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4th Summer Run.
The vacation at Star Island is over and its time to go home again. We still have two weeks more on the Unicorn before we arrive and I am looking forward to sailing again. The time here went quick, the whole family I think had a lot of fun. Lessons on the beach on magic, different languages, (Silly grasps Elven easily enough but cant get her head around monkey speak or the old language of magic) and a whole pile of family history. I learnt about my Aunt Yimalla and Uncle Kelor today while we were there. Mum told us a little about them as Grandma said, “What Aunt and Uncle!?”
I have another Aunt as well who is coming to visit when I get home. Apparently Aunt Fëawen (it means Strikeheart, in Elven!) she is a real lady and Mum tells me I run around like a boy and need to learn to be a girl. Too much time with Dad and Uncle Connor I guess. I really don't see what is wrong with running around like a boy though, since they seem to have a lot more fun than girls do most of the time.
On the way home we are taking a break from learning and were told we can simply have fun. We are “scheduled” to return to the pool shortly and they are trying to let us enjoy the company of the rest of the family while we can. I am going to teach Uncle Connor to climb the masts on the way home, and he promised he would hang over the edge with me to clean the figure head. I might even be able to convince him to fall with me, it feels like flying until you get the sudden stop at the end.
8th Autumn Twilight.
The last few months have gone quickly. I had my 11th birthday at home and it was a lot of fun. We had a cake and candles and there were plenty of presents. Dad gave me a small greenstone carving of our Maiden, Mum a small gold pendant with the bolt of Lucinda set in crystal and Aunt Triba bought me my own chicken (i think that was a joke). Uncle Connor just bought himself and I was told that the presence of friends was present enough since we were lucky to have them. My brothers and sisters all made me cards and pictures, though one of them used Mums evocation ink and accidentally set fire to the rug. We used it to light the candles before we put it out.
We have only three more days now and we are meant to go back with Dad, but I have decided I'm not going. I love Dad and everything but I want to stay with all my people. Dad is my Dad but he isn't my people, he is a lot different to the rest of us. Each time I go to The Pool I get older fast and not much changes at home, I miss all thing things that I get to do here and I cant learn from Uncle Connor like I usually do. It isn't as much fun either so I am staying here because it is better for me. Now I just need to tell Mum I am right and that I am going to stay.
10th Autumn Twilight.
Well I told her..and she didn't listen. She think she is right and I am wrong! “I know what is best for you” and, “I'm only doing it because I care” If she cared she would listen to what I wanted and not make me go! How does she think that she can know what is best for me, she isn't me. If she wants to go so much why doesn't she pack up every few months and spend some time in a place where there is no-one to talk to and nothing to do! In the end I told her I wasn't going and she couldn't make me! So what did she do? She told me that if I wasn't going then she hoped I was good at camping since I wasn't staying in the house!
Well I packed my bags and tried the camping thing and after awhile got really really hungry. After awhile I had to come inside again and I hated the smug look on her face of I told you so....like she had won because I needed to eat. I ate the food she made even though I told her it tasted like cooked paper. She just looked at me with those stupid ever tolerant of her lost baby eyes like she does. I hate those eyes. I hate those eyes a lot. So thats what I told her..and she deserved it. The words left my mouth and I don't care, I meant it and would say it again.
“I hate you!”
And I do. I hate her and her control, I hate she makes me go places I don't want to, I hate that she thinks she is always right because she is my Mum.
I just hate her.
11th Autumn Twilight
We just arrived back at the stupid pool. Everyone gathered at the lake as usual to say goodbye to us. I had something ready for each of them, they all force me to do this, none of them helped me to stay.
For Grandma's goodbye I said to her, “I am going to learn to be like Aunt Yimalla.” For Triba, well I hope she gets eaten by a giant chicken, Connor is going to get scorched to death by ember and Mother, I told her she was just like Uncle Kelor but only worse, at least he only tore paper. I wouldn't let them touch me, even at the meld I made sure I didn't cry, I wanted them to remember I didn't cry and I meant everything I said.
Grandma has sent me some books on Celestial and Triba some on Monkey talk, but I don't really care right now. Dad said I would have a new teacher different to Silly's but I am not going to go to the classes. Don't really feel much like learning right now really. It isn't much fun without Uncle Connor and Ember to tease.
I started this but wont ever finish it now..she doesnt deserve it.
About Six months later.
Dad has finally decided he is going to speak to me about not attending my classes, I amuse myself now with the books Grandma and Aunt Triba left me but don't often go to class. When I do I cant even be bothered with annoying the teacher. I think I spend more time sleeping here than much else, since there is so little else to do. Finally Dad seems to have had enough though, and has came to tell me I needed to concentrate on my lessons. I told him if he was so interested in them he could concentrate on the silly things. I was kind off hoping he would threaten to send me home, that didn't work though.
He told me he already had learnt what the teacher was trying to show me, I didn't really care though. I made it pretty obvious because he did it didn't mean I wanted to, had to or would. He got a bit angry then and asked me why was so spoilt. He didn't know what to saying when I told him it was because Mum and himself were trying to spoil my life, no wonder I was spoilt.
He gave up and left then. There isn't much more he can do to me I really. If I am going to be stuck in this place I hate he can learn to hate the place too.
Another month.
Ohhh today was fun! I was walking around in our new room when, well more like moping on my bed when I saw something really odd. Just behind the bed head was a small set of runes set into the stone wall. They looked like a whole bunch of squiggles to me really, but Grandma has been teaching me the basics for along time, and this had the hiss and roar of old magic all over them. I stared at the awhile but couldn't make much sense of them at all. The basic patterns were there, and I could see the general idea. Like a big DO NOT ENTER sign pasted there.
Well it tried to open it, I traced some of the simple countercharms I was aware of, kinda plain abjurers chains but useful for most of the plain stuff. The next thing..well it was like being kicked by Mums Ox! My head span and I was lazing around on the other side of the room when my eyes finally worked again!
I had to do it again, I don't get to fly like that often! I tried four or five time, each time getting dizzy and being thrown around the place, the little rune chains remained though and if anything looked more tempting than when I started. I wonder whats behind the...treasure, books, the way home..or maybe even a dragon!
I tried looking through all my books for the right words to make the protection go away but they were all too stupid to show me. I will have to go to see that elven guy, I bet he can teach me what I need. I copied them down here so, maybe I can unravel them. Even if I can't i will show that stupid elf boy a little part at a time and he wont know the full thing I am working on. The runes look like this:
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Two months later.
The Teacher isn't so bad, his name is Melôir, he is young for an elf and kinda cute as well, in that studious stuffy kind of way. He has helped me a lot with the wards on the wall, he doesn't speak the old tongue but he has a good eye for The Weave and makes plenty of sense of the squiggly bindings in between the characters that I can't.
Dad is pleased now, I go to my lessons everyday and learn everything that Melôir teaches me. We have covered the basics of transmutation these last two months and I'm pushing him now for more on abjuration, though he seems a little reluctant to show me that for some reason. A quick hug, a smile and a seat on his lap seems to change that though. Mum always said most men were dumb, maybe this is what she meant.
We had some visitors today and the were..odd at best. One had flaming hair, one looked like a pixie and the last one was a Air mini. The came to see Silly and I, they seemed really interested to look in on us. Dad said the Air Mini was my Grandfather (?????...right) though I have no idea how that can be. Whatever he says really, a lot of my family makes no sense.
The fire headed one was the most fun, Uncle Jaldrix he said I should call him. We got along great really. He said he owed Dad a lot for the help he had given him in the past. He didn't describe what help exactly that was but that didn't matter. He was cranky and nasty and made wisecracks about the size of my bum the whole time he was there, besides that he was neat. Before he left he said he had a present for me, one that he had been waiting till in his words, “My dull rock headed quarry of a father” let him come to see us. I was pretty surprised with what it was too.
He clapped his large red hands together and little bits of fire licked around his palms. I could see them getting hotter and hotter as the he slowly drew them apart. The fire went out with a loud pop and well.....it seemed a lot of show over nothing to start. He got me to hold out my hand and dropped something really really tiny into it, and when I looked..well it was kinda odd and not at all what I expected. (Dad likes to give us rocks, i thought he was going to give me a lit twig or something stupid)
I looked down and in my palm was the tiniest thing I had ever seen, little red wings curled around a small little body. It was cute in a flamey kind of way and it snuggled between my thumb and finger. I had to be really careful. It was so small even I could probably squash it. Uncle Jaldrix looked really uncomfortable then, scratching his flaming head and shuffling around, I don't think he really knows how to give gifts well. I didn't want to make him more uncomfortable so I just held the little thing gently and nodded to him with a small smile. He looked relieved at the lack of words and simply nodded in return before telling my if I kept reading books my bum would get fatter.
