Leaving the security of the vale and the comfort of his arms, she was not extremely happy to be in the position that she was now in. Not that she minded getting a lift from one of her hunt mates, especially her favored small friend she quickly sent to him as she patted the arch of his slender neck reassuringly, but the desires Max sent crashing through her mind had totally engulfed her after she had expended much of her energies seeking her dreams and the colors of his world. Admiring the coloring of the dress as it was now she thought perhaps she had been emeshed within the world of the black too long. Wanting no more at the moment than the heat of his touch, she shivered in the early grayish pink dawn.
"Yer timin'' could ''ave been better," she muttered to the greenish-gold dragon. He crooned back to her with soothing chirrups and the images she envisioned from him were enough to make her laugh.
"Nae my friend, ''e was nae ''urtin'' one," she hurriedly reassured him, wanting to head off any thoughts that she knew the small dragon was probably already rolling through his mind. She wasn''t entirely certain of what her hunt mates thought of Max and the confusing thoughts she picked up from Phal did little to help her on that front. Tails on the other hand, now that was a beast of a different color. She had reached the end of her endurance with him the morning she came back from Max''s and found not only the pillows shredded down to the last one but her robe too. That had been the straw that broke the proverbial camel''s back and she had yelled at him maybe a bit too harshly after she realized what his reasoning was. That had been the last she had seen or even felt of his presence. She knew he was one with them too, as much an outcast as she had been and together they had overcome much as they learned to rely on the other. Saddened that one of her brothers felt she was betraying them, she had been more than surprised at what she picked up from Tails as he had fled her tirade. Foolish she may be to want to be whole as Khirsah had told her, so did Tails allow her to gather from him, they would always stand behind her but they didn''t have to like it. The elder dragon was not pleased that she would seek to abandon them just as she had returned from her long tenure of solitude.
She shook her head to clear her mind, trying to drive off the chill of the morning as she snuggled down closer to the dragon''s back, the rush of the wind causing her white hair to dance as mists about her face and shoulders. "Ya coulda at least let one get somethin'' ta ward the cold off," she called to him. Visions of closed off portals made her laugh. Apparently the dragon had the thought in his head that she wouldn''t have come out had he allowed her time to go inside, she had been late to meet him as it was and she snickered knowing he may possibly have been correct. The most she got out of his thoughts past that point was a serene comfort ensuring her safety for Max. Her last thoughts before her weariness finally succeeded in claiming her was that Phal had finally lost his mind. Secure in her safety and the trust she had with the beast, she lay her head down upon crossed arms on his back and let sleep take her, the dragon carrying her to where she had shown him in her mind.
Peering through awakening eyes she sensed they were close. Looking up into the morning sky she pushed away the chaos that took her whenever she awoke and glanced down at the passing countryside. Stretching out her arms above her head she felt the exhilaration of the dragons flight and couldn''t help but smile.
She remembered back to when she had first seen him and the harsh thoughts of the other dragons about him. Sure he was smaller than the rest she mused as she stroked the leathery neck but she had never doubted his heart and the desires he had shared with her to be accepted. Acceptance within the pack had shocked her more so than the older dragons refusal to teach the small one to fly. She knew the dragons order, she also knew they tolerated him and his stature, an embarrassment to be endured rather than an asset as she felt him to be.
Passing the time as they sailed on she thought of the first time he had wanted to share his newfound freedom of the skies with her. She had approached Khirsah and asked his approval and had sullenly received it. She had never a doubt that Phalgisto was indeed a dragon that could fly, sure his wings were not totally in proportion with the rest of his body but she didn''t feel it was reason enough to cast him aside. Following her heart she had taken on the task of teaching the little one to fly. It had not been easy but his heart was in the right place and he had tried to follow what she tried to teach him. A comical sight to any that may have witnessed them, she had cared not what any of the pack had thought and the morning that Phal had called to her excitedly of his triumph she had ran from the cottage hurriedly binding the laces down the sides of the leather jumper and was shocked to a laughing tirade as she shared his success. He was actually flying! All of the trials to gain him wing strength had proven worthwhile and she had been genuinely thrilled for him. He had proven himself for her and his willingness to share with her was without measure as he had landed and beckoned her to join him. She recalled the first time she had climbed to his back and the feel of the small yet powerful wings as he had gathered his legs under him and leapt up to meet the sky. His joy had been hers and they had been inseparable ever since. Feeling her approval at how far he had progressed in his strengths the dragon roared along with her as she threw her head back and howled her exultation.
