Reldai
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Post by Reldai on May 6, 2012 11:51:43 GMT -6
"Let me take him," Tavean said as he neared Reldai. She smiled, surrendering Ash to him. She had to admit, he had grown heavy this past hour. "Thank you, Tavean" she said as she stretched her arms out and breathed in deeply. "I should have taken him before, but he was sleeping so peacefully, I did not want to wake him." She gently brushed her hand through Ash's hair as he rested his head more comfortably upon Tavean's shoulder. "He will sleep for a few more hours. I gave him a sleepng draught at our last break. He needs to rest." Blinking her eyes rapidly, she gave Tavean a smile and walked farther ahead of the group. The normal music had stopped and the people walked in small clusters. Each group kept the other going, games, chatter. They were learning to work together as a group. Small groups for now, she knew, but by the end.....she had hope. She'd felt the rumble of the earth the day before, but so many had happened no one paid attention. Commonplace it was. As she rounded the rocky bend she halted, feet frozen to the earth. The river, swollen near twice it's size seemed to fill part of the valley below. While she'd expected several river crossings, this was not how she envisioned it. Yet. Inside she felt a thrill of delight. ~Nycia....tell the others ..there's water. Soon we will make camp. ~ Nycia smiled as she walked from group to group relaying the message. Some gave her puzzled frowns. Others smiled with the same delight as she. Reldai, leaving the group to Nycia and Sahira ran down the path. How long had it been since she'd been in water over her head? How long had she thirsted? The streams they had passed had been trickles but this raging torrent called to her, and she answered. Tossing down her pack, her boots, and outer clothing she stepped into the squishy mud. It sucked at her feet, trying to draw her deeper, but a force greater than mud called to her. The water soon began to lap her knees, her hips. She drew in a breath as she heard a faint call. She turned her head and looked behind, seeing the small forms of the people upon the rocks. A wave. An answering call. Then the sound of the river rolling as it took her beneath it's embrace. Above, scattered pockets of people tossed their belongings down as they raced to the river's edge. Others, of Sahira's village, stood dumbfounded. What madness had possessed Reldai and the others? :Almost: Reldai thought to herself as she felt the waters embrace. It called, it took the edge from her ache, but she knew....it was not complete. But for the moment, she let it hold her and renew her. In the dark murkiness of the water she knew at once what Je'raith had felt high in the sky. Where he felt the greatest pleasure high above the surface...she felt the greatest deep below the waters. It was at that moment she knew he'd touched more than her life. He was embedded in her heart. She wanted to tell him, to hold him....to see that smiling light in his eyes. The earth rumbled again. She felt the water shift around her, a whirling vortex beginning to swirl as a fissure opened in a wide crazed crack. Upon the rocks the people were safe, Sahira and the others watching as the earth broke open around those that had made the valley floor. Shouts and cries spilled up to them. Reldai felt the water move tighter against her and she turned to swim to the surface. The cracks beneath the surface had given way to the earth, exposing caverns deep beneath the surface. Water found those caverns and drew her deeper pulling her in and shifting to close her from those that followed. Nycia and the others crouched on the ground until the shifting stopped. Wide gapes of earth opened around them. They couldn't climb down. They couldn't jump. Sahira watched as the water lowered seeming to be sucked in upon itself. Did she not always tell Rikki the deep waters were dangerous. Had not her villagers kept themselves to the smaller running waters? She was right. After this time of Reldai, she was right. Tavean, carrying Ash, had not made the valley floor. It was the shouts from just above that cooled his heart. "Come, we return. As you can see we can go no farther. Reldai is gone and we can not help the others." Sahira had started to speak, gathering up her villagers. As they turned to leave, some hesitated. Glancing from Sahira to Reldais villagers. They had to choose. And so they did. Far beneath the water, caverns that sucked and drew the water down, Reldai continued. Ahead she saw a light. A glow. A beacon. ~Reldai? ?~~ she felt the soft call from the others. A gentle reassuring touch back, they would know she was safe.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on May 6, 2012 22:58:29 GMT -6
He had reluctantly left her and the group to scout around the Fedrth. They had yet to reach the path that would lead them to it. He noticed the higher water levels, but sensed they were not so high that they would not be able to get over it.
