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Post by Markus Everglade on Jun 19, 2009 1:51:02 GMT -5
Raythor could hear Markus and Laura talking to Benvolio in the other room. He had banished himself to the hallway after Tallith had hurried away to comfort Anella. Shyly, Saria and Dasher came out to see him. “Don’t be a wilted flower.” Saria advised. “If Anella’s mad at you, it’ll be easier to leave.” Dasher said, much more sensibly. “I know it seems harsh, but I think you know it’s also true.” “You’re absolutely right Dasher. When did I get so soft?” Raythor said impassively. Saria, perfectly satisfied that her comment had mended the problem entirely, skipped away back into the populated room. “No I’m not. Go after her.” Dasher said. Raythor gave her an odd look. “You just told me not to. You were right before.” “I was logically right before.” She answered. “But everything isn’t logical. I couldn’t see that when all this started, I thought Light and Shadow couldn’t…” “I guess I see what you’re saying.” “Do you really? This isn’t about me, or Blade, or even Anella. It’s about you. I know you see your self as one straight side of the morality line, but you’re not. You’re both light and shadow and you can’t even see it because no one ever has.” “I should follow her because my emotions tell me to?” Raythor smirked. “Yeah, look where that got me before. I can’t make anyone else do this. If she…” “You’re always asking us to trust you. Why don’t you follow your own advice?” “Dasher…” He sighed. “I know that I didn’t kill them. I’ve been so convinced for so long that I’d killed anyone I l…care about. It’s going to be difficult to forget that.” “You’re one of my best friends and I love you. If you feel the same way, I should be dead right now. Right?” “I suppose that’s a sound argument.” “Then listen to me! In this miserable life, we all deserve at least one chance at happiness. There’s something there between the two of you, I can see it even without these powerful eyes.” “I couldn’t do that to her. What if she… then I’d be gone.” “Stop listening to your head. I was wrong before.” Dasher said firmly. Raythor took a few steps, and then paused, as though he wanted to say something. “Go,” Dasher instructed. The tears welled up in the sides of her eyes. “There are rifts in this world that are greater than distance.” He nodded. “You know, don’t you? If there’s anything that I can do for you…” “Just don’t look back.”
****
Dasher found Blade sulking with the ever mute Nightshade. “What do you want?” Blade asked irritably. “To take a chance again. I lost sight a long time ago of how much fun that is, as well as who’s important to me. I want to try and make something work between us, all right?” Dasher smiled, turned and went the other way. Blade blinked, relief washing over him. Nightshade put her head next to his ear, whispering: “If that doesn’t work, I’m always going to be here.” Then she laughed and left him too.
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Post by Markus Everglade on Jun 19, 2009 1:51:21 GMT -5
****
Raythor nodded at Tallith as he passed by. He’d been leaning against the wall, trying to look disinterested but really waiting for the other boy to show up. “Did she say yes?” Raythor asked, pretending that he didn’t care in the slightest. “Not yet, but she certainly seems to be warming up to the idea.” Tallith said cheerfully. “Isn’t Anella the loveliest girl in the world? “Uh… yeah. That isn’t the only reason you want to marry her, is it?” “Of course not. She’s also the sweetest. I’m sure she’ll see that she’ll make a fine wife soon.” “Good luck with that.” Raythor said with a very fake smile. “Thanks.” Tallith responded obliviously and he continued down the hall. Raythor sighed, he was actually nervous for once and it felt very strange. He went in the opposite direction and stared at Anella’s door for awhile before knocking on it. “I’m sorry; I just can’t say yes right now Tallith.” Anella replied instantly. “I’m not Tallith,” Raythor said, almost smiling. “Oh… oh, Raythor. I didn’t think that you would…” Her voice trailed off. She sounded sad and he put his hand against the door, as if that would somehow make him closer to her. “I just want to apologize. I understand why you’re upset, but I have to do this.” Raythor said, keeping his tone very even. “If I let anyone else go though that portal