Slowing his winged pace the dragon lowered his head to control their descent. The vale was below them and with a slow spiraling the dragon rode the currents of wind to the ground, gently settling his clawed feet to the earth as he lowered his wings so she could dismount. Throwing her arms about his neck she thanked him for his gift of the flight then gave him a fair scratching behind his eye ridges. She had never failed in her beliefs of their friendship and always made sure that he never felt taken advantage of. Crooning his satisfaction at her attentions she smiled as she slid off of his back.
"Phal, ya canna come ana further wi'' one, gotta do this one on my own," she told him.
He understood what it was she meant to do and he butted his wedge shape head against her legs to get her motivated. Grinning at the nudge to her legs and mind she turned to look about the vale. They had landed in the midst of a small clearing amid an emerald collage of various plants. Unfaltering were her steps as she walked to the edge of the clearing and with a single glance back at him with a wink she turned and spoke the chant to allow her to walk into the portal that would take her to the druidic halls of the vale.
For those uninitiated to its whereabouts it would never be seen. For those that knew of its existence it would always be waiting to take its guest to the true heart of the vale. Steeling her nerves she stepped into it''s narrow opening without looking back. The pace of her steps took her through the portal and she emerged for the second time in her life into the emerald green vale of the Anathros, the home of those that followed Aluen, only this time it was her own legs that carried her and not her cursed savior.
Coming to a stop she gazed about and was amazed at the clarity that befell her. What is this she thought? Had the madness of her blood-ties abated to the point that she was of her own mind again? Shrugging it off she looked to the center of the vale and rested her gaze on a sight that she had thought sure she would never have lived to see again. The magnificent temple hall that had been erected in honor of Aluen, carved of a polished black stone it shone back the reflections of the black her eyes had turned to. A small pool of crystal clear water that seemed to take on the sheen of the polished stone was before the entryway of the hall. A chain bound to a silver chalice was attached to a stone marker by the pool. Gazing at it the memories seeped back and she knew instinctively what she had to do. Reaching a hand out she took the cup firmly to hand and dipped it into the pool''s water, pausing only long enough to cast the blessing of Aluen before draining the cup of it''s contents. Releasing the chalice she let the bound chain pull it back to the marker.
Her blackened gaze kept watch to the temple hall doorway, awaiting one of the druids that would take her to the temple''s center now that she had been purified by the crystalline waters. Her wait was not long. A solitary figure in a black hooded robe soon came forth, his hands outstretched to her.
"What seeks ye of the Black?" he questioned her.
"By one''s path, innocence untarnished, this one seeks the council o'' Aluen, the one mistress o'' the Black," she replied.
"What seek ye of Aluen," he responded, speaking the name in a most reverent manner.
"One seeks the wisdom that was taken when Aluen made one a spirit o'' the Black." Knowing this would take the time of the day beyond the night she knew also that she couldn''t rush the figure, it would take her when it felt that the requirements were met fully. Kneeling down to one knee before him she lowered her black eyes from the heavens and turned her gaze on the one in the robe.
"One is strong in her faith my child and ye shall have your request met. I see that there are others of the Black that seek to aid you in your tasks." Waving a long arm beyond the pool she turned to look where it was that he pointed to and was shocked to see Tails there.
"Talismana of the Black, do ye seek also to aid this one in her tasks?"