Reaching Fedrth, he started around it. As he did he thought of Reldai. She thought she could hide her love for the ocean, but he could feel it. He felt it when he took her for a ride. His thoughts though were shaken from him as he heard the screams and cries of the villagers. Immediately he turned back towards them. They had reached the waters already and felt for Reldai.. he growled as he could feel her, she was alive, but she was not on the surface.
The villagers would see a worried and angry dragon diving towards the earth where she had disappeared, but he did not land yet. He saw the predicament of the others and knew he had to help them and get them to safety. Then he would search for her.
Landing near newly formed caverns he looked across. There were a few that were close enough that he didn't have to leave land. Shifting his body he stretched out a wing. The first ones would have to jump a short distance, but nothing like they would if he wasn't there.
As he waited for them to jump onto his wing he called out ::Reldai! Beloved! Where are you?:: He could feel her, he knew her to be alive. And Once the villagers were ok he would find her.
He watched the few Villagers just stand there, he growled at them "Jump onto my wing and run across!" it was a command and he watched as they obey, one at a time, three of them. The first one jumped and his wing shifted, he crouched as it steadied again and then ran to his back. The second and third soon followed. When the third was safe they climbed off his back and he turned his head to them, "Tell the other men to get down here. I will retrieve the others."
and with that he looked to Nycia and the others he could not reach, sending to them all ::I will come and get you. There is not enough room for me to land so I will have to grab you as I fly over. Do not move away, you have to help me help you. I will not hurt you when I take hold of you, but you have to trust me:: do you trust him? This was the question. And he would find out the answer.
Worry for Reldai was clearly seen in his eyes as he would glance down into the depths below and his eyes would narrow a brief moment.
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Reldai
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Post by Reldai on May 6, 2012 23:37:14 GMT -6
Her lungs were beginning to burn as she moved through the water. It had been years since she'd been beneath the waters for so long. ::Beloved.........beloved..:: She faltered in the waters as she felt his touch. Her heart smiled through the effort of continuing and it was that smile in her heart that pushed her farther on. The light grew brighter in the dim water and she gasped as she broke the surface. The sparkling lights of crystaline rocks shown about her. As red as deep wine, she thought as she pushed to the edge and lay half upon a rock ledge. A cavern. How deep and could she find the surface? She did not know. Her lungs began to tingle with pain as she tried to draw in a deeper breath. Shallow then, she told herself as she tried to breath slowly. ~My Je'raith.....~ she sent to him as her eyes closed and she continued to lay half in and out of the water. Sparkling glints of stone surrounded her hiding the ancient images of dragons and people. Hidden caverns from the time before. Je'raith felt her touch once more before silence descended. ------ Tavean watched as Je'raith landed, breathing a sigh of relief as he watched one then the other jump and cross the dragons back. Several of Sahira's village began to cluster around him. He smiled though with a hint of disgust at the woman. He'd heard her trying to coax the others to return with her. "Nycia" he whispered as he watched her standing still. Watched as she waited for Je'raith. One by one, they made their way to him. Some watching the dragon. Some, the water. Others planning a rescue. They knew Reldai was alive, and knew she could be miles down the river before finding the shore. At least, they hoped she would find the shore. ---- Sahira watched as a good half of her villagers ran towards Tavean. Growling softly within herself she called out, "Go ahead, get yourselves killed. We're going back! We're going back home!" The much diminished group turned to head back the way they'd come, leaving Reldai and the water villagers to their own devices.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on May 7, 2012 0:00:46 GMT -6
He rose into the air when Sahira's words reached him, he growled as some of them turned back and he flew and turned, landing with an earth shaking thud to the earth. He was hurting, and now he was angry with them.
