Kali could feel Rayann looking at her, and she was feeling her mother’s thoughts. She didn’t know what Rayann was thinking word for word, but she could feel the emotions connected with them. She knew in an instant that this was the mind connection Rayann had been telling her she shared with her mother and father. She found herself uncomfortable knowing that her mother would always be able to know in an instant what she was thinking, and she furrowed her brow slightly as she lingered on the possible implications of this. She had been raised to not trust anyone, not even Rorie. The Dark Queen had instilled a fear of connecting with anyone, to rely solely on you and keep everyone at arm’s length. Naturally when she began experiencing the tingling of this thought bridge the negative potential came to her mind and she couldn’t help but feel how this might be used against her.

She did her best to push these feelings from her mind, and concentrate on the magnificent city that was rising from the landscape before them. It seemingly extended all the way into the plain of constellations. Kali leaned her head back far as the passed through the gate, some of the towers went so high they disappeared into the clouds above. She could not help but feel the wonder of this whole thing, just a couple weeks ago she was plotting the death of the most powerful white robed wizard, sitting under the safe shadow of his wing and waiting for the time to pounce. She regretted the sins of her past, but she was only on the first steps of coming to grip with those things. She was maintaining a level head, she knew it wasn’t her fault per say, but she was responsible and she knew in time Lunitari, Rayann and Myth would help her come to grips and let go of the demons that once bound her.

Nol walked up ahead of them slightly after giving a non-verbal motion for them to stop. He looked past Rayann to Kali as he did and smiled warmly. She could not help but feel that small butterfly in the pit of her stomach again and she bit her lip the instant he turned away. She felt like her teeth would burst through her flesh and she turned her head looking through the windows of a shop full of magical items so her mother couldn’t see the embarrassment on her face. She was ashamed that she wasn’t keeping her entire mind, body and soul in check, and she vowed to work on this as she began meditating to Lunitari. She knew how Wizards learned their magic by study, exploration, research and meditative devotion to a god of the moons. It was almost identical to how she had learned magic her whole life only she prayed to Tahkisis and wielded stolen magic rather than magic given in a pure form. She knew there would be obstacles and adjustments would be necessary, but Lunitari had spoken to her directly, and she held onto that to gain confidence.

She could feel Rayann staring at the back of her head and finally she turned, smiling with the left corner of her mouth. It was somewhat forced but she was trying her hardest to be genuine. She could see it in Rayann’s eyes, she knew exactly what her daughter was feeling, and in a pointless attempt to mask the butterflies in her stomach she tried to make small talk and divert the conversation, “This city is absolutely amazing. I have never seen anything like it on all of Krynn.”



She turned and looked as Nol approached again, a broad smile on his face. “OK ladies, The Inn of Luminescence” is just ahead. I had to make sure they were ready for your arrival. Please, follow me.” He turned, there was perfection in every step, as if he had spent his entire life simply learning to walk. His back was strong and the muscles screamed of discipline and training. He stopped and turned, a massive golden door inlaid with a dragon made from what looked like thousands of pearls. The center knobs were massive emeralds and glistened from the light refracting through them. “This is the nicest Inn in all of Aurialastican Lunitari instructed us to give you the top two floors as well as the meeting hall on the top most level. We have made modifications so you will have all you need to pray and study.” He reached behind himself and grasped one of the emerald door handles, twisting it and rotating while opening the door at the same time in one precise motion. The Inn was full of patrons and they cheered as Kali and Rayann walked into the well lit and well decorated main hall. Kali looked at Rayann uncomfortably, this level of attention was well beyond anything she was used to and the discomfort on her face was obvious, but she maintained her composure and smiled as best she could. Nol spoke, “I GIVE YOU THE RED ROBES! RAYANN AND KALI OF LUNITARI!” The crowd cheered again and raised their mead, shouting the names, “TO RAYANN AND KALI!” Nol turned and both Rayann and Kali would hear his voice in their heads, ~’Forgive them, the “Ones of different eyes” have been predicted to walk among us for generations, and to know you are finally here to restore the balance of magic, there is great excitement’~

Rayann would instantly feel the discomfort Kali was feeling regarding her mind being spoke directly into, and there was an immediate feeling of her disconnecting with everything around her, closing her thoughts and emotions to anything in every way possible. Her facial expressions were showing more and more discomfort by the second, and Her eyes were darting for the exits out of this place.

Rayann could feel Kali pull away a little as they made their way into the city. Sensing how uncomfortable Kali was getting, Rayann slowly let go of the girls hand. Fortunately, the sense that Rayann knew what Kali was feeling and thinking was not near as strong as it was when physical contact was taking place. But Rayann could still sense Kali wasn’t exactly excited about the idea either. Making a mental note make sure she put blocks up to protect Kali from thinking her privacy was being invaded, Rayann did just that in an effort to make Kali relax just a little.

Like Kali, as they walked into the city, Rayann was full of amazement and felt her neck grow tired of looking high into the sky at the towers that seemed to touch that sky. It was nothing less than beautiful and she wondered ho anyone would want to bring death and destruction to this place. It was peaceful here. More peaceful than when she had been with the Elves. But then again, there were forces at work there that were intending to bring an end to the Elves. Still, as Nol led them through the city, Rayann felt as though she had found a new home.