The small wolf nodded a black head and looked to her with eyes as black as her own. She fought off the smile that was on her face, it wouldn''t do to have one of the Watchers catch her off guard letting her emotions show before she had her audience with Aluen. When the figure in the robe motioned to the wolf he slowly came forward with his head lowered, his eyes to the pool. Seeing the figure''s apparent approval of Tails she reached for the chalice and once more filled it, lowering it so that Tails could drink of the purifying water. He drank hurriedly as she cast a worried glance to the waning daylight. Loosening the chalice after he had finished drinking, it returned to the marker that held it.
The wolf lowered his body till he was lying beside her as she knelt before the robed figure. Without a backward glance or any words spoken the figure turned and walked towards the doorway.
"Be true to your path and your spirit pure, those that wish passage into the temple has been granted. Delay not for the sun dies in the heavens. Go in peace to the Chamber of Aluen."
As one they both took their stance before the figure and with a bow of their heads to him they walked through the doorway together.
The hallway that lay before them was as black as the stone outside but it held a translucent light that allowed them to see through their night''s eyes. Without a word to Tails she walked true to the pathway that she needed, it had been calling her for days now and she let her feet go of their own accord. Nearing the far end of the hallway they came to a large over-sized oaken door. Together as one they stopped before the door, it slowly vanished as they watched it open and as one they entered the chamber.
The room they entered was round but there was no light to speak of that would have illuminated corners had there been any. The only object in the room was a golden orb the size of a dragon''s egg that spun slowly on an unseen force, a light that came from within the spirits of those that had been and those that would follow her. She knelt before it and lowered her forehead to the orb. Tails lay down beside her and together they waited Aluen to come.
Without fail the orb begin to pulse as it heeded her call. Keeping their eyes to the orb as it pulsed they felt her presence before actually seeing her. A figure in a golden mist slowly took from before them. Without a word the figure bent and took their hands into its shadowy folds and bade them stand. They stood as the silent figure took a more solid form. The voice when it spoke was as pure as the waters they had drank from and without any malice.
"What seeks the Black that one would summon me?"
Still on her knees she let the thoughts of her heart lead her way. "One o'' the Black seeks redemption, one''s duties done as the pact required."
"One''s duties, Altara Dayrinn, Poison of the Black, for I know ye well little one, are nae complete."
Willing her black gaze to Aluen she nodded once. "It canna be that one is still needed. The pact ''as been fulfilled as yer bargain commanded," she returned.
"Nae little one, the Watcher''s say it isn''t your time yet, I cannot go against those that give me breath. Seek your path elsewhere if ye must but I cannot grant ye passage into the hands of man"
"Mistress, one ''as sought a different path, that o'' the ''eart. There is one that is nae afraid o'' what one is and it is fer that I seek redemption."
"So, it has finally come to pass that which was destined to be. For seventy moons I watched ye as the life-blood that passed to ye was set to flow in your veins. Has the blood of the Black truly been diluted?"
Shaking her head vehemently she denied the fact. "Nae mistress, one''s innocence is untarnished, but one longs fer the soul that she ''ad."
"So, ye seek to break the pact?" The chill in Aluen''s voice they both felt.
"One is confused mistress, there are desires that seek ta destroy one inside, one does nae know what ta do other than ta seek yer council. One shall do as ya bade one ta do and willingly so as fer the pact it was made unbeknownst ta one, if this one''s touch is ta be denied then wish it was myself that would ''ave perished instead o'' the dreamwalker that gave one life."
Aluen nodded her understanding, she too had once known what it was to be held in another''s embrace even if it had been centuries ago. "Come, little one, show me this man that leads ye to such distress, I will gauge for myself if he is worthy of the blood that binds ye to us." Holding out a misty hand to Altara she allowed a smile to the wolf. "I see that ye stand beside her, know ye too that her path is bound forever to yours, would ye be willing to let her die in this world to be born again into one that doesn''t want her?"
Tails looked up to Aluen and she could feel that he would die beside Altara before turning his back on her.
"Shall we?" Aluen asked.
