The Departure of Light

Thunder rumbled low and ominous in distant clouds, wind sweeping over wide plains, mountains and valleys to carry it's message that Karana was coming. The air swelled to bursting with humidity, begging for the release the rainmaker would bring, extending the beautiful cycle Tunare had set in motion with all green and growing things, but somehow tonight ... it felt different. Roiling clouds, flowed over the deep night sky to blot out the wide, silver disc of Luclin against it's diamond studded cloak and blanket the world in a forebodingly deeper darkness.

Restless, sleep had not come easily to the young Druidess, unable to shake the foreboding unease that something had gone horribly wrong. A flash danced down from the heavens, heralding another sky throated growl from the clouds as the storm drew even closer to Faydwer and it's sleeping inhabitants. Emerald eyes flew open as her chest seized tight, while a sinking in her stomach made her throat close and her pulse pounded in her ears loud enough to drown out the thunder outside. "Gules..." Her breathless whisper sounded loud to her own, sensitive ears in the coming storm. "Something's happened..."

Wind fluttered the walls of the tent she called home as the wedlock daughter of Ivy Order's patriarch, swirling between the rows of the tent and bringing the heavy scent of impending rain. Rolling to her left slightly, she checked the basket, lined with stuffed downy blankets, and saw to her sleeping son. One tiny fist was curled against a plump cheek, kissed by his ginger lashes as he slept soundly, even as the storm kicked up it's fury with every passing moment. Already as fearless as his father ... The thought came with a price as she blinked back the sting of tears and looked over her shoulder to the empty pallet at her side. Another raid on the supply lines had drawn him away from her side, leaving these past few nights cold and empty. Yet somehow, this felt ... different ... than every other raid that came and went. Ally would have never been so worried over a mere raid. Not even a lucky shot from a Kelethin borne farce could have brought her husband down, so what was the reason for this prickling unease?

Ally came to her feet with a fluid grace, bare soles whispering over the grass as she exited the tent and bathed in the unbridled power stirred up by the storm. The camp was silent, guardians stationed in the trees were invisible to unenchanted eyes such as hers, sweeping over this safe haven where her son was born. It didn't feel quite so safe, however, as the memories of pain and prejudice crept in to weigh even more heavily on her slender shoulders. She'd never question her husband's judgement, but he wasn't here to reassure her fears with his strength and confidence. Lightning cut a fiery path across the cloudy skies, thick and swollen with their delivery and making the world expectant for it. The blue-white light bathed the camp, the fire haired Druidess, as well as two more figures in the gloom.

Confusion flit over her features as she recognized the pair that crossed the camp rows to join her silent appreciation of Karana's will. Their expressions were grim, Vallon's features set with deeply chiseled lines of age and stress along with his companion's, personal guard Lladros. Silently, she watched them approach, noting the slow and methodical gait as their boots crunched through the grass, a sound lost to the winds. Vallon seemed to be holding a small roll of parchment, bound by wax seal, and Lladros a much larger package wrapped tightly in canvas. They offered no greetings, no terms of endearment or question for Phaedros's or her own well being, closing the distance as she stood hypnotized by the glint of lightning in Vallon's dark eyes, eyes he gave to his son, Gules.

That sinking in her belly intensified, Vallon's arm lifting to stretch over the scant distance between them and offered the rolled parchment. Her knees weakened as she stripped her gaze from those eyes to the parchment, folding it in her slim fingers and drawing it near for her inspection. Gules's crest was impressed upon the wax seal and she had to swallow the emotion choking her. Ally would have collapsed right then if it were not for the need to know the contents of that letter, winds raking through her freely flowing crimson strands to dance over her cheeks and cling to trembling lips. Wordlessly, he placed it in her trembling hands and it remained there for a stretched moment in time, Gules's seal illuminated brightly by another flash that tore through the sky. Tenderly, her fingers stroked the intricately carved lines in the wax as if she could still feel the fingers that pressed it there. Ally didn't dare look up to reveal the fear in her eyes, only drawing a deep breath to crack through the seal and unfurl the parchment.

"Ally,

I don't want to do things this way..especially with the deep sense of impending doom that's settled heavily over my spirit the past few days, but I really have no choice. This thing must be done, and done with the knowledge of no one but myself, lest things grow beyond my ability to control. If I tried to tell you face to face, looking into your eyes...wild horses could not drag me away to do what I know must be done, so I'll say what I can here.

I don't have a good feeling about this, Ally, not at all...it feels in my heart like I'm saying goodbye for the last time, although there is no compelling reason for me to feel that way. Odds are that I'll be back soon, unharmed and a little more happy with myself. But I never ignore my inner voice, or a feeling in my soul, so...I have a few things I'd like you to do for me should this go badly..important things. If I don't return to you, I would hope to have my few wishes carried out.

