AL001
Oct 09, 2008#49
While your walk has drained the last of your reserves, and you are forced to your knees from sheer exhaustion another sensation can be fealt. Sweat drips from your brow, but you can feel your heart beat. It is a strong sensation beating inside you. And for lack of any better way of putting it, you feel pure in a way you cannot recall feeling since you were young. The very air inside you seems somehow changed with each breath. It is the Pattern, having recognized and accepted its own, it has left you charged and revitalized in the knowledge that you are indeed an Amberite! One of the select few throughout all reality and its many shadows that could survive an ordeal of this nature. You are a daughter pure and true.
Julian kneels beside you, holding you. Your breath ragged, where his is steady and strong. If he is winded by the experience of supporting not only himself, but you, he does not show it. He takes you in his arms, and holds you like when you were seven once more. His warmth is all encompassing.
To more firmly nestle into his broad chest, you move Epee from between you, the akwardness of her hilt getting in the way. You are rewarded with a reassuring mental purr. A solid connection. Your heart skips a beat. Something you had taken for granted for all these years... Something you appreciated, but never thought of losing. A dear friend, who's life was not just in the balance, but required a willingness to sacrifice your own good, and those around you for hers.
Tears of joy cover your face, and you cry into your fathers silk shirt, making a mess of it, and not caring for the moment. You wipe your eyes, and see your uncle Brand silhouetted by the Patterns light on the far ouside of it. The Patterns sparks having returned to a more normal level, leaving him in an odd ghoulish looking way. He waves to you, but says nothing. Not wanting to break the moment you two share, but not wanting to leave without saying goodbye. He waves to you, and then without waiting for a response, turns and heads back out the doors, closing them behind him. The long walk back up before him.
The solid sound of the doors closing is reminiscent of some tomb. It does what Brand had been refraining from. The spell is broken as Julian is reminded of where you both are. He scoops you up in his arms. You are seven again, and the pain of your mothers passing is negated by the mere presence of the man you call father. Your size may have changed, but you feel as small as ever. You could fall asleep.
There is a whisper of wind, and the light is incredibly bright. You are once more in your room of Julian's hunting lodge. The bed is made, and he lays you on top of it. He unbuckles your sword belt, and with a moan, you reach out. He tucks Epee into your cradling arms like it was some sort of Teddy Bear. Then he pulls up the thickly woven comforter and lays it over you both.
It is good to be seven again. He reaches across and pulls the drapes.
As he leaves the room, you can't help but notice the spilled broth and juice have been cleaned up. All is right with the world. You are here with your father, and it seems anything can be cleaned up.
Aria Lynn's Adventure continues in: AL002 - Another day, Another family plot.