Looking to each other, they both stood. Altara placed a comforting hand on Tail''s back and took Aluen''s with the other. Drawing strength from Tails and thinking of Max she closed her eyes and led Aluen and Tails to him. She knew she would not be able to be there long but just seeing him would sooth her sore heart at being absent from his side.
"Yer timin'' could ''ave been better," she muttered to the greenish-gold dragon. He crooned back to her with soothing chirrups and the images she envisioned from him were enough to make her laugh.
"Nae my friend, ''e was nae ''urtin'' one," she hurriedly reassured him, wanting to head off any thoughts that she knew the small dragon was probably already rolling through his mind. She wasn''t entirely certain of what her hunt mates thought of Max and the confusing thoughts she picked up from Phal did little to help her on that front. Tails on the other hand, now that was a beast of a different color. She had reached the end of her endurance with him the morning she came back from Max''s and found not only the pillows shredded down to the last one but her robe too. That had been the straw that broke the proverbial camel''s back and she had yelled at him maybe a bit too harshly after she realized what his reasoning was. That had been the last she had seen or even felt of his presence. She knew he was one with them too, as much an outcast as she had been and together they had overcome much as they learned to rely on the other. Saddened that one of her brothers felt she was betraying them, she had been more than surprised at what she picked up from Tails as he had fled her tirade. Foolish she may be to want to be whole as Khirsah had told her, so did Tails allow her to gather from him, they would always stand behind her but they didn''t have to like it. The elder dragon was not pleased that she would seek to abandon them just as she had returned from her long tenure of solitude.
She shook her head to clear her mind, trying to drive off the chill of the morning as she snuggled down closer to the dragon''s back, the rush of the wind causing her white hair to dance as mists about her face and shoulders. "Ya coulda at least let one get somethin'' ta ward the cold off," she called to him. Visions of closed off portals made her laugh. Apparently the dragon had the thought in his head that she wouldn''t have come out had he allowed her time to go inside, she had been late to meet him as it was and she snickered knowing he may possibly have been correct. The most she got out of his thoughts past that point was a serene comfort ensuring her safety for Max. Her last thoughts before her weariness finally succeeded in claiming her was that Phal had finally lost his mind. Secure in her safety and the trust she had with the beast, she lay her head down upon crossed arms on his back and let sleep take her, the dragon carrying her to where she had shown him in her mind.
Peering through awakening eyes she sensed they were close. Looking up into the morning sky she pushed away the chaos that took her whenever she awoke and glanced down at the passing countryside. Stretching out her arms above her head she felt the exhilaration of the dragons flight and couldn''t help but smile.
She remembered back to when she had first seen him and the harsh thoughts of the other dragons about him. Sure he was smaller than the rest she mused as she stroked the leathery neck but she had never doubted his heart and the desires he had shared with her to be accepted. Acceptance within the pack had shocked her more so than the older dragons refusal to teach the small one to fly. She knew the dragons order, she also knew they tolerated him and his stature, an embarrassment to be endured rather than an asset as she felt him to be.
Passing the time as they sailed on she thought of the first time he had wanted to share his newfound freedom of the skies with her. She had approached Khirsah and asked his approval and had sullenly received it. She had never a doubt that Phalgisto was indeed a dragon that could fly, sure his wings were not totally in proportion with the rest of his body but she didn''t feel it was reason enough to cast him aside. Following her heart she had taken on the task of teaching the little one to fly. It had not been easy but his heart was in the right place and he had tried to follow what she tried to teach him. A comical sight to any that may have witnessed them, she had cared not what any of the pack had thought and the morning that Phal had called to her excitedly of his triumph she had ran from the cottage hurriedly binding the laces down the sides of the leather jumper and was shocked to a laughing tirade as she shared his success. He was actually flying! All of the trials to gain him wing strength had proven worthwhile and she had been genuinely thrilled for him. He had proven himself for her and his willingness to share with her was without measure as he had landed and beckoned her to join him. She recalled the first time she had climbed to his back and the feel of the small yet powerful wings as he had gathered his legs under him and leapt up to meet the sky. His joy had been hers and they had been inseparable ever since. Feeling her approval at how far he had progressed in his strengths the dragon roared along with her as she threw her head back and howled her exultation.