Dad made a small home near my bed for the thing with his hands, crafting rock into a cave like thing for it. He said I had to keep it warm all the time and what I had learnt so far should be able to do that. He also told said to take good care of the Mephit (thats what he called it) as it would grow and become a good friend to me over time. I agreed with him quickly, I don't like it when he is near my runes.
Four months later.
Finally I have convinced Melôir to show me the abjuration runes I need, we moved onto the bindings of enchantment and evocation first for some reason, but now he seems happy enough with my work. I hope to learn the unbindings that I need to undo the runes on the wall in the next few months. He said we would be studying it together with the basic principles of necromancy. I don't mind really all I want is to get the wall open and the see whats behind it! I have undone about half of the chain, whoever left this here was really careless since it isn't that hard to undo if you know the tongue of magic.
Six more months....
Finally I have managed to unravel all the runes graven on the wall. Melôir was really helpful in the end, even helping me almost completely unravel the last batch. Now its simply a matter of repeating the words in celestial and performing the unbindings. Its going to be hard to find the time alone to do it though since Silly and I share the cavern. Still today I found worked really hard and Melôir let me out early, a little before Silly manage to get free from the hag that teaches her.
So with small time I tried what I was taught, working on a small part of the wall only, tracing the runes with my finger while speaking the first few words of the spell . It took ages it seemed, and afterwards I was really tired but they came undone. There is a lot more to do but I can do small parts when I find time alone I guess, then skip a class completely when its finished to see what is hiding behind them.
The little red thing has grown a pile and is starting to chatter to me..though someone seems to have given it a good dose of common sense. Its talk now mostly seems to be dire warnings of the things that can happen if I do things wrong. Cant believe that such a small winged thing can put forth so much trouble that hasn't happened yet. I think Uncle Jaldrix must have given me the wrong pet somewhere along the line, this one is more like Silly than me.
A week later..
Finally the bindings are undone, and I even managed with the little red thing telling me of all the dooms beyond! Silly has tests today, and I pleaded with Melôir to give me the day off, I have worked really hard at me lessons and agreed with only the persuasion of the smallest of smiles.
I set to work after wishing Silly good luck, I even managed to channel some of my days excitement to my good luck wishes. It didn't take long after that, the runes already having most of the threads cut parted with simple workings and even simpler words. At the unbinding the wall crumbled, my hands waving helplessly as the little thing started to pipe up about earthquakes and the coming of another cataclysm. Eventually I managed to get ahold of the nuisance and covered its mouth with a finger before crawling into the dark passage that was revealed.
The mephit followed of course, muttering about monsters that dwell in dark tunnels under the earth, or shifts that can cause collapses and bury young girls and small planers alive. I ignored it as always, its a nuisance at times to have a pet. Most of the time usually...
The tunnel itself was dark at first, but as we traveled further down small glimmering lights started to appear on the walls, marking a clear path forwards. Soon enough the tunnel expanded and I was able to stand and walk normally, the lights becoming ever bolder as I made my way across a perfectly even floor. Eventually the tunnel opened into a large cavern, crystals lined the walls of a type Father had not shown me yet, crystals that glowed with a light that I could tell was more than light.
I looked around further, the floor was laced with really odd patterns, symbols I had never seen before that almost hummed. Great, more reading, more study and I had of course couldn't do it all at once, and the wall had fallen down! Typical. Just when I get close to something that is going to be really nice it all falls apart. No way to hide the wall, no way to read it all to know what it means...if they symbols mean anything at all. It was then I noticed...a small flaw..really really small in the symbols. The circuit wasn't done, it missed one simple join to make it go.
Well....I know the little thing will start singing about Balor portals coming from the worlds beyond and scorching us to death or large downpours of water from a realm of forever rain putting him out if I do it...but well you know nothing ventured...nothing gained.
As the expected words doom and woe rang out as I put the last symbol into place, it was just like a missing “A” in a sentence. So simple it was almost disappointing. The crystals framing the walls began to glow with a soft light, light that spilled from them to the circle beneath. Runes around the edge lit like fire, tracing the circle and flowing up my arm.
Well its hard to explain really what happened next. The magic seemed to wait for direction in me, but I had no idea where to send it..or even how to use the stuff. It was like holding a really large rock, or holding a lot of water back with your hand. It sure wasn't being cooperative. I tried to force the stuff into all the spell patterns I could think of but it just wouldn't go. It sat in there making my head ache and my forehead feel like I had mini's inside beating on it with sticks.
I bit my lip and it hurt a lot as i tried to hold onto the weave, a single drop of blood dropped onto my chin. Weird thing is that seemed to be enough, the focus of the power shifted, moving away from me, it felt like instead it had decided that little drop was a lot more interesting. The patterns of the circle changed, they got way more confusing than they were before and the flames on the edge rose brighter than before.
What happened next was a lot weird. The red thing screamed about tidal waves and hurricanes and fell on the ground, its eyes crossed in its funny little head. The circle changed from bright to a sweet blue that smelled kinda like the ocean. The biggest surprise was what was in the middle of it though. I have never seen anything like it before and it was kinda scary and..well interesting at the same time.
Well it was big thats for sure, at least ten times as tall as I am. It was blue and had eyes that were really really red. It was looking at me kinda like I was a cross between an annoyance and a particularly appetizing sandwich. Not sure I like that look at all. Winds and water seemed to crash wildly in the circle, only held back by the gentle glow of the runes that were around the circle. Problem was of course I had this big thing here and had NOO idea what to do with it now. Maybe this wasn't such a good idea after all.
It surprised me more when it spoke, its voice was deep and boomed with the crash of wind on high cliffs, the language was odd and I tried to tell the blue monkey I didn't understand it..well it got kinda frustrated then but...I noticed the circle was keeping it in. That made me feel happy, after all if it couldn't get out it couldn't get to me! After it bellowed and carried on for a long while it calmed down and I think looked at me for the first time. It smiled...not sure if there is any other way to put it...then reached out a big blue hand to touch the protective wards, pushing against them like it was checking there strength. The circle bent a little under the hand, had me worried but soon it snapped back into shape with a hiss and the hand was withdrawn.
Think..think....what do you do with a big blue man shaped thing with red eyes and bad wind....really wish Melôir taught me more useful stuff like sending it back or something. Nothing I know though really tells me what to do with the Lucinda cursed thing. So..I guess the best thing to do is to speak to it...I tried celestial... nope... common... nope.... elven.....ahhh...its eyes lit up at elven.
It started to talk slowly, it had a voice like honey and sugar and sounded like Mum when she is getting her way. It wanted to get out of the circle of course, and it said I could let it out if I wanted to. Now I maybe little but I am not stupid, I know what happens to little girls when the let big blue monsters out of cages, and in all the stories it isn't pretty. So I let it know that really..we only just met and getting that close right now wasn't such a good idea. It seemed to think that wasn't such a bad thing and asked me to let it go then. Well lets face it..I had not the faintest idea of how to do that!
It seemed to figure this out for itself though, its big eyes taking in my confused look at a glance. Its big body shuddered and it told me in great detail how to make it go away. You know..I pretty much wonder why we make it so hard, it took an hour of muttering words and waving hands before he said I had it right..why cant we just do the wave and “shoo” method. Before he went though he told me he kinda liked me and didn't get much company, so if I wanted to bring him back to place these runes in the circle to make it whole.
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I told him sure, but there was the problem of dad finding the hole in the wall now that the seal was gone....and it was never easy to hide stuff from dad. He laughed then, tempest winds in trees and sat down a small charm on the ground. He said to use that and he gap would be hidden away from everyone seeing it, my Dad included. Well....that made me happy though I felt a little bit sneaky. Still Dad deserved it for boring the life from me in this hole. I said goodbye to the big blue thing and did the long “waves and shoo”. It vanished with a boom, the circle went out and the joining “A” vanished. I picked up the little charm it left, it was a feather stuck on a silver chain. I decided against putting the thing on and put it in my pocket instead. I walked and crawled back and waved the little feather over the hole, waving didn't work but a vigorous rattle seemed to as the little hole closed right on over.
Four Months later.