His strong emotions flowed with thoughts to each of their minds. ::You would leave Reldai and the others to their death? And just what do you think you will be returning to? They destroyed every building in your village. There is nothing left of it. And they will watch it. If you return, they will return and you will die or wish you were dead. Did Reldai bring you this far for her own sake? Did she do this for herself?:: he was standing close to Sahira and his large head dropped down and got close to her, so close she could feel the heat of his dragon's breath as smoke left his nostrils ::You are selfish and think only of your own wants and needs! You are a disgrace to your kind and you dishonor Reldai and those that came to help you.:: He blew a puff of smoke in her face, and said in a growled voice openly for all, "you are an insult to your kind"
He didn't have time for this, the words he wanted to say he didn't. But he thought you and Gelithron would make perfect couple, both selfish, both cruel and both a disgrace and disappointment. He could hear Sahira turn and was about to say something to him. He could taste her anger, but it was nothing compared to his and as she was about to speak he craned his neck around and roared at her. She was 10 feet away but she could feel his hot breath as her face would begin to bead with sweat.
then he turned again and rose once more into the air. Calm down Je'raith, you can't do any good angry. He glared down at Sahira, then pushes his emotions aside. This was no help for Reldai or the villagers.
He circled down, letting his anger spiral away for now and drain out as water does to the Great Sea. His worry for Reldai grew when he heard her reply, then felt the silence. Urgency now replaced the anger he had felt a few minutes earlier.
One by one he would take hold of the villagers stranded and lift them to safety, starting first with Nycia. They needed her leadership badly. He was gentle and careful not to knock any others off. Telling those that were not yet being picked up to stay crouched low or lay down until he had taken one and lifted to the air.
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Post by The Storyteller on May 7, 2012 0:03:43 GMT -6
As silence descended on Reldai, they watched from the hidden places. murmuring between them. They would not go near her, not yet. They would watch and follow. She had followed the water down. Why did she do that?
Some scattered and left, but 2 remained in their holes in the cavern wall, watching, waiting for her to wake and move. They would follow. Why did she come here? Did she know of them? Not even the Dalhria knew of them or the Dragon. This was a concern.
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Reldai
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Post by Reldai on May 7, 2012 0:56:41 GMT -6
It was the long shiver that awoke her. She ached, she realized as she dragged herself out of the water and onto the stone. Rolling to her back she coughed and breathed deeply. Slightly sore, but not as bad as before, she thought.
Where am I? She sat up looking at the water. She felt upside down, knowing she'd gotten turned around in the water. As she rested, she glanced around looking at the sparkling red rocks, shadows marking the cavern walls. For a moment it seemed as if the sparkles blinked.
"oh, you are entirely too tired", she said to herself as she rose and stumbled to her feet. She closed her eyes, feeling out with her senses for fresher air, a breath of wind...anything to show her the way out.
As she walked through the cave, she lightly touched the stones, smiling as she looked for a broken piece to give to Ash. He'd like that. Kneeling, she crouched to pick up a small bit, smiling as she thought of giving it to the little boy. As she rose, she tipped her head slightly. "What?"
Slowly she moved to the wall, brushing aside watery vines that littered the wall. Tugging them loose she stared at the image it revealed.
"Je'raith?" she said softly as she touched the image. A soft hurt smile crossed her face as her fingertips trailed the image. Fingers that stilled when she saw the rest of the images.
Who had drawn these?
She continued to stare at the image, realizing it was likely not Je'raith, but perhaps some ancestor of his. Perhaps.
She was tired. She must be hallucinating, she thought s she continued deeper into the cavern. As she walked, her hair began to prickle at the back of her neck. If she didn't know better, she would have thought she was being watched.
"Too tired. Definately hallucinating." she told herself as she continued. Several minutes later of wandering the dark halls, she hesitated, feeling as if she'd passed the way before.
Realizing she had seen that rock formation before she stopped. "No....no...I won't. I won't." she whispered fiercely to herself. "I just found you, I won't leave you." she called to Je'raith as she saw the cavern blur around her.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on May 7, 2012 1:14:43 GMT -6
It took longer than he thought, but he finally got the remainder of the villagers off the ledges. Some of the Villagers that were with Sahira had turned back to help after his outburst. He simply watched them as he landed near them.
After a moment he shifts to humanoid form, then rushes over to Tevean, crouching beside Ash, he looks up to Tevean, the concern for Reldai clearly seen. Through the dragon link he called for Galventh, ::I need your help, please come.:: Galventh sent reply, ::I am leaving now. We shall be there before sun up::
"Tevean, we must make camp. Set up shelters for now for protection between the trees. I have sent for help, Aer'alyn's Sire and Dam will come to give aid. You can trust them as you do me."
