7: Towers

Rorie lay in the dungeon. Stripped of his robes and garments he shivered in the damp cold as he awaited the arrival of the Torturer. Surly she was coming, it was only a matter of time. Tahkisis would not be failed like this, and he knew it. The Dark Queen could be forgiving, at times, and Rorie thought he was above those whom would be cast aside if they didn’t accomplish a task. His mind drifted to the thoughts of what lay ahead. Piramay was the instrument of choice, and Rorie almost welcomed the death that was going to come slowly. He almost looked forward to the pain that he was facing, it would be a good end to this meaningless life he had been living.

Days went by, he was slopped some gruel and water every now and then, enough to keep him alive at least, and he remained lost in his thoughts. The gate lock at the end of the dungeon wing clicked and he looked up. It was time, the end of his life. His face twisted as he thought of his ‘sister’, it was that bitches fault that all this happened, and he hated her more now than he ever hated anyone. He hoped that their mind link would be restored for his execution, that should would feel every single ting of pain as he was slowly burned to death. A gruff looking giant of a man came and unlocked the cell and then entered, peering at Rorie as he unlocked the cuffs and ankle shackles. “Let’s go.” Rorie stood on weary knees and followed the man, naked, wet and smelling like mold as he was escorted back to the upper level of the prison wing.

“In.” Rorie looked curiously as the guard pointed him to the tiled room. He turned to the guard who barked, “GO!” Rorie turned back and went into the room. Two more guards entered with large buckets of water and soap, setting them on the floor and then turned, walking out. Rorie looked at the buckets curiously and picked up the soap and towel, beginning to clean himself up. All he could figure is that this was part of the humiliation attached to his execution. Tahkisis was going to allow him to get cleaned before he was killed. He finished and dried himself off. As he walked back out to the main room his robes and clothing, cleaned and laid out were waiting. He furrowed his brow but was warming to the fact that Tahkisis was at least going to let him die with some dignity. He dressed and picked up his robes. He could smell the reagents within, everything that he needed to cast was present and he could not see what game was being played.

The guard returned and gestured for Rorie to follow. He did without a word and walked through the halls of the ebony palace. He knew the route, they were heading straight to the throne room. He inhaled deeply as the massive doors came into view and he swallowed hard, wondering what lay within. The guard stopped and opened the door. Rorie paused only a brief moment, ready to face his death, and entered. Tahkisis sat on her throne, she was alone in the room. There wasn’t a single member of the court or her army present. “Come Rorie.” She gestured with her finger, directing him to stand before her. He complied and stopped at the foot of the stairs, taking a knee and waiting for come what may.

He could hear her walking down the stairs and then her feet appeared below his chin on the floor in front of him. Her finger lightly touched the bottom of his chin and lifted his gaze up to her own, his blue eyes swirled gently. “Rorie… my favorite mage, stand up.” He did as she requested and looked into her black eyes. “You failed me.” Rorie looked at her and nodded, “Yes my Queen, I failed you immensely.” She nodded and smiled her seductive, sinister smile, the kind of smile a cat might smile before devouring the bird. “Normally Piramay would be burning your soul by now.” She turned and took his hand, walking across the throne room towards a balcony door on the west side. He followed, the last words still lingering in his ears, “normally…,” it was obvious that he wasn’t going to die today, but to what end, what was the purpose of this cat and mouse game. “Rorie, you are too loyal a man to simply put to the flame. I have decided to give you one last chance to fulfill your mission to me. You made a vow to me, and I am holding you to that vow. The daughter of Rayann must become ours if we are to fulfill the mission and if I am to reenter the world of Krynn.” Rorie turned and looked at her, his face blank and quiet. “Until I reenter the world of the mortals the conquest will never be complete, and the gate can only be opened with the assistance of Kali. She is the only mage that can wield the ambient magic so artistically, and efficiently. We need her to win this war.”

Rorie stood, his hands on the black marble banister that overlooked her gardens. Tahkisis fingers stroked the back of his hand idly as she spoke, “Kali is too powerful now, she is past the age of control and there is only one option left if we are to recollect her.” Rorie turned and looked at Tahkisis, he knew what she was speaking of. “Yes Rorie, we are going to reset this scenario and try one more time. We will need to improve our plan from last time, but taking the infant Kali to bring Shulamite back into our fold is the only option. You are powerful, Fifth is powerful, Piramay is powerful, but none of you can defeat her. Her natural gift to tap the ambient is unique.” Rorie looked at her and spoke, “It will be done Tahkisis, I will do as you command.” She smiled coyly and rubbed her finger across his bearded cheek. “I am sorry that you had to be punished in the dungeon Rorie, I couldn’t show softness, not even to you.” Rorie nodded in understanding and was about to speak, Tahkisis brought her finger to his lips and pressed them gently, following the gesture by bringing her lips to his own, devouring him with her sexuality.

Rayann felt Kali close her mind to almost everything and while it made her curious, she didn’t worry. Kali was well grounded and understood her abilities as well as knew this was not going to be an easy task. As she and Myth approached wordlessly, they could feel their daughter’s heartbeat steady within them.

The Tower of Kells awaited and while Rayann was familiar with the interior of the tower, almost intimately so, she was not familiar with the fact she couldn’t get into it or what may lay beyond the door once they got it open. Already she could begin to feel the defenses starting to come into play as an unsettling fear began to creep upon her, Kali and Myth.

Knowing her brother would have used every diabolical trick in the book, she didn’t know just how far he would slither to prevent her or anyone else from entering. But mostly her. It was another of his ways to hurt her. He knew how much she cherished this tower and how she left everything the way it had been when her mother and father had possession of it. The fact he had desecrated something else she loved was another in a long list of atrocities.

Feeling the push of the tower’s defenses press against her, Rayann took a deep breath and forced herself to press onward. Knowing Kali and Myth were feeling the same thing, she took comfort in knowing she wasn’t alone in this task. And she also knew now they couldn’t stop. It was now or never.

Even as she felt almost paralyzed, she clenched her jaw and remained steadfast on her course. While she felt the fear she knew it was in place as a defense and not because she was genuinely afraid of anything. Apprehensive, yes, fearful, no.

As she saw the familiar door come into view at the end of the long corridor, she swallowed hard. Something stirred deep witnin her and she knew beyond a shadow of a doubt now. It was merely a matter of time before the others did as well. Things were only going to get more difficult from here on out. And they had just barely begun.