I have visited my big blue friend a heap now. Each time the same thing happens, the circle lights up after I put in the runes and he appears. These days though he is smaller. A man just a bit taller than I am with large muscles red eyes and a funny top knot I just would love to yank on when he is teasing me for something or other. We talk about his home, a place where the wind always blows and everyone can fly. Ther are castles in the clouds and his people are all free to do what they like. Sometimes we talk about magic and he loves to teach me the things that Melôir is going to the next day. I love the confusion on the silly elf face when I can already do the things he wants to show me.
I still practice Celestial, monkey talk and Elven all the time. I am pretty much fluent in them all now but its better to keep practicing, Sometimes you forget if you don't practice all of the time and I don't want to forget after I have been learning them for such a very long time.
Silly got her results back today from Vairvand and was adopted into her wards. That was nice for her and she was really excited to find out that she was going to study the things she was good at. We had a small celebration for her, and even though I was mostly pretty tired (staying up all night speaking to blue men does that) we managed to have a good time I have to say I am much happier here now that I have a friend that isn't my sister, my Dad or my teacher. It makes the time a bit more fun away from home.
Six months later.
We had great news today! Mum and Dad spoke and we are going home soon, and this time we are staying home. Mum promised! My friend was sad about it a little, but he understood that I needed my family, he said he didn't care as long as I kept the feather he gave me close by to remember him. He is so sweet at times, he would be cute if his eyes weren't red.
Silly and I were excited, I mean it only leaves two more months and we leave the pool for good. No more boredom, no more rocks and I there will be even other people to talk to. I think they would have forgiven me for the means things I said by now, Uncle Connor doesn't hold a grudge and Grandma doesn't either. Triba forgets really quick and doesn't worry to much about words when you are angry. I cant wait to see them all again....two more months and I am home for good!
Two months later.
We go home tommorow, so tonight was the last night I had to spend with my friend. I went to the chamber and put the runes in, he appeared as always in a sudden rush of wind. I wish I was brave enough to let him out of the circle, but I still remember how big and scary he was when we first met and well..I am not that brave.
We talked a lot tonight though, serious talk. I have grown a great deal in my time here, I am near fourteen now and according to Silly should be more careful (apparently Melôir spends far too little time looking at my face these days, whatever that means) My friend has said the same, telling me I wont be little much longer, soon I will be a lady. Not sure I like the idea or not, Aunt Feawen is a lady and she is really stuffy.
He sat in the circle, me outside and we talked. I was still really curious about how he got here, he had never said much about that at all. Tonight however was different. As we talked he told me that this circle was never meant for him at all, something had gone wrong when I placed the “A”. He explained that when I activated it I didn't know the right spell to channel the energy, and instead it found a focus in the small bit of blood that had dropped from my lip. Instead of calling to whatever the circle was made for, it called to things that were known to me broadly. He was just the first that the call latched onto. This made me think though, if it called to things that were known to me..well I had never met him.
The explanation was longer, with him telling me he was a denizen of the plane of air and had known my family for a very long time. He told me he had a lot of dealings with Grandma, and some with other members of the Hilliaraname. When the call of blood went out, he recognized it immediately and followed it back, the runes on the circle changing as the call did. An elemental he said he was, a being from a very far place. I have to say I was pretty impressed, it was a big magic to call anything larger than a sprite...not that I really did it but still.
He asked that i keep him a secret for now, he wanted to surprise the others sometime later when he was ready to make it special. I made a promise to him then and would have given him a hug but...well the circle wouldn't let me.
Tomorrow we go home.
3rd Winter Night.
So much has well, not changed! There are some new things around the house but beyond that everything is as we left it. I guess its only been two months here and that isn't an amazingly long time at all. When we arrived the whole lot were waiting, Mum, Grandma, Aunt Triba and all of our brothers and sisters! (watch out Gigi I am fifteen almost fifteen and a lot bigger than you!) Of course as soon as the little red thing saw the gathered horde it started to whimper about barbarian hordes invading that ate girls.....but we all know that isn't true!
I hugged Mum tightly, I'm not angry at her now. She has promised that we wont go back to the pool again and thats all I really wanted. Some normal time in a normal life at a normal (!!!!!..as much as they are ever normal!!!!!) home. She as crying and this time I let her smooch with, and even gave some smooching back. It wasn't that bad when all you have had to cuddle in the last few years is Dad and rocks.
Dinner was a treat, news and laughter flowing around the table freely with elven wine, (I didn't tell the others but Aunt Triba gave me some, it gave me the hiccups for the rest of the night) Mum had at last resolved threats that had endangered us and the family as a whole, the ones that remained were deemed ignorant enough to be easily dismissed. As such it was time for us to stay here and have a proper family that we had missed for the majority of our lives.
I was happy tonight, this has been the first time for a very long time it has been the case. Sure I wasn't always sad at the pool, after all I had a secret friend that no one was to know of and that was great. I wasn't happy though, not the way I am now. Its warm here and I am with all the people (except Uncle Connor, he was busy, he is always busy) that I call my own.
My brothers and sisters have already started to annoy me though, they like to yank on the red things wings and for some reason it feels like its irritation is crossing over to me. I have no idea why since I usually like to tease it myself. Still all in all it was a night to remember, one that I hope is going to be the start of so many things good things to come.
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25th Winter Deep
Mum has a surprise for me today! She told me to make ready for a trip, we are going to Vairvand!!!! The Rites are to start in a week or so and Mum wants to present me now, she thinks that I am ready to make my first steps down the path of the Affirmed. I am a little scared though, I mean I have to meet the Warder! What if she can tell all the bad things I have done? I wonder if Lucinda cares that I picked the lock on Aunt Tribas weapon closet or that I send the little red thing out at night to set fire to Gigi's pillow. Not sure she does, but if she does then I could get into a lot of trouble.
We are going to sail on the Unicorn, Mum says there is a safe place to disembark near the temple and it wont be hard to find, since the lights from the coming celebration will make the night skies glow with magic. I might if I am lucky even meet some of the mages of the tower, though I was told they don't always come. Thats fine though I don't mind much, it will just be great to make my first visit to Lucinda's house.
3rd Spring Dawning
The night was amazing! Well the trip was calm, Mum drilled me on the Coran arta i' Tha vair maen till my ears bled though. (I think she converted half of the sailors on the voyage as well}. I didn't get much time to play with Uncle Fat Jack either, or climb the masts...or hang over the edge..but it was worth it. Mum took almost all of my time and we haven't had much of it in the past. I didn't realize before how she was mostly kind and just has a mean streak. The time she spent showed she at least cared a little.
We arrived at night, the evening before The Rites of Affirmation were to begin. The skies were lit from Vairvand just like I was told, magic glimmering in sheets of blue and gold that flickered across the walls and prominent temple roof. The Tower was lit too, its lofty heights had the faint lustre of The Weave, and if anything I could almost..well feel magic as a thing I could touch here, at least here on this night.
We went straight to the temple and were given rooms to stay in, a few of the people there seemed to know us all ready though I had really no idea at all who they were. The room was simple, nowhere near as comfortable as home but Mum seemed content here, unpacking and humming to herself as she went, placing small things that reminded her of home and the people in it all around the room. The night passed quickly, Mum giving me the final grilling on my doctrine, trying to make sure that most people would think I memorized that damned scrolls themselves.
The next day was like the Winds of Arindor has escaped and were let loose in the temple and my life. Clerics, Mages, little men in funny hats were running all over the grounds and buildings. In the space of four steps I was knocked over three times by over energetic Priests who for all purposes seemed to be running to and from with no apparent goal. Mum wove her way in the chaos like she was born to it, I wasn't so lucky the whole time. I think I came out of Vairvand with more bruises than my first sword lesson with Silly.
That wasn't the end of it of course...Spellgard itself was frantic, the whole city alive and bustling with preparations for the night ahead. Every step we took seemed to carry to my ears another conversation about the night to come, so many here just for The Rites themselves. Inns had huge signs out saying NO ROOMS, bakers ran to ovens with huge piles of pastries and breads while entertainers of every kind littered street corners and taverns. Laughter rang out as people crowded into over full inns and wine and ale seemed to splash me with every step in the city of chaos.
My day was to be the same chaos, as I was pushed into a place where a really weird lady sat me down and cut my hair, from there Mum dragged me to a tailor and after what felt like hours of abuse at the end of a tape measure I found myself in an elaborate and hard to walk in blue dress. Finally I was taken to someone who wanted to draw on my face (don't ask me, I think my lips are fine the color they are, but the woman with skin paint seemed to think they could be better). When we managed to get back to Vairvand I collapsed face first in a chair..(which of course had Mum yelling at me for crumpling the stupid blue dress) She made me sit uncomfortably upright in a chair while the final preparations were made for the night to come.