As Tevean left to get everyone who was staying settled he slumped beside Ash and held onto him. His eyes closed tightly ::Reldai, I will come for you I promise! I will not leave you.:: he grew quiet as Ash continued to sleep. What would he tell the boy? He could feel the sickness and tried to think of who could help him or what could help him. There was little he could do right now except hold Ash and wait for Galventh and Arlianth to arrive.
"Reldai.. "he whispered her name as his eyes shifted to the stars, remembering their ride and what he felt when he was near her. He would not let go of her, he would not leave her. But right now, he needed to protect those who chose to stay. That was his promise. That is what Galventh and Arlianth would do in his stead as he went to find Reldai.
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Reldai
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Post by Reldai on May 7, 2012 1:33:33 GMT -6
Nycia quickly make a pallet for Ash. She knew he needed tending before anything else. As Teveon surrendered Ash, he began to help her gather the villagers and set up camp. They would be safe here, they knew. From the corner of her eye, she watched the recent arrivals from Sahira's breakaway group lingering on the outskirts.
She glanced at Teveon and nodded to him as she walked to the others. She did not know what Je'raith had said to them but the fear in their eyes spoke volumes.
"Come," she said softly, gesturing to the camp that was swiftly being set up through well organized teamwork.
"But...' came the soft protestation.
"We do not hold ill will to you." knowing she could do no less than Reldai would have done, Nycia welcomed them back as if they'd never left.
Meanwhile......
Sahira and a half dozen others continued to retrace their steps.
The good that Reldai had done had been forgotten when she was swept beneath the waters. Believing no one could survive that, Sahira had attempted to regain the power that had been taken from her.
Anger in each step, she vowed to see Je'raith dead. No one, not even a....dragon...would treat her thusly. No one!
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Post by The Storyteller on May 7, 2012 16:34:05 GMT -6
they continued to watch, sharing within their minds of this new development. this was a strange one, speaking of another or to another.
they watched her faulter but for now they did not help her. The simply watched and waited.
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Reldai
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Post by Reldai on May 7, 2012 17:15:03 GMT -6
"It is time," the young man bowed to the woman then waited silent as she stared at the ship. This was the tenth one. The last one. It broke her heart each time a ship left. Each time part of her people left their home. Fled to escape the ravages of wars that had descimated the planet.
Heshalana, Queen of Kaminao, knew the pains her grandmother felt. Though centuries had passed, the land was still uninhabitable. Only the shielded starpoint protected them from the still polluted atmosphere.
"Tell them to go" she spoke with a great weariness in her voice. She was tired. She was old. But her daughter was too young, too young to bear the trials that would come.
A voice spoke softly, "Go..." one word. One word that meant everything and took part of her heart with it. Would they ever survive, these people sent away? Would her people survive? As she mused, the ship lifted up, flashed, then darted high into the sky and disappeared from view.
A soft touch brushed against her hand. ~Mother?~ the gentle touch of her daughter spoke to her mind. ~It will be well, Mother. All will be well."~ Shalame looked up at her mother and held tight to her hand.
"Ko-te'kru?" the young man stepped back as another entered. "The dome is finished. The city is complete." She nodded and turned heading to the door with Shalame's hand tight in her grasp.
People gone. Sent away. Now the ones that remained would begin to live in truth beneath the seas of Kaminao. Their world was changed and they had to change with it.
Reldai slowly sat, tears having dried on her cheeks as she felt the emotional toll the partings had on the woman.
Partings.
As the memory filled her mind she rose to her feet. She would get no where if she did not try. "Once more," she whispered to herself as she followed a corridor she'd not seen before.
"I wil find my way out and when I do......when I do you will know how much you have my heart......."
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on May 7, 2012 18:42:18 GMT -6
He remained with Ash who continued to sleep. His concern for the boy continued to grow, but there was nothing he could do at this moment. He hated it. But his heart thought of Reldai. While wherever she was blocked communication of their thoughts, he could still feel her and her emotions, though muted by something he could feel them and he closed his eyes.