Kali felt her mother and father as they approached. She inhaled deeply and without a word they moved in. The fear that gripped her was incredible; she knew this was part of the warding. She grit her teeth and several times she clutched the wall of the long hallway, stopping and fighting the sensation within her. She had the knowledge that it was magic, and she knew there was no spell or counter measure she could put into place to fight the effects except to push through. She felt the fear grip her again now, she screamed and each step took what felt like hours. How could she possibly cast if something came at her, the intensity to which she was being pressed was beyond anything she had ever felt.

Clutching her chest she fell to her knees and wept. She felt her tears coming like waves, crashing down her pale cheeks. She watched as the tears dripped off her face and hit her robes, soaking into the fine, heavy silk. Clutching her head she grit her teeth and pressed her thoughts, this was nothing more than a spell, an enchantment to ward off the unwanted, but no, it WAS real. This sensation demanded you face it, stare it in the eyes and deal with it…. She screamed again and looked up, the door seemed to be kilometers away, but was almost in reach. She blocked out everything, her parents, Nol, everything… she focused on the door and reached out, closing her mind. The sensation slowly subsided, enough that she could concentrate, “RASLATIA TASTISHESA KLORDESA!” Her destroy wood spell fired and she shielded her eyes as the heavy oaken door exploded inwards, sending shards in all directions. The fear warding began to rapidly subside; obviously the enchantment had been placed on the door rather than an area of affect. She began to stand again and turned, looking at Rayann and Rorie. They never spoke, but the look on her face was one of deep concern. That was merely the first obstacle, and most likely the easiest. She swallowed and turned, looking into the darkness ahead of them.

GM MODE

Kali looked at her Mother and Father, and then stepped forward. A voice echoed in the darkness, speaking into each of their minds…

To Myth the voice sounded like his father, it was full of anger and hatred, “FACE YOUR BROTHER! HE WHO DIED BECAUSE OF YOUR SELFISHNESS!” Myth found himself in the forests of Silvanost, the animals called to each other under the shadow of the canopy as the leaves fell gently. Myth was unarmed, standing in nothing but his armor. There was an eerie quiet and then the flash of golden dragon scales as Jerrin, crown prince of Silvanesti swopped in low mounted on his dragon. Blue Moon was in his hand, his eyes full of vengeance as he approached Myth, preparing to strike.

To Rayann the voice sounded like her brother, her father and her mother. They spoke in unison, almost like one voice. “You are not worthy to carry the Padraig name! You shall be eliminated and wiped from the family blood line!” Rayann found herself in the shadowy halls of the living quarters within Glen Durel castle. She was 14, standing in nothing but her night clothes. Her long hair was in tangles as if she had just awoken from a horrible night’s sleep, clutching her teddy bear. Rorie, Lachlan and Deidre Padraig stood at the opposite end of the hall, their eyes full of anger and hatred. They brought their hands up, lightening, fire and ice snapping between them as they prepared to cast.

Kali heard the voice of Tahkisis, the silky slither of her tongue wove itself into her mind like a gentle breeze. “You betrayed me, after all we did for you! We give you purpose and meaning you little whelp, and now you will suffer for your disloyalty.” Kali stood in the middle of the throne room. She was in casual clothing, wearing what one might wear for a casual walk in the gardens. “Face your torment!” Rorie, Fifth, Piramay and Tahkisis approached from the four corners of the room.

END GM MODE

Rayann wanted to scream with Kali as the girl fought through the fear to reach the door but she knew if she did, she wouldn’t be able to move any more. Willing herself to move and bite her bottom lip so hard she tasted her own blood. Reaching out to help Kali, Myth and Rayann stood on either side of their daughter as the three moved as one closer to the door. As Kali cast her spell and splintered the door, Rayann felt a rush of air like she was thrust so violently forward, she couldn’t breathe for a moment.

Rayann gasped and instantly felt tears well up in her eyes when she could breathe and see again. A shivering cold settled about her and when she exhaled she could see her breath as it passed form her lips. She began to shiver as the cold seeped deep into her body, settling in the very soul of her being.

It had been years since she laid eyes on her mother and father and now to see them again, even though in the back of her mind she knew this was some sort of illusion or dream, she felt a constricting of her heart in her chest. As she saw all three sets of hands raise to cast a spell at her, she shook her head.

~Mama! Papa! Don’t…please….~

Her eyes focused in on Rorie then and she didn’t tell him to stop. She knew he was angry at her. Hated her. And he had the right. To him she had betrayed him in the most despicable of ways even though she didn’t mean it.

As the fire, ice, and lightning came flying at her, she reacted more out of instinct than training. A shield created a bubble around her, protecting her from the blasts but it wouldn’t stay. The three of them together was just too powerful. As the shield dropped, she cast her own spell sending out a blinding burst of light into the darkened hallway.

As she heard her parents and sibling cry out in agony of the light, Rayann quickly dashed away in the opposite direction. The hallway she was in suddenly grew so long she could hardly make out the end of it. In desperation she ran for one of the many doors that lined the corridor just as she heard her parents and Rorie shout at her again.

Trying the door handle, she looked in their direction and began to panic as she saw them coming towards her a spell ready to be thrown at her again. Finally the door gave way and she tumbled into it falling to the floor. Quickly getting to her feet, she slammed the door shut and locked it. When she turned around, she was faced by her parents and Rorie again.

The look on her parents faces and in their eyes was enough to crush her. She could see disappointment and shame in their depth. No love could be found. As she looked to Rorie, there was nothing but hatred and contempt in his stormy blue depths. As their hands raised to cast spells at her again, she quickly cast before they could finish their spells to try and interrupt their concentration.

Sharp pointed darts of light whizzed towards them and she turned to quickly open the door and run back into the hallway. Once out in the hallway, she saw it was almost never ending again. Deciding to run as fast as she could, she tried to find the end only to find the faster she tried to run, the slower she seemed to go. Behind her she heard their voices taunting her again.

“You cannot run from us, Rayann! You will never escape us no matter where you go!”

Rayann stopped trying to run. Bone cold and shivering so bad she could hardly hold her teddy bear, she slowly turned to face them again and swallowed hard. They were right. No matter where she went, they would always be there. They were, after all, her family. And to run from them would be like running from herself. There was only one way this could end.

She would have to defeat her family.

Myth could feel the fear radiate through the connection with his daughter and he watched her press forward despite that which fought against her. As the door exploded inward Myth could only admire Kali's resolve. Indeed she had inherited his parent's force of mind. Setting his mind Myth followed his family into the doorway. The strong winds roared around him causing his to cover his eyes in defense and then the voice spoke. Moving his hand away he saw the for of his brother and companion pass overhead.

There was an empty feeling in the pit of Myth's stomach when he saw the face of his brother. Almost instinctively he reached for his blade but found nothing till he took note of the glowing blue runes on Jerrin's sword. Myth's brow furrowed slightly as inconsistencies began to take shape in the deepest recesses of his mind. Myth locked his eyes on those of his brother and stood his ground. There was magic at work here, powerful magic.

