It had been some time since she was last in Rhydin. Many years had passed without her really being aware of the passing. So much to attend to, so much to take care of. Her leaving had been bittersweet. Children to raise and see taught well the duties they would assume. A heart to mend.
?
? So much had changed since she left. The room she had lived in for so long before finding and purchasing her cottage was available. With gratitude she'd rented it. This trip was already very confusing and brought turmoil to a normally clear thinking woman. Great comfort was taken in the familiar room with a corner view that showed a sliver of the waterfront. Even the furnishings had not been changed. The delicate canopy over the bed still shielded the eyes from early morning sun. A night resting there, remembering the past was good for the soul and the nerves. She could sense him near, as he surely could her. The closer she'd come to Rhydin, the more she could feel him. Arriving at the Inn and settling into her room, where it was quieter and she could concentrate, she could almost feel his thoughts and emotions. Such had always been part of the bond between them. A bond even time apart could not diminish.
?
?? The letter had been delivered several weeks earlier. The young lass had seemed very nearly as bewildered as Mystik herself when she gave it over. Describing the man who comissioned it's delivery had been unneccessary. The distinct blue rose had spoken that before the lass had even gotten within sight of her. His mana signature entering the palace had sent a tingle of awareness through her. Perhaps a good thing, for it had allowed her to compose herself before speaking to the lass. The words though.. those were what Mystik awaited. Nearly holding her breath. She wasn't sure that she could maintain the outward calm. Finally the lass came to it. Her description of the man had been very detailed. She'd said it was because he'd not given her a name, only Mystik's own and her whereabouts. But finally, the words.. she could almost hear Shay's voice overlaying the lass'...
?
"Tell her I await her return.."
?
?? Instinct was to leave immediately, by the paths of magic. But rational thought made her still her racing mind and consider everything. Perhaps he needed her skills, which he, best of all, would know. Perhaps he only wanted to see her again for a reason of his own. Such as either wanting to reconnect the lifebonding between them. Or, a horrible thought, he wished to sever the bonding.. or perhaps let her know he had found another and wished to tell her himself. But hope springs, and those thoughts were swiftly brushed away as though rubbish. She knew her husband and lifemate. Whatever had kept them so long apart, she doubted it was another woman. She would have known had he severed their bond. No.. whatever had kept Shay away from this plane for so long was taken care of and he was ready to build a life again.
?
? So, she began her preparations. There was the council to turn over completely to Andromeda. The principality as a whole, actually. Her daughter was well taught and more than ready to assume her place. Freeing her Mother to return to where her heart was. Marz was ready to help his sister. Both had reached their majority and it was time that they not only assumed their places within Silverhawk, but were allowed to govern without their Mother over their shoulder. But the details of such had taken time. Disinvesting Mystik and investing Andi. All the ceremony that went along with that. Annointing Marz as First Sword. A rank the young man had truly earned several months before, but she had waited, knowing Marz needed to learn that though he was First Sword and technically held command of the land's small army and militia, he still needed the counsel of wiser, more experienced men. Getting through to her son that heeding his Councel's advise was not a weakness had been somewhat of a struggle at times. The fact that he had come to her a few months earlier and spoken of his admiration for his Councelors had been heartening. But yet she had waited. Waited to be sure that it was true.
So, apart from the details, she had little qualm leaving Silverhawk in the capable, though young, hands of her children. It was time once more that Mystik Kialynna Silverhand Kathal be allowed to live her own life. Her homeland was cared for, her children raised to be the princess and prince that would care for not only the title and glitz, but the people. It was her turn once more.
So, with all arranged and cared for, Mystik packed a few things, had her mare readied and bade her children farewell. They knew where and how to find her. And would, should they need her. There would be no lack of communication between Mother and children. They knew of Shay's message and looked forward to seeing their second Father when time and circumstance allowed. Andi bade her Mother, as she urged the mare through the portal, remind Shay that she still had the feather he'd given her as a child. That day it was woven into her long hair as a talisman. With a final wave, Mystik had moved from Silverhawk to the land belonging to the cottage, near the river.
And with that first step, she knew he was near, just as he would know she'd returned. Brushing a hand back through thick red tresses, silvered gaze sweeping her land. Then the mare was urged down the path that led to Rhydin.
