The Dancers
The months had gone by quickly. She was sitting in front of a small nondescript fountain, consecrated to Lliira. She didnâ€t look like she was praying, swirling her fingers idly in the water, occasionally chatting to Lady Rith nearby and taking breaks to have some food in the nearby town. Praying she was, however, and she was feeling much better for it. She had stepped off the ship from Damara into Peltarch with a sense of foreboding and left the city quickly for the Shrine to the south. She met only one of her friends on the way out the gates, Loreene, which she was glad for. One she could handle, even needed to safely make the trip without using an invisibility spell, but more she was not yet ready for. Loreene brought her up to speed on matters concerning poor Emma, though she was hard pressed to make herself listen to them. In Loreeneâ€s company however, she managed to loosen up a bit, even make some jokes towards the end of the trip.
Then there was a familiar growl as they were talking just outside the gates of the barbarian homestead, and a slap to her and Loreeneâ€s behinds. It could be only one person. At first, she was scared she may not be ready to talk to Clandra yet, but she reflexively threw out her relatively new dispels at the Headmistress, though her aim was a little rusty, leaving the raven haired girl invisible. She appeared after a moment though and they hugged, happy to see each other again. Soon they were all joking again with Zyâ€thal and a nice paladin chap who had happened by and she resolved to speak to Clandra about her absence. If nothing else, Clandra deserved an explanation as to her sudden departure. So they hastened to the Shrine and sat down by the waterfall, the familiar place comforting the elf.
She told Clandra she was sorry she had not left any note or explained to her before she left what was wrong with her, but the dancer was not upset. She asked in a reassuring tone if Eowiel would tell her what was wrong, so she did tell her. She was hesitant at first, relating matters slowly and haphazardly, but it was impossible for her to be uncomfortable for very long in the presence of one of her closest friends and she soon finished telling her everything from why she left, her time on Evermeet to her trip back. Her Headmistress listened quietly, hugging her and at the end of it the elven girl felt better. They spoke about religion and how they had been affected by it, how they treated it in the past and present. She felt gladdened and honoured in a sense, at what Clandra told her.
She began to feel almost like she did years beforehand, before –her-. This was a relief beyond measure to her and though she was not sure how to express her gratitude to her dear friend, she was definitely sure Clandra understood anyway. They spoke on until Clandra had to leave and Eowiel walked over to the Shrine, greeting Lady Rith idly, and sat down to talk once more to her Patron.
_Lliira, I thank you from the bottom of my heart. I had not been sure that even with my new assurance relating to the Seldarine I could ever properly be joyous again. I do not credit Clandraâ€s nature to you, that thanks belongs to her alone, surely, but perhaps you had a hand in the happenstance of her meeting me as I travelled to your shrine. You have always been there for me, since I took you into my heart in Hoarsgate. I should never doubt that there can be joy in a person again, even in times like these. I have erred, My Lady and I know you forgive me. I have fears however, that I harbour a passion within me I have never felt save once.
A desire to kill another, my Lady, anathema to your ways, to my ways and to my very person. I cannot abide these thoughts my Lady, but neither can I banish them. –She- broke every promise, broke so much- Is it surprising I am having violent thoughts about her now? After all this? Unsurprising, perhaps. Perhaps. Yes, I should not be entertaining them, even if it is clear why I am having them. A wish to take the life of another. Only those Thayans who captured my dearest sister have I felt like this about before. And I saw to it one of them was killed, helped to bring him down with my arrows with bloody murder in my soul. I cannot regret his murder, and I know we have been over this man hundreds of times, but I never thought I would feel that way about a person again. I never thought –she- could have done this to me either, however. I know these thoughts are wrong to listen to, but when I think of the moment in the Nars when I found her. Asked her if it were true. I cannot stand that she remains, continuing delightedly in her “new†life. I –hate- it. I hate few things, including hatred itself. I hate –her- more for doing this to me, making me feel this way now. I preferred myself miserable to a cheerful person who could commit murder.
Yes. I know. Yes, I should put these feelings to one side until I can talk with my sister. She always knows how to handle things like that. I hope she has been well without me. Surely Clandra would have told me if she had not. Yes, she would have. I need not worry. I will remain with you for awhile longer before I am ready to see my sister again then, Lliira. I owe Demi too much to be poorly prepared for the explanation I must give her. I need time to make sure I make her no more sad than is necessary, you understand that very well, donâ€t you Lliira? That is why I love you too, Lliira. We are on the same track. Heheh. Alright. Iâ€ll talk to you in a moment, I think I shall see if Lady Rith would like some lunch at the Boarshead._