Slowing his winged pace the dragon lowered his head to control their descent. The vale was below them and with a slow spiraling the dragon rode the currents of wind to the ground, gently settling his clawed feet to the earth as he lowered his wings so she could dismount. Throwing her arms about his neck she thanked him for his gift of the flight then gave him a fair scratching behind his eye ridges. She had never failed in her beliefs of their friendship and always made sure that he never felt taken advantage of. Crooning his satisfaction at her attentions she smiled as she slid off of his back.
"Phal, ya canna come ana further wi'' one, gotta do this one on my own," she told him.
He understood what it was she meant to do and he butted his wedge shape head against her legs to get her motivated. Grinning at the nudge to her legs and mind she turned to look about the vale. They had landed in the midst of a small clearing amid an emerald collage of various plants. Unfaltering were her steps as she walked to the edge of the clearing and with a single glance back at him with a wink she turned and spoke the chant to allow her to walk into the portal that would take her to the druidic halls of the vale.
For those uninitiated to its whereabouts it would never be seen. For those that knew of its existence it would always be waiting to take its guest to the true heart of the vale. Steeling her nerves she stepped into it''s narrow opening without looking back. The pace of her steps took her through the portal and she emerged for the second time in her life into the emerald green vale of the Anathros, the home of those that followed Aluen, only this time it was her own legs that carried her and not her cursed savior.
Coming to a stop she gazed about and was amazed at the clarity that befell her. What is this she thought? Had the madness of her blood-ties abated to the point that she was of her own mind again? Shrugging it off she looked to the center of the vale and rested her gaze on a sight that she had thought sure she would never have lived to see again. The magnificent temple hall that had been erected in honor of Aluen, carved of a polished black stone it shone back the reflections of the black her eyes had turned to. A small pool of crystal clear water that seemed to take on the sheen of the polished stone was before the entryway of the hall. A chain bound to a silver chalice was attached to a stone marker by the pool. Gazing at it the memories seeped back and she knew instinctively what she had to do. Reaching a hand out she took the cup firmly to hand and dipped it into the pool''s water, pausing only long enough to cast the blessing of Aluen before draining the cup of it''s contents. Releasing the chalice she let the bound chain pull it back to the marker.
Her blackened gaze kept watch to the temple hall doorway, awaiting one of the druids that would take her to the temple''s center now that she had been purified by the crystalline waters. Her wait was not long. A solitary figure in a black hooded robe soon came forth, his hands outstretched to her.
"What seeks ye of the Black?" he questioned her.
"By one''s path, innocence untarnished, this one seeks the council o'' Aluen, the one mistress o'' the Black," she replied.
"What seek ye of Aluen," he responded, speaking the name in a most reverent manner.
"One seeks the wisdom that was taken when Aluen made one a spirit o'' the Black." Knowing this would take the time of the day beyond the night she knew also that she couldn''t rush the figure, it would take her when it felt that the requirements were met fully. Kneeling down to one knee before him she lowered her black eyes from the heavens and turned her gaze on the one in the robe.
"One is strong in her faith my child and ye shall have your request met. I see that there are others of the Black that seek to aid you in your tasks." Waving a long arm beyond the pool she turned to look where it was that he pointed to and was shocked to see Tails there.
"Talismana of the Black, do ye seek also to aid this one in her tasks?"
The small wolf nodded a black head and looked to her with eyes as black as her own. She fought off the smile that was on her face, it wouldn''t do to have one of the Watchers catch her off guard letting her emotions show before she had her audience with Aluen. When the figure in the robe motioned to the wolf he slowly came forward with his head lowered, his eyes to the pool. Seeing the figure''s apparent approval of Tails she reached for the chalice and once more filled it, lowering it so that Tails could drink of the purifying water. He drank hurriedly as she cast a worried glance to the waning daylight. Loosening the chalice after he had finished drinking, it returned to the marker that held it.