Once more Rayann saw the way Nol smiled at Kali. Try as she may, she couldn’t stop herself from looking at Kali and when she saw the girl looking at a shop window, Rayann was a little puzzled but figured something in the window had caught her attention. Still, she felt a sense coming from her daughter that she didn’t quite understand but she pushed it aside for now. Perhaps in time Kali would be comfortable to talk to her about things. When Kali turned around and smiled crookedly at her, Rayann let out a small smile of relief and smiled back at the girl. Nodding in agreement, Rayann looked at the wonderments around her.

”Neither have I and I agree completely with you, Kali. It’s absolutely amazing.”

As Nol led them to the Inn of Luminescence , Rayann couldn’t help but look on in complete amazement again as she noted the elegant and bejeweled doors that belonged to the place. She almost didn’t hear the dragon host explain the top two floors were theirs as well as the meeting place at the very top. But when Nol opened the doors and the place was filled with patrons, Rayann, like Kali, felt very uncomfortable. She never really liked crowds especially when undo attention was given to her. Rayann had always been very self conscious about the fact her eyes were very different and in recent times the fact she herself was very different. If ever she wanted to be just a plain, human woman, it was right now.

To make matters worse, when she heard Nol’s voice in her mind, Rayann instantly seemed to tense up and feel an intense degree of discomfort from Kali. While Rayann had tried to put a cheerful look upon her face, she knew that look turned to nothing less then a panic filled grimace as she looked to Kali and saw the girl ready to run like a frightened rabbit. What upset Rayann more than anything was the fact she felt Kali close herself down to everything and everyone.

Without realizing it, Rayann reached out and grabbed a hold of the sleeve on Kali’s robes in a death like grip the way she had done to Rorie in years past. Like mother, the daughter was suddenly feeling invaded, overwhelmed and cornered. Finally her eyes darted to Nol and she gave him a pleading look as she conveyed empathetically with him for help.

~It’s too much…please…..we must find a more quiet….private setting…please…~

There was a flash of brilliant light. Rayann and Kali were standing somewhere in a room which was high in the clouds. The massive windows surrounded them in a circle and though the clouds obscured the sun there was still a shimmering light bathing the room.

Nol was standing in front of them still, his hand coming down, obviously he had cast a spell to teleport them out of the room. Rayann would be able to tell by the architecture that they were in the top most meeting room of the Inn of Luminescence. There was a look of empathy on Nol’s face as he stared at Rayann, and she could also see the regret. He spoke quietly to Rayann, “I am so very sorry. We have awaited your arrival for over 500 years, the prophecy was spoken so long ago many of us were wondering how much strain could be put on natural magic before it was destroyed. I never intended to harm you.”

The look in Nol’s face was speaking volumes to Rayann, he was merely trying to have a warm welcome for the magi but was realizing very quickly that he had made a terrible mistake. He looked over at Kali who had withdrawn into one of the comfortable arm chairs beside the windows and sorrow filled his eyes. Looking back at Rayann he spoke quietly, his voice full of sadness, “Please tell your daughter I am sorry. If you need anything send me a missive and I will come at once.” He smiled meekly and nodded as his body evaporated into a burst of silver light.

Kali felt her body pulled through space and then she felt her feet back on solid ground. It was quiet, and that was all she cared about. She didn’t care in the least where they were, so long as they were away from the hall. She hurriedly went to one of the large leather chairs that were spread all around the room and crawled into it, pulling her robes around herself so tightly she hoped it would make her disappear. There was a time when her magic would have been unleashed in such a furious display at such a feeling of discomfort. It was the way of her past to respond with aggression if faced with an uncomfortable situation. Her instincts had been screaming at her to simply start casting and bring the walls down, but she had restrained, and simply had wanted out.

She closed her mind off, the mental barriers that were in place kept her thoughts and feelings to herself, but it wouldn’t take much instinct for Rayann to see she was afraid, and confused. There was a time she would have revealed in the praise of her accomplishments, but those things she had done in her past were things of such evil and malice she didn’t want to linger on them. Praise was associated with destruction in her current state of mind, and though Lunitari had given her a cleansing of sorts, she was still plagued with the memories of the dying, whom she herself had killed.

She heard Nol speaking to Rayann, but she didn’t listen, too engrossed in her own thoughts to give any regard or attention to anything outside herself. She felt the pull of magic as Nol left the room but she didn’t turn around. She could feel that her mother was still there, and she wanted to speak to her, to vent these feelings and this fear, but she didn’t know where to start and remained paralyzed, wrapped in her robes in a fetal position.

Rayann saw the look on Nol’s face and saw the sadness and regret in his eyes. As he apologized to her for what had taken place, she gave him a small smile of understanding. If she had been in their shoes, would she have done anything differently? She doubted it. As Nol apologized again and disappeared, Rayann nodded to herself. There was no doubt Nol was berating himself unnecessarily and she would take it up with him later. Right now all she could think was that they were alone and in a quiet place.

As Rayann looked over at Kali, she saw how withdrawn and pale looking the girl was. She could feel the blocks that had been placed to protect herself from prying by anyone. Not that they had fear of that, but Rayann could only imagine what it was like for Kali under the hand of the Dark Queen.