After all this the night did come, and it was a night like none I have ever seen. We walked through the even more active Spellgard of night joined the Mages and Clerics awaiting the Warder. I stood at front next to the path the Warder would walk, Mum stood behind me as my Sponsor of Affirmation, her left arm sitting on my shoulder comfortably as well traditional for the presentation.(when the Warder Affirms you the sponsor removes the hand, showing you now walk alone in Lucinda's Grace and no longer need to be guided purely by your teacher) I shuffled a lot, the dress was hot and dragged at my feet, the ground was hard and I was really nervous about the whole thing. I just didn't want the Warder to see all the bad stuff, so I prayed a little to Lucinda to make sure she didnt..Im sure Lucinda understands and will give me a hand.
Soon the noises came from my left, Mum's bracelet knocked into my ear, it has the Fifth Coran arta i' Tha vair maen scribed on it in Elven...I could see now the first lines of the procession coming along the path, the Warder moving slowly, twin Protectors standing to each side insuring her safety. As she got closer, the bracelet seemed to fill my mind...the elven words swam a lot and well...my mind went blank! I tried and tried but not even the first Coran arta i' Tha vair maen would come to mind! I tried every combination...ummm Thou will do good things....thou shalt not do bad magic things.....thou shall help Lucindites..the shalt bless pastures of barley in my name!?!?...And she was getting closer and closer! My mind raced...I think my heart had ran off in a weird fear, the little red things started muttering about girls who forget there teachings being locked away forever! she is right next to me now!
Ohh NO! She took that step, Mums hand tightened on my shoulder and the Warder looked at me!....Her eyes are blue and she has bright red hair..actually she is pretty short and looks kinda funny....and she didn't even seem that serious. She placed her hand on Mums and I felt the Weave bounce between them, recognizing the service in each other and in some funny way mixing between them. In some fashion I saw them as colors, The Warder shades of blue, pale yellows with streaks of iron and red. Mum was dark dark blue, with many shadows in between each layer and a rich ruby vein that ran throughout. The colors mixed and flowed through me as I stammered of something about one part cornflour, one part egg, four parts blueberry and one part love to make the best pie. The Warder laughed then and moved stray hair from my face saying to mother, “Just like you when we first met”. Both hands moved from my shoulder and she was gone, onto the next person in the neverending sea of eager faces waiting for Lucinda's blessing.
I turned to Mum, she would be disappointed I know, I had forgotten everything we had worked so hard on, I don't usually fail tests and this left a strange taste in my mouth like salt and old cheese. It was really not a nice thing to face. Funny thing was she looked proud, her pale face glowing in the light of the eight that streamed down overhead, her eyes watching the Warder walk on with a funny sense of laughter and irony mixed together. No idea what she was thinking but she seemed really proud. I decided right then to say and ask nothing. It was safer not to disturb the peace and be happy my pie mixture hadn't got me into trouble at all.
Mum waved me off then and gave me the freedom of Spellgard. She didn't seem to mind she was letting me go out in the REAL world for the first time alone. Either she was over distracted or she felt the place was bolted down really firm. Again I decided questioning was a greatly bad idea, knowing that if I bought any thought of safety in her mind I would be tied to her more quickly and closely than her constant sword belt.
I started my exploration, fireworks were raging in the night sky, glamors were on every corner and illusions as common as real people. Everywhere I went people smiled and talked freely of the Goddess and festivities. Everyone seemed happy, happy with the night, happy with the festival and most of all happy with themselves. I stopped at every stall, looking, poking and playing with everything in sight. Mages and Clerics alike laughed at me, my constant need to know and explore amusing them as I often got zapped, had my hair stand up or was temporarily made a vibrant shade of orange. One little box they had set up even made me jump into the Little red things body and it into mine! It was funny as I watched myself start raving about how I was going to be stuck in an ugly wingless pale body till the ends of time!
We went from the magical tricks to all sorts of Taverns, even the bakeries were open the whole night. Mum has given us a little money to spend so I bought a pastry while the little red thing stole three more. We ate merrily, the sweet fruits mixing with a soft flake crust of pasty and wandered till finally found an inn that caught our interest, overfull like the rest with bursts of light and color flying from already shattered windows. I pushed inside, mutters issuing from my companion about how were were going to be used for b-grade magical experiments before being turned into mind leeched solemnly for entering this kind of place. As usual..I ignored him.
Inside it was..only one word for it! LOUD! People were everywhere and so was ale and wine. I decided that I was nearly fifteen and thus I had every right to be here with the rest. I wandered over to a table where a man was making a little pretend ship sail on a seal of knocked over ale. It looked like ours and I had to sit and watch, and well I admit I tried to touch it but when I did it vanished in a little burst of sparks. The man grinned at me, and small shapes began to swim in the liquid, merfolk darting to and from one side of the amber liquid to the other.
Leaving him I continued my exploration, no one ever told me there would be so much to see and do here! I spotted an old man, he had long bristling hair, (like I did when I got zapped) and it was all standing on end like he had ben caught in a really bad storm. He was looking at a small girl that was as small as the little red thing when I got it, a tiny little girl with tiny flower like wings. He was almost going cross eyed he was trying so hard to see it!
Now this I had to see...it was like I was when I was little..just smaller. I wandered over till I got close, he was talking to another dirty looking man about harvesting dust, how long he would have to wait till it was mature and what yields would he expect from it before it expired (expired? I didn't know people ran out) I was just behind him...but I couldn't see so much so I started to jump...just a little jump was all so I could peek over the mans shoulder. Well....from here things didn't go so well at all.
On my second jump I tripped, and fell into the bristled oldie, he staggered forward and tripped on a chair leg, sending ale on the corner flying into the air and which landed on the dirty mans face. He fell back and landed on the lap of a woman in a funny dress, the man next to him screamed something on the lines of him having to pay for that...The chair under the woman broke, the both spilled onto the ground and took the table with them which of course hit the halfling sitting close by in the back of the head.....I had landed of course firmly on my bum in a patch of warm ale in my nice new dress (mum didn't kill me, just said I shouldn't be drinking at my age!)...looking up I saw the little girl flying through the air, im not sure she could do it yet so I tried to catch her...missed and with a weird plonk she fell right down the front of my top.
When I looked up again...well yep...they were all staring down at me like I had something caught in my teeth. What could I do...I smiled..I shrugged a little...they all seemed to be pretty aware that the little thing they wanted I had. I was about to give it to them, she didn't belong to me afterall and Mum would call it stealing.....when I looked down and sat her little face...she was sooo cute and looked just like Jessica! I would think she was younger than me. Small green eyes looked up at me pleadingly...well whats a girl to do!
I went to stand and instead shot under the mans legs....he tried to grab me and slipped once more in the ale...(really they should try to get more of it in their mouths and less on the floor)..of course a talent for disaster never goes as planned and he fell smack on my legs....now that hurt. The dark man grabbed me by the ankles but with a swift word bright light spun from my hands and wacked him in the eyeballs. Of course he let go (which was good since upside down in a dress is really embarassing!) and once more I was in a puddle....and scrambling like made to get away! I made it as far as two crawls before I ran into a halfling with a sore head, a woman with a bum wetter than mine and an angry man who was moaning about people sitting on his merchandise. This was just not going well!
They all looked angrier than Melôir after I torched his favorite crumby book...and even though I was well aware it wasn't my fault they didn't seem to see these in exactly the same manner. The bristled man behind me was on his feet again, and dripping with an expression of absolute rage on his face...he reached out for me but something really strange happened. I heard some low words and well...he stopped reaching. Well I didn't need a written invitation thats for sure.....I took off faster than I think I ever had before. I could hear magic being spoken behind me but I sure wasn't game to look back. I ran out of the door and back into the loud warm night air. I only made it a short distance before a pair of hands pulled me into a doorway roughly. Men shot out behind me from the bar, a few had eyes that were filled with magic patterns as they looked over the street carefully, taking more than a few minutes and leaving me stuck in a doorway. After the careful search they said a lot of bad words and headed back into the Inn.
