Of Hearths and Long Roads Home.

[Aenya]

"...You're bleeding!"

Without even glancing down at her damaged arm, paying no attention to Olorae's alarmed tone, Aenya nodded. She felt the pain and knew just how deep Analosi's knife went - right to the bone if not deeper, all tendons and muscles in the way sliced clean through - a truly desperate and accurate strike in a bid for freedom. She knew exactly how much blood she was losing and wondered whether her hand would manage to tear off before she passed out - probably not, though. She was perfectly aware of the stream of blood dripping onto the ground in rhythm with her heartbeat, just as she was already at ease with the situation she found herself in. The curse mark on her back throbbed softly, blocking off both her natural and magical recovery rate. With Olorae's healing abilities mysteriously sealed off for the moment and not a single other soul nearby - Aenya knew exactly what would happen soon. There would be no miraculous rescue. Perhaps she deserved it? Just before the cliff slid into the sea, just before she managed to use her most dangerous and unstable magic to transport herself and Analosi to safety before it was too late, she saw the girl's eyes. She saw the desperate fury and fear in them, just as the knife cut her arm and forced Aenya to release her grip on Analosi - leaving her to plunge to her death. There was no chance a fall that high and a water that deep would have any chance for survival. Death instead of imprisonment and possibly even torture - she knew Analosi made the right choice, but who was Aenya really when she was not a healer, saving the lives of others? And how can one be of help to another being, if you cannot even help yourself? And that was truly the core of the matter at hand - there was nothing she could do. Not ever, and not now. All the circumstances up to now, all the lives lost because of her, all the pain her close ones went through. Was her death enough to repay all that? Probably not... And yet still, she raised her eyes and smiled, serenely.
"Yes. I know." - she replied with a measured soft tone, her vision slowly beginning to blur at the edges. "You... know...? Then why won't you do something about it?!" - Olorae exclaimed, coming closer. She seemed to now tower over Aenya as she slumped slightly, still smiling as her legs very slowly began to bend and give way.
"I can't. You and me both know there is nothing I can do right now." - she smiled even more broadly as realisation slowly dawned on Olorae, her eyes widening in growing horror - she had only recently been told how Aenya's curse prevented her from healing herself properly, an awful "gift", the remainder of her kidnapping she had not yet been able to remove. The sound of ripping fabric filled the air but as the dark elf tried to move toward her to stem the flow of blood, Aenya focused her ever slipping senses and shoved herself away magically, both of them staggering as she forced them apart by several meters.
"Don't. Don't do it. This... This is alright." - she said softly, still smiling that increasingly unnerving little grin. "Analosi... She made her choice, you see?" - Aenya raised her arm, slowly pulling up the ripped sleeve, exposing the cut and making the blood flow even more freely in a grotesque fashion. "And this one... This choice is mine." - she nodded slowly, her vision barely focusing anymore. "I guess this is goodbye, my beloved Jabbress..." - her whisper was barely audible as her knees finally buckled and the world went dark before they even reached the ground.