With a heavy sigh, Rayann walked over and stood next to the window that Kali was looking out. Easing herself onto the wide ledge and looking out over the clouds that surrounded them, it felt like they were in a different world up here. The warm breeze that drifted in was welcoming and Rayann closed her eyes for a moment as she calmed herself even more. Finally she began to talk in a soft, soothing voice as she watched the clouds roll by like playful balls of cotton.

”When I was little, I detested going places with Mama and Papa. Everyone would stare at me for one reason or another. At first, I didn’t think anything about it but by the time I was five, I began to realize they weren’t staring at anyone else. Just me. It made family outings very difficult. My parents and…Rorie….would do all they could to shelter me from the outside world, but it was impossible to shelter me from everything. What was worse, and no one but my brother seemed to understand, was that I could hear what everyone was thinking.”

“As I got older, I began to isolate myself away from the outside world. Unless I could travel in disguise or in such a way no one would see me, I would remain at home. I didn’t think there was anyplace else I needed to be. But then, my parents sent us off to study with a Council of Wizards and for the first time, I left home for an extended period of time. It was frightening to say the least. Thankfully I had someone with me who understood exactly what I was feeling and was there to help me through the most difficult times. Even when they tried to separate us, it ended in disaster and they realized there was little they could do but let us stay together.”

“And then, one day, I had to leave everyone I knew and loved all my life behind and strike out on my own with someone I didn’t know. I was so scared. Terrified, even. But I knew if I didn’t go on, what I was meant to do would never get done. Many times I wasn’t sure I was doing the right thing for a while and had even considered turning back and giving up the mission but the person I was with would never have let me do that. I began to realize that while he was strong and kept a hard shell about him, inside he was a caring man who found he was on that same path of discovery as I was. It wasn’t until he was faced with an ultimatum of life or death, not just for himself but me as well, that he realized who he really was.”

“But in order to begin living the life he wanted, he had to reveal the cold, hard, unsightly truth to me and risk losing the one person he’d learned to love. It wasn’t easy and it took some time for me to trust your father again, but when I realized how much I loved him, I didn’t care what he’d done in his past life. All that mattered to me was his future. And I wanted to be a part of that more than anything in the world.”

“And now, I find history is repeating itself again. I’ve had to leave everyone I know and love behind to strike out on a path I’ve never walked before with someone I don’t know. But, if I know history, I know that time heals all wounds and there’s nothing love can’t overcome. No matter how bad the things are that you’ve done, when someone loves you, the end of what used to be becomes the beginning of what can be.”

Kali felt her mother walk up and then saw her as she stared out the window. She shivered slightly, though the breeze was warm it was nothing in comparison to the molten heat that always permeated the place she had lived in for so long. She could sense Rayann’s sadness and listened as she spoke. She felt a tear crawl down her cheek and when Rayann spoke of love conquering all, she felt pain in her chest and she responded. Kali’s voice came gently, like a soft breeze as she spoke, barely above a whisper.

“Uncle Rorie would constantly teach me magic, even before I could read he would teach me the verbal incantations and I was lighting candles when I was 3 using nothing but my mind. The guards feared me; imagine a six year old child terrifying the ones she was supposed to be guarded by. There was another wizard, a man with a stone white face and a massive scar on his right cheek that spread like a star in five directions. His eyes were like mirrors and if you stared directly into them you could see the way you were going to die. I was terrified of him, but he was assigned to teach me. What he taught me, was how to hate, and to kill without feeling.

He was a cruel man, and though he never laid a finger on me physically, my mind was his playground and would be pricked when I gave incorrect answers or talked back. If I tried to seal him out, he always managed to get back in, and then he would punish me for trying to limit him. My lessons were in torture, cruelty, feeling no regret or remorse while dissecting a human with nothing more than thought. He was a master at bringing the maximum amount of pain and discomfort, so that the person knew they were dying. He made sure they felt death’s sting for as long as possible.

That was the difference between he and Uncle Rorie. Uncle Rorie is a master of the arcane, he grasps it with every fiber of his being and his thirst for knowledge is limitless. It doesn’t matter how much Tahkisis feeds him, he seeks more, and he finds it. He has abilities beyond what Tahkisis even thinks, but he is not a master of the ambient, he knows it, but he can’t wield it. That is why we were paired, because of our natural mind connection. Where my other instructor taught me to fear the mind connection, Uncle Rorie taught me to embrace it because I could trust him. In tandem, with him weaving the arcane and me weaving arcane and ambient together, we learned to bring forth magic that hit harder than dragons breath and literally razed villages to the ground without the aid of any army. Above all however, he loved me, I could sense he loved me, and all that time I felt it, and I assumed that ALL my instruction was worth it, and that Uncle Rorie was allowing me to be mentally abused for my own benefit.”

She looked up at Rayann, directly into her mother’s eyes, “Uncle Rorie is a vicious man Rayann, and he does hate you, he wants nothing more than to kill you for what he honestly believes you did to him. But he loved me…, and I loved him…”

She paused, her eyes welling up. Kali’s face suddenly turned sour. She stared into Rayann’s eyes with even more intensity, “He loved me, and he delighted in me, and he LIED to me my whole life? So is that love? Is that all love is? Is love holding a child tenderly and kissing her on the head every night while tucking her into bed, all the while modifying her and manipulating her so as to use what she has merely to satisfy your own personal goals? That’s the only love I have ever known, and if that is love, I am not sure I want to be part of it.”

