I left Venna behind without another word. She sensed my displeasure, but having already won the argument, she chose to let me depart without pursuing the matter any further. Once I left Venna’s hospital tent, I immediately began seeking out Tási. She needed to know that I had secured Venna’s help for that night, and more importantly, the conditions that Venna had insisted on, and she needed to hear them from me. As I began my search, I sent Bane off to scout, as he did for us every day.
Tási often helped Hilgreth in the forge, so I headed there first. As was typical when Tási was there, she was standing beside Hilgreth, stoking the forge’s fire to incredible heat with her magic. Hilgreth used the superheated flames to craft her most important projects, typically things she was also keeping secret from me. As the two of them saw me approach, they stopped their work and glanced at each other guiltily, but said nothing until I spoke.
“Keep your little secrets, just tell me when I can expect to have a gate and a new portcullis,” I said to Hilgreth.
“Dellon and I have finished the gate, Dreya Sintári,” Hilgreth replied proudly. “We will be installing it first thing in the morning. We’ve already prepared as much as we can before then, I only ask that you give us a few hours to finish the job before you look it over. As for the portcullis, I am working on that as fast as I can. No more than another week, I should say.”
“I will wait until later in the day to drop by then,” I answered her request. “I’m certain I’ll be pleased with the quality of your work.”
“Now, if you don’t mind, I need to borrow Tási for a while,” I continued as I took her by the arm and pulled her away from the forge.
“What’s so important?” Tási asked as I walked her through the canyon.
“Venna agreed to help us tonight, but there are some details she insisted on that I have to tell you about. I’ll explain once we’re back in camp.”
It was only a few minutes travel back to the small campsite we shared with our companions. I took a seat on one of the stones we had set around our fire pit while Tási sat across from me expectantly, then hesitated for only a moment before blurting out the precautionary conditions Venna required. I hoped Tási might object, but Venna was right and she did not hesitate to agree to the terms.
“She’s right,” Tási conceded. “Even if everything goes well, there’s no telling how I may react under the strain. We simply have no idea what we are dealing with.”
“Fine,” I sighed in resignation. “We’ll do it your way.”
Despite her lingering doubts and the conditions that were going to be imposed on her, Tási was overjoyed to finally have the resolution of her uncertain origins so close at hand. She gave me a quick hug and then rushed back to the forge to resume her work with Hilgreth. Tási seemed happy helping the smith with her work there, and it was obvious that she particularly welcomed the distraction her efforts there would provide her that day—not only would the work keep her mind from focusing on her doubts, but it would make the remaining hours of the day pass more quickly for her.
While Tási busied herself in Hilgreth’s forge, I resumed making my daily rounds. Things were progressing well on all our projects, so there was little for me to do but offer a few words of encouragement.
With nothing productive to do, I found myself wandering back into the valley. I always found some comfort walking in the green fields dotted with trees, and with nothing else to occupy my time, I sought the peace and tranquility there to help pass the day.
I didn’t often wander aimlessly though the land. My time there was usually spent inspecting the progress Ilvain was making on the various farms and homesteads he was building. But on that day, I decided to avoid the busy worksites and simply enjoy the natural beauty of the secluded land. Much to my surprise, as I walked through a supposedly empty copse of trees, the sound of banging hammers rang out from a clearing just ahead.
“What’s going on here, Ilvain?” I asked the master carpenter as I looked over the worksite.
The elf’s face flushed red when I called out to him and he fumbled his response.
“You weren’t supposed to see this yet, Dreya Sintári,” Ilvain replied hesitantly.
“What is it?” I asked him. “There are no plans for any buildings in this area.”
“Honestly, that’s exactly why we built it here,” he replied. “It was meant to be a surprise. I know your Earth spirit will eventually build a permanent home for you, but we just couldn’t let you live in that small tent in the meantime. This home is our gift to you, so you’ll have a decent place to stay until Ridge finishes his work.”
Ilvain gestured towards the nearly finished structure and my eyes looked over the building. It was a simple two-story home, built with the rough-hewn planks that Ilvain produced from his sawmill. While it was by no means a grand estate, it was still far more luxurious than the canvas tent I had been living in for so long. When I looked back at him, Ilvain anticipated the question I was about to ask, and headed off my concerns.
“I knew you would not accept the comforts of this home while your companions still slept in their tents,” he reassured me. “While the second floor is meant for you, there are additional chambers on the ground level for your friends.”
“I don’t know what to say, Ilvain,” I replied to him. “This is very thoughtful and generous of you.”
“Dreya Sintári,” Ilvain replied solemnly. “I have only been here a short time, but even in that brief period, you have shown more compassion for the people under your care than any leader I have ever heard of. You have fought beside us and healed us as if we were your own kin. The least I can do is repay you with a few hours of work.”
“Thank you, Ilvain,” I offered in gratitude. “I will remember your dedication every time I step across the threshold of this home.”
“Since the secret is out, you should know that we will be finished here in just a few days,” he smiled back at me. “I will let you know when it is time for you to move in.”
“I look forward to it,” I told him sincerely.