________

A loud THUD! of a heavy wooden tankard hitting the table snapped Aenya out of her dream, jerking her awake with a startled gasp. A chuckle and a wide grin peeking out from a bushy beard slid into her vision as the dwarven owner of the inn she was staying at shook his head in amusement.
"Aye'm rentin' ya a room upstairs, lass, fer sleepin' purposes, ya kno'? 'M'sure the bed's much more comfortable than me tables!" - he chuckled again and she returned the grin this time.
"Sorry, Korval. I've been on the road for a while and I fell behind on all of my paperwork. I guess the long journey took a heavier toll on me than I thought not to mention the boredom of the task, I promise I'll try to not drool on your precious tables anymore and go back upstairs if I am in danger of doing so."
"Nay, lass, ya do what ye wish, always a sight for sore are ye are at me place. Known ya fer years I have, haven't I? I know ye work yerself to the bone. Not like there's many guests these days to bother ye anyway. Jus' take care of yerself, fer old times' sake." - the dwarf nodded as he shoved the beverage closer towards her across the table, carefully navigating through the mess of her papers strewn across its surface. Sniffing the contents Aenya smiled in appreciation - Korval's malt beer containing only a very very small amount of alcohol, her favorite of his many brews. As she sipped in silence in the completely empty side room off the main inn floor, she had to wonder why the place had never become more popular - it had more than enough going for it. Relatively cozy and comfortable, affordable (although Aenya always paid much more than she owed - for old times' sake) and with good drink and food. And yet it was secluded and almost camouflaged enough in the outskirts of Aden that it tended to draw clientele that was not necessarily shady, but nevertheless preferred to stay out of sight and any unwanted attention. It kept getting steady enough business to be only marginally profitable, but Korval kept repeating throughout all the years that she'd known him that he preferred it this way - he got to run a business like a reputable dwarf should, but he also got to do what he loved best and that was cook all manner of wild game and brew various ales the way he liked them. Aenya wasn't about to start complaining - she always had a place here whenever she needed to be in Aden longer, and there were many reasons she wanted to be here for an extended stay this time around. In a way she was grateful that Korval had woken her up. It didn't come as a surprise that she had once again begun to dream of the past. How many years had it been now since that desperate chase through the woods and the fall off the cliff? She wasn't even sure. And she knew it was the almost cryptic letter she had had someone "deliver" to someone very precious to her, right here in Aden, that had these memories surface again. Even the sweetness of her drink couldn't wash off the increasingly bitter taste the dreams brought up. Her own foolishness, her mistakes repeated time and time again, it all weighed heavily on her mind even after all this time. She had tried to come back on many occasions, the hunting excursion into the frozen labyrinths outside of Schuttgart, the wedding in Heine, the expeditions in search of the secrets of the angels and giants - to name a few.. And then again when she had tried to come back with Azalea and outside forces and circumstances made her retreat yet again after merely a few days. Now, things had been as stable as they have never been before, even with everything else going on. The world definitely seemed to have become a slightly worse and more unstable place as Aenya's own matters settled. Avett staying at a highly secure place where he could hone his talents ("Talents in procrastination and nuisance..." - she thought privately), Azalea almost completely cured and as 'sane' and 'present' as it had never happened before, Aenya's forced involvement with the bloody inquisition's secret forces seemed to be at its end as well. ("And good riddance.") She also had to admit her own research into the matters concerning her 'ailments' appeared to be nearing promising conclusions, perhaps not final ones but definitely hopeful in their own right. It had been high time to send that message... And she was a bundle of nerves, she had disappeared so many times afterall, many a time without a word. She always found her way back of course, but... Was that enough? She had been so foolish, irresponsible and careless in the past. Now she wanted to think she had grown, she had been selflessly taking care of her siblings and their safety for years now, the threat hanging over their lives finally slowly pushed away. If that didn't make her put away some idiotic thoughts... Of course there were many other things that happened in this time. All the deaths, always the misery, both the people close and those she never even knew by name... Everything helped her in growing into a different view and perspective on things... But the matter was still simple, her loyalty never wavered, but even if she always came back, like a cat that kept to its own paths but always ended up back at the familiar hearth... Would that be enough?

It had been days since she had that message sent. She knew the messenger well, she knew it would be received. She knew she would also be found with ease, should there be need to reach her. She knew absolutely nothing of what went on around these parts anymore, or with the people she cared about, she had become too involved in various matters and research far, far away, until she knew for sure it was completely safe for herself and her siblings to return here.

It had been days since that cryptic letter. She would stay here for quite a while longer.

But she was beginning to fear she had already lost her way back, this time.





(( I would appreciate me some Olo to join in here! (the letter is in Olorae's mailbox ingame, I don't remember the exact cryptic little thingie and didn't wanna mangle it) ~~ Join meeeh, Olo! either here at the sneaky sneaky inn, or wherever, or I dunno ! ^_^ Doesn't have to be long or anything :3 I did miss this little brat and would like to stretch these rusty fingers to stop writing like I'm punch drunk. ))

[Olorae]

The High Celebrant looked down at the envelope, mixed in with all the other messages handed to her by her servant. She sent the dwarf away, fanning the various letters out and pulling the thickest from the batch. Curious, she mused, turning it over in her hand. Whispering a prayer, she fortified herself from poisons and spells, then pulled the graceful dagger from the desk and slid it through the envelope.