Rayann didn’t think there was any more moisture that could fall from her eyes but as she sat listening to Kali describe her life with Rorie, she realized two things. She COULD produce more moisture from her eyes and what her brother did to her daughter was worse than she could have ever imagined. Rayann was so conflicted right now it wasn’t funny. She detested her brother for what he’d done to her daughter yet she still loved him and she knew she always would. He was, after all, her twin. She prayed that somehow, someway, her brother would one day see what she did was never intentional and see his hatred of her was misplaced. But even as she prayed that, she knew it most likely would never happen. No matter how much she wanted it.

As Rayann looked down at Kali and saw the look on her face as she described this other wizard and felt the fear emanating from the girl. Who ever this other wizard was truly left her daughter scared. Between what Rorie and this other wizard had done, Rayann began to wonder if Kali would ever learn to trust her or anyone else for that matter.

But even as that thought slid through her mind, Rayann felt a determination fill her. She would give Kali all the room she needed and let the girl see for herself that the love Rayann spoke of was completely different than the love she had been given while in Rorie’s care.

”The kind of love Rorie gave you was twisted with hate and revenge. I can’t tell you that the love I have for you, which your father has for you, is so different that it will pale in comparison to that. I can’t tell you how much we feared for your life after we discovered what had happened to you. I can’t tell you one day you’ll realize what you had then and what you have now is in no way comparable. I can only tell you that you will have to discover these things for yourself, Kali. I can’t force you to love me just as I can’t force my love on you. It’s either natural for you or it will never be.”

Rayann felt her throat constrict at those last words but she swallowed hard to regain her composure.

”While I pray you will one day know the love your mother and father feel for you, I will always love you and be proud of you for the courage you’ve shown these last days. The first step is always the hardest and you’ve already taken it. What you do with the opportunity you’ve been given is up to you now.”

“Just know that I will always be here for you, as will your father. Nothing will ever change the fact we are your parents and you our child. You will always be a part of us and we will always be a part of you. That is the only thing I can assure you. If you need me, I will come to you when you call.”

Rayann slid off the window sill and walked over to Kali and reached out taking a lock of her hair and let the silky strand slide through her fingers before she turned and walked away. She was suddenly exhausted mentally, physically and emotionally and wanted to rest. Kali needed some space right now and Rayann wanted to show she meant what she said and had promised herself earlier.

She would need to contact Nol and explain some things to the dragon to help him understand the reaction they both had when they were introduced to the patrons of the Inn. Hopefully the dragon would understand and she would see the sadness slip away from his eyes. Right now, though, she was interested in finding her room.

Kali could not hold back the tears as her mother talked to her, though she remained curled up in the chair as she listened. The only interruptions she made as Rayann talked were the sniffles as she fought the drainage of her tears.

As Rayann finished and approached her, she lifted her head slightly, and when her mother’s fingers went into her hair, she could not help but smile. She reached up and gently touched the back of Rayann’s fingers and took in a deep breath.

She could feel Rayann’s emotions, and she suddenly got that gnawing in the pit of her stomach again, feeling that she had let her mother down. She cried softly as she stared out the window. The clouds seemed to have a life all their own, wisping and swaying with the winds, she watched through tear blurred eyes for a while before getting up to go make some tea. The top most layer of this building was massive; she could only imagine what the other two floors below her were like. If she and Rayann each had one to themselves she wasn’t sure how much she would like having this much space to herself. She found the kitchen and looked around. There was a fire going in the cooking pit and a pot of tea was already on the rack. Curiously she looked around, but there was nobody in the kitchen. She focused and concentrated on the magic around her, pressing herself into its wake and searching, the only other form of life on the top three levels was her mother, and she could already feel that she was one level below. She brought herself back to her feet and went over, grabbing the pot an inhaling the sweet aroma of the heather tea within. She poured herself a cup and went to the balcony, which rounded the entire top most level in a complete circle, and stepped outside. She starred into the clouds, feeling as though they were staring back at her. The thickness of the clouds was far too dense for anything to see her, and she wished for just the briefest of moments that she had her dragon site again. She inhaled deeply, taking in the scent of lilac and cherry blossoms that seemed to constantly linger in the air here. She lifted the cup to her lips and was about the sip when she heard a voice behind her, “I hope I am not disturbing you.”

She whipped around as fast as a wink, her silken red robes trying to keep up as the swayed a half second behind her, “SHIRAK!” she hissed the word as light erupted all around her. Nol’Lore was standing 5 meters away, his hands folded gently in front of his stomach. She looked at him curiously, and then over her shoulder, as if she expected others to be there too, but alas, they were alone. She dismissed the illumination spell and took a step towards him, swallowing sharply. “Hello Nol… how did you get up here?”