Of course now they were gone but I still had someone grabbing onto my arm...one problem changed for another I bet! I looked around and realized. OHHH LUCINDA I was gone! My feet were gone....my arms were gone...where in the world did my body go! This cant be good...I need a body...well feet too! I could still feel them but they just weren't there anymore! Now this is something I was sure Mum would be really mad about! I looked around frantically and could see deeper in the doorway a figure, he pulled out a small stone and touched...well I felt it touch my arm but I had no arm and..my arm came back, with a strange sensation of lots and lots of threads unbinding around me.
Well that was a relief, so much so that I wasn't so worried anymore, I had a body..that meant things were looking up again. A shy voice, smooth and elven queried my health, asking if I was alright, besides smelling like a week old tavern. Well of course I was alright! I had suffered far far worse than being hoisted into the air underwear first by some stranger! I told this person such in no uncertain terms, making certain that he understood I was completely able to deal with all of this alone. Surprisingly he agreed and told me he would leave me too my wanderings.
To be honest though, right then I kind of missed Silly, and I was getting a bit tired from having so many adventures on my own, and maybe some company wasn't all that unwelcome, and well I guess after all of that I was a little shaken up. I told him as long as he wasn't some kind of weird monster he could walk with me a little bit. Not much...just a little till I felt like myself again. I was nervous though that when he came into the light he would be an ogre or some kind of misfit from the weird of horrors. Lucky he wasnt..he had mid length brown hair, pointy elven ears and dark eyes that were laughing at my discomfit. He was a little older than I was, maybe 15 or 16 in humanish years but seemed to know a lot more what was going on in this place than I did. That was probably a good thing since I had no idea how really get around this place and I had already proven I was well able to get into a pile of trouble really quick.
We walked around the city, his name was Berelor Thricestarred, he was raised in Spellgard and had become Affirmed a little while ago. He was studying with his Mum and Dad in the Tower of High Arcana now, though he still wasn't very skilled. I told him my name as well, he blanched when I said Hilliaraname, like I had pronounced a doom on him of some kind...but seemed to relax after we started talking again.
He showed me all around the city, the Tower and the Temple, the best bakeries and finest stands for entertainment on the nights of the Rites. We even played some games of blood dunking at the big fountain in the central square. Berelor managed to dunk blood in the pond three times, me only once. Milara had his own dunking game too but Berelor said that if you are going to dunk things, you might as well dunk the biggest and the best. He muttered something about Hilliaraname's after that but I didn't catch it..and he wouldn't repeat it no matter how much I pouted. (I need to get mum to teach me that, no one ever says no to her pouts)
After knocking the big baddy into the water for an hour or so we sat down at a small inn near the temple. The night was almost done and the Warder had finished her rounds, though the people seemed content to continue with the celebration for as many days as it was allowed. The streets were still full even though the stars were fading and it was clear the light of dawn would soon streak the sky. Dawn...DAWN!!!!! Oh no no!! Now that wasn't going to be good. Mum never said what time I had to be home but Im sure it would have to be before dawn!
I jumped up from the seat so suddenly I think Berelor thought I was having some kind of fit. I made some rapid stuttering gestures and pointed towards the temple trying to explain in four languages at once that I needed to get back really really badly. He laughed at my uncoordinated motions, laughing even more so when I took off in the wrong direction. He just had no sense of urgency at all!
He grabbed onto my hand and pulled me the right way, telling me it wasn't far at all...just around two or three corners really. Either he walked slow, or they were really big corners because it took far longer to get there then he seemed to think. Everytime I moved faster I was yanked back by his hand guiding me to a more normal pace. I guess it wasn't that bad, still I wasn't a baby and didn't need people holding my hand. I let him anyway, maybe it was weird but it was kinda nice too.
EVENTUALLY we got back to the temple (I didn't know there were that many streets in Spellgard, I think my guide used the paid by time way) and the still softly glowing front door. People were sill wandering the grounds, talking in more hushed tones now as the early morning light started to stain the night sky. I thanked Berelor for his “directions” and was ready to rush home, but he didn't seem to want to let go of my hand, pulling me up short. Alright..now this is weird, we are here now and hand grasping guides are no longer required! I turned around...what in the world could he want now. He muttered something about when we would be able to get together again because he had fun and stuff. What could I say to that? Truth was I had no idea. I could only get here by boat and it wasn't that easy to just wack out the old ship and sail on over to say hello! He seemed a little disappointed at that, but I told him the only time Mum would really for certain definite sure go was for these Lucinda festivals. Well that had a funny effect, he told me the next one his parents would go to was in Karthy and it wasn't so far away really, I could meet him under the grapevines. Well I didn't see why not, Mum goes to all of them so it was kinda easy to guess she would go to that one. I agreed (though where the grapevines are I will work out later..right now I have nooo idea)
I decided then that was that, and still he wouldn't let go of my hand! This was getting ridiculous, did he want me to sign a contract or something? Right then I felt a small tap on my chest, I pulled the top forward and looked down to see what the trouble was, the pixie had been quiet the rest of the night. I looked down to her...looking for the world like the Queen of Mistone in lots of comfy pillows and she was making a really strange face. She had her lips puckered and eyes closed...her tiny face screwed out and looked for all the world like some bizarre winged fish. NO idea what her game was so I pulled free and said goodnight to Berelor quickly before running into the temple and shutting the door. After it slammed a small giggle came from my chest as the pixie let out its disturbing humor.
I tried to sneak in of course...but that didn't work, Mum's voice coming from her bed, “Take the stinky dress of Allie and make sure you wash..” She doesn't miss anything at all I tell you....
10th Summer Home.
It has been a relaxing few months, Uncle Connor has been by once or twice, Aunt Triba is around most of the time and so is Mum. Dad drops by almost every day to see us and Grandma at least once a week. Things are going well all in all, even the rest of he tribe is managing to accept that somehow I have gotten bigger than them really really quickly.
The Little red thing has shot up a heap in the last few months, now it is still little but nowhere near as small as it was. It has even toned down its predictions of doom to a point where it only spouts them in situations that surprise or truly worry him. The Pixie well, she traveled home with me as would seem typical of my family's tendency to collect living things. Its name was Serâph, though it was too little to really tell me much about where it came from. She was a chatterbox though, and as the months together wore on found she had a tendency for skimpy clothes and jokes that either werent funny, plain strange or in some way were just beyond me. She had also fallen in what she claimed was love with one of my many brothers each month. She had just ran out of them so I kinda wonder where she is going to go from there.
Life is really just settling into a nice comfortable routine now, Grandma and Uncle Connor (rarely) teaching spells, Mum teaching theory and Lucinda and Triba teaching me umm.....yep teaching me. Silly and I are just getting comfortable though I still have to ask Mum about letting me go to the Lucinda grape festival thing with her. She hasnt said much about but Im sure it is coming up soon.
I did this picture of my whole family as well, I even put in Serâph since I think she is here to stay.
7th Dream Dance
They have done it to us all over again, they said it wouldnt happen but again we are back in this empty chamber, the pool outside it forbidden. Dad said it was needed, Mum never asked if we cared and the meld was done without asking. I wont forgive either of them this time. Ever.
It all came about the night before, preparations were being made for our birthday, the house was madness. I was turning fourteen and well, Mum was excited at spending a birthday with us, Dad was there and Aunty Triba..and even Uncle Connor was on his way which was great. I missed him all the time since he is so busy with other things that always seem to pop up (he spends so much time reading I cant believe it, he must be bored out of his head)
Mum was called away just before, some sort of mystery emergency that she seemed to always have to run after. She promised she would be back for our birthday, and she wasnt one to break them usually so we took that to heart. She took her weapons and left, shortswords and armour vanishing as she bent The Weave around her to obscure her passage. Funny, I wasnt worried at all. I never really worry much about her. She always comes home no matter what she seems to do. I didnt see this time as any different to the one hundred other times she had left before. Of course she came home but it was different.
We were in our rooms, Silly was going over some new prayer books, I was playing with the red thing and Serâph, though they werent being to cooperative really, one spilling the doom of the pixie plague, the other trying to tell Faustus she loved him. Dad was around somewhere, not sure what he was doing when suddenly the door boomed like it was being knocked on by a Giant. The whole house seemed to shake and I have to admit i wasnt sure what kind of visitor knocked like that. We got all the odd balls though so nothing much surprised me anymore. Probably just one of Grandmas wacky experiments gone wrong, she would have it in hand quick enough. Jumping up I yelled out "I will get it!" (REALLY wanted to see what boomed that way!)