Glancing to Sadori, she looked down as she unfolded the parchment. Her brows knit, and she scanned the emblem and words, then again. And again.

"Can it be?" she asked, looking up to Sadori with wide eyes. "Another one coming home?" She held out the letter for the dancer to see, then reached to the crest pinned to her collar and called out into the void.

Seylin: whatever you are doing, I need you to stop. Get your orc friend and report to my manor in Aden. I need you to find... someone for me.

[Sadori]

Taking the letter from her wife, she read it slowly. Thankfully it was brief. Handing the letter back she arched a graceful brow.

"Who is it from? And what "past" do they speak of?"

[Olorae]

"Aenya," she said as she folded the letter, tucking it back in the thick envelope. "She had drifted from us several times, but always came back... until she didn't. My sister did a number on her before..."

Hearing a boisterous SQUEAK! through the magic of her crest, she reached down to the desk, grabbing a quill and blank parchment to scratch out instructions and a description of her last memory of the girl for the ranger.

[Sadori]

"Aenya." She curled herself into a corner of the divan. "The name sounds familiar, but I can't place it. Are we welcoming her return?"

[Olorae]

"I believe we are, my beloved," she said with a smile, curling up alongside the dancer while she waited for the ranger.

"They are coming back again. It seems that our return has awakened those we thought lost."

[Olorae]

(A few hours later)

Seylin stood outside the manor house, looking down at the parchment in her hand and committing the description to memory. She looked to her companion, shrugging and handing it to him before she gestured to the central square. They would start there, then expand the search out into Aden proper, then start looking beyond if need be.

She tapped the orc on the arm, smiled, and set off at a brisk pace into the crowded square, tucking her bow across her back. She struggled, unable to see over the throngs of people, and so turned to the orc, to see if he had any luck.

[Sadori]

Hetaruk stared at the paper and frowned, then looked up to scan the throngs of armored adventurers weaving through the shops. He frowned again and rumbled his disgust deep in his chest.

A tap on the arm drew his attention down to his longtime companion. With nary a thought, his great hands clasped her hips and hoisted her up onto his shoulder.

[Olorae]

With a squeak, she rose into the air before being planted on the orc's shoulders. That was better... she could see now. Scanning over the crowd, she let her sharp eyes flick over each person's face, looking for one that at least resembled the description.

Was that her, there on the eastern steps?

[Aenya]

Truth be told, Aenya rather liked Aden, even on overly busy days such as this one. It was well-kept even through all the problems plaguing the land and the town seemed to have become more crowded since she last visited it. The hustle and bustle of the main square did not surprise her but the crowd just outside of the temple was a little more than "a bit" disconcerting. Coming nearer towards it, Aenya heaved a deep sigh, her expectation more or less confirmed - a rather large huddle of people with various states of injury waited in makeshift queues, seeking the aid of healers congregated in the temple. It seemed that a lordling or worse, some magistrate, had staged another haphazard training skirmish or competition and once again neglected to ensure proper security measures. Sighing again she turned away from her original destination and began to move towards the temple, readjusting the stylishly subdued white and gold mask covering the left side of her face and making sure it hid what it was supposed to. The "accessory", as he called it, was Avett's idea. Since Aenya had so far not been able to find even a shred of evidence that there would ever be a way to remove her curse scars, her brother had a point in saying a healer with bandages covering half of her face did not inspire much confidence in her abilities. Even if she had not progressed much since 'the incidents' that caused her to be this riddled with physical issues, even through her stunted growth she still retained all of her considerable talent for healing, and right now it seemed the priests of the temple could use all the help they could get.
Several hours later, as most of the cuts and bruises and even broken limbs were treated and the situation was under control with only a few people still requiring aid, Aenya finally stood with a soft exhausted groan. She bid her goodbyes to the high priests and modestly acknowledged their thanks for coming to help them and slowly made her way back to the inn again, not having enough strength left to continue with her original purpose in going out. And it was due to that haze of exhaustion that she did not even notice as she passed right by a bizarre sight of an elf perched high up on an orc's shoulders.