"Aye, Ashke.. I come."
?
? So much had changed since she left. The room she had lived in for so long before finding and purchasing her cottage was available. With gratitude she'd rented it. This trip was already very confusing and brought turmoil to a normally clear thinking woman. Great comfort was taken in the familiar room with a corner view that showed a sliver of the waterfront. Even the furnishings had not been changed. The delicate canopy over the bed still shielded the eyes from early morning sun. A night resting there, remembering the past was good for the soul and the nerves. She could sense him near, as he surely could her. The closer she'd come to Rhydin, the more she could feel him. Arriving at the Inn and settling into her room, where it was quieter and she could concentrate, she could almost feel his thoughts and emotions. Such had always been part of the bond between them. A bond even time apart could not diminish.
?
?? The letter had been delivered several weeks earlier. The young lass had seemed very nearly as bewildered as Mystik herself when she gave it over. Describing the man who comissioned it's delivery had been unneccessary. The distinct blue rose had spoken that before the lass had even gotten within sight of her. His mana signature entering the palace had sent a tingle of awareness through her. Perhaps a good thing, for it had allowed her to compose herself before speaking to the lass. The words though.. those were what Mystik awaited. Nearly holding her breath. She wasn't sure that she could maintain the outward calm. Finally the lass came to it. Her description of the man had been very detailed. She'd said it was because he'd not given her a name, only Mystik's own and her whereabouts. But finally, the words.. she could almost hear Shay's voice overlaying the lass'...
?
"Tell her I await her return.."
?
?? Instinct was to leave immediately, by the paths of magic. But rational thought made her still her racing mind and consider everything. Perhaps he needed her skills, which he, best of all, would know. Perhaps he only wanted to see her again for a reason of his own. Such as either wanting to reconnect the lifebonding between them. Or, a horrible thought, he wished to sever the bonding.. or perhaps let her know he had found another and wished to tell her himself. But hope springs, and those thoughts were swiftly brushed away as though rubbish. She knew her husband and lifemate. Whatever had kept them so long apart, she doubted it was another woman. She would have known had he severed their bond. No.. whatever had kept Shay away from this plane for so long was taken care of and he was ready to build a life again.
?
? So, she began her preparations. There was the council to turn over completely to Andromeda. The principality as a whole, actually. Her daughter was well taught and more than ready to assume her place. Freeing her Mother to return to where her heart was. Marz was ready to help his sister. Both had reached their majority and it was time that they not only assumed their places within Silverhawk, but were allowed to govern without their Mother over their shoulder. But the details of such had taken time. Disinvesting Mystik and investing Andi. All the ceremony that went along with that. Annointing Marz as First Sword. A rank the young man had truly earned several months before, but she had waited, knowing Marz needed to learn that though he was First Sword and technically held command of the land's small army and militia, he still needed the counsel of wiser, more experienced men. Getting through to her son that heeding his Councel's advise was not a weakness had been somewhat of a struggle at times. The fact that he had come to her a few months earlier and spoken of his admiration for his Councelors had been heartening. But yet she had waited. Waited to be sure that it was true.
So, apart from the details, she had little qualm leaving Silverhawk in the capable, though young, hands of her children. It was time once more that Mystik Kialynna Silverhand Kathal be allowed to live her own life. Her homeland was cared for, her children raised to be the princess and prince that would care for not only the title and glitz, but the people. It was her turn once more.
So, with all arranged and cared for, Mystik packed a few things, had her mare readied and bade her children farewell. They knew where and how to find her. And would, should they need her. There would be no lack of communication between Mother and children. They knew of Shay's message and looked forward to seeing their second Father when time and circumstance allowed. Andi bade her Mother, as she urged the mare through the portal, remind Shay that she still had the feather he'd given her as a child. That day it was woven into her long hair as a talisman. With a final wave, Mystik had moved from Silverhawk to the land belonging to the cottage, near the river.
And with that first step, she knew he was near, just as he would know she'd returned. Brushing a hand back through thick red tresses, silvered gaze sweeping her land. Then the mare was urged down the path that led to Rhydin.
"Aye, Ashke.. I come."