He simply smiled and made a gesture towards the clouds on his left. She spoke with a slight mischievousness to her voice, “So YOU were watching me.” He shrugged gently and smiled. “I just wanted to let you know that I am very sorry for what happened, and I didn’t mean to hurt you in any way what-so-ever. Your arrival has been long expected, and I was merely trying to show you how much we support you and are behind you. I never took into consideration that you and your mother might want a quiet arrival, and I am very sorry.”

She could not help but smile and nod ever so slightly, her chin barely moving. “Thank-you Nol, I accept your apology. It’s difficult, so much has happened in such a short time, and I am still trying to wrap myself around the changes. Truth be told, I am still adjusting just to seeing red all over my body instead of black.” She blushed slightly and brushed her long honey-blond hair off her face. Nol smiled and walked up, lifting her chin with his finger and staring down into her eyes. “There is more to you than people see, but I see it, and what’s inside is much more beautiful than what’s on the outside.”

Kali pressed her hand against his chest and pushed back, stepping away and looking up at him curiously, “How on Krynn would you know that Nol?” He simply smiled and responded, “There is much known to us about who and what you are, and in time you will see it too. Lunitari talks to her children, and we all hold you in the utmost respect.” She had forgotten that he was a dragon, and as such he had more in the way of abilities and power than she could ever dream, though that thirst for power no longer existed. She wanted to increase her knowledge of magic and do what she was meant to do, but that lust for power was gone, Lunitari had cleansed it from her. She still could not help but stare at him, tracing his form with her eyes and felt herself blushing again. Taking a deep breath she nodded gently and took a sip of her tea as Nol stood with her in silence. It had never occurred to her that due to the massive distraction she was faced with she had dropped all the mental blocks and barriers, and that a smiling mother was privy to every thought and feeling currently running through Kali’s mind.

Rayann had retreated to her own floor in the Inn and sought a silent refuge. She wanted so desperately to reach out to Kali and draw her close in an embrace that would somehow let the girl know how much she loved her, even though she’d just met her. Rayann was finding out what it was like to experience maternal instinct and while she had not given birth to any child, yet, she knew this woman child above her was her true and natural child as sure as if she HAD given birth to her. Well, she had, just not yet.

That’s when it hit Rayann again. Would she still give birth to Kali, even though the child was here with her now? An almost paralyzing fright grabbed a hold of Rayann then. To think she and Myth would have to play out this horrible nightmare all over again when Kali was six months old made her heart drop to her feet only to return to her throat.

”By the Gods, no…please…”

Walking to the window and looking out at the clouds as they drifted by, Rayann made an effort to calm herself. Surely there was a way to prevent this from happening now that they knew the truth. And they had Kali safe and sound at a place where it would be nearly impossible for anyone to get to her. That’s all that mattered right now. Keeping her daughter safe.

Finally Rayann turned and fixed herself a cup of tea and decided to sit down. There was nothing to be solved by stewing over what if’s and what might happens. There was the here and now and right now, she and Kali were in a magical place where they were respected and protected by some of the most powerful creatures in all of Krynn.

Rayann had just brought the cup to her lips for another sip when she felt a sudden pull on the magical current and felt a sense of fear coming from Kali. Nearly dropping the cup she set it down quickly on the table next to the chair when she jumped to her feet and was getting ready to blink to Kali when something totally unexpected happened.

Kali dropped all of her blocks and Rayann stood in complete wonderment and amazement as she felt her daughters emotions. Nol was with Kali right now and Kali was a bit surprised but all in all, the girl was not only happy but excited to have the dragon’s company. Suddenly realizing she was being privy to things her daughter might not want her to be privy of, Rayann quickly put her own blocks up and let her daughter have her privacy.

As Rayann settled down once more, she felt her cheeks color. She remembered a time when Myth made her felt he same way. Come to think of it, he still made her feel that way. It was time she thought about something else to get her mind off her beloved and how much she missed him right now. Hopefully things would be cleared up soon and he could come pay her and Kali a visit, as Lunitari had promised she would make sure Myth could reach both of them.

Finding a book on a near by table, Rayann opened it up and saw the pages were blank. Thinking it odd, she pulled the book to her lap and furrowed her brows. Just then she felt the current of magic flow around her once more and as she looked at the blank pages, she saw the words she recognized as spells fill the page up. Spells she had already had entered into her former spell book suddenly began to fill her new spell book as she meditated and began to fill her book. What was interesting was that the spells she already knew only took up about a quarter of the space in the book. That meant she had much to learn and plenty of space for the new spells she was going to learn.

--------------
A few hour later, Rayann was finally pulled herself from her meditation and looked around. The hour was growing late as the sun began to dip low on the horizon. Quickly getting to her feet, she realized it had been a while since both she and Kali had eaten. Even now her stomach was telling her she had neglected to remember it in her meditation. Leaving her floor, she walked up the stairs to Kali’s floor and was getting ready to enter when she stopped herself. Smoothing out her robes, Rayann knocked softly on the door.

”Kali? I was just wondering if you were hungry? I’ll go get us something to eat and bring it to your room if you’d like. I’m about ready to gnaw the sole off my boots.”

