A blog dedicated to fictional short stories and role-playing across a spectrum of video-games and fantasy worlds.

Sunday, May 20, 2012

Alike in Heart

The portal flashed once as Biara stepped through it before it faded away, wisps of magic twirling through the air where it had been. Before the Magistrix stood the other Sin'dorei who had accompanied her into battle. Five in all, each looked exhausted from their conflict yet there were many happy grins of victory on their faces, with one notable exception.

As the group slowly parted, exchanging a few last words with one another, Biara studied Elunearia Moonblade closely. The Sin'dorei looked out of sorts, and had the entire evening. Her pale face and light blonde hair were starkly contrasted by the blood splattered on her white gown. She looked in some ways like a ghost, and yet she was also vibrant and filled with the Light. As Biara looked at her, a painful realization came to mind.

She fought her own former people for the first time, and she did it for me. She's displayed loyalty to my House and to the Horde beyond what I would have expected of her.

The girl had fought bravely, and had used her magic to aid her allies, even as they assaulted and rampaged through her former home. What kind of mental battle must she have fought to do that? How taxing must it have been to deny her own past so that she could live her life now in the present? Maybe in some ways it was something the priestess HAD to do in order to be reborn in her new life, but Biara knew the cost must have been terrible indeed.

Biara watched as the Sin'dorei walked away slowly, silently. She spoke to no one, keeping her thoughts to herself but her head held high. She was a mystery to the Magistrix. Seeing such strength was inspirational to a degree, but it also made Biara think of her own trials and grief. Perhaps Elunearia dwelled on such things in her own private thoughts as Biara herself did. Perhaps the proud stride of the Sin'dorei as she walked away masked a painful battle that none but the priestess could hear.

Regardless of how she felt, Elunearia deserved to be rewarded for her show of good faith this evening. Biara smiled to herself as she thought about how that might be done.

********************************************

It had been easy really to access the rooms that Biara had given to Elunearia. The priestess often spent her time alone, or tended to the wounded of the House and her chambers were left empty for hours at a time. It was more than enough time for Biara to do something special with the space, something that hopefully would show the priestess her appreciation.

The Magistrix stood in the center of the room and closed her eyes. She began to chant, the spells she wanted already firmly in mind and previously prepared. As magic rose up around Biara she smiled and began to point to various parts of the room. This would be an easy task.

A few quick spells moved the curtains lining the walls of Elunearia's chambers, allowing brilliant sunlight to spill into the enclosed space. It would be the beginning of the redecoration that the Magistrix had in mind. With the light of day streaming into specific areas of the chambers, the second step would be to align a crystal foci in position. Baira reached to her pouches, pulling out a tiny gem and throwing it into the air near where the light was strongest. A spoken word of magic trapped it there, expanding it's size.

Instantly the room filled with glorious sunlgiht, twinkling across the walls and ceiling. Biara knew in the evening it would reflect the moonlight in the same fashion, giving Elunearia the feeling of the stars shining down upon her; something she would always enjoy given her heritage and something that Biara shared a liking for. Biara threw up a second and then a third crystal, aligning them perfectly to catch the sunlight and moonlight no matter the hour, ensuring that the priestess would always have the beautiful sight within her chambers.

Next the Magistrix pointed at an empty wall on one side of the large rooms. Using her magic, she conjured a steady stream of water from the ceiling. It flowed down the wall like a waterfall, and another magical field captured it and returned it to the top, filling the room with the pleasant tinkle of running water. At the base of the flow Biara placed several dozen tiny seeds, pouring an elixir over them. Flowered plants sprouted there, as if hugging the base of a waterfall and creating a beautiful interior for Elunearia's bedchambers.

Biara lowered her arms and smiled, admiring her handiwork. The priestess would feel more at home now. She'd have a little bit of her old life mixed with the new; nature and magic combined together to give her a soothing sanctuary. Biara would have servants bring in additional flowered plants for the room and for the balcony outside the chambers. There was just one last detail.

The Magistrix placed a letter on Elunearia's pillow before walking out of the room.

Dearest Elunearia,
After what you have done for me and my House, I thought that this gift was the least I could do for you to show my appreciation. I know how trying the past few weeks have been on you, and I also know that deep within your heart is pure. You remind me much of what I once was and had to give up in order to survive. I give you this sanctuary, this place of your own so that you never have to give up the purity within yourself just to survive.

Your family has joined with mine, and never has it been more clear to me than last evening that you mean to fully support this union. Your brother and sister have easily found their place here, as their natures allowed them the freedom to do that. I want you to know that you too will always have a place here, and that you will always have someone there to speak with when you need to unburden your heart.

Rest and take comfort in my gift, and may Elune watch over you. Somehow I think that she does, despite all you have been through.
Your friend,
Biara

As Biara exited the room, the gentle sound of falling water and glimmer of light were left behind her, a gesture given in kindness from a soul that knew too much of her own hardship.

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