Myth's mind raced in different directions as it sought a proper course of action. Apart of him felt a deep rooted sorrow for what had happened but at the same time another part of him knew this to be nothing more than a magical illusion to test him. All the while Jerrin drew ever closer with Blue Moon in hand. Locking his emerald eyes on his brother's illusion he brought his arms up to the ready. He would have to defend himself as he worked this matter out in his mind.

Almost as if on queue Jerrin charged towards him and Myth proceeded to twist and dodge the blade of his own sword. Jerrin had always been a supurb fighter but Myth knew he had certain advantages over his brotehr even this magical copy. Jerrin growled coming around "So the spoiled little defect decided to come to his senses and quit being a little baby."

Myth ducked low before rolling away back on his feet in a fluid motion. "My eyes were simply opened guided by a light of the gods. Every day since has been a step upon the path of redemption." Myth did not know why he bothered to even speek. The rage in the eyes of this copy was infinite. He may as well have been speaking to a brick wall. Jerrin sneered at Myth lashing out once more as there dance or life and death continued.

"How seemingly noble of you Myth'alas... you seem to have a history of letting a pretty face lead you around by the nose."

Myth scowled and Jerrin only laughed making to strike high causing the younger brother to drop low only to reciee a savage kick to the face. Myth rolled back with the blow not entirely shocked by the reality of the pain. Fresh cuts were open across his cheek drawn open by Jerrin's armored boot. The air stung the wounds as it passed over them. Myth raised his hand wiping the blood away. Myth felt he should be angry at Jerrin for the verbal assault but the words held no meaning.

Jerrin had been a warrior of peace and understanding. He had never raised a blade in the name of vengance or anger. Justice had been the elven warrior's primary drive. However knowing the things he did this illusion would not vanish. There was something about this encounter that continued to drive the magic. There was something in Myth's soul that cried for his concious attention. Looking at the blood on his hand Myth knew he needed to figure it out and soon.

Kali turned, paralyzed with fear and reaching for reagents that weren’t there. She spun, the four approaching slowly. She heard the hissing of words as the ancient language of magic began to be uttered all around her. She dashed for the side of the room as a shadowy bolt of energy smashed into the floor. Then she ducked as a second bolt of power struck the floor, sending shards of marble across her back and she wailed in pain. Fire illuminated the smiling face of Piramay as a fireball launched towards her. She dove for the floor and the fireball struck the support pillar and exploded. She scrambled to her feet, Tahkisis merely purred as she ran by, heading towards the door that lead to the gardens.

As she burst through the door onto the balcony Tahkisis was standing there waiting. She swung and slapped Kali in the cheek; her face felt like it was going to explode as Tahkisis open hand creased her face and sent her to the floor. “You little ingrate!” The Dark Queen reached down and picked Kali up with one hand, flinging her over the balcony and down into the garden. She hit the ground hard and coughed hard as the wind was knocked out of her. She stood just in time to feel the sharp nails of Tahkisis right hand rip into her cheek. The blood splashed across her face and into her honey blond hair as she screamed through the pain. “You don’t stand a chance little rat, not a chance. Why not just give up now before I make this really painful.”

Kali spun on her heel and brought the back of her hand against Tahkisis’ face and followed that up with an open slap from the trailing hand. The Dark Queen’s mouth instantly began to bleed and she growled as she looked up to see Kali running across the garden. With a simple smile she watched as the three wizards on the balcony above opened up with magic and sent fire, shadow and lightening raining down on Kali. The ground exploded and Kali went flying as the spells collided with the ground. The mud and debris flew into the air and Kali hit the deck, skidding across the ground and into a line of finely groomed hedges. She could hear the sound of hissing again as the words of magic were being uttered, she knew that she couldn’t keep this up much longer, it was only a matter of time before the odds caught up with her. Her face was scorching with pain as she crawled under the shadows of the hedges. She knew that if she could get out of the area she could get an angle, but to do what? She was lost for thoughts.

Thoughts… it started to become clearer to her, this was not a reality, it was thoughts, she was not in the garden, she was in her own head. It wasn’t a dream, this really was a matter of life or death. Death in this place would mean a catatonic state for the rest of her life, if her mind thought she was dead, then her body would abide. However, could things be altered to her purpose…

She crawled slowly and deliberately along the hedgerow, she could hear the four of them talking on the balcony, watching for her. Piramay’s voice purred out above the rest of them, “Come on out little pretty! I promise it won’t hurt, well at least not at first.” The other three laughed and she could hear them moving to position themselves and get a better view of the entire gardens. She stopped and concentrated, blocking her mind from the prying sensations she was starting to feel coming from Fifth. She could see him from where she lay, her eyes focused on the silver glint the sun was causing off his mirrored eyes. He was attempting to link to her mind, it was a sensation she had felt many times and she voided herself of all emotion and thought to prevent him finding something to latch on to. She pressed her face against the dirt beneath the hedges, feeling the coolness of the ground. She had no idea as to how she could possibly manipulate this situation. All concentration was impossible due to the probes of the four, they would keep her busy enough so she would never be allowed the chance to counter their moves.

Then there was a whisper, the tiniest breath of a sound. She clutched at the dirt and listened. The magic of the world was seeking her. She smiled and allowed the sound of magic’s voice to enter her mind. It was like a Bard’s song, a rejuvenating ballad that wove itself into the mind and held you in the embrace of escape. She looked up as Fifth slowly turned his head and grinned, he had found her. The marble below his feet exploded as Kali bound the ambient magic beneath him, concentrating it into a kinetic ball of energy and let it loose in a cone that sent his shredded body into the sky, his limbs flying in all directions. Fire erupted all around her as Piramay zeroed in on her now, and she stood, her clothing caught aflame but her body not being burnt as she began to weave the power all around her into an orchestrated dance of protection and lethality. She moved her hands and brought the shimmering light of energy in front of her as Piramay let off another barrage and caught the fire. The flames danced within the orb in Kali’s hands and then Piramay began to scream as the finger which had the frost resistance ring began to freeze solid, the energy of the magical item being turned against it’s wearer. Kali brought one hand up and pressed the magic while Rorie hissed and fired lightening at her. The bolt hit her out stretched palm and shot upwards, disappearing into the heavens. Piramay’s screams echoing across the garden as she fell over, a solid block of ice and her body shattered into thousands of pieces that began to melt in the sun.

