had wanted to wait a month so as not to sour the memory of the wedding itself.. but nothing weighed on his heart so much now as the urge to eat the poisoned apple in his hand.
Just a few steps further. The old elf was barely able to walk, even with the help of his son. In his youth Vaya had been the nations finest flute player, and even now as he settled near the tree over his dear Attias final resting place, he had a plain reed flute in his hand. A reed flute and an apple. A poisoned apple.
The young sun elf and his newlywed wife were openly crying now as they watched the old man reach out to touch the tree and address it as if it were his wife.
"Darling, sweet beauty... I am finally done. Tired. I have played music at our sons wedding as you wanted, I am coming to you now."
His daughter-in-law sobbed behind him.
"I will thank you again, beauty, for being mine... I was such a dark, dark creature, lost.... and you.. you brought me back to the light.
The two young elves behind him failed to understand how kindly old Vaya, the quiet old man that kept to himself and played such beautiful music could call himself "dark". They had only known a loving father and house elder. The old man kept talking to the tree.
"You literally made my empty life worth living. I am glad to have found something more valuable than the music I could make."
The old man leaned against the tree and took a bite of the poisoned apple he had prepared. He didnt even have the time to eat a second bite before his hand went numb and his vision turned into a tunnel.
"I love you"
With fading vision Vaya looked past his children, knowing they would do better than he did with his life. He saw the bright rays of the rising sun trough his clouding vision. It had always been dark for him, his life, but now.. in his last moment it was dawn.
___________________________________________________________
Thanks to all those who have kept up with the story till its end. Thanks also to everyone I played with that inspired a page in my story and the biggest thanks to those friends of Vaya that were close enough to him to retire alongside with him.
Time for a new PC and a new story.
J
As the tree with its roots bundled up dissapeared into the cargo hold of the elven clipper Vayas thoughts turned to those companions with him this day. The companions he would finally, at long last, escape from the mainland with. As he looked over the four elves with him, he smiled. Vaya didnt usually like to contemplate the idea of of father being right... but now looking at his friends he was on some level glad he came.
My purpose was not to learn humility or anything stupid like that... my lesson on the mainland was that humans are a foul race of dangerous savages. My lesson is to understand the true and enduring value of Evermeet... and to save as many pf the people as I can, to save THESE people.
**********************************************************
Vaya knocked on the door to the nercomany dorm. The door swung open to reveal the face he expected, his brother Nun.
"Brother, Vaya... what brings you to the academy? I thought you were sick of this place?" Asked the bookish moon elf.
"I am, brother. Sick of this place and sick of the mainland. It is time, pack your things."
"But... what about Ama'asha? I know home is home.. but we cant leave him can we?" Nun knew Vaya to be a cold, often cruel, creature and he was prepared to have a fight with Vaya over this if he must.
"No, we wont be leaving one of OUR brothers here in this dung heap. I have been doing patrols, working like a gods-damned commoner to earn the money to rent a horse, wagon, and two workers."
"Oh?"
"Yes. You will accompany me to his resting place and we will take him home, as his mother requested."
"What about Hyacynthe? Wont she be upset... or is she coming too?"
"No. I still love her like my sister... but I cannot trust her to make the right choice. I will leave her a letter inviting her, but she will not be forewarned and have a chance to interfere."
Nun nodded. "I guess you are right, she didnt merge with the elves when he passed anyway... she became MORE of the human coddler she was before."
"Thats right.. I doubt she would leave with us even if I asked. Still, Ill leave her a letter in one of her caches. Give her a few years to grow tired of the world, she may yet join us."
Nun was packing his things, quickly. He almost smiled, he hadnt done that since Ama'asha was slain by a gnoll.
It was only a moment longer till they were on their way out of the academy. Neither of them even gave it a fond backwards glance, their faces were set towards their immediate tasks and their minds set on home.
**********************************************************
While at the gravesite, digging out the tree that served as Ama'ashas current resting place the two elves had a visitor. Aagatti of Suldanessar was very curious to know what was going on, why were they digging up their friend? Nun answered him.
"We, the three of us, are going home to Evermeet. We came here together and we are going home together, living or not."
"Oh" was all the second moon elf could respond. He didnt look happy, he returned to talking after a moment of stunned silence.
"But... you are just about half the elves here! Vaya, arent you leaving some friends behind? What about your fiance? and the druidess you seem to adore so much? Youll just leave them behind?"
Vaya Replied. "No, my lady love already agreed to go whenever I chose.. and I intend on getting the druidess to come /with/ us.... even if i have to beg."
Aagatti looked resigned as they finished the work of exhuming the body, tree and all, and getting it into the wagon. The Suldanessan elf spoke again as the other two were about to leave.
"Well, maybe a drink before you go? You two are my best friends here, ill be lonely with just these roundears for company."
Vaya hesitated, he certainly wasnt going to stop for drinks now that his brothers body was out of the ground. He spoke without thinking, even as he said the words he was sure the other elf wouldnt go for it.. but he said it anyway.
"Why dont you just come home with us? Nun has a pretty sister at home you might want to meet... and every elf should at least see Evermeet if not settle there."
Aagatti hesitated, Nun added his own words to Vayas.
"You want to drink with us? The only place ive ever had a decent drink was at home... not here. Come to Evermeet and we will have that drink.
Aagatti smiled wide. "A week long voyage... just to have a good drink, alright, Im in.
**********************************************************
"Ill miss you, Vaya."
"But you dont have to miss me, Elaera"
"What do you mean?" She asked, looking up at him from the flower patch.
"I mean.. come with us. Come to Evermeet." Vaya sat down close to Elaera. They rarely touched, but now Vaya put his hand directly onto hers and looked straight into her eyes.