I didnt get a chance to answer it though, I mean I wasnt in a hurry, usually no one in this house gets up to answer the door and its a chore someone needs to be bribed to do. Not this time. Dad shot past followed by the houses lumbering golem collection, Tom the giant tomato joining them from the kitchen (really dont want me to elaborate on the giant tomato...really) Dad pushed open the door and after the last of them emerged it slammed shut once more. Well....they really must want to see this visitor! I have never seen them move so fast!!!
Silly looked at me confused, and I shruggged...then the house started to shake and roll...explosions and roars started to sound outside. See...now this was more typical, they were having some kind of party without us, or someone was being chased by a few of the silly bugbears or forest giants to the north. Either way they were having fun and we were stuck inside again! Kinda of right, but I was more wrong.
The rumbles didn't last long before the door flew open again, Mum and Dad running in. They were both a little cut and Mum had dents in her armor the size of small boulders, in parts it still had funny little arcs of lightning bouncing in the dents. She talked rapidly to Dad, never once asking what we thought of the matter, she instructed him to take us back to the pool.
I couldn't believe my ears, she promised that we wouldn't need to do that and now didn't even bother to ask.. I started to shake my head to refuse the all to clear invitation but it was too late, my body was already starting to cover in a smooth shell of stone as Dad engaged primal mastery to return us to the pool. The stone seeped up my neck and I didn't have time to say much really.
My cerulean eyes met Mum's blue, “I hate you” was all that came out.
The meld took us and we were here once more. Unexpected as we were the chamber was empty so Dad set up some rough beds for us before setting to work on making it a decent environment for two teenage girls. How could he though? There was nothing here that a girl could want. Even the chamber was different and the runes to my blue friend were gone!
This time I wouldn't forgive or forget, no lessons. No work. No reading or learning sitting in a room for hours listening to Melôir of the over boring. If they wanted to make me do things that I hated, I will make sure that I do things they hate.
Later on
Back to funny dates since I don't know them very well again. Dad has worked himself to almost collapse, though he deserved it for forcing us to come here.As I thought Melôir is back again, and he follows me around now like some kind of lost Hilliaraname pet. I just ignore the monkey, though I am starting to take great pleasure in setting Serâph on him, she can easily get into the most embarrassing of spots it seems. He spends more of his time jumping away from the glittering ball of light that shoots down the rear of his robes than much else. Its good for his constitution.
Dad has tried to talk to me a few times, but I just ignore him. He doesn't seem to understand how badly he treated us. “For your own good” I hear all the time again, and we return to the same old argument when I tell him, “I am not going to classes for your own good.” He gives up then after a minor earth movement and goes away for a few days before coming back to talk again...same thing..same result.
Hope he learns soon.
Later Again.
Dad and I have come to an agreement..well in our way. I realized today that I was going to miss the Lucinda Grape Festival! Now that doesn't bother me so much, afterall Lucinda has lots of great parties but I felt bad, Berelor didn't seem so bright, he would likely stand under those grapes for a really long time. (though I would be interested to see how long he stood there and waited, but if I don't go I cant see that either). So I talked with Dad and we made a deal. He would get me to the festivals and I would be pleasant.
He didn't seem to much mind that, telling me that as long as I met him where I arrived before dawn of the next day I could go. Afterall I was nearing fifteen and in his eyes I was less a child everyday and more a young lady in waiting. We shook hands on it, Dad seeming happy with any arrangement that would stop Serâph and I torturing anything that walked into striking range. Time started to pass now more tolerably and I had something at least to look forward to. It was still a year away for me here...a month at home but still better than nothing I guess.
A Year-ish later.
Time has almost flown, study, study, study. Melôir and I have covered almost the basics of all eight now, with some more advanced stuff pitched in for good measure. He is pretty happy with the way I have progressed though he tells me I have a knack with Evocation and Enchantment over the other arts, so I need to work harder on the others to make up for the lack. When he said that I agreed, it was the night before I finally escaped this place for a place where there were humans!
Of course the next day was sloooowww...it had to be since I was waiting on something. Dad bought me one of Grandma's dresses (Serâph had some time trying to find a cosey patch in it though) and I was allowed to wear that for the night. Dad said he was going to get one of Mums but she started to ask questions, and well he wasn't sure how she would take our whole arrangement right now. He said he wasn't lieing really, just waiting till things calmed down and she was less stressed. I,m going to remember that next time I need to lie...I just waited till you were less stressed! When I finally managed to get the dress on Melôir and Dad agreed that I looked very pretty, I was proud in a way, I think some people will be in for a surprise since usually people don't get to almost sixteen so quickly.
Finally the time came and Dad called me to a place close to the pool, still not in the tower but close enough from him to channel easily. He told me that he would collect me just before dawn, so to be back at the right spot then. Mum was going to be sent out after me if i didn't turn up, well thats one way of making sure I am there on time. Without any more words the ground reached for me and pulled me away. I closed my eyes though, it is fun but if you leave them open its like having dirt in under your eyelid and doesn't feel nice at all.
When the stone skin left i could hear waves, and people..sooo many voices! PEOPLE!!!!!! I took a look around and just like SpellGard at The Rites this place had people all over the place. Unlike SpellGard though these looked kinda odd. Lots of them weren't wearing Lucinda's blue, which was weird since everyone knows thats her color. There we some, just not as many as I would expect. Far more people were wearing purple and green, and then those people sure weren't wearing much in the way of purple and green at all! Maybe Purple and Green was the color of grapes. It makes sense since everyone knows that grapes are green and purple.
Now I needed to find the grapevines. Easiest way I guessed was to ask. Surely someone in this mob knows where they are. It never really occurred there could be a lot of them. So I asked one of the woman wandering...now she was really amazing she had this strap on her chest that held everything! Of course I had to ask about that first, since I mean, it was clearly magical and we all know grapes are second to magic. She didn't really explain why though, just wiggled a great deal when she laughed at me before pointing towards the center of town.
I pushed through the throng but it was hard work. People seemed to be pressing in all over in this place. Spellgard had as many people but they gave you breathing space. These Lucindites seemed to be trying to squeeze as many people into a small a space as possible. After taking along time i found the grapes...but there was sure a lot of grapes! They were all over, red one..purple ones..green ones and they hung from almost every building I could see. Well Berelor could have been a little more specific with his directions, its hard enough when I have never been here..then add so many grapevines and life gets really mixed up.
Well little point worrying about that I thought, might as well just enjoy being out and well I guess if I run into the right grapevine I do, and afterall there is far too much to look at here to be standing under a bush all night. So I picked the first little stall thing I came to and went on in. It smelt really fruity and seemed a nice place to be. I pushed aside these really soft curtains and in we went, Serâph giggling from the front of my dress like a mage eating starfire the whole time.
Once inside well it was pretty if smoky and a little confusing. It made me cough at first but soon it passed and it didn't seem to bother me much at all. There were cushions all over the place, and more people with skin paint! Now this was something I had seen before, Lucindites must always do the skin paint thing. A painted lady wandered over and smiled, she looked kinda pretty in a cute painted not dressed kind of way (not sure what the reason was for the clothing, then again I was away for a while and Aunt Triba says fashion is notorious for changing quick). She took my hand and sat me on one of the cushions talking about stuff my mind wasn't working so well on understanding. Pins and something, not sure why skin paint and pins had in common at all. Last time I went skin painting they used brushes.
Well the cushions sure were comfy and my head was fuzzy so it seemed a good time to sit. I asked her to open the chimney up because it was sure smoky in here right now, and that meant poor ventilation. She laughed at me before asking me a lot of questions about things, what I liked, what I didn't. What was my favorite thing. Of course right now Serâph was my favorite, but thats because she was in her way funny and she laughed at weird things. The woman didn't know what a Serâph was though so i dragged the Pixie out to show her. Once we had that straight the woman seemed pretty happy and gave me one of the small tops. Must be a strange gift giving grape festival thing. She sent me to a small room and I got to put the little thing on, kind of embarrassing since Serâph's head stuck out the top and feet out the bottom.
Wandering back out the woman took hold of me, and told me to rest face first on the cushions. Well come to think of it I was kinda lethargic, my brain felt like it was stalling..I think the meld must have tired me out before I got here. I told her a small rest would be pretty good and that Lucindites sure know the meaning of hospitality. I booted the pixie from her regular home and flopped. Sure was tired.
Well then it got odd, Serâph was babbling like mad, saying things like “more like this, my wings don't look like that, that needs to be darker, that lighter, don't do it on the crease!” Well before I suspected she was weird, now I know she is. After a time the woman told me I could go put my dress on, she was finished. I decided she was finished talking to the pest and wandered back in, put my dress on and left, Serâph diving back to her normal abode, laughing madly as she went.