Rorie grit his teeth and hissed, “Niece, you are through, you cannot defeat me, I taught you everything you know!” Kali turned, her cheek bloody and swollen, her eyes darted from his hands to his face and she spoke, “True, you taught me everything you know, but you didn’t teach me everything I know…” His eyes went wide as he witnessed the blinding speed at which she casted. The searing light spell erupted from her hands and hissed across the spance between them. He barely had time to bring up a magical shield when the spell exploded off his defenses, sending him flying backwards into the castle wall. His head smacked into the black marble and he crumpled to the floor, barely looking up in time to see the second spell as it ripped through his chest and through the wall behind him, exploding in the throne room.

She let out a sharp breath and turned as she heard five voices behind her. Swallowing hard she didn’t need to look to confirm what was waiting for her. Tahkisis was in her natural form, a five headed dragoness, each head a different color and capable of independent breath weapons. She turned slowly, looking up at the dark goddess of chaos and met the ten eyes of her enemy. “You should never have broken with me child. I could have made you immortal, but you chose the path of mediocrity. There was so much promise in you, so much you could have achieved if only you had stayed in my fold, but now you will be nothing but dragon dung.” Kali looked up at Tahkisis and responded, “A life of evil is a sad thing, you live your entire existence looking at how you might disrupt the balance, always in a state of limbo, living around the ‘what if’. The saddest part is, you ARE immortal and what if is all you will ever have.” Tahkisis looked down at her and responded, “There is no what if now Kali, you are certainly about to die, you can never defeat me, not even in your mind.” Kali looked up at her and a smile slipped across her pale face, “If only you had learned to pay attention to your surroundings. “Tahkisis’ five heads whipped around, she was standing on a secluded rock, hovering in the Abyss. Her wings were chained down and she roared as Kali looked at her from another floating rock above the dark queen. “I never intended to beat you, only lock you away.”

Tahkisis roared as Kali shrunk from view. Kali gasped as she came to, laying on the floor of the tower hallway just inside the door. She gasped for air and turned to look, her parents still locked in their battles, she watched and prayed, hoping that the gods would give them the strength to win.

As Rayann stood looking at her parents and brother, she knew they weren’t’ real, but the emotions they sparked within her certainly were. She felt those tears she’d been trying to hold back slip unheeded down her cheeks. This was not the sort of reunion she wanted to have with her family, but now, in this cold, secluded place, away from everyone she loved, she would have to face the ones who helped mold the child that stood before them into the woman she had become.

She heard then whispering words of magic again and unlike all the other times a magic user near her prepared to cast, she didn’t feel the pull of the magical current that existed around her. Blinking at this revelation, she lost herself in her realization and barely had the chance to throw a shield up to protect herself as they let loose a barrage of fire, ice and lightning at her.

The blasts were so powerful Rayann felt herself tumbling backwards on the cold, hard floor of her childhood home. Staggering to her feet, she saw them walking closer again and as she used the wall to help her stand, she heard them casting again. Shaking her head negatively, she was about to tell them to stop when they let loose once more. Darting to her right, she heard the wall behind her splinter and explode. Some of the flying debris peppered her body and she felt several places where she was cut, something stuck in her skin or had hit so hard she was already bruising.

Rayann dodge a few more attacks but the cold was making it impossible for her to move as quickly as she needed not to mention it was starting to affect the way she was able to recall the spells she had memorized. Finally she could take no more. Her night dress had several stains of crimson on it where she had been spared a direct hit but the shrapnel of what the spells DID hit had caused enough damage.

Slowly dragging herself to her feet, she turned and faced her family once more. As Rayann heard the spidery words of magic being whispered by them once more, she raised her hands as she began to cast her own spell.

~Th-This is M-MY home. I have j-just as much r-right to be here as y-you d-did. And now…m-my family….h-has a r-right to b-be…here with m-me. Y-you can’t….deny us.~

The spell casting halted and her parents looked at her as did Rorie. The look on her parents faces was changing, but Rorie’s remained full of hate. The bitter, shivering cold began to subside as she faced her family.

~Papa…Mama….I have lived my life in honor of you…and the life you gave me. I wish nothing more than to show my husband and daughter how much love was shared in this home. It would be a crime to deny them.~

As she talked, a light began to radiate from her hands. It wasn’t blinding or hurtful. It was warm and inviting.

~I love you all so much. Even though you hate me, Rorie….you are my brother. My twin. I will always have a place in my heart for you. No matter what. I wish we were able to put our differences aside and be at least friends. When you are ready for that day, you only need speak my name and I will come to you.~

The corridor she stood in shortened and the cold was all but completely gone now. Her parents stood smiling at her. This was how she remembered her parents. Not the hateful, vengeful people she had seen earlier. But Rorie’s look was nothing short of malevolent. As she looked to him, she heard him scream as he lunged at her.

“NO! YOU BITCH!”

Before he could reach her, the spell she had cast was complete. As her parents once more smiled nodded to her. Laclan and Deidre both cast a spell and Rorie was encased in a magical cage, unable to reach his sister and he screamed as his rage grew.

“Go, Raya. Love your family as you were loved by yours. We shall meet again one day when the time is right. But today is not that day.”

Hearing her father’s words, Rayann felt more tears spring to her eyes as she reluctantly stepped through the portal. With one final glance at her parents, she felt their love surround her as she had all her life and knew she would do all she could to pass down this feeling to her husband and children.

Her eyes strayed to Rorie and what she saw in the cage she didn’t recognize as her brother anymore. It saddened her to no end to think he was lost to her but she accepted the fact and turned to rejoin her family once more.

When she reached the other side, she blinked then felt her legs grow weak. Stumbling slightly, she finally fell to her knees and felt her emotions crash like a wave over her. Burying her hands in her face, she sobbed quietly as she let her emotions run their course, refusing to be held in check.

Kali watched as Rayann began to twitch. She crawled over and laid her head on Rayann’s shoulder and began to sob. She didn’t know what hell her mother was going through, but she knew it was at least as bad as what she had just experienced. Rayann gasped gently and Kali grabbed her, “Mama!”

She clutched at her mother as she awoke, holding her tighter than she had ever held anyone. “It’s over mom, it’s over for you!” She looked into Rayann’s eyes and exchanged a brief moment of relief and then turned to Myth, still lying on the floor, his body was still and as cold as ice… “Papa… please…. Fight with everything you have.”

Rayann’s eyes flew open when she felt someone grab her. When she heard Kali’s voice, she grabbed the girl and held her so tight she was certain she would squeeze the life out of her. Rayann inhaled deeply the scent of her child and knew she’d passed what ever test it was she needed to pass. Reluctantly pulling back from Kali, she moved some hair from her draughts face and smiled through her tears.