First among these is that you carry on and live your life as we would have together..you can, I know, despite circumstance. I told you once that you were the bravest soul I'd ever known, and I meant it. If I don't come back to you, you'll have to be as strong as both of us...and you will be.

Second, I've left my possessions in the care of my father, with directions to deliver them to you should he not hear from me in three days ... I've taken only my bow, my wedding ring, and the gifts you've given me over time. I'm leaving the rest in hopes that someday Phaedros will be able to use these things ... a lot of my sweat and my blood went into obtaining the few things I own, and it's only right that my son have them.

Third.....and the hardest...is that you allow my father to see Phaedros every now and then. I've not forgiven him for what he did, either to my mother or to you...but he is my father, and I doubt he'll be alive much longer. He's old, Ally....grant him the small pleasure of this, and perhaps save his soul, as you did mine.

It's time for me to end this and be on my way...I can't delay anymore. I want to close by telling you how much I love you, Ally...and how grateful I am that Tunare would send you here for me, even if our time is cut short. I'll hope, and do all I can, to get back to you safe and whole- but if I don't, whatever should happen, wherever I should be, my love for you will live on...for eternity, my jewel.

Be well until my return, Lady Aspenglade.....

Love,

Gules"

Emerald eyes poured over the letter, soaking in each of the words scrawled in her husband's brusque scratch, while she gripped the smooth parchment in her tightly clenched hands. Lladros quietly bent at the knees, setting the satchel of his belongings beside the opening of their tent while she looked on, tears magnifying her wide and incredulous eyes. Swinging her gaze back up to Vallon, he could offer no words of comfort for her fathomless pain, only watching her with the intensity of Gules's eyes as she trembled. Once she swayed, feeling her strength ebb out of her body while the wind buffeted the tents, willing those winds to whisk her away to join her love in eternity. The quick reflexes of the old rogue caught her shoulder and steadied her. With her eyes still locked on his weathered face, her focus was behind him, into the limbs of the tree beyond where Zemiel perched quietly, his strange visage etched by the lightning. Tears fell unbidden over sun-kissed skin, dusted with cinnamon freckles, and gleaming like crystals as it tumbled off of her skin to shatter on her fingers, much like her heart in her chest.

Stiffening her spine, she squared her shoulders and set her jaw, strengthening her resolve from some unknown reservoir as she turned towards the door and made a dignified profile reentering her tent. The skies split, emptying a wet cadence over the two as she left them behind, wondering after the waifish Druidess. No one would have blamed her for breaking down there, but her misery was hers and hers alone. Once the satchel was inside and the tent flap secured, she spared a blurry glance to the basket where their son remained safe and secure. It was only then that she allowed her legs to give, sending her knees crashing to the ground as she crumpled over, the dam on her agony bursting with the tears coursing down her cheeks. Her head shook in denial, of the gods ... of fate ... of what else, she had no clue as she turned her eyes, the eyes he couldn't refuse, towards the sky and cursed the heavens for her pain. "No, please, no ... I can't do this without you, Gules..." Her voice was distant to her own ears ... a coarse, strangled sound wrought by the intensity of her agony. "Please, Gules... don't leave us like this. I can't do this without you."

With the letter held tightly to her chest, she bent at the waist and touched her forehead to the cool ground she knelt on, nourishing it with the flood of her tears while sobs wracked her slight form. Fiery hair fanned out as she curled to her side, willing herself into oblivion to join him and knowing she had no choice but to stay and be certain Phaedros was safe. Her son, the sweet and fearless elfling who would never know the glory and power in his father's hands, hear his laugh or his praise, be measured by his dignity and resolve. The pain in her chest tightened until she could barely breathe, knowing that she alone had to raise his legacy. The storm raged, shaking the tent stakes and poles with it's winds and rain while she cried. Her tears were spilled for her lost husband, and whatever fate befell him that would keep him from his family, what pain he endured that she could not soothe. For her son, she cried, and his clouded future without the strength of his father to protect and nurture him into the man he deserves to be. Lastly, she cried for herself, with her heart sheared completely in half and useless without her soul's mate. Alluriel Aspenglade would never love again. Tomorrow there would be much to do, but tonight ... tonight was for her tears.