Outside I felt a lot better my mind cleared but my bum was sure sore. Each time I rubbed it as well it felt like it was burning. I told them the fire was too high and there was poor ventilation, my bum got burnt! Get Silly to fix it when I go back tomorrow, she has a knack for fixing burns and cuts. Well no point worrying too much, it is only a little burn even if its kinda irritating, must be good for my constitution though.
I start out once more, so many places to see and the night is just starting. It seems I was in that tent for a lot longer than I thought though, the stars are saying it was a couple of hours, Serâph and that lady must have had a lot to talk about. I walked onwards, there was wine everywhere and it was free, Aunt Triba said wine was okay if you didn't have too much so I made sure I only took one at a time. The wine was spicy and made the burn on my bum go away, kind of tingly and warm to. Well once again Aunt Triba was right, as long as you had one at a time it was good for your constitution.
I wandered around for a time, but made sure I stuck to the grapes, just in case the silly elf boy was still waiting. It was then I noticed a dull purple rune on a door. Now this was more like it, runes are something that I understand, and that Lucinda tells us a lot about. I wandered on over and had a look at the silly thing. Ohhh magical lock! Now that is easy to solve...you think if people wanted to lock stuff they would make it harder to get in really. I focused the weave in my hands and muttered the simple incantation knocking on the door gently. The rune dimmed and went out, the door swinging open with a big groaning noise. I grabbed another one of those little wine glasses (just one!) and wandered on into the brightly lit passage beyond. Nothing ventured nothing gained!
It was short, and led to room that was lit brightly with mirrors all over the place. In front of the mirrors..more skin paint..but they had so many colors, and I could chose exactly what I wanted. I sat down, Serâph popped out and we started painting our faces, the huge mirrors were great, you could see almost everything in them! Like always though nothing fun lasts, and a fat woman came bustling in with two other skinny girls. The girls looked really tired and she was yelling and carrying on about getting ready, the night was young and people were expecting them to perform. OHH actors!
She stopped suddenly, and stared, and stared, and stared. The other girls all had swirly patterns painted on them and wore little tops and bottoms covered in some nifty silk Aunt Feawen would love. That woman, still staring. She bustled over to me, said something about new girls and rubbed the paint off my face hard. Serâph dived back inside my top with a small trill as the woman grabbed the colors and started to paint them on really really well. Soon I had the same patterns as the others on my face, then my arms. She then pitched some silky stuff at me and told me to go and get changed, the festival was waiting. This one was sure far weirder than The Rites were, they never did this much painting and redressing in Spellgard. But if this was what Lucindites did at this one then I guess it must be okay. I went behind a tiny curtain and with Serâph's help managed to get all the silky things and little parts where they should be. When I came out, the fat woman finished painting swirls all over (which tickled) and then pushed me back out into the street.
Well back outside it sure was cold, not very practical clothes when its night time near the water I have to say, still people were really friendly. Everyone was smiling at me all the time and lots of them bought me food and some even gave me flowers! Some others offered me money but I was always told that you really shouldn't take money from people, it was rude and the Hilliarames didn't really take charity. A few wanted to do the hand holding thing but after being dragged around for hours last time I didn't want to get into that again. It was lot of fun, food for free, wine for free (but only one at a time! It was making me giggle) and lots and lots of friendly people.
About the middle of the night things went odd again, people started to move off to a central little whole in the city, I was a bit confused by what they were all doing so i just stood and watched, strange silk blowing around me and the inks were starting to dry and me me itchy. I had no idea what they were doing really but it seemed it was some kind of gathering. I was lost at what to do, thankfully a man with the same patterns painted on him came over and told me it was time for rituals to start for the night. Well..now that explained it, it was like the Affirmation where all the people made a line and got to meet the Warder. I wouldn't mind meeting her again, this time I could show her I did know the precepts from my heart.
We went over to the circle, there were a lot of people dressed as I was gathering in the middle and a huge crowd gathering around. The people moved aside to let us join with the others in silk and patterns. They stood a time in the center, and then in with no real pattern I could see started to move to the crowd and take someones hand before coming back to the center once more. Well this had me lost, but the confusion must have been clear, the man once again helping me out. He told me that it was time, that I had to choose a partner for the festival. Well that made sense, Mum was my partner last time I was at a festival, so it was another team type thing. I nodded and walked away from the group. Now if it was a physical like run thing better get someone strong, but if it was a thinking thing look for someone smart...Shame I couldn't choose two I would have a better chance in the ritual then.
Well I looked and looked, no matter where my eyes stopped people were smiling, really this crowd was easy to please. Just look at them and they almost jumped up and ran over. Shame people don't answer the door this way at home. Still I really couldn't find anyone that I wanted to do a ritual with. I gave up and walked back to the man, telling him I didn't really know any of the people to ask. He just pushed me back out, saying that was really the whole idea. Well I guess that made some sense, a getting to know you type game! Now I had a hint there was more chance that I would at least choose someone who was appropriate.
I was lucky in the end, just as I was going to choose a girl with a pleasant look (didn't want to get to know someone nasty) I spotted a familiar person passing by the crowd. He was delusional I am sure. He was nowhere near the grapes! I ran over to him waving. He looked surprised, well I guess i have grown a lot so it made sense. I said hello happily, Serâph sticking her head out from beneath the silk to wave hi as well.
Well considering her had wanted to see me again he had the strangest look on his face. He looked at first amused and said no thanks, then he paled and his pupils retracted to small points of light. He stuttered a bit as the pixie giggled at him, laughing its small tinkling laugh. He staggered back a moment like I had hit him with one of Silly's practice clubs then righted before wacking his hands over my eyes and dragging me away. Really we meet and two minutes later we are back to dragging!
He took his hands from my face a little later, as he did asking why I was dressed like a Xeenite. Well like everyone I know Xeen is a goddess, but I was never really up to much study on the whole religion idea, Lucinda was all. He asked me if I had any idea what the Xeenites were doing right now. Well that took some careful thought. I know Xeen was a goddess, and she had something to do with Horticulture, likely the whole farming thing. Afterall even a farmer had to have a goddess. Either way I wasn't going to tell him I didn't know so I simply said of course in a way that he would believe it.
We went and sat by the water, he seemed to be over his seizure though I did suggest he have someone in the Clergy take a look at him. You cannot wander around blacking out all of the time. He laughed (I wasn't joking but I let it pass since he seems to think it funny) and got me to tell him about my time, and then once we sat by the water (it was really uncomfortable as well, the burn on my bum didn't like cold cobblestones on the little piece and silk) he told me about his few months of study. I have to say his was far more exciting to me, The Tower, real people...all in the real world with real things happening. Strangely he was more interested in my time, the pool and Dad fascinated him a lot, Mums name he avoided but he couldn't seem to get enough of the pool of stone. Somehow in process he had managed to tangle our hands again, likely more dragging I would think.
The talked moved to boats, the harbor was full of them and time on the Unicorn gave me some idea how they worked, te told my of an excavation in the blood desert, of the finding of an old elven laboratory and its potential benefits to the study of the field of conjuration. Soon enough Serâph was snoring under hazy silk and the stars were wheeling towards the end of another strange evening, an evening that though was far more than odd, was still something I had done in a real place, with real people in real time.
As dawn started to fall upon the noisy city, still full of sounds of celebration and revelry I told Berelor it was time for me to go home. It was coming to dawn and my Dad was picking me up and taking my to my boring rockbound dwelling. He seemed to accept it easily and arranged to meet with me in the next Rites of Affirmation. I agreed with that, likely Silly would be presented soon and even if she wasn't, Dads promise would see that I managed to get there. This time however I demanded he meet me at the front of the temple, right at the door. Spellgard as far as I know only had one front door and this time half the night was spent hunting for him (or so I said, I didn't want to tell him that I hadn't really tried much, I would tell him when he was less stressed)
Of course he made the same old hand holding problem, he didn't let go. This time however he was doing some really strange stuff, far more odd than last time we met. Serâph had woken up as we moved and was blinking owlishly, she didn't seem to sure where she was. I pointed to Berelor who had the same odd winged fish look on his face she had last time, with his eyes shut. It seems at the end of the night things were always to get mixed up, it was like every time I had to go things were to get confusing and move beyond what I understood.