”I love you Kali. With every ounce of my being I love you.”

Her voice was strained and weak sounding but there was no mistaking how important it was for her to tell her daughter that.

As Kali looked over at Myth, Rayann turned her attention to him as well. She could see how pale he was and knew there was no need to even touch him for she knew he would be very cold. Like Kali, Rayann prayed for Myth knowing he was caught in a hell like she and Kali had been caught in. It was up to him now to defeat what ever it was he was fighting.

All Rayann and Kali could do now was wait and hope and pray Myth defeated his personal demons and joined them back in the tower.

A hard left to the face sent Myth rolling once more causing him to loose his grip on Jerrin's sword arm. The fight was wearing Myth down as he felt himself weaken. This illusion's skills were better than Jerrin had thought possible. It was not something that made sense to Myth's logical mind. In their youth Jerrin was the stronger warrior but Myth had since honed his skills to level beyond that. It made no sense that he was being thwarted so easily. "You seem to be tiring... should I end it now? After all it is only fitting since you are responsible for his death."

"his death..." The statement made no sense to Myth. If he was fighting a copy of Jerrin then why would he say it as if talking of someone else. At the far edges of his consciousness there came a tingling sensation at the edges of his connection with Kali and Rayann. A realization swept over him that made the situation ring with a crystal clarity. This was no illusion in a physical sense. This encounter was inside Myth's own mind. His issues were not simply about Jerrin but himself and as Myth looked up the visage of the warrior shifted and everything became clear.

Jerrin never held ill towards him for his choices. His brother had known the truth when others did not. Myth blamed himself for what happened to Jerrin. Every day since his father had told him the news Myth had been brooding over the matter. Being the warrior that he was Myth knew that the greatest enemy in his mind was his own self and not the memory of others.

Rising from the ground he looked upon himself with disgust. "I have been letting the guilt eat away at me for days. I had no idea how strong the guilt had become in just a few days. I will not be defeated by my own grief and self loathing."

Myth charged his double and could see the glint in the other's eye. Myth knew the look all to well and as the hand holding the sword gripped Myth channeled his natural speed charging into the strike that was being drawn. The world slowed to a crawl as Myth reached out his hand gripping the double's pressing down as he brought around the elbow of his free arm. He felt bone crack in his double's jaw and the hand holding Blu Moon released.

Myth was quick to retrieve his blade and move away. Standing his double growled glaring daggers at him. Myth raised the blade pointing. "My brother told me once that every man is responsible for his own life. The actions of others may influence your path but ultimately your own actions set the path of your life. My brother died walking the path that he chose and while my decision might have averted his end he still chose to walk that path. I should honor his memory not mourn it."

Myth lowered his blade and made ready to charge his snarling double. There was a sudden burst of wind that blew through the area and suddenly a shining spear head exploded from the chest of Myth's double. The spear slid out and he watched himself fall to the earth. Standing behind him Myth saw the visage of his real brother. Illuminated by the light cascading through the canopy he looked as regal as the day Myth left Sylvanost.

"Get out of her little wraith and lighten up... you've been thinking to hard again...." Myth could only smile as a familiar wind washed over him causing him to close his eyes once more.

In the physical realm Myth's emerald eyes fluttered open. The world was foggy but it took only a moment to recognize Kali land Rayann looking at him. The concern in their eyes mirrored his own as it dawned upon him that they had similar confrontations in their own minds. He was unsure of what it was his daughter would fight against but he knew what Rayann likely had to face and it made his heart ache. Taking a breath he steadied his himself feeling a wave a nausea flow over him. "I don't recommend where ever it is we went for any kind of future family vacation... the service was terrible..."

He smiled weakly "I am glad to see you both made it through no worse for wear." He reached out to Rayann brushing a tear off her delicate cheek.

Kali looked at her mother as she spoke and smiled through her tears… “I love you too mom.” She held her mother tightly and then turned to Myth. Kali watched as her father came too and she collapsed on him in a loving embrace, laughing as he made his joke. “I agree, that place sucked!”

The three of them laughed as they lay on the floor of the ancestral estate. Though the Tower of Kells was not a proper wizards tower it held a great amount of magical information, spell books, artifacts and treasures. Lachlan and Diedre used this place for decades as their place of study and as such all the information they had ever learned lay within. The three of the could feel the sway of the tower as it yielded to them and the halls lightened as the curse was lifted. Kali sat up as Rayann and Myth embraced. She looked down the hallway and saw two shimmering white robed figures for just the briefest of seconds. They were elderly humans, tall and kind. They smiled at her as they faded from view. She gasped and stood, running down and searching the hall, but they were gone.

She turned and looked back at her parents, a look of confusion on her face, it was obvious she had seen something, but she could only smile as she knew that the tower was now fully under their control.

Rayann was all too happy to see Myth come back from his trial. As he reached for her, she gladly reached for him in kind and felt his love surround her as it always did. Feeling his tender touch to her cheek, she closed her eyes and smiled knowing that once more, they were together and this time they had Kali with them as well. She could sense his heart ache on her behalf and she merely sent him a feeling that told him everything was as it should be.

As the enthusiastic young woman launched herself at her father, knocking both Myth and Rayann over in the process, Rayann couldn’t help but chuckle softly. As she lay there letting her emotions return to a normal level she could control, she looked around the tower as it began to lighten and show the books and treasures it held.

When Kali suddenly took off down a hall, Rayann sat up and watched the young woman with concern. She didn’t feel anything out of the ordinary now that the tower was theirs. When Kali returned, Rayann glanced down the hallway before looking to Kali again.

~I take it you saw something?~

Getting to her feet at the same time Myth did, Rayann swayed slightly before her equilibrium returned to normal. Looking around the tower, she couldn’t help but smile a smile that rivaled the sun. Taking a few steps around, she let the familiar sights, sounds and scents fill her with hundreds of thousands of memories.

~It’s good to be home.~

Kali looked at Rayann and nodded, looking back over her shoulder and then to her parents again. “Yes, two human white robes,…” she smiled, “I assume it was my grandparents.” She began to walk slowly down the hall, rubbing her fingers on the stone walls lovingly. She could feel the power in this place, not so much magic, but love and family. It was obvious that this place could tell many stories if it had the means.

The spiral stairway that twisted up through the middle of the tower moved upwards, disappearing above her, she looked back at her parents and smiled, “If you need me, I will be exploring.”