With the storm spent, the dawn crested Faydwer's mountains and bathed the sheltered valley that was Ivy's stronghold and crept through the crack in the tent flap. The sliver of rosy dawn fell over the crumpled Druidess where she'd fallen, salty trails dried on her cheeks as her unfocused eyes were rimmed red by the ravages of her tears. There was no comforting darkness of sleep to absorb her pain, her eyes tormented by his image locked perfectly inside her memory as they stared into nothingness. Locks of her red hair clung to her dried lips and spread out behind her in a short fan, while the letter remained pressed to the fluttering of her broken heart. Outside, birds heralded the morning, stretching it's rosy fingers over the storm swept sky and defying her wishes that the world would end.

The world did not end, however, moving on without her in it's never failing cycle she'd found so much comfort in. Tunare's land drank the rain greedily, stretching fronds, blades, and leaves ever higher now as the sun basted them all in warmth. Wings fluttered through the winds, settled in nests and returned their bounty to chirping mouths incessantly begging for more. Still curled in his basket, Phaedros unwound his tiny fists and cooed a soft greeting to the silent tent, sending the typical ache of motherhood through her and prompting the shifting of her cramped muscles. Her body screamed it's discontent from hours in that fetal position to gather him from his basket. Nestling him comfortably in her arms, he nursed completely oblivious to the fresh tears that welled in her eyes. Gently, she rocked her son and hummed in her broken voice a song with no lyrics, far too much like she felt without Gules. When he'd had his fill, she set about doing the many tasks she set before her.

The child gurgled in her arms, merrily toying with her amulets as she seemed to drift along the camp rows like a tortured wraith. Red rimmed emerald had dark smudges underneath, her hair only combed back with a rough raking of her fingers, and her complexion was a near alabaster in a widow's mask, in spite of being loved well by the sun. Despite her haggard appearance, her shoulders were straight and her head high, bravely facing the path without him ahead of her. The guards outside of the leader's tent didn't meet the verdant pair, allotting her entry with their down-turned faces and silence. Up until yesterday, those eyes were always twinkling merrily, no matter the expression on their frame. Now, they were listless and empty.

Inside, Vallon seemed as ravaged as she was, two spirits made kindred by the loss of someone they both loved. He looked up from the fire pit in the center of his tent that had long since cooled to bare embers, it's master having no energy to stir it back into life. Looking as if he'd aged decades during the long hours of the night, he pulled his eyes away from hers, unable to look at the grief living there. Quietly, she took a seat at his side and allowed Phaedros to crawl into his lap, earning from him a small and wistful smile while Ally busied herself stirring up the embers and giving birth to flames.

"You're leaving, aren't you?" His voice was soft, and Ally wondered if her voice sounded just as hoarse with misery. Instead of trusting her voice not to betray that weakness, she only nodded and kept her gaze on the dancing flames. Vallon's head bobbed slightly, gently smoothing a hand over his grandson's unruly dark crimson locks. While his mother's was the color of fire, his had turned to the deeper color of blood, an omen that wasn't lost on the both of them. "Where will you go, then?"

"Twilight Sea." Came a soft and toneless answer. "He loved it there.." Ally's voice broke on the last word, a fresh sting coming to her eyes as they watched the flames leaping up to devour the newly stirred meal, and wishing they could have taken her with it. Again, Vallon nodded, one of his fingers imprisoned by the boy in his arms as dark eyes stared intently at the tips, as if the whorls of the prints held some unknown secret. When she could trust herself to be calm again, she reassured his doubts, as was Gules's wish. "We'll return often, of course. You won't miss us much."

The leader of the Ivy Order turned his eyes towards her profile, surprised that she would allow him that, even after all of the things he'd done and now, in the twilight of his life, regretted. Ally didn't look at him, knowing that whatever resolve she'd built would crumble when she looked into the aged image of her husband lost. Something she was certain she'd never see when she was as ancient as him. She never saw his thankful eyes, nor the slight, still pained smile as he nodded his assent and looked back towards his grandson who now was enthralled with his amulet. Deft fingers kept the elfling from tucking the cool metal into his mouth as he gave a gentle sigh and bounced him on his knee. "Will you at least allow me to see you safely to your new home? I would be more at ease with your leaving then."

Ally hadn't wanted to ask for his help, not wanting to owe him more than she already had, but travelling to the sea and setting up their tent would be difficult at best while trying to keep little Phaedros from harm's way. As if to concur her thoughts, his fist tangled in her crimson hair, tugging it slightly with a soft sound beseeching her attention. Folding the boy in his arms, she pressed a tender kiss to the top of his head and stared into the fire. Gules's first priority was always her safety, and she had to shuck her pride in lieu of her son's. These were dangerous times. "Aye, thank you."