for me, it would feel like I failed them. Like I failed you. Of all the things I’ve done in my life, this is the only one that feels right.” “What about saving Rose and me?” “I was trying too hard not to feel at all then to think about it.” His heart jumped when the door moved beneath his hand and he pulled it away. She opened it half way and looked at him. “Two years is kind of a long time, you know.” Anella said softly. “I was sort of happy for two years once, with the blacksmith’s family. It didn’t seem like a long time.” Raythor said with a shrug. “I hope it won’t be different for you, then.” She said. “For me, though… for me it’s going to feel much longer.” “Please don’t say that.” “Could you say it now… I mean, what you were going to say before, when Kylara came?” “I’m fairly sure it’s not the sort of thing you say when you’re about to leave for two years.” “Couldn’t you let me be the judge?” “I don’t want to hurt you.” He told her blankly. Anella nodded, eyes on the floor. “Raythor…” “Yes?” “If I didn’t think I could watch you leave would it be all right if I didn’t come?” “I wasn’t aware there was any hope of you coming anyway.” “I guess this is goodbye then.” She said faintly. “I guess. Goodbye, Anella.” Raythor said. He turned away before he added: “You know, Tallith thinks you’re the most beautiful, sweetest girl in the world.”
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Post by Markus Everglade on Jun 19, 2009 1:51:44 GMT -5
“He told you that?” Anella said, unsure of why Raythor should think that that mattered. Then she smiled, very slightly. “What else did he tell you?” “That you’re a lot stronger than you think you are. That you’re smart and incredibly brave and Tallith has been honored to know you.” Raythor said, smiling himself. “I guess Tallith must know you a lot better than I thought he did.” Anella took his hand and held it, closing her eyes. He didn’t move, not an inch. “Tell him thank you for me.”
****
“Did he tell her?” Laura asked hopefully. Dasher shook her head. “I really don’t think he’s going to.” The light princess answered. Markus looked at them both. “What are you two talking about?” The prince said. “Oh nothing,” Dasher said innocently. “I’m going to go do elementist things. See you later.” “Dasher! Aw, let her have her secrets. And yours, apparently.” “It’s nothing to worry about.” Laura said good-naturedly. She glanced down at her bracelet. “Did you know what this was when you gave it to me?” “Well, I knew what it was but I didn’t think about that at the time.” Markus explained. “I guess it worked out for us though, huh?” “You haven’t even officially asked me to marry you, you know.” “We have been talking about it for awhile now. I didn’t think I really needed to ask you. “We can’t even announce it officially until my father becomes a lord.” “You know, this may be a matter of state but you deserve the whole bit anyway.” “You don’t have to go through all that trouble, Markus.” Laura said. “I only brought it up because I thought it was kind of funny we’re not even really engaged yet, and both our fathers are working out how we can get married.” “Laura, you’re kind of sentimental. I bet you’d enjoy being proposed to.” Markus teased. “Besides, I have an idea now anyway.” He kissed her rather hurriedly. “I’ll see you soon.”
****
Rose changed the flowers on Gabriel’s grave. She didn’t want to go home, to all her preening sisters and her spoiled little brother. She’d been like them once, she knew that now. Rose liked sleeping on the ground and having only a few dresses to choose from and having to do absolutely everything herself. She didn’t need servants or huge feasts. She just wanted to stay here forever with her friends, wishing that he was here the most. He’d probably be saying that she’d never been spoiled or stuck up or obsessed with being a princess, and he’d just be telling a sweet lie because… he loved her. Rose wondered if anyone ever could or would love her again. It didn’t seem likely, and even if they did she wasn’t sure she wanted to go through that another time. Maybe all she needed were memories… maybe she could go back to her country and be a good little princess and marry some lord who wanted money and land.
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Post by Markus Everglade on Jun 19, 2009 1:52:14 GMT -5
She didn’t think that was going to happen.