She smiled with a wink, knowing her parents needed a secluded moment, it was something she was beginning to be able and sense. She made herself scarce and disappeared to the upper levels of the tower, looking at the wonderful secrets that awaited them all. The bookshelves were jammed with spellbooks, scrolls, magical items and the like. She ran her fingers over them, taking in the sensation of the secrets that lied within. She turned a corner on the third floor and looked up, Nol was standing before her, his arms crossed over his chest and a smile on his face. She gasped and ran to him, leaping into his arms. He hugged her tightly and she took in the embrace. After a moment she leaned back and locked her lips to his own, exchanging breath as she inhaled his scent. He leaned back and smiled with a wink, “So begins the next chapter of your life.”

Fifth smiled and waved his hand, the scrolls vanished and he walked over to Piramay handing her the soul well. “First thing is to collect the souls.”

His grin was devious and full of malice. She would know that to harvest souls death was necessary. “I suggest we head out and begin as soon as you are ready.” He placed his hand gently on her shoulder, her skin was hot to the touch and he could not help but notice it. “Soon you will be a goddess.”

He winked one of his silver, mirrored eyes and turned, walking from the room. “Gather what you need, I will meet you out front in 15 minutes.

Myth could only chuckle as his daughter laughed at his humor. While not the best time to be joking he felt that further challenges would not be coming. He felt only slightly disappointed by that thought but considering what he had just been through in his own mind he saw that greater challenges were not needed. It took a sharp mind and a strong will to see the truth of ones soul. Myth would be grateful to never have to face his inner demons in such a way for the rest of his elven life.

As Kali moved off towards the upper levels Myth could only watch Rayann with a smile. "Indeed a welcome return I would say. I dare say I would rather endure the ceremony of darkness again before I endure another trip into my own mind."

The happiness radiating from Rayann lifted his spirits as he approached her with out stretched arms. He folded them around her in a loving embrace kissing her forehead. He had seen her smile many times but never as radiantly as this. He was happy to have accompanied her on this journey.

Fifth was possibly the only person in all the humanoids she knew that she would allow to touch her unbidden. There were many reason but one in particular was that her skin had a form of natural heat to it. If not properly prepared it was not uncommon for someone to be burned simply by touching her. Fifth was usually safe because her mood was often calm in his presence and as such her skin was cooler than normal.

"Then I shall join you soon enough Fifth."

She gave him a wink with a seductive grin as he exited her chambers. She stared at the soul well in her hand and felt a tingle run up her spine. There was going to be a great deal of havoc unleashed upon the land. She was actually looking forward to letting herself go wild. She had been restraining herself for so long that she had grown somewhat bored. She slipped the soul well away making a note to give it back to Fifth when she met up with him at the gates.

Looking around she pondered what she should take with her. As a sorceress she did not keep as vast a selection of reagents as Fifth or other wizards because she did not need them for some of her magic. However under Fifth's guidance she had studied some of the finer things of wizardry and had discovered many useful things to augment her own considerable power. She slipped off her cloak reaching for the one with her primary components checking things over carefully.

There was one bag she eyes for a time before she grinned. She slipped in a pair of delicate gloves that masked the heat of her touch before picking up a black runed bag placing it at a specific place on her person. Satisfied she reached for her ashen staff and was heading for the door when her eyes fell upon the scroll detailing Rorie's failure. She was certain that the man would be given yet another chance before she would be called upon to flay the skin from his body. Despite everything she knew he was part of some grand plan and that was the only reason his failure was tolerated at all. With an audible huff she closed the door to her chambers before sealing it with several runs before making her way to the gates to meet Fifth. All the time she whistled pleasantly which caused many to quickly move out of her way.

It was well known through out the palace that the sorceress of fire only whistled happily when she was heading out to kill something... or... someone.

Fifth looked up as Piramay approached, flashing a thin, sinister smile he spoke, “Dressed to kill I see.” He winked and turned as she came up beside him and walked across the grounds until they were outside the defensive perimeter of the castle before he spoke to her, “I suggest we head to Nordmaar, there are plenty of human cities there in the jungles that can provide the souls we need to harvest energy. We need a minimum of 500 souls in the well, but I suggest we gather more, simply stated more is better than not enough. I anticipate that 500 will suffice but to be on the safe side we will aim for 1000.” He turned and smiled, knowing she would not protest.

“Nordmaar is remote enough that we can work unfettered. There are of course Knights of Solamnia working out of Northkeep, however the contingency is small and if they interfere we will simply add them to the harvest. I suggest we begin working along the coast, the town of Unger has around 400 people, as they die I will gather the energy, but the specifics are in the details. On average for every three people you kill I will be able to gather one soul due to the time it takes the soul well to harvest. It takes some time to gather the energy so my suggestion is for you to simply do your work and I will handle the delicate details of gathering the energy. If we run out of live bodies in an area we will simply move on to someplace else.”

He smiled and looked forward as they walked. He knew that she wouldn’t have a problem with the genocide that he was proposing, in fact he knew she would revel in it. About a kilometer from the castle he turned and spoke, “Are you ready?”

Rayann had never known anyone could love her the way Myth loved her and she couldn’t thank the Gods enough for sending him to her. While there’s was far from the traditional courtship, she discovered getting to know the warrior before she met the man was something she would always treasure. As she felt his arms hold her close to him, she smiled all the more knowing she would forever hold a place in his heart even long after she was gone from his side.

As she heard Kali moving around on the upper levels and felt Nol’s presence, she felt as though everything was the way it should be in her life now. With her head resting against Myth’s chest, she looked down at the ring on her finger and saw how it seemed to practically glow. She couldn’t help but wonder if she should tell him now or wait until she was absolutely certain. Deciding she would wait until she was positive, she looked up into his handsome face.

~And now we have a place to escape to when we need some space away from the demands of your duties and everything else in the world that will demand our time. Now Kali will be able to experience both of her parent’s lives. I wanted that for her more than anything. I’m so glad you were here with me to go through this. I don’t think I could have made it out of this without your love, Myth.~

Again she smiled and lifted her hand up to caress his strong jaw and let her thumb slide over his cheek bone.

Kali took a step back and looked at Nol. He smiled and said nothing, simply looking back at her. As they stood there and took one another in Kali found herself perplexed at the path she was now on. She was simply amazed at how fast her life had changed and that she was standing in this place. The tower seemed to reach out to her, caressing her with its presence. She could feel the depth to which her heritage grabbed at her and forced her to keep looking around this place. She walked by Nol, abscent mindedly touching her fingers against his hand as she walked by. She walked along the seemingly endless rows of books that lined the entire outer wall of the floor she was on. Lovingly she traced her fingers along the crimson red bindings of the spell books and recipe manuels.