"Is there anything here, at all for you?"
Vaya knew what the answer would be, he could see the sadness creeping into her face. She was the one elf with more complaints about this place than himself.
"I... I really do feel like my time here has been a complete and total waste of the last year or so."
Vaya gently squeezed her hand and let her keep talking. She was saying things he already knew.. but he also knew to let her say them as she was talking /herself/ into leaving with him.
"Thoron senselessly killing rabbits no one was going to eat... Vellya slaughtering wolves... all the elves who turn from our gods..."
Vaya only nodded, letting her finish her complaints before speaking again.
"Yes, we feel the same... and as you admit, all the elves you DO like... are leaving with me. We want you with us... this place dosnt care for our kind or our philosophies. We are your people, and we want you... we need you."
"The high forest is still my home in my heart, Vaya, I will want to go back there one day."
"Once you see the staggering beauty of Evermeet... youll stay."
"Dont be so sure about that... maybe 20 or 30 years, I can visit that long."
Vaya smiled, she was going. He spoke again.
"You know I will try to keep you, dont make the descsion to leave before you have gotten there."
"I wont... but I dont want you being misled. 20 or 30 years, and I will want to visit home again, I am sure."
"Sure, I am just glad you are coming now."
You will stay, my darling moral compass, you will stay... You will fall in love with the beauty of the Islands. If not... one of us can get you pregnant, even me, if need be.
The plot going on in his head didnt stop his smile from being genuinely warm. Vaya helped her to her feet and they began walking off towards the city of Silverymoon.
**********************************************************
Just outside the city the ship docked along the riverbank to pick up their last passenger outside the city walls. Elaera whistled loudly towards the trees she has left her bear waiting in. Sure enough the big shaggy ursine lumbered up the plank at his mistress command.
Vaya was sure the bear would resist, but it didnt. It would be fed leaves picked to sedate it on the trip home. Vaya felt a little sorry for the bear having to make the trip... but then again no one would ever slaughter /this/ bear like so many innocent animals Vaya had seen die here.
As he sat on the ships railing he wrapped his arm around Attia. Vaya knew sadness finally, as his thoughts turned to Laniara. He knew she wouldnt come. She resented Evermeet and she had more than once showed a resentment of the nobility. Inviting her home with him would just sink what little friendship they had developed. Attia could tell he was sad, she hugged him tight and kissed his cheek as Silverymoon dwindled into a dot on the horizon... and then was gone.
Vaya had finally escaped the mainland.
**********************************************************
The young gold elf, Ama'asha, helped his ancient father along the garden path in the forest behind their palace. The black-clad sun elf was a rarity for his people, being so so very old that he had gone gray. Most of the Ana'ari family lived to a ripe old age and Vaya was no different. At the age of 1007 years old he had outlived his own father by two years.
Ama'asha knew he had been named for one of his fathers adventuring companions, one who had died on the mainland. Of corse the young sun elf noble had never met his namesake but had visited his gravesite more than once... and was going to do so now, again.
The gravesite was a little grove of trees on the far edge of his families ranch. Each one of the old mans friends now lay there, along with his lover and the mother of his child, Attia. Atttia had passed into Arvandor almost 10 years prior to this sad day. The ancient Vaya had wanted to die with her... but her last wish was for him to live to see their sons wedding. A wedding that had happened a month ago this very day.
The ancient, stooped old sun elf had wanted to wait a month so as not to sour the memory of the wedding itself.. but nothing weighed on his heart so much now as the urge to eat the poisoned apple in his hand.
Just a few steps further. The old elf was barely able to walk, even with the help of his son. In his youth Vaya had been the nations finest flute player, and even now as he settled near the tree over his dear Attias final resting place, he had a plain reed flute in his hand. A reed flute and an apple. A poisoned apple.
The young sun elf and his newlywed wife were openly crying now as they watched the old man reach out to touch the tree and address it as if it were his wife.
"Darling, sweet beauty... I am finally done. Tired. I have played music at our sons wedding as you wanted, I am coming to you now."
His daughter-in-law sobbed behind him.
"I will thank you again, beauty, for being mine... I was such a dark, dark creature, lost.... and you.. you brought me back to the light.
The two young elves behind him failed to understand how kindly old Vaya, the quiet old man that kept to himself and played such beautiful music could call himself "dark". They had only known a loving father and house elder. The old man kept talking to the tree.
"You literally made my empty life worth living. I am glad to have found something more valuable than the music I could make."
The old man leaned against the tree and took a bite of the poisoned apple he had prepared. He didnt even have the time to eat a second bite before his hand went numb and his vision turned into a tunnel.
"I love you"
With fading vision Vaya looked past his children, knowing they would do better than he did with his life. He saw the bright rays of the rising sun trough his clouding vision. It had always been dark for him, his life, but now.. in his last moment it was dawn.
___________________________________________________________
Thanks to all those who have kept up with the story till its end. Thanks also to everyone I played with that inspired a page in my story and the biggest thanks to those friends of Vaya that were close enough to him to retire alongside with him.
Time for a new PC and a new story.
J
Last edited by mr duncan on Mon Aug 04, 2008 10:33 pm, edited 1 time in total.
WOW!!!!!
I am really speechless... John that was amazing ending. I have had the best time rping these characters with you. I am glad we got the run we did... and have closure to a great story. Vaya was an amazing character to play off of.
Thanks again!
Dani
I am really speechless... John that was amazing ending. I have had the best time rping these characters with you. I am glad we got the run we did... and have closure to a great story. Vaya was an amazing character to play off of.
Thanks again!
Dani
Mikayla wrote:ALFA is truly the Magic Kingdom