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Post by Diocles on Jan 26, 2021 1:57:42 GMT
Árón thinks on this. "But would not the other side be boiling now, then? Eternal day would be as devastating as eternal night!"
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Post by Storyteller on Jan 26, 2021 2:00:44 GMT
"It would," I say. "It is not a good thing for the world, for either side." Then I say, "But since the sun is not destroyed, we are not without hope. What is trapped there can be freed, surely..."
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Post by Diocles on Jan 26, 2021 2:04:13 GMT
"The mages at Ravenwood would know, surely," Árón says, trying to convince himself, "but what will they say to you? Will they work with you, you who has turned away from their beloved arcane practices?"
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Post by Storyteller on Jan 26, 2021 2:10:42 GMT
I think for a moment. "I think that they might, given their own inability to go. But they will be hard-pressed to forgive me. They probably never will." I look into his face. "I knew that when I chose to become a priestess. It was another sacrifice to lay at Galadrin's feet--and yet, I stand as debtor to the multiverse forever. I have seen you."
And Iritari, who would look with love at us, if he could, I am sure!
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Post by Diocles on Jan 26, 2021 12:45:58 GMT
Árón kisses your brow and smooths your tousled hair. "You don't think the mages will try anything untoward, do you? Now that you've embraced religion over the arcane?"
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Post by Storyteller on Jan 26, 2021 23:28:16 GMT
I shake my head. "I do not know for certain. They might try to keep me there, I suppose. To try to 'reeducate' me, to understand the error of my ways. But I shall not stay. They can only kill me, not keep me."
Never again, after Zuzias, will I be caged...
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Post by Diocles on Jan 26, 2021 23:45:51 GMT
"You must be careful when you go into the Academy," Árón says, hugging you close. "I will speak to your cousin, that red-haired bard, and insist that he keep an eye on things. I don't trust mages." Then he laughs. "Nothing personal!"
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Post by Storyteller on Jan 27, 2021 0:21:24 GMT
I shake my head. "Mages are difficult to know, I acknowledge." I smile and blush a bit. "Well, this mage is not difficult for you to know, but then, you made me more than a mage, beloved."
It feels right to call him so, and I wish that Iritari were here with us, to be an Elunian triad, for I love him still. I am glad I am not quite so perverse as I had feared, to think that love should be only two.
"I kept to myself when I was in the Academy, too," I admit. "I was a very private person. And yes, Cousin Aethyl is to be trusted. He has shown that he will not only protect me, but trust me. And that is precious to me."
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Post by Diocles on Jan 27, 2021 0:31:31 GMT
"Do you have a lot of experience with people not trusting you?" Árón wants to know everything about you.
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Post by Storyteller on Jan 27, 2021 0:58:06 GMT
"Some," I answer. "And it was most bitter. I am a mage, so that engenders mistrust in many, and that I am--was," I amend, "an Enchantress creates more. But I have been traveling with my cousin, Aethyl, the redheaded bard whom you saw, and the Skenje, and my other cousin was Cian Chaos-Lover, may he be thrice-accursed. When I ... sold myself to the Ausir Captain Zuzias to save the Grorekathi and my companions, the Chaos-Lover refused to listen to me. He not only did not trust what I said, but he worked against what I had done. And despite what I said, despite even Cousin Aethyl pleading with him, the Skenje followed the blackguard instead of trusting me. The thrice-accursed one got his throat cut for his trouble, but the Skenje was saved by Aethyl's pleading." Tears well up in my eyes. "I had fought by his side. I had led them in a raid on the Dragon cult stronghold in Arinport. Not once did I lead them astray, but then... he did not trust me..."
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Post by Diocles on Jan 27, 2021 1:16:48 GMT
"Your gladiator companion did not trust you," Árón repeats quietly to himself, "and Aethyl, being your closest male relative... yes, the right of vengeance belongs to him..."
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Post by Storyteller on Jan 27, 2021 1:24:19 GMT
I do not know what Árón means, but I do not care. He has asked about me, asked and listened and cared what I said. I trust him, and I nestle down on his chest.
"I have you, Sir," I say, "and the memory of Iritari, and the affection of my cousin. I need no one else."
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Post by Diocles on Jan 27, 2021 1:29:41 GMT
Árón chuckles, and you fall asleep with his hand in your hair.
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Post by Diocles on Jan 28, 2021 23:33:18 GMT
You find Árón, and when he sees your distress, he teleports you away to his island in the midst of the dark sea. There on a rocky promontory bathed by crashing waves stands a small castle, seeming to grow up out of the living stone, bathed in blue moonlight. It has one spire that rises high above the battlements, and carved into its walls are images of Ithacul riding the fierce waves. "Welcome to my home, Mairwyn. Come inside and tell me what is troubling you." He leads you in, and you both stop before the silver basin of Galadrin and perform ceremonial ablution. You hear a distant and constant rushing sound, and you realize that the castle interior is designed in such a way as to capture the roar of the sea, as a seashell does.
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Post by Storyteller on Jan 28, 2021 23:38:45 GMT
My eyes fill with tears of gratitude. Here there is peace; here there is ever-present the murmur of Galadrin's voice, the softness of his endearments to Alaxton, as well as the roars of his anger.
"I am sorry," I say. "It was weakness of mine. I was sitting in the common room of the inn, with my cousin and Drusinicus the gladiator--I do not know if you have seen them?--when a Spear of the Shezazi was introduced to us. He had been sent by the Shezazi to help us in our quest to bring back the sun." I shake my head a little. "Which I fear is presumptuous on my part, but Galadrin will amend my gift to him." Then I go on. "And scarcely were the words of introduction out of our mouths when the gladiator said to the Spear of the Shezazi that 'the lovely Mairwyn' had prostituted herself to a slaver captain. Of course, especially knowing the horror that Sundel have of slavers and slavery, I offered to withdraw from the quest altogether, that he might fulfill the command of the Shezazi by journeying with Aethyl and not having to be in my sullied presence. Then I left. I did not speak to Drusinicus, of course. What is there to say? But the shame was heavy on me, so I sought you out, to take comfort in the light of your eyes and the embrace of your arms."
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