Nol walked up behind Kali and placed his palms on her hips and whispered into her ear. “I supposed I am going to have to drag you away from these books.” She laughed and turned around, his hands brushing against her as she spun, “Yes you are…,”she looked up into his eyes, “…but you won’t have to try too hard.” She smirked and gave him a flirty wink as she pushed back off his chest and took a step backwards away from him again. She was toying with him now, and he knew it. “You know Nol, this is my ancestral estate, so I have a whole life to read the secrets out of these books.” He smiled and grabbed her, lifting her up and dashing towards the window, she screamed playfully as he leapt from the floor and they sailed through the air outside. He morphed into his dragon form and she was up on his back, sailing through the air. The wind against her face caused her to scream with joy and she clung to his neck tightly. He circled the castle several times and she spoke to his mind, ~ ’It is even more beautiful from up here!’ ~ He nodded his massive head and responded to her, ~ ‘I agree, when I was up here waiting for you I took note of that and knew it was a goal you needed to see.’ ~ She smiled and squeezed his neck as hard as she could, his statement that he was waiting for her touched her heart and she felt the flutter of butterflies in her stomach. She could not believe that she was in love, and with a silver dragon of all things. She laughed and simply allowed herself to live in this moment.

Several hours went by before they returned and as Nol landed on the emerald green grass out front of the castle Kali slid off his neck and landed nimbly on her feet. In a flash he was back to his Elven form and standing beside her. She stood and stared at the castle before her, taking it in again. “I am just amazed that this is my new home, a place of rest and quiet where I can come if I need a break from the world. I only hope that I live long enough to actually use it.” She turned to Nol and smiled sadly, “I don’t know what is going to happen when Mother and Father get pregnant, I mean, I can’t imagine anything like this has happened before, will there be two of me on Krynn?” Nol looked at her and nodded, his face was happy, but there was also a ting of sadness, “I don’t know Kali, I guess we need to wait and see.” She looked at him curiously. It was the first time that he didn’t seem to know the answer. Up until the conflict at the tower he was giving clues of what was to come, and in a way Kali almost hoped he was going to tell her not to worry, or fear not, or give some other verbal assurance that he had an idea of what was to come and that it was not worth worrying about… but not this time, this time he was as unsure as she was, she could see that in his face. She opened her mouth to say something but then stopped and simply looked at Nol lovingly, walking over and hugging him tightly.

The days after the retaking of Glen Durel and the Tower of Kells, Myth, Kalli and Nol settled into a routine that included spending time with each other as a family unit (to which Myth and Rayann accepted Nol as part of their family) and exploring the tower, castle and grounds surrounding it. The many different levels of the tower offered up something unique on each level. While every level contained books and tomes on them, there was something different as well.

One level was set up for cooking different regents and herbs together to make new ones. Another level was strictly devoted to botany with many different herbs and plants that were capable of just about anything. Myth even found some tea he liked. Another level was set up as a training area and the very top level was set up as a place of quiet peacefulness for meditating by anyone who wished to do so.

Each day Kali and Rayann took the time to stusy and practice their abilities. Kali was growing stronger while Rayann was learning how to blend the two magics together in a way that held the peace and harmony of Krynn together without upsetting the balance.

The wall that had been damaged when Rayann and Kali had ventured here after the battle at Silvanost was repaired with Rayann and Kali’s abilities. Once that was done, Rayann went through the castle room by room and made subtle changes to give the home her unique touch. While all of the furnishings remained, she rearranged them to her likings.

Each meal was shared together and a brief synopsis of the days work was shared as well along with laughter. Nol, as it turned out, was quite the story teller and everyone enjoyed hearing his tales. Night brought about a sense of peace, even with the passing occasional shower each individual found solace in knowing all was right in Glen Durel now.

Rayann took delight in seeing Kali grow not only as a mage but as a young woman with each passing day. There was no doubt Nol loved Kali very much and the feeling was reciprocated. She still found it hard to believe that just a short month ago she was facing off against her daughter. And with each day, Rayann became more convinced she would be telling Myth about his impending fatherhood.

But along with that joyful elation came bitter reality. While their daughter’s birth would soon come to fruition, so would the fact she would be forcefully taken from them. By Rorie, at that. While Rayann could forgive her brother for anything else, she knew she would never be able to forgive him for taking Kali and making her endure the things she had to endure. Even now she knew if there was any way she could trade places with Kali, she would but that was not what fate had in mind.

Taking a deep breath, Rayann turned from the window that overlooked the rolling, grassy hills of Glen Durel and headed through one of the many corridors of the castle. Myth would have to return to Silvanost soon and she wanted to spend as much time as she could with him. All too soon, their world would be turned upside down once more and she knew they would need the strength each offered the other to make it through the dark times ahead.

The days of peaceful rest were passing quickly, but they were a welcome change to the vigorous activity that had encompassed their lives since the attack on Silvanost. Kali was enjoying the time of peace; even though she had a feeling it would be short lived. Glen Durel was feeling more like home every day. Every now and then, when she was alone the two human white robed figures would appear to her. They never spoke; they simply looked at her and smiled. As their appearances became more frequent so too did the time they would linger. She had opportunity to really look at them, studying their features and their mannerisms. It was clear to her now that these were her grandparents, Lachlan and Deidre Padraig. Deidre was especially interesting to her, the resemblance between her and Rayann was incredible, and it was obvious in every way that they were related. The most noticeable difference was the flaming red hair of her grandmother. Other than that the two almost looked like they could be twin sisters. Lachlan was much sterner looking in his face and stature, but there was a looming kindness in his eyes. Kali would often laugh about how she would not want to be on the dangerous side of one of this man’s lectures, yet she knew his correction would probably be snowballs compared to how she was raised in the Dark Queen’s castle.

During her study times Nol would leave for hours at a time so she could get her nose into the magical books contained within the tower. She devoured every single book she could, transcribing the new spells into her own book as well as committing everything she could to memory. It was fascinating to her how much knowledge was contained within the tower of Glen Durel despite it not being a “true” wizard’s tower.

--

She walked up to the top most floor of the tower of Glen Durel and found her mother in study. She was going to slip by quietly and bury herself in her own work when she stopped and turned, looking at Rayann. She was concentrating and Kali dared to reach out with her mind to feel her mother’s thoughts. She audibly gasped and Rayann turned her head quickly to lock eyes with Kali and gave her a smile. Kali returned the smile and walked over to Rayann, kneeling down beside her mother who was seated in an oversized leather arm chair. She could feel the conflicted sadness and excitement in her mother’s mind and she didn’t know if it was her womanly instincts or the magic coursing between them, but somehow she knew, “You’re pregnant are you mother?”