A few moments later he felt Galventh and Arlianth arrive as they flew overhead. He laid Ash down gently and rose as they landed and shifted. Galventh hugged him "It's good see you. She has been lost?" they both knew he was talking about Reldai, he shook his head, "Not lost, taken by the waters down into the depths of the earth. I will go and find her." he sighed, oh how he ached, and Galventh could see it. He nods, "We will remain with these and provide protection and covering. Go with and find her. Bring her back."
Je'raith looked to Ash, Arlianth had already pinpointed him and focus on him, "He is sick. I do not know what it is, but it has something to do with his bond to his sister. I have blocked the strong emotions while still allowing them to communicate somewhat, but the shield needs to be made stronger." Arlianth nods and moves to him, she sits with him and touches his mind, her eyes closing as she works to increase the strength of the shield, making it last now weeks longer than it would have. Galventh looks to her, then to Je'ratih, "I will add my own strength in a few days, then we will see what we can do to bring healing"
Je'raith nods, "My thanks Galventh." there was relief, he did not have to worry about Ash as much, though the worry would not leave him completely.
They say their goodbyes, then Je'raith goes to Tavean and Nycia, "They will protect you as I have. They are older and wiser. Heed their words even more than you have mine. I will return with Reldai" he grips Tavean's arm and they nod to each other, then he smiles to Nycia, "All will be well" maybe it didn't seem like it, but he was beginning to believe that Aer'alyn had hope for a reason, he was beginning to see it, though small it seemed now he would hold onto what he had.
He turns and starts down into the valley towards the great crevasse that formed from the shaking of the earth. He stood at the edge and using what strength of mind he had, reaching through the bond that held the two of them together ~::I am coming my Beloved Reldai, I will find you and we will return to the surface, you will return to your ocean::~
He takes a breath and then for now without shifting he dives into the crevasse. His eyes wide open as he dives down, shifting this way and that to maneuver through the jagged rocks. At some point he will have to shift, but for now he falls as fast as he can.
they watched from the shadowed holes and crevasses in the walls, three of them. As she lay there One touched her mind, not invasive, and in the midst of what she was seeing it would not even be felt.
Before she begins to sit up the One removes itself from her mind. Then they all three stop silent communication between them in a language never spoken upon the surface ~Another comes~ the One nods, ~you go, prepare, I will stay and watch her~ the two leave the One, moving in complete silence as though they were one with shadow and rock.
The One watches, hearing the words of the woman, know she speaks of the one who now falls for her in search of her. He will find her, but what else will he find? Is he strong enough to know they are there?
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Reldai
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Post by Reldai on May 7, 2012 19:22:38 GMT -6
"No! No! No!" The normally mildtempered Reldai chastised herself. "How could I have been so ...." Frustrated with herself, she stopped, glancing back the way she'd come. For a brief moment some time before she'd....felt him. Felt his reassurance. It had been enough to keep her walking. Then she realized what she'd been missing.
She began to look at the cavern walls. Cold and damp. Pitted and spotted with sparkling stones and jagged rock. And the images.
How had they slipped her mind?
The hollow sound of water dripping edged her thoughts as she grabbed a tight hold of the water grasses that scruffed and hung damp from the cave walls. Just like before it hid images.
Again dragons. People. She continued to walk, examining the walls as she did, tearing grasses from the wall until her hands were raw with cuts, burning and stinging.
Dragons. People. Riders. People....no...not people? She stared at the faded image in the dim light that had reflected from the crystals. "keep going" she told herself as she rubbed against her eyes. She was tired and it was harder to see through the strain she'd been putting her eyes under.
"Je'raith" she whispered softly, thinking of him. "Yes," she said softly as if in answer to a question. 'One more step, ....one more...', she encouraged herself.
Tearing, looking, walking. Tearing, looking, walking.
Dragons. Humans. Dragons. People...... Dragons. Ships.
Ancient drawings that held stories and put false the lies.
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Post by Deleted on May 7, 2012 19:57:47 GMT -6
How far did she fall? It seemed like he'd been diving for longer than he was, his senses reaching out to see if he could sense the bottom. And he could feel it. Ok, he was going a very fast speed. He knew there was water below and a tunnel that the rest of the water had dumped out to. How far she had gone he did now know, but he knew she had been there, following her soggy scent and the link they shared.