****
“This is a little sad. We’re down to ten of us and three of us aren’t even here right now.” Kylara commented. She kept looking at Raythor like he was the treasure at the end of the journey. He just looked severely depressed, though he was trying not to. Anella hadn’t said a single word after ‘tell him thank you for me’ and neither had he. They’d just stood there for a long time, not daring to move and not daring to speak. Eventually, she’d just let go of his hand and gone back into her room. “My father isn’t here either, but this is a nice dinner anyway.” Laura said. She was slightly concerned about what Markus might be doing; he was one of the three missing persons. The others were Rose and Anella, who were both in their rooms. Benvolio sat in complete silence as he ate, not in the least bothered by the fact Kylara hadn’t counted him. The cat was still on his shoulder, and it appeared to be sleeping. “I think it’s nice to be able to spend time together where no one is in constant fear of dying.” Blade commented dryly. He didn’t particularly like human chairs, they were clearly not meant to accommodate any sort of tail. Dasher, to his right, had gone into her human form and was using such good table manners it was impossible to tell that she wasn’t a real human lady. “I do hope that Anella will join us.” Tallith commented, by far the happiest looking person at the table. He felt so sure that Anella would accept his proposal any second now that he didn’t even notice all the various things Thunder kept taking from his plate. The dog then loudly ate them, making no effort to conceal it and Tallith still didn’t notice. “I’m going to see what my father is doing.” Laura said. “Please excuse me.” She got up from the table and headed up the staircase, managing not to shiver as she did so. Her father’s door was open and she could hear two voices coming from inside. One of them was Markus’s. Without a second thought she walked in. “Laura.” Markus said. “Elaura.” Vyncent said. Both of them stared at her. She looked at them suspiciously. “What are you two doing up here?” Laura asked. Markus glanced over at Vyncent and he nodded. “All right, I didn’t have a ring so I asked Vyncent.” Markus said. He opened his palm and a glittering ring laid there, the small stones within it were cat-eye green. “It was your mother’s, and he thought it might be nice for you to have some part of her.” He took a breath. “Will you marry me?” “Yes!” Laura said, embracing him and forgetting that her father was there completely. She hadn’t expected to react at all emotionally, because she’d known he was going to ask her. But the ring, coupled with the fact she’d heard him ask her that about a hundred times in her dreams before… “He wants to have the wedding here.” Vyncent said, as she slipped her ring on and admired it. “That sounds great, if Audrion will agree to it.” Laura said. “We have time to convince him anyway, it will probably take a long time to negotiate with the king of
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Post by Markus Everglade on Jun 19, 2009 1:53:03 GMT -5
Laina. Then we have to become openly engaged and have a politically acceptable period of engagement before we get married. That will all probably take…” “Two years.” Markus said. “I’ve been calculating that all day. It’s going to take about two years. I thought we should have the wedding here because, you know, that’s when Raythor will be back. I was pretty sure you’d love it if he could be there.” “Oh, yes, absolutely.” Laura said, forgetting for a moment that the dark haired boy was sick and about to go into a very dangerous world.
****
Anella couldn’t sleep. All she could see whenever she closed her eyes was Raythor’s sad face. She tried not to think about it, but then her mind drifted over the last thing she’d said to him again and it didn’t seem at all fitting. That wasn’t how he should remember her at all; she should have been there for her friend encouraging him, telling him that it was all going to be all right. Probably no one had ever done that for him before, considering the fact he seemed so convinced that pretty much nothing was going to be all right. Outside it was raining on poor Gabriel’s grave. It had been raining the night before they had all met… the sky had been gray, just like her eyes, that morning. What had she been thinking then? She couldn’t even remember. Laura had been crying her eyes out and giving up hope. Now, it seemed like it should be her turn but nothing welled in her tear ducts, her throat didn’t close, she didn’t even sniffle. Anella wouldn’t let him go like this.