The hours that followed were a blur of activity, one that Ally was thankful for. It gave her something else to think of other than the ever present ache of emptiness in her hollowed out heart. She did her fare share of the work, packing all of their belongings and breaking down the tent. The satchel he'd left for her remained unopened, packed along with the rest of their belongings with her own hands as she paused over it for a long moment. Phaedros had clung to her leg, standing precariously with her steady balance while she caressed the bundle reverently. Memories flooded her eyes with new tears, and her fingers strayed over the bindings, tempted to free the contents for her hands to smooth over and feel every bit of blood and sweat that had gone into earning those pieces. It took her more will than she thought she had to place it on the travois with the rest of her things.

Phaedros was bundled tightly for the journey, tucked into a sling that held him tight to her chest and left her hands free, with the hood of her cloak drawn low over her features. The result was only the point of her small chin, and the plump swell of her lower lip plundered by her teeth, were visible under the volumes of deep, forest green cloth. Sighing softly, she passed one last look over the camp where she'd spent nearly a year with the Order, knowing every different face and every different name. Here she knew both pain and delight that would be with her always, blessing her with memories she'd never trade. Still, she could not stay and see him around every turn, in the meadow where they walked, and in the eyes of his expectant father. With a cursory glance down to her son nestled against the warmth of her body, Gules's eyes glanced up at her and the bow shaped mouth spread into a smile, strengthening her determination. Horses, supplies, guards and Vallon all gathered close as her voice lifted up in the haunting melody of Tunarian chant. Power sang in her veins, invoking the winds of ether that swallowed the small travelling party with a wake of thunder left behind. The Twilight Sea greeted them with a splash of vibrant colors, the sky afire with the colors of the setting sun that reflected in the turquoise waters and the winds singing through the rustle of pastel leaves.

Their son made a soft sound of wonder for the first place he's been outside of the stronghold, earning from her a gentle smile that never reached her eyes. Their luster had gone with the writer of the letter, that was tucked safely inside her tunic, close to her heart. Ally drew a deep, cleansing breath of the sweetly fresh air and forced her first step into the new life she'd chosen. Vallon and the Order's men followed without need for prompting, the only conversation coming from the curious horse snuffling at the fresh shoots of tempting grass under hoof as he pulled the travois of their belongings and supplies. Ally signalled them to stop at a sheltered alcove of trees and rocks, on the edge of the sea where the turtles poked their blunt noses out of the water inquisitively. He'd always been fond of turtles ... Restless now, Phaedros shifted and pawed at her tunic while she tortured herself with such thoughts, so Ally found herself a private spot to feed him while the elves of the Order erected her tent. A dark silhouette swooped silently overhead and landed in the trees without so much of a rustle to the brightly colored leaves. She knew better than to ask Zemiel for any information, his loyalty to her husband was unshakeable.

When she returned, however, it wasn't her tent they'd put up, but one the size of Vallon's with a wide circular base, flap windows and a smoke hole that could be secured in foul weather. Questioning green eyes were slid the leaders way, ginger brows knit with a confused tilt of her head. "A parting gift." Was all that he ventured, not meeting her eyes, instead looking to the elfling boy toying with the hanging locks of her crimson hair. The wistfulness in his eyes was unmistakable, and Ally could see the son who's childhood he'd never known in her arms. Reflexively, she tightened her hold on him, remembering all too well how the man got what he wanted. Enough supplies for a few months time were stocked inside, and all of the items she'd packed placed in the center for her to delegate at her own pace.

There was no farewell, no words of well wishing, as the elves filed in after Vallon. The nearby inn had supplied a small and worn boat, but it would suffice in getting the small party to the gates of Katta Castellum across the turquois waters of the Twilight Sea. Boarding the boat, Vallon stood at the helm, one booted foot planted on the prow as they shoved off. Ally lifted her hand in a silent farewell, receiving the same from each of them in the boat. They'd been her friends in exile, and she'd been their confidante, soothing their injuries both physical and not. It cut deeply that she could see the gleam of unshed tears in each of their eyes as the boat drifted away with Ally watching until they were well out of sight.

Zemiel found a perch on the highest tent pole, wide, golden eyes scanning the horizon like a gargoyle as a most unlikely guardian. Long after they were gone, her eyes stayed trained on the glittering serenity of the sea and thanked Tunare for this small measure of peace before she settled in to her new home. Her first order of business was to hang a lantern from one of the tent poles as the sunlight died in the west, holding Phaedros on her hip as her enchanted touch lit the wick inside to a healthy gleam. With her lackluster smile pressed to her son's plump cheek, she kissed and murmured in his tiny ear, pointing at the lantern's glow. "See that, Phaedros? Every night, we'll keep this light shining, from dusk until dawn... to show daddy the way home."