Serâph on the other hand seemed to understand exactly what was going on, as with a rapid fluttering of wings she vacated the small space allowed her in this funny top and flew out of the silk with great speed. She placed one tiny hand on each of his cheeks then planted her little face on his lips. He looked shocked, his eyes flared open and he stepped back letting go of my hand. The Pixie was persistent however and was not shaken off so easily, her small fingers pinching his cheeks as he rapidly took one, then another step backward...the third step and he vanished over the edge of the dock with an almighty splash. Serâph, small wings fluttering looked on, her laughter making the look on Berelor's face even funnier. I managed to see the mask of determination he wore, mixed with humor before the skin of the earth crept around me and melded me once more home.
Of course there was no peace here as I arrived in wave of stony silk.. Dad, Melôir and Silly's teacher were all talking rapidly too each other in worried voices. Of course my arrival in clothes other than I left in went down really well, Melôir promptly collapsed and Dad frowned at me, his eyes seeming to rake over the outfit like there was something really really wrong. It was quickly forgotten though as Silly had become sick from playing with too much magic. They said they were sorry but didn't know what to do to fix her.
Well that was just great, I go out for one night and look what happens. They could have chosen a better time as well since my bum was really sore. I used some words that Mum does when she is upset, which made the slowly rising Melôir collapse again and demanded they show me to my sister. They weren't too keen on the idea of course, so taking charge and going anyways was always a good answer. A few small cantrips to cause havoc and I made the door, a moment later I was inside and the door barred with the wooden things Silly likes to hit people with.
Silly was on the bed in the little healing room they set up, these people are soooo stupid. She is asleep! I tell them all the time when she is asleep it is really really hard to wake her up. She snores too but they wont listen to that. I just wandered over and touched her head, gave her a little shake and she was fine, her eyes opened and she yelled at me for letting her sleep in. Just the same as always really. I told her my bum was sore, these clothes were cold and the paint itched. I was going to have a bath and go to bed. Though I told Silly her teacher needed to be reviewed, what sort of healer doesn't know when a girl is tired?
Almost 17, or so.
Time has gone, I miss home, miss Connor and miss a lot of things. I wonder if anyone will recognize us when we return since we have both grown so much. Im not small now, Im not a little girl anymore at all. Where once I was short now I am tall, my little legs gone now to long ones, boys hips and torso replaced with that of a young lady. Im not sure anyone will recognize this long legged lumpy girl as the same one who left home about three years ago, three months only for them. Melôir told me my teaching was done,my grades exceptional and I should move onto The Tower now to further my studies. The groundwork of the eight principles was firmly founded within me and really there was little more that he could do but refine my work. He offered to show me around the place when Silly was taken to to The Rites, I told him I would see what happened. I could just imagine the discomfort of being dragged in two directions at once, Berelor on one hand, Melôir on the other. It wasn't a very attractive thought at all. Easier to just wait till he is less stressed and not say no right now.
Dad came to us as well, he told us we had done our time here. Mum and he had done what they could to see us protected and allowed to grow without fear. (sure no fear, boredom maybe, no fear at all) When we returned, after our birthday we would be allowed to choose what we were to do. No longer would we be stuck at the pool, or at home. We were being given the freedom that they both had taken from me for so long. I made it clear to Dad it didn't make it any better, the past was done now and no matter what he could never ever change all the things I missed. I would be glad to get away from that place and out into the world where the only rules were the ones that I made for myself.
7th Summer End
We arrived home today and its my birthday...we are free! The meld ended abruptly, shards of rock falling away from my body as I opened my eyes and once more was able to see the real world. The lake was shining in the sun, the falls throughing droplets through the air to land like small stones in the main body of water. The house sat as it had, smoke rising from the the chimney, Nanna's cooking in action.The grass was soft on sandled feet, tickling them in a way that was beyond pleasant right into divine. Everyone is gathered to meet us of course, even Connor! It was so nice to see most of them again, so very very nice.
I hugged all of them then, Connor, Triba, Grandma, Nanna and all my brothers and sisters. Serâph joined in of course while the little red thing once more moaned of the return of the hellish hordes. I was happy, they were happy if a little shocked at our amazing growth rate.
Finally I came to Mum, her composure as always showing little but her happiness at finally seeing her children once more. I could tell she was nervous though, if you know her well you can see it where others dont. Her smile was small but her eyes showed that she was nervously expectant. I am her daughter but I am myself. She knows me and she knows herself, and knows that I like her dont forgive with any great speed. She was the one who chose to send us all on this path, she didnt allow me any choice at all.
Of all my family I ignored her, saying a brief hello only before going back to my room, a room unchanged, eyes following my back as I walked that I know would be filling with hurt that is hidden. Her path. Not mine.
Later the family gathered for dinner..and for some odd reason I couldnt fathom Serâph decided it wise to jump from the birthday cake. That Pixie is just plain odd at times. Still she thought it was a great prank and was over pleased with herself for the rest of the evening. Presents flowed as always, Triba gave me a set of spikes...Im sure I will figure it out eventually, Connor a new set of brushs for my painting, my brothers and sisters all something they had made while Mum gave me an ornate new book to hold my spells. I took all to my room except the spellbook. I am happy with the old one and have no need for a new.
As I left the table that night I could feel the reproachful eyes on my back. I Could even feel waves of it coming from Serâph and The Little Red thing. They dont know what it is like to lack freedom though, they have never ever been bound in the same way. None of them have. Until the day they learn what its like to be chained that way none of them are allowed to condemn what I do.
1st Autumn Run.
Well we set sail a week ago for the coasts of Mistone again, Mum had the crew of the Unicorn come all the way from Hampshire to Lorindar to pick us up. Fat Jack and the others dont seem to have aged a day but they all are telling us we sure are big!
The last few weeks were terrible, the house was really tense with Mum and I avoiding each other the whole time. I guess Im lucky her work with the Temple keeps her so busy or she would be around to hassle me a whole lot more. Seems something weird is going on there right now and its taking up an awful lot of her time.
The voyage was subdued really, Silly was nervous and Mum spent most of the time giving her the grilling she gave when I travelled to my affirmation. The crew were friendly though, offering all sorts ot encouragement to climb the mast and sit in the little nest on top..even to hang from the Unicorn figurehead. For some reason though this time none of it was all that appealing.
We arrived as usual barely on time and docked in a cove near Spellgard. The rush was on once more, Mother running from place to place getting things ready for the night. Silly's dress turned out a disaster, I could have told them fashion changes notoriously quick but they never asked.....I got to do her makeup as well but for some reason it wasnt right and Mum screamed loudly and changed it all over again. She is just so picky at times!
The Affirmation went great, Silly was perfect in her newly built Triba dress, she remembered the precepts I think too...not that I think the Warders asks. Afterwards I showed my sister around some before heading off alone once more to find that stupid boy. Least it wasnt as hard this time.
He was good of course, and once more I had grown and caught up on him even further. He wanted to go to some place that had gardens and stuff, he said the Tower of High Arcanna had great gardens around the grounds and we should walk there. Well...it would have been a good idea I guess but Mum caught us out on the way over, she never yelled....but well Berelor was kind of scared it seemed as she told me firmly to go back to our room and sleep. I wouldnt have but the stupid boy had already ran away as fast as his thin little scholars legs would carry him. Whats with boys really! No idea.
Night cut short I came home and plopped down to sleep, sleep came alright but I had the weirdest dream about a dragon. It told me all kinds of stuff, and of course I had to ask it lots of questions..why..where...how...if....when.....the big thing started to look affectionately annoyed at me and kicked me out of my own dream! Now thats just plain rude even if you are a dragon.
Funny though, Silly had the same dream and she talked to Mum about it some. Mum made up some nonsense aout being called for great things and so on and told us we needed to make our own way for a time no. We could always come home..but we needed to find our own paths and our own way. Fine by me..I have been wanting to get away from her and that pool forever and a day.
Finally to make my own path...
//OOC Notes:
--Her heritage is unusual, Aasimar was chosen due to the planar nature of her father and it was the closest fit.
--Requesting elven, halfing and celestial ear, Intelligence of 16 supports the ears and her background gives her ample learning time.
--Any questions on the heritage shoot them at Pan since the father stemmed from a quest and I dont know any more about it than the other players do.
--Elds portrait is the copyright of the artist and remains so, representation of the fictional character doing art is just that.
--All screens were taken apart from Layonara in areas made to represent certain locations on the world. In no way or form were Gm priviliges abused to make this bio.
Alassë Hilliaraname 
Linear Mode