Now, if only he could just change part of him, bring out his wings, but that was not to be in his mind, he would change, he would land with a splash. And hopefully Reldai would hear it.
He changes in mid-air, his wings beating hard to slow his descent, which worked, just not enough and he fell into the water going deep. This was weird. he could see something like windows and lights, but they went out as he blinked. Was the depths of the water playing tricks on his mind? he rose back to the surface and climbed out. His large form began making way through the tunnel. he would remain as dragon as long as the tunnel would allow.
And the jagged rocks not penetrating the scales that covered him as he moves onward, following her scent following the bond that held them together, following the emotions that flood his soul from her.
He drew to the place where the torrent of water had deposited her. He looked around, sniffing.. he caught a scent he did not know, unsure what it was he grew more concerned for Reldai. He shifts, he can move faster through here on two legs and without a tail.
As he moved he saw the drawings, dragons and other beings - humans and another. They were on the tip of his tongue, but he couldn't think of them at that moment. These were drawn from the view point of another. Another? a 4th race?
he put it aside for now, he came to find Reldai, then together they would uncover this mystery.
He moved, running, making noise so that she could hear him coming, his senses reaching out to search for her presence and where she'd gone. He came to a rock formation and stops. She'd passed by here several times. Then he moved again, running as hears noise. Reaching what he thought the source of the noise he realizes it's not her.
Then he stops again, closing his eyes and concentrating. There was something at the edge of his senses. He just had to reach past. Which he did.. he was being watched. His eyes open and he turns to where the two were hidden.
The third turned and disappeared, the Second did not, but remains still.
they watched the dragon when they realize that he has found them. The second nods to the Third who slips away unheard while the other remains. The Second does not move, does not acknowledge the dragon has discovered it. They will learn the truth as told by another outside the conflict. Things that were not written in the books of old that others have read. These books have yet to be discovered in the Great Library.
Nraith turned, aware of the presence, but knowing it will not reveal itself at this time. He moves along, seeing more drawings on the walls. He reads them, taking in the story that they tell.
Time passes slowly in these caverns, and at some point he leans heavily against the wall,whispering, "We are not so innocent in the first war. My kind are so blind to the truth we have written the truth out and created a new truth" heart was heavy at what he saw and his eyes closed. He did not try to brush away the ache it created, but he allowed it to penetrate him. It would change him, for the good.
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Reldai
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Post by Reldai on May 7, 2012 20:12:43 GMT -6
Sound echoed harshly beneath the surface. "How?" she wondered then didn't care. Slowly she made her way back the way she'd come. More and more her weight pressed upon the wall.
Still she continued on. She heard of huff of a sigh. Felt...sadness and, regret.
She inhaled sharply as a shaft of pain darted through her. "oh, my dear," she said softly. Step by step she retraced her path, knowing he was close. Knowing he was.....
.....there.....
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Post by Deleted on May 7, 2012 20:59:22 GMT -6
He did not see her come from the darkness. His eyes were closed as the images around him spoke volumes to his heart and it ached for what some of his kind had done. He spoke but a language he did not know, words he had not seen, they seemed natural to him, they spoke of the horror some had inflicted on a few of the humans. But why had the few made the many to suffer? The humans took it of course to the next level. When they subdued the ones who had been cruel they decided it wasn't enough, they had to have them all.
Only the Dalhria were caught in the middle, they died for our own errors in judgement our own greed. tears spilled as he sank to the floor against the wall. A thousand years of lies were breaking his heart as the truth penetrated. He was unable to protect Reldai from the ugly truth of his kind or the humans that had come before them. And her people suffered the consequences.. he wept now, whispering , "I'm sorry my Beloved, I'm sorry.. please.. forgive.. I'm so sorry we have done this to you" his words cut out in silent sobs.
The Second watched, joined by the First -the One, as Je'raith was shown the truth of his kind. They did not stop the flood, the rising river of pain that would bring a freedom to him that Aer'alyn already felt to some degree. They watched as Reldai came into view. Soon they would know why there were brought here.
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