“Can you keep this between us?” Ilvain asked me. “I’d still like to surprise the rest of your companions when the time comes.”
“I’d be happy to,” I smiled back at him.
Ilvain took me on a brief tour of the inside before I left him to continue his work. While the cabin was quite rustic, it would still be a vast improvement over sleeping on the hard stone of the canyon floor. The anticipation of having a decent roof over my head was enough to brighten my day, and banished the butterflies that had been fluttering around inside me before.
I spent the rest of the afternoon sitting on a small rock I had found that overlooked the lake. The location provided a beautiful view of the calm water, with the mountain’s high waterfall painting a stunning backdrop off in the distance. I had come here several times over the many weeks I had spent here, and it had become one of the special places I would retreat to when I needed some time alone, or simply to reflect peacefully on things. As I sat there, I took off my boots and laid down on the moss-covered stone, letting my feet dip into in the cool water as I stared up at the sky above, watching the clouds slowly drift by.
The sun eventually sank below the high cliff walls, and long shadows draped across the landscape. With evening upon me, I pulled my boots back on and wandered back to camp, avoiding Ilvain’s clandestine construction site along the way. I had already spoiled his surprise and felt it best to not intrude on him any further until he was ready to reveal the finished project to me.
After strolling through the valley and back into the canyon, I finally reached our campsite and took a seat around the fire. Broda was cooking some fresh game the hunters had brought back, and the smell of the roasting meat made my mouth begin to water. I hadn’t eaten lunch while I was wandering around the valley, and my stomach immediately protested with pangs of hunger.
The rest of my companions arrived shortly after me, returning together from their vario
us errands around the fortifications. Tási and Venna were actually holding hands as they walked toward camp, only letting go of each other when they separated to sit on either side of me. Broda began passing out plates of grilled meat while Khorim tapped a small keg and handed out mugs of ale.
Bane returned from his scouting just as the food was served, and Broda made an extra plate for him. I ate hungrily, washing down the savory grilled game with the strong ale Khorim always seemed to have lying around. When she had enough to eat, Venna excused herself and retreated into her tent, but not before casting a meaningful glance aimed at Tási and I. We both understood the unspoken command, and after cleaning up our plates, slipped in our own tent to get ready for the night’s events.
I think it best that I remain outside, Sintári. Bane offered. I have already told you all I can, and you may wish to keep what happens here tonight between the three of you. Even if all goes well, the process will be an emotional one for both you and Tási, and you may wish for some time alone afterwards. I will sleep by the embers of the fire tonight and return only if you call me.
Bane’s communication often came with a sense of his moods and emotions. This time, his words were infused with reassurance and sincerity, and I took comfort in both his concern and desire to give us the privacy he thought we might need after what promised to be a strenuous ordeal.
‘Thank you, Bane,’ I sent back to him. ‘I appreciate your understanding.’
He didn’t reply, but his little reptilian lips curled up in a smile as he slipped outside again.
“I never thought I’d say this, but it’s time for you to tie me up,” Tási said as her cheeks flushed red.
I took out a small length of rope and secured one of her hands. Then, instead of binding her hands directly together, I left a span of rope between them, tying her other hand so that her arms fell comfortably by her sides with the short stretch of rope behind her back.
“It should hold you securely enough while you’re lying down,” I explained.
Tási tested the restraints by laying on the floor of the tent. Her body pinned the rope beneath her, and even when she struggled against the bindings, she was unable to raise her hands off the ground.
“That should work,” Tási pronounced when it was clear she could not escape.
I helped Tási sit up as we waited patiently for Venna to arrive. Together, we passed the time talking about the various errands we had done during the day. I made no mention of Ilvain’s secret construction project, while Tási pointedly avoided disclosing what she and Hilgreth had been working on. Fortunately, before we could run out of idle chatter to discuss, Venna slipped inside the tent.
She looked askance at the manner I had tied Tási’s hands for a moment before letting out a resigned sigh.
“I guess it will have to do,” Venna complained.
I didn’t bother responding to her, and simply helped Tási lay back down again. With her moment of discovery finally upon her, Tási fidgeted uncomfortably, and I placed my hand over hers and sent her a gentle thread of reassurance.
Tási relaxed slightly and smiled up at me. I stared into her golden-brown eyes and let a final wave of comfort flow through her before letting go of her hand.
Although we had discussed the process, I realized that I had never really explained even the scant details Bane had been able to tell me. I took a moment to quickly relay what I knew.
“I’m going to begin by placing my hand over your heart, Tási,” I told her. “Once I do that, I need to focus on your heartbeat, and tune myself to its rhythm.”
“Honestly, I don’t have any idea how to do that, so it might take a while,” I confessed. “But once I do, Bane says I will know what comes next, so I hope that means it won’t be too difficult.”
“I’m ready,” Tási said firmly once I finished with my explanation.
I glanced at Venna and she simply nodded back at me. With both of them prepared, I undid the clasp in the middle of Tási’s robe and slid my hand between the fabric, slipping my hand over her soft skin and laying my palm against her chest.