****
The sun was barely up. Raythor was up on the hill, next to the blackness. Laura had come first. She kept telling him to fight it as hard as he could, telling him to come back to all of them. She’d hugged him again and cried. He told her not to worry; that he’d be fine but he really had no idea. He told her to take care of herself. Markus had come next. They’d shaken hands. The prince had thanked him for everything he’d done and told him how sorry he would be to lose a friend. He added that he’d take care of Rose the best he could while Raythor was gone, but she needed the dark haired boy more than she thought she did. As Markus was leaving, he added he’d try his best to keep Tallith away from Anella and Raythor had almost laughed. Rose had handed him the oddest little book. She said it was Mary’s diary and that he was supposed to have it. If he took it with him, he’d be sure to come back. Then she told him goodbye and said that she meant that he was like a brother to her and she didn’t want to loose him. Saria, Dasher and Blade had all come together. Both girls did a lot of babbling, Blade didn’t say much of anything but good bye. Saria reminded Raythor quire firmly not to be a wilted flower and winked as though he had any idea what she was talking about. As they were going, Dasher had whispered, “You don’t know how much I’ll miss you.” Kylara was the last in line. The first thing she did was make a joke about how Tallith couldn’t make it because he was too busy asking Anella, yet again, if she’d marry
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Post by Markus Everglade on Jun 19, 2009 1:53:20 GMT -5
him. Then she’d added that everything Anella had said in the moonlight was actually true, she did love him. Then she had left. Now Raythor was alone again. As he’d used to be, as he was going to be again. This was his place. He turned to the portal, breathing in deeply. “Raythor, wait!” He turned and looked back. “I thought you weren’t coming.” “I couldn’t.” Anella said. He looked at her, probably for the last time. The wind was blowing her hair across her face and the rain had already soaked her through. She watched him with uncertainty. Raythor’s expression had already faded back to the blank mask. It was almost exactly like their first meeting all those months ago, or at least it felt that way to her. “You’re going to catch a cold.” He said finally. “I don’t particularly care.” She informed him. “I’m sorry I yelled at you before.” “Don’t be. I’m sure I deserved it.” A flicker of emotion passed across his face, as though he couldn’t fight it any longer. He turned away, starting up the path again. Raythor wanted Anella to forget him. Each step that he took jolted her memory more. A boy, slightly amused, face perpetually bored. A terrible look of pain on that same face, a flash of blood. His bravery at confronting his past… something that would serve him well now. A final thought struck her: the look in his eyes when he’d told her she was beautiful. “Raythor?” “Yeah?” “When you get back, I’m going to be here. I promise you.” She took both his hands as the darkness started to take him. She blurted: “If I’m indescribable in moonlight, what am I now?” “Softly beautiful.” He said, giving her a final smile. She felt his fingers slipping out of hers and she almost started crying. Her grasp broke and he said her name. Then he was gone.
****
It was still raining when they returned to Everglade. Rose had decided to stay with them for awhile and Benvolio was inside talking to his brother. For now, at least, Markus and Laura were alone under the prince’s tree. It felt weird to be here again. Everything that had been their lives was here. Almost everything that mattered wasn’t. “You’re going to miss them, aren’t you?” Markus said. “I’m going to miss every last person, every blade of grass, even all the blood I’ve shed.” Laura said dreamily. She was a different person now and she liked the person she’d become. “I love you, Laura.” Markus bent and kissed her. For this one brief moment, this was a world of their own. When she had left Everglade castle, Laura would’ve never believed his lips against hers. Now, with the rain against her skin, she was happier than she had ever been. She even managed to hold back the tears that were already forming, a tribute to everything they’d lost. Markus pushed away his worries for the future. There was only here, there was only now. He was a prince, that was true, but that didn’t define everything about him. He was a leader, he was a ‘water human’, he meant something to more people than he could
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Post by Markus Everglade on Jun 19, 2009 1:53:36 GMT -5
ever imagine. He had gray eyes and blue hair and a handsome face, and everything else he’d never asked for and never wanted. Markus thanked the rain again for the brief moments of solitude it had given him all through out his life. Now, somehow, he felt he knew why.
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Post by Markus Everglade on Jun 19, 2009 1:53:58 GMT -5
I finished! *shoots self in face*
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