She saw the look in Rayann’s eyes and she smiled brightly, reaching down and feeling her mother’s stomach. Though there was no visual sign yet she could feel the rock hard evidence as her mother’s uterus had already started tightening up. Kali looked down at her own hand on Rayann’s stomach and then back up to her mother’s gaze. “Wow, it’s amazing to think that I am in there, yet here. I am probably the only person to ever walk Krynn who will feel herself kick from the outside and the inside simultaneously.” She leaned forward and hugged Rayann tightly, feeling the conflicted emotions in her mother’s heart. “I don’t yet know what this means mother, but somehow I know things are going to work out in the end.”

~I didn’t think it would be quite this soon, truth be told. Although it shouldn’t have come as such a surprise. Still….I thought perhaps we would face this later than now, but I can’t stop the wheels of time. I haven’t told your father yet so please don’t give it away. I was waiting for the right time. Though I’m sure he’s aware of something different about me. And before long he’ll pick up on the smaller, physical changes before you get big enough to cause the usual sign of pregnancy.~

Rayann glanced down to see Kali’s hand on her abdomen and couldn’t help but see how strange it was to know she carried the girl within her womb right now and yet she knelt next to her with her hand over the place in her body she was carried within her mother. Rayann placed her hand on Kali’s cheek after the girl hugged her tight and gave a small smile.

~I wish we didn’t have to face what lies ahead of us as far as you are concerned. If there was any way I could whisk you away and hide you from the world, I would. But you’re such a vibrant, beautiful, full of life young woman….it would be more of a crime to prevent you from experiencing the world. Or better put, the world from experiencing you.~

Rayann’s small smile faded and she stood up from the chair then, walking over to the window that overlooked the rolling hills. Sighing heavily, she shook her head.

~It’s not the fact you’ll be taken from us, Kali. It’s the fact of what you’ll have to be subjected to that worries me more than anything. While I know in the end, you will still turn out to be the young woman I’m standing here talking to today…..~

Rayann closed her eyes and put her hands on her lower abdomen where she knew Kali was growing each day within her womb.

~I wish I could protect you from what’s to come for you. As soon as I found out you were my child, I felt a love for you I never knew could exist. And now that I know I carry you within my body and that you will indeed be the child I give birth to, that love I feel for you has grown ten fold.~

She turned to look at Kali then and the love she felt for the young woman showed in the depths of her lavender orbs.

~All I can do is hope that somehow, in the deepest recesses of your mind, you feel this love I have for you while you are away from us. And while you will be told vicious lies about your mother’s supposed death, you will somehow know in your heart I am still very much alive and eagerly awaiting the time when we will be reunited.~

Kali would feel the conflicting emotions within her mother again. The sadness knowing what Kali was going to go through but such happiness at knowing they will be together again one day. The way they should have been from the beginning.

Kali listened to her mother and at first she couldn’t help but smile as she responded, ~ ‘You didn’t think it would be quite this soon? You … DO know how babies are made right?’ ~ She had switched to missive, knowing this was her mother’s preferred method of conversation. It was still foreign to not speak with her tongue, but she understood and complied with no hesitation. ~ ‘I understand mother.’ ~

She stopped at that and hesitated to continue with the conversation. She understood her mother’s words, that was certain, but she was struggling with her own inner conflict about the looming events on the horizon. As she had been getting to know this castle she was also piecing together the visions she had initially had about her abduction. This was the place, all this had already happened, she was standing in the very place where she would be born, and where her Uncle would abduct her. She had even taken the time to find the exact hallway where the confrontation between Myth and Rayann would occur. She had stared at the exact spot where she had seen her unconscious father, lying on the floor, bleeding and near death, she had stood where she saw her wounded mother, reaching out and screaming at the dark robed figure holding an infant of only a couple months in age. She had walked to where she had seen the portal, the portal that would transport she and Rorie to her fate.

Kali turned and looked at Rayann, her eyes were full of tears and she whispered, “That cannot be helped must be endured. Endure I shall. I can tell you though, for the first time I am not willing to simply accept fate under the guise of accepting a path.” Rayann would knew that Kali was referring to her being in love with Nol. Kali had never known true love until she had come to know her parents, shortly followed by Nol, a creature who seemed to love her before she had ever met him, that was something that still baffled her.

She looked at Rayann and began to cry softly, ~ ‘I don’t want to leave you and Myth Mother, yet I know it is what must be done so the events of this world can unfold as they must… more importantly, I am not sure what is going to happen to me once you give birth, I simply don’t see how I can exist twice in the same place, it’s unnatural and it can’t happen without consequences of some kind, the natural balance of the world won’t stand for it.' ~

Rayann walked over and put her arms around her daughter, holding her close. Closing her eyes, she rested her chin on the top of Kali’s head. Like Kali, Rayann felt her daughter’s emotions and knew she was just as conflicted as her mother.

~I know, Kali. I know. There’s no way you can be here as both infant and young adult. It’s simply impossible. I’m selfish enough to want both yet realistic enough to know I can’t have it both ways.~

She reluctantly released her embrace on Kali and stepped back, resting her hands on Kali’s shoulders. Giving the young woman a bright smile with misty eyes, she blinked away the tears and nodded.

~But, we’ve still got a while before any of that happens so I say we make the most of it while we can. Right? Now, if I’m not mistaken, you were walking like a woman on a mission when you came in here. What were you getting ready to do?~

Kali listened to her mother and nodded as she spoke to her. As her mother mentioned her purpose in coming to the top of the tower she reached into her robes and withdrew the blood red spell book that lived with her as a constant companion. ~ ‘I was coming to study, just as you were up here doing I suspect. Nol went to stretch his wings and give me a few hours to recommit my spells to memory. I must admit however, I have finding it easier to remember my spells, more so than usual, I don’t know if it’s the peaceful week or something else… ~ She became silent a few moments and then suddenly blinked, looking at Rayann… . ~ ‘… I’m … uhh… sorry about that.’ ~ She smiled with a slight blush and shaking her head she grabbed her mother’s hand and walked to the balcony that encircled the whole upper level. She stared out across the mountainous landscape and leaned against the railing. ~ ‘I still love knowing that you grew up here. I can almost hear you and Rorie running across the landscape laughing and figuring out where you fit in the world…’ ~

It was obvious that Kali was enjoying this time with Rayann, but she was also in deep contemplation. Knowing her as well as she did now, it would be obvious to Rayann that when a puzzle was presented to Kali she thought about it constantly. Her mind was engaged in a never ending dance of moving the pieces, trying to figure out the best strategy and solution. Rayann would know that her attention was there, with her mother, and Rayann would feel the genuine warmth Kali was feeling regarding being here in these moments, but there was a lingering distance in her mind as she focused her attention also on the looming fate that awaited them all.