The wolf lowered his body till he was lying beside her as she knelt before the robed figure. Without a backward glance or any words spoken the figure turned and walked towards the doorway.
"Be true to your path and your spirit pure, those that wish passage into the temple has been granted. Delay not for the sun dies in the heavens. Go in peace to the Chamber of Aluen."
As one they both took their stance before the figure and with a bow of their heads to him they walked through the doorway together.
The hallway that lay before them was as black as the stone outside but it held a translucent light that allowed them to see through their night''s eyes. Without a word to Tails she walked true to the pathway that she needed, it had been calling her for days now and she let her feet go of their own accord. Nearing the far end of the hallway they came to a large over-sized oaken door. Together as one they stopped before the door, it slowly vanished as they watched it open and as one they entered the chamber.
The room they entered was round but there was no light to speak of that would have illuminated corners had there been any. The only object in the room was a golden orb the size of a dragon''s egg that spun slowly on an unseen force, a light that came from within the spirits of those that had been and those that would follow her. She knelt before it and lowered her forehead to the orb. Tails lay down beside her and together they waited Aluen to come.
Without fail the orb begin to pulse as it heeded her call. Keeping their eyes to the orb as it pulsed they felt her presence before actually seeing her. A figure in a golden mist slowly took from before them. Without a word the figure bent and took their hands into its shadowy folds and bade them stand. They stood as the silent figure took a more solid form. The voice when it spoke was as pure as the waters they had drank from and without any malice.
"What seeks the Black that one would summon me?"
Still on her knees she let the thoughts of her heart lead her way. "One o'' the Black seeks redemption, one''s duties done as the pact required."
"One''s duties, Altara Dayrinn, Poison of the Black, for I know ye well little one, are nae complete."
Willing her black gaze to Aluen she nodded once. "It canna be that one is still needed. The pact ''as been fulfilled as yer bargain commanded," she returned.
"Nae little one, the Watcher''s say it isn''t your time yet, I cannot go against those that give me breath. Seek your path elsewhere if ye must but I cannot grant ye passage into the hands of man"
"Mistress, one ''as sought a different path, that o'' the ''eart. There is one that is nae afraid o'' what one is and it is fer that I seek redemption."
"So, it has finally come to pass that which was destined to be. For seventy moons I watched ye as the life-blood that passed to ye was set to flow in your veins. Has the blood of the Black truly been diluted?"
Shaking her head vehemently she denied the fact. "Nae mistress, one''s innocence is untarnished, but one longs fer the soul that she ''ad."
"So, ye seek to break the pact?" The chill in Aluen''s voice they both felt.
"One is confused mistress, there are desires that seek ta destroy one inside, one does nae know what ta do other than ta seek yer council. One shall do as ya bade one ta do and willingly so as fer the pact it was made unbeknownst ta one, if this one''s touch is ta be denied then wish it was myself that would ''ave perished instead o'' the dreamwalker that gave one life."
Aluen nodded her understanding, she too had once known what it was to be held in another''s embrace even if it had been centuries ago. "Come, little one, show me this man that leads ye to such distress, I will gauge for myself if he is worthy of the blood that binds ye to us." Holding out a misty hand to Altara she allowed a smile to the wolf. "I see that ye stand beside her, know ye too that her path is bound forever to yours, would ye be willing to let her die in this world to be born again into one that doesn''t want her?"
Tails looked up to Aluen and she could feel that he would die beside Altara before turning his back on her.
"Shall we?" Aluen asked.
Looking to each other, they both stood. Altara placed a comforting hand on Tail''s back and took Aluen''s with the other. Drawing strength from Tails and thinking of Max she closed her eyes and led Aluen and Tails to him. She knew she would not be able to be there long but just seeing him would sooth her sore heart at being absent from his side.