Time had flown by and Kali looked up after laughing at one of Nol’s statements the darkness had taken the daylight and the clouds swirled all the more vibrantly as the mixed light of the red and white moons soaked through them. She smiled and turned to Nol, just about to say something when she heard her mother. She stood and concentrated, focusing her mind and spoke to Rayann through a missive…

~‘Mother, I am upstairs with Nol’Lore, please come join us and yes, I would love to eat!’~

Kali’s voice in Rayann’s head was chipper and when she arrived Kali walked over to her and grabbed her in a hug. She whispered into Rayann’s ear, “I am sorry for how I was earlier Mother. Things are…, well they are difficult right now, and I am so split on natural reaction versus intentional response.” She was about to pull away but then drew herself in again, “Nol has been with me the whole time.”

The words came out less as a statement and more as a gesture. She moved back and a beaming smile crossed her face as she spoke to Rayann, “So what would you like to eat? I have a feeling that whatever we wish for, this place will provide.”

Rayann couldn’t help but blink and suck in her breath when she heard Kali’s voice in her head. The fact she was communicating this way was a shock in of itself but to hear the difference in her voice was the biggest shock of all. When she discovered the silver dragon was with her daughter, Rayann couldn’t help but bow her head for a moment and say a quick thank you to Lunitari for having the insight to bring them to this place. Apparently the Veiled Maiden knew what Kali needed on more than one level.

When she arrived on the level Kali’s rooms were located on, She was taken aback again by the embrace her daughter gave her and the words spoken by Kali. Without hesitation, though, Rayann embraced her daughter lovingly and closed her eyes as she heard the words Kali spoke to her in confidence. Rayann felt tears stung her eyes and she blinked them away then looked over at Nol’Lore.

~Thank you…..for reaching my daughter when I was unable. I could never repay you for your kindness. I am forever indebted to you.~

As Kali hugged her again, Rayann smiled brightly and hugged her daughter tight again as she whispered softly in her ear as well.

”It’s quite alright, Kali. I’m new at all of this as well. It’s not everyday a woman discovers she has a half grown daughter. It’s all a part of learning who we are with each other.”

As Kali stepped back and smiled at Rayann brightly, she couldn’t help but suck in her breath as she saw the true beauty of her daughter shining through. The time Nol’Lore had spent with Kali had been nothing short of miraculous not to mention therapeutic. Blinking and looking from Kali to Nol’Lore then back again, Rayann stammered slightly.

”Oh…well…I hadn’t…really thought about it much. I only know I’m starving and could really eat something. But it has been a while since I had some roasted chicken and vegetables. And some chocolate cake.”

Turning her gaze to Nol’Lore, she grinned and quirked the fine brow over her left eye.

”Would that be possible, Master Nol?”

The past two days were like a blur to Myth. A great many events had taken place and many more revelations. Since returning home Myth's life been flipped upside down and dragged through every possible form of much he could have imagined. The ceremony upon his return now seemed like a simple matter compared to the days that followed.

After going to retrieve Rayann from Nim'Sul's tower everything spiraled into a controled form of chaos. The battle with the dark robed women that ended up being Myth's future daughter, and subsiquently the assault on the city the next day by Rorie the fallen and Kali. The battle had been a short one but the after effects would be felt for months as the city tried to repair the gates and bury the lost soldiers.

Myth reached up rubbing his temple gently as he remembered the short lived assault on Silvanost. The anger that filled every fiber of his being that day as he looked upon Rorie flailing about casting wildly. He still held to his belief that the man was beyond redemption. A small hint of guilt filled the pit of his stomach as he lingered on that thought. In truth Myth knew it was not his place to decide but he had done so there on the field of battle. There was a feint feeling of relief when Rorie had vanished fromt he earth before him. He was greatful that he was not going to face Rayann for that action.

Myth sipped his honey tea as he stared into the flames of the fireplace. As his thoughts shifted to the events following the battle with the dark forces. After discovering Aeolis' treachery he had travelled to the palace of his father to make his report and to finally clear the last vestiges of his past mistakes. He had made his report on the matter at hand and also took the time to explain the events inside Nim'Sul's tower. As Myth had guessed his father had been aware of complications with Aeolis but it was hard to pin the matter down so it was left to ferster regretably.

As for the events inside the tower Myth was told that what happened was regretable it was also unavoidable. Were it another wizard Myth's father simpoly said that Nim'Sul himself would not have likely held the two responsable. Greatful to know what had happened insdie Myth was then asked to never speak of it again. Myth could only nod his head. The entirety of their talk Myth's eyes had remained on his father but diverted slightly as he chose. With business concluded his father decided they should talk privately in hsi study for a while to discuss less stately matters. Myth remembered agreeing reluctantly because he was not looking forward to facing this matter alone.

The talk that followed was more profound than Myth could have imagined. His reasons for leaving were discusssed as well as his reasons for coming home. Myth divulged every detail his father asked of him and in the end forgiveness. Myth did not think it would come easily and as his fahter would soon explain there were many reaons.

Myth had questioned people refering to him as the crown prince of Silvanost because his brotehr Jerrin was the eldest and thus by right of birth it was his title. With a heavy heart Myth was told that Jerrin had been injured while on campaign in the north when one of his own captains turned on him during a critical manuever during a battle witht eh dark forces. Unfortunately the injuries would prove fatal. It was at Jerrin's request that Myth be allowed a chance to be redeemed if he ever appeared on the pathss of Silvanost again. Jerrin had always thought Myth's departure had a darker hand involved and would not hear otherwise from anyone. After another hour or more of talking with his father, Myth had retired to his home to rest and contemplate matters.