Despite her confident words, Tási’s heart beat like a drum inside her chest. Although she was trying hard to appear calm, she was obviously completely unnerved on the inside. Before I even attempted to tune myself to the erratic thumping in her chest, I sent her warm tendrils of calm reassurance, trying to still the wild beating of her heart.
Tási knew I was aware of her discomfort and smiled at me awkwardly as I tried to rein in her nervousness. I held her gaze, staring into her amber eyes as I continued to pour soft comfort into her. After a few minutes, her heart slowed to a more normal rhythm, and I finally felt that it was safe to proceed.
With how nervous she was, I didn’t completely abandon the tiny threads I was sending her as I began to focus on the steady beating of Tási’s heart beneath my fingertips. Without any conscious effort from me, the little threads wound themselves around her heart, forging a direct connection between us. Tási’s heartbeat slowed slightly, taking on a more normal cadence as the tendrils wrapped around its pulsing chambers.
With the two of us linked together by the thread of my essence, I soon felt my own heart beating in synch with hers. The tendrils I had sent to her now formed a connection between the two physical organs, and they forged a bond between us that went beyond any mere material link.
While the palm of my hand lay pressed against Tási’s chest, I felt a second disembodied appendage slowly descended into her, passing through the inconsequential barrier of her flesh and drawing me not into her physical body, but inside Tási’s very being.
My perceptions abruptly altered, and I had the impression of being weightless and surrounded by a sea of tiny lights and glowing threads. Somehow, I knew that what I saw was Tási’s true self, the essence of who she was beyond her mere physical presence. The glowing web and tiny spots of light were like an entire universe, the universe that made up the person I knew as Tási. At first, I was drawn to explore that universe, to learn as much as I could about her, but my true purpose for being there called to me, and I found myself drawn to an even more amazing sight.
A bright ball of light drew me to the center of the tiny universe. At first, it appeared to be composed of flames, roiling in a perfect sphere, but then it rotated, and I could see that the orb had two distinct halves. While one side was comprised of the intense flames I had seen at first, the other hemisphere was made of some dark blue material that I could not identify.
I floated closer to what I instinctively knew to be the core of Tási’s being. The flaming half clearly represented who she was, or at least who she thought she was. I could feel Tási in those flames, recognize her passion and courage in the heat that radiated from that half of her core. The darker side, the mysterious blue half, was obviously what I was here to reveal. Then, as I drifted towards her core, the nature of that dark blue half became obvious to me.
While it appeared to be solid, as I approached, I could see tiny ripples radiating across its deep blue surface. What I was looking at was not a solid object at all, but a perfect hemisphere of water, biding its time while the raging inferno opposite it dominated Tási’s being.
Somehow, the feeling was not new to me, and I cannot say how I knew what to do next, but I did. I let myself glide still closer to the equator that defined the border between the deep blue waters and the burning flames. When I came with reach of the stark line that divided the two halves, I reached out and traced my hand back and forth between the opposing sides.
The motion of my hand brought together the searing flames and cool water, breaking the barrier that had been holding the two distinct elements apart. I pulled away from the core and watched as the crimson fires and blue water began to mingle across the entire surface of Tási’s core. The deep blue waters were no longer held in stasis. For the first time, they asserted their influence, and became a counterpart to the searing heat that had dominated Tási for so long.
With
my task completed, I felt myself being pulled back, away from Tási’s core and sliding out of her essence. The last view I had before my consciousness left her was of the once-divided sphere settling into a mottled patchwork of crimson flame and deep blue waters, finally coexisting as equals. Whatever had been lying dormant in those deep blue waters was now free, and as I withdrew my hand from beneath Tási’s robe, I opened my eyes slowly to see what effect my actions had wrought. Tási lay still in front of me, and I glance over at Venna questioningly.
“When are you going to start?” Venna asked in confusion.
“What do you mean? It’s already done,” I replied
“You’ve had your hand on her for a few seconds,” Venna said incredulously. “She only just closed her eyes.”
Before we could debate the matter any further, Tási stirred and mumbled something unintelligible. I tilted her head towards me and spoke softly to her, trying to coax her back to us.
“She left me a message,” Tási whispered softly as a smile played over her lips.
Tási’s eyes fluttered open and I stared at her in shock. Only a moment before when I had looked into those eyes, they had been a beautiful golden amber. Now her eyes were deep blue, the exact same shade of blue as the dormant half of her core.
“What happened?” Was all I could think to say.
“She left me a message,” Tási repeated. “She explained everything to me.”
“What did she tell you?” Venna asked. She had yet to see the dramatic change that I had observed and was more focused on Tási’s words than I was.
“My mother is a water spirit, an elemental entity,” Tási explained. “Like Ridge, but more. She took physical form to conceive and give birth to me, but couldn’t remain in that state after that. She left me with my father so he could raise me while she returned to her natural element. She didn’t simply abandon me as I always thought—she was just unable to stay with me any longer.”
Tási shed tears of joy and relief while she relayed the words her mother had left for her in the still waters of her core. The thought that her mother had never cared for her and simply walked away from her had caused Tási so much pain over the years, but the knowledge that Tási’s mother had imprinted within her soothed those deep wounds that had lingered for so long.
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