[Olorae]

The elf looked around, frowning and letting out a raspy sigh. She looked down to prod her orc companion, eyes growing wide as she saw the priest walking right past them. She started squeaking and croaking, nudging Hetaruk with her elbow as she pointed.

Could it really be that easy?

[Sadori]

Hetaruk barely dodged the sharp elbow aimed at his head and offered a low growl before sweeping Seylin back to the ground. She'd move faster on her own feet than if he tried to pursue while carrying the elf. He gestured that she should follow the priest and he would follow.

[Olorae]

She hit the ground at a run, ducking and weaving through the crowd. She closed the distance fast, vaulting a dwarf at one point. She heard the dwarf's exclamation, but she was in too big of a hurry. She had found her prize, now she simply had to claim it.

She ran around the side of the priestess, turning and holding out her hand, palm up. She let out a squeaky sound, her vocal chords unable to produce anything better. She had a very serious, very stern look on her face as she tried to stop her quarry, her ash-blonde hair pulled up tight in a bun, tallum leather skirt fluttering around her as it settled. There, just at the base of her neck, strung along a slender silver chain, was a small onyx crest detailing the curled lines of her pledge to the Echoes.

The steady plodding feet of her orc companion approaching from his position mingled with the crowd noises, and her eyes flicked to his silently, knowingly and telling, before they darted back to the masked priestess.

[Aenya]

By the time the tired Aenya noticed the sound of quickly approaching footsteps behind her and the movement, it was already too late for a more appropriate response. An elven girl maneuvered around her with ease and stopped her dead in her tracks, instincts kicking in as the pursuer's hand went up. Immediately Aenya took an almost involuntary step back, expecting a strike she shifted her weight more evenly on her feet and her hand reached for some sort of weapon. Not feeling the weight of her usual sword sheath and knowing she did not carry it out in the town anyway she immediately reached elsewhere, for anything, a small knife perhaps out of the bag on her hip----- which wasn't there as she had left it back at the inn that morning, foolishly not expecting to need it for anything. Taking another step back and opening her visible eye wider she fell back to letting her mind become her weapon as she tried to assess the situation. Almost wildly looking around she appraised the surroundings and she didn't fail to notice the orc approaching them with purpose. She let her gaze fall across the elf again and she paused, falling out of her frantic self-defense state. A mix of shock, relief and a flicker of fear at the same time washed over her as she spotted the token at the base of the girl's neck. Very carefully now, so as not to alert any more of anyone's attention she shifted her stance again into a relaxed position and moved closer to the girl, gesturing that she could put her hand down. It could afterall still be dangerous to be affiliating herself with people so openly announcing their pledge to the Echoes, even if their activity was so subdued, almost nonexistent these days. Perhaps not so much dangerous to Aenya herself, but definitely to her family, thanks to those who kept her siblings' lives in a constant state of threat to enforce Aenya's obedience. Even now that both of them were safe and cared for, Aenya had to proceed with some caution. Very carefully she looked around again, looking for the telltale signs of people paying a little too much attention and, put slightly more at ease when she didn't find any, began to speak quickly in a very soft voice, just barely loud enough for the girl and her companion to hear, her eyes still on the crest.
"I know who must have sent you. I won't move from my lodgings for quite a long while, they're convenient and safe and I'll be downright boring with routine and unremarkable actions to anyone that might be watching. Follow me discreetly and tell your mistress where to come find me in a few days' time. Or have her call for me, though I won't lie, I would prefer a visit instead, it's still not entirely safe for me to move about carelessly..." - she paused for a moment, smiling sadly. "...And let her know I'm glad to not have been forgotten." - Aenya stated shortly before slowly walking past the elf, beginning to make her way to the inn.