Myth sipped on his tea rousing himself from his thoughts. He had been brooding for a day and a half now and he knew it was time to move on to other matters. Sitting on the table next to him was the box that contained the rose he had gifted to Rayann. When she informed him that she was leaving with Kali she also told him he could use the rose to come to them when he was ready. While he was not certain that he was ready he knew he was in need of a reassuring presence.

As he opened the box he was surprised to see that there was a tinge of red on the flower. This was a curious change as it was the pristine white that had caught his eye. With a sigh he pushed the matter aside and took the rose in his hand and concentrated on feeling the direction of Rayann's presence. He was not sure how this was supposed to work only that he was assured that it would. Arrangments had been made already to accomidate his absence for a couple weeks whiel he dealt with a critical personal matter. Nothing could be more critical than Rayann and Kali. Myth closed his eyes and felt magic overtake him.

Rayann enjoyed a wonderful meal with Kali and Nol. The dragon entertained both of the women in his company with stories from long ago and some more recently. More than once Kali’s laughter filled the area and Rayann couldn’t help but smile at her daughters change in demeanor. She couldn’t help wishing Myth were there to see this amazing metamorphosis that had occurred in their daughter.

When the meal was finished, she said her good nights to both Kali and Nol and retired to her own floor. After the lively evening she spent with Kali and Nol, the silence of her rooms seemed empty and lonely. With a sigh, she waved her hand and a few candles fluttered to life around the place allowing a soft, warm glow to chase away the loneliness.

It didn’t help, though. While she could feel her daughter above her and knew she was enjoying the company she had, Rayann felt the longing for the company of a certain Elf Prince and walked over to the window. The twin moons gave off a soft glow that illuminated everything in a soft, pink hue and Rayann felt her Goddess’ presence. Thankful Lunitari had intervened when she did, Rayann could never explain the gratitude she felt for the Goddess’ intervention.

Rayann had just reserved herself to meditating when she felt a sudden pull on the magic around her. Spinning on her heels to look behind her, she saw a portal begin to form. Furrowing her brows, she wondered who was visiting her and held her breath daring to hope. The light of the portal grew so bright that Rayann squinted and brought her hand up to shield her eyes from it’s intensity. When the light finally faded, Myth stood there, holding the rose hair pin in his hand. The petals of the rose began to fold back into a bud.

Rayann felt her heart catch in her throat as the large form of Myth stood in her quarters. Her hand went to the bas of her throat as her eyes seemed to drink in everything about him. When he blinked and looked over at her, Rayann didn’t hesitate a moment longer.

Picking up the hem of her robes to keep from tripping on them she rushed to Myth. Just before she reached him she jumped into his arms wrapping her arms around his neck as she welcomed him with a soft kiss as her voice filled his mind.

~I’m so glad you came. I’ve missed you so much.~

As the light faded Myth opened his eyes. He was still disoriented when he looked towards Rayann and managed to steady himself only moments before she leapt into his arms. Holding her close he took in a deep breath and sighed. He could feel the tension of the last couple days begin to bleed away. Placing his forehead to hers he smiled as her voice spoke into his mind.

"I came as soon as I was able to Rayann... it has been a difficult couple of days and while I could have used your support I know that you had vastly more important matters..." he smiled "I missed you as well..."

Reluctantly he set her down upon the ground once more. He was feeling a little unstable and did not wish to topple over like a tree in the forest. Steadying himself he quirked his eyebrow slightly as he took a small step back to get a better look at his beloved. The look of curiosity on his face seemed to be quite out of place.

It was quite clear that he was just noticing her change in attire as he looked her over with an appraising eye. He scratched his chin lightly before a small mirk crept back up. "I think that red suits you quite well mel'amin. I would wager that the past couple days with Kali have been somewhat chaotic."

Looking around the room he noted how spacious things were. It was clear they were not at her childhood home. This was a most curious development that he had not expected, but then again he did not expect to meet his future daughter either for that matter. "I see this is not the glen so I am to assume that it has something to do with your new robes." He held up his hand knowing she was about to say something and shook his head. "There will be time to catch up on details soon enough."

He noted the sky through the window seeing that night was upon them. "For the moment I think a bite to eat is in order. I haven't had a lot of time to focus on such things. I am guessing that Kali is in her own room for the eve."

he wrinkled his nose slightly "This gives us some time to ourselves and me some time to collect my thoughts." He reached out taking her hand. "I know you are eager to discuss things so I will not make you wait long"

Myth's eyes had barely left her since he had appeared. While he had given the room a brief glance that was all that he had done. The stress he had been enduring in Silvanost was clear as crystal to Rayann and he knew it. It was clear Myth wanted a few minutes before more chaos was placed intohis lap. He was eager but apprehensive to discuss Kali, but his mind was in an unusual state of chaos and the time he saught was clearly meant for him to fget his head on straight. However as chaotic as his mind was it was improving steadily and had since he emerged into the room.

Just having Myth there with her was more than she could have ever hoped for and while she wanted to tell him everything that had happened since their departure after the battle in Silvanost, Rayann could also feel the chaos in Myth and knew what ever she would tell him could wait. When the time was right to open up about everything, they would both know it. For now, though, he was here with her and that was all that mattered.

Of course when he admired her new robes and complimented her she felt her cheeks grow warm and that slight flutter her heart would do when he did such things to her. Smiling almost shyly, she took the hairpin from his hand and placed it in her white hair. The bud opened a little to reveal more of the precious flower in response.

As he took her hand, she reached across with her other and rested her hand on his upper arm as she leaned her head against him. Guiding him to the window to look out at the sky and admire the twin moons that illuminated the night sky, she knew he would see the occasional dragon flying in the distance and his curiosity would grow but she also knew his curiosity would wait.

~I’ll send for some food to be brought up for you. It won’t take them long. In the meantime, sit and rest. I can tell you’ve had quite the time of it. The only thing I will say is that you will be pleasantly surprised in our daughter.~

True to her word, Rayann ordered the food and in no time it was delivered to her quarters. As Myth enjoyed his first good meal in a couple of days, Rayann sat at the table with him and nibbled on a few things but mostly sipped some tea. There was little spoken between them and when Myth was finished eating, everything vanished. Noting the curious look on his face, Rayann chuckled softly and waved her hand dismissively.

~I’m not used to that yet either, mel’amin. I suppose in time I will be.~

Getting up from the table, Rayann walked over to Myth and leaned down to kiss his cheek softly before taking his hand and leading him out to the balcony that overlooked the city. Sitting down on a swing, she urged Myth to do the same. When he was seated next to her, she leaned her head against his upper arm and looked out over the twinkling stars as the swing began to sway gently back and forth. Her small hand found his larger one and she interlaced the fingers.

~Things have been very…..interesting, since we left. There’s much I have to learn about being a mother and right now, it’s such a chaotic pitch and climb that I feel as though I’m on some sort of odd walking journey.….~

Again she waved her hand dismissively then leaned her had back to look up at his handsome face.

~I take it things have calmed some back in Silvanost since you are here now. I’m glad.~

There was a smile on her face before she looked back out over the city.

~The homecoming you had was not the homecoming I had envisioned. I’m glad we returned when we did, though. If we hadn’t, there wouldn’t have been a home for you to return to.~

Kali could not help but become completely enamored with the silver dragon. She kept trying to remind herself that he was a dragon, not a human, but it mattered not, in her eyes he was the most spectacular specimen she had ever met, and it was clear in her eyes. Nol kept looking over at her as well, his facial features expressing his deep interest in Kali.

Rayann stood and said her good nights, and Kali stood, walked over and hugged her mother tightly. She whispered into her mother’s ear, “There’s a new moon rising mother,” and squeezed Rayann tightly. She stepped back and sat back down. Nol stood and bowed respectfully to Rayann as she left and then turned back to Kali, “Would you like to go to bed as well?”

Kali shoke her head and responded, “No, after all that has happened in the last couple days, sleep is the last thing on my mind.” Nol smiled with a look of relief, that he was not ready to part company for the evening and offered a suggestion, “Would you care to take this to the balcony then? The clouds are breaking and the view from atop this place is spectacular!” Kali agreed swiftly and stood to her feet, taking her tea and followed Nol to the balcony. They were tremendously high, in fact Kali had never been atop a structure this high in her whole life. The people below in the street were barely recognizable and she was amazed that this building could stand so tall. “Amazing! I can’t believe this!” She looked around and took in the mountains to the West, their snow packed peaks bathed in a pink hue as the moons rays shone brightly together. She turned and looked at Nol, his silver hair taking on that same pink color. She blushed and smiled as he stepped a little closer. “Have you ever flown?” She quirked a brow, somewhat disappointed at the question, but also curious as to what he meant. “You mean like, flown in the sky? No, I mean, there are spells, but I never learned them, teleportation is so much quicker and ….” He pressed his finger below her chin and looked deeply into her eyes. “You have yet to live if you have not seen the world from the back of a dragon.”

He leapt off the balcony and a flash of brilliant silver light exploded as his human body became the silvery form of his draconic one. He swirled around the massive tower and came to land on the rooftop, looking down over the eve at her. He was not a large dragon, and though he had never revealed his age Kali could only assume he was younger. His mannerisms and such suggested this, though she had never spent time around any chromatics. She had spoken to many of Tahkisis dragons who guarded the Dark Queens fortress, but they tended to be the elders, and were also of chaotic alignment. “Well Kali, are you gonna make me wait all day?” his silver eye lid dipped as he winked and withdrew his head from sight. A grin crossed her face and she blinked, appearing on the rooftop beside him. The wind was calm and the night warm, she gazed at Nol and spoke, “I have never done this, so go easy on me.” He turned his head and smiled as he dipped his wing so she could climb onto his back, “Don’t worry Kali, I won’t allow any harm to come to you.”

She climbed onto his back and with a leap that shoke the tower Nol was in the air, his scales flashing in the moonlight as the robes of a neutral mage beat like a flag off his back. They disappeared into the night as the moons seemed to shine just a little more brightly.